Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Skylar was dealing with a very serious dilemma: what to wear to her first day of law school. She didn't want to look like she was trying too hard or not trying enough. Maybe it was still school, but it was a professional school and didn't she have to look the part? She did not plan on going all out with full-on business attire, but maybe something preppy?

In the end it was a charcoal gray cardigan, a burgundy fit-and-flare dress, and black flats. She believed that it would do the job. It was preppy enough for her first day of classes - at least she wasn't wearing her pajamas to classes.

Sarah seemed to be dealing with the same problem as her. But unlike, Skylar, she wasn't about to figure it out any time soon. All the outfits she pulled together were just too formal. She looked as if she was about to start pulling out her hair any time soon.

"Need any help?" Skylar offered.

Sarah turned to look at her and eyed Skylar's outfit carefully. The look she gave Skylar seemed to tell her that she approved.

"I guess," she said.

Skylar felt a little ecstatic that her hostile roommate was actually letting Skylar help her.

"Well, a blazer, button down, and slacks seem a bit too business-y for classes," Skylar started. "We're still in school, save it for your actual years as a lawyer. Do you have any casual dresses or blouses? Pair that with a cardigan and I say you're good to go."

Sarah sighed. "I see where you're coming from. I don't know. I guess I'm just freaking out. I want everything to be perfect."

"I understand," Skylar said. "I feel the same way. But we just have to relax and everything will be okay. Now hurry up and get ready, first class is in fifteen minutes and we still have to find it."

Her schedule went like this: on Mondays-Wednesdays she had Civil Procedure from 9:45-11:00, Torts from 11:20-12:35, lunch break from 12:35-2:15, Contracts from 2:15-3:30, and from 4:15-7:15 LRW (except on Tuesdays). On Thursdays through Friday: Criminal Law from 9:45-11:00, LRW from 11:20-12:35, lunch break from 12:35-2:15 and then the rest of the day was for her.

If on Mondays and Wednesdays she had classes until 7:15, she would have to spend a lot of time in the library and possibly get very little sleep studying. But it was all worth it, it was all she ever wanted.

While Skylar had the same schedule as Sarah, they had different Civil Procedure professors, so they had to separate when entering the building. Sarah just offered her a curt, "Good luck" and went off to her class.

Well, it's progress, Skylar thought as she entered the classroom where she noticed students were already waiting. They were all quiet, just waiting silently for the lecture to begin.

Skylar sat down and took out her Macbook, because everyone seemed to have their laptops out,  just incase they needed to take notes. It was awkward. Skylar wanted to say hi to someone, start getting to know people. It would make everything less awkward. But she decided against it and just waited like everyone else.

A few minutes later, a middle-aged man with a round belly and beard walked into the classroom holding a very large cup of coffee. He set his things down on the desk and then turned to the class.

"I am Professor Grenshaw," he introduced himself. "I am your Civil Procedure professor for the entirety of this semester. I am here to help you all, and by that I have to be honest with you all. In two months time, at least one of you will no longer be with us, and that is okay."

Well, then.

Everyone simultaneously looked around, eyes saying, "Well, it's not going to be me."

"I know that I should cut right to the chase and just start burying all of you in boring civil procedures," he said. "But I'm not going to. Instead, I have invited a dear friend, an old student of mine whom now owns his own law firm, and let me tell you, it is a very successful firm. And one of you just might get the honor of interning at his firm."

That earned him a response from the front of the classroom. A sharply dressed guy with glasses and a demeanor that just spoke arrogance.

"And how is that going to work?" the guy asked. "Are we supposed to fill out an application or are you going to decide who interns based on whom you think is fit for the part?"

"Well, you always have to apply and go to interviews for internship jobs," Professor Grenshaw said, "but for this special internship, my special guest will be overlooking this class and a few others, and then he will choose whom he interviews to get the internship."

"And who is this person?" the same guy asked.

