by C. R. Jane
I hovered by Mrs. Anderson’s bedroom trying to listen, but all I could hear were her deep snores. I continued to creep to the main level and stopped by her purse by the garage entrance before making my escape. She only had $60 in her purse, and I grabbed it all figuring they would know soon enough who was taking their money anyways after they found me gone. Instead of going through the garage I went out the back door, then crept along the side of the house along the bushes and flower gardens. Just as I was about to walk out in front of the house, headlights flashed around the corner, headed for the driveway. I didn’t recognize the car but knew that anyone visiting was sure to wake up Mrs. Anderson.
I stayed hidden beside the house and watched the car carefully. It was Reverend Darby. He looked somewhat
desperate for some reason, and I watched as he roughly knocked on the door and rang the doorbell several times. When no one answered he ran a frantic hand through his hair and looked up to the top of the house. I wasn’t sure what he was looking for but I didn’t have long to wonder as he suddenly turned and walked quickly back to his car before peeling away.
I knew that the loud knocks and doorbell had most likely roused Mrs. Anderson even if she hadn’t answered the door, and I just prayed she wouldn’t think to check on me. I began to lightly jog away from the house, attempting to stay in the foliage along the road. Even with the pins, Mr. Anderson’s clothes were way too large on me and I had to hold on to the shorts with one hand as I moved along the road. It was at least a twenty-minute jog to the bus stop according to my foggy memory, so I hurried along as best I could holding my pants and my possessions.
To my surprise and relief, a bus was just pulling in as I arrived at the stop. I didn’t know if it went to the main bus station but figured it was better to get on than wait around for the right one. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the right bus, and I had to get on two more before I arrived at the main station. The entire time I looked frantically out the window waiting for
someone to appear to come get me, muttering silent prayers to a God I didn’t believe in that something would go my way for once.
It wasn’t until I had my ticket for New York City in hand, and was sitting on the bus as it pulled onto the main highway, that I let myself relax. I had done everything I could to cover my tracks, and all I could hope for was that they would never find me.
There had been a camera at the ticket stand, and although I tried my best to keep my head down, I was sure that it had caught me on it. I just hoped that the ticket lady wouldn’t remember me enough to tell anyone if she were asked about me, and that no one would care to expend a great deal of effort going after a 17-year-old foster girl about to age out of the system in a month. I had taken a seat in the very back on a row where no one was sitting and although I
planned on not falling asleep, the swaying of the bus, along with my relief at being on the bus, soon lulled me to sleep.
Chapter 5
I awoke with a start when I felt the bus come to a stop. Keeping my hood up I cautiously peeked over my seat to see what was going on. We had pulled into a bus station, but I wasn’t sure where we were since I had been sleeping. People were filing off the bus and I decided it would be a good time to get off and use the restroom. I had stolen a jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread from the Anderson’s pantry but I was terribly thirsty. After everyone who seemed to be getting off had left, I walked to the front of the bus, keeping my head down. The air felt sticky when I got off after having gotten used to the air conditioning on the bus. I must have been sleeping for awhile since the sign said we were in Indianapolis and I had gotten on the bus in Springfield, Illinois. I used the restroom and went to the snack shop to get a bottle of water. I would refill it at water fountains for the rest of the trip to save money.
As I stood in line I peeked around. It felt like eyes were watching me. There was a homeless man wearing tattered, decaying clothes that looked like he hadn’t eaten in a month sleeping on the ground on the opposite corner of the train station. A few other people were milling around but no one seemed to be staring at me. I still felt eyes though. I shivered before stepping up to the window and getting my bottle of water. The attendant looked to be around my age and he stared at me intently as I placed my order. He was around my height with side swept brown hair the color of mud and a pale complexion like he too had been kept in an attic for months on end.
He stared at me even after I placed my order. I shifted uncomfortably, “My bus is going to leave soon, do you think I could have my water?” I asked him quietly after a moment. He shook his head as if he had been in a daze and walked backwards to the cooler to get the water, still staring at me. When he came back to the counter he handed me the water and a candy bar. “I didn’t order the candy bar,” I told him. “It’s on me,” he said with that same dazed grin he had worn our entire conversation. “I can pay,” I said, sliding my money through the window. “Take it gorgeous,” he said, grinning. I awkwardly thanked him and backed away from the counter. As I turned to leave he yelled out, “Any way I can have your number?” I looked over my shoulder thinking he surely couldn’t be talking to me. As I looked back I saw him again staring at me with an expectant look. I smiled softly and rushed away, I would try not to get off the bus very often. The last thing I wanted was to call attention to myself just in case the Andersons came looking for me.
I kept my head down as I got back in the bus and rushed to my row in the back. I curled up and leaned my head against the window, daydreaming about Rothmore College. Occasionally, or more often than I would ever admit, Damon Pierce’s face would cross my mind. I wondered if I would get to meet him. I fell asleep again and dreamed about the new life waiting for me in New York City.
