Stranger's Spell

Chapter 1

I've lost count of how many people I just saw roaming the streets in downtown Manhattan, New York. As we progress towards Hunter College, I realize how nervous I actually am. There are so many tall buildings and constant honking. I can't believe I'm going to be living down here for the next four years. A flow of excitement mixed with anxiety rushes through me as the college comes into my view. My mom turns around and gives me an anxious smile. I can tell she is going to miss me, and considering I won't be back till Christmas break, it's going to be hard on them. Thinking about missing thanksgiving with my family sucks, but Central City Nebraska isn't the closest.

Central City is my hometown. The total population is about 2,000 people, which is nothing compared to what I just saw on the way here. I was born and raised there as an only child. Sometimes I wish I had a sister to share secrets with or stay up late while giggling at nothing. Although, it is nice being an only child. My parents mainly focused on me growing up which is why I think I'm so successful. Without them I probably wouldn't be where I am today.

Hunter college is huge. The dorm rooms are about six blocks away so we drive past the lecture halls. Once we arrive we pull on the side of the road, we get out and all take about two suitcases each. It sounds like a lot but at least three of them contain my art supplies. I love to paint. That's why I chose Hunter College, well they chose me and offered me a full ride scholarship so of course I had to say yes. They saw some of my artwork and really enjoyed it. I intended to continue my life as a painter so when they contacted me I was beyond excited. My goal for the semester is to try to become one of the best painters here.

As we waddle inside we get funny looks that make me want to turn invisible. I hate being the center of attention. We squeeze inside the elevator and ride to the fourth floor. Being outgoing isn't who I am. That's why I love art so much. You paint and then sit back and let people admire your work. We somehow manage to have all the suitcases and random bags on us for the one trip up. Which I'm perfectly fine with, I didn't want to be seen struggling twice. I drop my bags on the ground and fall back onto the twin size bed. My parents find a spot, out of the way of everything, and gently set the rest of the bags down. I let out a sigh and sit up. There is a looming sadness in the room. My dad comes over sits down next to me. My mom takes a seat at the desk which is already covered in bags and binders.

"Alright, Valerie, I think it's time to have the talk," my dad says in a uncomfortable way. I know what he's talking about but he doesn't have to worry. I'm here to get a degree not to get pregnant or distracted by boys. I have had two boyfriends in the past but they were never serious. My first kiss was a disaster. I was invited to this girl's twelfth birthday party and her parents left to go pick up a pizza. In that twenty minute time frame someone decided to grab a plastic two leader soda bottle and suggest we all play the game spin the bottle. So everyone agreed to it and when my turn came up I just prayed it landed on Jack Hilson. He was the dream boy of seventh grade. I used all my might and spun that bottle forcefully. It felt like that spin lasted a lifetime. Once it started to slow down I started to freak out and instantly regretted accepting to play the game. Out of all the people there, it landed on Tommy Wildwood. I wasn't too excited with that. He always smelt like fish. Anyway, everyone started to chant "kiss, kiss, kiss," and I kid you not, Tommy got up from his spot walked right over to me and planted his slobbery lips all over mine. I felt like I was drowning in drool. Probably the worst moment of my life. I never went to another birthday party again.

"Dad, you don't have to worry about me. I'll be fine," I say while rolling my eyes. I hope he gets the hint that I'm not looking for a relationship.

"Sweetie, I just wanted to say to not get to focused on someone, and if you do manage to run into your soul mate, that just might be a miracle, and I think you should take a risk. Just promise me you won't be too hard on yourself at school. You don't need gray hair by the time you are twenty. Explore Manhattan because there is so much to see. We love you. Your mom and I are going to miss you greatly," he gives a half smile while his eyes begin to water. Well I did not expect that from him. I look at him, he is getting to me too. I sniffle and wipe the corner of my eyes.

"I love you guys too, I cannot express how grateful I am to have you guys as parents. Thank you for all the things you've done to get me this far. It means a lot," I barely manage to say the last lines before I'm balling my eyes out. This is too much. I can't live out here in Manhattan alone. I know no one. I suck at making friends. Back at my high school I didn't have any friends, everyone was just acquaintances. Both of my parents stand up and everything becomes reality. I wrap my arms around them bringing them in for one last hug until Christmas.

"I promise I'll call you every week," I let them know. I feel them nod and we all just stand there taking it all in. They let go first and I just take a step back and look at them.

"Well we ought to be going dear, we will let you know when we arrive back home," my mom says while smiling through the sadness. I nod and watch them walk out. As soon as they leave there is an eerie feel to the room. I look around at all he bags and decide that I should probably start unpacking. Classes don't start until Wednesday. I have four days to explore the campus and dorms. Hopefully, I will make at least one friend.

After all the bags are unpacked it's about 1. I decide to head outside to check everything out. I grab a light jacket and put it on. New York is definitely colder than Nebraska. Even though it's still summer I'm still a little chilly. I walk through the lounge at the dorm which is also very colorful with 3 couches and a small TV around it. There is a group of people sitting on the couches and they seem to be catching up on what happened over summer break. I keep my head down and walk outside. Once I get outside I look around and take the scenery in. The buildings are huge. The Empire State Building is literally two blocks away from my dorm. There is a subway right outside the doors so it can take me anywhere I want to go. At anytime of the day or night. I guess you could say I'm a small town girl living in a lonely world taking a midnight train anywhere. I saw this cookie place on the way here so I decide to walk that way. Luckily my parents let me link up with their credit card for this first year here until I can find a job. I don't know many places that involves painting skills or artistic work here in New York. The streets are crammed pack with cars bumper to bumper. Even though I miss being able to drive around I'm glad I didn't bring my car. I wouldn't be able to handle all of this traffic. The sidewalks are also overflowing. I see lots of people on the phone talking and running like they are late to an event or work. I mostly recognize the tourist. Lots of them are walking and smiling while looking around with their loved ones. Heck, I would consider myself a tourist too. I've never been here so this is all new to me. I see the name of the cookie place come into view. The name of the place is called "Insomnia Cookies" which is a weird name for a cookie joint. As I walk in it isn't too crowded I guess because it is pass lunch time and people already got their sweet tooth fix. I can never get enough sweets. I live for the famous original chocolate chip cookie. The smell of the place is incredible. I notice one of the signs say that they are open until 3 am and that they deliver. I guess that explains the name. I order 2 chocolate chip cookies and milk and sit down at a table near the window. I pull out my phone and check to see if my mom has called. She hasn't. The first bite out of the cookie is heaven. It has the perfect softness to the outside with a nice, gooey, warm middle. I take out my headphones and load the Netflix app. The series "The Blacklist" pop up which is about FBI stuff. The cookies are gone within the next ten minutes. The show finishes and I head back to my room with a bag of cookies for later. Once I get back I put them in the fridge.

The next four days fly by while I spend most of my time in the dorm painting or walking a few blocks to explore. I still haven't made any friends. The dorm has been filling up with a bunch of people. I'm on the middle level. Every floor it alternates genders. We have to share a bathroom with everyone on that floor. The bathroom is only three rooms down so I got lucky. I try to avoid using it at popular times. It's the night before class starts and I'm a nervous wreck. I roll over to see what time it is and the clock says 10:30 pm. When I laid down earlier it was eight. I called my mom these past few days and she seems better than what she was before they left. Which is good but I still miss them a ton. I turn on some music to calm my nerves.