First Day

The early morning light filtered through the high-rise office windows as I stepped into the bustling corporate environment for my first day as the company nurse. The building seemed to hum with energy, a stark contrast to the serene morning I had hoped for. Ms. Lawson, my supervisor, greeted me at the reception area with a professional smile and a firm handshake.

“Good morning, Elina,” Ms. Lawson said. “I’m glad to have you with us. Let me show you around and introduce you to the team.”

As we navigated the maze of cubicles and conference rooms, Ms. Lawson pointed out various key areas—the break room, the medical office, and emergency exits. “This is where you’ll be stationed,” she said, opening the door to a modest but well-equipped medical office. “We’ve got basic medical supplies and a first aid kit here. You’ll also have access to some over-the-counter medications.”

The office was functional, with a desk, a couple of chairs, and an examination table. I hoped it would provide a momentary refuge amidst the chaos of the office environment.

Ms. Lawson led me through the open-plan office, where I was introduced to several colleagues.

“This is Elina, our new nurse,” Ms. Lawson said as we approached a cluster of desks.

A few faces turned to me with curious expressions. One of the women, a friendly-looking woman with short blonde hair, gave me a warm smile. “Hi, Elina. I’m Jessica from HR. Welcome to the team! If you need any help navigating the office, just let me know.”

“Nice to meet you, Jessica,” I replied, feeling a bit of relief at her welcoming demeanor.

However, not everyone was so welcoming. A man from the finance department, who had been quietly working at his desk, looked up with a skeptical expression. “So, you’re the new nurse? Hope you’re ready for a busy day,” he said curtly before returning to his work.

I forced a smile, feeling a bit taken aback by his bluntness. “Yes, I’m ready.”

As Ms. Lawson continued to introduce me around, I noticed a mix of reactions—some warm, some indifferent. A few people greeted me with polite nods, while others barely looked up from their screens. I tried to take it all in stride, focusing on the tasks ahead rather than the varied reception.

After the introductions, Ms. Lawson showed me the medical office. “You’ll find that the office can get pretty hectic, especially in the beginning. Just remember to take breaks when you can and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said, trying to sound confident despite my growing anxiety.

Ms. Lawson left me to settle in, and it wasn’t long before the day’s first minor incident arrived. A young man from accounting walked in, clutching his hand.

“I cut myself with a paper cutter,” he said, wincing slightly.

I quickly assessed the wound, cleaned it, and applied a bandage. It was a small cut, but it marked the beginning of a whirlwind of incidents that seemed to come one after the other.

As the morning progressed, I faced a series of minor emergencies. A woman from marketing tripped over a cable and twisted her ankle. I helped her to a chair, applied ice, and wrapped her ankle with an elastic bandage. Just as I finished, a delivery man staggered in with a bruised shoulder, claiming he’d slipped in the parking lot. I checked him over, reassured him, and advised him to follow up with a doctor if the pain persisted.

Around noon, I finally had a moment to grab a quick bite in the break room. As I was about to sit down, an urgent call came through the intercom. “Elina, we need you in the IT department. Someone’s fainted!”

I rushed to the IT department, where a young woman was sitting on the floor, pale and sweating. She’d fainted after a stressful morning. I helped her sit up slowly, gave her some water, and monitored her until she regained her color. By the time she felt better, I was already drenched in sweat and starting to feel the strain.

The afternoon continued with more minor accidents and medical issues. A colleague had an allergic reaction to a food item, another had a dizzy spell, and someone else had a nosebleed from bumping heads with a coworker. Each incident seemed to add to the mounting exhaustion.

By late afternoon, I was barely able to keep my eyes open. My feet ached, and my back felt like it was on fire. The office seemed to blur around me, and the constant flow of minor emergencies had taken their toll.

Just when I thought I might catch a break, Ms. Lawson popped her head into the medical office. “You’re doing great, Elina. I just wanted to check in and see how you’re holding up.”

I forced a tired smile. “It’s been a busy day, but I’m managing.”

Ms. Lawson nodded sympathetically. “I know it’s a lot to handle at once. Don’t forget to take short breaks when you can. The office can be overwhelming, but it’ll get easier as you get more used to the pace.”

As she left, I sank into the chair by my desk, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle over me. My eyes were heavy, and my mind was clouded with fatigue. I looked around the small medical office, grateful for the quiet moment, but knowing that there were still a few hours left in the workday.

I closed my eyes for a brief second, taking deep breaths to steady myself. Tomorrow would be another day, and I hoped it would be less chaotic. But for now, all I could do was hang on and push through the last stretch of my first day on the job.

