Faking It With The Hockey Star

Harper’s POV

By the time Emma and I were ready, the morning had already slipped away. I ordered a ride, grabbed my bag, and checked my phone one last time before we headed outside.

The ride to campus was surprisingly peaceful. For once, I was not going over internship offers in my head. I was not worrying about graduation, nor was I wondering whether I had made the wrong choice. I had made my decision. Now I just needed to make it official.

When we arrived at the university, Emma followed me across campus, chatting about random things that had nothing to do with school. It felt nice and normal, like two sisters spending a regular day together.

When we reached Professor Silas’s office, I spotted the bench outside his door. I turned to Emma. "Wait here for me, okay?"

She nodded. "Go. I will be right here."

I smiled before knocking twice on the door.

"Come in."

I pushed the door open and poked my head inside. Professor Silas looked up from his computer, his face immediately brightening. "Well, well, well. Is that my favorite student?"

I laughed softly. "Hi, Professor."

He leaned back in his chair. "How are you treating these last few days before graduation?"

"We are surviving."

"Good. Sit down."

I walked in and took the chair opposite his desk. He studied me for a quiet moment. "So?"

I smiled. "I made my decision."

His eyebrows lifted. "About the internship?"

"I am taking the offer here."

For a second, he just stared at me. Then he clapped his hands together warmly. "Perfect! Perfect!"

I laughed at his enthusiasm. "I was hoping you would say that."

"I knew it," he pointed at me, a knowing smile on his face. "I knew you would eventually see it."

"I actually spent the entire weekend researching everything."

"Good. That is exactly what I wanted you to do," he leaned forward, his expression turning sincere. "And before you start worrying about the money, yes, I know they do not have a fixed salary structure for interns."

"I know."

"But that does not mean you are going to be working for free."

I raised an eyebrow.

"They were very impressed with your portfolio and your documentary," he explained. "They are already discussing different allowances they can provide for you while you are there. Nothing extravagant, but you will have financial support as you work."

"That is good."

"Very good," he smiled. "And more importantly, you are going to be around people who actually know what they are doing."

He started listing names and projects, explaining the key people I could potentially meet through the company. I listened carefully, feeling a sense of quiet relief wash over me.

Suddenly, he snapped his fingers. "Oh! I almost forgot."

"What?"

"I have a few friends who are going on set toward the end of the year. November, maybe December."

My eyes widened slightly. "Really?"

"Yes," he smiled warmly. "Your internship might not have officially started by then, but if they are shooting something and I know you are available, I can put in a word for you."

"Professor..."

"I am serious," he waved his hand gently. "I have been in this industry long enough to know that sometimes getting your foot through the door matters more than anything else."

I could not stop smiling. "Thank you."

"Do not thank me yet," he pointed at me playfully. "Just show up and prove that you are worth recommending."

"I will."

"And I am happy you decided to stay."

Something about the genuine warmth in his voice made my chest fill with relief. "I am happy too, sir."

"Good. I will make a few calls, send a few messages, and see what I can arrange for you."

I stood up from the chair. "Thank you so much."

He waved me off warmly. "Go enjoy the last few days of being a student."

"I will try."

"And Harper?"

I turned back at the doorway. "Yes?"

"I am proud of you."

My smile softened, the lingering tension of the past weeks completely vanishing. "Thank you."

"I will see you at graduation."

"Definitely."

I walked out of the office and closed the door behind me. Emma stood up immediately from the bench. "Well?"

I grinned at her. "It went perfectly."

She grabbed my arm. "I told you."

"I know."

"So..." She looked at me expectantly. "Are we going to celebrate?"

I laughed. "Absolutely."

We decided that since we were already out, we were not going straight home. We booked another ride and headed straight to a game station.

For the next few hours, I completely forgot about stress and responsibilities. Emma beat me at one game and reminded me about it for thirty minutes straight. I beat her at another, and she instantly came up with excuses for why it did not count.

At one point, I was laughing so hard my stomach hurt.

"You are cheating!" she yelled.

"I am not!"

"You definitely are!"

"You are just losing."

"I hate you," she grumbled.

"No, you do not."

She laughed. "I really do not."

After exhausting ourselves, we decided we deserved a real meal. We found a cozy café nearby and settled into a booth. Emma ordered chicken and chips with a soda, while I went for a burger and fries.

The food arrived quickly, and for a while, neither of us spoke because we were too busy eating. Then Emma slowly lowered her drink.

I looked up from my plate. She was staring at me with a deliberate smile.

"What?" I asked.

I narrowed my eyes suspicious. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I have a question."

"No."

"You do not even know what I am going to ask."

"I know your face."

Emma burst out laughing, leaning closer across the table. "How has sex been between you and Justin?"

I nearly choked on my drink. "What?"

Emma burst into full laughter. I stared at her in complete disbelief, and judging by the wicked grin spreading across her face, she had no intention of letting me escape the conversation.

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