My first thought when I walked in was that it was bigger than I originally had thought. Beside the door was a closet and three steps that led down into a huge living room. My aunt told me she had already had her stuff moved in so it was completely furnished with dark, yet chic, furniture. Crossing through the living room I made my way into the large kitchen with a large breakfast bar. After checking the small pantry off the side of the kitchen, I walked down the hall and peeked into my aunt's bedroom. She had a huge attached bathroom with a closet three times the size of mine back at the old house. I passed a small linen closet as I journeyed down the hall. The bathroom at the end of the hall was just the same size of the one back home so I was relieved. I noticed there was no décor in the room yet.
"I figured you could choose the style in here," my aunt said, walking up behind me.
"Thank you," I said earnestly, immediately thinking of some design ideas to make it feel more like home. I made it a few more paces to the last door and took a breath before opening the door. I had a very large room and a surprisingly big closet. My desk and couch from home were already sitting along the wall. Again, there were no colors or no decorations.
"Aunt Maria," I called down the hall. "I think I'm going to use my old bed stuff for now but I think I need a change." I finished, glancing around the empty room.
"Sounds great, mija," she said happily. "We can even get some paint if you'd like. We'll go to Ikea tomorrow."
With that she walked out. I headed towards the window and noticed I have a fire escape right outside. I looked and noticed I could easily fit a stool out on the platform. I opened the window and climbed out easily. The noisy city held a certain beauty to me with all the giant buildings and bustling crowds. As the sun set over the neighboring buildings I took a deep breath and in that moment I realized that this was my new home. I shed a few tears as I looked into the sky.
"Mami? Papi?" I asked quietly. "I hope you're listening." With another sigh I began, "it's going to be so hard. I miss you both so much. But I want to make you guys proud of me." I was unable to say much more without more tears falling so I finished with a quick, "Te amo, watch over us," before heading into my room just as the movers were bringing in some more boxes.
Throughout the rest of the day, I unpacked all of my clothes and was happy to find that I still had plenty of space in my closet. Around two the movers had finally left around the same time my stomach had started growling.
"I haven't stocked the kitchen yet," my aunt said sheepishly. "But there's a diner right down the street if you're up to it.
"Hellz yeah," I replied quickly. "I could go for a cheeseburger." We both laughed as we made our way out and back toward the elevator. I couldn't help but replay what had happened earlier with Brittany. I was mesmerized at how much I'd like to see her again. I'm not very good at making friends. I have trust issues, okay? But somehow I feel like something is different with this girl. I was shaken out of my thoughts by my aunts voice.
"…we could go first thing in the morning and even get some paint so we can start," she was saying.
"Oh," I replied, "sounds great." I finished with a smile.
My aunt leaned over and quickly hugged me before the door opened. As we walked out the front door the warm air hit my face and I couldn't help but smile.
"Welcome to New York City," my aunt yelled with wide open arms.
After a huge dinner, I was starting to feel the effects of the long day catching up to me.
"Let's go h… uh, to the apartment," my aunt hesitated. I looked at her for a moment, noting the resemblance to my mom, then smile.
"Sure, let's go home" I finished for her, emphasizing the home part. My heart warmed at the sight of her relieved smile.
When we returned to the apartment we went our separate ways and started to wind down for the evening. After a quick shower and a few texts to Quinn, I picked up my guitar case. After tuning it for a few moments, I headed out to the fire escape. I allowed the warm summer air to spread through me as I played a few chords. I quickly got lost in the music and began to sing.
New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of there's nothing you can't do. Now you're in New York, these streets will make you feel brand new. Big lights will inspire you. Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York.
As the last chord rung out, I smiled and headed back through the window not realizing that one flight above Brittany was leaning against her window sill smiling just as big.