Chapter 8: 3.𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩

"The project we submitted is similar to the other groups project" as these words left Zuri's mouth everyone fell silent for a moment and then chaos broke out Cami was confused, Max angry and Julian trying to convince others that they didn't copy "Can you explain in detail what happened?" I questioned her

"I went to submit the project and the Professor was just reviewing it when she told me that another group had some similar designs and autumn theme. At first I didn't believe it but she showed it"

"Then say it to the professor. You know we worked on it together you are the witness" Max excamiled "Not useful, they already submitted it first , that means we will be at fault and called a copycat " Julian slammed his hands on the table in anger "but we worked so hard on it . Can't we ask to investigate" Zuri shook her head "the professor was kind enough to let it go and gave us another chance to submit new work "

"Oh come on kind? What's the kindness here when others copied our work but we have to redo it again?" Max scoffed "Does it matter so much? Can't they just consider our project?" Cami asked "They didn't copy somehow our theme matched"

"And this is the fashion Industry, even a bit of similarity will bring you lots of criticism and shame . Many famous designers lost their name due to plagiarism" I said remembering the scandal that happened in 2005 with Louis Martin who was boycotted by people because he stole the work of a junior designer. The hate was so much that he had to leave this country.

"Stella is right" Zuri agreed. "don't waste time , two weeks until the deadline if we don't start soon then it will be impossible to complete it"

"Agh not this again" Max groaned and dropped himself on the chair "It's okay let's just start again we can complete it in 2 weeks right?" Cami tried to stay positive. We are given a month for 6 designs but we completed it in 2 weeks and now we need to change the theme and layout complete and put everything together in 2 weeks , this is gonna be stressful

"We have another problem . I don't think I can help you guys anymore" Zuri announced, sending all of us in agony "but why?" Max raised his voice "I am sorry guys but I too have other assignments and upcoming tests so I don't think I can- I am sorry"

"It's not your fault you shouldn't apologize, you already helped us a lot" I thanked her , Zuri is in her last year she has more work than us . This is all happening due to the one similarity in our designs . "Then what should we do? We need some mentoring" Cami said .

Zuri looked down in sorrow

This group project should be mentored by a senior and we will receive extra points according to the senior's performance and even they get advantage but now no one's here to help us .

"How about we take help from Ian?" Max suggested a new name "Really Max you are suggesting my ex?" Zuri's head snapped .This was the first time I saw her raise her voice. "Well you broke up with him but he's still my friend."

Max took his phone out and texted someone "and he agreed to meet us" Max waved his phone in front of his sister. "Do whatever you want. Don't come to me when you need help" saying this Zuri slammed the door and exited the room in anger.

After all the help she did for us it wasn't a good thing to treat her like this especially by her own brother

"She's just overreacting. She will be fine, don't worry. Let's go, we need to meet Ian" We all headed out following Max to the cafeteria.

"Don't you think It was kinda harsh of him to take help from his sister's ex?" Cami asked Julian "Max and Ian were friends long before his sister started dating Ian and it was their problem . I don't think it's harsh because Max is taking help from his friend" he explained

I have never heard about this topic before

"It's their private life let's not comment on it" we decided not to bring up this topic as it might be sensitive for them . But seeing the past relationship of Ian and Zuri will he actually help us?

The cafeteria was almost empty. It didn't take Max much time to spot Ian , he wore a black tracksuit busy looking at his phone when he felt our presence his eyes noticed us or precisely Max and a smile crept on his lips . He jumped from his seat "hey max"

We all settled around the table, Max and Ian had some catching up apparently they met after months. Luckily their chat ended and soon Max explained our whole problem the only thing he said was "I don't think I can help you guys"

"But why-"

Ian stopped Max and said "as Zuri said we all are having assignments and test it's not possible to take out time and help you"

"What about your friends can't they?" Max tried to convince him but he just turned it down. "What are we gonna do now" Cami expressed her worry

We all sat in silence for sometime and a snap broke it. Our attention went towards Ian "Why don't you take help from an ex-student?"

Seeing our confused expression Ian explained "see you just need someone who is experienced to guide you and have the name in your project. So it can be a second year , a third year or even a graduate from our university" that kinda made sense and it was allowed by the professor as long as the graduate student has graduated in the period of last 3 years not more than that . But now the question arises who and where are we gonna find them . As none of us know a graduate student

"I know someone" Ian said

"Who?" We all asked

"Liam Carter" was his response

Julian suddenly started laughing, Cami looked dumbfounded. "Will he actually help us?" only max was genuine with his question and here I was not able to recall who Liam Carter is? I think everyone here knows him but me "we can try , he did help me once , I invited him to my birthday party you guys can try your luck"

"There's no way the campus God will help us'' Julian scoffed. I whispered to Cami asking her who he is but my voice was audible to Ian "you don't know him?" He shouted his reaction made me jump from my seat . Why is he so loud

I shook my head. After my response he looked so offended "you really don't know him?"

