*Shelby*

“Shelby, what happened?” a familiar voice asked me.

I looked up to see Jerrick staring down at me with a worried expression on his face.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to run into you. I just had to get out of the classroom,” I said, pulling myself away from him, even though a part of me wanted to stay enveloped in his warm arms.

“Shelby, you don’t have to lie to me. I can tell something’s wrong. Just tell me what’s going on. Maybe I can help,” Jerrick offered.

“I just got the results back from the internship applications. I didn’t get the one I wanted,” I explained simply.

“Oh man, Shelby, that really sucks. I’m sorry, to tell the truth, I found out this morning about my results. I didn’t get the one I wanted either, so it looks like I’ll be working for my dad’s company. I know it won’t be so bad, but part of me wanted to break away a little and show him that I was capable,” Jerrick explained.

I remembered how Lin told me about Jerrick wanting the same internship that I did at Brunnings and Hawthorne. He’d bragged that his dad had a connection to Brunnings which made him a shoo-in. Maybe those were all just words meant to impress his fellow students.

“The worst part is I really thought I had a chance,” I explained.

“Which internships were going for?” he asked me.

“Brunnings and Hawthorne,” I said sheepishly.

I’d never mentioned to Jerrick that we were going for the same internship, even though I knew through Lin. A realization swept across Jerrick’s face.

“Did you see the girl who did get it? That really doesn’t make any sense. You’re the top of the class, Shelby. Everybody knows it. I figured you had that internship in the bag. If anyone deserved that spot, you did,” Jerrick said, surprising me.

“Not to toot my own horn, but the results confused me, too,” I said.

It honestly felt good to know people other than me, and Lin, saw the absurdity of the internship result. I also warmed to Jerrick more, knowing that he and I were going for the same internship, but he put his disappointment aside to make me feel better.

“If it makes you feel any better, I could talk to my dad. I’m sure he would love to have you onboard. It’s no Brunnings and Hawthorne, but it’s got some great lawyers you could learn from. Plus, we would get to work together,” Jerrick said with a soft smile.

I realized I’d never told him that I’d already met his father, and his father had already made me a similar offer. Instead of explaining, I just smiled and nodded.

“That’s true. There are other options out there. Would you put a good word in for me?” I asked, still disappointed but trying to look at the bright side.

“Of course, I will, but only after you go and talk to your advisor,” Jerrick said.

“Why?” I asked, confused.

“Because you deserve that spot. And I won’t let you settle without giving it a good fight,” Jerrick said, still smiling.

“You’re right,” I said, returning the smile.

A new fire was lit in me. I wasn’t going to let Lauren get away with this, not without a fight. I turned to walk toward my advisor’s office, waving goodbye to Jerrick.

“Good luck,” he called after me.

“Thanks for the pep talk; I’ll let you know how it goes,” I called back to him.

I did my best not to sprint down the hallway and settled for a fast walk instead. As I rounded down the corner of the adviser’s offices, I noticed my advisor Miss Smith had her door ajar. I knocked softly on the open door and stuck my head in.

“Hello, Shelby. What can I help you with?” she said with a smile.

I walked in, setting my bag down next to the chair, and took a seat across from her.

“I just had a few questions about the internship results,” I said

“Oh, of course, just let me pull those up,” she said, typing away at her computer.

I let her look in silence before explaining anything. I watched her face as she searched the list looking for my name.

“I don’t see you on here,” she said, turning back to me, but the confusion hadn’t left her face.

“That’s my question. I don’t understand how I didn’t get the internship I applied for. I was hoping you could pull up my application to see if there was any feedback,” I said, fishing for any information.

She turned back to her computer in search of my application.

“I can see why you’re confused, Shelby. Your grades are exemplary. And I can see at least four of your professors recommended you for this internship. I haven’t seen that many professor recommendations in years. Their descriptions of you are glowing.”

