1
HARPER
Does the first day on the job make a familiar building look different?
It sort of does.
I don’t think I’ve looked up in the three-story lobby since the first time my dad walked me to the elevators.
Expensive steel and chrome reflect under the early morning sun, the windows bathing the white marble floors with warm light.
The black and dark blues accent the sterile place with luxurious comfort.
As a girl, I used to jump on those couches in the corner while my dad met with someone or another.
Now, I can imagine taking myself there when I need a break from my desk.
I’m not the kind of analyst who can sit in one space for too long without feeling like my brain is getting sluggish.
It’s better to challenge myself with new spaces to gain new perspectives.
But my reminiscing is getting me left behind.
The other six interns are nearly in the elevator, so I speed walk my way back to them in time to slide into the car like I was never distracted to begin with.
We’re filed into a conference room and handed piles of paperwork.
My stack had at least four major contracts and abinderfor my manuals.
The onboarding section looks seriously thick, and I have a sinking feeling that today is not going to be as exciting as I’ve always hoped.
“Do we all have the same contracts with our own personal info substituted?” I ask the HR person, Lenny.
He’s leaning at the end of the long rectangular desk, lean arms crossed. He drops them at my question.
“Pretty much, yeah.”
“Cool. Instead of all of us suffering through reading this on our own, how about we take turns reading it aloud and following along to reduce some of the burden?” I swing my gaze around the other six interns.
The only other girl grins at me and nods.
“I’ll start.” She chirps the words and sits up straighter, snapping the contract to start reading.
It goes much faster after that.
Until I have to fill in all of my tax forms, direct deposit forms, emergency contact, security clearance…
This is taking forever!
I need movement and coffee break, to get out of this room for a little while.
My skin is crawling with crackling energy, and I push away from the table when I’m only halfway through.
Lenny straightens, startled by my sudden movement. “Where are you going?”
I raise a brow at him, a challenge.
I’m an adult.
