Five hours and twenty three minutes later......

Being in New York City itself was all too surreal, like a dream come true.

Buildings racing each other in a quest to touch the soft blue sky and people littering the streets and sidewalks, it was almost like a fantasy. Life was upbeat and fast-paced and everyone and everything was moving, but then they crossed into Central Park.

Crossing the sidewalk into the large park was like crossing the border into another world. The milieu changed from the rapid fire movement of the concrete jungle to slow-moving peace in the blink of an eye. Skyscrapers were replaced with real trees that stood tall, though not tall enough to completely block out the looming buildings. Vibrant green grass perfectly covered the ground in place of the bleak blacks and grays of hot cement that coated the pavements.

Night in the city was vibrant and exciting. The congested sidewalks with people desperate to shop in the famous stores in which celebrities dwell. There Tessa found herself lost within the Big Apple. The voices of the never-ending attractions call out and enveloped in their awe. The streets were filled with an atmosphere that was like that of  a young child on a shopping spree in a candy store. Although her feet were swelter from the continuous walking, Tessa found herself pressing on with the yearning to discover the 'New York Experience'.

"Your first time here ?" Asher said interrupting her day dream.

"Yes."

" Where do you intend to stay throughout the summer ?" Asher asked again.

" I plan on booking an hotel room but I learnt most of them were already checked out." Tessa replied with a grin.

" I think I'd have to stay somewhere for the night and sort out myself tomorrow."

" Well I have got a perfect solution to your problems." Asher smiled.

" Really ?' Tessa asked.

" Yes. You can stay at mine...... Well not mine but my parent's, you can scout with me for the night and if you find a better place...." Asher suggested.

" Really ? Thank you so much." Tessa hugged her out of excitement.

" But wouldn't either of your parents mind ?"

"Don't worry I'll take care of that." Asher said with a naughty smirk dancing on her face.

They both took a taxi cab and with Asher's directions, they moved through the city to their designated location.

Upon arrival into the jungle of vast buildings, the first thing noticed was the mobbed streets filled with taxi cabs and cars going to and fro in numerous directions, with the scent of exhaust surfing through the air.

As they progressed deeper into the inner city and exited the vehicle, the aroma of the many restaurants passed through Tessa's nostrils giving  her a craving for a ? NY Hot Dog? sold by the street venders on the corner calling out to strangers as they passed by. Continuing their journey they  passed by the ongoing flow of pedestrians talking on their cell phones and drinking a Starbucks while enjoying the city. The constant commotion of conversing voices rage up and down the streets as someone called out for a fast taxi. A mixed sound of various music styles all band together to form one wild tune.

After a few hours of bustling through the streets, Tessa and Asher alighted at a stop holding onto to their luggages.

WELCOME TO MANHATTAN.

A billboard read as the lights from the vast number of buildings illuminated the area.

"This way." Asher gestured to Tessa as they managed to walk through a crowd of people.

Walking down the Manhattan streets,  almost customary to smell the smoke of exhaust from thousands of cars. The smoke coming from Subway stations underneath the roads  got to her nostrils quicker than it could be seen. It almost made Tessa feel like if she had a big giant car walking along houses under her feet yet having smoke coming out of the chimneys. At the same time the smell of hotdogs stands, salted pretzel stands made them aware of their presence as their smell sensors went crazy, and started telling the brains to get some.

" You can try your best but the smell from the Italian pizzerias will surely pull you in for a slice or two even if you are not a pizza lover." Asher said as if she were reading her thoughts.

"I know right." Tessa chuckled.

Standing in front of a huge skyscraper, Asher led Tessa on into the seven floor tall building consisting of several apartments.

" We are going to the third floor." Asher said as they stopped in front of an elevator cabin.

After a few five minutes, they arrived at Tessa's supposed inn for the night.

"Hold on." A feminine voice shouted.

" Who is there ?" The young lady appeared, her face almost surfacing holding the door open with one hand.

" Your little sunshine. You mean." Asher shouted smiling. They hugged and almost immediately, grabbing their bags they were transformed into a slightly bigger apartment.

