Ria:
I had been out shopping with Cin. Beth had a home visit for the boys, so we had offered to do the grocery shopping.
So when we pulled up to the house, we weren't alarmed to see an unfamiliar car in the driveway. I parked in my usual spot, and Cin and I started unloading the groceries.
"Wait, that's a Mercedes, what CPS worker drives a fucking Mercedes?" Cin asked, looking at the car incredulously.
I shrugged my shoulders, looking at the car questioningly, as I hauled plastic bags full of groceries to the house.
Cin set one of her bags down and tried the handle; it was unlocked, so she opened the door. We walked in to put our bags down in the kitchen before we went for more.
As we entered the hallway, the open-concept living room was right there. Sitting on the couch were Beth, Elijah, and Marcus. Sitting in the wingback chair was an older gentleman wearing an impeccable suit. I knew whoever he was, he sure as hell wasn't CPS.
"Good, you girls are home. Ria, this gentleman is from Cornell."
I dropped the bags I was carrying, sure I had misheard her.
"Excuse me, what did you say?"
"He's here from Cornell to speak with you. How about Cin, me, and the boys take care of the groceries so you two can talk."
With that, Beth came over and picked up the bags I had dropped. I had a quick thought that I hoped I didn't break anything.
Then I moved into the living room and sat on the couch, where Beth and the boys had just been. A part of my mind was cataloging my family moving back and forth, carrying bags. The bigger part of my mind was focused on the man sitting in our living room.
"I am sure this is a shock, Miss Dragoi, but as the timing was an issue, it was decided for me to come in person."
He was smiling slightly, but I wasn't sure about him.
"It's Ria, please, Mr. ?"
"Oh dear, I am sorry, my name is Victor Bogdan. I have been sent to speak with you on behalf of Cornell University."
I blinked a couple of times. "Well, Mr. Bogdan, I am confused about why such a prestigious University would send you here to speak with me."
"Ria, I am here to tell you that you have been granted a place at the University, with Tuition, Books, and Dorm paid in full, and a generous meal allowance."
He just left it there while I tried to get my mind back on track and my lungs to cooperate.
I must have looked like a fish as I opened and closed my mouth, trying to find something to say.
"Mr. Bogdan, I am overwhelmed at this tremendous generosity, but I have to wonder, how was I chosen for this?"
"You were submitted for consideration by Ms. Jennifer Montgomery. We offer this scholarship to foster children who have aged out of the system and are trying to attend college."
That sort of made sense. I could call Jennifer and verify this, and it was probably some huge tax write-off for the University.
"Do you have any paperwork I might see?"
At this, Mr. Bogdan retrieved a leather portfolio tucked beside him in the chair and handed it to me.
As I opened it, I found information bearing the Cornell University emblem. There was a course list and dorm room information. A breakdown of what was covered in the scholarship. Everything was here. This was real, holy shit, this was real.
"If you accept the scholarship, you need to sign the forms. Then you would need to register for the classes you wish to take immediately, but you can do so online. You would report to the University and plan to move into the dorms by August 24th, as classes commence on the 27th."
I thought about that, that wasn't a lot of time, less than a month in fact.
"Do you have a pen, Mr. Bogdan?"
He smiled a genuine smile, rather than the polite one he had been sporting. He reached into a vest pocket and produced a fancy pen.
I took it and immediately signed the forms located in the portfolio. Then I handed both the forms and the pen to Mr. Bogdan.
"Thank you, my dear. I will make sure these are processed post haste. We shall see you soon. If you have questions, contact the number on the packet. Have a lovely evening."
With that, he stood up, straightened his suit jacket, gave me a slight bow of his head, and walked out the door.
I sat there on the couch, stupefied, regarding the huge information bomb that had exploded in my face.
My family came in walking cautiously and sat at places around the room.
"How much of that did you hear?"
Cin huffed at me, "What the hell do you think? I wasn't gonna leave you alone with him, so I heard it all."
I smiled at her. Yeah, I had figured they hadn't gone far. "Did we get all of the groceries?"
Beth reached over and patted my knee, "Yes, dear, we got everything, and it's all put away."
I absently nodded my head, still reeling from the turn of events.
"So, you signed and accepted, as you most assuredly should have done. Now, we have work to do. You only have 22 days left to get it done." Beth nodded at me, patted her lap, and stood up. Then bussled off to get things going.
Later that night, I lay in bed not able to sleep. My brain was far too busy, thinking of all I needed to accomplish.
My door creaked open softly, and I turned my head to see Cin peaking around it.
"I figured you wouldn't be sleeping. Me neither."
She came in, and I sat up in the bed, scooting back to lean on the headboard. She climbed on the bed and sat next to me, also leaning back against the headboard.
I watched her face, knowing this was hard for her. For me to. This would be a huge change for everyone.
"I feel like a selfish bitch, but part of me doesn't want you to go. I know you should, but I'm just gonna fucking miss you."
I watched a tear track down her face. "I'll miss you too, but it's not forever, and I'll come home for holidays and summer. Plus, we can video call, so we can see each other."
She nodded but stayed quiet, "Also, you only have one year left. Maybe I can pull some strings and have you chosen for a scholarship."
