The Internship

Chapter Three

It's Thursday of my second week at my internship. It doesn't matter how much I'm enjoying my new job, I'm relieved that only Friday stands between me and the weekend. I had a list of things that I'd learned:

1. Chris and Lilly are a couple--and a cute one at that.
2. Jeremy is Kirstie's boyfriend.
3. Mitch gets hotter everyday.
4. I'm falling for Mitch and he doesn't seem to care about me in anyway other than his new best friend.
5. Mitch always looks tired and hungover, it's weird.
6. Red bulls will only make you crash halfway through the day.
7. Don't stare at Mitch too long--Kirstie is on to you.
8. Olaf is really cute.
9. Mitch shares my love for Beyoncé.
10. Mitch won't ever love me.

This wasn't a list that I'd written down anywhere, just things that I noticed.

I began packing up my stuff after another long day. Mitch pulled out a beer, as always, and sat at his computer.

"I'm going to stay with you tonight," I said. I was surprised by my words.

"You must be exhausted," Mitch said.

"You say that every night, I'm not tired and I'm staying."

Mitch looked up at me sighing in defeat. "Well screw work, c'mon." He went to refrigerator and pulled out a whole case of beer before pulling me out into the hallway. "We're going to the roof!" He said happily. Damn he's adorable.

As we walked to the staircase we bumped into Kirstie.

"Oh hey Kit!" Mitch exclaimed. "I thought you left already."

"No I had some extra paperwork," She said as her eyes went between the both of us and then to the beers in Mitch's hands. "Can I talk to Scott alone?" She asked.

"Yeah sure but make it quick. I'll be on the roof Scott!" Mitch called over his shoulder.

"What's up Kirstie?" I asked. I tried to seem patient but it was obvious that I wanted to spend some alone time with Mitch.

"I just want to warn you I guess," She said quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"He's so fragile but guarded. And you're falling really fast and--"

"Shit! How did you know?"

"It's kind of obvious." She said, giggling.

"Oh god. He doesn't know, does he?"

"No, he's oblivious to these kinds of things."

I sighed in relief.

"Look Scott I just don't want you getting hurt. You have no idea what you're getting into. He's so--" She closed her eyes, racking her brain for a word that would accurately describe him. "Complicated. When you know, and you will know soon, it'll make sense. Just promise me you'll be careful."

"Yeah Kirst I promise." I had no idea what she was talking about but it was obviously serious if it was making her this emotional, she was close to tears. In just these two weeks alone I had become extremely close to Mitch and Kirstie. I cared for them both a lot and seeing her upset made my heart hurt.

"Okay enough serious stuff. Go do something crazy." She winked at me before walking away.

I walked up the staircase and out onto the roof. Mitch was leaning up against the railing with a beer in his hands. He turned around before I could even acknowledge I was there. "Hey you," He said with a smile. He pulled a beer out of the case and tossed it at me. I opened it, taking a sip. He sat down in one of the two seats. I sat in the one opposite and we both looked up at the stars. It was silent for a while.

"You need to get over this," Mitch said quietly.

"Over what?" I asked absentmindely.

"Whatever you're feeling for me."

I shot up, immediately alert.

"I--uh. Kirstie said you wouldn't notice."

He waved his hand through the air and frowned slightly. "Kirstie thinks I'm some kind of an idiot. But I know, I see it."

I had no idea how to feel in this moment. Relieved? Anxious? Terrified?

"Scott I'm--" He paused clearly deep in thought. "Complicated."

"What is it with that word?!" My confusion from the last two weeks all surfaced. Everything seemed red, I was getting angry fast.

"Hey relax," Mitch said calmly. I knew he only said it to soothe me but it only made me angrier. How could he be so calm when I was heavy with anticipation for answers that I may not even get? I swatted away his hand that he had rested on my shoulder.

"Why won't you and Kirstie explain anything to me?! I'm human too damnit! You and your dad don't get along but what does that fucking mean?! And why do you always look so damn tired and hungover?! I'm in the dark here!"

The calm Mitch was gone.

"How dare you to even have the fucking audacity to be angry with me! You want your answers barbie boy? I go out almost every night. I get wasted and sleep with strangers. I wake up in unknown places covered in bruises because they're never gentle. I don't know what happened. I don't know when I lost myself. I told myself that I'd never turn into my father-- a useless drunk. But when I look in the mirror all I see is him and that is enough to make me give up everytime. I am in this fucking ocean and I'm struggling to keep my head above water but I'm drowning. And you." He laughed dryly before taking a sip of his beer and continuing. "Here you come with your beautiful blue eyes and curiosity. Fuck you for being this wonderful opportunity. I hate you."

"Please Mitch." I hated how weak my voice sounded. "You don't mean that."

Tears began falling down his face and his voice became shaky. "I fall too hard and fast. Look at us. I have known you for two weeks. My walls are built so high this time. I'm not letting you in."

I shook my head. "Don't push me away."

"Don't you get it now, Hoying? I am self-destructive yet I still manage to wreck everyone in my path. That is what we mean by complicated. And this is only half of it."