Fractured Fire and Ice

***Chapter 1: The Calm Before the Storm***

It was one of those rare mornings when I actually felt on top of things. My notebook was neatly organized, my pens were color-coded, and I even had time to grab my favorite caramel latte before class. As I settled into my usual seat in the lecture hall, Emma gave me a knowing smile.

"Look at you, all organized and prepared," she teased, nudging me with her elbow.

I grinned back at her, flipping open my notebook. "Don’t get used to it. This level of togetherness is a once-in-a-lifetime event."

Tyler strolled in a few seconds later, his guitar case slung over his shoulder. He looked like he’d just rolled out of bed, but somehow, he still managed to pull off the effortlessly cool vibe. He dropped into the seat next to Emma and shot me a lazy smile.

"Lily, if you’re organized, then the world must be ending," he joked, pulling out his phone and scrolling through his playlist.

I stuck my tongue out at him. "Hush, Jameson. I’m trying to make a good impression for once."

Before Tyler could come up with a snarky reply, the door at the front of the lecture hall swung open, and our professor, Dr. Michaels, walked in with an air of importance. He wasn’t alone. Following him was Dean Marshall, a woman whose presence demanded attention. She was the kind of person you didn’t want to cross, not because she was intimidating, but because she had the kind of power that made things happen. And right now, she looked like she had news.

The room quieted down almost instantly. Even Tyler put away his phone, sensing the shift in the atmosphere. Dean Marshall stepped to the front of the room, her heels clicking against the polished floor, and surveyed the room with a calm, calculated gaze.

“Good morning, everyone,” she began, her voice clear and authoritative. “I won’t take up too much of your time, but I have an important announcement.”

I glanced over at Emma, who raised an eyebrow in curiosity. Tyler leaned back in his seat, folding his arms over his chest, waiting for whatever was about to drop.

“I’m sure many of you are aware that Phoenix Innovations—one of the leading tech companies in the world—has been making waves in the industry for the past few years.” Dean Marshall’s words sent a ripple of excitement through the room. Even I couldn’t help but perk up at the mention of Phoenix Innovations. They were the kind of company that people like us could only dream of working for.

“As part of their ongoing commitment to nurturing new talent,” she continued, “Phoenix Innovations will be selecting a few students from our university for internships at their U.S. branch. This is an incredible opportunity, and I expect all of you to take it seriously.”

Whispers erupted around the room. I caught snippets of conversations—people wondering what it would take to be chosen, speculating about the competition, and, of course, gushing over the company itself.

“Did you hear that? Phoenix Innovations! They’re, like, the top of the top!” one girl a few rows ahead of me whispered excitedly to her friend.

“I heard Damien Kang himself might be coming. You know, the CEO?” another girl said, her voice hushed but filled with awe.

The mention of Damien Kang got everyone buzzing. Even I had to admit, the man was a legend. He’d built Phoenix Innovations from the ground up, transforming it into a powerhouse in the tech industry. He was known for being brilliant, ruthless, and impossibly handsome—a trifecta that made him the subject of admiration, fear, and a whole lot of fangirling.

“And it’s not just him,” the first girl continued, practically vibrating with excitement. “His team, too. Park Jisoo and Kang Minji. They’re, like, the dream team. They’ve revolutionized cybersecurity. I read somewhere that they’re unstoppable.”

The trio’s reputation was well-known, even outside of tech circles. Damien, Jisoo, and Minji were a force to be reckoned with, each bringing something unique to the table. Together, they’d built an empire, and the idea that they might be coming here—to our school—was almost too much to wrap my head around.

“Of course, they are,” Tyler muttered under his breath, shaking his head with a smirk. “The corporate gods descending from the heavens to grace us mere mortals.”

Emma elbowed him lightly. “Hey, this could be a big deal for us. Imagine getting an internship with them. It’s like a golden ticket.”

I nodded, but inside, my mind was racing. Could I really see myself working at a place like Phoenix Innovations? Did I have what it took to catch their attention? Sure, I was creative, and when I got in the zone, there was no stopping me. But the idea of standing out among the best of the best was daunting, to say the least.

Dean Marshall cleared her throat, bringing the room back to order. “Details about the selection process will be provided in the coming days. I strongly encourage all of you to consider this opportunity carefully. For those who are selected, this could be the start of an extraordinary career.”

With that, she gave us a curt nod and exited the room, leaving behind a charged silence. Dr. Michaels took over, but it was clear that no one was paying much attention to the lecture anymore. The buzz of excitement from the announcement still lingered, and all I could think about was what this could mean for me—for all of us.

As the class wrapped up, Emma turned to me, her eyes bright with determination. “Lily, you have to go for this. You’re exactly what they’re looking for—someone creative, driven, and with a fresh perspective.”

Tyler nodded in agreement, his usual laid-back demeanor replaced with something a little more serious. “Yeah, you should give it a shot. What’s the worst that could happen?”

I swallowed, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. This was a chance of a lifetime, no doubt about it. But with names like Damien Kang and his trio involved, the stakes were higher than ever. Could I really do this?

“Maybe,” I said, my voice a little uncertain but growing stronger. “Maybe I will.”