5.

***

The class was a great one. We were done by nine, for breakfast.

Students packed their things and began leaving class.

I picked my laptop and books and arranged them into my old bag. The so called Lucas stood up to leave but then stopped and looked down at me. I looked up at him.

"Any problem??"

"Not really. And oh, thanks for saying I'm beautiful."

I frowned and raised a brow.

"Huh?"

He stared at me. Though he didn't smile, I saw amusement lingering in his eyes.

"I take it as a compliment. But I'm not gay, Harlem." he hung his schoolbag and went down the stairs until he left the lecture room.

People were just so strange. Like the hell? Tell a guy up in my hood that he's beautiful, he'll take it as an insult and skin you alive.

I just hated the people with whom I had to live with and study with now. For three good years.

*

We all went to the cafeteria for breakfast.

I looked for a table where I'd be alone. And of course I found one at a corner.

I sat down and began to eat. I looked at the other students walk by. They stared back, but with looks that clearly said: 'she's not of our world or class or whatever'. Boy, I didn't give a damn.

I continued to enjoy my meal when I noticed that same kid. The Lucas boy. He walked by with his tray of food, two of his friends with him. I hoped for him not to see me because he'd probably want to come over and sit with me. I knew people like him. Just because he spoke to me once, he'd probably think we could be friends. No.

Luckily, he passed by without seeing me.

Minutes later, a black girl walked up to my table.

"Can I joined you?" she asked. I looked at her. She was simple. She had jeans on, a pullover and sneakers.

"Yeah."

"Thanks." she sat down across me, "Are you an outcast like me?" she mused. I looked up.

"Yeah. Apparently. You're from? I'm from Brownsville."

"From Harlem. I'm Dani. On scholarship. You are?"

"Harlem."

"Huh?"

I laughed a little.

"My name's Harlem."

She laughed.

"Wow. Nice to meet you. Your name's unexpected."

"Hahahaha, thanks. You're a freshman too?"

"Nope hun. This is my last year."

I looked at her surprised.

"Wow. And you're still down to Earth?"

"Yup. It's easy to survive in this rich world. Just stick to who you really are."

She was right.

"You're right. If you can do it, I can too."

"Good."

*

For the rest of the day, everything went on well. My first day of class as a freshman wasn't bad at all. Though it was tiring. Our last lectures ended at seven PM.

We left the lecture blocks and everyone headed for his or her room. Though some girls decided to go to the boys' dormitory and some boys to the girls'. Those were probably second and last year students.

-

I went up to my room and got comfortable. I showered and wore my sleeping shorts and T-shirt, patiently waiting for dinner time.

The next day I had only two classes. The second ended at three in afternoon. I decided that after that, I would go visit Manhattan to look for a little job that would provide me with some money which I could use for myself and send a little to my mother back in Brownsville.

I picked my phone up and called my mother, to tell her about my first day. Then I did same later on with Yasmin and King.

I missed them so much. Somewhere within me, I was so impatient for the weekend to arrive. I already missed them too much. This new environment and the people were still too weird for me.

*

The next day, was the same routine.

At seven thirty, I was making my way to the lecture room in which we'd have our class.

On approaching the building, I saw some of my classmates standing outside and chatting. They preferred to wait outside until the professor arrived at eight.

I preferred to go in and sit.

As I headed for the building, someone said,

"Good morning, Harlem."

I turned and saw the rich kid again, leaning against the wall.

For a spoiled brat, he had a taste in fashion. Most of them did. Honestly, I thought they'd wear stuff like shirts, bowties and well polished Italian shoes. I was wrong.

I pretended not to have heard him and went straight into the building.

**

At three, I left the campus immediately after our last class.

I went in search of a little job. Something I would do while schooling.

I went to all possible places.

I went to restaurants, saloons, bars, game arcades and etc! No one was in need of a new employee. It was tiring and I began to feel discouraged. And so I decided to return to the campus.

*

It was five by the time I returned to the university.

I entered the elevator and couldn't wait to get a good rest.

Once I reached my floor, of course there were both boys and girls moving up and down.

I ignored the noise they were making and started walking towards my room when all of a sudden, a girl giggling and running away from a boy slammed into me, causing me too fall and drawing everyone's attention.

I looked up at the girl, waiting for her to apologize. She stared down at me and scoffed, then she turned to the boy and some other girls who seemed to be her friends. What she told them, shocked me:

"Ugh. These poor bitches are everywhere. Greenwill should stop with scholarships to just any kinds of people."

She said and her friends giggled along.

I felt anger rise within me but I tried to control myself. Slowly, I stood up and faced her, everyone on that corridor had their eyes on us.

"What's wrong? You don't like seeing 'poor bitches' like you say, around?" I asked, teasingly.

The girl put a hand on her tiny waist.

"Well, yes."

"Oh, I'm so sorry for you. But there's nothing I can do." I began sarcastically, "At least I'm in Greenwill because of my work and not because my daddy bought me a place, you airhead."

There was fidgeting and the girl frowned.

"What did you just say??" she squealed, "Did you just accused my father or bribery??"

"Girl, shut up. I don't even know you. Why are you so touched? Or is it true?"

"Ooou." I heard some students say and they laughed.

"You're just a street girl. You don't belong here." the girl said, her shaky voice exposing her defeat.

"Yeah, I am. And I'm so proud. Better to be a street girl with a brain than a princess with an empty skull, waiting for a frog to kiss."

She gasped and stepped back in shock. Everyone laughed. I looked at her. I wasn't one to tolerate bullying in any form.

"Look, I ain't here to argue with anyone. I already don't like you for the way you treated me. I advice you to avoid me." I stated, and without any further ado, I walked past them and into my room.

My second day and I'd already started trouble. But what could I do? I couldn't allow her to treat me the way she did.

I promised to myself that I'd remain silent. Yes. Quiet and indifferent. I had to keep that wild attitude for where I came from.