From Frost to Flame

Chapter 18: First Day Of Internship

As the weekend vanished like a blink, Monday morning showed up at last—Pete's first day at his shiny new internship. The sunlight crept through the curtains, casting a warm glow across his room as his alarm buzzed softly beside him. Pete cracked an eye open, a mix of excitement and nerves bubbling up. Today was the start of something new, something he had been dreaming about for a long time.

With a quick stretch, he hopped out of bed and glanced at the clock. It was just after seven, giving him plenty of time to get ready for his 10 a.m. office start. He wanted everything to be perfect. The night before, he had carefully laid out his outfit: a crisp white button-down tucked neatly into tailored navy trousers, paired with a brown belt and matching loafers. He even chose a subtle gray blazer to complete the look—professional yet comfortable, just right for a first impression.

Pete headed to the bathroom for a hot shower, letting the warm water ease any lingering tension. Stepping out, he wrapped himself in a towel, enjoying the freshness of the morning. He slipped into a simple T-shirt and shorts as he moved around his apartment, keeping his morning routine comfortable and easy.

For breakfast, he kept things light—preparing a bowl of oatmeal topped with fresh berries, hoping the meal would help settle his nerves. After finishing his breakfast, Pete returned to his room to get dressed. Slipping into his carefully chosen outfit, he took his time styling his hair, wanting every detail to be in place. He gave himself one last look in the mirror and couldn't help but smile. His reflection looked composed, yet inside, his heart was racing. Taking a steadying breath, he reminded himself, " This is it, Pete. Game face on."

Right on time, his phone buzzed with a message from Porsche: "I'm here!"

Pete grabbed his things—including his neatly organized documents—and hurried downstairs, stepping outside to find Porsche waiting with a wide grin, holding a strawberry shake—his favorite. "Look who's ready to take on the big, scary office world!" Porsche teased, handing him the shake.

Pete laughed, taking a sip of the cool, sweet drink. "Thanks, Porsche. This is exactly what I needed."  The sweetness hit just right, calming his jitters.

Porsche nodded approvingly. "I figured you might need a little pick-me-up. How are you feeling?"

"Excited... and, yeah, kinda nervous," Pete admitted, fiddling with his cup.

Porsche gave him a solid clap on the back. "You're going to be great. Just be yourself, and they'll see what a catch they've got."

The drive to the office was around 45 minutes, but with every passing street, Pete's anticipation grew. The cityscape blurred by, his mind racing with thoughts of the day ahead. Arriving at 9:30 a.m., he stepped out of the car, taking a moment to breathe deeply before heading inside. With Porsche's reassuring presence beside him and his favorite shake in hand, Pete felt ready to face the challenges and possibilities awaiting him at the office.

At precisely 9:30 a.m., they pulled up to the front of the office building, its towering glass structure gleaming in the morning sun. Porsche put the car in park and turned to Pete with an encouraging smile. "We have arrived."

Pete took a deep breath, closing his eyes to calm the swirl of nerves tightening in his stomach. With Porsche's gentle words grounding him, he felt a rush of excitement, mingled with a touch of disbelief. Opening his eyes, he looked at the building, and his gaze softened with awe.

The office building rose high into the sky, and its modern design was a breathtaking combination of white and blue glass panels. The sun reflected off its surface, casting shimmering patterns that seemed to dance along the glass, filling the air with an ethereal glow. The white and blue hues interlocked seamlessly, adding both elegance and energy to the structure, and the sleek, clean lines gave it a timeless sophistication. Pete marveled at the architecture, every panel and line exuding a level of prestige and success he had only dreamed of. Standing in its shadow, he could hardly believe he was about to step into such a place.

Porsche nudged him gently, bringing Pete back to the present. "Hey, you ready?"

Pete nodded, gripping his bag a little tighter, the weight of this moment settling on his shoulders. With a supportive smile, Porsche stepped out of the car, and Pete followed suit, taking one last deep breath as he prepared to enter the world he had worked so hard to reach.

Stepping through the tall glass doors of the office building, Pete was greeted by the cool, polished marble floor and the soft buzz of activity around him. The interior was sleek and modern, with soft lighting that highlighted the building's elegant design, creating an atmosphere of professionalism and sophistication. He made his way to the reception desk, where a poised receptionist greeted him with a warm smile.

Taking a steadying breath, Pete approached her. "Good morning," he said, flashing his best smile. "I'm here for the internship. Pete Saengtham." He held up his phone with the confirmation email from Kinn.

The receptionist nodded and glanced at the email. "Thank you, Pete. You'll need to head up to the fourth floor. Just take the elevator on the right. The other candidates are waiting there," she said, pointing toward the elevator bank.

Pete smiled, thankful for the directions. "Thanks," he replied, turning to walk back toward Porsche, who was still standing near the entrance, his expression full of pride and encouragement.

"Guess this is it," Pete muttered, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

Porsche clapped him on the shoulder with a grin. "You're going to do great, Pete. Go in there and show them what you've got," he said, giving him a wink. "I'll be waiting to hear all about it."

Pete chuckled and nodded. "Thanks, Porsche. I'll fill you in later."

With a final nod, Porsche left, and Pete turned toward the elevator. The doors opened, and he joined the other candidates waiting inside. As the elevator ascended, Pete couldn't help but smile to himself—today was the start of something exciting, and there was no turning back now.