A Mess.

Some people would think moving across the country were easier for a new beginning. Phoenix is pretty nice and a great state to live in. Especially for people with money.

I come from a long line of a pretty fucked up family. My mom was an addict and my dad...well. Granted, not many would expect much from a New York girl with a hispanic heritage. The flight here was excruciating. I've never really knew what it felt like to be in a plane surrounded by people I didn't know alone. Everywhere I went, I felt like I was being watched.

Ding Ding. Or maybe it was just my phone and I was being paranoid. Sigh. "Hey, Amani," I answered the phone, trying my best to hide just a bit of my anxiety. She answered as giddy as ever. "Nadsss, you know I get nervous when you don't call." Nads. Short for Nadia. "I just landed, Mani." I try to hide the emotion from my already drained voice. Amani has been my best friend since high school. We did everything together. The worst part of leaving New York was leaving her behind. One of the few who could make me open up. She was always a little nosy.

"What's wrong, Nads?" like I said, nosy. I reply with a simple "Nothing, just a little nervous. I miss you guys already." I said while searching through the airport for the baggage check. Amani stayed on the phone all the way until I got in my cab to arrive at my new apartment. It was huge. Phoenix itself was amazing. No skyscrapers or places to kill free time, but it was new. It was mine. I had already preordered all my furniture and had movers bring it all in. I was independent enough to put everything together myself, though.

The beautiful creme couch I'd bought fit perfectly in the corner of my new living room with lightly grey painted walls. The grey tile floors and the massive platform to place my TV on. I couldn't get over the master bedroom. My favorite part of the place, honestly. Not for any particular reason or anything.

I stepped outside to explore the new setting once I finished slaving away in my own apartment. The tall mountains in the distance, the desert-like setting mingling with the faint modern buildings. It was almost eerie. Like I was stuck in a bubble. I walked for quite a time stuck in a trance, I didn't even notice a literally stampede of people speed walking towards my direction.

Ouch.

I immediately fell to the ground, my phone and keys racing to the floor with me. As everyone continued to walk by, giving sorry looks, I scrambled to grab them. Though, I felt a weird warmth. I abruptly looked up in shame and saw the most beautiful human being I've ever seen in my life. He was concerningly tall, slightly tan, hair sprayed back slick hair with a piece hanging in front of his face with an all black suit on. He looked straight out of a mafia gang. And apparently I was stuck in some type of trance because sooner or later, I heard a distant "What the fuck?"

"Uh...hello? Are you gonna get up?"

Rude.

"Yes, sorry," I said while my face turned slightly red. "Right...here's your phone," he looked genuinely concerned for my mental health. I took my phone and before I could say thank you, he walked away. Okay, I may be a stranger but common decency, maybe?

After this weird interaction, I turned around and went home, trying not to run into another stranger having a bad day.

I got home and deeply sighed as I sunk into my couch. Am I really that awkward? Or maybe he was just having a really bad day. I put it to the back of my mind and hopped in the shower.

As I put my little tank top and shorts on, I heard a ding come from my laptop. Putting my hair up in a bun, I sat down to view the notification. As I read the title I got anxious.

I got a job.

At Phoenix Hotel. This place was pretty well known, and making beds all day doesn't seem too bad. I called the number in the email and accepted the job. I started tomorrow. That was pretty fast.

I picked up my phone to call Amani and tell her the great news. Of course she was excited for me. I watched TV over the phone with Amani til I drifted off to bed. She always did help me stay calm and fall asleep. Which was pretty hard doing alone considering the nightmares.

"Nadia! I told you not to not step foot into the kitchen!", I heard her screaming from downstairs. "I didn't even-", it didn't take long til I heard her footsteps coming up the stairs. I tried hiding behind the door. Soon enough, YANK. "Why can't you just follow simple instructions. I wouldn't have to do this to you." She sent me tumbling down the steps. My brain shutting off as I passed out. It was all black now.

Ring Ring Ring!

My alarm goes off and I jump out of bed letting out a sharp scream. Another one? Waking up in screams repeatedly every night was so draining. I felt so hopeless.

I lazily got up and started getting ready for my first day on the job.

Soon enough, I raced out the door, realizing I was late. Late. On my first day. Great.

I ran inside and stopped at the front office standing in front of a tall man in a suit.

You.