Page 43 of Jolt's Vengeance

CHAPTER SEVEN

Aggie

The rhythmic tapping of my fingers on the keyboard fills the air as I squint at the lines of code scrolling across my laptop screen.

The lecture hall buzzes with the low hum of students typing away, punctuated by the occasional cough or rustle of paper.

I inhale deeply, the scent of coffee and musty textbooks filling my nostrils—the obvious scent of higher education.

Ha, my humor isn’t like it normally is today.

"And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how we implement a basic firewall using Triad," Professor Martinez announces, his voice cutting through my concentration. "Any questions before we wrap up?"

I glance up from my notes, eyes scanning the room.

A few hands shoot up, but I keep mine firmly on my laptop.

The material isn't particularly challenging—not after the hours I've spent poring over advanced cybersecurity forums late into the night.

As the professor fields questions, I can't help but feel a surge of pride.

A few weeks into my first semester at the University of Nevada, and I'm finally finding my groove.

The initial overwhelm of juggling classes, assignments, and my newfound freedom has settled into a comfortable routine.

My mind drifts to the upcoming weekend, and a small smile tugs at my lips.

Shiver and Siren are having their bachelor and bachelorette party, and I'm itching to blow off some steam.

It's such a change from the stuffy academic atmosphere surrounding me now, but that's precisely why I can’t wait until Friday night.

"All right, that's all for today." Professor Martinez's voice snaps me back to the present. "Don't forget, your network security projects are due next week. I expect great things from all of you."

The lecture hall erupts into a symphony of zipping backpacks and scraping chairs.

I shut my laptop with a satisfying click and stuff it into my bag, my movements automatic as my thoughts wander.

"Hey, Aggie!" a chipper voice calls out as I make my way down the stairs.

I turn to see Sarah, a petite brunette from my Data Structures class, waving enthusiastically. "A bunch of us are heading to the library to study. Want to join?"

I hesitate for a moment. Part of me wants to accept—to dive headfirst into the typical college experience.

But I can’t.

Not today at least.

"Thanks, but I've got plans," I reply, injecting warmth into my voice to soften the rejection. "Maybe next time?"

Sarah's smile doesn't falter. "Sure thing! Catch you later!"

As I push through the heavy doors and step out into the Nevada sunshine, I can't help but chuckle.

If only Sarah knew that my "plans" involved tinkering with a custom-built server in my bedroom while blasting Metallica at an ungodly volume through my headphones.

But first, I’m going to have some lunch in the cafe.

The campus is alive with activity, students sprawled out on the picturesque lawns, soaking up the last bit of warmth before cooler winter temperatures set in.

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