Someone Somewhere Is Made For You

#16 He wants me back

Michael.

It felt strange to not have Cinderella sitting at the first seat on the front raw.

"Finally, we can have some peace." Angela said happily while opening her laptop.

But I felt other ways. It was too quiet and serious. Her absence was rather loud.

Ping...

My phone vibrated and I sighed.

I thought she would stop after the class starts, looks like she would not give up easily.

Cinderella had sent me a dozen messages requesting me to take her back.

She had even said that she learned to code the web-app that they were accused of buying and that I could test her.

I took the phone and put it on silent mode.

Halfway to the class, I heard the door being opened.

I turned to the door, expecting Cinderella, but it was Alex, her teammate.

"What's it?" I looked at him. "Do you have something to say? You are interrupting the class,"

"This will only take about five minutes," he said.

Everyone started to murmur and I nodded my head.

"Five minutes then."

Alex came in front of the class and looked at everyone.

"I am sorry. I know what I did was shameful," he said. "When every one of you worked your ass off to make a web-app within a short time, I tried to find the easy way out. I was actually trying to balance my time as I couldn't afford to spend a lot of time on this project because I am working two part times after college and it was difficult for me," he looked around. "Whatever the excuse may be, I know that I am at fault. I know I cannot run away from this situation. I want you to know that I am truly sorry,"

Some of the students nodded at that while a few sat there, looking still angry at him.

Alex nodded at me.

"What Senior Michael said was right," he said. "The project we bought cost us more than the money we earn from our part times," he said slowly. "How did we manage it?" He looked at Angela. "You guessed it right that day, it was taken from Ella," he said. "But you got it wrong too...Ella didn't know anything about our plan, she was overjoyed that we invited her to the team that she didn't notice that we were only using her for the money," he said while everyone looked outraged. "It made things easy for us when she took the week off and we planned the whole thing without her knowledge," he said. "She didn't know that the project was something we bought with her money, she was simply happy and believed in us," He turned to me. "Ella had no idea that this project was bought from outside. I did it. I convinced Vipin too, so if anyone has to take the blame, I will do that. Ella doesn't deserve to get kicked out of the project for what she didn't do. She didn't even know that we were using her for the money!"

"Are you sure about what you are saying?" I asked him and he nodded.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did you decide to confess this? It wouldn't be easy to do something like this,"

He laughed.

"That girl is not ready to give up," he said. "She has been bothering me too much that I ended up teaching her the whole thing about the project," he added. "I know that she won't have a chance unless you decide it,"

"You want me to give her another chance?"

He nodded.

"Kicking her out is not fair," he said. "I just thought that nobody should be punished for what they haven't done,"

I turned to the class.

"What do you think? It's not me, all of us are a team, what should we do about this matter?" I asked them.

"It doesn't matter if they made it themselves or bought it from outside," Angela said. "Cinderella would never have contributed anything to the project," she added.

"You are prejudiced!" Alex said sharply. "She did everything to help us before she took the leave, she worked harder than anyone in this room because she thought she needed to put twice the effort so as not to drag us down," he added.

"Working hard and earning results are two different things," Angela was not ready to give up. "She will never be able to help you,"

"She is thorough with the project; you can test her if you want."

"Everyone," I looked around the class before they started again. "Those who want Cinderella back in this class raise your hands." I said.

Nobody moved for a moment, then Shreya slowly raised her hand and another two followed.

Only a small percentage wanted her back.

Angela smirked at that.

I looked at the remaining five members.

"Those who don't want her to be in this group raise your hand." I said again.

"Do we even need to continue?"

Angela raised her hand confidently.

My heart skipped a beat as I realised that only three members have raised their hands, including Angela. The two others have decided not to participate.

"What the heck!" Angela looked taken aback. "Do you really need her back? She's a trouble maker!" Angela exclaimed.

"She's the only one who did everything we asked her to do," Shreya said. "As Alex said, everyone used her well when she was appointed as the organiser. We even made her do errands for us."

"And don't forget that she still got us in trouble!" Meera said.

"That was not her intention though," Alex said.

"I don't want her in this group," Angela said firmly. "She will be more of a nuisance than a help."

"It's a tie, what should we do now?" Someone asked.

"What's there to ask, the team leader will cast his vote."

Someone said from the doorway and I turned around to see Professor Abraham.

Everyone got up while he entered the class.

He gestured with a hand to take back the seats and the students settled down.

"I heard this year's project group is quite interesting and wanted to take a look," he said. "I guess I heard right, it's quite interesting," he turned to me. "So, let's ask the team leader then, will you take this student in or will you let her out?" He asked me.

I sighed and then turned to Alex, who was still standing there.

"Ask her to join back," I said.

Ella.

I pouted and put down my phone.

I guess Michael won't settle it as easily. He is not even answering my messages.

I took my bag and walked out.

The college hours are already over and I cannot stay back for the project meeting.

Uncle Jose will not be here as I have told him to come and pick me up after the project meeting and Nisha is already gone as I decided to stay back and try my luck.

I slowly walked out.

"Ella," I hear my name being shouted. "Ella, wait!"

I turned around to see Vipin hurrying to me.

"You are asked to go to the project room," he said. "Apparently Senior Michael decided to take you back," he added.

"What! Are you sure!?" I asked him.

