After I settled into my room, more or less, I walked out to the front desk where Ethan said the RA was. Nobody was around; it appeared that nobody was at any of their desks. I didn't realize it was almost passed lunch time; usually there would be at least one person in the back or something.

"Can I help you?"

A woman with red hair, tall, about 5'10" wearing some kind of Hillary Clinton paints suit asked from behind a cubicle.

"Yes, oh, um, I'm looking for an official printout of my schedule. I tried accessing my account online with my user name and password but it didn't work for me. Can you help me log in?"

"Alright, let me see what the problem is. Can I have your ID and password?"

I looked at her funny. Did she expect me to say it out loud for everyone to hear? Not technically everyone, just in case, you never knew who was lurking around.

I grabbed a piece of notebook paper and wrote it down, handing it to her as she stood up.
There was a bunch of typing, then waiting, followed by more typing, then a huge amount of waiting. It'd been only 3 minutes and I was getting antsy.

I didn't notice my nails were drumming louder than I thought on the desk. The woman looked at me crossly. Something tells me she wasn't the RA.

Glancing at the clock I took a seat on the waiting chairs. This is the same feeling I get when I go to the doctor's office. She still isn't telling me anything yet. I bit my nails, feeling my anxiety kick in. This is not looking good. Hell, I could be kicked out of the school because of one typographical error. Sometimes it takes something like that to ruin a person's life.

I stood up when I heard basically fingers drumming across a keyboard and zero answers.

"Did you find the problem yet?" I didn't want to piss off the staff on the first day but I tried to be brave.

"Yes, just a second Miss Granger."

Ugh I hate being called that. Always hated my last name. No I'm not related to Hermione.

She printed a document and stood up to bring it over to me. "It was an error on the technical part. Students are logging onto their accounts at the same time, the traffic tends to make the site glitch. We're aware of the problem and I sent an email to the site technical adviser to fix it."

I looked over my schedule. I was presently surprised that everything looked normal. "Thank you. Can I keep this for my records?"

"Yes, make sure to keep it safe. I apologize for the delay. It should be alright now for you to sign into your name."

She took 2 hours to tell me that everything is OK? Are these are the same nerds that deal with data every day? Seriously though, I need to get out of here.

I half faked a smile before turning the corner to walk back to my room. No roommate yet. I breathed in slowly. I was going to get one eventually.

I decided to take it easy, listen to some tunes before dealing with anyone else.

"Howdy." I heard a sweet, southern voice say behind me and turned around. "How are you?"

The girl was right out of a Tuck Everlasting novel. Soft blonde hair, big green eyes, a pink suitcase and a smile that stretched across her face. Shit, she looked too innocent. How am I going to get around this? It'd be impossible, we're living together.

When she put her bag against the other empty bed she made her way to me, smile still intact.

"I'm Bianca, nice to you meet you." She said, sticking out her hand for me.

What's with people and formalities here? "Hello," I shook her hand, not caring that much. "Elsa, I hope you don't mind I took this bed."

She shrugged, "It's alright I don't care. I'm just so glad to be here."

I nodded, feeling a little uncomfortable. Neither of us were talking so I started. She looked harmless, like a puppy.

"So, uh, where are you from?"

She sat on her bed and began taking stuff out of her back pack. "South Carolina. Charlotte would be so hot right now, I'm glad New York has normal seasons. What about you?"

"San Francisco, the Bay Area. It would be getting colder now. But still nice. We're pretty windy in the Fall, icy in the Winter." Was I really rambling about the weather?

She smiled again. Damn, her smile was blinding, I was struggling to see every time she grinned wider. Straight white teeth. Semi jealous only. The rest of her didn't look fake or put on. She seemed wholesome.

"How long have you been dancing?" she asked me.

"Forever, you?"

"That's usually my answer. Straight outta the womb I used to say. My Mama said I used to kick her a lot when she was around loud music. She said as soon as I came out, I was ready. I wasn't cut out to live near them and tend to the farm so here I am."

So the cliché is still there. What's with Southern people and farms? Is that the only job there besides a convenient store? It's like California and realtors.

I genuinely smiled, I liked this girl. I don't know what it is but she seemed cute. She was in the middle of telling a story when my phone buzzed. I thought I turned that off.

Big surprise. Mother dearest.

"Did you need to get that? Sorry..." She bit her lip and I made sure my phone was really off this time. I wanted to watch it shut off for proof.

"No it wasn't important. I didn't want distractions today anyway. Don't sweat it."

"Alrighty then." She replied to me, her tone was uppity. Man, I wish I had her pep.

Bianca stood up and began unpacking. I tried to preoccupy myself with my things. I know I had to do this but I was too anxious. I wanted to do something. Go somewhere. See something cool.

But I didn't do that, I kept quiet; until we spoke again. I didn't wanna be rude or piss her off. We just met. It would be awkward if we didn't get along for the rest of the semester.

