Danitza POV
After the call with the others, I had to head to my faculty for a small introduction to my program and the school itself. I'm positive about this change. Normally, I am so paranoid and unsure; I also overthink a lot, and I wasn't even sure about the things I liked or enjoyed. I don't have a skill or talent I can fall back on, so I feel this is a good move. Certainly not what I was born to do, but I'm very indecisive so that I will figure it out along the way.
I made my way to the Crescent Auditorium yet again to receive further instructions. I need to build connections on this campus; Sanika isn't cutting it.
As I entered the auditorium, I found a seat, instantly releasing a sigh as I sat down. I observed my surroundings, glancing around and taking in every small detail I could, but my observation was rudely interrupted by my phone ringing. Quickly checking the caller ID, I saw that it was my mom calling. Ohhhh Damn I didn't call her.
"Hey. Marie, I was just abou-"
"Danitza! I don't want to hear any excuses. You said you would call when you got there, so you're telling me that you haven't reached the school campus as yet." Marie basically went off on the other end. I sighed, already sensing that this would be a long conversation.
"So, you ate this morning?"
"What did you have for breakfast?"
"Did you get something for dinner?"
"Is your bed comfortable?"
"Marie, one question at a time, and yes to all of them. I have to go now; I'm at orientation, but I will call you later tonight, okay." I tried to finalize my conversation with Marie. We talked for a good 15 minutes; well, mostly Marie was talking, but oh well.
The orientation starts in like two minutes; still no sign of Sanika. I pulled out my phone to call her, wondering if she got jumped by the Skittles girl. As I was about to press the call button to call Nika, my phone went off again. I bet you guys thought it was Sanika calling; well, yes, it was her.
"Where are you!?" I whisper-yelled through the phone, looking around to see if she was anywhere to be seen, and she wasn't.
"I am lost! Dani. I don't remember the way to the auditorium." Why am I not surprised? OH! I know why, because the last time we came here, she was on her phone the entire journey.
I internally rolled my eyes, not that she could see me either way. "Okay, Sanika, listen, I myself am not familiar with the campus, so I don't even know where to begin to help you," I said to Nika, lowkey starting to feel stressed out.
"Sanika, you see why it pays actually to pay attention." I scolded her.
"Can you give me a landmark, and I'll see if I can ask someone in here?" I stated, looking around for someone with a kind resting face or even a mean one at this point.
"Ummm, girl, honestly, all I see is trees. Why did we choose to come to a university in the damn forest?" Nika began complaining. I laughed a little at her statement because it was true. A vast forest indeed surrounds Evercrest.
"You sure you don't see anything else?" I pushed, making sure she was thoroughly looking around.
"Dani, I have 20/20 vision. I am not blin- wait a minute, hold on, I see a big building. It's a really big building." Sanika said frantically. I rolled my eyes because what? Sometimes I wonder and worry about Sanika because this girl is actually mental. I laughed to myself, hearing her talking to herself.
"Sanika, do you see the name of the building or something to state what type of building it is? Come on, girl, use your perspicacity." I said with a little chuckle. By this time, everyone was settling down and preparing for the orientation to start, so I had to be whispering, earning stares from others, but I couldn't care less; my friend was lost!
"Umm, it looks like the back of the building, so I'm not seeing a name, and how dare you laugh at my predicament? Dani, it looks like an auditorium." Nika sassily counteracted.
"Sanika, an auditorium!? There is only one auditorium on the entire campus, so get your fat ass in here now; they are literally starting. I can't believe you have been near the auditorium the entire time." I whisper-yelled yet again, utterly flabbergasted that Sanika was close the whole time.
"Hey, can you shut up? You're starting to get annoying." This blonde amphibian-looking bitch said to me.
I glanced up at her with the politest smile on my face. "I am really sorry, just trying to help my friend," I muttered with the utmost respect. I always avoid drama, especially unnecessary ones. Plus, she wasn't wrong; I was disturbing others.
"Well, tell your friend to wait." She said with an eye roll and faced her front. I sighed as I put the phone back to my ear.
"Helloooo, Dani? Who's that bitch? Talking about making me wait. Look, save me a seat; I want to beat a bitch ass from last night." Nika rushed out, sounding out of breath.
I, of course, let out a little laugh. "Nika, you know I don't do drama. Well, not anymore at least." I had a brief flashback, instantly making my mood drop. I sighed and physically shook off that negativity.
"Danitza, you bitch, we literally cursed each other out before we became friends. Stop feigning innocence." Nika said, laughing quite loudly. I let out a little chuckle because the orientation had already started.
"Look, just hurry up and get here." I rushed out.