He nodded. "Senior Michael himself cast his vote for you to break the tie! Alex talked for you as well."

"That's...that's very kind of him," I am overwhelmed now. "Thank you so much, guys." I said, "I am really grateful."

It's one of the few times that people are treating me sincerely.

"We talked about it yesterday, Ella, Go on, they are waiting for you."

I wiped my eyes and nodded.

"Thank you," I thanked him once again and ran to the project room.

Michael voted for me! That means he wants me back...Right?

I was panting by the time I reached the room. I took a deep breath and opened the door.

Every face turned to me. I slowly walked inside.

"Ella, you sure would have done better at theatrics," Abraham sir laughed. "It's a pity that you ended up in IT field instead."

I am confused now. The atmosphere of the room was different.

I turned to Michael.

"Are you taking me back?" I asked him.

"I just decided to give you another chance," he said.

"Why don't we do this?" Professor Abraham interjected. "Let's give her team another chance," he said. "All the three of them."

"You are taking us back too?" Alex looked surprised.

What's he doing now?

"Since you decided to be honest and is ready to take responsibility, I should give you another chance," Professor Abraham said. "That is if your team leader is okay with that."

Everyone turned to Michael, who looked not very pleased.

"The decision goes to the students present here," he said. "What do you think, does anyone has any objection?" He asked.

"I am okay with them joining back as long as you don't pick them as your partner for the tech-fest," Gokul said and everyone else seemed to think that as a good idea. They all nodded.

"Alex, Vipin, and Cinderella," Michael looked at Alex and me. "You can join back," he said.

"Oh thank you!" I was finally able to take a breath.

It's not me alone... My team is given a chance, wow!

Even though we can't present the project at the tech-fest, winning will give all of us merits.

"Don't thank me; you three are still on probation." Michael said and I stilled.

Everyone else looked confused as well. Professor Abraham, the only person who thinks that the whole situation is hilarious, chuckled at that.

"Probation?" Alex echoed my thought.

"We have the final project presentation a week away," Michael said. "I will consider taking you back based on your performance."

I smiled happily.

"That's okay! I have learned our topic-"

"I am not talking about the mini-project, Cinderella, I am talking about this," he pressed the remote and a new topic appeared on the screen.

"This is our final work," he said. "I am giving the same topic to everyone this time, let's see who will come first now."

My heart dropped at that.

"You want me to learn everything in this by next week?" I asked him.

"I want everyone to learn everything and prepare well," Michael faced the class and said. "The three people who do their best will get a chance to represent our college with me on this tech festival," he said while everyone looked excited.

What the heck! Does it mean that I need to spend some more sleepless nights on this?

Michael...you sure are a sadistic person!

Michael.

I watched as Cinderella and Alex moved to their seat. Alex was texting Vipin while Cinderella was looking at the projector, a small frown on her face.

I know that she might be worried about the presentation, but I am feeling strangely relieved to see her on the first seat on the front row.

I took a deep breath.

So that's settled at last.

"We will stop here today," I said. "I look forward to seeing your works," I said and everyone nodded.

I turned to Professor Abraham who was going through my topic with interest in my laptop.

"Can I have a word with you, Professor?" I asked him.

"Of course," he closed my laptop and got up. I turned to Cinderella who was still waiting even though the whole class was moving out.

"Wind up everything," I said.

She nodded eagerly.

As we walked out, Professor Abraham started to chuckle again.

"Do you have something to say?" I asked him.

"Jenni is right; you sure seem to be close to that girl."

"She is my organiser for the project," I shrugged. "This is my first time asking her to do something."

"Okay." he smiled.

"But why did you do that?" I asked him. "Why did you take all of them back?"

"I merely suggested it; it was you who gave them a chance."

"You wanted me to take them back, you put me in that spot," I said. "Why did you come to the class today? It's unlike you to attend it."

He sighed and turned to me.

"I heard about you kicking out three of your project mates and decided to take a look," he said. "I didn't know that I would witness such a drama there."

"Is that the only reason?"

"Michael, I wanted to remind you that you and your teammates have already been registered for the tech-fest. All the 12 of you are a team; you cannot reject them now."

"Why? Only three people will be presenting the project. The rest of them will be only supporting us."

"Exactly, every college will bring smart and enthusiastic students to cheer them, we cannot compromise on the number." he said.

"The final result depends on the performance, Professor." I said.

"As I said, we have already given their names and if you win, they will get the merits too," he looked at me. "Do you want them to get benefitted without any efforts?" he asked me.

I took a deep breath.

"I have nothing against them anyway," I said. "I just don't like it if people trick others or use others to have their way like they did."

"But it looks like you wanted Cinderella back in the team."

"She was following me everywhere and bothering me non-stop," I said. "And I knew that she is innocent this time."

He raised his eyebrows at that.

"When did you start to see the fairness and honesty in people? You usually rejected people if they bothered you or your works regardless of the situation. You didn't give anyone any second chances."

"Professor-"

"I am not asking you for an answer, Mike, I am just surprised that I could finally see some changes in you." He turned to me. "You have become warm and considerate and I think it's good."

I was frozen on the spot while he walked away from me.

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A big applause to shezazee12, you guessed it right, Alex and Vipin cleared her name!

Q: Do you think Michael is changing?

Ps: The link to my instgram page is there on my message board, Do follow me if you like my works.