2025-01-02 02:48:15
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
Beyond the Bottom The Last Bell
Chapter 55The sun filtered through the windows of Lincoln High as students roamed the halls one last time. The familiar sounds of lockers slamming and laughter echoed through the building. It was the final day of high school, a day filled with a mix of nostalgia, relief, and anticipation for the future.Jamal stood by his locker, running his fingers over the stickers and scribbles that had accumulated over the years. Each mark told a story, a memory of moments shared with friends, triumphs, and even struggles.Rachel walked up, leaning against the locker next to his. “Ready for the last bell, JD?”Jamal shrugged, his smile tinged with sadness. “I don’t know. Feels weird, doesn’t it? Like we’ve been waiting for this day forever, but now that it’s here…”“It’s bittersweet,” Rachel finished. “I get it.”The others soon joined them. Alex had a basketball tucked under his arm, his usual grin plastered on his face. Leah and Zoe were laughing about something, their energy contagious as alwa
Beyond the Bottom New Beginnings
Chapter 56The Davenport house was alive with energy, laughter, and the smell of food. Balloons and streamers adorned the living room, and the table was laden with snacks and drinks. It was a farewell party—a celebration of endings and beginnings. Jamal, Leah, Zoe, Rachel, and Alex had gathered for one last night together before college life scattered them across the country.Jamal stood by the kitchen counter, watching his friends with a mix of gratitude and melancholy. Zoe was in the middle of an impromptu dance-off with Alex, their laughter filling the room. Leah and Rachel sat on the couch, reminiscing about their high school days. Jamal's parents moved around, making sure everyone felt at home.Victor, Jamal’s father, clapped a hand on his son’s shoulder. “You’ve got a good group here, son. Don’t ever take that for granted.”Jamal nodded. “I won’t, Dad. They’ve been with me through everything.”---The Heartfelt GoodbyeAs the night wore on, the group gathered in the living room,
Beyond the Bottom Beginnings At Columbia
Chapter 57: A New BeginningThe morning sun rose over the bustling streets of New York City as Jamal stepped out of the cab and onto the Columbia University campus. The towering gothic architecture, lush green spaces, and the hum of student life all felt both exciting and intimidating. Jamal took a deep breath, clutching his backpack, and gazed up at Low Memorial Library, its iconic dome gleaming under the golden sunlight.Leah stepped out next, her expression a mix of awe and nervousness. “This place is... massive.”Zoe joined them, a bright smile lighting up her face. “It’s beautiful. Feels like the start of something big, doesn’t it?”Jamal nodded. “Yeah. A new chapter.”They stood there for a moment, soaking in the grandeur of their new home. Around them, other students were hauling suitcases, greeting friends, and trying to find their way. The air buzzed with energy and possibility.---The dormitories were a whirlwind of activity. Jamal found himself carrying boxes up to his roo
Beyond the Bottom Connection Beyond Campuses
Chapter 58The morning sun illuminated Columbia University’s campus, buzzing with the energy of freshmen embarking on their new journey. Jamal stood at the entrance of the quad, taking in the expansive view of Gothic and modern buildings that blended history with progress. He'd already gotten lost twice trying to find his first orientation session, but that was all part of the adventure, right?“You good, bro?” a familiar voice broke through his thoughts. Jamal turned to see his roommate, Ethan, grinning.“Yeah, just trying to get my bearings,” Jamal said, running a hand through his hair. “This place is bigger than I thought.”Ethan chuckled. “Wait till we hit the lunch crowd. You’ll be dodging people left and right.”Jamal grinned. “I’ve already figured out the trick: walk slow, let them pass, and pretend you know where you’re going.”Ethan laughed. “Not bad. You’ll fit right in.”They walked toward the student union, the heart of campus activity, where students were signing up for c
Beyond the Bottom Campus Maze:I Found My Way Eventually
