Everyone looks around the classroom in total confusion. What the hell just happened? I pick-up my Blackberry, sending the text I typed back Roxie. Not two seconds later, my phone vibrates again. It’s a text from Cane.
Cane:
A plane just crashed into one of the World Trade Center buildings in NYC! Then another into the 2nd tower just now! They’re all saying on the news it’s a terrorist attack.
I don’t even realize I’m letting out a loud gasp, until I notice everyone in the classroom is staring at me. I shift my eyes back down to my Blackberry, re-reading Cane’s text. Setting my phone back in my bag, I take out my laptop and quickly pull up the internet. I can’t believe what I’m seeing. Breaking News reports with photographs of a plane flying right into one of the World Trade Center buildings!
Someone else in the class must have gotten a text from a friend or relative too, because like me, they also have their laptop out since we are teacher free, and discovered the same thing. Everyone is huddling around their desk watching the Yahoo News video clips.
You can see the towers engulfed in flames. I feel my stomach instantly turning into a ball of knots. I can’t stop thinking about all the people in that building. Did they get out safely? Who did this? Why would they do this?
Our attention is diverted back to the front of the classroom as our teacher burst through the door with tears running down her face. “Everyone, collect your things and head down to the library. There has been a terrorist attack in New York City.”
Quickly collecting our things, we head to the library. Walking into the large room, I immediately spot Roxie sitting at one of the tables. Hanging my bag on the back of a chair, I sit down beside her and take her hand in mine.
Everyone’s watching the news on the television. The news broadcast is showing the burning buildings; smoke transforming the skies above. People are jumping out of the windows trying to escape the fire.
I reach into my bag for my phone; I text Cane back as the tears start to fall down my face. I cannot fathom why anyone would do this. It’s horrific watching these people, so desperate to escape the flames, jumping twenty or more stories!
Me:
We r in the library now watching the news. This is horrible. I think everyone in here is in total shock. Where R U?
Cane:
I’m at my dorm still; I didn’t have classes this morning. I’m watching the news right now too. This shit is scary; I cannot believe terrorist hijacked those planes. The people who were on those…it’s so sad.
Me:
I know; I think half the school is in here right now. I can’t stop crying. I can’t believe they were able to do this. I can’t imagine how many people are hurt or worse :/
“Oh. My. God!” One of the teachers standing beside me gasps. I look up at the television. Shock takes over as I hear the words leave the reporter’s mouth. Another plane just crashed into the Pentagon.
Reaching for my hand, Roxie grips it between hers as we watch the news together. We’ve heard about terrorist threats, but never thought it would happen here. We see it on the news about suicide bombers in Iraq and other places with conflict. But we could never imagine that it would ever happen where we are.
Sadly, now we know that isn’t true.
May 28, 2003
Cane’s first two years of College have been tough, but we’ve gotten through it. I think it actually made our relationship stronger. We made a point to get together at least every other night, and spend every weekend together. I would usually stay at his Frat House on the weekends, or his parents’ house when he decided to come home for the weekend.
I’m excited to be finished with school. I officially became a high school graduate four days ago! I’m not sure what I want to do yet. I love music; I play the guitar, violin and have sung in the choir all through high school. The idea of going to college to be a music teacher has been playing on my mind.
I got a part-time job as a waitress at Ocean Side Dive, one of the local dive bars along the beach. Cane has tended bar there for the last two semesters, so he helped me get the job. The pay is lousy, but tips are good.
They make us all wear short boyshorts and bikini tops; thank God I eat healthy and exercise!
I’m 5’6” and very curvy in all the right places. So guys tip well. My father is Latino and my mom Irish. As a result, I have tiny freckles on my petite nose, full lips, almond shaped brown eyes and naturally tanned skin. My skin gets even darker after spending all summer at the beach. God blessed me with good sized breasts and what Cane describes as the perfect ass.
He hates that I have to dress so skimpily, but he knows I can handle myself. If anyone gets happy hands, I’ll quickly put them in their place.