The Merrin Dresser American Center for Arts, New York City

September 2016

Life is always about taking chances, they say. But, when saying that, they've never taken into account that it's not just about chances themselves, but also about how people deal with them.

So, I must guess this first day here is just the beginning of a new journey that must lead me to a different path in my life. Better say, it's time that it takes a turn for the better, at least once in my life. I'm fed up with living in my sister's shadow. She seems to be the perfect one, the one who has set great goals for her future, the mature, reliable and responsible one... however, she isn't exactly the most successful one in our family... Anyway, I don't think Holley is such a good girl at all; better say, she's a snarky bitch, as well as mean and cold-hearted.

Here, I will discover myself through the study of art: this is the main reason that led me to choose to enroll the Merrin Dresser American Center for Arts. The others include the fact that it's not that far from my hometown, it doesn't require me to have a scholarship and it also allows me to create a study plan based on my skills as well as my interests.

However, enrolling me here cost my family quite a lot: something worth no less than five thousand dollars, if not more. Well, considering that we've never been well-off in our lives and that Holley's attempt to start an acting career miserably failed, mostly due to her absolute lack of talent, my parents have since been forced to make some sacrifices to make sure not to regret this choice.

So, here I am. As of now, I'm expected not to screw up, to follow the classes as well as the rules, which sound pretty strict, anyway, and do my best in order not to end up working at a McDonald's in a small hometown like my sister. I know I can do it. I must be able to do it.

***

I'm walking down the long and wide corridors of this place, wandering around to look for Room 301, but it doesn't seem as I can find it anyway. Getting lost on the first day isn't exactly part of my plan for the future, but I guess I have to get with it and sort things out.

As I keep looking for that damned room, a girl who's presumably my age doesn't notice I'm wandering around and ends up bumping on me. While doing so, she accidentally drops a pile of books. Wow, there are so many of them. I guess I also have to pay a lot of money for them. Oh my God. Now how will I tell my parents?

I finally let go of those thoughts and help the girl get back up, before picking all her books up. She smiles back at me, then she stutters, "Th-th-thank you. I'll... I'll be always grateful to you for doing me this favor." As soon as I hand her back her books, she seems to have just regained some confidence. "By the way, I've never seen you around here. Are you a new student?"

I smile, but, like her, I can't help stuttering as well. "Yes... In fact, I'm a new student. My name is Alaya Duran. What is yours?"

After a seemingly long pause, she replies, "My name is Audrey Harding, but you may call me Audi. That's much simpler, don't you think?" After saying that, she winks, making it clear she's being friendly and that she doesn't want to hurt me with any mean.

She goes on talking, without letting me ask anything. "By the way, nice to meet you. I really hope you'll enjoy your stay here. This place is so..." Suddenly, she cuts off the sentence for no obvious reason. I mean, why would she do so? Maybe words aren't enough to describe it, maybe... Oh, too much doubt! It doesn't help me at all. Anyway, I'd better ask her for directions to Room 301, before it gets too late.

"Oh, sorry. I mean, trying to describe this place with words is such a hard task, but, believe me, when you get to know it better you'll definitely love it!" Her enthusiasm is something that can't be held back, especially in what I would deem a difficult situation, such as having proper conversation. Yeah, I'm not exactly the talkative type.

"Well..." I clear my throat before asking that question, "I actually meant to ask you if you know where Room 301 is? It's that it's where I've been assigned to, but..."

She abruptly cuts me off. "Follow me. I know exactly where it is." So, she's guiding me through this hallway without even saying another word. Wow, the girl is fast! Indeed, it doesn't seem as I can catch up with her (have I ever told you I'm hopeless at anything involving physical activity?) and, what's worse, she doesn't seem to want to stop for a while; therefore, I'm forced to run a little bit to reach her.

Suddenly, she stops in front of a door. When I arrive, at last, feeling a huge pain especially on my ankles (please, don't tell me they're sprained!) and my feet, she finds the chance to make a little bit fun of me. "Haha. Where have you been, you snail?"

Instead of trying to justify my slowness, I just keep my mouth shut. She, however, doesn't seem to understand my reaction that much and ends up laughing. "Oh, come on. Don't tell me you were upset."

I'm having a hard time breathing, maybe because of the effort, so again I choose not to talk. However, I don't want to make a poor figure in front of Audi and possibly lose who may be a friend.

So, at last, I get a grip and talk. "Oh, don't worry. I've been told much worse in my life. Just a comment on my physical abilities is nothing," I say, obviously omitting the part of all the taunting I've had to deal with most of my life. I'm not ready to tell anyone yet.

"By the way, this is Room 301." While saying that, Audi points at the door. "Now, I have to go back to mine. If you need some more help or just want to talk, you can find me in Room 303." After this, she disappears back in the hallway, before I can mutter a "thank you." I open the door of my new room and go inside, completely unaware of what I may have to face in the immediate future.