"No I don't"

"Wow how can you not-" Max interrupted Ian, stopping him from bursting out on me . He said something to Ian which calmed him down "He graduated from here last year majoring in fashion designing. During his studies here he was known as the best study and still many students idolize him" I looked at Cami nodded 'literally' she mounted

"If he agrees to help you guys. I guarantee you all will come top in class" Ian pointed out

"I don't think he would, he has too much pride to help amateurs like us" Julian didn't like the idea of asking Liam to help us , since his name was brought out he looked pissed he is always pissed a voice in my head said shut up!

"did you ever meet him?" Ian questioned Julian and he remained silent "exactly I met him and know him . If you try and request sincerely he might help"

"I saw him at the welcome ceremony " Cami said to me "He came to give all the newcomers a motivational speech but instead of his words everyone was focusing on his face" I was not able to attend the ceremony, that's why I was not able to see him or hear about him before .

Ian asked us to join his birthday party the day after tomorrow. He sent an invite to Liam too but didn't receive a response from him . He isn't sure whether Liam will attend the party or not. He is the last hope if he doesn't agree we have no choice but to do the project by our own.

I came back home but Jasmine wasn't back yet after freshening up I witnessed a grumpy Jasmine , her face puffed up. I think her interview was not successful.

"What happened my puffer fish why do you look so grumpy" I pulled her cheeks

Her jaw clenched, her eyes squinted but she refused to look at me "did the interview didn't go well?"

She scoffed "I don't know because I didn't even give the interview"

"What do you mean you didn't give the interview? I literally dropped you on time"

"Don't you think this dress looks similar?" She got up and stood infront of me. I looked at the dress trying to figure if I saw it somewhere "I don't know exactly "

"let me help you . This dress belongs to one and only NYX collection" I choked on air at her words . I went towards her "there's no way" I pulled the back of her coller a little. All NYX collection dress has a signature logo that cannot be copied by anyone

Emily the words embroidered beautiful with a golden thread. My hands trembled

"Oh my I can't believe I am touching the dress made by Emily Carter" I screamed with excitement . Jasmine pulled herself away from me . I am losing the main topic

"But how does this relate to your interview?"

"The Company which I applied for , the president's daughter runs a clothing brand in competition with NYX and when she saw me wearing this dress she got so furious that she kicked me out" I was in total shock after hearing about the whole scene.

"This all happened because of that fox , first I thought he was handsome then when he threw the cake at me and didn't even apologize I thought he was a jerk but when he sent me this dress I thought ok he is a gentleman but now I think he is a devil" Jasmine screamed punching her pillow then shoved her face in it "What am I gonna say to my family. I was so confident that I may get the job " she whined kicking her feet

I gave her a glass of water to cool her down. "It's okay, why don't you try some more companies? You know success comes with stories of failure" I encouraged her

"I need some fresh air, can I borrow your car?" I hesitated to give her the keys because it's already night and it might rain but I couldn't win. I asked to join her but she didn't allow me to "don't worry I will bring your car back without any scratch"

"I just want you to come back without any scratches" I laid down on my bed recalling everything that has happened today . I feel exhausted, the day after tomorrow is the party where we can meet Liam only if he is coming. And exactly 2 weeks from now is the submission of our project. And during this time I also need to design something for sending it to NYX .

A ringtone brought me out of my thoughts. It wasn't my phone but Jasmine's. She left it here wantedly because the call was coming from her mother and after everything happened today I don't think she would like to talk to her .

I hesitated but picked up the call "Kya hua itne der kuy lagi phone uthane mai?" It was Jasmine's mother talking in hindi which literally went above my head . "Hello mam? It's Stella" I introduced myself it took some seconds for her to speak again "oh beta How are you it's been a while since I talked with you"

(Translation: what happened. Why did you take so much time to answer?)

(Beta - child/kid)

"Yes I am good, how are you and everyone"

"We all are doing good. But where's Jasmine? She said she will call me today but she didn't" She sounded concerned. I tried to think of an excuse because from what Jasmine has told me I can't tell her about the interview nor how she's driving alone late at night.

"Actually she was very tired today. As soon as she came home she fell asleep. I will tell her to call you when she wakes up. Is that okay?" I have never felt so nervous talking to my friends' parents. I heard a male voice in the background . It might be Jasmine's father . They both had some conversations which I couldn't understand. Jasmine's mother somehow believed and hung up the phone.

Taking a deep breath I jumped in my bed . But another messaged popped on my notification it was from Cami

Cami: Please buy a gift for Ian's birthday

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Author's Note

Okay for people who are confused

Stella (FMC) is Australian. Jasmine (Stella's best friend) is Indian and Jasmine is SRK's fan not Stella

I saw people asking so I just wanted to clarify

Our MMC will make an entry soon so stay tuned

If you enjoyed this chapter vote and comment for it . If I get a good response I will post the next chapter soon ☺️

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