3 Chapter 3: Firsts are Always a Surprise

The day of my first internship has arrived. I’m nervous, but I’m gonna do my best.

I decided to wear my new black polo along with light gray pants and black slip-on shoes. I may have school today, but the company already gave notice to my school, meaning I’m excused from academics today but I still need to attend school on a Saturday to catch up with my studies which is fine since the school doesn’t give homework that much.

I started preparing for my internship. While I was preparing, I can’t help but think of Oliver all morning. I still haven’t texted him or received a text from him. If that happens, I feel like that I’m going to freak out to the point that I can't reply to him.

Before going to Harmonix, I texted my dad telling him that today is the first day of my internship. He texted back and said, “Good Luck on your first day.” I took a deep breath thinking that everything will be great today and went on my way to Harmonix.

I stopped at the bus stop to wait for a bus since Harmonix is like a mile or two away from my apartment. While waiting for the bus, the supervisor texted me saying that he has a meeting to attend to, and there will be another person to supervise me and he will be meeting me in the lobby.

As I reached the building, I stopped in front of the entrance and took a deep breath as I went inside the building. Entering the building lobby made me nervous as I hear people talking about businesses. I walked around and sat down on a chair near the receptionist.

While I was waiting, I checked my phone for messages and the only messages I received were good lucks from my friends on my first day of internship. I replied and told them good luck on their internships too since it was also their first day of internship.

After replying to my friends, I heard a familiar voice calling my full name. The first person that comes to my mind is my dad, but that would be impossible since he just came back from his seminar. I looked around and saw Oliver getting close to me and noticed that he was holding a clipboard with a pencil. I thought to myself that he might be my supervisor for the time being.

Oliver: Nice to see you again Freddie.

Freddie: Oliver, don’t tell me my supervisor for the time being.

Oliver: I wanted to surprise you after knowing that you’re the lucky intern who’s gonna work at Harmonix.

Freddie: I’m more than surprised. Wait, what do you mean by “lucky intern”?

Oliver: Among the 50 applicants, Harmonix chose you and you only. You’re the first-ever intern to work at Harmonix.

Freddie: Me?! I’m the only intern on that floor?! This is… Oh my gosh… I’m beyond speechless...

Oliver: Well, shall we ride the elevator to our floor and start your first day.

Freddie: It already started great.

We went to the elevator and pushed the button. As we reached the floor, Oliver explained to me that at Harmonix they are working as one team to get a job done. Oliver also told me that getting in their office isn’t easy since only employees get to go inside the office with their special ID, without the ID you can’t get inside.

We got inside the office and Oliver gave me an office tour for me to get familiar with the floor. During the tour, he told me that each department has different tasks, and later after the tour, he will tell me which department I will be working on. Before the tour concludes, he tells me that it’s time to be part of them. We went to a room where they took pictures of new employees and with just one picture, they gave me my ID and I’m officially part of Harmonix.

Oliver: The tour doesn’t stop here, because I‘ve been saving the best for last. I think you will love this and probably one of the reasons why you chose Harmonix.

Oliver brings me to the farthest room of the office. As we went inside the room, I was so amazed to see that I’m in their studio. I was so happy that I feel like crying.

Freddie: Oliver, you’re right. This was the only reason I applied for Harmonix. I want to produce music under Harmonix.

Oliver: I’m glad you liked it. Do you want to test it?

Freddie: I’d loved to. I’ve been working on a few songs if I say so myself.

Oliver: But before that, let’s take a selfie together so that you can look back and remember your first day at Harmonix.

After taking a selfie with Oliver, I sat down and started to use their music developer to develop one of my songs, while Oliver helps me with one of my songs. I couldn’t believe that one of my songs could reach its full potential by just using their developer. After developing the song, I hugged Oliver out of intention and was embarrassed by just doing that, but surprisingly, he hugged me back.

Oliver: Freddie, you will be a great employee of Harmonix. You have great taste in music and just one day, you already created a masterpiece. You might just have the potential to be the top producer there is.

Freddie: You’re right Oliver, but I will be the top producer.

Oliver: I like that confidence of yours.

Freddie: So, what department will I be working in?

Oliver: According to your supervisor, you will be working alongside us in the developing department.

Freddie: So, we will be developing songs with the producer's department.

Oliver: Exactly, ready for your first task?

Freddie: Of course, I am.

