"Miss Walker, Mister Robert. I need to talk to you both," Dr Huntington said after her class.
They gathered her books since the class was over and headed to the front desk, to see their teacher. They looked at each other, since they didn't know why they were summoned. This class had been so interesting; she had invited Dr Hunter Percy to class to speak about his book Quantum Psychotic.
"Those are the students I have been telling you all about; Homer Roberts and Emily Walker. Both of them show incredible potential, nonetheless have the highest GPA. Doctor Percy will choose someone from this class for his summer internship."
"Nice to meet you both," Dr Percy said as he shook their hands. Homer's eyes were shining; he was a big fan of his clinical psychology theories. "Indeed, I am doing a study and I need an intern for the summer. Dr Huntington highly suggests I interview both of you for the job. It was a logical choice to follow her advice, since we studied together in this very classroom, years ago. Would you be available on next Friday?" Both students nodded their head; they could not believe their luck. "Well I'll have my assistant call you to set the time. In the meantime, here are tickets for a conference on tonight you may enjoy. Dr Huntington, we should finish this discussion on my theory in your office." Both left the class, leaving Homer and Emily alone.
"Oh my god!" Homer said. "Can you believe what just happened?"
The possibility of that internship was all Homer was hoping for. They knew Emily and he might be in competition for a job, but Homer competitive side kicked in even stronger than when he was playing football in college. This internship was his.
"Yeah, I can't believe I met Dr Percy in my hoody, with a messy bun on my head."
"You should have checked you emails, you would have known. Do you want to get there together tonight?" Homer asked as they left the classroom.
"You are going to lift me on your bike?"
"Ha-ah. I was just offering. Maybe we could grab a drink before…"
Emily sighed and tried to be subtle. She felt Homer might have more feelings than just friends, but she was not sharing those. She was hoping to keep him as a friend, since she did not have many. They got along since the first day they met and were study buddies since the beginning of their undergrad.
"I don't know, I'll call you later?"
She arrived at her apartment and reached for her copy of Quantum Psychotic. She read the back cover, and googled Dr. Percy. She could find bunch of articles on mental health and the number of conferences he gave all over the US. This internship could be interesting, but she wasn't sure if she wanted to pursue a career as a psychiatrist in a mental institute. She was seriously considering changing her major into criminology. But this internship could either make her change her mind, or confirm her change of major before her residency.
Her phone vibrated. Homer had been texting her bunch of time, but she lost track of time on her computer. She reached in her closet, not knowing what kind of even it was. She knew she had to make a good first impression, but she was quite good normally at that. She grabbed the ticket and looked at the venue; a chic hotel downtown. She grabbed a black dress first and held it in front of her slim figure to look at her reflection in the mirror. Maybe. She texted Homer a picture of the dress. He replied with a thumb up. She changed her mind and grabbed a floral midi skirt with a white shirt tucked inside, paired with heels. She curled the bottom of her long auburn hair and put on light make up. She texted another picture to Homer. He replied with the smiling face with stars instead of eyes. Yeah, that was a better choice. No time for drinks now, she ordered an uber and headed for the venue.
When she arrived, the conference had just started; a man was introducing Dr Percy. She was surveying the room to find Homer as he kept her a seat. Her eyes wandered near the stage and she found Dr Percy looking straight at her. Fuck, she thought. He was probably mad she was late. Good thing the lights were almost out, her cheeks were probably red by now. Her phone vibrated again in her hand and Homer told her to look to her left. She sat down and trying to concentrate the second conference of the day.
Homer was the first to stand up, clapping his hands at the end of the conference. People spread around the room, music started and wine was being distributed around. Emily and Homer were casually drinking on a corner of the room when Dr Percy joined them.
"You might show potential in your class, but you seem to have difficulties with time management, Ms Walker," Dr Percy said, as he shook Emily' hand.
"I think my thesis can still prove my interest in you. I mean in your work," Emily's cheek turned red again.
"You'll have your chance to impress me tomorrow. What did you think about this conference?" Hap said.
"Brilliant, I am really looking forward to inspire my thesis on…" Homer started to say, but they were interrupted and surrounded by attendees waiting to have a word with Dr Percy.
"I'll more time tomorrow for both of you. If you'll excuse me," he nodded his head and turned around to sign copies of his books.
"What was that Em? I think my thesis can still prove my interest in you!" Homer said, mocking her and laughing. Emily grabbed a glass of wine that was served and almost drank half of it in no time.
"I don't know! He makes me so nervous."
"What does that says about your daddies' issues?"
"Shut up, Homer," she said as she punched him on the shoulder. "I am not even sure I want this internship," Emily said as she explained her possible change of major. "Maybe I should not go to the interview and you will get the internship. I know how you like his work and you would love to work with him."
"No, I want to earn it. You need to meet him Friday and the best one will win."