A few days after the whole fiasco at the warehouse, I was finally back working again.
Things were still a little awkward with the team, but they were still making the effort to show how much they cared. Especially Buck and Eddie (The only time they stopped watching me was when they were out on calls).
But it was fine. Totally fine.
I had to put all of that to the back of my mind for now though, since today was a big day. The Chief was coming in to evaluate whether having an intern has been a successful test at the 118.
So, he could walk in and decide that I wasn't useful anymore and that would be it. I would lose everything I had worked for thus far.
There was also an interview section of his evaluation. Every single one of the team, and me, will be interviewed about my time here. In my opinion, it couldn't have come at a worse time.
Just a few days ago I had caused such a scene at the warehouse and told these people to stop caring and now I needed them to keep this internship.
The world works in an annoying way.
To create a good impression, I borrowed a white shirt from the 'Lost & Found' box and tucked it into some baggy jeans I have. That is about as fancy as my clothing would allow, but I couldn't look too smart because I still had to work. I had help from Willow and Poppy since I didn't know anything about appropriate workwear.
"Coop, you're going to wear a hole in the floor." Chim called out, the sound of mariokart in the background.
I shook my head in minimal reply, thinking too hard to actually speak. The others were doing various tasks around the firehouse, making sure everything was ready for the arrival of the Chief.
Chim was on so-called 'Cooper Watch'. Seriously, was I not trusted?
The man groaned from the couch and lazily walked over to me, grabbing my bicep and dragging me over to the kitchen.
"Chim wait-"
"Nope. You and I are making everyone some coffee and you're going to relax before you have an anxiety attack." He deducted.
I let him push me over to the coffee machine and I naturally began to manoeuvre myself around to make everyone's drinks. "I'm fine! I'm just making sure I know what to say, how to act and I'm trying come across as a professional intern." I rambled with frustration.
Chim snorted in amusement, "Coop you need to relax. Don't you think that if you weren't a good intern that you wouldn't have stayed as long as you have?" He questioned.
I huffed as I poured the creamer in Buck's coffee, "Thanks Chim, I feel so much more confident now." I replied sarcastically. The man groaned at me and shoved my head to the side playfully, which made a small smile reach my lips.
We carefully lined all of the mugs along the counter with each team members' name on them. Chim placed one on the end and I blinked in confusion at it. It was just a plain mug without anyone's name on it and everyone else already had their own drink.
He slowly turned it around until the word 'Coop' appeared and I somehow managed to choke on air. "Children don't get coffee, but there is hot chocolate in there." He winked. I swallowed and hesitantly picked up the warm item.
"Thanks Chim." I whispered, barely audible.
There were no other words spoken, but I understood what he meant. It was a real showcase that I was a member of this firehouse, even after the whole debacle and all the trouble I've caused.
A throat cleared from behind us and I jumped out of my skin. Bobby looked apologetic from where he was stood, gesturing to the balcony.
"The Chief will be here soon. How about you go wait in the bunk room? I'll send someone to grab you when we're ready." He explained softly. My stomach curled with anxiety, noting the fact that I wasn't going to know what's happening.
I just had to sit and wait whilst everyone else could see and ask what the Chief thought of me. But, instead of arguing, I took my drink and padded my way downstairs. Bobby reached a hand out as I passed, as if to act as a comfort, yet seemed to pull away before he made contact.
Clearly our conversation the other day had some sort of resonance.
The bunk room wasn't empty, surprisingly. Buck was lounged across one of the beds and Eddie was stood beside him, looking over something on his IPad.
"There's some paperwork on the table if you want to have a look at it. Cap said to make it look like we're doing work just in case the Chief walks in." Eddie winked. I nodded nervously and planted myself on a spare bed, reaching for the paperwork and reading it over.
It wasn't the easy stuff I was used to and I had to concentrate a lot more than I first expected. "Chim told us you were pretty nervous about the Chief." Buck started and I glanced up in confusion.
"How? I was with him the whole time." I questioned, only for Buck to dangle his walkie-talkie. A huff left my lips and I looked back down at my lap, "It's whatever. The Chief will make his decision and I'll have to deal with it." I answered.
