When I pictured my first day in New York, I never imagined I'd be sitting in a congested bus stuck in traffic. I'm not even sure where I am, really. If I don't get to my new apartment soon, I'm going to start chucking these people out of the emergency exit. Having my brothers move my things into my apartment beforehand was obviously a good idea because if I had to do it, I'd probably move into the wrong apartment. You know what? I'm getting off of this bus before I kill everyone in my path. Like, this is a serious health hazard. I jostle to get through the array of New Yorkers, all but leaping off of the bus.

As soon as my beat up Nikes hit the pavement I'm turning my head this way and that, taking in the new and lively environment. The sun shines especially bright here, the wind whips through my hair and for the first time, I feel free. Before I know what's happening, my feet are moving on their own accord. There are people everywhere; some bickering, some laughing, most moving busily ahead. Turning on my heel, I bump into someone. It takes me a moment to make note of the action because the idea of finally being in New York is unreal, and it has put me in a trance. I immediately apologize, turning to face the aforementioned stranger. I realize whom I've bumped into, and I know for a fact my brain has stopped functioning.

She stumbles a bit, her tote bag hanging off of her left arm throwing her off balance. I reach out and take hold of her arm to steady her. Then, she does something that really throws me off. She laughs in a way that can only be described as harmonious. I smile, her laughter seemingly contagious and I allow myself to laugh with this beautiful girl in the middle of the street. She calms herself down after a minute, and smiles warmly at me.

"Hi, I'm Emily. Sorry for, um, that." She laughs again and I return her smile, nodding.

I take in her appearance, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't impressed. Her long, dark hair is loose and hanging around her shoulders, the wind brushing a few strands against her cheeks. She has a deep purple v-neck with some type of floral pattern on it that curves from her right shoulder around to just above the hem on the left.

"Santana. It was my fault, sorry. You alright?"

"Don't even worry about it. I trip over myself more than I'd like to admit," I raise my eyebrow amusedly, and she just shakes her head, a small smile gracing her lips. "If you're really interested, I could tell you about my reckless endeavors over coffee?"

"I'm fascinated, to say the least," I smile at her, but it soon fades when I remember where I was headed before bumping into Emily. "I actually just got to New York, though, and I have some serious unpacking to do if I want a place to sleep tonight."

"Coffee to go, then?" She asks with a smile that takes up almost half of her face, seriously. That smile is probably the reason I said yes.

"Do you get to see him?"

"I do. Not as often as I'd like, but I take what I can get." Emily says as she sips her caramel macchiato.

I give her a sympathetic nod, grazing the back of my neck with my free hand.

"What about your parents? Were they okay with you leaving Ohio?" She asks me, turning her head every few seconds to gauge my reaction.

I breathe in heavier than necessary and drop my gaze to the cracked pavement. "My dad sent me here, actually. I mean, I wanted to come, he just... I mean - he funded the trip." I say shakily. My father practically bribed me with New York. He said it would be best of I left, considering 'the state I put my mother in' when I came out. "Kind of a long story, but in the end, his point in sending me here was so I wouldn't further disappoint them." A dry laugh escapes my throat, and we continue walking forward, leaving the streets and strangers behind us.

"Seems a bit drastic. Are you sure you're even capable of disappointing someone?" Emily's smile is genuine and welcoming and it's what I was hoping for when I answered her question. No judgement. No prying. It was nice.

I look around the bustling street we've turned onto, lifting my hand to shield my eyes and looking for the apartment numbers until I spot 23792.

I look up at her, just now realizing our slight difference in height. "This was actually really cool. Thanks for doing this, listening to me ramble and insisting on buying my coffee for me. So, yeah, thanks. Thank you."

She grins and gathers me into her arms before pulling away to grab her cell phone. "Here, trade me." The phone is being pushed into my hands as she scans me, silently requesting my phone in return. I touch my hands to both of my coat pockets before fishing my phone out of the back pocket of my jeans, urging it into her waiting hand. I quickly type out my number using her keypad and save it under 'Santana Lopez - Chick I Pressured Into Coffee' before handing her phone back with a smirk. She raises an eyebrow at me questioningly, but I just pull her into a quick hug before taking my phone back and saying bye. I reach the door and turn around to give Emily a final wave, which she returns before backtracking around the corner.