Chapter 59The next day, Jamal’s excitement for the future grew as he walked into his first official entrepreneurship club meeting. The atmosphere was electric, a room full of ambitious students from every background imaginable, all eager to share their ideas and passions. Jamal scanned the space, noting the diverse mix of people who had gathered—some with corporate aspirations, others driven by the desire to create something that would impact the world. He felt right at home.Ethan, who had tagged along out of curiosity, nudged Jamal as they made their way to an open spot. “This is the real deal, huh?”“Yeah, it definitely feels like it,” Jamal replied, scanning the room. “I’m about to make some big moves here.”Before settling in, Jamal noticed Zoe and Leah sitting together near the back, chatting and laughing. He waved at them, signaling that he and Ethan were heading over.“Yo, you guys mind if we join you?” Jamal called out as he and Ethan approached.Zoe and Leah looked up, both
Beyond the Bottom Pitching Dreams ,Chasing Wins
Chapter 60The next morning, Jamal woke up with a renewed sense of purpose. The previous day's events had ignited something in him—a fire to push harder, to prove that he belonged in this world of entrepreneurs and innovators. As he grabbed his laptop and headed out the door, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something big was coming, and he was ready to seize it.Classes that day were a blur. While his professors talked about theories and case studies, Jamal’s mind kept drifting back to the pitch competition. He knew he needed to fine-tune his ideas, gather data, and start building a stronger case for his platform. But he also knew that he couldn’t do it alone.After class, Jamal met up with Ethan at their favorite campus café. Ethan was already there, sipping on a coffee and looking over a few notes.“Got a minute?” Jamal asked, taking a seat across from him.Ethan looked up and grinned. “For you? Always. What’s on your mind?”Jamal leaned in, his excitement bubbling over. “I’m goi
Beyond the Bottom Scavenger Hunt Shenanigans
---Chapter 61The next day, Jamal walked into the entrepreneurship club meeting with a grin that hadn’t left his face since he’d woken up. Today was different—today was the day of the annual “Campus Scavenger Hunt,” and Maya, the club president, had promised that this year would be “bigger, better, and crazier than ever.”Jamal found Zoe, Leah, and Ethan already gathered by the door, looking excited but a bit skeptical.“Are you guys ready for this?” Jamal asked, holding up a small envelope that Maya had handed out to everyone as they entered.Ethan raised an eyebrow. “I’m ready for whatever this is, but ‘crazy’ doesn’t exactly fill me with confidence.”Leah grinned. “Come on, it’ll be fun. Plus, I’ve been here long enough to know we’re going to end up running all over campus, and there’s no way I’m losing.”Zoe chuckled. “She’s right. You know she has a hidden competitive streak.”Jamal smiled and handed over the envelope. “It’s a scavenger hunt. The rules are simple—find the clues
Beyond the Bottom The Pitch is on
Chapter 62The countdown to the pitch competition was in full swing, and Jamal was feeling the pressure. The stakes were high, and winning meant more than just bragging rights—it was his chance to prove that he could turn his dreams into a reality. He was going to need the right team to make this happen."I’ve decided to put a team together," Jamal said, his focus intense. "Zoe, Leah—I want you both on it."Leah, who was balancing her law courses and preparing for the upcoming exams, raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about this? Law school isn’t exactly easy to juggle with extracurriculars."Jamal grinned. "I know it’s a lot, but I need your expertise, especially for the strategy and presentation. You’ve got a sharp mind for negotiation. Trust me, it’ll be worth it."Leah smiled, but the doubt lingered in her eyes. "Alright, alright. I’m in. But we better keep it efficient. Between my cases and assignments, I don’t have much time to spare."Zoe, who was busy with her own demanding cour
Latest Chapter
A Shift in Priorities
