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An annoying beep fills the bedroom and forces me to wake up. I roll over the bed and try to reach my nightstand to stop the alarm, but because I'm such a lucky person, I fall off. Great, this is a wonderful start of day.

Finally I'm able to stop the horrible sound and I check the time - it's 7 am. My first class doesn't start until 8:30am, so I still have plenty of time before I leave my house. I get up and go straight for the bathroom, stumbling on the Harry Potter book I was reading last night. I seriously need to start tidying up my room better or someday I might break a leg trying to get out of bed.

I quickly undress and take a hot shower, mentally preparing myself for this first day. I can't believe I'm starting classes in the middle of the semester, I literally don't know a single soul in this city. Until now, I didn't even know I could transfer schools in the middle of the school year (?) This is so weird, I'm actually a bit anxious. A bit anxious? You're bloody shaking from head to toe, you're probably gonna trip over the stairs in college and fall in front of everyone. My subconscious takes the time to kindly remind me of this not-so-remote possibility and I freak out even more.

I try to shake those thoughts from my head and I get out of the shower, wrapping a towel around me. I check the time once again and I almost freeze - it's 7:45 am and I'm not even dressed yet. I can't believe I'm going to be late for college on the first day of classes.

I run out of the bathroom and slide a pair of jeans over my legs and a white t-shirt over my head. I grab my white converses and a jacket and rush down the stairs. I see my mom and dad sitting at the table having breakfast.

"Well guess who decided to join us for breakfast" - my father teases - "You're a bit late for college, aren't you?"

"Good morning to you too" - I tease back, smiling - "My classes start at 8:30, I still have a few minutes to get there but I must hurry up if I don't want to be late". My mom hands me a cup of coffee and some toast and I thank her.

"Do you want us to drive you there? We're going that side of the town anyways, you could save some time and energy" My mom asks me.

"I don't know mom, I was thinking about walking there. It's sunny and warm outside today and I really need to start getting familiar with the streets. Besides, you know how the traffic works here, if you drove me there I would most certainly be late and so would the both of you." - I reply. I hope I don't get lost.

"You're right, this traffic is surreal, I don't think I'll ever get used to it" - she says. Same mom, same. - "Call us if you need anything, and have a great first day! You'll be good, you're so smart and friendly, everyone's going to love you" - She hugs me and gives me a kiss on the cheek. I don't know about that mom, I don't think I'm the embodiment of friendship, but I'll sure give it a try.

I nod and she and my father head out to work. I check the time for what it feels like the 10th time this morning and I almost lose it - I have less than 30 minutes until my class starts. I grab my bag from the couch and I head out, locking the door behind me. 

The cool breeze of March fills up my lungs as I start walking through the street. Thank God I brought a jacket, it's sunny but not as warm as I thought it would be. As I pass the massive buildings on this street, a quote from Josh Steinbeck appears in my mind:

New York is an ugly city, a dirty city. Its climate is a scandal, its politics are used to frighten children, its traffic is madness, its competition is murderous. But there is one thing about it -  once you have lived in New York and it has become your home, no place else is good enough.

I rethink the words and I giggle - this man sure was wise when it comes to the first part of the sentence. For real, New York is madness, borderline crazy and chaotic. If New York was a person, it would probably be Elizabeth Báthory: rich, somewhat beautiful and obsessed about losing her beauty, thus doing everything in her power to maintain it. Seems pretty accurate.

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