"But you want to stay, right?"
"Seriously?"
I was mildly offended at Buck's insistent questioning. Sure, we may have argued a time or two but of course I wanted to stay.
Eddie, ever the mediator, stepped forward, "He doesn't mean it in a bad way. We're just checking this is what you want after what's gone on-" I scoffed under my breath.
"Of course I want to stay. This internship is the best thing I've ever had, so just lay off me." I snapped. They both seemed to notice they had rubbed me up the wrong way, which didn't pair well with my stress levels.
They were no strangers to my attitude, no matter how much I tried to bite my tongue. But I was just tired of everyone hovering over me like I was a broken china doll.
Despite my stubbornness and bad mood, I continued to sip at my hot chocolate and I hated how much it soothed my nerves. Stupid mug with my stupid name.
Silence followed for a while after the conversation, with neither side really wanting to say the first word. Thankfully, the tense air didn't last long as Bobby radioed for the pair to come up to his office. Buck left the room first, seemingly not wanting to stay a minute longer than he had to.
Eddie, however, paused at the doorway. "You can't blame us for caring, kid. I hope the Chief lets you stay." He muttered quietly. My stomach curled just like before, but this time it was different.
Guilt scratched at my skin as Eddie left the room, leaving me to stew in my own thoughts. I had a tendency to lash out, I knew this, and normally it wasn't so bad. Everyone else usually lashes back or will react in a way that isn't good to me. Yet, somehow Eddie had found another way to be different to everything I knew prior.
This firehouse was going to be the death of me- I swear.
It wasn't long before a knock sounded at the door and an unfamiliar face shuffled in. "Chief! Pleasure to meet you." I rushed to greet him, shaking his hand formally.
The man chuckled and tightly shook my hand in return, "You must be Cooper Reed. The pleasure's all mine." He insisted, gesturing for us both to take a seat. I would've thought this would take place in Bobby's office or something, but maybe they wanted a more comfortable atmosphere?
"I have to say, your team have a lot of good things to say about you." He smiled.
My team. He called them my team.
I nodded eagerly, "I've got a lot of good things about them too, sir." I replied. I was putting on the best 'Good Boy' act that anyone had ever seen.
The Chief seemed to like that answer, nodding to himself as he opened up his folder. "Whilst it may be a small margin, productivity has increased in the firehouse. You've taken some stress off your superiors and provided a lot of help, from what I hear. It's not often we get a young person like yourself that creates the impression you've made." He explained.
"From a professional standpoint, I see no reason not to keep you on as an intern. It may have only been a couple months, but Captain Nash has insisted you stay here and work with us. Somehow you've managed to integrate into this team better than any firefighter I've ever seen." If I could, I'd probably be glowing with glee right now.
Never in all of my sixteen years of life had I ever been spoken so highly of. Now I just needed him to tell all of this to Andrea so she'd leave me the hell alone.
"Now there's just one final question." He stated.
Upon noting my confused expression, the Chief laughed. "Did you forget that your opinion counts to this too? You've been here for two months, met the team and seen how we work. Everyone else has agreed to keep you on, now it's time for you to make a decision." The Chief explained.
"Do you want to stay as an intern with the 118?"
"Yes."
We both laughed at my quick reply, seemingly not needing to think about my answer for very long. What I said to Buck was true; how could I ever be anywhere else but here?
Our conversation wrapped up pretty quickly after that and I walked him to the doors. I thanked him for his time and said my goodbyes, spinning around to see the whole team waiting on the balcony for me.
They stared with question and worry, obviously not being able to guess the verdict. "Looks like you guys have to put up with me for a little while longer." I shouted. Everyone cheered and Bobby clapped proudly.
I jogged up the stairs and soaked in the congratulations from everyone, relieved that the whole thing was over now.
"Thank you guys. For saying whatever you said to the Chief." I shyly muttered, feeling regretful for being snappy earlier. They all brushed it off easily, already used to my stress head.
Eddie raised his eyebrows knowingly and patted me on the back, "Told you, Blue. Nothing to worry about here." I nodded at him. I still meant what I said about how I couldn't have them care about me.
But for now, it was nice to be a part of a team (Or even a family).