FLASHBACK
3 years ago, Danitza POV
School. Class. Learning. So boring; thank God it was almost time for school to end for the day. I really want to go home.
At least that's what I say near the end of each day, and then I stay back with my friends. I'm only a teenager plagued with the life of taking the educational route out of poverty.
The bell finally rang. I packed my stuff up, ready to leave the life of Shakespeare in that space. As I exited the classroom, a sigh of relief escaped my lungs. I instantly went to my homeroom, knowing I would meet my friends there.
The teachers took our names and finally sent us off. "Hey, Elizabeth. Girl, I was so dying to leave class. Are you staying back after school today?" I asked Elizabeth.
"No, I don't think so, Dani. I need to go home; there's some trouble, so Mom is picking me up early today, but tomorrow, okay." Elizabeth said frantically.
"Okay, text me so I know everything is good," I spoke reassuringly. Elizabeth nodded and gave me a quick hug before she ran off.
I was at school for a while finishing up homework, so I was free once I got home. I liked to observe people, and based on my observations, I decided whether I could get along with them or needed to develop another personality for that specific person. I was all in my head when I saw Kimoya; she's an absolute smart-ass, and I don't know, but no matter what I do, we always seem to start an argument. She always talks about how I'm selfish, don't truly care about others, and should never speak ill of people. I guess the reason I don't like her is that a part of me knows that she is speaking the truth. I was never going to admit that, though.
Kimoya and my eyes connected, making me instantly roll mine. I got up and began packing up my bag; it's definitely time for me to go home. The demons are starting to awaken, apparently. As I got up from under the gazebo and made my way towards the gate, I had to pass Kimoya and her crew. I squared my shoulders and began walking.
As I walked past the she-devil herself and her minions, I felt pressure on top of my foot. This bitch stepped on my foot. Instantly, I shoved a bitch because what the actual fuck? I was minding my business. Before I could land a punch in this girl's face for stepping on my foot, Kimoya, the queen of settling any situation, stepped in front of me.
"Why don't you tame your minions bitch?" I shouted in her face, more than ready to get violent.
"Danitza, it was an accident. She honestly didn't mean to do that. She's sorry, I'm sorry, we are sorry, okay." She said calmly. I hated that so fucking much; she always plays the fucking saint and makes me look like the bad person. She's always so calm, proper, and slow to anger; it's annoying.
"You promiscuous bitch! You want me to believe that stepping on my foot was an accident? How stupid do you think I am?" I shouted again. Maybe my anger was stemming from something else: maybe it's because my father's beating me and I can't beat him back, maybe it's because I hear my mother crying every night wondering how we are going to eat, maybe it's the sudden death of my grandma. But are those even excuses for this anger and behavior?
"Listen, Danitza. Miley doesn't even know what reason she would have to step on your foot? Believe me, it was an accident. I told you to stop thinking the worst of people; not everyone is out to get you." She said again, like the sweet little angel she is; it just keeps making my blood boil the lower her tone of voice gets.
"To get me? No one can be out to get me. I'll stomp on a bitch! You know what, Kimoya? Fuck you! Always acting like a sweet little saint. Well, news flash, you're not! I don't know what I ever did to you, Kimoya. Why do you hate me so fucking much? You want a reaction out of me every time. Is it because you can't get attention from your mommy? Oh, right, you can't because she's dead!" As soon as the words left my mouth, I did indeed regret it.
I saw tears well in Kimoya's eyes, and, like a truck hitting the ocean, I felt immense guilt. I didn't mean to say that; I would never say that, overstepping on my foot, no? That's too simple; am I crazy? I'm crazy. Oh My Gosh.
A crowd was all gathered around us now. Shit! Now I really am the bitch.
"Kimoya," I whispered, still shocked at myself that I allowed that to come out of my mouth.
"It's okay, Danitza. I know you didn't mean it." She said that, her voice evidently cracking, trying to withhold her tears. No, no, no, it's not okay; that was not okay.
"No, Kimoya, that was not okay. I am sorry. I don't know what came over me. All of that was terrible of me to say." The guilt was sinking its claws into my throat; I couldn't breathe.
What happened took me by such surprise; Kimoya engulfed me in her arms—hugging me as tight as possible. I returned the hug, immediately breaking down.
END OF FLASHBACK
If that didn't make me feel guilty enough, imagine when I found out she died literally a week after that incident. No, it wasn't suicide. She was battling leukemia, and yet still she was one of the purest souls I've ever met. I look back on that day plenty of times because it's what shaped me into the person I am today. I am who I am because of Kimoya, and I will forever be grateful to her. She has helped me realize that no matter what you are going through or the battles you might be losing, you should always be kind and not judge others, because you never truly know what they are going through.