Broken

Chapter Twenty-Six

My dad and Erica lived together in an apartment that was across the street from the campus that Erica worked at. The place was huge, especially when we were in the elevator going up to the nineteenth floor. I had a suitcase in my hand as we traveled up floors. I could never imagine living this high up.

The elevator dinged and opened. I followed Dad and Erica down the hallway. We walked all the way down the hallway and came to the last door on the left. Dad unlocked the door and pushed it open. I followed them inside. The place was huge and full of windows. The whole place was an open concept, much like my house on a larger scale. There was a massive kitchen to the left with a dining room. There was a living room to the right and a hallway. The wall across from the door was all windows. I walked over to them and looked out them. It was an amazing view of the campus. It was night, but the campus was lit up all around.

"It's a good thing Ranvier University is a good view," said Erica.

"It's beautiful," I said as I glanced over at her. "This apartment is huge."

Dad smiled, "Let me show you to your room." I nodded and pulled my suitcase behind me. We walked down the hallway. We passed a door. "That's the bathroom." The end of the hallway had three doors. "Straight ahead is the office. Erica and I share it. If you can't find us out there we're probably in there."

"Got it," I said.

"This is our room," said Dad as he placed his palm on the door that was on the left wall. He opened the door opposite to it. "This is our guest room, aka your room while you're here." We walked into the room and it was easily double the size of mine at home.

There was a full-size bed in the center with a navy comforter. In front of the bed on the wall was a large flat screen television that was better than the one in my living room at home. There was a desk pushed against the far wall. There was a large dresser and full-length mirror against another wall. In one of the corners there was a lounge chair. It would be the nicest place I had ever stayed.

"Wow," I said. I walked inside the room and sat my suitcase down next to the bed.

"You like it?" Dad asked.

"Yeah, it's amazing," I said.

"Well, you better get some rest," he said as he backed out of the room. "It's been a long day and you lost an hour in the time change."

"Yeah, yeah," I said with a nod. "Thanks."

"Remote for the TV should be in the nightstand drawer," he said. "I'm sure you know how to use it. If you need anything, I'll be in my office."

"Goodnight," I said as he shut the door.

I heard him say it back as I walked over to the bed. I laid down on the bed and pulled out my phone. I dialed Justin's number and stared up at the ceiling as I held the phone to my ear.

"Hello?" Justin answered.

"Hey," I said.

"Hayley, how's New York?" he asked.

"Well, I haven't been here too long," I said. "But its so weird. My dad's apartment is on the nineteenth floor. Thank God I'm not afraid of heights."

Justin laughed, "Does it have a good view?"

"Yes," I said. "The view is Ranvier University, which is where Erica works. It's a really pretty campus."

"Well, I bet you're going to have a lot of fun there," said Justin.

"I hope so," I said. "Nothing strange in Bridge Wood since I've left?"

"It got more boring," said Justin. "I'm going to have to deal with Alonso alone and I don't know if I will survive that."