Cupid's Mistake

CHAPTER ONE

A crisp breeze tickled my nose as I drunkenly stumbled through Central Park. Central Park was supposed to be the most romantic tourist spot in New York, and I intended to take full advantage of it. One step, two steps, my brain fumbled for the next number, which led to a drunken giggling fit as I watched my feet move of their own accord. With a melody in my head and a hum on my lips, I was surely enjoying my drunken walk in the park.

Oh, if only my mom could see me now. I giggled at my own thoughts and continued my slow stumble through the trees passing benches and bushes alike. My blurred eyes tried to capture the true beauty of my first stroll through the park, but my drunken eyes couldn't settle on which was more inconvenient the alcohol or the darkness. Couples here and there passed by me staring in distraught as I stumbled through their romantic evenings.

I lifted my hands up to the sky, trying to catch the snow in my hands. As difficult as that seemed, catching it in my eyes was no problem. I blinked the melting snow away as it stung me. I had never experienced snow falling. Back at home in Texas, we maybe got some frost on the coldest nights of the year, but never in my life had I seen snow like this. I giggled as my teeth rattled. I had no concern for coats when leaving my new apartment, but that had been midday. I looked down at my watch- for approximately 47 seconds- blinking and squinting trying to decipher the time. 

"11:34!" I shouted, thrusting a fist in the air at my achievement. More blank stares from passing pedestrians. I inched closer to the curb, making tracks in the freshly fallen snow. I quickly thrust my hand in the air, trying to hail a cab. The first few passed by me, causing great confusion and frustration, but finally, the 3rd cab pulled to the side, splashing water onto my shoes. I almost jumped for joy, I would have jumped in joy, if I hadn't taken a tumble for the worst. My footing was lost to the icy slopes of New York curbs. With a loud 'oof' I landed on my rear end. Onlooking pedestrians continued without a care in the world, some even snickered at my drunken and injured state. I stood with a loud huff and dusted myself before opening the door and climbing in.

"SkyWay apartments please." I requested with a suspiciously large smile. The driver rolled his eyes and lurched forward into the busy New York streets. I stared out the window in astonishment. With soft 'oos' and 'awes' we drove in the direction of my new home. The ride was short, too short for my liking. I quickly jumped out of the car, only to be met with a vicious "hey," from the driver. I threw the door back open and dug my card from my purse.

"Here!" I thrust it to him, to which he rolled his eyes and accepted my payment. I turned to look at the passing cars.

"Aye!" I mimicked the driver's accent with loud giggles following each "aye."

"Watch it, lady." The driver growled at me and handed my card back. I accepted it gratefully and closed the door once more. The march up to my apartment door was a difficult one. The elevator was out of service, and I was quick to make the assumption that it had likely been out of service for years based on the amount of dust that had gathered on the out of service sign. I wasn't sure how long it took me to march up three flights of stairs, but I knew it took over 10 minutes. Arm extended, I walked to my door and twisted the key with a stiff elbow. It must have looked comical from an outside perspective, but the lack of life in the halls indicated that I was in fact alone.

I swung the door open, possibly too hard, so I lunged forward to grasp the handle before it knocked into the wall. With a sigh of relief, I slammed it closed behind me. I cringed as the loud noise echoed through the walls, and quickly locked the door. I pulled my phone out and turned on the flashlight, as I didn't know where the light switches were, or maybe I was just too lazy to turn them on. My slumped body groaned as I stumbled into the small living room. A couch was already placed in the center of the room. I kicked the edge of the couch leg, tossed my phone, and flopped down into the stiff cushions. I cried out in pain, but my aching groans eventually turned into snores.