<b>Chapter </b><b>2 </b>


    The <b>next </b>morning, our advisor posted a form in the group chat for internship confirmations. I took a deep breath, fingers hovering over my keyboard before typing <b>in </b>TechFlow’s fullpany name.


    <b>River </b>slid into my DMs immediately:


    [Jenna, why’d you still put TechFlow? I know you’re pissed, but there’s literally no spot for you now.]


    [I get that you’re embarrassed to list anotherpany, but fake info means you won’t graduate!]


    <b>I </b>stared at the screen and smiled.


    [River, don’t worry about me. I’m definitely going to TechFlow.]


    After a pause, he sent: [Are you just trying to intern with me?]


    [Be reasonable here. I’ll help you find otherpanies. Different offices, same city!]


    I never realized how self–absorbed River was.


    [No thanks.] I turned off my phone and ignored him.


    Over the next few days, he spam–texted me job listings like he was handing out flyers.


    From “3K sry, housing included” to “startup with big dreams.”


    Finally, he sent a coffee shop help–wanted poster with: [Just temporary–I’ll take care of you.]


    When he called asking what I thought, I replied coldly:


    [Not interested.]


    He went silent for days.


    Until River showed up outside my dorm with an internship contract, TechFlow’s logo zing across the cover.


    He shoved the papers at me with this condescending, charity–case tone:


    “I begged my mentor forever to get you this spot. It’s not official intern status, but you can shadow a project team.”


    Basically an unpaid coffee–fetching position.


    I nced at it without reaching for <b>the </b>contract. “Why not save this amazing opportunity for your precious Vivian<b>?</b><b>” </b>


    His face darkened, voice rising: “Jenna, Vivian isn’t as brilliant as you. Her life doesn’t have endless opportunities<b>.</b>”


    <b>55.0</b>%


    I stared at him, feeling sick.


    So sessful people should sacrifice for unsessful ones, giving them opportunities because “sessful people will have more chances“?


    I suddenly felt exhausted. “River, I don’t need to intern with you.”


    His eyes finally showed panic.


    By then, Vivian emerged from the girls‘ dorm, spotting the contract in River’s hands. She hurried over, looking anxious: “Jenna, River’s just trying to help…”


    I cut her off, voice calm but freezing:


    “Vivian, do I need his help? Whose internship spot was it originally? You tell me.”


    Her face went white, turning to River with puppy–dog eyes.


    River frowned, stepping protectively in front of her:


    “Jenna, that’s enough. I already fought to get you this position–why are you still being such a bitch about it?”


    “Aren’t you supposed to be smart? Once you’re in, work your way up to a real internship. Problem solved.”


    He made it sound <i>so </i>easy, like I’d just lie around until they promoted me.


    I stared at River for a long time.


    Realizing he’d gone too far, River softened his tone: “That’s not what I meant. I just think you’re so talented, you can definitely make it work.”


    “Look, we’ll still be working together. The three of us can rent a ce–work and life, all together. Isn’t that perfect?”


    I looked at River like I was seeing him for the first time.


    He wanted me to live with him and his little childhood sweetheart. “The three of us“?


    When they needed me <i>to </i>“give up opportunities,” would I be expected to move out and give them space too?


    “Perfect,”


    Iughed coldly and walked away. River called happily after me:


    “So it’s settled then!”