Harriet's steps echoed softly against the polished floors as she made her way through the university corridors. The unexpected summons to Ms. Montez's office had thrown her off balance. Was this about her slipping grades again? She tried to push the worry down but felt the familiar tightening in her chest. She hated disappointing people, especially someone as important as the headteacher.
Reaching the door, she hesitated a moment, her fingers trembling slightly as she knocked. The crisp voice of Ms. Montez invited her in.
The office was exactly as Harriet remembered from orientation — neat, organized, with walls lined by bookshelves heavy with textbooks and framed certificates. The late afternoon sun poured through the large windows, casting warm patterns on the dark wood desk. Behind it sat Ms. Montez, poised and composed as ever, her expression unreadable but not unkind.
Opposite her, slouched casually in a chair, was a young man with tousled hair and easy charm. His hoodie looked out of place in such a formal setting, but there was something familiar in the relaxed way he shifted in his seat.
"Harriet, I'm glad you could make it," Ms. Montez began, her tone warm but professional. "I want to introduce you to my son, Jake."
Harriet blinked, caught off guard. "Oh — hi," she said, glancing between them, suddenly aware of the awkwardness of the moment. She'd expected a serious talk about grades, not this casual introduction.
Jake smiled, a little sheepishly, and gave a quick nod. "Hey."
Ms. Montez continued, folding her hands on the desk. "Jake has been struggling a bit with his coursework recently. I thought, given how naturally smart you are and how well you manage your studies, that you two might work well as study partners."
Harriet swallowed, feeling a mix of nerves and surprise. The idea of working alongside the headteacher's son — a university insider — was intimidating. "I'm not sure I'm the right person for that. I mean, I'm not a tutor or anything."
Jake laughed softly, the sound easy and genuine. "Don't worry, I'm not expecting you to be. I'm the one who needs the help here."
Ms. Montez's eyes softened, and she gave Harriet an encouraging nod. "I think this could be really good for both of you — a fresh perspective, and a bit of motivation."
Harriet looked at Jake, who shrugged with a boyish grin, and then back at Ms. Montez. Slowly, she found herself smiling. "Okay. I can try."
Jake's grin widened, his eyes sparkling with relief. "Guess the headteacher's son finally caught some luck.
"I trust he will be in good hands." Ms Montez smiled. "Now go on you two. Don't be late to classes. I will have staff watching you Jake so don't try and flunk."
They stepped out of Ms. Montez's office together, the afternoon sunlight casting long shadows along the university corridors. Harriet adjusted her bag strap nervously, glancing over at Jake.
"I haven't really seen you around campus much." she said, trying to sound casual.
Jake shrugged, a small grin playing on his lips. "Yeah, I spent the whole year abroad. This is my first semester back."
"Oh, cool!" Harriet said, genuinely curious. "Where did you go?"
Jake's eyes lit up. "Went traveling with some high school buddies. Europe mostly — a bit of everything. Sofa surfed most of it."
Harriet smiled, a hint of envy coloring her tone. "Wow! I'm jealous. I'd love to do something like that. Go traveling with Finola."
Jake looked at her, intrigued. "Finola?"
"My best friend from high school." Harriet replied.
They walked a few steps in silence before Harriet's smile faltered. She took a breath and let her guard drop just a little.
"To be honest... I don't really think I'm going to be the best study partner for you." She admitted. "I'm mostly just trying to catch up on my own stuff. Last year... well, I kind of flunked real bad."
Jake raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin spreading. "Let me guess — too busy partying and enjoying the college experience?"
Harriet's cheeks flushed and she laughed softly. "Yeah. Let's go with that."
But beneath the lightheartedness, her mind raced — the truth weighing heavily in silence. Harper's time in juvie, the painful aftermath, the family turmoil no one talked about aloud. The grief of their grandmother's murder. The grief of the abortion. The nights filled with worry, the strain on every relationship.
"It's really complicated.." she said quietly, staring at the floor. "Some things just got in the way."
"I get that." He smiled.
As the sun hung lazily in the sky, casting soft gold against the pale stone of the university buildings. Harriet and Jake walked side by side down the main path, the low hum of campus life all around them—laughter in the distance, the rustle of wind through trees, the faint clatter of a skateboard rolling past.
"So.." Jake asked, his voice casual but curious, lightening the mood a little. "What are you studying then?"
"Midwifery." Harriet replied, pushing her hands into the pockets of her jacket. She braced herself, half expecting a raised brow or a dumb joke.
But instead, Jake turned to her with a surprised grin. "No way. That's actually pretty cool."
She glanced over at him. "You're not just saying that to be nice?"
"Nah!" he said, shaking his head. "Think about it—you're literally delivering babies. You're the first person they see when they enter the world. That's some real superhero stuff."
Harriet laughed, caught off guard. "Wow, you're laying it on thick."
"I'm serious," he said, nudging her lightly with his shoulder. "I can barely wake up for my 9 a.m. lectures, and you're out here training to bring new humans into existence."
She gave him a smile—genuine, a little shy. "Thanks. Most people don't really get it."
Jake looked ahead, the sun catching the golden strands in his messy hair. "What made you choose it?"
Harriet hesitated, her steps slowing just slightly. "It just... felt right. I guess I wanted to be there for people in a moment that really matters. Make it feel a little less scary."
As they rounded a corner, the quad opened up before them, all dappled sunlight and grassy space. A group of Harriet's sorority sisters were lounging near a tree, their pastel blazers bright against the green lawn. One of them spotted Harriet and immediately waved, calling out her name. The rest followed suit, throwing her cheerful grins and exaggerated air-kisses.
Jake noticed. He cocked a brow, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. "Wait. You're a sorority girl?"
Harriet gave a half-guilty shrug, trying not to blush. "Ah, guilty as charged."
He whistled low. "Didn't see that coming. Don't tell me—you're a legacy?"
"Third generation." she said, almost embarrassed.
His eyes widened. "Damn. That's some royal family stuff."
"It's not that dramatic." Harriet said with a light chuckle.
"Just a family tradition. My grandma was president in the '70s, and my mom swore I'd join from the day I was born. It was practically written in the stars for me."
Jake looked genuinely impressed. "That's cool, though. Like... being part of something bigger than just yourself."
They kept walking, the path narrowing as they veered closer to the edge of the quad. Harriet felt the conversation mellowing into something easier, something almost... comfortable.