As Tessa stood in the middle of the room holding unto her luggage, Asher and her parents hugged and recollected before turning back to the stranger who stood in their living room.

" Hello there." Asher's mom said smiling.

" Good evening ma'am." Tessa replied.

" Oh, I forgot the introduction." Asher turned to Tessa.

" Mom. Dad. This is Tessa. My new friend." At the mention of friend, Tessa couldn't help but blush.

" Tessa. Mom and dad."

" Hi Tessa." Both parents echoed in unison.

" Well, father. Mother." Asher said and almost immediately both her parents threw her a dirty look knowing fully well she had something to ask for.

The only time Asher ever regarded her parents has mother and father was she needed something or wanted to request a favour.

"What's it this time ?" Her dad answered.

" We need a favour." Asher responded holding Tessa in for a hug.

" Please. Please. Please. Would you let Tessa stay here for the night ?" She blurted faster than a calculator.

" Woaw, woaw, woaw..... Could you slow down a sec." Her dad said.

" Tessa would you mind if we have  a second ?" Her mom requested.

" Of course no. Please carry on." Tessa said has she excused them, walking down a dark corners of the living room. Managing to find the light switch, Tessa looked up and down the small corner which only had a wide table holding a few ornaments and vintage vases.

On the wall were placed pictures of the entire family. Pictures of Asher's parents and Asher through out the years filled the wall. On the corner of to the table stood a picture frame. It had the picture of a young teenage boy, one whom if she had known throughout her teenage years would have considered devilishly handsome.

This must be her younger brother. Tessa thought to herself.

"  Guess what, girlfriend ?" Asher said walking into the room Tessa stood.

" I'll never know till you tell me." Tessa chuckled.

" My parents said you could stay as long as you would like. You are staying girl." Asher jumped up in excitement.

" I really appreciate the gesture but I think I'll just stay the night." Tessa said.

" Thanks Mr and Mrs Well" She turned to the couple who stood holding each other's arms.

" Please stay. I'm gonna be lonely throughout this summer and I could use a friend my age." Asher begged turning over to Tessa.

" Really. I do appreciate the gesture but I don't want to be a burden." Tessa sighed.

" No. We are happy to have you here." Mrs. Well smiled.

" Thank you so much." Tessa said.

" You are welcome. " Mrs. Well said.

" Now you girls go freshen up."

" Thank you ma'am." Tessa said.

" Just call me Matilda. I don't want to feel older than I already am." Matilda said.

" Thanks mom. Thanks dad." Asher hugged both her parents, pulling Tessa up the staircase to her room.

" Come see our new room. "

She said blabbing as Tessa stared in awe. The first time she was free and everything was working out good.

" You are tired I see." Asher muttered smiling calmly.

" Yeah. Was so excited I didn't have any sleep." Tessa replied.

" You should take a shower." She said walking over to a pink wooden wardrobe, pulling out a bunch of towels which she handed over to Tessa.

" There's the bathroom." She pointed to a door on the other end of the room.

" Thanks." Tessa smiled.

" No dips." Asher said has she unpacked her bags.

" Shuu now."

Dipping herself into a hot bath, she walked leisurely to the shower, steam filling the room as she cut the shower on. She bathed her skin lightly, taking careful notice not to touch the bruises that scattered her body.

The water pouring down, dripping by her sides, as her mind faded into dullness and everything was a foggy illusion. The sensation of the steamy water calmed her; it took her mind off so many things. Tessa couldn't help but think about home. All the things she honestly didn't want to think about.

It's the water.

Tessa thoughts spoke to her.

Her mind swirled, and it was like she was standing under an everlasting waterfall. Ever so beautiful, but she hoped it lasted forever. After her shower was finished, she slumped into bed, laying there, reliving the moments - the best she had yet, over and over before she actually drowned into a deep slumber.

***

Merry Christmas Lovelies😘😘😘

You guys really don't know how much you mean to me. Love y'all ❣️❣️🥰

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