ᴀ ɴɪɢʜᴛ ɪɴ ᴘᴀʀᴀᴅɪꜱᴇ | 𝘓𝘰𝘶 𝘹 𝘋𝘦𝘣𝘣𝘪𝘦

eight

Ａ  ＮＩＧＨＴ ＩＮ  ＰＡＲＡＤＩＳＥ

ɪɴ 1974, ᴛʜᴇ ᴘɪᴄᴛᴜʀᴇꜱQᴜᴇ Malibu island became a distant memory as 13-year-old Danny Ocean and 10-year-old Debbie Ocean, along with their mother, fled to west Hollywood. The family was struggling to make ends meet after their parents' marriage hit a rocky patch, and their mother was forced to hold down two jobs just to put food on the table. Every penny was scrutinized, and the children had to make do with canned food, as meatballs and spaghetti dinners were now an unaffordable luxury.

She remembered how Danny, even at a young age, offered their mother that he should quit school to work for him to help Daisy provide for their family. It wasn't easy. Their lives after living in the paradise of Malibu were not easy; they were more difficult than Debbie could remember. She even took up a job at a fast-food chain near the village where they live, unbeknownst to her mother, to earn her own allowance. Despite the odds, she poured herself into her education, determined to carve out a better future for herself and her family.

By the time she was 18, she was able to proceed to college, getting the course she wanted ever since. 3-year-old Debbie Ocean dreamed of becoming a teacher, and years later, after everything that happened in her life, she was able to take the first step in fulfilling her dream. In 1982, Debbie couldn't suppress her smile as she first stepped into the university she applied to. Danny and Daisy couldn't be more proud.

As another warm sunrise ushered in the month of August, Debbie felt a renewed sense of hope and positivity. It was the first day of school, and she knew that she was now one step closer to achieving her dreams. Debbie took a deep breath and looked around the bustling campus, taking in the sight of students hurrying to and fro, carrying books, and chatting excitedly. She couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging as she finally stepped into the university she had worked so hard to get into.

Suddenly, a bubbly girl came in, flashing a friendly smile. "Hey there! Are you new here?" the girl asked.

Debbie felt a twinge of nervousness, but she smiled back and nodded. "Yes, I am. It's my first day," she replied.

The girl looked mature. She thought she was higher in years. Her hair was tied in a ponytail. At that time, the whale-spout ponytail was invented, and nearly every young girl reached for a scrunchie and tied one on. Tammy's hairstyle was no different. Debbie thought it was cool. Her hair has always been naturally long and wavy, and she never thought of doing hairstyles until she saw these other young girls her age go with the trend.

The girl's eyes lit up. "Awesome! I'm Tammy," she said, extending a hand.

Debbie took the offered hand and shook it. "I'm Debbie. Nice to meet you," she said.

"Are you a senior here?" Debbie asked.

Tammy immediately shook her head. "Oh, no. I'm a freshman too!"Debbie chuckled. As Tammy introduced herself, it was as if she had been a student at the university for years. She spoke with an air of familiarity, as if the campus was her playground and she knew all its secrets.

From that moment on, the two girls hit it off instantly, chatting and laughing as they explored the campus. They exchanged stories about where they were from, their interests and aspirations, and shared tips on how to navigate the ins and outs of university life.

Debbie had always been an independent girl growing up, and her mother could justify that. Living on her own was something she had been looking forward to for a long time. She had already saved up enough money from her part-time job to cover the rent and living expenses, so she decided to take the leap and move out. Daisy had mixed feelings about Debbie moving out so soon after starting college, but she understood her daughter's desire for independence. She had raised Debbie to be a strong and responsible young woman, and she knew that she was capable of taking care of herself. She and Tammy shared an apartment just a few blocks from school. Debbie struggled to pay her rent, so she had to work to continue taking care of her expenses. Tammy, on the other hand, has no financial worries because she is wealthy, but despite her good fortune, Tammy has always been kind and humble. She never hesitated to lend a helping hand to Debbie, and her unwavering support kept Debbie going through the toughest of times.