She smiled, "I'd like that. Can you imagine the two of us together at some fancy college? We would scandalise those people."
We both laughed. I leaned my head on her shoulder, and she leaned her head on my head. We stayed like that, not saying anything, just supporting each other.
I spent the time sorting out the things I needed. There was a lot I wouldn't be able to get until I got there. I had decided to use the included plane ticket.
They had included a lot of information about all of the public transportation available. So, I decided to leave my car. It would help Cin with going back and forth to school and with anything she needed to help Beth with. I would use it whenever I came home. It just made more sense.
That meant I could only take what would fit in two suitcases. One to check in and a carry-on. Anything else I would have to purchase upon arrival.
I made sure to spend time with all of them. I played video games, Legos, and soccer with the boys. I cooked, baked, and tended flowers with Beth.
I spent days shopping, having spa days, watching our favorite movies, eating junk food, and gossiping with my sister, Cin.
Before I knew it, I was at the airport, checking in. I had said goodbye at the house. I didn't want a big emotional goodbye in front of strangers.
The airport closest to us was small. I would board a smaller plane, then I would catch my connecting flight out of Columbus. Then I would fly to Washington, D.C. and catch my flight to Ithaca, after a short layover. After landing, they had shuttles that went to the University. So, by tonight, I will be in my new dorm.
I was a jumble of emotions. I was excited, but also scared and nervous. It had been some time since I had been alone on the streets, but a part of me felt that leaving my family was like returning to that uncertainty and danger. Logically, I knew that was wrong, but I couldn't keep my emotions stable.
The day was exhausting, going through airports, finding gates, and boarding planes. When I finally landed in Ithaca, I was ready to get out of here. I got my checked bag and walked out to find transportation.
I was able to get a shuttle to the University. I was let off in front of the administration building. I already had my dorm assignment, but I had to get my ID and the key card for my dorm room.
After all of that, it was almost 6pm, and I was tired. I followed the map and got to my dorm room. When I opened the door, I was met with a room that seemed like a living room. I could see a couch, coffee table, and TV. There were 3 other doors. I saw a sign on the outside of one door, so I figured that was the room my new roommate had chosen. I checked another door and found the bathroom. Then I entered my room.
There was a twin bed, a wardrobe, and a desk with a chair. I had a window that looked out on the quad. I put my bags down and sat on the bed. I was surprised that the mattress was actually comfortable. I had expected something next to a prison cot, but I guess an Ivy League school would provide better.
I would need to get bedding and stuff for the room. I didn't think I had time or the motivation to do it tonight. I would sleep on the bare mattress with the pillow provided. I wasn't picky. Once you sleep on the street, you don't get picky about having a mattress and an actual bed.
I heard a rap on my door. I got up and opened it. Standing there was a girl my age who was fairly tall. I was taller than average at 5'8", so she had to be about 5'10". She had short blond hair that ended just above her shoulders, and had a curl to it. She had brown eyes that looked full of mischief. That spark reminded me of Cin.
She was smiling and thrust her hand out at me.
"Hi, I'm Natalia Balaur, and I'm your new roommate."
I shook her hand. She had an accent I was trying to place. She was dressed in shorts and a tank top and barefoot.
"I'm Adriana Dragoi, but go by Ria."
She slid past me into my room. I wasn't sure I liked that, but I decided to let it go for now. She looked around at my totally bare room.
"Do you need help with getting things set up?" She seemed like she was super excited at the prospect.
"No, not right now. I flew here from Ohio, so I only could bring two bags. I'll need to go tomorrow to get the other things I need."
She pouted looking upset, "oh no, would you like to borrow some sheets and a blanket? I only have one comforter, but I have extra blankets."
I think for a moment. It would be more comfort, and I'd only be borrowing them for one night.
"Sure that would be great. Thank you so much."
She smiled and went to her room, returning with a set of lavender sheets, and two blankets. She helps me make the bed, even when I tell her she doesn't need to. The blankets she brought me are super soft, and the sheets feel really fancy.
She says that the food in the cafeteria is supposed to be good. So, we go together to find something to eat. Surprisingly there is quite a variety of options. We both opt for pizza and chat about classes while we eat.
She is planning on working towards a business degree.
"My brothers run several businesses, and I'd like to work with them, so a business degree seemed the best choice."
"I want to work on a psychology degree, but I need to find out about the possibility of testing out of some of the basic classes."
"Have you already taken the classes?"
I don't plan on letting her know that I am a freak, so I just say, "I've done a lot of classes online."
"Oh, that's cool, that would be nice, just to be able to bypass those classes."
I nod and change subjects, "you mentioned brothers, how many do you have?"
"I have 4 brothers." She pauses while she huffs, "they are really over protective sometimes, but we get along well."
"I have a sister and two brothers. Technically they are foster, but we don't really make the distinction, we are just family."
We head back to the dorm. I am tired so I bid her goodnight.
I lay on the bed that night thinking of my family. I had sent text messages telling them of my safe arrival. I will call them in the morning and tell them about my dorm and my new roommate.
I think this year might just be the start of something amazing.