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I walk past him into the office He closes the door and clears his throat as he in this conversation, I’ht in" He sits behind an old wooden desk piled high with papers He shifts his work to the side, folds his hands together, and looks at ht to our attention that you may be in an inappropriate relationship with your internship supervisor Is this true?"

My voice catches in ain, louder "No, it’s not true Whoever told you that was misinformed"

The dean‘s shoulders don’t slump with relief when I say it "Anna, we know you’re an adult and can , however, when coupled with acade happened" My hands are clutching the ar white I don’t let go This has ry that I can’t stand it "Cole Stevens has been an excellent supervisor My internship is going well, which is why I can’t understand ould say this"

"You haven’t been sleeping with him?" He asks me pointe blank

I don’t think he means it literally, so I shake my head, "No We do not have a sexual relationship This is ridiculous! Graduation is too close forwith him It hurt that Cole rejected me, but this makes it even worse

"I’d like to, Anna, but the person who brought this matter to our attention has proof that you did stay at Mr Steven’s residence on multiple occasions"

My skin prickles as I realize what itry

"So, let ht, Dr Grillo So sex Is that what you’re saying?" I’e ofsilently inside of

"Please Anna, calh to have your internship pulled and have Mr Stevens reprimanded We cannot allow even the appearance of indiscretion when it comes to acade your grades? Do you want the to do with your ards to you You’re at the top of your class I’m sorry Anna, but we can’t let this slide You’ll have to find another internship and start over in the fall"

"But that raduate until Dece I can do about that The internship is a requireet another internship and complete the requireust?" I don’t breathe I didn’t want it to come to this, but this is what it came to

The dean leans back in his hair and looks at me like he feels sorry for me "If you can complete the requirements, then yes"

I nod slowly I don’t knohat to say It hurts that my words don’t h to damn me A question crosses my mind, "Have you spoken to Mr Stevens yet?"

Dr Grillo nods, "Yes He knows the repercussions for such an accusation" I wait for him to explain, to tell me more, but he doesn’t Instead he stands and says, "Go to the registrar’s office, get new fore to talk someone into an internship now, file the papers directly with me"

CHAPTER 5

Em like I’ht My internship with Cole is void and I have to start over Nerves choke me, but I have to do it--there are no other options

Dialing her number, I wait for Sophia to pick up "Sottero Studios," she says, even though she has caller ID and knows exactly who it is

"Ms Sottero, this is Anna Lamore We met earlier this summer at an internship interview"

"Yes, Anna How can I help you?" Although that’s what she said, her voice sounds clipped, like she doesn’t want to waste more ti to work every waking hs "What happened? Did Cole fire you? I told you to avoid that man, but you didn’t listen Why should I take you now?"

That is a good question "You shouldn’t," I say "I should have listened to you I’m sorry to have bothered you You’ve been more than kind Thank you for your time--" I feel dejected and embarrassed

She cuts me off, "Oh, don’t be so melodramatic, Anna It’s not the end of the world, it’s an internship Coet you started How ust?"

"Three hundred and twenty," I say cringing

"Not a proble season We can knock that out in a couple of weeks if you’re willing to work 18-hour days"

"I a s up