new york, new york

chapter 1

I sat on the white couch of Floridian beach house. I looked out from the window. Sky was red and it inspired me to write. I was looking for words and chewing my pen when the door opened...

But wow! How did I get there? Me, 22 years old Finnish girl, with a huge dream of being writer.

I make it quick. One day after my work I hopped in a cab and drove to the airport. Few weeks earlier I had came up with a plan to change my life. I was heading to New York. A tap dancing gay couple, friends of mine, had a little studio down there which I was allowed to borrow for few weeks. Well, it turned into 3 months. I hang out with them, went to their classes, became better tap dancer and learned new steps in that and in life general. Made new friends, got a lot of life experience. As working in a dance studio for three years I ended up earning money by doing different things for my friends. And later I somehow found me in a tour with a starting dance group. We traveled all around the country and I made so many new friends I never thought possible. It was hard of course, to be a stranger and with no stability but it was just what I had needed when decided to sell all that I owned and take rest to my parents, pack my bags and head to the unknown.

Finally we ended up to Florida and I decided to stay there little longer with some friends of mine. But one night, as usual, they blew me off and I was alone at the dance studio. Familiar situation though. I love empty studios, the feeling of power, surrounded by mirrors and great music. But as I didn�t have any other chance, I spent my nights in there. See, my friends use to forget me a lot. But I didn�t mind as long as I had a place to stay. In trade I cleaned the place up every night. A lot like what I was doing when I was 18. So that much of the change in my life?

Then one morning I woke up when I heard the steps. I was awake in a second and made sure that all my stuff was there. I didn�t care so much about anything else than that big notebook I had carried with me those six months. It had so many great writings in it. But it was under my head as usual. Then I sat up when the door opened.

A woman came in. And then five guys.
-What are you doing here? This studio is supposed to be booked for us, the woman said.
-I work here. But I can go now, if you insist.
-Yes, that would be good.
I started to grab my stuffs and lady kept looking me very hostile.
-Oh my God, have you spent your night in here?
Just then I looked closer at the guys. Or men. First I recognized Kevin who was talking to me.
-Well...
-Good Lord, guys, this girl has spent her night in here. Look, she�s slept right there.
I felt really embarrassed when they all looked at me. I gathered things faster to my bag.
-Are those your shoes?
My tap shoes were hanging out side of the bag.
-Yes, I answered to Howie.
-How cool! A tap dancer, Nick said.
-I think we all agree that you don�t have to go anywhere. Or what do you say Fatima?
Lady still hated me, I could sense it.
-As you wish, she finally said.
-But... I tried.
-No no, you�re gonna stay here, Brian ended the conversation. I noticed that AJ hadn�t said anything during the whole time.
-OK. Let�s start then.

I sat there and watched them to train. One of their bodyguards got me a breakfast when Kevin insisted that I should eat something. I also showed them some routines that I had been training. It was kind of cool.
-So that�s it, Fatima said three hours later. -You can go home now.
They started to talk and laugh and plan where they should go next. I was sitting in a corner and tried to look very small so that no one would notice me. But Kevin did and came to me.
-So do you have a place to go?
I didn�t answer right away and the others came around me. Fatima had already left. Then I moved my head slightly and even I didn�t know if it was a nod or a shake.
-Do you? Brian asked. -�Cause if you don�t I�m sure that we can arrange something.
They started to discuss the topic and I saw as AJ went out to the balcony to smoke. I stood up and followed him.

It was becoming a hot day I noticed as I lighted my cigarette. AJ made circles of smoke.
-I feel like some orphan, Emily of the New Moon, when the relatives try to make up their mind about who she is gonna live with.
-Are you an orphan?
-No.
-Where are you from?
-Finland.
-Don�t you miss your parents?
-All the time.
-So why don�t you go home?
-It isn�t that simple.
-It never is.
One more circle disappeared to the almost turquoise sky.
-It�s weird thou, he said.
-What is?
-That every orphan is first real pain in the ass and then suddenly they become loved by everyone.
-Yeah.
-It isn�t even weird. It�s scary.
-So you�re scared that if you would take me home you would fall in love with me? I wanted to ask but I�ve learned to know that questions like that alienate people tremendously.
-Yeah well, but as I already said, I�m not an orphan.

Next Chapter

I'm way too curious. Tell me what you think.

Menu