As an ordinary genius

Months turned into years as Ethan continued to build his career at LynxTech. The small, nervous intern who had once doubted his abilities was now a confident, reliable member of the team. He had grown into his role, learning not just from his own mistakes but also from the mentorship of colleagues like David and Jon.

Ethan worked on a variety of projects, from optimizing backend systems to collaborating on innovative AI-driven solutions. With each success, his confidence grew. Though he still worked harder than most to keep up, he was beginning to carve out a space for himself in the tech world.

Despite his demanding job, Ethan made time to maintain relationships outside of work. His connection with Felicity never wavered, even though she was now living and working in Starling City.

They texted frequently, sharing updates about their lives. Felicity often sent him snippets of her projects, teasing him with her brilliant ideas.

Felicity: You should see the system I'm working on now—it's basically the blueprint for a secure network that adapts to threats in real time. Want a sneak peek?

Ethan: You're not supposed to share classified stuff, Felicity.

Felicity: Relax, it's just an abstract. I know better than to risk my job!

Their conversations were a source of comfort for Ethan. Felicity's unwavering confidence and playful banter reminded him of his university days, and though there was still a pang of longing when he thought about her, he kept his feelings buried.

One weekend, Ethan decided to visit Starling City for the first time since starting his job. He hadn't told Felicity he was coming, wanting to surprise her.

As he walked through the bustling streets of the city, he marveled at how much had changed since their university days. Starling City had a buzz of activity that Central City lacked, and he couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic.

He texted Felicity when he arrived.

Ethan: Guess who's in town?

Felicity: No way. Are you actually here?

Ethan: Yup. Let's grab dinner?

They met at a cozy little bistro Felicity recommended. She looked as vibrant as ever, her sharp eyes glinting with excitement.

"Look at you," Felicity said, grinning as she hugged him. "Mr. Big-Time Tech Guy now, huh?"

Ethan laughed. "I'm hardly that. Just doing my best to keep up."

"Well, you're doing something right," she said. "I've heard about LynxTech's projects—impressive stuff."

The evening was filled with laughter and stories about their lives since university. Ethan didn't bring up his lingering feelings for her, and Felicity didn't press him on it. For now, he was content just being her friend.

After his visit to Starling City, Ethan threw himself back into his work with renewed focus. The trip had reminded him of how far he'd come—and how much farther he wanted to go.

He started taking on more responsibilities at LynxTech, volunteering to lead smaller projects and mentoring new interns. Though he still struggled with impostor syndrome from time to time, he was beginning to see himself as someone who belonged in this fast-paced world.

At night, he often thought about Felicity. He wondered if he would ever be brave enough to tell her how he felt—or if it was better to leave things as they were.