I wondered what Ethan was doing, who he was do—wait that's rude. Well, is it? He was giving me some vibes earlier. I couldn't help but remember it. I mean, whatever, he probably had a girlfriend. Guys that look like him just don't remain single for a while. If by some miracle he is, then that's a first for the books.

"Checks." We heard behind us along with a double knock.

"Resident Adviser, need any help, let me know?" She said and left with that.

That was odd. I couldn't see the girl through the door well enough; she looked skinnier than me. I think she had brunette hair. Not important.

Bianca and I looked at each other. Was she thinking what I was thinking?

"Wanna get outta here?" I piped.

"Yes!" She responded elated I asked and jumped up, getting her purse and moved her stuff to the side.

"You don't wanna unpack?"

"Do you?"

She was thinking what I was. Thank God. I was beginning to get bored of this place even though I just got here.

"Do you have your metro card?" I asked her as we got our things to get ready.

"Yeah, I made sure to take it everywhere I go."

"I'm going to have to get used to their train schedules. We're in the city. Do you wanna get something to eat?"

She nodded as we locked up.

"I heard Serendipity is a nice one. Though it's a bit fancy. Is there some place to eat where it's not so formal?"

Bianca made a noise as we rode the elevator down to the street level. "I think there has to be some food court near the shopping centers. We had huge malls back home and they always had places where students could like hang out and stuff."

ABA should have more restaurants around it. I thought it did because the school is so old and prestigious. But all I saw when we walked outside were pizza joints. New York is known for its pizza but I wasn't in the mood for it. I know that's kind of surprising, how could you not be? I'm a weirdo, I have to be in the mood to eat things.

"Guess we have to travel to eat then." I lamented. Not at all looking forward to this.

We hailed a cab but they didn't stop right away, some would pass us and ride to pick someone else up. Typical. I guess I need to get used to that too.

While waiting at the curb for the street light to change so we could walk, I heard something behind me and what that sounded like "look out" that followed.

Instantly I moved before a skateboarding douche almost took my head off. He couldn't have been older than 12, kids these days.

Bianca and I shared the same look as we walked around for a while until we spotted something that looked local, like a Panera Bread. We looked at each other and nodded before making our way inside. Holy shit. Students and more students. And it was loud, like a pep rally. Or it sounded like the piercing cries of one.

"Do you want something? I can spot you." I had some extra cash and I kinda wanted her to be my friend.

But she refuted, waving me off while reaching in her wallet for a $20 bill to hand it to me. "I'll go get us a table. Can you order for me? Just a salad, I don't want anything else."

Good, I was just getting fruit. "Sure thing; I'll meet you over when it's ready."

"Oh I think they bring it to your table. See the numbers? When you order they give you a number and they find you when it's ready."

Even better. "Thanks, I'll join you."

After I ordered, paid, got the change and brought the number with me, I went to the back of the restaurant to look for Bianca. Just as I thought, one of the last tables in the back. She still had a really cheerful demeanor. How the freak does she do that? Amazing. And I'm the girl from California here, shouldn't that be reversed? Maybe NYC is rubbing off on me already. Let's hope not.

Our food came before we had a chance to chat. As soon as the waitress left, we casually ate and continued talking.

"So you're from the South huh? Do you find the city scary yet?"

"No, well, I don't know…should I?" She arched her brow.

"I wouldn't be. There's good and bad in everything."

"That's true." Bianca said, while taking a forkful of lettuce in her mouth. "I mean our school seems nice. I haven't met my teachers yet."

I cut up my apple before eating it, "I sort of met one already. He isn't my teacher but he said he teaches at ABA."

"Oh, who's that?"

"Ethan Cooper." I said, nonchalantly.

Bianca's eyes expanded. "What? You actually met him? Like, wow! What was he like? Was he hotter in person as he is on TV?"

I looked down, blushing. My face was on fire, I hoped she wouldn't notice. "He did look good."

She snapped her fingers. "I knew it! Like I know my friends in dance class back home used to drool over him a lot. I heard he was engaged to some famous girl, they broke it off because she fell for another choreographer. It ended badly, I mean, that's what I heard."

That was interesting. Suddenly Bianca knew more about Ethan and has never met him. I met him but realized I don't know a thing about him.

"He seemed...nice. He helped me with my bags." I finished eating my apple and wiped my hands. "Even made sure I got to the right building. Which I knew already but I didn't wanna say bye...yet."

Bianca laughed as I smiled and blushed. I said I wasn't going to be a total sap for guys but here I am, acting sappy and girlie.

"Well, that guy's a charmer. There's a rumor that now he's purposely hitting on ballerinas because it reminds him of the girl he lost."

"Wow, that's deep. I don't think he was hitting on me. I think he was just trying to be nice."

