Rewrite The Stars (On-going)

Chapter 5: Shared Interests

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I arrived a bit earlier than usual, feeling a strange eagerness as I made my way to Arianne’s office. Last week’s conversation had stirred something inside me—a pull to learn more about her, not just as a mentor, but as a person with her own journey, values, and dreams.

I took a deep breath and knocked lightly before opening the door.

“Liana!” She looked up, smiling, as I entered. “You’re early tonight.”

“Couldn’t wait to dive back into things,” I replied, trying to keep my tone light.

“Perfect.” She gestured toward the chair beside her. “Tonight, I thought we’d explore cases with broader implications—ones that changed how we see the law.”

“Oh, that sounds… big.” I settled into my seat, trying not to seem too eager.

She laughed. “It is, but I think you’ll enjoy it. You’re drawn to cases that mean something, ones that impact real lives. Right?”

I nodded, surprised by how well she could read me. “Yeah. I guess that’s why I wanted to pursue law. I want to make a difference, to stand up for people who can’t stand up for themselves.”

Her face softened, and she seemed to study me. “That’s exactly why I got into this field too. But it’s also a path filled with sacrifices. You have to be ready for that.”

“Have you made a lot of sacrifices?” I asked quietly, almost afraid to hear her answer.

She sighed, looking away for a moment. “Yes. It’s part of the job. Sometimes you have to put the law before your personal life.”

I thought back to last week when she’d hinted at the things she might be missing. “Do you regret it?”

“Not regret, exactly… but there are moments I wonder what life would be like if I’d chosen differently.” She glanced over at me, her expression softening. “But, then, moments like these remind me why I chose this path. Getting to work with students like you makes it worth it.”

My cheeks warmed, and I quickly looked down at my notes to hide my reaction. Her words made me feel seen in a way I wasn’t used to, and it stirred a longing I was struggling to understand.

As we turned our attention back to the case, our conversation continued to flow naturally, each exchange bringing new insights. At one point, Arianne brought up a case she’d worked on early in her career, describing the details with such passion that I felt like I was right there with her, navigating the courtroom alongside her.

“So, what did you do next?” I asked, leaning forward, captivated by her story.

“I fought hard to get evidence admitted that would protect my client,” she said, her eyes lighting up with excitement. “It was a risk, but I believed it was the right thing to do. In the end, the judge ruled in our favor.”

“That’s amazing,” I murmured, awe evident in my voice.

She chuckled, her expression softening. “It was one of those moments that reminded me why I do this. Advocacy can be thankless at times, but when you know you’ve truly helped someone… it’s worth all the late nights and lost weekends.”

Our eyes met, and for a second, the room felt charged, filled with an unspoken understanding. I opened my mouth to respond, but the words didn’t come.

Instead, she gently broke the silence. “You have that drive too, Liana. I see it in you.”

I looked down, feeling a flutter of pride but also a pang of confusion. These moments of connection were becoming harder to ignore, but I reminded myself to stay focused.