Chapter 2 New City, New Friend

CHAPTER 2:

JILLIAN'S POV

Despite that guy's rude attitude, I still chose to be thankful. At least he added a lot of money to my savings.

New York City was really something-apparently, if you just sat in a corner, people would hand you money. How fancy was that, right? For a second, I almost thought about becoming a beggar just for the cash. But of course, I was only joking. My mother would probably fly here just to yell at me.

"Ma'am, I'll have the beef stew and one rice, please," I said as I ordered at a small food stall.

After walking for a while, I finally found a place to eat that fit my taste and my budget. Most of the places I passed earlier were fancy restaurants for rich people. I couldn't afford to eat there.

To put it simply, I had to save my money. Life here was going to be hard. Since I was new, I wasn't used to the fast pace yet. I needed to know my limits.

"Hmm... delicious!" I whispered when the food arrived.

I didn't waste any time and ate immediately. I needed to move fast because I still had to find my boarding house. I didn't want to be out when it got dark. I planned to ask for directions to make the search easier.

"Here is my payment, Ma'am. Your food is great. Thank you!" I said, handing over the money. I made sure to give the cook a nice compliment.

I walked fast and asked people for directions to the house my uncle mentioned. He was the one who told my father about a relative in the city who rented out rooms. But it took me a few minutes, until I finally found it.

It was a success; the house looked nice and clean. It was very pleasant to look at.

"Your name is Jillian?" a woman asked. She was old, and I guessed she was the owner. She looked very strict.

"Yes, Ma'am. I'm Jillian Bartolome," I replied quickly. I didn't want to make her wait.

"Then come inside so I can show you your room," she said loudly.

I felt a bit nervous. Just by looking at her, I knew we wouldn't be close.

"Hurry up. I have a card game to play," she added, and I followed her.

We went up to the second floor.

"This is the girls' room. There are four of you in this home. Also, in this house, therr is only one bathroom. So, learn how to get along," she explained. "Power and water are free, but there is a curfew every night." She didn't stop talking as she told me the rules.

She said a lot, but only one thing stayed in my mind.

"Wait... a curfew?" I asked.

"Yes, a curfew. I don't want girls staying out late and getting into trouble. Is that clear?" she asked with her hands on her hips. She was very honest and direct.

She probably thought I was a wild girl. But I have been single since birth, so she had nothing to worry about. Besides, I didn't plan to find a boyfriend in the city. After meeting the guy from earlier and this lady, I was already tired of how people acted here. Everyone was so quick to judge.

"Yes, Ma'am. Clear," I answered. I wanted to say more, but I got scared everytime she stared at me.

When I was on the bus, I even prayed my landlord would be kind. I guess I was wrong. She was like a scary dragon.

"Good. The rent is five hundred dollars a month." She held out her hand for the money right away. "Maybe you want to pay now so I can use it for gambling later?"

I frowned. She was so fast-no small talk, she just wanted the money. Unbelievable!

"Huh?" was all I could say. Because I was scared of her eyes, I quickly took three hundred from my wallet and gave it to her.

"Here it is. I will pay the other two hundred later," I said.

She grabbed it without saying thank you. I shook my head, realizing my money would be gone soon. I really needed to be careful with my spending.

"She charges so much. I thought I would get a discount. I feel like I'm being scammed," I whispered to myself.

Just then, a girl came out of the bathroom. She had just finished a shower. She was pretty, and I felt better just seeing her. She smiled at me, and I smiled back. I could tell she was friendly.

"Are you the new roommate?" she asked.

"Yes. Hi there," I said.

"I'm Roxane. Nice to meet you. I hope we become friends!" she said, offering her hand.

"I'm Jillian. And yes, I want to have a friend here. It's my first time in the city, and everything feels so different since it's a big city," I said.

"Yes, the city is huge. But it's not always safe. There are thieves and bad people, so you have to be brave," Roxane warned.

Her words made me a little scared. In my small town, "trouble" was just neighbors shouting at each other.

"Well, don't worry. Even if bad things happen here, there are many handsome guys too in this City. Maybe you will find a boyfriend. But anyway, why are you here? Are you looking for a job?" she asked while brushing her hair.

"Not really. I'm here to study. But if I can, I might look for a part-time job," I told her.

"You're a student? Wow! Congrats! Most people from the provinces come here just to work for high pay. I'm glad you're studying. So, where?"

"At Gardon University. I got a scholarship," I replied, sitting down next to her.

Roxane looked very shocked. I tapped her shoulder and laughed. "Hey, why that face?"

"Are you serious? You're at Gardon? Oh my god! Don't you know? The students there are children of famous leaders and rich businessmen. They are the elite."

"I know. That's why I feel lucky. How about you? Are you still studying?" I asked her.

"I'm not. I work at a call center. I wanted to go back to University, but I like my job now," she said.

Roxane and I talked for a long time. She was a good person. She talked a lot just like me, so I knew we would be close.

Like I promised my mom, I called them to say I arrived safely. I missed them already, but I had to be strong for my future. This was just the start. I had a lot to face, and I would be brave.

"I love you, Ma. Don't worry, I will tell you everything. Just please... take care of my water buffalo. He must be alive when I get back," I joked, trying to hide that I was homesick.

I didn't want my parents to think I was weak, or they might make me come home. They always worried too much when I cried.

That is how it is when you are an only child, you are loved very much.