"You said he went to our room with you?"

I nodded and took a long sip of my iced water.

"Guys don't do that for no reason. He probably is nice but a lot of people talk about him."

"People gossip. He's a celebrity, it happens. I didn't see him as cocky. I think he was just normal guy." Who is the very definition of beauty and perfection.

"Did you get his number?"

I shook my head. "I doubt he would have given it to me. He just left after I was in my room. I think he thought you were coming and he just wanted to give me some privacy."

"Well it's against the rules if he asked you out. Sorry if you liked him."

I laughed, feeling amused. That was harsh but true. "I barely knew him. It doesn't matter; I am not interested in guys right now."

"I told myself that and the next second I got a boyfriend and a broken heart the next. Be careful, you know what they say about not looking for it? You're gonna...?"

"Still not care. Really, I think I'm like the only person these days who actually wants to be single for a really long time."

She looked at me like she wasn't buying it but rolled her big eyes and let it go. Good because I wasn't lying about that.

As we finished eating we threw away our garbage and walked back to our room. Bianca is kinda nosy, a bit of a know-it-all, but I wasn't annoyed with her. Deep down she was right about Ethan. Yes, he probably has a high maintenance life. Yes, he's off limits because of the no student/teacher rule. Yes, I'm seeing his face everywhere I go. And a big hell yes to the fact that I swore off guys before coming here. That is still in effect. I don't want trouble. I don't even want to flirt. I just want to dance and further my career. I wanna stuff it in my parents' face that this was the right choice for me.

Ethan would just be a look no touch kind of guy. I can't let him, well, I won't allow him to distract me. Part of me is hoping that most of my ballet class is full of gay guys, certainly takes the pressure off for a change knowing they're terrified of vaginas.

I logged onto Facebook and did a little spring cleaning. Every person I didn't normally talk to I deleted and the people who were once upon a time acquaintances are deleted and blocked. I have no idea why people from school feel like they have to add you just because you both went to the same high school. For fuck's sake, you bastards are not entitled. I've gotten more angsty than hot. My boyfriend got deleted as soon as I dumped him. I debated whether to block his ass too so I just clicked on yes. I heard this rumor that as soon as you break up with someone there's a window of 6 months or so where you can add each other, pretend you're over them or wanna be friends and as an added bonus: spy on each others personal lives to figure out who're living better after the break up. I win this one. Rumor has it my boyfriend reunited with his first girlfriend—funny thought that was me—good for him.

I plugged my computer in to charge the battery and leaned back in the chair, stretching my body. I never go a day without dancing. It felt so odd to me. I got up, pulled out my yoga mat and did some warm up stretches. Bianca had gone to get something and said she'd be back, I continued to stretch with my eyes closed.

What I was doing technically wasn't dance but I needed to move my body constantly, it's a habit ever since I started to seriously work out.

After a few minutes I just laid there, brushing off the building sweat that formed on my forehead. I closed my eyes and I saw Ethan's face. What the hell? This wasn't supposed to be like this. I can't afford to get boy crazy now.

There was a couple knocks at the door, thank god it was closed. I almost did something that made me feel sheepish.

I wiped my face and pulled open the door, expecting Bianca who must have left her keys.

"Hello," Ethan said smiling, oh good god no.

Startled, I crossed my arms, "Umm, hi. What are you doing here?"

"Me and some mates were going off to catch the Terminator flick. Wanna come with?"

OK so this was awkward. Mainly because I'd be hanging out with a bunch of guys and not alone with Ethan. But wait, isn't that a good thing? Not being alone with Ethan?

I bit my lip. Bianca is sure taking her sweet time.

It's just a movie. It's harmless. Plus there's going to be witnesses, nothing is going to happen. I should stop worrying already.

"Can I take a rain check on that? I just got in." Way to pass up a pg evening and a free movie ticket. I loathe myself so hard now.

He frowned. "Oh OK, that's alright. Maybe some other time. Perhaps not with my mates."

Yeah, that'll be the day. "We'll see. Thanks anyway. And thanks for earlier, you know, for helping out."

"My pleasure. You could change your mind you know? It's just a movie; we won't be going anywhere after." I get feeling he wasn't taking no for an answer.

I couldn't look at his face so I looked at the wall behind him.

I bit my lip hard, this is it, either I'm a chicken shit or I platonically make this a reality. It's just a fucking movie.

"Let me change, can you wait a few minutes?" I slightly winced, biting my lip.

He winked and told me he will be waiting in the lobby. Ugh, alright, as I closed the door I fumbled to get ready. I was already dressed but this was one of those moments that called for an outfit for emergencies. I looked in the mirror feeling decently satisfied and reapplied my make up emphasizing my best features.

Part of me, scratch that—most of me was glad Bianca didn't come back before Ethan had. Oh boy, OK, here I go.

Notes

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