"Hi, this is Ashley, sorry I missed your call. Leave a message and I'll call you back as soon as possible"
I sighed. This was the third time I'd been greeted by my best friend's politely timid voice on her voicemail. I closed my phone in disappointment. I had just moved to New York and I was lonelier than ever and it was only was the first week of summer.
I would be starting school in the fall, that was the reason I moved down here, better schools.
My family was sad I wouldn't be with them but it was them who had suggested the move. I was now living with my older cousin Jimmy. It was a bit tense seeing as we weren't that close but I was sure we would fall into a groove soon.
I swirled a straw slowly creating a whirlpool in the smooth surface of my cappuccino. I felt disoriented. New York was such a different place then I was used to. Even the people were different. They seemed to have such vitality, rushing around intent on their own worlds. Everyone seemed to be dressed fashionably, possessing such class. It had put stress on me to start putting more effort into how I looked. Even though I would be happy going around in shorts and a t-shirt but I also liked to look respectable and classy so it was a toss up.
I tried to dress casually but put together at the same time. I had on a flowing floral shirt which contrasted the dark skinny jeans that clung to my figure but weren't extremely tight and teal converse with subtle sparkly laces.
I stood up and smoothed down my jeans. I grabbed my cup, still half full, and walked over to the counter, depositing a handful of coins into a tip jar.
I pushed open the door, making the bell chime, and walked out into the sunshine. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and it was warm with a slight breeze.
Suddenly feeling optimistic I turned to the left, away from the direction of the apartment I shared with Jimmy. With a slight bounce in my step I continued down the sidewalk. I was glad I had left the apartment.
I had finished unpacking two days ago but I was too sad from leaving my friends and family to leave the apartment. Jimmy had to work long hours every day, except Tuesday, at an electronic store in the city. Today I had had enough of sitting in the apartment by myself. Even though I was slightly scared to leave the safety of the apartment and venture out into the city, I'm glad I did.
Being out and about filled me with enthusiasm and excitement. I wanted to go out and do something, meet new people, I just wasn't sure how.
The winds shifted and my long curly brown hair blew into my face. Brushing my curls out of my eyes I slightly regretted not putting my hair into a ponytail.
I heard two loud sounds that, my father being a hunter, I recognized as gunshots.
My heart automatically started racing, my mind and body going into panic mode. My footsteps had quickened, but I didn't turn around to go back to my apartment. It wasn't in a good part of the city, my cousin had his car stolen a week previous, and I didn't feel safe going there alone, especially after the gunshots.
I couldn't place where they'd come from but I didn't want to be on the sidewalk, I'd noticed I was the only one on either side of the street-it was deserted. This was when I started to really panic. Lots of people meant safety and right now there were no people.
I'd barely finished the thought when a man in all black came from around the corner and slammed into me, sending us both to the ground. The man quickly got up and grasped my hand, tugging me to my feet.
"C'mon! We gotta ge' outta 'ere," he shouted while tugging me in the direction I'd came.
He quickened his pace and I mimicked him. We ran side by side, our feet pounding against the pavement. Panic was clouding my judgement and I wondered why I had followed this man, this stranger.
