I had a formidable task ahead of me. I was in over my head， running the statistical data. I poured more time and energy into that project than I had ever done on any assignment in my life. I was not going to let him see me fail and have it reflect on him. I was working the graveyard shift at my job， so I used whatever quiet time from midnight to 6：00 A. M. to work on the project. The work consumed me. There was a sense of challenge that completely overtook me. The question remained： Was I up to it？
Eventually， the term came to a close， and each team had to present its findings in front of the assembled class. When it was our turn， I did my level best to present his scientific methodology with my showmanship. To my amazement， we were awarded an A！
When I told my lab mate about our shared triumph， he smiled and thanked me for carrying on. Something connected then. Something special. It had to do with trust and the exhilaration of sharing a common prize.
We have stayed close throughout the years. He went on to achieve a doctorate. He also went on to marry his college girlfriend.
I learned more than statistical analysis and experimental procedures that term. My life has been enhanced by our encounter and challenged by this man， who became my unlikely hero.
And in the end， he was right： we have become friends for life.
当古尔利克森博士正在为实验心理学课安排研究小组时，我默默地祈祷他能够把我与一个可爱的女生，至少是一个志趣相投的同学分在一组。总而言之，我希望他不要让我与那个具有强烈竞争意识、异常严肃的家伙做搭档，这个人总爱穿着深颜色的衣服，并且个性十足。然而一切就像是命中注定似的，躲也躲不掉。古尔利克森博士的分组显然是经过刻意安排的，我恰恰跟那个我最想分开的人分到了一组。
我走到自己的实验搭档面前，作了自我介绍。他看我的样子，仿佛我并不存在似的。我感觉到，他似乎认为我会拉他的后腿，并且很可能导致他的平均成绩直线下降。他并不完全怀有恶意，只是给了我这样一种感觉：无论什么实验，如果他独自去做就会做得更好。我的加入似乎只会妨碍他的研究，只能成为他不得不花时间和精力应付的麻烦，因为他是一个能够独立完成任务的人，他有重要的事情要做。