Don't come close

The Big Apple

New York City. Concrete jungle where dreams are made of. There's nothing I can't do. Yeah right! Let me tell you what New York is actually like. Overrated. I've been here 6 months, and it's exciting for the first 2 months at most. University is supposed to be thrilling, a dream come true, a moment of freedom after a lifetime of suppression from authority. Nope. It's just the same as always. Go to school, do your homework, try to be social. 

Over the 6 months, I've made one good friend, that's because she's my roommate. I've attended classes with over 100 students, let's just say it's easy to get lost. All I'm waiting for at this point is to go home, back to my boyfriend, my sister, and my parents. For now, it's off to Marketing! 

"Ok class, before you're dismissed, I'd like to announce, that the investment firm MQ Finances is looking to hire an intern for the summer. If you're interested, please come see me before the end of the week." announced the professor. 

As I made my way towards the door, a friend of mine from the class catches up to me. 

"So, what do you think, are you going to apply?" she asks. 

"Nahh, I get to go home this break! I might just end up finding something to do there instead." I said. 

"Where is it you live again?" she asks.

"Bhutan, the land of Gross National Happiness, and dragons!" I offer in return. I get this quite often. The whole "where do you come from" and I say "Bhutan", but it never ends there. It's usually followed by "huh? where? Phu-Tang?" or "Whaatt?? Really?? Bhutan. That country is cool!", and if it isn't that, then it's most likely "But...you don't look Bhutanese." That's because I don't. 

Let me break it down for you, Bhutan is a small Kingdom that borders India and China. It's a small country, situated on many mountains, with a small population, and happy people. As for the way I look, I'm a quarter Scottish, which explains why I don't look completely Asian. Regardless, I'm proud of my heritage. 

"So, are you going to apply?" I ask her.

"Well, I want to, but we both know that I'm failing, and there is no way, I'm going to get it. I'd like to save myself from disappointment," she responds. 

"Aww, don't say that you have as good of a chance as anybody."

"Whatever, I just wanted you to know that I think you're making a big mistake not applying, but whatever, it's your life!" 

"That's right, and I'm going to take my ass back to Bhutan."

"Hahaha, you do that. I'll see you later. Bye." She quickly runs down the corridor to meet up with her boyfriend, while I promptly head back to my apartment catching up on some errands on the way. 

That night, I decided to spend my Friday nights as I usually do nowadays. Skyping my boyfriend, and watching Korean dramas! I get into my cosy pyjamas and cuddle up on my couch just as my roommate bursts in through the door. 

"Anne! Get up, get out of those clothes, because we are going out." 

My roommate. Cloud. As always, she has the most colourful outfits on, with a huge floppy hat on her head, regardless of the weather outside. And trust me when I say this, her personality is as big as that hat of hers. 

I remember the first time I met her. We moved into our freshmen dorms, and by the time I had arrived, she had decorated her side of the room with plants, and tapestries, and literally the most random stuff. I thought that kind of junk had to accumulate over time when someone starts living somewhere but nope! Not for Cloud. I'd never say this to her face, but she is somewhat of a hoarder.

"No!" I protest.

"Anne, this is not you. You're in a slump. Remember how you used to be when you first came. You went out with me, partied with me, and well... got into trouble with me, but you know, since this New Year has rolled around, I hate to say it, you've become boring." 

"No, I haven't!" I say, utterly offended.

"There you go," she starts, "If I had said that to you 5 months ago, you would have said something sassy, like, I don't know: Bitch! You think I'm boring, take a look at yourself, motherf***er!" 

"Heheheh," I giggled "you have a point."

"Of course I have a point. Now get dressed, oh, and wear that sexy backless dress you bought a month ago but never wore," she demanded.

"Wait, tell me first, where are we going?" I asked.

"Surprise!" 

"Don't give me that BS, tell me, WHERE?" I pushed.

"Fine, we are going to a club opening. Lots of cute guys, lots of nice drinks, and very nice music."

Reluctantly, I get up off the couch and head to my room to get ready. Now that I think about it, it really has been a while since I last really got ready and went out. I used to love it, more than actually going out. You know, that is something that is really underrated. Dressing up.

Once I finish, we headed out of the apartment. I must say, I looked quite good, and for a moment I was excited at the prospect of going out and just cutting loose. Until the phone call. 

"Hello?" I answered while making my way to the subway.

"Hi Anne," it was my mother calling from Bhutan.

"Mama! How are you?" I ask. It had been a week since I'd last spoken to her, which really wasn't like me to do. 

"I'm good, how are you? How is university going?" she asks.

"It's all the same, nothing really new," I respond.

"Anne, I need to talk to you," she says in a sombre tone.

"Why, what's wrong? Is everything okay? Is it papa?" I start to panic. 

"Calm down, everything is okay. I just had to talk to you about this summer. I know you were excited to come back,  but... your father and I are going through some financial troubles. Don't let it bother you, and it's not a big deal. It's just that we can't afford both your flight and your sister's. Since she's much younger and in boarding school, it's more important for her to come back. I hope you understand," she explained.

"Really?" I felt my heart drop. Since the beginning of this year, it was the only thing I had been holding onto. 

"I'm so sorry. I hope you understand. You can stay with your aunty this summer. And maybe you could get some type of internship, she said that there are many at your university." 

"I know, yeah, it's okay. I'll manage. I have to go now, love you. Bye." 

"Bye Anne, I love you too," she hangs up the phone, and the sense of dread truly falls over me. A whole summer, here. The only upside to this is my aunty, she's cool, and really bad ass. Regardless, my future does not look bright. 

Suddenly, this party doesn't seem as appealing.