Walking away from the university, I could feel myself getting tired. It was final exam week, and all I could think about was getting away from the city, and spending the summer on the beach. I looked up at the full moon above me. Sometimes it felt like the moon was calling to me, which freaked me out because I have a crescent moon birthmark that seemed to tingle when I looked at the full moon over the last couple of months. My tolerance for this big city that I live in began to feel more like a burden as of late. It made me wish I was back home instead of at school.

  The streets of New York were bustling as always. People were walking everywhere because the taxi fares had gone up again. Taxis were the yellow cockroaches of New York the way they blanketed the streets coming down every road way like an invasion. Lights lit up the streets making the stars above me seem dim. The moon seemed small tonight though I could still feel it calling to me. Almost like it was sad looking down at the city that never sleeps. The calling of the moon was always silent like something pulling at my heartstrings. All I could actually hear were loud horns, sirens, people talking, and the sound of trash tumbling through the streets. It was all overwhelming for me lately.

  A month ago, I started feeling anxious every time I walked out the door, almost claustrophobic from the tall imposing buildings. New York is full of people and things, but it had never bothered me until now. I could have gone to a quieter college town if I wanted, but Columbia University was special to me because my dad went there before taking a job at Johnson Space Center where he met my mom. Eventually they settled in Allwood, Texas. His stories made me swoon about this place. If only they had gotten to see me to this point. Huh, no point dwelling on it. My six block walk came to an end when I started to feel sick.

  My shoulder began to feel warm and…tingly? I brushed my fingers over my skin only to feel sharp tingling in my finger when I went over my birthmark. What the hell? Pulling back the collar of my purple flannel, I glance down to see the crescent moon shaped birthmark seem to glow. Skin is not supposed to glow… Did I take some sort of drug or something? A sudden gust of wind rushed through the city, blowing today’s trash off the street and into my face. The tingles and heat faded from my birthmark as I moved to block the trash from hitting my face. It didn’t stop the gross coffee cup from hitting my shirt or the new mustard stains on my dark blue jeans. Who knows what landed in my frizzy, brown pony tail.

  “Shit,” I muttered under my breath. “Now, I smell like shit.” I may as well have walked into a trash can! My hands gripped the straps of my backpack as I stormed into Harmony Hall. What I needed was a hot shower. I ran up the stairs quickly to my floor only to run into the worst part of my day. Now, I know why I feel sick. The hallway was lined with boxes and furniture because people were moving out for the summer, but none of that could hide him. In front of me, I watched as my boyfriend of six months was making out with some girl right in the hallway. I clutched my stomach as I approached them. The woman must have heard me because she glanced at me and my trashy look. Asher didn't stop kissing on her neck as she eyed me up and down. Without warning, I vomited right next to them.

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  The woman squeaked with disgust as my boyfriend turned to see me. There was no guilt or pity in his eyes as he looked at me. “What is wrong with you, Korinne?” Asher, my soon-to-be-ex boyfriend asked. Like this scenario was my fault, and his stupid choices didn't spark this miserable moment.

  If I had the energy, I would have slapped the jerk. “Wrong with me? What the hell is wrong with you Ash!” Forcing myself to stand up straight, I yelled at him. I had been dating Ash for six months, but there he stood with a raven haired chick hanging on his neck. His green hair and Nike shirt were a mess from whatever they had been doing before I arrived. “Damn. Why did I have to date a guy in my building? Fe warned me this might happen…”

  "Kori, are you-"

  I shook my head. "Nope. You don't get to say or ask anything," I huffed. His eyes looked big in surprise."You are doing her. So, I say I am not doing anything you might want. You are responsible for that vomit since you caused it. Oh, and I officially end our relationship like you should have done before getting hot and heavy with little miss raven hair," I didn't give him a chance to speak as I ran off to my dorm. My heart was pounding from the last 20 minutes of my life, and if I could, I would melt into a puddle. The whole world just felt like too much, and I didn't want it.

  Finally, I make it in my door when Fe comes running in behind me. "Kori," she turned to smile at me until she smelt the horrible stench that was wafting off me. "What is that smell?"

  I walked over to my desk chair, ready to collapse. I didn't want to speak, but she's my best friend. "New York's finest, Fe, trash and vomit."

  She shook her head. I must have activated mother hen mode because she made quick work of my half packed boxes, so there was more room to move. "All right, you gotta shower now. Let's get this horrible day off you," she pulled me out of the chair, handing me the shower bag off my dresser. She pulled out my Stitch pajamas and shooed me out the door. Fe followed behind before gaping at Asher cleaning vomit off the floor with the angry raven hair girl complaining behind him. "What’s happening over there? Do you know?" She asked, but I was near tears and couldn't answer her.

  In the shower stall, I set the water to boiling, ensuring that the trash smell would wash away. Felicity stood outside handing me things out of my bag in complete silence. "You can cry if you want Kori. I got your back."

  If only she knew, the tears were already streaming down my face. I pulled off my horrible smelling clothes, dropping them to the floor and letting them get drenched in the water of the shower. What a miserable evening. I thought Fe and I would celebrate when I got back since finals ended today. Maybe Asher…Screw Asher! I wasn't in love with him, but I did like him a lot. My heart still hurts. Why would he go and cheat? Everything had been fun when we were together. I have no idea why jackass decided that raven haired chick was better than me.