by Bruce Thomas
1 I snuggled my face deeper into my pillow, inching away from the sun creeping its way through the window the best that I could.
I didn't want to wake up just yet. It was the last Friday of summer and it was also my moving day. I could hear car doors slamming from outside and I knew that my uncle was already packing the necessities for the long car ride a head of us. I couldn't help but groan and yank the covers, tucking them over my head as there was a knock on my door.
"Sweetheart," Cathie, my Uncle Pat's girlfriend of two years, pushed open my door ajar. "Anna?" "I'm up," I croaked from under the covers.
"Sorry to wake you babe but we have a long journey ahead of us if you want to make it to New York by the time classes start on Monday." She stepped into my room and I could hear footstep reaching my bedside.
I felt the tug of her hands trying to make me come out from under the bedspread. "Pat's a little restless. Barely slept last night." I felt the bed dip under her tall frame.
I peeked up at her and removed the comforter from my body and sat up. I didn't get much sleep either. I knew my uncle didn't like the idea of me going to a college over a thousand miles away. If it was his decisions which, being my official guardian since
I was thirteen, he did make most of them, I would have stayed in town and gone to the community college with the rest of my high school graduating class, including my closest friends. When I applied to NYU I really never thought I would get in. The main problem was the money issue but with scholarships and financial aid, plus my part time job at the diner in town waitressing table, I was able to save up a good chunk of money. I've always gotten good grades and took school very seriously for this purpose only.
I was just weighing my options on how I could get as far away from Iowa as I could.
I have never really left my home state and applying to universities all over the country seemed silly but I needed an out. I needed to see what else there was out there and New York gave me that chance. Call me crazy, it wouldn't be the first time.
I gave Cathie a small smile while pushing my hair out of my face. My uncle's girlfriend rose from my bed and tucked a strand of my curly hair behind my ear.
"I'm gonna miss having another girl in the house. I like the whole two to one ratio. Makes your uncle mind himself." I laughed at that. I liked Cathie. She was in her mid thirties, just a few years younger than my uncle and worked as a pastry chef at the local bakery. At least I knew Pat would get fed while I was away. Though I never really did any of the cooking in the first place. I burned macaroni and cheese. Maybe I could convince Cathie to stay with me at school so I could be fed...
"Get dressed! I have breakfast on the table when you're up and ready." With
that she walked back out the door. I suddenly felt very awake. Today was the day.
When I finished showering and brushing my teeth, I walked down stairs to the kitchen. I could smell bacon from around the corner. Pat sat at the table shoveling eggs into his mouth. "Hey kiddo."
I patted his shoulder as I walked passed him and up to Cathie who handed me a plate full of food.
I was never a breakfast eater until Cathie stepped into the picture. Just the thought of eating when I woke up made me want to gag but she never let me leave the house until I had at least a banana or granola bar in my hand. But dang, she was a good cook.
"I just have a few more clothes to throw into the car then we can get on the road," I said biting off a chunk of bacon. "So I guess there really is nothing I can say to make you change your mind about New York?" I gave him a hard glare. Not this again.
He set down his fork and threw his hands up in surrender. "Hey now, don't look at me like that. You can't blame me for not wanting my little girl to go into a big city-- that she has never been to may I add-and not try and convince her to stay close to home where I can keep a close eye on her."
I shrugged my shoulders. Valid point well made. I loved this man. He was the closest thing I have ever had to a father and I was grateful to have him. I leaned over and kissed him quickly on the cheek. I saw his cheeks flush before turning his attention back to his plate.
Why and how did I chose New York, you might ask? Well, it was a place that was one hundred and ten times different than Dyersville, Iowa. Dyersville lived up to its name. It's where people were born and then died. It's is a small town with all local stores and farms. You could make it across town in exactly fifteen minutes and that was with stoplights and trains. It was small but it wasn't small like the other town surrounding us. We had a movie theatre and a Super Wal-mart, but that was mostly it.
I compared New York to Neverland because I had it listed under the never column. I never thought I would actually be going to school there but I got in and I couldn't accept it fast enough. "Did you say goodbye to Katy and your friends?" Pat asked taking a sip of his coffee. "Yeah, I did last night."
"I know Mrs. Renaud is going to miss having you around. Probably just as much as Katy." I knew what he was doing. I glanced up at him with a warning look. "Stopping," he droned out the word finishing off his plate.
* * * *
I crammed the last of my bags into the back of the pickup. Pat was checking the oil for the fourth time this morning, which Cathie stood by commenting on, making him roll his eyes.
I took this time to look up at my childhood home. It was nothing special, just a white, two story house, with overgrown bushes out front. But I felt a little pang in my chest that the next time I would see it would be when I come back for christmas break. That seemed like forever from now.
I heard Pat slam the front hood of the truck down and clap his hands together. "Lets get this show on the road!"
We fit ourselves in the truck, with me smooshed in the middle and Cathie in the passenger seat. We had a sixteen hour drive ahead of us. By the time we arrive in New York it was almost ten at night. We drove almost straight through only stopping twice for gas and a bathroom break.
