Times are getting really hard and I'm in my last year of college. I've relocated back to my college town being that I had to sit out last semester because I didn't have the money to pay my tuition. I'm alone and I'm confused. Confused, yet focused. I'm financially on my own and two notches away from throwing in the towel on life. I've gotten off the airplane with a carry own, a checked-in luggage, my purse, and $200 to my name. Luckily, I worked my ass off a couple of weeks before, so I had half of my college tuition saved up.
I have no car, no home, no anything. The only thing I owned was a cell phone, some clothes, and a college school schedule that I only paid 50% on. Thank God, I was able to arrange a deferred payment plan for the rest of the tuition balance. I really didn't care about being homeless at the time...I just wanted to finish up the semester so I could be closer to graduating.
I decided to move in with a friend temporarily until I was able to get on my feet. I slept on her couch which she didn't mind at first. We were great friends who shared the same goal...graduate from college.
Within two weeks I had one full time job, one part time job, and was attending school at the same time. Yes, you guessed correctly...it was one of the hardest times in my life. I was working long hours to pay the $3000 tuition balance by the payment deadline, and also save up more money to get an apartment.
The "friend" that I temporarily moved in with told me that I had to move out...with only one day to get it done. Her reasoning was because her landlord found out that I was staying there from a nosey neighbor. I honestly think she just wanted me to contribute to her bills financially and made up an excuse for me to leave. I was broke being that all of my money went towards my tuition bill. I had nothing.
I felt like someone dropped the world on my shoulders. I moved out that night with no where to go.
I'm now staying with another friend who I met in college. Mistake #2. Word of advice...you can't trust everyone. Any who, she ended up putting me out due to me not being able to contribute to her bills. She wanted me to pay her cheating boyfriend's half of the rent when he "all of a sudden" broke up with her at the beginning of the month, aka RENT TIME.
I couldn't understand how two of my so called "friends" could put me out over money. Especially with them knowing about my situation. It's true when they say that money is the root of all evil. I may not have been able to offer them money at the time, but I offered help whenever I could.
It's now 2'ish AM in the morning and I'm sitting in my car in the school parking lot. I saved up enough money for a car, but I still don't have a home. It's cold outside, raining, and I have no place to sleep for the night. I've called "friends" but no one has responded and I'm beyond exhausted. I can honestly say I'm more tired than sad. I grab a blanket from my backseat and recline the driver's seat. I have to be at work at 7 AM and I can't miss my shift. I'm broke and time is money and money pays my tuition.
The tears begin to roll down my face as I realize that I am really homeless, and I have no one to call on. Never as a little girl did I imagine myself being homeless and sleeping in my car, which was also a storage of my belongings.
I turn off my car, and cry myself to sleep.
Time passes by and I'm waken up by a phone call. It's my friend Mark returning one of my phone calls from earlier. I answer the phone and begin to break down to him. I explain to him that I have no where to sleep for the night. Mark tells me to come over and then I realize that it's going on 5:30 AM. I arrive at Mark's town home exhausted and in dire need of sleep. Mark and I are really close, so him knowing my situation wasn't life or death for me. I just wanted a few hours of sleep. Mark then tells me that his boyfriend, yes BOYFRIEND, was asleep in his bed. Meaning that me enjoying the comfort of a bed was out of the window and around the corner.
Plan B, the couch...or I thought. Mark's roommate owned a cat that roamed around freely. I'm not a big fan of pets, so I suggested locking the cat in the bathroom. Let's just say the bathroom sounded like it was being remodeled. Mark decided to take the cat out of the restroom, and the chances of me getting sleep was close to none. Plan C was my last option.
I'm tired as hell and I give up. "Mark, give me a pillow and a blanket." He tossed me the items and I proceeded into his room. As I entered the room I noticed a half naked male in the bed...Mark's boyfriend, but I kept walking...directly to the walk in closet. I folded the blanket in half and laid it across the closet floor and threw the pillow next to it and laid down.
I was warm, safe, and cat free! LOL I can honestly say it was some of the best sleep I've had. It may have been too good because now I'm randomly waking up and it's going on 8 AM. I'm late for work now and rushing. I jump up and I'm moving fast like someone on coke and adderral. I've finally made it to work. I may be late but I'm so appreciative for those 2 1/2 hours of peace. Thank you Mark!
We should all be grateful for the small things in life.
I eventually got on my feet. I leased out my own apartment, paid off my tuition balance in cash, passed all of my semester college courses, and I'm closer to reaching my goal of earning my college degree. I am happy, I am stronger, I am wiser, but most importantly I'm a survivor. I will continue to beat the odds!
"If we command our wealth, we shall be rich and free; if our wealth commands us, we are poor indeed."
-Edmund Burke
