From Intern to His Boss

1
My senior year was a blur of caffeine and code. I pushed myself to the limit studying for the coveted internship at a top tech firm—and earned first place.
My boyfriend Mark ranked 42nd. We’d intern together.
But then he texted: “Vivi didn’t make it. Since you got first, you can go anywhere. I declined your offer so she could get in.”
Stunned, I called HR. They apologized—the spot was already filled.
I checked Vivi’s social media. Her latest post: “Finally got you ” with a photo of Mark holding her acceptance letter.
I took a deep breath and called my mom. “I’m done with the internship. I’m ready to take over the family business.” She sighed in relief.
Then Mark messaged: “Vivi fought hard for this. Don’t be selfish—think about her for once.”
I laughed—a cold, empty sound.
When I called him, all the warmth was gone from my voice.
“Mark, is my hard work really that worthless to you?”
“I’m throwing a tantrum? I bled for that opportunity. Why the hell should I just hand it over to her? Did you even consider my feelings for a second before you made that decision for me?”
On the other end, Mark sounded self-righteous, completely unapologetic. “I just figured, since you ranked first, you could get a job anywhere. Vivi isn’t like you.”
“So because she’s not good enough, because she barely scraped by, you decided to sacrifice my chance for hers?” I cut him off, my voice like ice. “I’m a person, Mark, not a stepping stone for someone else.”
“If you actually cared about me,” I said, my tone final, “you would never have dismissed my efforts like this.”
He ignored my point completely, circling back to defend her. “How can you say that? Vivi worked really hard too! At the end of the day, you’re just not willing to make a small sacrifice for a friend. We could have all been interning together.”
I let out a cold laugh. The last bit of warmth in my heart turned to frost.
“Interning together.” The words were a thorn in my side. I thought he understood, that he saw the journey I’d taken. But I was just a background character in his story, a pawn to be sacrificed for the benefit of others.
I didn't argue anymore. “Then you can go intern with her,” I said flatly, and hung up.
The rain continued to fall, blurring the world outside into an indistinct gray haze, just like the future of our relationship.
His words were both laughable and insulting. Did I need this internship? No, not really. But what mattered to me was whether my effort, my achievement, was worthy of respect. I wanted this because he was there. I wanted to build something with him, on our own merits, without my family’s name or money.
But now I understood. Some paths, you have to walk alone.

2
The next morning, our academic advisor posted a link in the group chat for us to confirm our internship placements. I took a deep breath, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. In the end, I typed in the full name of the tech firm.
Mark saw the public confirmation sheet and messaged me immediately, his tone urgent.
“Jane, why did you still put down the Firm? I know you’re mad, but there’s no spot for you there anymore.”
“Look, I know you’re too proud to admit you have to look elsewhere, but if you submit false information, you won’t be able to graduate!”
I stared at the screen and smiled. “Don’t you worry about me, Mark. I’m going to the Firm.”
He was silent for a few seconds, then sent, “Is this just because you want to intern with me?”
“Just listen, okay? I’ll help you look for other companies. We won’t be at the same firm, but we’ll still be in the same city!”
I never realized how conceited he was.
“No thanks,” I typed, then turned off my screen.
For the next few days, he spammed me with job links, from “4000-100005/hour, room and board included” to “Join our startup and build your dream!” He even sent a flyer for a part-time barista position with the note: “Just to tide you over. I can support you.”
He called to ask what I thought. My reply was a single, cold word.
“No.”
He didn’t contact me again for days.
Then he showed up outside my dorm, holding an internship agreement, the Firm’s logo emblazoned on the cover. He held it out to me, his tone a mixture of charity and pride.
“I had to beg my mentor, but I managed to get you this spot. It’s not an official internship, but you can shadow the project team and learn.”

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