In the Air (The City Book 1) - By Crystal Serowka Page 0,9

my life had disappeared, I went after what I wanted. It was upsetting to move away from her, from everything I'd ever known, but my dreams didn't line up with hers.

I'd practically lived in the city most of my life, traveling back and forth to visit my dance teacher, but now that I was able to call it home, the surroundings seemed different. It looked brighter, cleaner even. I shook off Aubrey's call and allowed myself to forget the drama for the rest of the evening.

I had plans to meet up with one of my best friends, Wren, later that night at the housewarming party of our buddy, Jay. The three of us had gone to high school together, but Wren was a year older and had lived in the city for a year now, attending NYU as a literature major. His parents bought him a condo in Brooklyn, and when I told him I would be moving to the city, he urged me to move into his complex. I tossed around the idea until I was informed by Juilliard that I had to live in the dorms my freshman year. Judging from the experience I had meeting my roommate earlier this morning, I already knew it was going to be awkward living with him in a room the size of a closet.

I crossed over 67th street and headed to the Apple store. Since guys don't typically have housewarming parties, I didn't know what to get. Jay practically had everything already. His parents catered to his every need, and now his only goal was to throw the best parties in the city. As I browsed the newest iMacs, a sales associate stopped and asked if I needed help.

"Can you point me in the direction of housewarming gifts?"

The sales guy gave me a confused look. "I guess ... portable speakers would be good?"

"Sure, portable speakers. That works." I was in a hurry to get out of the busy store and to the party on time. "Show me the way." I signaled him to move. After almost head-butting a few people to get them out of my way, we finally came upon the speakers. I picked up the first box I saw and walked to the registers. The line was insanely long and I remembered why I liked having a personal shopper back home. After I made my purchase, I quickly walked back to the dorms to change. My roommate, Myers, wasn't around, and I was glad there wouldn't be an awkward invitation thrown out on my part.

Getting into Jay's building was like trying to get into Fort Knox. The overweight security guard sat at his desk, scrolling through the list of approved visitors.

"Samson Callahan, for the hundredth time," I seethed.

"Sorry, son, I don't see your name on here; therefore, you aren't allowed upstairs."

I felt like jumping over the fat bastard's makeshift desk and pummeling him, but decided violence wasn't the answer. As I reached for my phone to call Jay, I turned and saw Hadley Shepard walking in. In high school, Hadley was the proverbial town bicycle. Any guy was free to hop on for a spin and pop a few wheelies along the way. I was probably the only guy at St. Luke's that never took a joyride. Would it still be called a joyride if her lady bits were a common place for men to park?

"Well, if it isn't Samson Callahan. No surprise you're late." Her high-pitched voice rang through my ears as she walked toward me. I'd never been close to Hadley, but she and Jay had an on again/off again relationship since high school. She came to New York to pursue her dream of becoming a Broadway star. Hadley was the farthest thing from prudish, so I was sure if she opened her legs for the right casting director, she'd be on a stage in no time.

"Hadley, wow, I'm surprised to see you're not horizontal by this time of night."

She sneered, which made her face look like an angry Chihuahua. "Very funny, Sam. Is that girlfriend of yours still buying your claims of heterosexuality?"

Hadley stomped off in Mr.Fatty’s direction and gave him her name. As he stood up from his chair and waddled across the foyer to retrieve the elevator, I was tempted to grab his stupid list and add my name. Just as I was about to, the elevator opened and out walked Jay with his arm slung over some blonde I didn't recognize. I guess