I'm late, I'm so late, Mike thought. He was speeding through the streets on his bike, bagel hanging in his mouth, scarf flowing behind him. It was October in New York City, which usually isn't that cold, but this year has been an exception. Mike almost crashed into the school building when he arrived, he didn't even bother to park his bike properly and just let it drop to the ground by the gate. He gulped down his bagel while running in the hallway. This was his first day as a high school freshman, and goddamnit, he was already late.

He burst into the classroom, which caused everyone to stare at him. Mike was flustered and panting, mumbling sorries to the teacher as he panicked and tried to find an empty seat. "It's okay, Michael." the teacher assured while handing him his textbooks, "Class, this is Michael Ross. He is our new student, one of our only students who didn't graduate with all of you from junior high. Why don't you introduce yourself, Michael?" Mike immediately froze and everyone turned to look at him. He didn't really want anybody to know about him, he just wanted to be invisible. Mike was never really good at socializing or introducing himself to people, and he never really had any friends, so naturally he was very nervous. He quickly said something about himself and then sat down, trying to not be awkward. The air was tense for a moment, and mike could feel the embarrassment creeping onto his cheeks. The teacher gave him a quick nod before moving on.

Mike took a minute to settle down in his seat, trying his best to pay attention in class and not freak out. The classroom was arranged into groups, and he was sitting with three other people who, one was doodling boobs on his textbook, one was secretly checking instagram, and the other one was asleep. Great, Mike thought, I'm going to have to do all the group work in the future. Mike has always been the Good Kid. He always finished his homework on time, he always participated in class (despite the fact that he completely forgets how to speak when someone confronts him outside of class), and he always got full marks on his exams. Honestly, school was too easy to him, but he never told anyone, because he was already taking AP classes and he didn't want to appear as showing off. He doesn't like when people figure out that he has a photographic memory, because then people start to treat him differently.

Let's take a moment and talk about Mike. Mike is a smart boy - no doubt about that - but he isn't really emotionally intelligent, or athletic either. While other kids his age are playing baseball and going out to parties, Mike stays at home is either always reading or taking care of grammy. It's very hard for him to get enough mental stimulation, which makes him bored all the time, even in the highest level classes. That's why he likes law (mind you, he carries a law book wherever he goes, it's like he lives and breathes em the law), even though law can be a bit mundane sometimes, at least it's fun and challenging when he tries to solve a loophole or a case all by himself.

You can imagine how Mike felt when he heard that Harvey Specter was going to come make a speech at his school. True, he knew that Pearson Specter started a new program where lawyers can choose to make speeches at schools instead of doing pro bono work, and true, he also knew that his highschool was one of the largest and most popular public highschools in New York, so it's kind of an obvious choice to make speeches at, but he was still shocked by the fact that the actual Harvey Specter was going to make a speech at his school. When he heard the announcement on the speakers during lunch, he almost dropped his food tray and jumped to the ceiling with excitement.

Meanwhile, Harvey was moping around in Jessica's office. He didn't want to do pro bono work, but he didn't want to make a speech either. Harvey was sitting on Jessica's couch making an exasperated expression, as if he was going to choke and die from just thinking about making a speech in front of a bunch of teenagers. "Harvey, you are a name partner now, it would be good for our reputation if we went to a few high schools to teach some kids about law. I'm busy, so you're going today. No excuses." Harvey groaned and argued with Jessica, clearly displeased with the situation. "I'm the best closer this city has ever seen, and you're telling me I have to go make a speech at some high school?" "Yes Harvey, I know you don't like it." "What am I even suppose to say? I bet they're all doing drugs and having sex or something like that, no one will even listen." Donna was laughing at Harvey outside, not being able to imagine Harvey giving a speech to teenagers.

What Harvey didn't know is that he will meet his future son at this lecture.

Lecture time came by quick. Mike was rushing in the hallways, bumping into people and apologizing to everyone. He quickly reached the lecture hall and sat in the very front row, eagerly waiting, looking like an excited puppy. There were only about a dozen people in the entire two hundred seat auditorium, which made Mike nervous but relieved at the same time. He heard the door open and saw a man walk in. Mike was holding his breath. The man was tall, fit, and was wearing a three piece suit with coiffed up hair. "My name is Harvey," he said, "Harvey Specter. Name partner of Pearson Specter." Mike's mouth dropped open. His brain went blank - he couldn't believe that he was sitting in front of the best closer in New York, the fucking name partner of the number one law firm. Sure, he heard the announcement saying that Harvey Specter was coming over, but his brain could not process the fact that the actual Harvey Specter is right there, standing right in front of him.

"Assuming most of you guys don't even know who I am, I'm the best closer in New York." Harvey paused and stared at his unresponsive audience, then cleared his throat. "There's only around ten of you here. How many of you are actually interested in law?" Mike looked around to see if anyone raised their hand, which no one did, and he shyly raised his arm up slightly, just enough so that Harvey could see. Harvey quickly scanned the room, his eyes lingering on Mike. "Alright. Not a lot. Well there's nothing I can do about that. I'm going to talk about some law basics, I guess."

