It's strange.  This isn't at all how I imagined my life would be.  I thought that at 23 I would be two years into a job I either really loved or really hated paying back tons of student loans and still living in the Pitts.  I guess that was just how the niave 15 year old me thought.  No one ever thinks that their lives would be completely flipped upside down at 17 to the point where they end up living with practically strangers.  Sure, I knew who they were, their names but other then that I really had no clue.  Brian was just the hottest guy in the world who devirginized me, Deb the loud mouth red haired "freak" who was willing to take on a wayward youth, and Linds and Mel the two lesbians who loved each other. After a while, though somehow they stopped being strangers and became my family.  They took me in time and time again and they loved me.  

Taking a drag from the cigarette I've been holding for the last five minutes, I can't help but sigh.  New York is great, don't get me wrong.  It's everything you could want and more.  It's exciting, it's busy, it's creative, it's inspirational.  It's just not where I thought I'd end up.  Then again I never thought I'd be a college drop out either.  

Stubbing out the half smoked cigarette, I close the window and head back towards the couch and drop down on it.  A laugh escapes me, just thinking of what Brian would say if he saw my apartment.  Most of the stuff has come from the goodwill or the streets.  New York is expensive - that's a given, I just never thought it'd be this expensive.  Five dollars for a fucking box of cereal, yeah fucking right.  

It's been 3 months since I moved here.  I'm the cliche starving artist, but I do admit I've done some of my best stuff here in this small closet they call an apartment.  But it does the trick.  I have a bed, couch, kitchenish area and a tv.  That's all I need besides my art stuff.  

Things are going good, or as good as can be expected.  I'm receiving small recognition in the free daily rags like the Metro and amNewYork.  Nothing huge, but I'm getting there.  

Brian calls sometimes.  After his whole "it's only time" speil I didn't really know what to think.  But then again that's Brian.  Telling me he loves me and offering marriage and then the next second nudging me (okay he didn't have to nudge that hard) to New York.

Sighing, I pick up my cell and press 1 - my speed dial to the illustrious Mr. Kinney. 
 
It rings once...twice...."The number you have dialed is out of service.  For operator assistance please stay on the line.  Message 315-"

I quickly disconnect the call and dial Brian's number manually.

Again it rings once, twice..."The number you have dialed is out of service.  For operator assistance please stay on the line.  Message 315-"

Shit I dial a third time and get the same message.

<i>What the fuck? </i>