I arrived at the New York airport tired, and I stopped for a second to look at what was happening around me: families with children happy to go on vacation, parents in tears saying goodbye to their children ready to start university life somewhere else, couples running to hug each other after not seeing each other for a long time, businessmen checking their watches to see if they were late for meetings, celebrities greeting crazy fans, tall and muscular soldiers standing guard. Seeing all this, I couldn't help but feel excited to start a new chapter of my life and I didn't know if I would ever get used to the fast pace of this city.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ♪ ♫ ♪ *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

I was trying to get the attention of a taxi to get to the university but none of them stopped. Behind me I heard a laugh, I turned around and saw a man laughing at me and I asked him quite irritated.

Y/n: Excuse me, but what are you laughing at?

??: I'm laughing at you miss, it's obvious you're not from New York!

Y/n: How dare you?! And excuse me, how do you know I'm not from here?

??: Only people from here know how to catch a taxi. With time you'll surely learn. Anyway give me your suitcases so I can load them. The university isn't that far.

Y/n: But why didn't you tell me earlier that you were a taxi driver? And how do you know my destination?

??: Taxi drivers always know where people have to go. Now get in!

I got in quite confused but as soon as the car started moving I looked out the window. The city seemed to move at a completely different speed from the one I was used to. Cars were speeding everywhere, horns were constantly honking and on the sidewalks people were walking fast as if they were always late. The taxi driver looked at me through the rear-view mirror with an amused smile.

??: First time in New York, right?

Y/n: Is it that obvious?

??: Very obvious. You look at everything as if you were inside a movie.

I lowered my gaze slightly, embarrassed.

Y/n: Well... for me it kind of is.

He laughed softly.

??: My name is Rajesh, but everyone calls me Raj. I'm from India.

Y/n: Nice to meet you... I'm Y/n.

Raj nodded enthusiastically.

Raj: India, city of Jaipur. Do you know where it is?

Y/n: I've seen some pictures... it's the one with the pink palace, right?

He lit up.

Raj: Yes! Hawa Mahal! Beautiful place. But unfortunately you can't eat with the beauty of palaces.

I laughed quietly.

Raj: I came to New York twenty years ago. I was twenty-two, with a suitcase smaller than yours and a hundred dollars in my pocket.

Y/n: And now?

Raj: Now I have a wife who scolds me every day, two children who empty my bank account and a mother-in-law who thinks I work too little.

I laughed again.

Raj: But I'm happy. This city is tough, but it gives you opportunities.

He stopped at a red light.

Raj: Do you study at the university?

Y/n: Yes... engineering at New York University.

Raj whistled softly.

Raj: Oh! Powerful brain then!

I blushed.

Y/n: Not really... I just study a lot.

Raj: My daughter wants to become an engineer too. Her name is Anika, she's sixteen. Always on her books... just like you.

Y/n: Really?

Raj nodded proudly.

Raj: My wife says it's my fault because I taught her math when she was little.

I looked out the window again. New York was even more incredible than I had imagined. The buildings seemed to touch the sky and the streets were full of shops, lights and giant billboards.

Raj: First advice from a real New Yorker.

Y/n: Which one?

Raj: Don't look up too much while walking. People here don't stop and they'll run you over.

I laughed.

Y/n: I'll keep that in mind.

We passed by a group of guys dancing on the sidewalk with a music speaker. I stopped to watch them through the window. They moved with confidence, with incredible naturalness. I instead... had never done sports in my life. Raj followed my gaze.

Raj: Do you like dancing?

Y/n: I like watching it... but I'm not capable.

Raj shrugged.

Raj: Nobody is capable at the beginning.

The car started moving again and after a few minutes I began to see more and more students walking with backpacks on their shoulders.

Raj: Here we are. University.

The taxi stopped in front of one of the campus buildings. I stayed still for a few seconds looking at it. It was huge. 

Raj got out of the car and took my suitcases.

Raj: Welcome to New York, Y/n.

Y/n: Thank you for the ride.

I paid the fare and he took a small piece of paper from the dashboard.

Raj: Here.

Y/n: What is it?

Raj: My number.

I looked at him surprised.

Raj: If one day you need a ride, or if you get lost... call Raj. New York is big, but I know all of it.

I smiled.

Y/n: Thank you, really.

Raj: And don't forget to study a lot. Engineers are needed in this world!

He waved his hand and drove away into the traffic. I stayed there, with my suitcases and my heart beating very fast. It really was the beginning of a new life.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ♪ ♫ ♪ *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

The New York University campus was full of students. Some were sitting on the grass talking, others were running from one building to another with books under their arms. I approached the student reception trying to look less lost as possible. A girl behind the desk smiled at me.

Receptionist: Can I help you?

Y/n: Yes... I need to check in for the dormitory.

She typed something on the computer.

Receptionist: Name?

Y/n: Y/n.

After a few seconds she nodded.

Receptionist: Room 314, female dormitory. Third floor.

She handed me a magnetic card.

Receptionist: And... good luck.

Y/n: Thank you?

I didn't really understand that tone but I decided to ignore it.

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The dormitory was a big but slightly old building. The corridor walls were full of posters, photos and papers taped everywhere. When I arrived in front of door 314 I took a deep breath. I inserted the card and opened. The first thing I smelled was smoke. The second thing I heard was a voice.

??: Oh.

I looked up.

A girl was sitting on the window sill with a cigarette between her fingers. She had messy red hair, heavy eyeliner and a tight top.

She looked me up and down.

??: You must be the new roommate.

Y/n: I... yes.

She took a drag from the cigarette.

??: Interesting.

I slowly entered dragging my suitcase.

Y/n: Interesting?

??: You look like one of those perfect students who always get A's in exams.

I stayed silent.

??: Relax, it's not an insult. I'm the opposite.

She jumped down from the window sill and held out her hand.

??: My name is Jade.

Y/n: Y/n.

Jade looked at me with an amused smile.

Jade: Tell me something, Y/n.

Y/n: What?

Jade: Have you ever done something really stupid in your life?

I stopped to think.

Y/n: I don't think so...

Jade burst out laughing.

Jade: Perfect. Then we'll have very interesting experiences together.

She put out the cigarette in the ashtray.

Jade: I go out often at night, I smoke, I drink, I skip some classes and I argue with professors.

She looked at me again.

Jade: You instead look like the type who studies at two in the morning.

Y/n: I study... quite a lot.

Jade smiled.

Jade: Good. Then you'll pass me your notes.

I sighed quietly. Maybe adapting to New York would be much more complicated than I thought.

And that was only my first hour in the city.