Chapter 7: A new friendship !
The dinner was a pleasant affair with friendly bantering between Merin and Chris while Autumn and James joined them along. After the dinner they decided to take an exploratory walk among the various buildings . While Autumn would have loved to take a walk along the river side, Merin and Chris seemed mesmerised with the art and historical aspects of the buildings.
Merin and Chris we're excitedly discussing or rather arguing about something. To Autumn it seems like they were speaking Spanish or Chinese. Maybe seeing the confused look on Autumn, James explained that while both Merin and Chris has joined SAP ( School of Architecture and Planning), both has taken different courses. One in architecture and another in Urban development and planning.
Seems her two friends are headstrong that they were arguing about two aspects of the same design and same structure of buildings. Leaving them to their own tug of word war, Autumn turned to James.
"So what have you taken? Merin said you have taken my stream. Are you also in data science?" , asked Autumn. James said, "Not exactly. Though I have a paper in math. maybe we'll be sharing classes. Mine is more or less like technical side. I want to become an ethical hacker. "
"Wow! Hacking? While in school, most of the boys were fascinated about hacking. Even some of them were dedicatedly focussing on CTF even. Have you tried CTF? " , asked Autumn. With a shy smile, James said: " Yes I did. In picoCTF conducted last year I could manage to come under 50 in world ranking."
"Cool, In my school, a couple of friends also did participate and one guy every came in 60s. He was boasting about it for an entire month non-stop. Here you are very modestly mentioning that you could manage under 50? wow. Really wow!!"
James seemed uncomfortable under the adoration of Autumn. Autumn laughed out loud. "Hey relax. I did say that to make you uncomfortable." James smiled shyly. His left cheek dimpled. Cute! she thought.
"So apart from hacking into systems what else do you do?" , Autumn asked . James spoke about his interest in reading and music. Autumn spoke about her clumsiness and recently took up health regimen. She expressed her interest in looking up a safe path for her morning run.
James suggested they take a detour to the river side. They called out Merin and Chris who were discussing the designs on a pillar. "Hey guys, actually, I was looking for a safe route for my morning run. Run through this path, that too between the buildings, might be difficult. We we're thinking about checking out the river side. You, coming?" Autumn asked.
A look of surprise passed Chris' face . He said, "I didn't peg you as a health freak".
"Not a health freak. But just feels good after a morning run. I have not been running my entire life. But took it up recently. One of my friend from hometown, he is actually an athlete that he is training for his first ever cross country and marathon running. Actually Charles, he trained me for a routine running. You will feel really energetic after a 3 mile run". Autumn said.
"Wow! Autumn, count me in. Let's start our morning with a run. " said Chris. He turned to Merin and said. " Come on babe, this will be fun. Let's do it together".
Merin's lips twisted as if disgusted and said:" I told you, I am not you babe. Stop calling me that. And of course I will join my roommate for a walk. Not a run though. I can give her company. You need not join us." Merin turned her face.
Chris was quiet for a moment as if he didn't know what to say. Then another moment he looked as if he was going to counter argue with her. Then he said:" Did I offend you, Merin? That was never my intention. I'm sorry . Okay. " and then turned to James and said: " I think I will return back to room now. see you later. " He nodded at Autumn with a smile and turned to Merin: " See you around." and then he started walking back.
For a moment James or Autumn didn't know what happened and why the mood changed suddenly. Merin still looked angry and didn't respond to what Chris said neither did she look up.
After a moment, Merin said "Come let's look at the Riverside ." and started towards. Autumn looked at James and he shrugged. They followed Merin. There was a calming presence near the riverside. Autumn stood there in a bliss.
Merin said:" I guess my travel had caught up with me. I feel so tired. I will return back now, if you don't mind. " Autumn opened her eyes to see Merin looking at something on the road. Then she lifted her eyes and said to Autumn. "Call me in the morning. Will you? I will join you. This road seems straight enough for a mile or so. I will walk as you run if you don't mind. Am not a runner at all. And I dont possess any running gear for that matter. " Merin forced a smile and then started towards the dorm side.
"Did something happen here. What is that with both of them? I don't understand. What am I missing? " Autumn asked James. James said " Chris has been teasing Merin from the moment we met her for lunch. May be something which Chris said might have offended her. It's not our place to comment. Let them.sort it out themselves."
Autumn looked at James and said with a smile: " You are mature beyond your age. Do you know that?" And then they continued for some distance. "I guess this is a good place to start. Let's see tomorrow. I don't blame them now. I feel tired as well." Autumn said laughing.
"Did you just say that I am tiring you? " asked James in a teasing sound. " Ha! you hurt me Bella!" he said with a floundering hand towards his heart. Autumn's eyes bulged up in surprise and then she spluttered out. She slapped his hand mockingly. "Stop it James. You know it's not that. I do enjoy your company. Maybe more than Chris or Merin. But if you tell them that, I will deny it. But you are easy to talk to and I do enjoy your company. But I am genuinely tired. It was indeed a long journey."
James said :" Ok then, let's head back. After all beauty needs her sleep!" Autumn was surprised to hear James flirting with her. After a hesitation both of them started back as they neared the main block, they heard someone talking near by. Nearing it, they heard a male and a female voice.
The female voice which suspiciously sounded like Merin said " I said I'm sorry. what else do you want" The male voice surprisingly sounding like Chris said " Leave it Belle, you don't have to say sorry. Leave it. I'm okay. And I got the message. There will not be any more trouble from me.I will see you around. I like to be alone for sometime now. " "Chris" , the female voice begged.
It didn't seem appropriate for them to encroach a private conversation. so they detoured around. James looked as if he wanted to say something. "Autumn may I speak to you openly?" Autumn looked at him with a scared eyes. James said:" Nothing to worry and all. But I like to keep our relationship as solid friendship. I , eh, I am not looking for a relationship and I just wanted to be forthcoming about my thought to you. "
Autumn hugged James and said :" Thank you James, I like that too. she pointed behind them and said I don't want to loose your friendship either. Under any circumstances. I would rather keep your friendship for a life time." James smiled and hugged her back.
They spend some more time walking around the campus and then headed back to their rooms.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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