Saying goodbye to my family was the most difficult thing I have ever done in my entire life. My adoring parents and my crazy funny sister, I will miss them with all my heart. But it's only for a year and then I'll be back a brand new person.
After finishing my freshmen year in the only public university in Puerto Rico, I decided to do a student exchange program at the University of Washington. Seattle has been on my mind since I was introduced to Heath Ledger in 10 Things I Hate About You. And also, all those vampires, werewolves and even BDSM books that were related to Seattle in some way or another.
Actually, to be honest, the main reason for me to leave the comfort of my family and the only place I call home is to grow. Not that I feel childish in any way, but I'm 19 years old and I need to feel independent and mature enough to handle anything that comes my way. When you feel like your own island is pushing you to the ground, I think the best thing is to get out and try to find your place somewhere else, even if it's for a short period of time. So, I decided to do the exchange program for business administration and start my second university year someplace else.
After 3 flights and almost 4 thousand miles away from home I'm taking a taxi from Sea-Tac airport to the University of Washington.
Before getting in the taxi the icy cold air reminds me of my father lecturing last night, Mija, remember to always wear warm clothing you are not used to extreme cold weather and it will kill your already weak lungs.
Yep, I have suffered from allergies and asthma since I was 5 years old, I don't even remember how many times I have been admitted to the hospital.
Getting in the taxi and looking around already makes me nervous and excited about everything I see. Seattle looks vibrant, noisy and restless. The mountains are exactly the way I pictured, beautiful and gigantic. With the green of the plants and the little snowy white mix together it's perfect for a professional canvas.
"Thank you so much, sir," I say to the taxi driver.
"Sir? I'm not that old young lady" he responds and laughs at the same time.
"Thank you!" I repeat blushing in embarrassment.
"Good luck to you, young lady" he starts taking something out of his pocket and I notice that it's a card. "Here is my business card, if you get in any trouble and you want to go on a drive just give me a call" He sounds like my father, he probably has kids of his own.
I gave him a smile and went to look for the Pacific dorm rooms building. A few minutes walking I realize that I don't even know where I'm going, I believe I'm lost already.
Really Valeria, you have been on this campus 10 minutes and you are lost already? Seems that some things never change. My subconscious starts regretting my decision of coming here.
I start remembering the university package that was sent to me 3 weeks ago to my grandparent's house. Quickly I checked my purse and the folder is not there. Dammit.
I just remember I put it in my luggage and I have to open it in the middle of campus just to find the map that was included in the orientation package. When I start opening the luggage I start to notice the people around me.
Calm down Valeria they are just students, like you.
Swallowing my nervousness away and realizing that I'm just another one of them doesn't make it easy to overcome my insecurities.
At that moment a loud strong voice wakes me up from my own mind, "Move."
"James what the fuck, did you really need it to throw the ball this far." A different voice says and continues. "Wait, she's moving... where the hell is the ball?"
"Come on man, we all know you are the best pitcher in the northwest, but your catching skills suck...Ohhh shit she's waking up..."
"Stop with the coaching bullshit, James. I don't give a fuck about..."
I start hearing different voices around me, when I open my eyes all I see are the rays of the sun and blue... blue eyes. The most expressive blue eyes that I have ever seen, and they remind me of the beaches back home.
"Am I home?" I start asking the blue eyes
that keep staring at me like I was something from another planet. My insecurities start to flare up when he starts responding.
"I don't know..." the sarcasm in his voice sounded arrogant.
"Seattle... you are in Seattle." Quickly, he responded back sounding annoyed this time. "Actually, you are in the university campus." He keeps talking with a confidence that I have never experienced before.
"Ohh... right. Thank you!" My response was too fast and he looks like he did not understand what I was saying.
"Which accent is that? Mexican?"
Does he ask because he's disgusted by the way I talk or is it at myself in general?
"Sorry!" I start apologizing.
"I'm really sorry... I'm..." Repeating myself I say, "I'm sorry, I'm trying to find the Pacific dorm rooms."
I start standing up when the other guy, James, "Was it, James?" I ask myself trying to remember what the blue eyes guy call him.
When he is helping me to put myself together I realize that I'm not even looking, but I'm actually staring at both guys... I have never seen guys like this before. Are they really students? My subconscious asks.
They look way to mature, their body's look like they are sweating in the gym 24/7.
Ohh God, I really have to get out of this situation before I say something stupid. I say to myself
"Did I hit you anywhere?" He looks at me with a little concern. At least this guy seems nice.
"Ohh, come on James. She's fine! I think she can find her way, after all, she even jumped a wall to get here." His blue eyes are now turning darker, almost black.
Is he making fun of me? What the hell is he saying about jumping a wall... OMG! He thinks I'm an illegal immigrant. Bastard! My subconscious says, and I'm mad.
"Excuse me... I am not..." I quickly start responding. I'm mad! I'm actually extremely mad. Who the hell does he think he is? I wish I can tell him in his face everything I'm thinking about. But like always I swallow the humiliation.
"Come on Davis, don't be a dick. This is why you can't keep a woman." I think James is defending me in an unusual way.
"Let's go, I don't have time for drama. She's fine, she looks fine. I don't think the ball even hit her" Davis' eyes are blue again and he keeps talking while his eyes are looking around.
He's probably looking for the ball that is more important than anything else. I say to myself.
"Sorry, shorty but me and this asshole have to keep practicing. You are good right?" James sounds nice and even concern about the situation. The other guy, Mr. arrogant himself is already with the ball in his right hand and a really old baseball glove in the other waiting for his friend 20 feet from us.
I start responding walking fast at the same time just because I need to get out of this ridiculous situation.
"I'm good, thanks... Wait,... James right?" I don't even wait for him to clarify his name when I ask,
"Do you know where the Pacific dorm rooms are?"
"See the building behind Davis? That's the one you are looking for." Before walking away he gives me a pure welcoming smile.
"Thanks" I respond looking at the building
behind the most gorgeous blue eyes I have ever seen.
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Hey!
Hope you guys like the first chapter.
Thank you,
Amalia
YOU ARE READING
Immigrant
Romantizm"Connected by tragedy, surviving for love." Valeria Robles is a 19-year-old student that decides to do an exchange program at UW. Her life from the outside seems normal but she's hiding some secrets that probably she would take to the grave. After c...