——

The office clock seemed to tick in slow motion as I pushed through the last few hours of my first day. Each minute dragged, my exhaustion growing more intense with every passing moment. The once-refreshing office air now felt stifling, and the steady hum of conversations and clicking keyboards only deepened my fatigue.

After finishing up with a minor cut on a colleague’s hand, Ms. Lawson appeared at the door of the medical office. Her presence was a welcome sight amidst the frenzy.

“Hey, Elina,” she said kindly, “I know it’s been a rough day. You’ve done an amazing job. Why don’t you take a break? I can handle things here for the next little while.”

A wave of relief washed over me. “Thank you, Ms. Lawson. I could really use a breather.”

I headed to the break room, where the lunchtime rush had faded, leaving behind a few lingering employees. I grabbed a cup of coffee, hoping it would provide a much-needed pick-me-up. The warmth of the mug in my hands was comforting, and I took a few moments to sip and regroup.

The break room was filled with the faint murmur of conversations and the occasional clink of dishes. I found a quiet corner and took a seat, enjoying the brief respite from the constant demands of the day. My phone buzzed with a text from Jane, asking how my first day was going. I smiled at her thoughtfulness and quickly typed back, letting her know I was exhausted but managing to get through it.

Returning to the medical office, I found that the flow of employees had slowed as the end of the day approached. The office was gradually quieting down, the energy dipping as people wrapped up their tasks and prepared to head home. The once-bustling environment was now marked by the occasional low murmur of voices and the rhythmic tapping of keyboards.

Just before closing time, Ms. Lawson popped in once more. “I wanted to check in and see if you’re ready to wrap up. You’ve done a fantastic job today. Do you need anything before you leave?”

I nodded, my voice barely audible. “Yes, I’m almost done. Just a few more things to finish.”

“Perfect,” Ms. Lawson said with a warm smile. “Feel free to head out whenever you’re ready. And remember, it’s important to take care of yourself.”

With a grateful nod, I tidied up the office, making sure everything was in order for the next day. I restocked supplies, filed a few reports, and made a mental note of the cases that would need follow-up. The quiet of the empty office contrasted sharply with the chaos of earlier, providing a brief moment of calm.

As I signed out at the front desk, I reflected on the whirlwind of the day. It had been overwhelming, but I was relieved to have made it through. The drive home was quiet and soothing, providing me with some much-needed time to unwind and mentally prepare for a better day ahead.

Arriving home, I felt a wave of relief and comfort. The chaos of the day was behind me, and I was eager to enjoy the peace of my own space. Exhausted but satisfied, I reflected on the day’s challenges and hoped for a smoother tomorrow. For now, I was content to relax and savor the calm end to a hectic day.

As I sank into the couch, I let out a deep sigh, my body finally allowing itself to relax. The events of the day replayed in my mind, and I knew that while the challenges were tough, I had made it through my first day. It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.

———

I finally made it home, the comfort of familiar surroundings a welcome contrast to the hectic office. The front door creaked open, and I stepped inside, my shoulders slumping with relief. The house was quiet, save for the faint hum of the air conditioner, and I was grateful for the peace after such a demanding day.

As I entered the living room, Gray was already there, sitting on the couch with a relaxed demeanor. He looked up, a warm smile spreading across his face when he saw me.

“Hey, how was your first day?” he asked, his voice gentle.

I tried to muster a smile, but the exhaustion of the day was too overwhelming. My eyes welled up, and before I could stop myself, tears began to stream down my face. I didn’t even try to hide them as I sank onto the couch beside him.

“It was… chaotic,” I managed to say through my sobs. “Everything was just so… tiring. I didn’t expect it to be this overwhelming.”

Gray’s expression softened with concern. Without a word, he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. His warmth and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat were soothing, providing a much-needed sense of security. He chuckled softly, the sound a comforting balm to my frayed nerves.

“Hey, it’s okay,” he murmured, his voice low and soothing. “You did great. The first day is always the hardest. You’re doing really well.”

I leaned into him, feeling the tension in my body start to ease. His embrace was like a safe haven, and I allowed myself to sink into it fully. The tears continued to flow, but they were no longer as sharp or distressing. Instead, they felt like a release, a way to let go of the day’s built-up stress.

"I think, it's because it's been a while since I last worked, and I haven't worked in that kind of set up, since I usually sing and not nursing,"

"Yeah, that's alright, you made it great today, just rest for now, and try again tomorrow,"

As the minutes passed, the comfort of his presence combined with sheer exhaustion began to take their toll. My eyelids grew heavier, and I could barely keep them open. Without realizing it, I found myself nestled against Him, my breathing gradually slowing as I fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.

His’s arms remained securely around me, and I could sense his soft laughter as he lightly kissed my forehead. The last thing I heard before drifting off was his soothing voice, telling me to rest well and that everything would be okay.