Undercover in the Ivy League

A Different Kind of Challenge

Ethan Collins sat at his desk in the lecture hall, staring blankly at the stack of papers in front of him. The professor was going over the basics of contract law, and students around him were scribbling notes or typing furiously on their laptops. Ethan, however, found himself struggling to keep up.

He leaned back in his chair, frustration creeping into his thoughts. Going undercover as a university student hadn’t seemed like a big deal at first. He was fit, capable, and had a knack for blending in. But what he hadn’t anticipated was the actual academic workload. Law was a whole different beast, and the last thing he wanted was to actually have to do the reading, writing, and studying.

His phone buzzed quietly in his pocket—another message from William Bennett, no doubt checking in on his daughter’s well-being. Ethan sighed, glancing over at Sophia. She was seated a few rows ahead, focused intently on the lecture. Her notebook was filled with neat, organised notes, and her hand flew across the page as she kept up with the professor’s rapid explanations.

Ethan could tell that she was sharp—really sharp. She had a natural grasp of the material that he envied, especially given his growing struggle to understand even the basics.

After class ended, students filtered out of the room, chatting in small groups or heading off to their next commitments. Ethan lagged behind, gathering his things slowly. He watched as Sophia packed up her books and prepared to leave.

This might be his chance to get some help, and it would also be a good way to deepen his cover and get closer to her. He walked over to where she was standing, putting on his best casual smile.

“Hey, Sophia,” he said, catching her attention.

Sophia looked up, offering a polite smile. “Hey, Ethan. What’s up?”

He rubbed the back of his neck, playing the part of the struggling student. “So, I’ve got to admit, I’m having a hard time keeping up with the material. This whole law thing is a bit over my head. Do you think you could help me out? Maybe, you know, explain some of the concepts?”

Sophia tilted her head slightly, studying him. “You’re having trouble? You seem like a pretty sharp guy.”

Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. “Looks can be deceiving. I’ve never studied law before, and to be honest, I’m kind of lost.”

She paused for a moment, then nodded. “Sure, I can help. I usually review my notes after class anyway, so we can go over some of the basics together.”

Relief washed over him, though he kept his expression neutral. “That would be great. Thanks, Sophia.”

They headed to a nearby study area, finding a quiet corner where they could spread out their notes and textbooks. As they settled in, Ethan watched as Sophia began to break down the material, explaining the concepts with patience and clarity.

She really was smart, and it wasn’t just book smarts. Sophia had a way of making complex ideas simple, a skill that impressed Ethan more than he’d expected. As she explained, Ethan nodded along, absorbing as much as he could. He knew he had to pass his classes to maintain his cover, and if he was being honest, there was something about her that made him want to do well.

After a while, Sophia paused, glancing over at Ethan. “Does that make sense?” she asked, her tone warm and encouraging.

“Yeah, it actually does,” Ethan admitted. “You’re really good at this. I appreciate the help.”

Sophia smiled, a hint of pride in her expression. “I’m glad I could help. Law can be tough, but once you get the hang of it, it starts to click.”

They continued studying for a bit longer, the conversation flowing easily between them. Ethan found himself genuinely enjoying her company, and the more time he spent with her, the more he admired her intelligence and drive.

As they wrapped up their session, Ethan couldn’t help but feel a bit more confident—not just about his classes, but about his mission. Sophia was a remarkable person, and the more he got to know her, the more he realised the importance of protecting her, not just because it was his job, but because she deserved to live her life without constant fear or control.

But for now, he was content to focus on the task at hand, one class at a time.