Rewrite The Stars

Prologue: The First Encounter

Liana Martinez had spent the past three years navigating the halls of law school with a steady resolve, her eyes always on the prize: becoming an attorney. She had endured grueling study sessions, sleepless nights, and enough caffeine to fuel a small town. Now, on the brink of her final year, she found herself standing outside a classroom that had suddenly become legendary among her peers.

The class was titled Advanced Ethics and Legal Practice, but that wasn't the reason for its popularity. The real reason was Professor Arianne Luna Hansley, the renowned attorney-turned-educator who had recently joined the university’s faculty. Known for her tough cases and even tougher courtroom demeanor, Professor Hansley had made a name for herself as one of the country's best attorneys, and students whispered that her lectures were as intense as her cross-examinations.

Liana took a deep breath as she entered the classroom. Around her, other students murmured in excitement, sharing stories they'd heard about Professor Hansley's recent cases.

“Did you know she represented that high-profile corruption case last year?” one student whispered excitedly to their friend.

Another replied, “I heard she’s ruthless in the courtroom. I wonder if she’s like that as a professor.”

Liana’s curiosity spiked, but she kept her face neutral, focusing instead on finding a seat toward the middle of the room. As she settled in, a hush fell over the classroom. She looked up and found Professor Hansley standing at the podium, her presence commanding immediate attention.

“Good morning, class,” Arianne greeted, her voice calm but carrying an undeniable authority. “I’m Professor Arianne Luna Hansley, and as you’ve probably heard, I’ve spent the past decade working as an attorney. This course will challenge you, perhaps more than any you’ve taken before, because it will push you to think about the law beyond textbooks and rules. It will force you to grapple with the ethical responsibilities that come with this profession.”

Liana felt her pulse quicken. This was exactly what she’d signed up for—something that went beyond rote memorization of case law. She watched Arianne with rapt attention, noting the sharp lines of her features, the intensity in her gaze. This woman wasn’t just another professor; she was a force.

“I expect excellence from each of you,” Arianne continued. “And I do not tolerate laziness or apathy. If you’re here to coast, I suggest you leave now.”

There was a tense silence as her words hung in the air, and Liana felt a thrill of excitement. She knew she wanted to be here, wanted to rise to this challenge.

A hand went up at the back of the room. It belonged to Marco, a confident classmate known for his outspoken personality. “Professor Hansley, may I ask—what’s the hardest case you’ve ever worked on?”

Arianne’s gaze sharpened, and a slight smile played at the corner of her lips. “Good question, Marco. But I’m not here to tell you war stories. I’m here to prepare you to handle your own hard cases. The hardest case you’ll ever work on, I assure you, is the one that questions your values and forces you to decide what kind of lawyer—and person—you want to be.”

There was a murmur of admiration from the students, and Liana found herself even more drawn to her professor. This was a woman who didn’t care about accolades or popularity; she was here to impart something real, something that went beyond the superficial.

“Now,” Arianne said, returning to the course syllabus, “let’s go over the expectations for this semester. There will be three major assignments, each one designed to test your ability to apply the ethical principles we’ll be discussing. You’ll work in pairs, and I’ll assign the partners myself.”