Mentor (Johnny Depp)

Chapter 1

Bianca's POV:

I've never really been afraid of much. I love scary movies and roller coasters, I freak out at bugs but I wouldn't say i'm afraid of them. Though if it must be mentioned, one thing I can say I'm afraid, of is commitment.

I think it all started when I was young, seeing my parents argue all the time, shooting darts filled with ugly words at each other, and I often felt stuck in the crossfire. It confused my young mind, to see my parents hate each other one night then act like nothing happened the next. I rarely saw them be affectionate, and it was even rarer to hear them say they love each other. I thought that all marriages were like this, so I was always afraid to fall in love.

Now, I'm a 23 year old university student, out of my toxic household and settled into a small studio near the University of Washington where I am pursuing a major in art. It's my last year of college, and for this last year, I am participating in the "exchange student" program. The way it works is: I submit 3 of my best art pieces, then they get uploaded to a website where hosts can pick out who they want to mentor. There are hosts all over the country, from Washington all the way to Italy. I hope I get a mentor from Italy, but honestly I'll settle for anything that isn't here.

I just submitted my portfolio, and the wait time is about 1-2 weeks to see if you get picked. I have been drawing since I was a little girl, it's always been therapeutic for me, cliche I know, but it got me through tough times.

I let my parents know of the exchange student program I'm in, my dad was ecstatic, but my mom... not so much. She's always been a very anxious person, a side from her already being a Hispanic mom.

"Mijita, are you sure this is a good idea, what if you're stationed with a serial killer?" She asked worriedly.

I smiled at her, "Mami don't worry, the university does very thorough background checks on all the hosts, I will be okay"

My mom continued with her doubts, and I continued to assure her I would be okay, this wasn't my first time convincing my mom I'd be safe.

*2 days later*

I was making my dinner when I got a call from my art professor,
"Hi Professor Daine, what's up?"
"Hi Bianca, I just wanted to let you know that you have been selected to be stationed in California for the exchange program." she said happily.
"What? So soon? I thought the wait time was a week" I questioned.
"Well it normally is a week, but I guess you must have made quite an impression on him, can't say I'm surprised, you're one of my best students!" She praised.

He? I thought to myself.
"Aw, thank you professor Daine, You're one of my best professors!" I praised back at her, I wasn't lying, I've been a student of hers since my freshman year, and she's always been an angel, I'd even consider her my second mother.

"You're too sweet Bianca, I'll email you all the information, I should mention that your mentor has requested his identity be secret until you arrive, but don't worry, I've known him since the 80's you'll be in good hands" she assured. I thanked her again and we said our goodbyes.

I trusted Professor Daine, but I can't say I wasn't nervous. Who could this "he" possibly be? Why did he want his identity secret? Since when was that request even allowed?

I had a hard time falling asleep, all I could think about was who this mystery man could be. I've known him since the 80s, the comment rang in my head. 80s? He must be old then. Then came the thought of California, I've never really been a fan of the heat. I've always preferred the cold rainy weather and cool summer nights of Washington. The only good thing about California was that my older sister was there, so that was comforting. The email Professor Daine sent me said he was expecting me in a week, the email also included my plane ticket, which Mr. Doe had paid an upgrade for. Damn, first class? He must've been really impressed, I chuckled to myself.