Chapter Text
In his three years of study, and now almost two years working for Callahan as a TA, Emmett was convinced he had seen it all on the Harvard Campus. And yet, when a vanilla-scented blur of hot pink passed him on the main lawn outside Hauser Hall, he couldn’t hide the shock on his face, nor could he look away from the woman now sitting on the bench beside his.
Best as he could, Emmett tried to ignore the blonde ponytail swinging behind her, and he forced himself to turn his attention back to the papers he was grading for Callahan. He rolled his eyes inwardly. Two years ago, he had jumped at the opportunity to prove himself to the most demanding professor in the whole Harvard School of Law, but he now knew it was a monotonous and repetitive job. Still, Callahan did sometimes offer him a role on some of the cases he was working on, and Emmett hoped that one large case where he could truly stand out amongst others would provide him with the opening he needed to join a proper law firm, or even better, start his own.
A groan from the woman sitting across from him brought Emmett back to reality.
He didn’t know what had swayed him. He was terrible at social situations and making small-talk. He appeared especially awkward around women. But maybe it was the pink outfit that so obviously stood out amongst the greys and blacks of suits on this campus. Maybe Emmett was just feeling especially generous today. Or maybe the non-jaded part of him really did care about the poor woman’s feelings. Still, whatever it was, it forced him to turn towards her.
“Excuse me, ma’am,” he started, “are you okay?”
The woman sighed, breathing out a weak ‘yeah’ before crossing her arms once again. “Do they just put you on the spot like that? Like, all the time?”
The sudden outburst caught him slightly off-guard, but he managed to respond. “The professors? Yeah, they tend to do that. Socratic method.”
“And so what, if you don’t know the answer they’re just gonna kick you out?”
Emmett racked his brain for what the poor woman might have done to offend a professor in the first ten minutes of class. “So, you must have Stromwell, huh?”
“Yes!” The woman finally turned around and Emmett finally saw her face. For a minute, he didn’t know what to think. He noticed the tiniest details – her eyes, glowing with enthusiasm and passion, the way her eyebrows furrowed slightly as she continued talking. “Did she do that to you, too?”
“No, but she did make me cry once,” He admitted. “I mean, not in class, I waited until I was back in my room, but yeah, she can be pretty tough.” He rushed to add.
What was he doing? He had never mentioned that to anyone. It wasn't something you mention to just anyone. And it certainly wasn't something to mention to a random woman.
“Great.” Her shoulders slumped, her face scrunching with worry.
“But don’t worry though, it gets better. Who else do you have?”
Why was he doing this? Since when did he become a motivational speaker and a small-talk maker? Why did he feel the sudden urge to bring back the woman’s enthusiasm?
“I have Royalton, Leventhal and Callahan.”
Interesting. So Emmett would be TAing her classes with Callahan. She would effectively be one of his students.
“Right, well, speak up in Callahan’s class. He likes people who are opinionated. Oh, and read the footnotes in Leventhal’s assignments, that’s where he gets most of his exam questions from. And in Royalton’s class,” he glanced around them to make sure they were alone, “try to get a seat in the back. He tends to spit when he talks about product liability.”
The woman laughed, her face warming as the corners of her lips tipped upwards, the smile revealing a row of pearl white teeth. “Wow, thanks. I’m really glad I met you. I’m Elle Woods, by the way. First-year law student in case it wasn't obvious.” She extended a delicate hand in his direction. “Are you a third year?”
Emmett shook her hand and was just about to respond when another man interrupted him.
“Hey, Elle, can we talk?” He said, barely sparing a glance in Emmett’s direction.
Great. Another one of those arrogant kids, he thought. And yet he couldn’t help but notice how Elle’s entire demeanour changed. She sat up straighter and carefully tucked a loose curl behing her ear.
“Warner, hey,” She scrambled to collect her stuff from the bench as she sprung up. Turning quickly to Emmett, she added, “Thanks for all your help. See you around?”
“Good luck,” He nodded and lifted a hand in a small gesture, watching as Elle Woods walked away, purse in hand, ponytail swinging from side to side. And he was sure, even then, it wouldn’t be the only time he encountered her.