Unravelling My Past

1. Graduation, Interview, Home.

Hey so this is a new story and please give this story a try? I'm a newbie at this and I would really like some positive feedback and constructive criticism. Please try to read the whole chapter! The next few chapters are more interesting I promise! Enjoy!

"Let's hitch off your graduation with the annunciation of the this school's valedictorian! Give it up for... Hazel Lynch! Has several extra credits, many hours of community service done, a full-ride scholarship since the day she arrived, and has aced more than half of her finals keeping a GPA of over 4.0!" The principal announces through the microphone.

God, can this get anymore nerve-racking?

I walk up the stage, smile plastered onto my face. I have a medal that says 'Congrats on becoming the Valedictorian!' with a smile on my face. I have a red robe and a red graduation cap. I am handed my diploma and I shake hands, facing my fellow colleagues, cameras shooting as they attempt to get the best picture for the school website. Cameramen trying to get the best angle as it goes over some news channel.

"And now, for her speech!" The principal says. I take the dreadful microphone from his hand and place my speech paper in front of me, diploma in hand. I breathe in and begin.

"Good evening my fellow colleagues, friends, peers, and staff members. It has been a great 8 years with all of you, I was one of the few that was fortunate enough to earn a scholarship, forgive me for saying so. I am not gloating or boasting, I just want to state how grateful I am for this opportunity that was given to me. These eight years, filled with stress, tears, laughs, smiles, frowns, pencils, heartbeats, and much, much more are more than I could have ever asked for. I wasn't expecting this, I am very shocked and am trembling at this very moment. I thank my parents, my friends, and my family for supporting me all this way. I was a small town girl that came to this wonderful university. Who knew that this would happen, cause I know I didn't. I have learned a lot. We as a class have learned, laughed and done so much more. I wish you all a very successful, eventful, happy future. Thank you and have a wonderful night!"

I bow at the stage and walk down as rounds of applause echo through this stadium. I was allowed to leave early and I took my chance to visit my landlord for the appointment.

~•~•~

"Mmm $650 a month, how's that?" The landlord asks me.

"I'm not sure if I can afford that ma'am." I reply honestly.

"But you had a full ride scholarship, coming out of a damn rich school. You should at least be able to pay this much." She retorts. She seems greedy.

"I don't have that much. Yes I graduated from John Hopkins University. I understand that I graduated from that college, but you need to understand but I come from a large family that is in destitute! I promise I won't use that much water or electricity. I'll keep the apartment clean! I need to send money to my family! They need it! I have a little brother with severe asthma and a grandma on the brink of death!" I cry out in earnest. All of that is true.

She ponders for a moment and gives me a hard look. She taps her fingers on the desk. And then she sighs. "Ms. Lynch. I understand where you're coming from so I will lower the price, but you can't tell any of the other tenants. Know that these apartments are top-notch and I already have it for half of what they should rent it for. You can pay $300 a month, take five minute showers a day, and use the electricity only 3 hours a day. That's the only way you can work with this rent. Do I make myself clear?"

I beam with happiness. $300!! That means I can definitely send most of my paycheck back home! The hospital bills have become so expensive, this helps a lot! "Yes ma'am thank you Mrs...?"

"Mary Hoover."

"Thank you very much Mrs. Hoover! I appreciate it a lot! You don't know how much this means to me!"

"C'mon, where's your stuff? I only see two boxes, where's the rest?" She asks.

"Umm... I only have that much stuff..." I look down at the floor. She looks at me with wide eyes in surprise. "And you're going to work at hospital? You don't own much, no wonder you needed to lower the rent. And you chose the most expensive place too!"

"I could only take what I had from my dorm, I don't have much at the moment, and all the other apartments that were close to the hospital cost at least $1,200. I couldn't afford it and they wouldn't bargain it down. I have a bike, but that's all aside from the boxes," I explain.

"Let's get you settled in then." And I follow her lead to my new apartment. She turned on the lamps and gave me a tour around my new home. It had one room with a shower and a bathroom, along with a sink, and another with just a toilet. There are two bedrooms, one larger than the other, the floor is made out of polished wood, the walls were painted a creamy white, the kitchen has a nicely polished countertop. There is also a sofa recliner and a brown wooden table. She hands me the keys to my apartment, saying she had the extra key just in case I lost my first one, but I had to pay $25 if I did.

"Thank you for the tour and everything Mrs. Hoover." I say appreciatively.

"You're always welcome to my home too" and with that, she leaves.

I close the door, locking it, and went to take a very quick shower, only to realize I had only 5 sets of clothes. Dang it. I changed and went into bed after brushing my teeth and washing my face. I skipped dinner tonight.

~•~•~

*BEEP-BEEP-BEEP*

*BEEP-BEEP-B—*

I shut off my alarm, take off my blanket, and walk on the hard, bare floor, sending cold signals through my feet. I walk onto the wooden floor, into my bathroom and brush my teeth, washing my face. I rinse my mouth, pat my face and rub on a moisturizer that was a free sample from the market.

Yes, I am very thrifty.

I did a simple ponytail and placed on my interview clothes, checking myself, making sure I didn't need make up. Why? I am going to an interview at the hospital I live near, hoping I land the job as a midwife, or a janitor at least. I have the degree and I have some experience, but since I am new, I might just get another job in the hospital.

I grab my coat and walk down the stairs and onto the sidewalk, earphones in my ears and phone in my hand, I hum to "Titanium", by David Guetta. I look at the grey pavement as it has several old pieces of gum that were spat out by previous people. I look to my right to see many cars drive up and down the street. I realize that I have to be at my interview at a certain time. I check my phone to see the time.

8:17 AM

Dang, I have 13 minuted to get to my interview. Scratch that. 8 minutes because I needed to check in at 8:25 AM. I begin to jog, running almost, as I cross the streets, hoping my hair still looks presentable. I feel the wind caress my hair as my feet pound onto the sidewalk, slightly hurting my knee, which I need to check out. I wait by the crosswalk anxiously as I witness several cars pass by, as I feel the 'tick-tock' of the clock in my heart. I enter the hospital doors at 8:24, check in, and sit down on a chair, waiting for my turn to be called.

As I finally settled in and relaxed, I take in the scene before me. Nurses rush here and there, walking across the classic bluish white tile as white walls surround us all. I am sitting in a wooden chair with a soft cushion while table clerks sit by the computer, doctors chatting as they wait on stand by. The door I am in front of is the administration office.

The door opens.

"Ms. Hazel Lynch, please come into the office." The manager calls out.

Here goes nothing.

Comments, suggestions? It's new so I hope it came out well!! Hope all of you liked this ;) please like, comment or vote!