I stayed silent, hoping she would continue, hoping she would figure out exactly what Lauren had done to get the internship I deserved.

“It looks like another student got the position instead. I show here that she had dozens of personal recommendations that went along with her application, although none of them were from professors. I’m afraid that’s all the information I can give you, but I hope that maybe helps clear up the confusion.”

I nodded, disappointed but I wasn’t surprised. I knew exactly who’d written at least one of those personal recommendations. The betrayal of Michael stung. A deep part of me wanted to expose just exactly how Lauren got the internship, but I refrained. It was very possible that even if I accused Lauren of buying her way, not only into law school but the internship as well, no one would believe me. I didn’t have money on my side like Lauren did.

“There are several other internship opportunities I could help you apply for. Take the day to look at this list, look into the firms, and let me know which ones you’d like to apply to. I’m sure any of them would be happy to have you. However, don’t take too long to decide. Internships are a big part of your overall GPA. Don’t let one step back hurt you in the long run.”

I took the piece of paper as Miss Smith slid it over to me and thanked her for her time. Walking out of the office, I crumpled it in my hand.

I opened my phone and texted Jerrick.

Shelby: There’s nothing that my advisor can do. The other girl had too many recommendations.

Jerrick: That really blows, Shelby. I’m sorry.

Shelby: It does, but I’ll get over it. If I send you my résumé, would you pass it on to your dad?

Jerrick: Anything for your Shelby.

Just as I was about to put my phone away, a text message from Bruce popped up, letting me know my driver was only an hour away.

I remembered the open suitcase, sitting half packed on my bed. I needed to hurry if I wanted to be ready in time. I rushed across campus, avoiding running into other students.

When I made it back to my apartment, I was sweaty and out of breath. I cursed myself, remembering how long it took to curl my hair this morning. Hopefully, I’d have time to fix it before the car got there.

“Hey Lin, the car is on its way to get me. I came back to finish packing. I’ll let you know when I’m leaving,” I called down the hallway to Lin’s room.

“Sounds great, Shelb! Just remember to let me know if you need anything. I’m not afraid to show up at Mr. Bigshot’s giant skyscraper and tell him off,” Lin yelled down the hall.

I laughed and started down the hallway to my own room. I finished packing and curled my hair again before coming back into the living room to wait for the shiny black car to drive up.

“Shelby?” Lin called down the hallway again.

“I’m not leaving just yet; I’m still waiting for the car,” I responded.

Lin walked into the kitchen after I responded.

“Oh good, I was hoping I hadn’t missed you. Where did you head off to after class? After I checked the result list I turned around, and you were gone,” Lin said.

By the expression on her face, I figured she’d seen that Lauren got the position instead of me.

“I went to talk with my advisor. There was nothing she could do,” I said.

“I can’t believe her… I’ll just say she was lucky she was gone once I noticed. I wouldn’t have hesitated to tear into her in front of everyone,” Lin said, pulling me into a hug.

“Thanks, Lin. I’ll figure something else out,” I mumbled into her shoulder.

Lin let me out of the hug but held my shoulders so she could look at my face, searching for any clue that I wasn’t okay. After staring for a minute, she was satisfied and let me go.

“Oh, Shelby, I forgot to tell you I grabbed the mail on my way up, and there was a letter for you. I left it on the counter.”

I walked into the kitchen, and sure enough, a small green envelope sat on the kitchen counter with my name on it. There was no return address which seemed strange.

I slipped my finger across the seal, breaking it, and pulled out a get well soon card. A small polaroid picture slipped out onto the counter. With shaking hands, I flipped it over to replace the scene of Jerrick leaning down to k**s me on our first date. The writing on the card was small and tidy, reading:

“I was sorry to hear about your car ‘accident.’ I think we would work well together. If you were willing to help me out, I would keep this picture to myself.”

My stomach clenched at the thought of Michael seeing this picture. I nearly jumped out of my skin when a car horn sounded outside.

My ride was there.

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