Chapter 3

• Looking back, I never imagined I’d be living in New York City, much less attending college here. But here I am. All by myself.
• Hopefully, it won’t be so bad. Sigh. Time to go find my flat and settle down I’m exhausted. Tomorrow is a whole new day that’ll be the birth of a new Lana.
• I drove towards the address I’d got few weeks back, the road was filled with people chattering and laughing. I’d intentionally asked for a noisy neighbourhood to be on the safe side.
• I finally reached the gate that had g55 written on it,
• “This is it, Lana. Your first step in your rebirth, let’s not mess up the first impression”.
• Saying that repeatedly in my head, I turned the doorknob and stepped in, my heart beating anxiously.
• “OMG!!!, There you are, Lana right?”. A red haired girl walked towards me grinning widely.
• “Uh…y..Yes my name is Lana, ni..nice to meet you”
• “Aww.. Such a shy one, well cute Lana, my name is aurora”. She had a nice name and a bubbly character and her smiles were really beautiful. Her red hair accentuated her red lips, her brown eyes were shiny and naïve. I could guess she was a pampered princess from a rich family. I liked her but… I still couldn’t properly make a sentence without stuttering.
• “Alright, Lana your bed is the one at the right side, you look exhausted, do you need my help unpacking?”.
• “Uh…I…no…uhm thank you, I’m good”. She tilted her head while staring at me smiling.
• “You’re really shy, huh?”. I scratched my hair, smiling goofily. I knew she’ll think I’m weird.
• “Yes, I’m a…… bit shy, y….you don’t like me?”.
• “No I like you because from what I’ve seen you’re making an effort and that is really sweet, I read people really well you know and it seems you’re trying to break out of your shell, so sweet Lana don’t worry, I got you covered, I’m going to help you find your inner sass, now let’s get you settled in”. She winked at me then helped me unpack.
• That night, I was exhausted but I couldn’t sleep. Aurora had left after she got a phone call. I had finally left my shackles behind and now I hoped that those shackles won’t hinder my path forward. I was happy I had a nice flatmate and maybe a new friend and I was scared I’d ruin the friendship before it even develops. I also needed to find a part-time job. Sigh . Now, my new life kicks off.
• With that thought in mind, I closed my eyes and soon drifted to sleep. i woke up the next morning feeling energetic. It’s been years since I slept for more than an hour without nightmares.
• At some point in the night, it seemed aurora had returned, she was sprawled across her bed snoring. Her shoes were still on, I helped her remove them then took off her earrings and bracelets then laid her properly on her bed. I decided to make some omelette rolls for breakfast. So I got to work. I had my first class at noon so I had time to spare.
• It took a few minutes and then I was done, I ate, put some in the microwave for aurora and left her a note.
• I took a shower, got dressed and left for class. I had already mastered the school map so I got to the class hall with no issues.
• My first class of the day was ECON 101, I was majoring in English. I sat at the back and brought out my notebook, then two identical looking girl and boy came over to sit next to me. The boy sat next to me and his sister next to him. I jolted up and looked at them. Before moving to another row that had two girls seated there. It seems I still had a strong fear for the opposite sex. I looked back and saw them staring at me and I turned back lowering my head and started scribbling on my notebook.
• The professor came in few minutes later,
• “sorry I’m late everyone, good afternoon I’m professor miller and welcome to ECON 101, this might be the most important class you take here so I expect everyone here to closely pay attention and benefit from the 24 years career I had on wall street, now let’s begin”.
• My classes ended and I returned to my room,
• “Oh Lana you done for the day?, thanks for breakfast and the honey tea you left, you’re my angel”. I smiled.
• “It’s… It’s n...no problem”
• “Omg!! I knew you were beautiful but your smile my god, really angelic. Aww is pretty Lana blushing, it’s the truth dear, and you’re really pretty, when we bring out the spicy side of you, careful even I might fall for you”. This girl… I hadn’t even dropped my bag.
• “I suck at the kitchen, it’s so nice to have a roomie that can cook, and I’m a foodie just so you know”. I smiled.
• “Noted” I said then went to take a shower, when I came out she was putting on her stereo.
• “Let’s listen to some music, Lana, what type of music do you listen to?”
• “Mostly Billie Eilish, a little bit of Lana Del Rey, Sasha Sloan, Olivia Rodriguez, Tate McRae too”
• “You don’t listen to pop music, BTS?, Justin Bieber?, cardi B, Nicki minaj?”
• “No I…..”
• “Wait do you realize what just happened?”
• “What?”
• “You spoke a whole sentence to me without stuttering, that’s amazing, you’re getting comfortable with me now”
• I smiled, I guess I was getting comfortable with her, I don’t think anyone wouldn’t.
• She squealed and hugged me.
• “Lana baby, do you have any class tomorrow?”
• “I don’t think so, why do you ask?”
• “let’s go shopping together”
• “I’m sorry I can’t”. she pouted.
• “Why?”
• “I haven’t found a part-time job, I don’t really have money to go shopping”
• “Your parents don’t send you any allowance?”
• “I don’t have parents”
• “Oh… I’m sorry”
• “It’s fine”
• “Okay forget about that, bills on me”
• “I’m sorry I can’t accept that”
• “Again?,Why?”
• “I don’t like freeloading off people”
• “Well I’m not just anyone, I’m your friend, if you refuse one more time I’ll feel really hurt, and do you want to hurt your friend?”.
• I sighed.
• “Fine I’ll go, I’ll find a way to pay you back though”
• “Yeah yeah, I’m starving, wifey what are you going to feed this hungry foodie?”.
• The next day, we went shopping. Aurora kept on picking different clothes and making me try them on.
• We bought so many clothes, we bought shoes, bags, underwear and accessories. She said anytime she saw my boring closet, her eyes were bleeding from how dull it was.
• Finally, we got back to our room. After arranging everything, our stomachs were taking turns grumbling. So I decided to cook something.
• When I got the receipt of everything we’d bought I almost had a nosebleed. She might end up being the death of me.
• I’d start repaying her first with a nice meal.
• I decided to some grilled chicken and veggie salad. I cooked, we ate and finally slept off while talking about random stuff.