New York City was what I expected it to be in a sense, and then at the same time being completely different. It was loud, obnoxiously busy, and everyone seemed to not care where you were you going, or if you got in their way, as long as they got to where they were going that's all that mattered. But on a completely different note, the city had a strange sense of beauty to it. The staggering heights to the multiple buildings gave a beautiful sense of dimension and life, and I was practically knocked on my ass by the smell of different street foods cooking. The blending of different people and smells all around me was wonderful, and the exact opposite of my little hometown in Michigan, the exact kind of change I had been looking for in my life. As I looked down at my Soul Marks that at that exact moment gave off a tingling feeling and warmed up a little, I knew that this was the right thing to do. Now for a seemingly impossible feat for a newcomer in the big city, hailing a cab.
After I had gotten a cab and given the driver the address to my new apartment building which also doubled as my job down stairs, I leaned back in my seat and looked out the window. It seemed like everything was flashing by right before my eyes even as we went at NYC traffic speeds. I saw the everyday things like business men and women walking to and from work as well as places to eat, and I made sure to make a mental note of a few of those places to try out, especially that cute little shawarma place.
Then I saw things that you don't see everyday, like a funny shaped jet. When I asked the cab driver what it was, he said it was the "Avengers Quinnjet," and though I had no clue what that was it sounded pretty badass if you asked me. Then their was the Stark Tower turned Avengers Tower that I remembered reading about in the newspapers back home. Apparently it was a self sustaining building whatever that meant. All I knew was that it was clean energy and GREEN IS GOOD, or so I learned at my school where they pounded recycling into our heads. Either way I'm pretty sure I saw Tony freaking Stark walking into the building as we stopped right in front of it, but I got distracted at the last second as my Red Rose Mark on my arm flared up as though it was on fire, so I missed seeing him completely, and I also missed how he grabbed his left bicep before looking around wildly and seeing me holding my arm in the cab. His words were lost to me as I looked back out the window at him, but I did watch him run into the street before I turned back around.
A short time later we got to my new building so I thanked my cab driver, while leaving him a generous tip for being my first ever cab ride, before following the instructions that the owner had mailed to me earlier in the week with the key.
Dear Ms. Monroe,
Thank you for your interest in not only working in one of my businesses ,but also in renting the apartment above La café Niño. You will begin work at 9 am sharp on Monday May 1st. As for the apartment, it can only be accessed by the stairs on the side of the building. Enclosed in the envelope is the key for your apartment as well as our Renters Agreement. You have spoke very much of wanting the apartment so I will allow, just this once, for you to hand your contract in to me on your first day of work. I have received your rent for this month as well so that will be cashed upon your arrival in New York.
Safe Travels,
Leon Meguilla
Once I had made my way up the stairs and unlocked the door, I placed my bags gently on the ground before turning around and gently closing the door behind me. With both of my hands flat against the door and my forehead resting against it as well, I felt overwhelmed. This was my first place on my own, this wasn't Kansas anymore Toto and I was far from home with no family to help me out should I get into a jam. This was real. This wasn't a dream. No friends, no family, just a give 'em hell attitude, but I was ready. I had the money from selling the house, and I had my Soulmates. I hadn't found them yet, but that tingling feeling at the airport, and the burning in front of Avengers Tower were all positive signs. I would find them in New York, all three of them. I just knew it. So with a deep breath and a newfound smile on my face I turned to face my new apartment and get ready to officially make it my own.