When we pulled into the aquarium the parking lot was already pretty full. It opened at nine, and it was only nine thirty. It must be a pretty popular tourist attraction to be this busy already. I grabbed my cross body bag, and draped it over my shoulder before climbing out of the truck. Morgan followed soon after, and then Owen.
Together the three of us made our way to the entrance, and after a few minutes of waiting in line we were inside. I was immediately impressed by the shear size of the building. The website boasted fifteen thousand animals, but I didn't actually think there could be that many. Not that I knew how many species of fish there actually were.
Of course we started with the sharks. There was even a exhibit where you could touch them! Owen was brave, I was not. I enjoyed watching them swim, and the way that they moved so gracefully through the water, but as far as I was concerned they could stay on the opposite side of the glass.
We visited with the penguins next, and then the turtles. The hippos were by far my favorite though. I had only ever seen them in the zoo, and they were always so far away. Here, you were up close and personal with them. The water was crystal clear, and the size of them was almost unbelievable. I watched as they lifted there massive heads from the water and opened their mouths wide. I never thought of them as majestic animals, but they were almost graceful as they swam through the water.
Morgan of course, enjoyed the gift shop the most. She wound up spending nearly three hundred dollars, and I couldn't even tell you on what. I saw tee shirts which I knew she'd never wear, as well as key chains, and jewelry. None of it was to her taste, but I'm pretty sure she just liked to spend money to spend it.
After two fun filled hours, we finally seen every exhibit. That's when we found the H2O Photo. I had never paid so much money for photographs in my life, but it was honestly one of the funniest things I'd ever done. With the help of a green screen, the three of us created some pretty epic images.
Owen lifted me up and tried feeding me to a shark, while Morgan posed next to a penguin. We all took a photo together with the jellyfish, and Owen and I shared a pose with the Hippos. The three of us used our best acting skills to look scared in a shark cage, and then laid on the rocks with the seals. All in all it was a great morning, and I felt like I was a kid again. Laughing with Morgan, and making silly faces for the camera. This is what I missed. The care free feeling I used to have around her.
Not wanting to leave just yet, we decided to grab lunch at the aquarium as well. The prices were high, but the food was good so I wasn't complaining. Morgan ordered a salad, and I got some kind of chicken pita wrap with waffle fries. Owen opted for the burger, and after we finished our meals, and our stomachs were full we finally resigned to the fact that we had to leave.
When we were all piled back into the truck again I couldn't help but feel a little sad. Our little adventure was coming to and end. In a few short hours, we'd be in New York. Morgan, and I would be unpacking in our apartment. And Owen, would be seeing his dad for the first time in three years. Even though we were together now, I was still worried about what was to come.
There were so many different variables now. Derek would be there. Not that I wanted him back, but I knew that he would be an inevitable thorn in my side. Morgan, and I were doing alright but our friendship was still on the rocks. What would happen when we moved in together? When we got to Sew New? Would I be able to stand up for myself when I really needed to?
“Unicorn?” Owen asked from the backseat. “You plan on starting the truck?”
“Right.” I laughed shaking the negative thoughts away, and putting on an excited front. “Who's ready to go home?”
“I can't wait to see the boutique!” Morgan answered. “The pictures I've been receiving just aren't doing it justice.”
I turned the engine over then, and took a deep breath. This was it. This was the beginning of my new life. No looking back. I was a business owner, and a marketing major. I was an adult, and I could do this. I felt Owen's hand on my shoulder from behind me and I smiled. Yeah. I could do this.
THE MINUTE I SEEN THE 'welcome to New York' sign, I felt my stomach sinking. We were a month ahead of schedule, moving into an apartment that we hadn't planned on moving into. Sew New wouldn't even open it's doors for another two, and Morgan and I were both essentially jobless. While our rent was taken care of by her father until we got back on our feet, I didn't like the idea of relying on someone else.
As we drove through the busy city, and forged our way into Manhattan my nerves only seemed to increase. Owen leaned forward so that he could stick his head between Morgan and I in the front seat.
“It's busier than I remember.” He said, squinting his eyes to avoid the sun.
“A lot bigger too.” I said.
“Hey. Why don't I stay with you tonight?” He offered. “I can help you get settled in, and then head to my dad's place first thing in the morning.”
“I'm sure you're just using me as an excuse not to see your dad, but oddly I'm OK with it.”
He laughed. “You're