Cathie had pre made sandwiches for us to eat so we didn't need to stop for food. Stopping would have given Uncle Pat a heart attack considering he, himself, has never really left the homeland. So driving in the city was somewhat of an experience to say the least. He cursed out traffic and flipped off people who cut him off. I believe he would fit in well here.
I found my building quite easily once we arrive to campus. I started hauling stuff upstairs to my floor while Cathie and Pat argued about where to park. The halls were narrow and a few stragglers stumbled around the hallway moving in and out of dorm rooms. A few girls stumbled passed me dressed in shorts that showed off the bottom of their butt cheeks. I grimaced as I watched them walk into a dorm that was flashing purple and red lights under the crack of the closed door, along with blaring music.
I was almost up to the correct room number when I felt something solid collide with my body. "Oomf," came a sound and it wasn't from me.
My bags tumbled onto the floor along with my hamper of clothes. I dropped to my knees as quickly as I could in order to retrieve the clothing that was now scattered all over the hallway ground. "I-I'm so sorry," I stuttered trying to keep my head down so they
couldn't see my red face.
"Here, let me help you." The voice was deep and came off lightly phased. I looked up to see a dark haired boy with piercing blue eyes. He was grinning down at me as he also lowered to his knees. His hand traveled to a light pink teddy bear that landed closest to him. He picked it up and looked at it coyly. "I don't think this little guy took too much of a beating in the fall."
I snatch the stuffed animal away quickly. Why did I Annang this stupid childhood toy with me? It wasn't like it had any sentimental value. It was just something that sat next to my pillow on my bed back home. "Girl," I murmured placing her back into
the basket. "Excuse me?" The guy asked his eyes dancing with amusement.
"She's a girl. Her name is Penelope and she has been through a lot over the years. A little fall won't hurt her none." I patted the pink object with care. The guy's laughter filled the hallway as he got back on his feet. He reached his hand down to help me up and I took it, thanking him quietly while stumbling on my feet trying to keep my balance with the bags now placed on top of the basket in front of me.
"Let me help you," he repeated but I waved him off.
"I'm fine. Just need to--" I shifted the large sack towards the middle of the basket more. "There."
"Are you sure? I don't mind helping you carry stuff." He scooted the top bag to the side so he could see my face.
He was rather cute. He had dark stubble forming on his chin and his smile was friendly. I couldn't help but smile back at him. "Really, I'm good. Thanks though...?"
"Oh, Dakota. Dakota Long."
I tried reaching up and shaking his hand but clearly I couldn't with my hands full. We both laughed awkwardly. "Nice to meet you, I'm Anna Raine." "First year?" He asked stepping aside giving me room to start traveling down the narrow hall again. "Is it that obvious?"
He laughed again, a deep throaty sound that made me want to laugh along with him. "Just a tad."
When I reached the door that matched the number on my key, I pushed the key into the lock and twisted, watching the door pop open. "Well thanks for not yelling at me for bumping into you. I'll watch where I'm going next time." I turned back to him picking up my stuff that I set on the floor in order to open my door. I mentally cursed the long trip here, seeing I probably looked like complete crap with my hair pulled back and in old clothing.
"Don't worry about it. I might not be so nice next time though. Us New Yorkers don't take crap from anyone." He winked at me and started backing away down the hall with his hands shoved into his pockets. "See you around, Anna Raine."
I watched his back disappear down the hall for a moment before I turned my attention back to the task at hand. I stepped inside to see the room was dark and empty, showing a small kitchen area and livingroom. To my left was a small bathroom that had a sink, toilet, and shower.
I hadn't gone with a normal dorm room. I grew up with an area of my own and I read articles about creepy roommates that watched you sleep at night and cut little bits
of your hair to do spooky rituals. Maybe my imagination was getting to me but that was a no for me. I noticed that my roommate, whose name was ReJanet Johnson according to my Welcome to NYU paper, hadn't moved in yet and for that I was happy. It gave me time to adjust without having to move around someone else.
Checking the time, I doubted she would arrive tonight considering she was a New York native. She was probably still at home with her family.
"Annaanna!" I heard Pat bellow through the hall. I wasn't really worried about his level of voice considering there was a raging party just a few doors down.
"In here!" I yelled back, peeking my head out my door.
Both him and Cathie had their arms full with my clothes and other bags. I ushered them through the doorway telling them just to set my things on the ground anywhere. "Wow, it's a good size, yeah?" Cathie praised making her way around the room. I had to agree with her. "And your own bedroom?" She peeked her head into one of the rooms and nodded her head approving. "Wow," she said again.
"I approve of the room but I don't so much about the neighbors. I have the right mind to bust that party. It's almost 11 o'clock for Christ sakes." Pat started making his way out into the hall but I grabbed his arm and swung him back into the apartment rolling my eyes.
"Seriously Pat. We're not children."
"You are to me." He grabbed me into a bear hug like he used to when I was a kid and I hugged him just as tight.
I felt like a little kid again hiding behind him like I used to when my mom would come home from a night at the bar. I was thankful when one night she just didn't come home and I didn't have to hide anymore.
I felt a small tear escape from my eye. I quickly reached up and swiped it away before either Cathie or Pat could see. I didn't want them to worry about me. I was a big girl now.
