The bustling crowds of New York City were so confusing. It was loud and noisy. Cars were jammed in the streets, horns of a hundred different tones honking every couple of seconds. People were chattering and shouting all around me. They were talking in a business-like tone into their cellphones on their way to the office, about how they were late for a date or meeting, and how Ellen’s new dress was clearly bought cheaply from a thrift store. I was buffeted this way and that by strangers rushing to the subway on their way home or to the office. Everyone was so busy they didn’t pause to look at my terrifying face as I tried to find the address written on my palm.
Street sign after street sign passed by. I was getting more and more nervous as time ticked on. How had it been so easy to find when I was visiting with my parents, but now I had no clue where it was at? You’d think I’d remember some things about this place.
Suddenly, I was shoved roughly by somebody and sent sprawling backwards into the sidewalk, my heavy trunk bursting open and it’s contents spilling onto the sidewalk. My arm scraped painfully on the pavement, blood dripping from my arm like rain drops on a window.
“Whoa! Hey! Hey, you! Are you okay?” a voice shouted.
I turned to see a girl with curly blonde hair and brown eyes, cute freckles, and a sweet smile fighting her way through the crowd. I turned over so that I was sitting up, flinging books and clothes into my trunk at random. As I was grabbing for a shirt, a grimy boot came down on my left hand, painfully crushing my fingers to the pavement. I heard a small cracking noise. I cried out, withdrawing my quickly swelling fingers. There was a perfect boot print in mud on my shirt, except near the arch where my fingers had come between the foot and the fabric.
The girl had finally made it over to me, stooping down and picking up the shirt and a few more books and putting them back into my trunk. I sat there, nursing my middle and ring fingers, almost whimpering in pain.
“Are you okay?” The blonde asked again. Her voice was beautiful, like the tinkling of wind chimes blowing in the Sunday afternoon breeze. I didn’t look up, still cradling my fingers with my right hand.
“Yes. I’m fine.”
“Are you sure? Let me see.”
I looked up. The girl didn’t flinch at all, just looked a little surprised. I was shocked. She should be looking frightened, be standing up quickly and walking away. But no, she was gently reaching for my hand to examine my fingers.
“Do you know where Sea Crest College is?”
“Sea Crest? I go there. I’m a senior.”
“Could you please take me there? I am terribly lo-”
“Its right over there.” said the girl, pointing behind me.
“Ugh…” I sighed quietIy, gently smacking myself on the forehead. Suddenly, everything around me was familiar. I remembered everything. That restaurant was where I had eaten lunch with my parents, and that small store was where I had bought a pair of sunglasses and a blue and violet Sea Crest College sweatshirt when I was visiting.
“I… Uhhh… Th- Thanks.” I stuttered.
“Your welcome.” she extended her hand. “Let’s go. I was going to do some shopping, but it can wait.”
I was unsure what to do. I had never been shown this much kindness from anyone outside my family. “Umm… okay.” I took her hand, letting her pull me up. I stood for a moment, then picked up my trunk with my good hand and started towing it in the direction of the college. The girl followed.
“What’s your name?” she asked, her singsong voice filling my ears.
“Esther. Esther Stratford.”
“Cool. Andrea Stevens. I like your contacts.” she said.
“They ar-” I stopped myself. You stupid girl! The first time a person accepts you for who you are, thinking you’re normal, you almost tell her you aren’t! I thought to myself.
“What?”
“Nothing.” I replied, quickly.
We were getting to the open front gates of the college. My stomach turned over, my heart beating fast. A lump forming in my throat.
Panic must have shown in my eyes. “Hey… it’s okay.” said Andrea, squeezing my hand.
“Yeah. It’s… It’s okay.” I parroted. My voice was quiet and shaky. I was terrified. I had no idea what to do. I just stood there, standing at the magnificent, giant building. It wasn’t until Andrea grabbed my hand again and tugged that I moved.
“Come on. I will take you to the front office and we can figure out where your dorm is.”
YOU ARE READING