Oliver: Your first task is for you to go to the development department floor.

Freddie: Is that it? Nothing else?

Oliver: That is the only thing stated here, sorry.

Freddie: Shall we go there together?

Oliver: You go on ahead, while I have to go to the restroom.

I went on ahead to the developing department and I was surprised that there is no one there but me. I checked my phone to check the time and it’s not even lunchtime yet, in fact, it’s 10:40 am. So, I took a seat and waited.

Oliver arrived moments later. He then told me that we have a meeting in the conference room at 11;00 am. I checked my phone again to check the time and it’s already 11:00 am. I was shocked to see the time.

Both of us jogged towards the conference room since running isn’t allowed in the office. I am so freaked out to see not only I was late for my first meeting, but this was so sudden. I knocked at the door, went inside then was confused because the room was dark.

Oliver turned on the lights, and I was surprised to see that the whole development department had planned a welcome lunch party for their first-ever intern in Harmonix. I can’t believe that on my first day here at Harmonix, everyone welcomed me and made me a part of them. Oliver grabbed my shoulder from behind and said it’s time for me to know everyone in the department.

Oliver: Freddie, I want you to meet the people that will work alongside us. We have Steve, Max, Stephanie, Dorothy, and your supervisor, Emmanuel.

Dorothy: Welcome to the development department.

Steve: It’s a pleasure working with you Freddie.

Freddie: Right back at you.

Max: If you ever need help don’t hesitate to ask.

Emmanuel: And just to be clear so that you won’t get confused during your time here, everyone calls me Emil, so maybe you should call me by that name too.

Freddie: Sure Emil. I’ll keep that in mind.

Stephanie: Freddie! It’s a pleasure meeting you.

Freddie: You too, Stephanie.

Oliver: Freddie, if I’m not around at work, just go to Stephanie. She’s my best friend since high school.

Freddie: You’re also an alumnus of Magnolia University?

Stephanie: Yup. Oliver and I never left each other, even if he’s part of the Elite 10 and I’m not.

Oliver: C’mon Stephanie. You know you were close with the no. 10 in our batch.

Stephanie: Just between you and me Freddie, after Oliver found out that you were chosen as our intern, he wouldn’t just stop talking about you. I think he has a thing for you.

Oliver: Now you’re just too excited now Stephanie.

I couldn’t help but look at Oliver while Stephanie and I are talking to each other. The welcome party might be the second-best thing that happened here apart from the fact that Oliver and I hugged for the first time which I didn’t expect to happen.

But throughout the whole day, things were pretty fun and every work done today seems like it was nothing difficult since everyone is working harmoniously.

As I finished my shift, Oliver offered a ride. I declined at first since I was thinking that it may be out of his way home. He said that he wants to talk about something with me on the road that’s why he offered a ride. We went to the basement parking lot since that’s where he's parked. Oliver unlocks his car then both of us went inside the car.

By the time we got out of the basement parking lot and was on the way to my apartment. He tells me about everything that happened at the mall and confronted me. When we arrived at the apartment he didn't let me go inside the apartment.

Oliver: Freddie, I was thinking about something.

Freddie: What is it?

Oliver: Do you want to… you know… Spend time together with me on a Saturday evening?

Freddie: So, you want to go on a date with me?

Oliver: Umm, no. It’s just I want to know you better.

Freddie: So, it is a date.

Oliver: Fine, you got me.

Freddie: Sure, I’d love that.

I agreed, and Oliver held my cheeks and pulled me closer to him. My heart was beating faster than before as we became closer than ever. Oliver made our foreheads stick together, then he kissed me on the lips. I never felt this kind of feeling before.

Freddie: Oliver? I…

Oliver: You go inside your apartment now, before anything crazy happens.

Freddie: Take care on the way home, Oliver.

Oliver: You take care too. See you this Saturday evening.

Freddie: We will.

Oliver: I’ll text you in the meantime. I love you, Freddie.

Freddie: I love you too Oliver.

I went inside the apartment thinking about what happened today. I didn’t know what to do after that. The kiss felt so romantic and I was left speechless. I went to the window and saw Oliver leaving, my world suddenly feels like orchestral music is playing in the background while I look outside the window and I feel as light as a feather. I’ve never felt like this even the time I fell in love with a girl. The feeling is different, it’s like a tingly sensation that came with the feeling of love.