Stranger's Spell

Chapter 4

From the instant I wake up I can tell the effect of dancing all night had on my body. We didn't arrive back till early this morning. Everyone insisted on staying until closing time. Ida was so drunk she needed help walking to the uber and into her room. That's a reason I don't like to drink. Having the thought of being so drunk that you're helpless, scares me. I don't really have much going on this weekend. I want to explore more of manhattan but I don't want to go alone and I highly doubt Ida is feeling up to that. I drag myself out of bed and throw on some leggings and a sweatshirt. My hair looks like a hot mess so I tie it up into a bun.

I head over to Neil's coffee shop to grab some breakfast. On my way out I decide to grab some doughnuts for Ida. Ida (like me) loves sweets. She would eat doughnuts for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if she could. I also stop by a convenience store to grab some Ibuprofen before heading back. Once I reach her door I knock lightly. No answer. A part of me starts to worry a little. Then the door cracks just a tad bit and I see her squinting.

"Good morning," I whisper with the biggest smile on my face. She groans then opens the door. With her middle finger high in the air aimed towards me she staggers back to her bed and flops down on it.

"I brought you a present." I hold up the doughnuts and medicine. She turns over and the corner of her lips turn up. She points to the desk to an open spot. I set down the goods and quietly make my way to the door.

"See ya later," I say to her as I slowly shut the door. I stand outside and take a deep breath. Doing something little like that felt good. Back in Nebraska I would always volunteer to help out the elderly and clean up our community. Afterwards it felt satisfying but I haven't experienced this kind of feeling before. I feel good with myself. On that note I head back to my room, smiling, with my head held high.

The next week goes by in a blur. Homework is starting to build up now which is taking most of my evenings away with studying. I still have no idea on who I'm going to ask to paint. I asked Ida the other day but she said that someone already asked her. She also mentioned Mia ended up apologizing and begging for her forgiveness. Dave ended up breaking it off with her and she was "heartbroken". During her sob session she asked Ida if she could paint her. I'm not mad at Ida. I mean what was she going to say? I think it's stupid on how Mia could just waltz back into Ida's life and expect everything to go back to normal. Which is what exactly happened. Mia now sits by us in that class because "looking at Dave" is too much for her. They literally dated for a month. And my dad calls me over dramatic.

Today is the day we go on the trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Since I woke up a little early today I decide I'm going to look nicer than usual. I grab my long sleeve black and white striped shirt and slip it over my head. I chose a black pair of jeans that runs a little short by my ankles and slip into them. I drop to my hands and knees and rummage through the bottom of my closet. I pull out a pair of black ballet flats. As I'm shoving plain studded earrings into my earlobes there is a knock on the door followed by Ida rushing in babbling about something.

"What are you yapping about now?" I ask laughing. As I turn around I see Mia standing in the middle of my room looking around the walls with all of the pictures I have took over my whole eighteen year life span. Her mouth is slightly gaping. She finishes looking at them and then turns to me.

"Did you take those?" she questions me with a look of disbelief. I never really considered my photography skills to be one of the finest. But from the look on her face I might just start thinking that.

"Yes I did."

"These pictures are remarkable. Like they are so good they could be in magazines."

I ponder for a moment thinking about what she just said. Looking at the pictures I can tell what she is talking about. I notice the details and how the lens focused in just the right spot to capture the desired image.

"You need a scarf with the shirt," Ida says interrupting my thoughts. She starts to dig through my closet for a scarf. I look back at Mia who is now uninterested with the hanging pictures.

"Try this on," she pulls out a black scarf and chucks it at me. I loop it around my neck and swivel back towards the mirror. I glance one more time at my reflection then grab my brown leather purse and head towards the door. Ida and Mia are already waiting out in the hallway. I jiggle my key into the slot and lock the door. We hurry and catch the subway to the lecture halls.

According to Mr. Juo he has to take attendance before we can head out. We arrive to the classroom before he is even in there. There are a few other eager students sitting at their desk waiting patiently. I glance at the clock and watch the seconds tick by. A whole minute passes and it feels like an eternity. More students begin to arrive and sit down. The classroom is buzzing with conversation. I can't seem to sit still in my chair. After about ten agonizing minutes Mr. Juo arrives. Some of the kids in the back of the classroom whoop and holler and clap their hands. I'm glad I'm not the only one excited. You know that feeling you got as a little kid when you asked for candy before dinner and who ever you asked said yes but then took forever to get. That's how we all feel right now. Our candy has finally arrived and now we get to enjoy it. He checks his list for the students going and then rounds us up to head out. We walk outside and everyone stampedes down the stairs into the subway.

"This is so exciting!" I practically shout to Ida. Every step feels as if I'm about to jump out of my shoes.

"Woah I didn't think you were this excited, it's just a museum," she pokes my side and laughs "The only reason I'm excited is because it's getting me out of classes for the day."

"Ida you skip classes anyway," Mia chimes in coming up on the other side of Ida.

"You're right," we all laugh as we stand there in the metal tube carrying us closer to the Museum. Although I miss home sometimes, I'm glad I decided to take the scholarship. I've already had some cool memories and I can't wait to make more. Ida and Mia keep chatting. They are laughing about some guy they saw in the hallway on the way to my room this morning. I'm not listing though, for some reason I can't seem to concentrate. I've dreamt about visiting this museum. The subway slows to a stop and I see our classmates walking off. I feel giddy with excitement. As I step out and onto the concrete I can't stop myself from walking fast. I hear a faint yell that sounds like my name but I ignore it. I take two steps at a time up the stairs. When I emerge from the steps I look around and become confused. I don't see anything that looks like a museum just a bunch of business and little restaurants. Ida and Mia catch up to me out of breath panting like they just ran a mile.

"Valerie, why did you run up the stairs so quickly? Did you see one of those subway rats running around?" she is looking at me like I'm insane.

"I thought the subway brought us out directly in front of the museum?" It's not really a question but Ida shakes her head no. We are now behind the class trailing behind.

"We have to walk a few blocks. This was the closest we could get on the subway." Mia chimes in answering my confusion. I found out that she has lived her since she was a little girl and has practically been to every place possible. I kick a rock that happens to be right in front of my foot when I look down. I feel bummed out for a second but then remember I am about to be walking in the presence of so many incredible masterpieces. The pep in my step returns. This is going to be a day to remember.

I observe my surroundings and it looks like any other place in New York. Just a bunch of people walking around and exploring. I glance over at Ida and see her mouth gaping wide open. She's staring straight ahead. I turn to see what she is looking at. I instanlanly mock her expression. I'm so blown away with how big the Museum is I stop in my tracks. Once my brain realizes that we have arrived I shove through all of my classmates to the front. Mr. Juo looks over at me and sees how amazed I am.

"Pretty amazing, huh?" he laughs a little and looks back at the building. I can't seem to get out any sound so I just nod my head yes. Even from a distance I can tell it's packed. Taxi's and busses stop and go unloading impatient people. As we get closer the building doubles in size. Massive pillars line the front of the concrete building. We walk along the crosswalk once the light turns red for the vehicles. I jog up the stairs quickly and grab the doorknob and swing it open.