Serana
My name is Serana Young. I am 21 years old and I’m a college graduate student who studied art in California. I had an ambition to become a professional artist while using my photography and drawing skills until one day, something happened that changed my whole life forever. It all started when I was graduating from college…
“Serana Young.”
The announcer called my name before I walked onto the stage. I shook his hand with a smile on my face before I took my diploma from him. I walked off the stage and I sat back down on my seat with my three best friends, Alice, Lisa and Dawn.
We’ve been best friends since we were kids and we went to same college together. However, we studied different courses. Lisa and I studied digital art while Alice studied Fine Art and Dawn studied a Fashion Designing course. Right now, all four of us are graduating from college and we have our ambition to achieve now that we’re finished college.
Dawn is going to work at my Mother’s modelling agency and some day she wants to run her own fashion designing business. Lisa and Alice will be going to university because they want to get a teaching degree and I’m going to work as a photographer and at home, I’m going to sell illustrations and get commissions as my second job.
Once the ceremony was done, I met up with my friends later on that day and we decided to have one last meet up before we started our dream jobs and universities.
“Here’s to graduating from college!” I toasted while raising my glass.
“Cheers!” We shouted before clinking our glasses.
Lisa downed her tankard of beer and she then sighed afterwards before smiling.
“Woohoo! Finally! After 3 years of college, we’re finally free to do whatever we want now!” Lisa spoke with a grin on her face.
“I know and I can’t wait to start University to become a professor,” Alice spoke with a proud smile before she sipped her wine.
Dawn turned to look at me and she asked me.
“So, what’s happening with this interview that you got, Serana?”
“Well, my father was able to schedule it with the photographers in Canada. My Uncle was able to get me an apartment for to stay while I’m there. I don’t know how long I’ll be there for though but, I think it will depend whether I get the job or not,” I explained to Dawn and the others.
Some parts of that explanation may have been a tiny white lie because I had another reason for going to Canada but, I didn’t want to tell them.
“Well, since you’re going to Canada, you better be careful when you’re out there. I looked on the internet and there are a few dangerous wildlife predators out there. If you even think about hiking or taking any wildlife photographs, be extra careful. You’ll never know what you’ll run into.”
I chuckled at Lisa’s explanation.
“All right, I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Oh, ignore her, there’s nothing dangerous about the countryside. I would know. I used to spend my summers with my Grandmother,” Alice told me.
“That’s because she doesn’t live near a forest that might be filled with wolves or bears,” Lisa argued.
I shook my head at the pair of them before Dawn spoke up.
“Ignore them. Look, it’s not always about the country life, there’s also the city life too. If you’re lucky you might have some of your photos used for advertisement, if you get the job that is.”
“I just hope you’re right and I also hope everything goes well with your modelling career too.”
Dawn smiled when I told her this while she crossed both her fingers which made me chuckling afterwards.
“The same can be said for you, I hope the photography company accepts you. You’re very talented once you have a camera in your hand.”
“Here’s to hoping,” I told Dawn before we clinked our glasses and we drank them.
The next day, I went on the first flight to Canada in first class and once I arrived at the Canadian airport, my Uncle Derek was there waiting for me. He smiled at me and I smiled back at him.
“Uncle Derek!” I called out to him before I ran over to him.
“There’s my favourite niece in the whole world!”
Uncle Derek shouted before I flung my arms around and then he picks me up and spins me around in his arms. We both laughed and then he puts me back down on the ground before he ruffled my head.
“Oh, look at you, you’ve grown into a beautiful woman, my little college graduate!”
“Thanks for picking me up Uncle Derek,” I told him while fixing my hair.
“You’re welcome. Come on, let’s head over to your new apartment.”
We got to my Uncle’s car which was a Mercedes. I placed my suitcases in the boot before I sat in the passenger seat. Uncle Derek started the engine and then he drove me to my new apartment. I looked out of the window and I was enjoying the stunning view of Ontario. I couldn’t wait to live and work here.
“So, how is everyone back in California?” Uncle Derek broke the silence.
“My friends are doing great. Lisa and Alice are going to University in the Fall while Dawn is going to be working for my mother as a model.”
“And how are your parents?”
“They’re…good. Busy with the work as usual but, good,” I spoke with a little hesitation in my voice
“What’s wrong?” Uncle Derek asked me.
“Nothing, except my overprotective mother and father didn’t want their only child moving so far away but, I have to earn a living somehow and if that means moving so far away from California, I’m willing to take that opportunity.”
Uncle Derek chuckled when I told him this since I was the very enthusiastic and ambitious type. We finally arrived at the building where my new home is located.
“Wow! This place is awesome!!” I shouted happily after getting out of the car.
“Oh, that’s nothing, wait until you see your new place.”
Uncle Derek told me before he helped me with my suitcases. We went into the building and then he showed me my new apartment which was on the third floor. Uncle Derek unlocked the door and I was shocked and amazed when I saw my new home.
As I looked around, I had the best view of the city. The living room has a large TV with black leather sofas, a furry rug under the glass coffee table, the walls were a mixture of red and white to give it that modern theme to it. The kitchen contains grey counters, in the centre there was an island counter with black stools and the walls were black along with the appliances.
I headed into my bedroom and it was huge! It contains a queen-sized bed, a desk where I work on my digital drawings and my photography portfolio. There’s a room next door where I can work on my fine art skills and there was a canvas stand.
“Wow, Uncle Derek! This place looks cool! How much is it going to cost for the rent?” I asked him as I placed my bag on the bed.
“Don’t worry about it, you’re forgetting that I own this building and this place is also rent free.”
“Really? Thanks, Uncle Derek!” I spoke with a grin on my face before hugging him tightly.
“I would love to show you the area but, I’m a busy guy. I’ve got a meeting that’s coming up in two hours so I need to get ready but, feel free to explore your new home and make sure that you call your friends and family.”
“I will, thanks again Uncle Derek,” I told him before he left the apartment.
After he left, I unpacked my things and then I got my apple mac laptop from its case before placing it onto my new desk. I started it up and I began to work on my collage project along with some other samples that I plan to use for my interview. Hopefully, it goes well and I get the job as a photographer.
