The Internship

The Letter

"Honey there's something in the mail for you!" My mom called out.

"Coming!" I hollered back excitedly. About 5 months ago I had applied to an internship which is over the summer, between my junior and senior years of high school. In order to apply you had to be at least 17, 18 by the time the program ended. I had to write an essay about how politics in America had come to be as well as a detailed explanation of how our government works. I didn't really think I had much of a chance. But I applied anyways because at this point I really needed a break from my family. A chance to be by myself and do my own thing.

I skipped down the stairs and rushed towards my mother. She had a wide grin on her face. I knew it was the letter I'd been waiting for. She handed me the envelope and I opened it carefully, as to not rip anything inside. I pulled out the letter and unfolded it. I took a deep breath in. Looking down at the letter, I smiled because it read "Congratulations on Acceptance into Our Program!" It continued on with details of when to arrive where to go and who I would be working with. Since I had placed as one of the top 10 applicants, I would be working with important congressmen as well as the senate, vice president, president, and the first lady. In the case however, with Hillary Clinton as our current president, I suppose the first lady is actually a first dude.

"Well?" Asked my mom. I smiled up at her.

"I'm in!' The summer would start in a month. On June 6 to be exact. I was to leave on the 9th. The program ended in September, September 25. I knew it would go by fast, and by the time I got home I would be an adult. 18 years old. 18 years of being alive, it's hard to believe. I laughed to myself because I've been waiting for this day. July 18th is my birthday. I'll be 18 on the 18th. I've always thought that would be funny.

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I don't have many friends at my school. Only 3, their names are Jimmy, Stella and Sierra Nevada Mountains. We call her Nevada for short. I decided to tell my friends, who were all really excited for me.For the 50th time ever Jimmy brought up how glad he was that Trump wasn't the president. I couldn't have cared less. Despite my paper on politics and my interest in this program, this wasn't exactly my favorite topic. Stella and Nevada went on about how they would miss me. I'd miss them too but they had my phone number and could call anytime they wanted.

One teacher was especially important to me. He kept me going when times were hard and gave me advice like no one else could. I told him everything, where I was going, why, how. Everything. He told me to be careful and make good choices. To keep in touch with family and friends. He gave me a few books to take with me. He said they were to remember him. Of course I wouldn't forget anyone from here. Even if I wanted to.

Once all the goodbyes I needed to say were finished I hurried home to pack, although I didn't leave for another 3 days but I didn't want to forget anything. I packed my camera, my chargers, books and a few changes of clothes. My parents would mail the rest up later.

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Finally, today's the day. I kiss and hug my family at the airport and promise them I'll skype every week at least. I walk into the security line and wave to them until they become too far away and behind machines for me to see them. I sighed. New life, and I'll meet the president. That would be fun.

"Please remove all laptops and electronics from your bag." Says an angry looking man standing on the other side of the conveyer belt. I do as he says and take out my camera, phone and laptop. I watch as they go into the machine. "Alright you can go ahead." He says motioning me to the metal detector. I walk through, anxiously, no noise goes off thank goodness. Those machines always make me super worried. I go to the other side of the x-ray machine and collect my things, putting them back in the bag, much less organized than before.

I walked down the stairs leading the the transport trams. I looked down at my ticket. "Terminal C." I whispered to myself. The tram arrived and came to a stop, the doors opened and I hopped onto the seemingly abandoned tram. It took what felt like 10 minutes to finally arrive to terminal C. I walked off the tram and up the stairs to my terminal. As I went further up the stairs I could see the restaurants which were placed around the terminal. McDonald's, Outback, Starbucks, and Wendy's. I wasn't very hungry, instead just nervous. I found my gate, C12, which was at the very end of the terminal.

I waited at the gate and read my book which my history teacher had lent me. "Kiss the Girls" It was called. I didn't know why yet. So far it seemed good, it involved missing people, one was the detective's niece.

"Gate C12 Delta flight to Washington D.C. is now ready for boarding. All first class passengers please prepare to board." I had flown in a plane plenty of times before but never in first class. The government paid for my plane ticket as well as the first class. So far my impression of the program is really good. I hope it's good for the rest of the time as well. I stood up and went towards the line. Not many people were on this flight, the town I lived in was small, but big enough to have an airport.

I got onto the plane very quickly due to the lack of people. I sat in my seat a while before deciding to get out my book and read again. I hadn't had time to read in so long, it was nice to be able to for once. I could get used to all this spare time. After the plane took off, I grew tired, put my book away and began to doze off. When I woke up I had no idea where we were or how much time was remaining of our flight. I reached down to grab my earphones, but just as I located them, a woman came on over the intercom.

"We will be arriving shortly, about 15 minutes and we will be on the ground. We hope you had wonderful flight today, and as always, thank you for choosing delta." She didn't sound very thrilled but that was alright. I had had an excellent plane ride as well as an amazing nap, what more could a girl ask for.

I watched out the window as the plane came closer and closer to the ground. Finally we reached the Washington D.C. airport. I felt a rush of confidence. I'm actually here. I'm going to meet the president. I'm away from my family and my hometown. I felt as if everything had gone right for me. All the mistakes I made, everything I had done led up to this moment.