He pulled down the black board and started to draw a diagram. "The American legal system is an overarching government system. First there's the federal system, then the state system under it." He started writing on the blackboard. "Which means, wherever you are in the US, you are subject to more than one system of laws, both federal and state."

"Let's talk about the federal system first. At the top of the hierarchy, the US Constitution sets out a federal government and dictates the relationship between the federal government and state government." He started filling out his hierarchy diagram with some key words. "Under the US Constitution we have statutes, which are of course passed by congress. Basically, statutes are just laws passed under legislation. Then we have regulations, which are rules that address the details and practical applications of the law. Then we have common law, which are laws created by judges based on previous cases."

Mike thought of something, and his hand instinctively shot up. He didn't think before acting, and when he realize that he's going to have to speak in front of the mighty Harvey Specter, it was already too late. Harvey looked at him with surprise, not expecting anybody to interact in this lecture: "Yes?"

Mike cleared his throat, trying not to sound nervous: "Couldn't we also interpret common law as that the decision of the judge is evidence of the law that already existed before the judge gave their decision, and so if the rule already exists, we should apply the same rule in future cases by other judges? Because the judge's decision is based on an implied rule?"

Harvey stared at him, impressed. Of course he would never admit this to anyone, but deep down he knew that he thought the kid was amazing. "Well," He replied, "no, because in the doctrine of stare decisis it says that if a court has decided a case in a particular way, then the same court and the courts that are inferior to it must give the same decision in future cases that are similar. So the law is only created when the judge actually decides the outcome of a case, therefor the judge creates the law. Although, the Supreme Court, which used to be called the House of Lords announced in the 1960s that it would not consider itself bound by the stare decisis rule. Still, my point stands."

Mike listened intently, every word Harvey said being engraved into his brain. After that, Harvey continued to talk about the American legal system without any interruption. Harvey often glanced at Mike, taking keen interest in the blond teenager, which also happens to be the only teenager that isn't snoring. The lecture dragged on about an hour, until Harvey couldn't bear the sight of his bored audience anymore, so he ended the lecture. Mike slowly put the cap on his pen and closed his notebook, wanting to stay in the presence of the lawyer a little longer, disappointed that the lecture was so short. He wanted to ask Harvey more questions, but afraid that he might come off as stupid.

Mike was still in the auditorium even when everyone else left, pretending to tie his shoelaces. Harvey walked over and asked "What's your name?" Mike's head shot up with a surprised look on his face. "Michael Ross...although most people just call me Mike."

Harvey nodded. "Mike. I noticed you were paying a lot of attention. Do you read a lot about law?" Mike blushed slightly. "Oh, yeah. I uh, maybe want to become a lawyer one day and um, I've heard a lot about you and I think it's...pretty cool." What he really wanted to say is, you are literally my idol and my life goal is to become you and I would literally carve my ears off with a rusty spoon just to get your autograph. Harvey chuckled, "Well, Mike, you have a long way to go. How old are you?"

"I'm turning fourteen in a week."

"You're young. I bet high school is hard for you."

Mike laughed nervously, "Actually...I'm taking my AP exams in a semester." Harvey stared at him for a moment in disbelief. "Are you going to go to college early?"

"No..." Mike hesitated a moment before answering, "my Grammy can't live alone, and we can't afford college, yet. I need to take care of her."

"Oh," Harvey said, "I'm sorry. What about your parents?"

"They...passed away. Two years ago." Mike looked at the floor, avoiding Harvey's eyes. Harvey didn't know what to say, so they just stood in silence for a while. "Anyways," Mike continued, noticing the awkwardness between them, "I need to go now. It's already almost six and Grammy's waiting for me at home."

"Okay, before you go..." Harvey took out a piece of paper and quickly scribbled his number on it, "Here's my number. Call me if you find yourself in a legal situation. I need to do a pro bono every once in a while anyways." Which was a lie. Harvey gave the kid his phone number because he liked the kid. He thought the kid was smart and had a lot of potential, and maybe he could teach the kid someday.

Mikes eyes widened and took the number with both hands, treating it as if it were the holy grail. He said thank you three times in a row, then carefully put the piece of paper in his pocket and protecting it with his palms. Mike's was so happy that he received Harvey's phone number he was practically wagging his imaginary puppy tail, which made Harvey feel warm inside.

Harvey chuckled again and let the kid go off. He stared at Mike walk away and smiled to himself. "Smart kid," He mumbled to himself.

They'll meet again in a week.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

For this chapter I had to do some research...I quoted some parts of Introduction to Law for Mike and Harvey's dialog. Please don't sue me. Dm me for human right complains, insults and grammar mistakes.