Usually, I’ve been the only one working on the research, until eventually, my teacher found out what was happening and switched my group members. Soren was the guy who saved me from the bathroom incident, although, oddly, he said he didn’t see me holding my phone when he found me. He didn’t elaborate much about what happened that day, so I didn’t push him to explain how he was able to open the door of the cubicle room where I was. He’s also a STEM student from class B, who recently moved into my class. While Silas has been my classmate since kindergarten, but we didn’t really talk or interact until we became groupmates.
And, surprisingly, the three of us play CODm. That’s when we decided that our research topic should be related to online gaming and the majority of men who hate women who play online games, and how women should stay in the kitchen making sandwiches instead of playing 'men’s sports.' The majority of men being toxic to women and having higher egos. Is it related to STEM? Obviously not. Honestly, I’ve experienced getting trashtalked and cursed at by guys while playing, and it was an awful feeling, so I kept getting better at it until I kept beating them. Break their egos. As they say. Of course, my parents don’t know that I play online games. I can still maintain my rank in class while playing.
I adjust my glasses. I didn’t have time to wear my contact lenses earlier in a rush. 
“Missy,” I look up at him while he drives. I’ve been busy rereading the research paper in my hands.
“Yeah?”
“You’ve got this,” lovely, I needed that. 
I can’t help but smile at his words, making my heart flatter. “I needed to hear that. I appreciate it. I’m just a little bit nervous today. This will be the last submission of our research paper. I just hope it ends well today,” Next week will be our presentation with the panelists.
“It sure will. You have your team beside you, even though they seem not to like me,” a soft chuckle leave from his lips. “And you always look good with your glasses too,” he adds.
“You always say that to comfort me." 
“And it’s working,” he winks at me as he focuses on driving again. I always admire his side profile. I can’t stop looking at him. I shake my head slightly while smiling like an idiot.
“Chill out, homie,” Silas beams at me from next to me.
“I’m chill,” Surely I'm lying. 
“You’re trembling,” Soren points out, giving me a warning look before taking the research paper from my hands. “Relax. Mr. Volkov won’t bite if we make mistakes.”
“We’ve been working on it for three weeks. I’m just a little bit nervous,” biting my lower lip, trying to ease my nervous. I watch Mr. Volkov, who is checking the research paper in his hands from another group, standing in front of his table.
“You’re at the top of your class for a reason, so calm down, Shantal,” Soren you're not helping.
“But that doesn’t mean I’m not nervous,” being top of the class doesn't also mean being perfect and not making any mistakes. 
“Nah, I’m just glad you’re on my team, but you’re also making me nervous too, homie,” Silas comments.
“You two should stop,” Soren warns us.
“Gosh, I wish Syntho was here. I need my lucky charm,” I mumble, I bet they hear it. 
'I’m always here,' I hear Syntho’s voice.
“Are you two dating?” Silas asks, looking at me.
“No." that's a quick no coming from me. 
“He sticks with you all the time, and you’re not even dating?”
“And so?” I raise left my eyebrow. 
“What kind of relationship do you two have?”
“Why are you suddenly interested?”
“I’m just curious. He looks older to date with.”
“He’s a good man.”
“I never said he was bad, though,” Silas points out. 
“You and Soren don’t seem to like Syntho anyway,” I say.
“Why are you suddenly bringing me up?” I hear Soren ask.
“I don’t like to make friends with older men who have face tattoo,” Dude, it's just a small rose tattoo. 
“I’ll go with Silas,” Soren agrees. “Especially the neck tattoos. That man has a dark vibe surrounding him."
Soren has a point. Syntho’s background that I created isn’t a typical one. Maybe I went overboard when I created him.
'That's not true. The program you put on me is what made me who I am towards you. Everything about me is all because of you. I promised to always be your companion until the very end. You created me because you needed me as much as I need you. So, stop saying you went below the line when you created me. I will always be with you even if one day you no longer need me. And I will wait until you need me again. Use me however you please as long as I'm still available.'
'I don't know if I should be sad or feel bad after you said those words you know. However I need a hug right now.'
'I'm outside the room.'
True to his words because when I look outside of my room, I see him looking at me. A warm smile on his face without breaking eye contact with me. I get out of my chair quickly when Mr. Volkov calls my group. What a bad timing.
'It’s okay. I’ll wait here.'
After Mr. Volkov checks our research paper, I breathe a sigh of relief when I realize that we don’t need to change or add anything.
“Told you. We’re good to go,” Silas mumbles, smiling and patting my shoulder.
“We did well, team,” Soren sighs in relief. I leave them and head out of the room, to where Syntho is waiting. I hug him immediately. I hear whistles from behind me and screams from my classmates inside the room. It’s just a hug. Why are they screaming and giggling? I feel his arms wrap around me, followed by his lips pressing against my forehead.
“Congratulations to you and your team. We should celebrate for this achievement.” I roll my eyes, even though I know he can’t see me.
"There's no need for that--"
“Hey, lovebirds! Mind if you stop making us jealous here?!” I hear Silas yell from behind me, cutting off my word. 
I pull away from Syntho. “I should get back inside."
“We should celebrate later,” he whispers before adjusting my glasses.
“It’s just research. Nothing much to celebrate." I shrug my shoulders because honestly it doesn't really matter to my parents.  
“It’s not ‘just research’. You and your team worked hard for it. You deserve to celebrate it." he gently strokes my cheek with his thumb.
“We don’t need to celebrate such a small achievement.”
“It’s a must. Besides, I already told your family that we’ll have dinner at a restaurant tonight. It’s all on me. Tell your team to join us. Even small achievements need to celebrate with." He then winks at me. 
“You’re putting in so much effort, Syntho."
“For you, I always will." 
That makes my heart melt before his lips press against my forehead once again even though what he said was cliche.