The "Big Apple". New York City. The city that never sleeps. The countryside of Oklahoma was the only home I'd ever known. The family farm, our small market, our acres of land. Life was good then. It had only been a month since my father became ill. He and my mother had planned to move to the city by the time I was eighteen; he didn't make it to see that day. Inevitably, my "big eighteen" arrived, so my mother and I picked up and moved to the city. We found a tiny studio apartment for the two of us. Things have been tough when it comes to money since we moved. The farm was the only source of income my family had; now my mother works night shifts at a local gas station to pay the bills, therefore this apartment was all we could afford.
The first day of school was awful. I had never been great at making friends, I usually keep to myself and focus on my studies. That was until I met April. She had come up to me at lunchtime while I was reading and asked if I needed a "study buddy," but instead of studying, I spent some time talking with her. She was about my height, with fiery auburn hair in a ponytail and pale freckled skin. "So, what's your name, new girl?" she asked with a bright smile. "M" I replied. "Well it's nice to meet you M, I'm April." My real name is Marigold, after my mom's favorite flower. I got a lot of shit about it from the other kids growing up, so being in the city where nobody knows me is a good way to prevent that. I even have my teachers call me by my nickname. April told me how she never knew her mother, and her father never leaves the house anymore. It seemed she was pretty much on her own these days. That we have in common. With my father gone and mom working nights, I'm on my own as well.
April offered to walk home with me after school, I agreed. On our walk she asked if I wanted to have study sessions together at the coffee shop weekly. "I mean yeah that sounds cool." I said with a smile. She smiled back, "Good, I've needed a study buddy other than Casey. He doesn't even know what the word 'math' means!" We laughed together as we arrived at my building. "Well M, I'll see you in school tomorrow!" April said with a smile and a wave as she walked off.
YOU ARE READING
Into the City
FanfictionAfter her father's passing, M and her mother decide to move to New York City giving her a new start. "I knew moving to the city would change my life forever, but a change like this was least expected. I could do nothing but lie here, breathless, una...
