In Lakeside School

Mary and William understood that their son was a shy person and could not mix up easily with others. But they were satisfied that Bill had extraordinary talent to understand things. The boy never depended on others in doing his homework or studies. William and Mary decided to enroll Bill in school where student faced busy routine. They hoped daily challenges of the school will not leave Bill anytime to brood.

During those days ‘Lakeside School’ used to be the best in the Seattle City. Bill Gates was enrolled in it by paying a fee of $5,000. But the situation did not improve. Bill began to show signs of boredom and disinterest in school. It appeared he did not feel at home in that school. He had started bunking classes. By the time he reached the 9th class he had created an impression of being a rebel teenager
who was never in harmony with his surroundings.
But something was in the offing that was to become a passion of Bill. Computer terminal services came to Lakeside School to impart the education of Computer Applications to the students. Extra classes began for the computer education. This was the development that proved a turning point in the life of Bill Gates. In the form of the computer he met a friend with which Bill would forge a life long bond. He fell in love with the digital magic box. Bill and his friends would spend as much time before the computer as they could steal, no matter day or night.
The digital toy became the cause of single minded engagement.

Bill Gates became friends with Kent Evans and Paul Allen who were also computer nuts. The three became intimate pals.
Later, Paul Allen became Bill’s business partner as well. The three formed school’s programmer group called ‘Lakeside Programmers Group’. This group started working for a local group.
Then, Paul Allen took entire job in his own control. Other members of the group accepted his authority.
But it was not acceptable to Bill Gates. When Bill stopped attending the works it became difficult for Paul Allen to carry on. Allen asked Bill to cooperate but Bill told him that he would work only himself as incharge.
Paul Allen gave in since the job could not be accomplished without Bill.
But those days brought one tragic moment as well. Bill’s bosom friend Evans had gone on a mountaineering expedition with the Lakeside school team and he died in an accident. The tragic news of his death traumatised Bill who had never before given any thought to the death.
Bill went into a spell of depression. He could not put his mind to work. During this low period Bill and Paul Allen became very close albeit in grief. They now talked to each other while doing work like spouses do. In respect of computers they were competitive but it did not affect their friendship.
Meanwhile, Paul Allan used to see ambitious dreams while Bill was busy in code writing. He was dedicated to his work and computerwise getting wiser and wiser.
Even the computer teacher was getting often out smarted by Bill in computer knowledge. At the age of 13 years Bill had started software programming Bill Gates who in earlier years was dullard nobody of Lakeside school got his lucky digital break and showed his spectacular talent to become computer wizard the school would be proud of.