My Study Buddy Lie

So, here's the deal. I'm in grad school for literature at this small but prestigious university, and I work a part-time job as a teaching assistant to help pay my bills. My professor is one of those charismatic characters who inspire everyone around them, always spouting off about how we need to read more and really engage with the material. One day, he asks me if there's anyone in my life who influences my learning or study habits positively. I can see his interest piqued, he wants a success story for an upcoming faculty meeting. Now, this is where it gets tricky. Truthfully, no one around me fits that description right now. My friends are all busy with their own lives and studies, and while we do help each other out sometimes, none of them really influence my work habits in any profound way. But I couldn't bear to disappoint him; he's already shared so much valuable insight with us students. So instead, I spun a little white lie. I told him about this imaginary study buddy, Alex, who lives nearby and we supposedly meet up regularly for coffee and discussions on our course readings. He seemed impressed by the idea of mutual encouragement outside of class. In my mind, I saw it as just borrowing some air to inflate an ego balloon that would eventually deflate, he's probably heard plenty of similar stories. I'm not proud of this lie, though. It was a momentary act of cowardice and desire for approval, rather than honesty or bravery. This small deception has been weighing on me ever since because now I feel like I've misrepresented myself and my community to someone who is quite influential here at the university. I haven't had the courage yet to confess this lie, but every time we meet in class, I wonder how he'd react if he found out it was all made up. It's been eating away at me.