Sophie's Life

Chapter 40: The Interships

The first day at Logitechs had the hum of excitement mixed with the nervous jitters of a fresh start. I stepped into the building, heart thudding as I scanned the bustling lobby, spotting familiar faces scattered around. Somehow, seeing them all here—Sasha grinning, Nathan already chatting up the receptionist, Aaron and Riley laughing as they scanned their schedules—it made everything feel a bit more bearable. At least we'd all jumped into this new adventure together.

Ayla arrived shortly after me, her usual cool confidence barely dented by the new environment. She gave a nod of approval as she looked around, her sharp gaze missing nothing. Ayla was a natural in places like this, able to navigate any crowd with ease, and as we settled in for orientation, I saw her make eye contact with nearly everyone, mentally cataloging details. No doubt she'd end up leading half of us in projects soon.

Then there was Allie, always organized, and someone we could rely on to keep us in check. She sat beside me, already scribbling notes, her enthusiasm catching me off guard but making me smile. Allie had a way of keeping us grounded while still pushing us forward, and I knew she'd make the most of every opportunity here.

Across the room, Sasha was chatting animatedly with our team lead, her energy vibrant. She had this incredible knack for making people feel welcome, and I could tell she was already getting to know everyone in the room, her voice carrying a warmth that put people at ease. She and Allie had been close for years, and seeing them here together made everything feel...right.

Nathan had settled in as well, a mix of humor and charm that seemed to ease the tension around him. It didn't take long for him to crack a joke about the corporate dress code, earning a round of laughter from a few interns. Kenji was close by, his usual calm presence balancing out Nathan's intensity. Kenji's steady personality was something we'd all come to rely on over the years, especially during moments of chaos, and I could see him quietly taking in everything, a small smile playing on his lips.

Then there was Aaron and Riley, as inseparable as ever. Aaron's mischievous grin was a permanent fixture on his face as he nudged Riley, teasing her about something only the two of them knew. Riley's response was a playful shove, and they fell into a shared laughter that felt like a comfort to everyone watching. They'd been through so much together, and their bond was something we all admired.

James hadn't arrived yet, but I could feel the anticipation settling in the pit of my stomach as I wondered how it would go seeing him here, in this new context. Daniel had found a seat nearby, his eyes already flicking over to me every so often, like he was checking to make sure I was okay. He didn't say much, but his presence was calming, like a steady rhythm I could rely on.

The orientation was long, filled with protocols, introductions, and the company's history. By the end of it, we'd been handed our assignments, and as we walked out together, laughing and swapping first impressions, I felt that maybe, just maybe, this new chapter wouldn't be so hard after all.