Bumping into a considerable number of people, I step into New York City as the smells of delicious street food and the sounds of hectic traffic invite me. Never have I ever thought that I'd move into a city as 'City' like this. Though it's just like what I've imagined: bustling, huge, noisy yet a little quaint in its own weird way. Everyone is so engrossed in their world that they are not caring about anything else. The vibe here is very different. I wonder if I'll soon be like them.
First day of college...
The word "First" doesn't ever come alone. It comes with several other words: excited, nervous, anxious, scared, satisfied, and many others. These words accompanying First differ from person to person. So, to me: excited, nervous, happy, and the feeling of 'FINALLY'! I'm excited and a little anxious to finally be here. My cousin Amy dropped me here in her car. I'm not good with trains, after all. It's a long story.
The University looks pretty good, has a good name, professors are kind- from what I heard- and seniors seem friendly, which is unexpected. I have been waiting for the day when I decided to pursue architecture. I was always into art and stuff. Then you'll ask me why I didn't take Fine arts? It doesn't work like that in Asian households. Well, I've spent my life dreaming of being an architect. The idea of living the life I've always dreamt of, expressing myself through my art to the fullest, has kept me going. I wouldn't ignore the fact that I'm also here to see her again.
Many colleges in our country are famous for architecture majors; this is one of them. Though she is also a factor that affected my decision-making. That doesn't mean I would've joined just for her: You know what I mean, right?
I wasn't in contact with her for a year or so. Not that I don't have her number or that I can't contact her, I was so busy with studies most of the time: I'm not a gifted student after all. I can manage with art, but I have to study other subjects. Furthermore, I didn't know what to say once I did, as I'm pretty much muted around her. I don't make it obvious, of course! Else, it'd be super awkward. She is the sweetest human being ever. She always makes people feel comfortable around her.
Arranging my stuff in my room, I rush to the orientation as it's already late. Immediately after that, we interact with a few seniors and go to have lunch. I've heard a lot about the food in the cafeteria, that it's the best... Well, I guess it doesn't satisfy my Asian palate. Pretty much tame but somehow edible. I suddenly think of the biscuits she once made. I just can't hold my laughter back as I remember them. They were so damn weird! Thinking of it, I wonder if I can meet her today. It's been a year since I last saw her. Would she have changed a bit? I'm just excited for no reason. I don't know if she even remembers me now: We weren't that close after all.
I come back to my room as I complete my lunch. I see a guy, tall, dusky and built with short hair, in sweatpants and tee, arranging his things as I step into the room. He looks at me as I make a noise as I enter. Smiling at each other.. Wait!!! I've been talking for minutes, but did I introduce myself yet?
" I'm Galen, Galen Brown," I say as I shake his hand. " Nice to meet you, Galen. I'm Noah Beam", says he, with a pleasant look on his face.
Galen: Pleased to meet you too, Noah. So, did you just arrive?
Noah: Nah, I arrived in the morning and directly went to the orientation. I was supposed to come yesterday, but my mom asked me to come today. Apparently, she wants to keep me by her side a day more.
Galen: I know, moms...
Noah: Haha, yeah.
Galen: So, is this your first time in the hostel?
Noah: Yeah.
Galen: Where are you from?
Noah: I live in this city.
Galen: Then hostel?
Noah: I just wanted to experience hostel life, you know.
Galen: Well, this is also an experience: away from all our comforts.
Noah: Yeah. This place is better than what I've expected, though.
Galen: It is.
Noah: Have you stayed in a hostel before?
Galen: Not really, it's my first time too.
Noah: Ohh. Don't worry, let's take good care of each other.
Galen: For sure.
Noah: Galen is such a unique name. I haven't ever met a guy with that name.
Galen: Why? His following dialogue will decide if we can get along or not.
Noah: Nah, it's just unique.
Galen: Well, people don't expect a guy to be 'Galen,' I guess.
Noah: Not that it shouldn't be, or it doesn't suit you. It's just different, you know. I do like it.
Galen: Haha. I guess he isn't like those fuckers. Thank God. So, what's your major?
Noah: Education.
Galen: Wow! She is in the same major. Would he know her?
Noah: What about you?
Galen: Mine is Architecture.
Noah: Architecture major is so interesting, I heard. I'm not much of an artist myself.
Galen: Haha. Well, every person need not have the same talents after all.
Noah: True. By the way, how was your interaction with seniors?
Galen: It was good. Seniors weren't as petty as I expected them to be.
Noah: I know, right?! The people I talked to were great.
Galen: Ohh, great! Uhm... So, like, there's this girl, she's my senior in Highschool, and she's in the same major as you.
Noah: Really? What's her name?
Galen: It's Jule Samuels.
Noah: Jule? Okay, wait! She's the girl I heard about.
