The choice of my life

Chapter 1

“I don’t know Georgina; I have never ever thought of that”- I said.

“Georgina, I don’t think this is right for her”- told Sabrina while finishing up her ice coffee.

“All I am saying is that you are brilliant, you put a lot of effort into things and I don’t want to see you dropping out just because your mum decided to run off with some random dude. That is your mum’s fault and you should not be paying for it”- said Georgina very frustrated.

“Georgina, I know this is not my fault, I know I should not be suffering the consequences of what my “mother” did, but my father can’t do anything else. He is tired, he is very tired and he gets home from work at 17:00 and needs to leave at 18:00 to start his shift in the supermarket t 18:30 until 22:30. Physically, there is nothing else he can do, and I can’t find a job that fits around classes”- said Savannah while playing with the straw of her smoothie.

“Savannah please, think very well what you are doing. You are in third year, you are halfway there, there is not way you can give up now”- said Georgina.

“I understand what you are feeling, and at first I was feeling like you, but my parents could not afford the tuition fees at all or my living cost; we know how expensive is living in London, but this is what I wanted. I have dreamed all my life of being called Dr. Collins, so I wasn’t going to give up. That however does not mean that you have to do it too”- said Sabrina.

“When I told Sabrina, she gave me the filthiest look ever! Like if I was doing something totally disgusting! -laughed Georgina.

“How much did you say you earn a week?”- I asked.

“That depends of how many days you want to do it and the type of service you want to provide, but you can set your own hourly rate. My hourly rate is £400 but that increases if they want me during the night too”-replied Georgina.

“My hourly rate is £350 as I started later than Georgina. I usually spend about 3-4 hours per week with a client and I spend two nights a week with different clients so in total I get around £2,950 a week”- said Sabrina.

“What?? That is a lot of money Sabrina! But is that enough to cover the tuition fees? – I asked surprised.

“I pay my tuition fees at the beginning of the course; I work a lot during summer, so I am able to pay for it in one go”- said Sabrina.

“I do that as well”- commented Georgina- “Look Savannah, at the end of the day it is your choice, we are only advising. We are not in the same situation than you are but… we can’t afford it either. Whatever you choose, we will support you, we are your friends, but we will be very sad to see our Dr. Montgomery leave! -said Georgina.

Oh God, she is so right. Dr. Montgomery. My dad would be so proud of me and I am halfway there. I am not the best in the class, but God forgives me if I say I don’t put effort into it.

“Savannah, we have seen you for three years to overcome big problems, we have seen you studying until 3am sometimes even later than that to make sure you at least passed the exams. What I am trying to say is that … you know … you are really committed to this … you, from all three of us, are the one who never stops until you find a way to get it into our heads. But this job is not for everybody, so keep that in mind too”- said Sabrina.

“Guys, I know. I really know all of this, okay? It is just a lot to take in now”- I pause for a moment- “I need something stronger than this. Cocktails?”- I asked raising my smoothie up.

“Cocktails!” -said the girls while raising their drinks up too.

“I am going to nip into the bathroom, and I will be back in 3 minutes”- I said.

I take my bag and make my way to the bathroom. When I get in, there is not queue which is extremely rare for a ladies bathroom. I look myself into the mirror and I feel like crying. For my entire life I have been good, I have never ever made any troubles to my parents or to anybody so, why was I being punished? Why was I forced to drop out of something that makes me happy just become the selfish behaviour of my mother? In fact, how can a mother be so selfish and thoughtless? If nana were alive, mum would not have done this. And my dad? My poor dad working two jobs to try and pay for my education. When he sat last night at the edge of my bed telling me we needed to speak, my heart was beating so fast, and part of my heart died when I saw the look on his face when he said he could not pay the next month university quote. I was angry and upset. I was sad and feeling totally useless. But I wasn’t angry at him; he had done nothing else than help and raise me. I was angry at my mother. That selfish bastard running away with someone who met 4 weeks ago at her reading club that my dad prompted her to go! And taking all the money? All the savings? Who does that? I know my dad is heartbroken, no because my mother left, but instead because she ruined my life. She ruined everything my dad and I had worked for. I am going to do it. I am doing this job and I am going to get through medical school.

I take a deep breath, fix my hair and with my biggest smile on, I leave the bathroom to have an amazing night with my girls.

“All right my ladies, where are we going?” -I asked.

“Spoons!” – says Sabrina.

“No time to waste then” – I replied.

We leave the café and we make our way into Spoons. Spoons is about 15 minutes walk from where we were and because it is April, it is not too cold.

“OMG guys I forgot to tell you! Melissa Humphry, the brunette one that wears glasses and tight leggings but only to Histology II class. You know who I am talking about? – says Georgina.

“Yeah… Melissa Humphry who is from Liverpool right?” – I asked.

“The one who is totally after Dr. Hamish?” – asked Sabrina.

“Yes! That one” – shouts Georgina- So Melissa and Dr. Hamish have actually been sleeping together for months! Everybody knows now – said Georgina.

“Ah! So, you see? I told you!” – shouted Sabrina.

“Sleeping with Dr. Hamish, uh? I mean, the guy has something I am not going to lie but, sleeping with your lecturer? That is low boy. I actually wonder… Is he going to give her privileges? You know, like the questions of the study cases or something? – I asked.

“I would say so” – said Sabrina.

“Oh well, well, Melissa … you know how to do them right” – I laughed.

After three hours and 6 cocktails, I get home. I try not to be too loud; I don’t want to wake up dad as he has to work tomorrow at 8am. I get into my room and turn the light of my ensuite bathroom on.

“Oh God, I am a mess” – I said to myself while looking at the mirror.

I am a mess but that was a dam good night! Studying medicine has not only given me happiness but very two good friends that I will never change for anything in the world. Maybe if I did not study medicine, I wouldn’t have met them and that will be a sad Savannah. Medicine is the future; medicine is my future. I am going to be an OBYGN, and I am going to be the best. Or maybe not the best but the second best. Or the third best.

I remove my make up, and brush my teeth, wash my face and put some cream on. This stupid dermatitis is driving me crazy! I remove my clothes and before putting my pyjamas on, I stop, and I look into the mirror. I see my naked body. I am a 5”5, size 10 on jeans and size 8 for a top. 85C for my bra. I actually have a good body. I have short brunette hair but that can be sorted with extensions. Do my manicure and my lashes and I can pull this. I can do this.

“You can do this Savannah; you can be an Escort” – I said while looking at the mirror.