As soon as I close the door behind me, my eyes eagerly scan through my contacts.

1st Person I Tackled in NY.

1 New Text Message: 1st Person I Tackled in NY

The screen of my phone lights up and the vibration buzzes loudly against the hardwood of the coffee table. I walk into the now furnished living room, leaving a trail of cardboard boxes in my wake. Adjusting the strap of my blue camisole, I slump down onto the suede couch placed in front of the coffee table. My face lights up in the same manner my phone did when I see who the text is from, and my smirk only grows as I read what it says.

1st Person I Tackled in NY
9:42 PM
Dont worry I made it home w/o getting mugged. &4 the record there was no pressr

I shake my head amusedly, sliding my phone open to begin my reply.

Santana Lopez - Chick I Pressured Into Coffee
9:42 PM
good, id hate to be held responsible for any dangerous encounters u couldve faced. ftr, i didnt tackle u. xx

1st Person I Tackled in NY
9:44 PM
Youre responsible 4 runnin into me&almost pushin me into traffic doesnt that count? Bc you DID tackle me. (;

Santana Lopez - Chick I Pressured Into Coffee
9:45 PM
actually i think i remember running into u just before u fell in the way of a speeding taxi which wouldve killed u, so u owe me a thank u.

1st Person I Tackled in NY
9:45 PM
Thx 4 putting my life in danger&saving it in under 10 secs

Santana Lopez - Chick I Pressured Into Coffee
9:46 PM
anytime :) xx

After waiting a few minutes and receiving no reply, I stepped out of the room again, this time tucking my phone into the waistband of my polyester running shorts. Moving towards the box I was in the process of emptying, I take out the first thing I wrap my fingers around. The photo of Rachel and I from one of our many trips to Cedar Point that I had framed leaves a sad smile on my face. I hadn't talked to Rachel since I got here, even though I had promised her I would do just. Walking over to the kitchen and placing the frame on the granite island, I slid my phone into my hand and held down the 3 on my set speed-dial. No answer.

"Hey, Rach. I made it!" I let out a short chuckle before continuing with my explanation, "I know it's late, that's probably why you didn't answer, I know how you are with your sleep schedule. I'm sorry for not calling you sooner, I got here around seven, but it took me almost two hours to get home. I met this girl, Emily, you'd like her. We got coffee and she walked me home." I smile at the memory, mentally reminding myself to complete the few other errands I forgot to run on my way home. "You'd like her. Anyway, I already miss you like crazy. I was unpacking and I found one of our pictures from Cedar Point, and I figured I'd call your crazy ass before you went crazy worrying about me. Call me in the morning or something, okay? Don't miss me too much. Love you, bee."

Ending the voicemail and pressing the number to set urgent delivery, I look at the picture of us again and smile. Rachel's been my best friend for almost six years now, and I wasn't lying when I said I missed her. We'd been spending as much time together as possible before I left Lima, hoping that would make the pain of being five-hundred-and-ninety-two miles away from each other more bearable. It didn't seem to be working.

It's not like I can't survive without the girl or anything, it's just hard. Rachel knows me like no one else, and she can get me to open up about literally anything. And the thing is, I get her, too. That's why our friendship works, because we know each other, and we're not afraid to call each other on our shit. It's like otters. They hold hands when they're asleep, so neither of them drifts away.

(She made me watch some documentary on Animal Planet last summer.)

She doesn't let me drift away when I'm awake, and I won't let her, either. She's my otter.

My phone vibrates again, and the strength behind the buzz drags be out of my daze. A text message really shouldn't have such great affect on someone.

1st Person I Tackled in NY
10:07 PM
Wht are you doin tmrw?

Santana Lopez - Chick I Pressured Into Coffee
10:08 PM
hanging out with u?

1st Person I Tackled in NY
10:08 PM
I was hopin youd say tht. (: Pick you up 6?

Santana Lopez - Chick I Pressured Into Coffee
10:10 PM
where r u taking me?

1st Person I Tackled in NY
10:13 PM
Swimming :) do you like chinese?

A sly smile spreads across my face at the prospect of seeing Emily in a bathing suit. There's no denying that the girl has a good body, which swimming could be the cause of. Anybody in their right mind would obviously accept her offer, which is why I did.

Santana Lopez - Chick I Pressured Into Coffee
10:13 PM
its a date. xx