Still Sane

One

I glanced at the pile of papers on my desk and thought about the million reasons that I should just throw everything away and just go to sleep. I had been working on this essay for days and I still couldn't figure out what to write for my first body paragraph. I checked through my class notes trying to find something to help me start this paragraph off with.

I just needed a little jog. I opened my phone up and called my friend, Samia to meet me at Central park. I threw on some Adidas sweats, a CK shirt, grabbed a jacket then pulled my apartment door shut behind me. 

I had just moved to New York City, a year ago but now it really felt like home.

I continued to walk down Park Ave until I was at the park.

I saw Samia sitting on a bench and ran toward her. She stood up and her hands came flying around me and gave me a tight hug. I patted her on the back and escorted myself from the hug.

"Did you finish the history essay, yet?" She asked.

"Sadly no. But on my way here I thought about things I should include in my conclusion."

"Oh. That's good. I'm not even gonna do it."

"Oh Samia..Oh Samia."

Samia was my closest friend but she was very much the opposite of me. She was a senior and I was a junior. She barely did her homework, and unlike me was very popular. When I first moved here I thought she'd never talk to me but when we were seated right next to each other for a English group discussion and she gave me a big grin, I never expected we'd talk after that day. 

"Wanna race?" Samia said.

"Sure." I said and we were off.

"I won." I said panting.

"Of course you did." She said laughing examining my left cheek.

"Sadie, your cheek is so red."

"Duh. It's like 20 degrees, let's head to eat."

"Oh. I can't." She said rummaging through her empty pockets. "I have no money."

"I'll pay. Come on."

"What? No I am not letting you pay for my food again." She said adding a few giggles between her words.

"I have enough though." She ignored me and looked down at the floor.

"Samia, are you crying?" I asked her trying to get a good look at her face.

The tears were rolling down her face slowly until it reached the corner of her mouth making her taste the salty tears. She continues to cry until she was able to speak her words with just a few sniffles.

"I'm living in a crappy apartment in Brooklyn when I could've been living in the Upper East side with my parents who gave me all the money I want." She said pointing at the apartment buildings around us.  "Now they won't even return my damn calls."

  Samia had just gotten herself emancipated last month when she turned 18 and she's regretted it since then.  

"Samia-" I said shaking my head. "I dunno what to even tell you."

I never know what to say. I never ask people for advice, because when they came to me for advice, I would have none.

"It's fine. I just wanted to say that to someone. Can I just go home?"

"No, not without some dinner. Please let me pay for you."

"Fine."

I put my arm around her and strolled down the street.