Chapter 6
The hours passed slowly. The bus stopped often and I hesitated to get off unless I needed to switch buses after what had happened at the Indianapolis station. My back and legs were cramping up from sitting down for so long. I fell asleep often to pass the time. After what seemed like forever, and a million bus switches, the bus finally pulled into Port Authority in New York City. I trembled in anticipation. I couldn’t believe I had actually made it. A part of me had believed that this was too good to be true, that I would wake up and be back in the attic with Mrs. Anderson screaming at me. I was nervous to walk around such a big city after a few years of barely seeing the light of day. Prior to coming to stay with the Andersons I had lived with a foster family that lived on the outskirts of Chicago. I had spent my days running around the city with some of my foster siblings and had become accustomed to a big city. My time with them had ended when the police arrived at the house and it was discovered that the Reeds were operating a meth kitchen in the basement. Now I felt socially inept and afraid of what was waiting for me. Mentally chastising myself, I gathered my bag and got off the bus. I looked around the station. It was enormous, and there were so many people. I walked out the doors and stared in awe at the buildings around me. Chicago had seemed so large at that time, but looking at the city around me it couldn’t compare. The air was humid but I welcomed it after the chill of the bus. My ears filled with loud honking and yelling from the throngs bustling around me, and there was something to look at everywhere. I had never seen so many people in my life. Looking down at my oversized sweatshirt and Mr. Anderson’s baggy shorts, I felt embarrassed. I needed to find a store and get a few things before I got to campus.
A kind lady inside had told me where to go to reach the subway and I was glad to get the exercise after being cooped
up. I had pulled my hood down when I got outside but soon
pulled it back up after I noticed stares coming from all directions. They must be looking at my clothes I thought to myself before putting my head down and walking faster. Once I got to the subway station I decided to take it to Times Square. I was exhausted by the trip and needed to go check into my dorm room, but I needed to see Times Square first. In one of my foster homes my foster sister had a print of Tim
es Square that she had hanging on the wall. I would lay awake at night staring at the print illuminated by the moonlight streaming in from the window and dream about escaping and going there. Well I had escaped, and now I was going there! I was hoping there would also be some shops. The weird looks had continued and I didn’t know how much more I could take before losing my nerve and going to hide in a restroom or something. I followed the rush of people into one of the subway trains and held on. The subway smelled like sweat and dirt and all of us were packed into the car like sardines. I loved it.
Walking up the stairs and seeing Times Square made me tear up. People swarmed around me hurrying on their way but I had stopped in my tracks. It was glorious. There were lights and billboards everywhere advertising everything under the sun. Music was playing, some songs I recognized from before the Andersons, but others were new and exciting. Street performers were dressed up in different colorful costumes, and tourists were taking pictures with them and immediately getting hustled by others. Stores were everywhere, and I suddenly wished I could just bottle the moment so that I would never forget what I was feeling. The sense that I was exactly where I had always meant to be. It was exhilarating. There was a feeling of energy that flowed around me, waking me up, and making me feel like I could conquer everything.
I spotted a Forever 21 and hurried over to it. As I walked in my jaw dropped, I hadn’t been to a store in so long but even with the stores I had been in before my “imprisonment”, none of them had ever been this large. I didn’t know where to start. An employee hustled over to me
as I continued to gape at my surroundings.
She was tiny, shorter than me by several inches, with strawberry blond hair that was cut into a pixie cut, and bright spring green eyes. She had a lot of energy and reminded me somewhat of a cute elf. “Oh my gosh you are gorgeous, but what are you wearing?” she exclaimed. I grimaced and pulled at my sweatshirt. “Well that’s what I came here for,” I replied, trying to smile politely. “Well come on, we have shopping to do,” she stated excitedly, pulling me by my bag to a rack. “You’re about a size 2 or 4 aren’t you?” she asked. I shrugged. I honestly wasn’t sure. My clothing that I had been given by the Andersons were always too big, and they also never gave me much to eat. Thus my clothing never fit better because I never gained weight.
The little elf was grabbing tons of clothes from the racks and stuffing them into my arms. I shifted uncomfortably. I could only afford a few pieces and was definitely going to disappoint her if she worked off commission when I didn’t buy very much. After what seemed like an hour and a million clothes later she shuffled me into a fitting room and told me to try everything on and show her my favorites. Everything looked way better than anything I had worn for years but I tried to pick out reasonable pieces. I tried on a pair of jeans and a pair of shorts and couldn’t help but squeal when I looked in the mirror. It felt so good to try on a pair of clothes that fit! My friendly shopper had picked out a few basic tops, including some v-necks and camisoles, and I set those aside to buy along with the jeans and shorts. She had also picked out some dressier tops. I selected a black top with ruffles and added it to the pile. My eyes fell upon a white bandage dress. I knew I shouldn’t even try it on because it was impractical and I didn’t have any money, but I wanted it.
I hadn’t had anything pretty in so long.
I pulled it over my head and pulled my arms through the sleeves. The dress came up high on my chest and came
about mid thigh on my legs. The back was where it got fun however. The back dipped to right above my butt and showcased a lot of skin. I could imagine the shocked look on the Anderson’s faces if they had ever seen me wear such a thing. I could wear my hair up in a flirty pony tail with a pair of black heels like I had seen in the magazines. I loved it. I took it off, placed it in the yes pile, and quickly exited before I saw anything else. The employee was waiting for me outside of the fitting room and jumped excitedly when she saw my pile. “I knew you would love that white dress,” she exclaimed. I smiled at her. It was nice to meet someone who seemed genuinely pleasant after being around such cruel people for the past few years.
