A week passes by in no time and my first day of work arrives.

I'm actually incredibly thankful that college classes don't start until Tuesday, which means I go straight to work Monday afternoon. It feels like a better way to start off my first day, arriving at work in my newest navy blue suit ready to go.

My mind feels open, ready, prepared and I hope for good reason. I've always been a hard worker, sometimes a little too stubborn with my work but it normally always helps me out in the long run.

I take deep breaths before walking into the building and, like the times before, I take the elevator up and find the marketing department fairly quickly. Mary greets me with a chipper hello followed by a wave that I happily return.

Opening the mahogany doors, I find the office that I am meant to be sharing with my colleagues for the next few months. I feel a bit intimidated working with those who obviously have more experience than me but that only means I'll learn even more, right? It’s making me feel pretty excited honestly.

"Hello, Carter!" Wendy is the first to greet me, gesturing with her hand to come over.

I realize that there's a new empty desk that is awfully close to Zeke's office. I can only assume it's mine and dread immediately builds in my stomach. Why the hell do I have to be close to Zeke? I know the answer to that, but I'm going to ask it anyways because I can.

"This is going to be your desk," Wendy explains, showing it off like it's such a grand thing though it's completely empty. My teasing smile must inform him of my thoughts because she begins to pout. "It's not much right now but you can change that. Bring stuff in, liven it up a bit. Personally, mine is covered in stickers."

"Stickers? Really?" I ask, biting my lip to hold back a taunting smile but she totally sees it.

"They're cute and I'm not letting you judge me for it. Just wait, you'll have weird shit on your desk in no time," she says as if she knows it to be true. I don't argue with her, though since I know it is true, too. I'll bring something ridiculous in; after all, I want to be comfortable in my new space.

"Ah, Zeke wants to see you," Wendy says, snapping her fingers after remembering that not so little detail. "He's in his office, so you better check in with him first."

I nod in agreement, not at all wanting to mess up on my first day. Once in front of Zeke's office doors I knock first before hearing his confirmation to come in. Slowly, I push open the door, peeking my head in to find Zeke at his desk with his computer open typing away and a shit ton of papers scattered around him. He doesn't say a word to me, simply gestures with his finger to come forward.

Nodding, I walk into the room, shutting the door behind me then taking a seat at the chair before his desk. He is completely focused on his work, his fingers typing with lightning speed on the keyboard. Not once does he have to look at said keyboard and after a few moments of this he finishes what he's doing.

Finally, Zeke turns his gaze to me, the same cold and aloof one that he has been wearing since I met him. I wonder if he knows any other expression or if it would kill him to try and give a different one.

I would ask, but I want to keep my internship, thanks.

"You're early," he says, pointing to the clock on the wall with his finger. It states that I am ten minutes early, which I did on purpose.

“I'd rather be early than late," I reply, not to suck up but because I’d honestly rather be early. Even when hanging out with friends or seeing family, I like to arrive at least 10 if not 15 minutes early if I can manage it.

"Good, I don't like people that are late."

Yes, brownie point earned! That should not feel like such a huge accomplishment but it totally is.

"Since this is your first day, I’d much rather you do more observing than anything else," Zeke says, which I am not surprised to hear. I figured the first few days would be like that since I've never worked in an office like this.

While I have had jobs since I turned 16 and have done a lot of volunteer work, I’ve never lived “the office life” or whatever one wishes to call it. It's better for myself and my colleagues that I observe first before jumping in. I’m confident I’ll get the hang of things pretty quick.

"You will work mostly with Alvin today," Zeke explains, shifting through his papers in order to find something. Upon finding it, he retrieves not one paper but rather a stack of them and hands it to me. Inspecting it I discover that it's a few graphs as well as some research on Sinas’ older demographics.

Before I can ask anything about it though, Zeke beats me to it and answers everything for me, "Alvin works mostly with our demographics. In this particular case we are hoping to learn how to better market our new items to an older generation that hasn't grown up with the technology we are so accustomed to. He's been doing a lot of research in an attempt to find the best way to achieve this and I think it will do you some good to observe him and what he does today. I am sure he will request your assistance, so feel free to help him in whatever way you can. Can you handle that?"

I feel as if that was a sort of insult. My teeth grind for a moment behind my lips before I reply, “Of course I can.”

Zeke’s smirk tells me that, yeah, it was kind of a jab. I’m going to kick this fucker in the shin.

Not much more is said after I agree to do as Zeke commanded. He informs me to ask for help if I need it or to assist anyone who may ask for it. Obviously I agree to do that too since I am here to learn and help out. I end up leaving shortly after speaking with Zeke and, sadly, not at all helping relieve the tension that is definitely still between us.

Maybe it's a bit more my fault because Zeke appears to be fine. His demeanor doesn't give off discomfort nor does he appear bothered with my presence. I, on the other hand, feel obligated to make up for being an asshole.

Wait, when did I become the asshole? I was so adamant before that he was the ass and after that comment earlier it proves that, yeah, he’s still an ass. Seems my mind can't make itself up. I shouldn't be surprised, though. That's pretty normal for me.

I don't have time to think about it though. Work is more important and proving myself to be a good worker is what I'm here to do so, I do as I'm told and head over to Alvin.