Chapter 1 – Ellie
I stood at the base of the long steps at the entrance to the building that loomed in front of me. My heart was hammering in my chest, a wave of anxiety crashing over me.
“Deep breaths, Ellie,” I muttered to myself. “It’s just a presentation.”
I inhaled softly, my sweaty palm smoothing out the invisible wrinkles in my black skirt. I tucked my light brown hair back behind my ear, my hazel eyes squinting against the gentle breeze.
My phone vibrated in my back pocket, the sudden buzz startling me. I flinched, breath hitching as I reached for it.
The caller was my friend, Aria Bennett.
“What the hell, Aria?” I whispered, ascending the steps. “I could be on the podium right now, and this phone call would put me in trouble.”
“The fact that you’re speaking to me means you’renoton the podium, so chill,” she replied on the other line, her sharp voice devoid of remorse.
“I could’ve been.”
“But you’re not,” she insisted.
I let out a frustrated exhale and pushed the front doors open. “Where are you anyway?”
“Yeah, about that…” she drawled lazily.
I slowed down, my head tilting slightly to the side. “Please, don’t tell me you’re not gonna make it.”
“Okay, I won’t.”
“Aria!”
“Something came up, okay?” she said, a hint of regret lacing her tone. “But I promise, I’ll make it up to you, I swear.”
“You better.” I turned a corner, my shoes clicking against the floor.
“Look on the bright side.” She chuckled lightly. “There’ll be no Aria around to distract you. That way, if you crash and burn, you’re not gonna pin it on me.”
I paused, my lips suppressing a smile. “You know what, fuck you.”
“Yeah, you wish.” She laughed on the other end of the line.
“Get off my phone, you crazy bitch.” I chuckled, my heart warm with affection.
“Don’t go easy on them in there,” she said. And with that, she ended the call.
I stopped in front of the makeshift courtroom and slid my phone back into my pocket. “Here goes nothing.”
The doors parted, and I walked in, confident on the outside while struggling with my anxiety on the inside.
My eyes scanned the legal review hearing room. It wasn’t a real courtroom, but the atmosphere was just as intense. Faculty panel, a retired judge, a few legal observers, and a small audience.
I could work with that.
The university seal hanging behind the panel seemed to be watching me like a silent authority. It made me uncomfortable. And the mean faces in the hearing room weren’t helping my anxiety either.
Again, this wasn’t the real deal; it was just a student presentation. Yet it still made my palms sweat.
“Miss Hendy?” a cold, feminine voice cut through my thoughts.
I raised my head, snapped back to the present.