After grabbing a pair of flats, some flip flops, a bra, and a few pairs of underwear, I was ready to check out. I started to feel hot as the numbers on the register continued to rise. My heart sank when I saw the total. I really couldn’t afford this. But once again the strangest thing happened. Elizabeth (I had finally gotten the pixie employee’s name), took the dress price off the register and rang it up separately. “Think of this as a welcome to New York gift,” she said with a wink. “I can’t take that, “ I replied, stunned. “I’m putting it in the bag and you’re leaving with it. No-one could do justice to this dress like you could,” she said with a grin. I found myself getting a bit choked up by her kindness. I thanked her profusely and walked out the door smiling to myself. New York was already shaping up to be the best experience of my life. I had changed into the shorts and one of my v-necks before leaving the store. It was time to head to Rothmore…and possibly Damon Pierce.
Chapter 7
A few subway stops later I had arrived. I stood outside the gates that led to Rothmore College and trembled with anticipation. Huge brick walls surrounded the outside of the college. The walls were a rusty red and had dark green ivy growing all over them. Giant black iron gates were at the entrance and I saw other students going in and out with what looked like their parents. They were loaded down with bags and boxes and I once again felt self conscious as I looked down at my one bag/suitcase and the Forever 21 bag I had added to it. Bracing myself, I walked through the gates and immediately forgot about my concerns. The campus was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen and looked even better than the pictures that had been on the catalog.
A large green grass covered area stretched before me that I recognized as “The Green” that the information packet had mentioned. White colonial style buildings with tall pillars surrounded the green area. Some of the buildings were all white with black shutters, while others had the same red brick as the outside wall. Students of all ages were basking in the sunlight on the green. Some were throwing Frisbees back and forth; others were reading on blankets. It looked like something out of a movie. I walked along the grey stone path that surrounded the outside of the green towards a building labeled Administration. I was hoping that was where I could get my dorm key and get checked in for school. As I walked I once again noticed everyone staring at me as I walked past. Seriously, what was everyone’s problem!? Feeling self-conscious for the millionth time this trip, I sped up my walk and hurried inside the Administration building.
As I walked in I noticed a line to my left leading up to a counter labeled check-in. I got behind a tall skinny boy whose ears turned bright red after he turned and looked at me over his shoulder. He immediately turned back around, but his
ears stayed pink. I listened with a smile to the conversations happening around me. Girls were gossiping about parties
they had been to the night before. Guys were discussing whether the football team was going to win the championship again this year. I heard Damon Pierce mentioned a few times but couldn’t hear the whole conversation. Football was mentioned again so maybe he was on the team? I felt like a stalker since so many of my thoughts had been about him since seeing his picture. I laughed to myself. I was sure that Damon Pierce took up the thoughts of many girls, and probably guys as well.
No-one spoke to me but I was fine with that. It felt so good just to be around people and feel like I was apart of something after being alone for so long. When it was finally my turn, I approached the counter. A large heavy set woman wearing severe black cat eye glasses glared down at me. “Name,” she asked sharply. “Eva Taylor,” I replied. “Identification please,” she answered, peering down at a list in front of her. I pulled out my birth certificate to give to her, a document that gave me no further information on my past as both parent spaces had been left blank. The Andersons had o
f course never let me get my driver’s license or even a permit so this was all I had. “You have been assigned a single room in Draper Hall,” she said, just as sharply as before. “Not sure how you managed that as a freshman. Don’t think that mommy and daddy will be able to help you out with anything else here,” she said nastily. “Rothmore College prides itself on being the best because its students are the best, not because they have money,” she continued.
I had been trying to be nice despite her rudeness, but I had reached my limit. “I happen to be an orphan actually. If you don’t know what that means, it means I don’t have a mommy and daddy. And I can definitely tell you I
don’t have money either. If your little paper doesn’t tell you, I received a scholarship to go here and that’s probably why I have a single room. Thank you though for your oh so helpful advice,” I finished. I heard tittering behind me as other students heard our conversation. Her cheeks had turned a dark red at this point and she kept her eyes down, avoiding
eye contact with me. Without apologizing she handed me a map of the campus, my room key, and an orientation schedule. I had many more questions I needed to ask, but decided to find the answers to them somewhere else rather than deal with this wench. I walked away from the counter with my head held high, excited to have actually stuck up for myself for once, and ready to finally go and see my room.
Chapter 8
I walked into my dorm room and immediately got tears in my eyes. Ugh, what was wrong with me. When had I become so emotional? I had already cried more on this trip than I had probably cried in my whole life. Realistically I knew the room was nothing special. It had the typical cinder block white walls, the twin bed, a desk, a dresser, and a closet, all things that probably could be found in every dorm room in America. But it was all mine. I wasn’t going to have to worry about someone barging into my room, or being locked in against my will. I wouldn’t be woken up by punches or screaming. It was in a word, glorious.