chapter 6
The Intern
Chapter 6: A Path Unfolding
Harper sat across from Mr. Callahan in his spacious office, her hands folded tightly in her lap. The leather chair beneath her was surprisingly soft, a stark contrast to the hard reality of her day-to-day life.
"Harper," Mr. Callahan began, leaning forward, his sharp suit immaculate as always. "Let me get straight to the point. Your work here has been exceptionalâfar beyond what we typically expect from high school interns."
She blinked, startled by the compliment. "Thank you," she said softly.
He nodded. "The partners and I have been discussing your contributions, and we believe you have the potential for a long-term future in law. That's why we're offering you a paid internship starting this summer."
Harper's heart skipped a beat. Paid. The word echoed in her mind, a lifeline in the middle of her storm.
"Of course," he continued, "this would require a commitment from you. You'll need to start college in the fall, preferably majoring in pre-law or political science. We'll work with your schedule to ensure you can manage both, and... we'll even provide a small scholarship to help with your first semester."
Her breath caught. College. The idea had always felt like a far-off dream, something for other people, not someone who lived out of a car and juggled three lives just to survive.
"I... I donât even know where to start," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Start with your options," Mr. Callahan said, his tone steady but encouraging. "There are community colleges, scholarships, grants. You're smart, Harper. Use that. You can do this."
She nodded slowly, the weight of his words settling on her shoulders.
"Youâll have time to think it over," he added, standing to signal the end of the meeting. "But I want you to know that we believe in you. This isnât just about what youâve done hereâitâs about what youâre capable of."
As she left the office, Harper clutched her bag tightly, her mind spinning.
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The dinner rush at the diner was relentless. Harper moved between tables, her tray balancing plates of burgers and fries while customers barked out requests. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, and the smell of grease hung heavy in the air.
âHarper, table six needs refills!â her manager called.
She nodded, grabbing the pitcher of iced tea and weaving through the crowded room. Her feet ached, her arms were sore, and her stomach growled, but her mind was elsewhere.
The idea of college swirled in her thoughts like a whirlwind. Sheâd always been good at school, but the logistics of higher educationâtuition, books, housingâfelt insurmountable. And yet, the paid internship was an opportunity she couldnât ignore.
As she wiped down a table, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the window. Tired eyes, messy hair, and a uniform that hung a little too loosely on her frame. She barely recognized the girl staring back at her, but deep down, she felt a flicker of hope.
When the last customer finally left, Harper collapsed into the booth nearest the kitchen, counting out her tips. It wasnât much, but every dollar counted.
Her coworker, Maria, slid into the booth across from her. "You okay, Harper? Youâve been quiet tonight."
"Iâm fine," Harper said automatically, but her voice lacked conviction.
Maria studied her for a moment, then smiled. "Youâre always working so hard. Whatever youâre chasing, I hope you get it."
Harper managed a small smile. "Thanks."
As she walked to her car later that night, the cold air biting at her cheeks, she thought about Mariaâs words.
Whatever youâre chasing.
For Harper, it wasnât just about surviving anymore. It was about the futureâthe possibility of more. College, a career in law, a life beyond the parking lot she called home.
Sitting in the driverâs seat, she pulled out a notebook and began listing everything she needed to figure out: colleges, financial aid, housing. It was overwhelming, but for the first time, it felt possible.
The road ahead would be long, but Harper was no stranger to hard work. And as she looked out at the darkened lot, the distant city lights shimmering through the rain, she made a silent promise to herself:
She would keep moving forward. She would build a life that was hers.