Chapter 126The tension in Jamal’s life was reaching its peak. Balancing Skilbridge, academics, and personal life was proving to be more than he had bargained for. Every day felt like a ticking clock, each second slipping away faster than the last.The workload at Skilbridge was growing, and with every new challenge came a new obstacle. University obligations were still looming over his head, and now, there was another layer to the chaos—Rachel and Alex’s relationship was crumbling, and though they were miles apart, Jamal could feel the shift in their dynamic.Rachel sat on her dorm room bed, staring at her phone. Alex hadn’t texted her in over a day. Normally, she would have been worried, but at this point, she was just exhausted. Every conversation between them had started feeling like a chore—strained, predictable, and lacking the spark they once had.Her roommate, Melanie, glanced at her over the rim of her laptop screen. “Still waiting for him to text?”Rachel sighed. “I don’t ev
The Threat Becomes Real
Chapter 125 Jamal sat at his desk, fingers tapping rhythmically against the wooden surface. His laptop screen glowed in the dim dorm room, the anonymous email staring back at him like a silent threat. He had read it a dozen times already, trying to decipher any hidden meanings, but its message was simple and direct:You think you’ve won? This is just the beginning.He clenched his jaw. Milo was getting bolder. And now, it seemed, he wasn’t acting alone. Jamal turned to Leah, Zoe, and Ethan, who were sitting on his bed, each of them wearing matching expressions of concern.“This isn’t just some petty campus rivalry anymore,” Jamal muttered. “Milo’s taking this outside Columbus University.”Leah folded her arms. “We need to track down who sent this. If he has outside help, we’re at a disadvantage.”Zoe sighed, running a hand through her hair. “But how do we stop someone we can’t see?”Ethan leaned forward, his eyes sharp with calculation. “Maybe we don’t have to find him. Maybe we make
On the Verge of Collapse
Chapter 123 – Breaking PointJamal sat in front of his laptop, the glow from the screen highlighting the exhaustion on his face. The Skilbridge scandal was spreading faster than he anticipated. Despite their efforts, the accusations kept circulating on campus forums. It didn’t matter that there was no concrete proof—people loved a juicy controversy.Leah’s voice came through the team’s group call. “The livestream is scheduled for tomorrow. We have three professors from the tech department agreeing to watch. If we prove our originality, we kill this rumor.”Ethan exhaled. “Still, we need to be ready for anything. Milo isn’t dumb—he’ll try to discredit us again.”Zoe, who had been eerily silent, suddenly spoke. “Then we do something he won’t expect.”Jamal rubbed his temples. “Like what?”“We go bigger,” Zoe said. “We turn this livestream into a full-fledged demo day. Invite students, industry experts, hell—even potential investors. We force the narrative into something positive.”Leah
Lines Drawn
Chapter 122 Jamal sat at the far end of the library, surrounded by stacks of textbooks and notes, yet his mind refused to focus. The weight of everything pressed against his skull—Skilbridge, his slipping grades, the rumors Milo was spreading. It was too much at once, and no matter how much he tried to block it all out, the anxiety simmered just beneath the surface.Leah tapped her fingers against the table, waiting for him to say something. She had just laid out the latest problem—the false rumors about Skilbridge’s tech. Someone was trying to undermine them, and they both knew exactly who.“We need a plan,” Leah said, her voice low but firm. “If this spreads, we could lose investor confidence.”Jamal exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples. “We need proof that Milo’s behind it.”Zoe, who had been scrolling through her phone, suddenly smirked. “Or we can play smarter. If he wants to spread lies, we counter with undeniable facts. Make our work so solid that no one even considers his nons
Tipping Points
Chapter 121 – Tipping PointsThe night air outside Columbus University was crisp, but inside Jamal’s dorm, the air felt thick with stress. His desk was a mess—open textbooks, half-written assignments, and a laptop screen blinking with notifications. He tapped his pen against his notebook, staring at the calculations he needed to finish for his next class.His phone vibrated. Ethan.“Meeting in 10. Lecture Hall.”Jamal exhaled, rubbing his eyes. These late-night strategy sessions were necessary, but they were also draining. Skilbridge was growing at a pace none of them had fully prepared for, and balancing school with running a startup was proving to be more of a nightmare than he had expected.Still, there was no backing out now.He grabbed his hoodie and headed out.A Late-Night Strategy SessionThe lecture hall was mostly empty at this hour, except for Leah, Zoe, and Ethan, who were already inside, gathered around one of the large desks. Leah’s tablet was open, showing analytics, wh