Galen: Hmm? What did you hear about her?
Noah: She is the real danger, man!
Galen: Hmm? Why?
Noah: I heard she is so rude to people, and everyone's scared of her; there isn't a drug she hasn't done; and that she changes boyfriends as if she changes dresses! Full-on player, dude!!
Galen: Huh! What the hell?! Are we talking about the same Jule? Who told you all these?
Noah: Not one, in particular. Everyone was talking about her.
Galen: So, it's not like someone confirmed it?
Noah: Nah.
Galen: I don't want to come off rude the instant I met you but does that all matter? I mean, it's her life. She has a right to do whatever she wants. Moreover, it's not like it is true. It's just a rumour, right? I just want to ask you if it's right to spread baseless gossip that can affect someone.
His expressions change as I say all this. I'm not sure if he realized his mistake, but he seems to be thinking about it. People are too jobless, I see. Why can they not just mind their business and keep meddling with someone else's life? As I am thinking this to myself, he speaks;
Noah: Hmm... You are right, dude. That was so rude of me. I was about to say that she looks intimidating just to support my argument, but I do know it's so wrong to judge someone by the way they look. I'm sorry, man.
Galen: You don't have to be sorry to me... I'm glad you realized your mistake, though.
He smiles faintly with an embarrassed and apologetic look on. To be honest, I didn't expect him to understand me so soon. I can't explain it, but I'm very relieved now. If my roommate would've been the kind of person I hate, my time here would've been no better than hell. I felt this bad when someone talked about her that way. I wonder how she is handling it. Smiling at him to make him feel a little better, I place my hand on his shoulders.
Galen: You know, Jule once told me, "It's okay as long as you learn from your mistakes and grow." Let's just grow and not repeat them.
Noah: Yeah. You are right... Can I ask you something?
Galen: Yeah, tell me.
Noah: Not that I'd be 100% right. Do you, like, have some feelings for her?
Galen: Yeah... I like and admire her a lot for the person she is. But that isn't why I defended her.
Noah: Yeah, I get that. Just that, your eyes shine when you talk about her.
Galen: Haha. Do they?
Noah: They do for real! Like your face has a different glow.
Galen: Hmm... So I'm like 100 per cent obvious.
Noah: 200%!
We just laugh at it and continue chatting about things as we arrange our things. I'm more of an organized person. I like to sort my stuff out and categorize them in the best way possible. I was always like this. Sometimes, a little too annoying that my mom asks me to take it easy, followed by my dad laughing at our little argument. My mom's Asian and my dad's an American, which is why I look like a mixture of the two features. Too western for Asians and too Asian for westerners. It was hard to blend in either. Sigh!
Coming back to my parents, though my mom's a little messy, she's the best person I've ever met. My dad is someone I have always admired. My parents always made me feel confident. They were with me whenever I needed them. The time I spent with my parents was so precious, and all the priceless things usually come with a short period. I wonder why...
They went to a better place in my 6th grade. It took me a year to get better and resume my studies. That phase was hard for me. I couldn't get used to things, and I've suffered a lot. You know, there's no phrase called "coming back to normal." You just can't act like it didn't happen and go back to you before it. It's not as easy as said. Everything that happens in your life shapes you as a person. The You tomorrow will just be the sequel of the You today. After all, it's still the same You, right? Of course, an updated version.
We go outside to roam around the University as we are too free and are probably idle for a few days. The classes wouldn't start any sooner either. After a satisfying trip, we have dinner and get back to our dorm room. Noah is a night owl. He sleeps pretty late, from what he told me. I'm not someone who has to go to bed soon either. I stay awake, if there's something I want to do, or when the situation doesn't help: I know how many nights I've sacrificed to get into this college! Ugh! The struggle was real!
For some reason, I feel so tired today. Noah went out with his friends as he didn't want to sleep yet. I think of something random and fall asleep.
I came to the interaction session as usual. I meet new people: a few from my Major and a few from others. I have to say that these interactive sessions are so damn fun, completely different from what I've expected them to be. I've stopped counting the number of times I repeated the same thing. Probably means I'm loving this, right? I'm glad I don't hate this. I know I would be selfish to hope for it, but this would be perfect if I saw her now.
Selfish wishes do come true at times, I guess. Indeed God loves me more than I think he does. I turn around as I hear a familiar voice...
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¡Hola Chicos! This is Sruthi, the writer of That Girl I Heard About. So as you read, the story is set in New York, present times where covid doesn't exist(SUCH A DREAMY WORLD!) Today we met our Narrator(For this chapter) and Protagonist Galen Brown(I hope you liked meeting him and Noah too!!) Please wait for the next chapter, Thanks for all the love!
Song Suggestion: Shake it Off by Taylor Swift
Picture Courtesy: PINTEREST
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