ah'

s. We had been divided into two groups, and I was the leader of Group One, the first

onto the stage. I brought it out to see scr

hone back into my pocket, forcing my heartbeat to steady. When I stepped onto the stage, a wave of appla

ce carried across the packed auditorium, steady and assured. A sea of final-year students and

as I clicked to my next slide: an image of the Watergate building alongside a quote from Ca

al outlets and nonprofit watchdogs, observed me with interest. His fingers ta

arefully curated examples. "My thesis is that investigative journalism is

end since freshman year had endured countless late-night practice sessions

reading "Questions?" the room erupted in applause. Not the polite, obliga

emen," he said when the clapping subsided, " This is how you deliver a thesis prese

notes. Students filed out after the second group were done with the

ns called, approaching m

rse, Pr

is tweed jacket. "That was exceptional work. One of the

Sir, that

with a direct gaze. "I've been watching your progress since your first semeste

pond to such praise. "I just try t

The Times is opening applications for a prestigious internship opportunity, their summer program next month and on

rs' admiration. The Times internship was one of the legendary fast tracks to a

e softening his usually stern features, "but I'd be disappointed if I d

d, my mind already racing with poss

nish strong this final semester. Your final grad

e. "What was that about? Professor Martins actually s

in my excitement. "He wants me to app

ing glances from students settling back into their sea

ringing phone but before I could pick it, it hung up. The sc

?" Tara asked, noti

my bag. "It's my father, he probably wa

ur sent a wave of unease through me. My father understood bou

er the next class,

uldn't

ssor said faded under the hum of my anxious thoughts. By the time cl

ing sunlight, phone clutched t

I've got to run to my shift a

tly. "Sure. Ha

ing oak tree and finally pressed call. It rang on

Simon Rick. Le

s, and now he wasn't answering? Typical for all his lectures about respon

apped out in color-coded blocks: study session for tomorrow's class, shift

in my bag, it was not a c

n the screen. Instead, it was

, and sent a chill down my spi

, Sarah. I