Issues Brewing
Chapter 120 The office was quiet except for the soft tapping of keys. Jamal stared at the engagement report displayed on his laptop, his brows furrowed. The numbers weren’t terrible, but they weren’t great either. Skilbridge was growing, but not at the pace they had hoped. While universities were signing up, user retention was dropping. It was a frustrating plateau, one that could determine the platform’s future.Leah sat across from him, scrolling through her tablet. “We need something more compelling. The AI tutoring feature is promising, but it’s not enough. We need a hook—something that makes Skilbridge essential, not just convenient.”Zoe, who had been quiet until now, leaned forward. “What if we establish a student ambassador program? Get representatives in each school to market the platform directly to their peers. Word of mouth is still the strongest form of promotion.”Ethan, casually spinning a pen between his fingers, nodded. “That could work. Organic marketing has a bette
Cracks
Chapter 119 The weight of responsibility pressed down on everyone, stretching them thin in different ways. Jamal struggled to balance Skilbridge with university, Rachel found herself caught between ambition and love, and Alex—once the most dependable of them—had started slipping away into silence.The bonds that once felt unbreakable were now under strain.Rachel sat cross-legged on her bed, staring at her phone. Alex had been distant lately—more than usual. Their conversations, once filled with laughter and teasing, had turned into brief, one-word replies.She had assumed it was just basketball and school. But now, she wasn’t so sure.Rachel: Hey, are you okay?Minutes passed. Then ten. Then twenty.Finally, a reply came.Alex: Yeah, just busy.Rachel frowned. That was it? No reassurance, no questions about how she was?Her roommate, Ava, glanced over from her desk. "You’re staring at your phone like you’re waiting for it to explode."Rachel exhaled. "It might as well. Alex has been
Diverging Parts
Chapter 118 The weeks following Malcolm Reid’s investment felt like a whirlwind. Contracts were signed, funds were transferred, and Skilbridge began expanding faster than Jamal had anticipated. With Leah and Ethan leading different departments, they had started hiring new developers, refining their marketing strategy, and pushing for university partnerships beyond Columbus. But the real test was just beginning. Jamal sat in the office space they had rented near campus—a modest but functional place filled with whiteboards covered in code, marketing strategies, and expansion plans. It was late, and most of the team had gone home, but he was still there, staring at his laptop screen. "Still here?" Leah’s voice broke the silence. Jamal looked up to see her standing in the doorway, arms crossed, a small smirk on her face. She walked in, setting her laptop on the table beside him. "You’re one to talk," he said with a chuckle. "What’s keeping you up?" Leah sighed, taking a seat. "The
Crossroads and New Beginnings
Chapter 117 Jamal lay awake in his dorm room, staring at the ceiling. The offer from Malcolm Reid weighed heavily on his mind. Five million dollars. That was a life-changing sum, more money than he had ever imagined having access to at this stage of his life. With it came the potential to take Skilbridge from a promising startup to a nationwide brand.But was it worth giving up more control?His phone buzzed. Leah.Leah: Can’t sleep?Jamal: Nope. You?Leah: Same. We’re about to make the biggest decision of our lives.Jamal: And we can’t afford to mess it up.Leah: Let’s talk in the morning. Maybe things will be clearer.Jamal sighed and put his phone away. He hoped Leah was right.By noon, the team reconvened in the same conference room where they had first strategized against ByteEdge. The tension was palpable.Jamal exhaled, looking around the table at Leah, Ethan, Zoe, and the other key team members. "Alright. Let’s vote. Do we take Malcolm Reid’s offer?"Leah leaned forward, her
