hard to tell.

three

New York was pretty.

As we landed, I could see the entire city. The Statue of Liberty had me in awe and so did all the lights radiating off of Times Square!

I guess New York won't be that bad?

The turbulence was terrible. I tried to turn my music up to escape the unescapable thought of this aircraft falling and crashing. So I turned on the most distracting music I had- Beyoncé.

Scott and I would always laugh and dance around in either my or his room listening to Queen Bey on repeat. We even went to her concert once! We weren't close at all but we were having the time of our lives. Kevin was there too. He's more of an introvert, but that didn't stop him from letting loose.

We landed. I walked through the passage way from the airplane to the terminal and as soon as I set foot on the airport ground, I realized where and how far away from home I was.

I refused to cry. I rolled my shoulders and straightened my posture. I put a convincing smile onto my face to cover up any sadness present.

My Mother and I picked up our luggage and called for a taxi. Eventually, we got a ride to our new home.

I stared out of the window for most of the ride just like I had done on the plane. I watched the thousands of people roam the sidewalks and restaurants. I heard yelling and murmuring through the window cracks.

I felt a vibration coming from my purse. I unzipped it faster than I knew possible and checked the screen.

(1) New Message from: Scott❤️

I unlocked my phone and read the text.

S) Hey Kirst!! How's New York treating ya? (:

K) It's kind of overwhelming. It's very crowded ):

S) What do you expect lol

K) shush. I'm in a time of crisis

S) I'm sorry, Kit. I wish I could be there with you

K) imy❤️

S) imy2💓

S) ...typing...

Scott and I's conversation ended with him
going to sleep. He has school the next day anyways- who can blame him for falling asleep? Mom had just paid the taxi driver as well. After saying thank you, I opened the taxi door and stood on the fresh New York soil.

It was around 3am. I was tired. My Mom was tired. We walked side by side until we reached a... hotel? The place looked abandoned. Vines were growing on the side where it wasn't rusty. I stepped on the stairs leading to the hotel door and, surprise surprise, the stairs creaked under my weight. I sighed and turned back to face my Mom.

"This is our 'home'?"

"For the time being." She copied my sigh. I could tell she was half asleep. I doubt we're going to even unpack tonight. So I walked through the entrance- the hotel was much more appealing on the inside.

There was a front desk with a slightly overweight man sitting behind it. A spilled orange soda was on the counter so I avoided placing my hands down.

The man was snoring. He was asleep!?

My Mother was still outside, probably trying to get her abnormally large suitcase through the door.

The man seemed fast asleep, like nothing could wake him.

I'll try my best!

I started with a polite greeting and worked my way up.

"Hello? Uh- hi?!"

Louder.

"Excuse me. Sir?" I raised my voice. I'm sure there were other people sleeping inside this building; that was my only worry about yelling.

No answer.

I looked around, trying to think of something, anything that could help me wake up this man without humiliating myself.

I gulped and turned around to see my Mother right behind me, sneering at the sleeping man.

She had no time for this, apparently.

She slammed her hands onto the desk counter and the man jumped. She removed her hands and realized the were covered in a sticky mess. I cringed and took over.

"Listen. Hi." The man looked at me, his face still startled from the sudden wake up call.
"My Mother-" I glanced at her walking towards the nearby bathroom. "And I. We made a reservation.. Could you please give us our keys and all that jazz?"

"Papers, please." He had a tired, rusty tone.

I whipped my body around and unzipped the first pocket of my Moms large suitcase. There they were- the exact papers we needed! I politely handed them to the man.

Five to six minutes later, my Mom walked out of the bathroom. The man, Richard, as his name tag had said, had her sign a few things before we could go to our apartment.

"Room 516." Richard handed me three apartment keys and a little blue slip that held the Wifi password.

Huh. That'll be useful.

We eventually found our apartment. I unlocked the door because I was ahead of my Mom. She didn't seem to care. I walked into the apartment and quickly noticed what types of rooms this place consisted of; two bedrooms, two bathrooms, one kitchen, one small living room area, and one hall closet. Not too shabby for an apartment in the city!
I refused to ask my Mom what the price of this was.

I let my Mom pick her bedroom first and, not surprisingly, she picked the larger one. I didn't mind- I just wanted to sleep. In a bed.

I walked into a pale-blue painted bedroom and set my belongings by the foot of the full sized bed. I sighed, as my heart longed to be back home in Texas. This isn't my home. My real home is irreplaceable.

I settled down.

I got dressed into my silky pink pajamas and got into bed. The mattress was not comfortable.

Yay!

I plugged my phone into the closest outlet from the bed and immediately texted Scott, even though I knew he was fast asleep.

K) goodnight💤 have a good day at school tomorrow- i miss you. i love you. text me whenever - i hate time zones ):

And with that, I set an alarm for school tomorrow (aka- in five hours) and fell asleep.

I slept like a baby.