Alex's POV
I couldn't believe it. I was finally here, in New York. The place I had been dreaming of going to since I moved to the states. "The greatest city in the world". Or at least, that's what they say.
I watched out the cab window, transfixed, as the city flashed by. It was a long ride from JFK to Manhattan, and I spent every moment glued to the window. The cab driver occasionally glanced back at me and rolled his eyes, but I didn't mind. I was told everyone in New York is rude, so I was prepared.
My destination was Columbia University, the place I would be attending school for the next 4 years. I had won a full scholarship to go there a few months ago after writing an essay that was never meant to be seen. A friend from work found it on my desk and thought it was so good that he made copies and sent them to a bunch of major schools. I found out about it once I got a letter from Columbia in the mail. It's safe to say I was pretty mad at my friend, but in the end I forgave him since he did get me into one of the most prestigious schools in the country. And it was in New York.
I watched the streets pass as the taxi rolled along. 107th, 108th, 109th. I glanced down at the worn paper in my hands, where the directions for how to campus were.
Carman Hall -- W 114th St. & Broadway
Room 1101
See Front Desk for room key and additional room information
We reached 114th street, and the taxi slowed to a stop. I grabbed my luggage and handed the driver some money. Damn, everything was so expensive here.
The moment I was out of the vehicle, the cab sped away, spraying me with grimy street water. "Hey!" I shouted after him. What a bastard. I guess everyone in New York really is rude...
"I'd get used to getting sprayed if I were you. It happens all the time...I might even say daily," came a drawling voice from behind me. I spun around to see a dark skinned, smooth-headed man who looked to be about my age. He was regarding me with a hint of cool amusement in his eyes.
"Who are you?" I demanded, shaking the water off of my small frame.
"Aaron Burr. I go to school here."
"Oh really? I do too! I mean I will once school starts...I'm a freshman, you see. I'm here on a scholarship. This campus is huge! Everything is so tall..."
"I take it you're not from the city?" He replied with a laugh.
"Uh...no. I'm from a little island called Nevis. It's in the Caribbean. But I moved up here a year and a half ago after this hurricane came and nearly wiped out my town. I've been living upstate since then, hopping from job to job. My dream is to become a lawyer, but I didn't have any sort of degree so that was obviously out. My friend got me into this college on a scholarship, and now I can get that degree and become a lawyer. Hopefully I can go on some sort of accelerated course or something. I'd like to finish school as soon as possible so I can get a jumpstart on my career, you know?"
The other boy blinked. "Wow...okay. You talk a lot."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I just met you and you've practically told me your life story."
"Yeah but-"
"Shhh. Let me give you some...free advice." He put his hand on my shoulder and looked down at me. "Talk less, smile more. Don't let people know what you're against or what you're for."
"That's horrible advice!" I exclaimed, outraged. Burr raised his eyebrows. "Why shouldn't I tell people my beliefs? They're important. And "smile more"? Really? You sound like a creep."
"I'm just warning you...whatever you say can be used against you. And people don't take shit in New York, so you'd better buck up, kid." He started to stroll away.
"Kid?!" I exploded. "I'm fucking nineteen!" He only smirked and kept walking. Ay carajo! What a jerk...
I stood there, unmoving, for a moment on the sidewalk. Then, composing myself, I grabbed my luggage and marched over to the Carman hall. I saw Burr disappear inside the doors and gritted my teeth. Great. He was in the same dorm hall as me.
I pushed open the door and stepped inside. My breath caught as I saw the dozens of students milling around the front lobby. The line to the front desk was ridiculously long. I got in line behind a tall man with black hair pulled into a tight bun. He turned around as I approached.
"Bonjour, mon ami. Je m'appelle Lafayette. Well, there's a lot of other names before that, but you can just call me Lafayette," the man greeted in a thick French accent. He stuck out a hand and I shook it. "You Americans do shake hands, non?"
"Yes. I've only lived here for a year and a half, though, so I don't know much more than you do."
"Vraiment? Well it's nice to know I'm not the only one. I moved here a few months ago. Mon anglais is still needing work."
"I think it sounds great! Je parle français aussi."
"Oui? That's great, mon ami. Perhaps you can help me with my english sometime, yes?"
"That'd be great," I said, just as he reached the front desk.
"Attendez! You never told me your name, mon ami."
"Alexander Hamilton."
"Oui. Well it is nice to meet you. I'll see you around, yes?"
"Sure thing." I waited until he got his information, and then stepped up to the front desk myself.
"Hello, dear," said a tired looking woman. "Your name, please?" I told her my name and she handed me another slip of paper, a packet about dorm rules and guidelines, and my room key. "You're in room 1101. 11th floor."
"Thanks," I called over my shoulder, and made my way to the elevator. Lafayette was no where to be seen. Oh well. Maybe I'll see him later.
The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped inside, hauling my luggage behind me. I pressed the 11 button and waited. The only other person in the elevator was a girl with massive headphones on. She was staring intently down at her phone.
"Um, excuse me, miss?" I said, tapping her shoulder. "Do you need me to press your floor number for you?"
She looked up, her dark hair brushing her face. Wow, she was pretty.
"Yeah. Number 9. And I'm a lesbian, so don't even think about it," she added, noticing my stare. I looked away, embarrassed, but then she laughed.
"Sorry, that was a little direct. My name's Maria, what's yours?"
"Alexander."
"Cool. Nice to meet you, Alexander." She looked back down at her phone, a small smirk on her face.
Hmm. Okay then.
The elevator opened again and she stepped off. "See you around," she said with a wave, and then walked away. A few moments later, the elevator reached my floor and I too departed, my luggage rolling behind me. I started to scan the room numbers for my room.
"Let's see...1105...1103...ahh there it is. 1101," I said under my breath. I found the key and slid it into the door handle, and then took my first steps inside my new dorm room.