Just as he walked in. Ian Rinaldi dressed in a smart suit and looking as powerful ever. Everyone focused their attention on him. As did Skylar. And she did not know how to feel. Ian was in her classroom. What was she supposed to do?

Skylar's presence did not go unnoticed by Ian. He made brief eye-contact with her and then focused his attention on Richard Grenshaw, his former professor and a great mentor.

"This is Ian Rinaldi, founder of Rinaldi & Associates," Grenshaw spoke. "I shall now hand the floor to him."

"I know that you're all nervous right now," Ian said. "I know how that feels. I was once in your place. But let me tell you, all the hard work you put in here will be worth it. I own my own law firm. It's been amazing. I'm doing exactly what I have always wanted to do. Yes, you will get stressed out of your mind a lot, and sometimes you will wonder if this is the correct path for you. But that's just the way it is. It will never get easier. But you will be happy with the outcome."

Skylar listened in awe. She was amazed at how wise Ian sounded. He seemed so passionate about his job, it was inspiring.

"I currently have two internship opportunities available," he explained. "I will be viewing my options from this class and two others. So don't mind me as I will be here for this week and the following. I want to see desire for improvement, passion, and dedication. Good luck."

After that, Professor Grenshaw went over the syllabus and other expectations. After he was done, he encouraged everyone to try to get to know each other. Only a few students went through with is, most of the class decided to keep quiet and go over the syllabus again and again.

When class was over, Skylar decided to stay back and say hello to Ian.

He smiled at her and said, "It's good to see you, Skylar."

"Same to you," she said. "You didn't tell me you were going to be here."

"That's because Grenshaw likes to leave everything for the last minute and asked me to come last night," he explained.

Professor Grenshaw grinned. "I'm an old man, I'm starting to forget things." To Skylar he said, "And who might you be, dear?"

"I'm Skylar Grant," she said.

Ian placed a hand on her shoulder and said, "And I can vouch for her and say that she is a very smart person and will excel during her time here."

"Oh, I believe that!"

After Civil Procedure and Torts, it was finally time for Skylar's lunch break. She bought a green tea lemonade and a parfait, calling that her lunch she sat down at a table by herself. There were a lot of other people chatting in groups, and then there were others like Skylar eating by themselves. She didn't mind though. That was all junior and senior year of high school for her.

"Now why are you eating all by yourself?" a very familiar voiced asked, bringing a smile to Skylar's face.

Ian sat down across from her and eyed her curiously.

"Well, I don't really know anyone yet," she explained.

"Kyle tells me that you have a hostile roommate," he said.

Skylar laughed a bit. "Yeah. Her name is Sarah. She's...something alright. But I understand, I get where she's coming from."

"A lot of law students are competitive and serious," Ian said. "It's just the way it is. But you can always find nicer people, plus it's a big school with a lot of different people."

"I guess you're right," Skylar agreed. "What else was I supposed to expect."

Ian felt strangely happy that he was getting to talk to Skylar. The woman had no idea what affect she had on him. It was scary, really. He had to say, she looked beautiful - well, she was beautiful all the time, actually.

"You know you're my first choice for that internship right?" he asked her.

"Oh, no, Ian. You really don't have to. I'll feel bad because it's unfair to the rest."

Ian had to respect her. She actually cared about others. She didn't like favoritism. And that just made him want to give her the internship even more.

"You'll do great, Skylar," he promised her.

"It's unf-"

But he cut her off. "It would also be unfair if I ruled you out just because I know you," he said.

She couldn't argue with that logic.

"Well, your offer is very much appreciated," she said truthfully. "But I don't know if I'll accept. I have other options, you know."

Ian had to admit, that kind of hurt. But he knew that she was only joking. And if she wasn't, he wouldn't give her another choice. He could be quite convincing.

"I'll always find ways to lure you to my firm," he said.

"And how is that?"

"You'll see," he said cryptically, it only made her laugh, and Ian did love hearing her laugh. "But I must go now, Miss Grant, I have matters to attend to. I'll see you soon."