Harlem Rahim. A girl from the hood. From Brownsville, Brooklyn.
Born of an Israelite father and an afro american mother. Quite a juvenile delinquent and not ashamed to be.
If you grew up the way I did, you'd probably be one too. Just turned eighteen years old. Poor but not stupid.
I'm gonna go all the way to get out of this mess.
To get 'us' outta this. Even discover a world out of the hood life.
But never forget where I come from. Where I belong.

HARLEM

Was as big and beautiful as I'd imagined it. It was great! A big campus and the best art professors one could ever have.


The day we had arrived, Kadij gave my mother and I a little apartment on campus. It was perfect! There was a little living room, a kitchen, two rooms and a main bathroom big enough for two. I was so happy with my new surrounding.


Immediately we settled, I prepared for work and the next day, I started classes along with the other students. Now was my chance to show that I was a good artist and I deserved to be known.


Two years passed away as fast as possible. A lot of things happened during that period. I'd ameliorated my drawing and painting skills, and plus, I was one of the best students in class. I'd been serious and objective from day one. No time for new friends. I was always on my own, working as hard as ever.


Chapter 54