THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US

CHAPTER 4

Ann Bent down to tie her shoelace after I had ended the facetime she was having with Troy, he had called to wake her up so we would have our morning run together. Since it was something they did when they were together, we didn't want to stop even though they were apart.

Ann walked out of my room, down the hallway and it all still seemed quit because everyone was probably still asleep. It was just about 5:00 am even Sophie was still asleep. She set the timer on the watch she was wearing in other to begin my run. The weather was still very cold, it was expected since it was still the first month of the new year, there was still snow too. She started her time and ran for about an hour and by the time I got back to the hostel, she was panting and out of breath. She was never out of breath for a morning run but it seemed It was a lazy morning for her.

She wiped the sweat that trickled down my face with the towel in my hand as she entered into my room, Sophie was still not up yet. she picked up her towel to have my bath since I had a morning lecture and other things to do in the city. She stared into the mirror hanging on the bathroom wall as She tried to pop the pimple that had refused to go on my face. She picked up my brush as I gently brushed from side to side still looking into the mirror. Troy already sent her a video after the run about how he missed her so much and his schedule for the day. He wanted it to work and he was ready to make as much effort as needed and Ann was glad about that and loved him even more for that. They decided to facetime in the evening to talk about their day and every other thing. Ann had brought up the suggestion after she had watched a movie of long-distance couples who had plans for all the days of the week and how it was important to make each other a part of your life. She also read some tips online, she wanted anything that could give her a hint about what she was getting into and how to make it work and she was determined to do anything to make it work.

Ann zipped up her blue Jean as she matched it up with her purple chiffon top putting a jacket over it. She was about to leave when she heard Sophie's sleepy voice.

"Do you have anything doing after lectures today?" She asked

"I just need to go site seeing in a way, that's all I will be doing" I replied.

"I and my friends will be going out for drinks, I will like you to come," she said sitting up straight on her bed focusing her attention on me as I picked the stuff I needed in my bag.

"I am not one to party a lot," Ann said, as she put the handbag across her ready to leave.

"It's just drinking with some of my friends really, you need to start enjoying New York" Sophie convinced.

"Alright, I will try," Ann said before walking out and closing the door behind her.

"Thanks a lot, I will text you the address," Sophie said excitedly. Ann had several reasons why she was sceptical about going to drink with Sophie and her friends. Apart from the fact that she wasn't the extroverted kind of girl, she didn't know Sophie well enough too but she also hated to say No to people and even though that had put her into trouble countless times, she didn't mind so much so long as other people were satisfied.

Ann got to her lecture room and it was quite different from her undergraduate days. Here there were fewer students and it was a lot of space, she was excited to start and live the rest of her life. The lecturer had only introductory classes for them today so Ann didn't really have so much to do and just decided to go out with Sophie and her friends than stay in the hostel all day doing nothing. She decided to explore some parts of the city as she tried to locate the address Ann had sent to her. New York was a beautiful place, it was busy, you could sense the hustle and how people wanted to get to where they were going in time but then it was still so great and as she walked across the street admiring the beautiful structures and how calm and cool the atmosphere. She was captivated by the beautiful wedding dresses on display in a shop by the road that she had stood admiring the pieces and was carried away till a woman suddenly came out and dragged her along with her.

"Why are you standing out there, are you not here for the job interview" she continued as she dragged Ann along with her into the shop. It was a designer shop were wedding dresses were made, Ann had always loved fashion and that was the reason she had been so captivated by the view. The shop was pretty big, had some seamstress, middle aged women in the corner putting pieces together and in another corner was a girl of her age engrossed with what looked like a painting of a dress. there were beautiful dresses all around, some half ready and some other already done.

"I think you have me all confused with someone else," Anna said as the middle-aged woman stopped in the centre of the shop.

"I don't think so, you don't have to be shy about this. I am sure you are going to be a good designer" she explained and Ann just stared at her blankly confused. She didn't know what she wanted to do but she was sure she loved what she was seeing and wouldn't mind spending some of her time here if she wasn't in school. She knew a bit about designing too, it was something she did as a hobby but was sure could be developed.

"Okay, when will I start" Ann suddenly said and she couldn't even believe she uttered such words.

"Anytime, you're free," The woman said smiling

Ann wasn't sure what she had just done but she knew this was something she also wanted to do.