"I'm going to miss you, Anna," Pat said into my hair.
"I'm going to miss you too, Pat Pat." I felt him smile into my hair because of the nickname I used to call him when I was little. Cathie came up to me and embraced me too when my uncle finally let me go.
"Please take care of him," I said making sure only she could hear me.
She pulled back and cupped my face. "I will try my best sweetie."
That was a good enough answer for me and with one more round of hugs I watched them go. They were staying at a hotel in the city for the night and thought they would make a trip South for the week to visit some of Cathie's family.
I watched from the window in the living room as their body's hopped into the old Ford and pull away from the curb. I hugged my body as I took another look around my new home. Cathie was right, it was a decent size, with white walls and gray carpet. I walked into the room that Cathie peeked her head into. It was small, supporting a full bed, dresser, and a small desk.
Since my roommate hadn't arrived yet I figured that gave me first dibs on what room I wanted. I didn't even bother unpacking anything or changing out of my soft shorts and t-shirt I was wearing. I picked up my comforter from my room back home, double checked the lock on the doors, and fell asleep.
=================
2
I woke to a loud crash and a curse. I ran out of my new bedroom to see a girl with dark hair that was pulled up into a frizzy ponytail and the most beautiful dark skin squeezing her eyes shut and biting her lip.
She opened one eye and looked in my direction. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to wake you. I'm such a spazz." I pushed myself off the door frame and bent down to pick up the lamp that she dropped. "I'll help you," I offered taking more out of her hands and carried them into the opposing bedroom.
"Thank you so much. I don't think I can feel my arms." She shook her long arms at her side making me laugh. "I'm sorry," she apologized for the second time, "where are my manners? You'd swear my mother taught me nothing. I'm ReJanet but you can call me Janet."
I took her out stretched hand. "Annaanna but you can call me Anna." I helped her place some of her things around her room and moving my things as well. When that was finished I hopped into the shower real quick. When I came out fully dressed and hair tamed, Janet was sitting in her room at her desk spinning in the black computer chair.
"Hey!" She said hopping up and meeting me in the hallway. "I noticed a Starbucks downstairs do you want to go get some?"
She looked at the confused expression on my face. "Oh God, do they not have Starbucks in Iowa?" I took in her horrified look and couldn't help but laugh. I realized she took my shocked look as I didn't know what the coffee shop was when in all honesty I just didn't notice it when I arrived last night. "Of course we do. Let's
go."
Just like she said, around the corner downstairs on the main floor, a Starbucks was stationed. She ordered a chai latte and I a small coffee, and sat at one of the little round table with the high chairs. We were in the middle of her discussing her reason for changing her major from Business to Interior Design, seeming this is her second year being at NYU, when a group of girls came over causing Janet to jump up and squeal towards them.
I sat invisibly sipping on my coffee watching them each hug one another. My heart kind of dropped when Janet told me this was her third semester here because that meant we were in separate boats with her already having friends and me, well, knowing no one.
That's what you wanted dummy. A new start.
I smiled slightly when all four pairs of eyes snapped in my direction. Janet waved for me to come over. "Hi, I'm Anna," I said right when I reached them.
"Oh my god," a tall blonde with board straight hair said leaning in closer to me, "what kind of accent is that?"
/> I stood there slightly shocked not knowing what to say. Did I stutter making my speech seem weird? "Um, accent? I don't have an accent." I nervously tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. I'm a pretty outgoing person and it was easy for me to make friends but by the look of these girls, all legs and designer handbags in clutch, I looked like a tree trunk.
"Oh! I hear it too," said a petite brunette next to her.
"Where are you from?" Asked the last girl.
"Iowa," I said timidly. I internally cringed because
I knew the question that was going to follow.
"So you're like a farm girl," The blonde assumed. I watched the other girls' faces as they looked me up and down. It wasn't a surprise to hear this assumption. Iowa is very well known for its crops and farms. Doesn't mean that all people live on farms and tended to pigs and cows all day. Hi I'm Anna, yes I live in Iowa, no I don't live on a farm.
In fact I wasn't really an animal person at all. All it took was one of my uncles co-worker's horses to buck me off when I was nine, going through my Flicka stage, and break my arm. That was the last time I stepped close to one of those creatures.
I adjusted my shirt over my hips. "Actually, no," I said. I wasn't offended or anything it just kind of hit a nerve. "Where's Iowa?" I heard the third girl whisper to the other brunette while Janet explained that I was her roommate. I strained myself from rolling my eyes and decided to focus my attention to Janet talking. "Well, Anna," the blonde whose name turned out to be Sydney turned her attention fully on me. "It is nice to meet you. I think you got lucky this year Becs." Sydney cocked her head to the side, eyes still focused on me. "Last year she got stuck with this lesbian who ended up having this crazy obsession with her. Totally uncomfortable." Then she stopped, her eyes going wide. "Oh shit, you're not like--" she looked completely done with herself. "If you are I'm so sorry. I didn't mean--"
"I'm not," I stated. I wasn't sure if I should be offended by this or not so I did what I always did in awkward situations and laughed.
"Oh good. That could have been messy," Sydney said with a sigh.