Deuce-ace Roommates

01: Palo Alto

"19th October 2019

I'm certain you've stood around great skyscrapers and walked along thousands of pedestrians while the city around you churns. You must get used to the buzz and numerous appealing centers of activities. I believe you admire the lights and digital billboards lightening up the Main Streets. The new culture that had gradually become part of you.

But Daisy, have you experience quiet yet?

Limitless parks so as nature reserves? Wholesome weather, lavished bike boulevards, and tree-lined streets with canopy coverage?

Palo Alto is a place with people of brilliant minds and loving neighbors.

I know is too much to ask but I could write you tenths of letters about why you should join me to study at Stanford University.

I think it will be a great start for us, now that we're both eighteen. Legally old enough to make our own decisions.

Did you know Palo Alto is among the most educated cities in the states? You don't have to worry about approaching new people nor change of environment.

Remember when we both wanted to ride bicycles for the rest of our lives? I believe this is our chance, the lanes are perfectly flat ready for us to take a ride. Another bonus; we could get our skin glow like million bucks without paying a penny. I heard the weather works miracles for the bicyclists.

For the sake of famous restaurants and luxuries like voguish cafes, do apply to Stanford University. Together we can have the colorful arts and culture scene experience and a stunning outdoor lifestyle, we've found appealing since eighth grade.

Fortuitously, I find pleasure in letting you know Stanford university is one of the best-ranked colleges nationwide. It offers a highly recommended school of medicine.

But that's not the only news; even more interesting the school is willing to give out scholarships to tens of national citizens.

I believe in you, I think it's time you clean the dusty national identification card at the end of your box. Is high time you come home.

Love, yours truly best friend.

Riley Hunter."

Not at all times do we get twice lucky but I can proudly boast how grateful I certainly am for the blessings that God had provided when I thought things were never going to be any easier.

On my flight from Hong Kong to California; I've spent almost the entire day feeling strain and tired. What kept me entertained apart from the installed personal television was some of my favorite letters I've received from Riley.

Riley was like my innermost feeling that I timidly refuse to voice out. She had managed to push me forward whenever I find it hard to do so for my good. Because of her; today I'm breathing the air of my country, my home... a place I thought I would never come back to.

Eight years ago my parent's marriage crumbles to pieces due to my father's recklessness that brought upon us the worst process in our lives; with him locked up in jail while my mother and I were defenselessly broken.

For our safety and partly for the one-time opportunity, my mom had to accept job thousands of miles away from home.

Leaving everything we had wangled to built back in New York. My school, our home which was sold along with other belongings my father had spent years working for. But most importantly my best friend Kaiser Chandler whom I never got the chance to say goodbye to when we left. And for that, I find it difficult to forgive myself until Riley.

I still remember just like yesterday how Riley and I came to meet. It was like a miracle when a computer teacher from my first year in the new middle school I had to join, suggested all her students write a letter to someone special across the continent. Instead of using the Internet, we sent it through post mails.

Mine was long, it was meant for Kaiser. Instead, it reached Riley Hunter. I have no idea how, I always wondered if they'd messed up the address or was it just fate playing kind on me but until now we are yet to discuss how.

Candidly, all I am is grateful it had reached someone whom I can now address as my sister even though it was meant for my best friend.

When I thought life was throwing fireballs, it threw Riley Hunter to me, she sticks around. Listened and advised. We've been friends since then. Almost eight years and counting... we've shared everything about ourselves, our personal stories, our present lives. Well, the only thing we hold on to was our reflections.

Not that I have any social life but for some reasons; Riley and I promised to treasure the pen friendship that we both swore to keep our faces hidden until when we believe was time.

Which is today.

After eight years of running, today once again I am standing in my country. In California, the place I've always dreamt to visit since when I was five.

With the help of Riley, I had applied for Stanford university medical school and I've been gracefully admitted.

Which provides us the chance to meet for the first time.

With two pieces of luggage, a handbag, and a huge backpack hanging over my shoulder, I strive my way through the arrivals terminal and away from the airport to the pavement where I intend to find a cab. However, I found something very surprising and confusing.

Let me break the reason why my eyes went impossibly wide; there's a weary mid-age man garmented in a maroon polo shirt and khaki pants, he was standing against a black Audi SUV holding out a placard that reads my name with a sharpie.

With slow and cautious steps, I approach the unexpected man. "Hi," I mumbled when I halt at least five feet away and draw in some breath. I guaranty you don't wanna travel around with loads of luggage.