First Day

‘I’ll be fine, I swear,’ said Mae Grant, to her mother. She hadn't unpacked yet but she wanted the freedom to decide where things would go without her parents there to bother her. ‘It’s time for me to live independently.’

            Mrs Grant wasn’t taking the loss of her only child well, he daughter on the other seemed to be keeping it together. Mrs Grant had made Mae’s bed, made sure than she was complete safe, and tested Mae to make sure she knew how to survive just in case there was a fire.

            ‘Okay, but are you sure?’ her mother asked. ‘I can’t believe this day has come,’ she went on starting too get teary eyed.

            ‘Mum don’t be silly, I’ll be fine,’ said Mae, ‘Just go.’ Her dad returned from the kitchen, having unpacked the small food supply he insisted on.

            ‘I’ll get her out here,’ said Mr Grant, acting like he was okay with everything. He was more worried Mae would starve to death. Mr Grant wanted to buy food for a month for his daughter, but was talk down to couple of days, as Mae had smartly pointed out; shopping was a great way to bond with new friends. ‘Come on honey, let’s go home to our empty house and enjoy our childless home.’

This remark didn’t make things better, as it made Mrs Grant started to cry. Noticing that he had made things worse, Mr Grand grabbed his wife and said, ‘I’ll call you later honey,’ and then he dragged his wife, our of the room.

            When the door closed Mae let out a huge sigh of relief. This was her time to be independent, and she wasn’t worried. She was going to be a sensible student at Queenstown University; she wasn’t going to be one of those “partying” all the time students. Mae was going to focus on her studies and get the top grades, just like she always had.

            Mae’s room was small, but was the right size for her. Against the far wall of the room was her bed which came with two drawers for storage, with the window overhead. Right at the end of the bed was her wardrobe with three drawers underneath. To left of the bed there was a small beside table, which lead into her desk, and chair. Above the desk was a bookcase, and next to it was her notice board. Her en suite bathroom was at the end of her desk, and behind the door were two shelves, with a large mirror hanging underneath it.  With all this in the room there was still enough floor space for a few people to be in the room.

The next hour or so Mae went thought her things and began to unpack. She took her clothes out her suitcase, and placed them in the wardrobe. Mea looked at her clothes of simple tops and jeans. As well as the couple of dresses her mum had made bring just in case she needed it. She then setup her laptop, books, pens and lamp on her desk. She then went into her small en suite bathroom and put out her toiletry products. After she was done Mae didn’t know what to do with herself.

            Mae really didn’t know what to do. There was nothing for her study, and there was no one to talk too. She didn’t know if anyone was around, even if it was her first day, it didn’t mean it was for others. It seemed like she was the only person who had moved in. Maybe not, she thought. Maybe people had come while she was unpacking, and were extremely quiet.

Mae went to her door, and opened it, looked down the hallway, but saw no one, and heard nothing. The hall was as empty as when she walked into, seven doors with a simple sign stating the room number, or common area. Since Mae was alone, she decided to go to the living area and have a cup of tea and wait.

            Mae went in the rather large common area, which was cut into two parts, the living area with small coffee table, and a corner suite sofa at the fair end of the room. Facing the sofa was a TV monitor. On the left hand side of the room, there were cupboards that started where the door opened, with work tops on the top, leading to a breakfast bar which sat six and had green and grey stools. To the right were more cupboards on the bottom, with six named cupboards on the doors. There was a sink right in the corner; within the middle of everything was oven and cooker duo. Right at the end of the counter tops were two fridge freezers.

            Mae picked up the kettle filled it, and waited for it to boil. As she was about to put sugar into her cup, someone came through the door. It was a guy, he was about average height, and slim build. He had mousey blond hair, and wearing thick black glasses over his blue eyes. He was carrying three large shopping bags.

            ‘Hi,’ said Mae, a little more enthusiastically than she intended.

            ‘Hello,’ he said, in a gruff voice, which had European sounding accent.

            ‘Hi,’ said Mae again, but this time sounding more normal. ‘I’m Mae nice to meet you, let me help you.’

            ‘Thank you,’ he said, as Mae took a bag from his hand. ‘I’m Alexi nice to see you too.’

            ‘Thanks,’

            ‘Did you move to?’

            ‘Yeah I did, my parents left not too long ago. When did you move in?’

            ‘I been here for a week,’ said Alexi, ‘I lived here alone since then. It nice to meet someone.’

            ‘Yeah me too,’ said Mae.

            Mae and Alexi talked while the two of them put away the shopping. While they talked they found out things about each other. Mae found out that Alexi Zak was from Poland, and had a sister and mother back there. She had also found out the two of them were doing the same course. Mae found it easy to talk to Alexi, and found his broken English charming, even though it was hard for her to pick up everything he was saying. She was more surprised she was talking to a boy without having any issues.

Mae thought about her experiences talking to boys, and it was a small number of boys. Most of which happen to be family members. She did wonder why she found it so easy. It wasn’t like Alexi was ugly, he was actually quite attractive, it was going to be quite nice living with an attractive boy, but he wasn’t so attractive that Mae found it hard to remain herself.

            Alexi offered to make them something to eat, which Mae accept gratefully as she was hungry and unsure what to cook, or if she could.  He cooked them some pasta and chicken, which he did surprising quickly. The way he cooked Alexi did it so easily, it was like when she watched her grandma cook. While he was cooking Mae took in everything he was doing, just in case she would try and recreate it herself, if it tasted good. When Mae tasted it she was surprised at how good it tasted, and found herself digging right in.

            ‘Did you like?’ asked Alexi, once they had finished.

            ‘Yes I did,’ replied Mae, ‘I need to learn to cook like this.’

            ‘Can’t you cook?’

            ‘Well, I spent the whole summer with my grandma so I could learn to cook for myself. Well, she actually insisted I learn to cook, because she doesn’t want me ordering take always, or relying on ready meals. It was nice, but I don’t know if I’m any good, my grandma said it was but she was probably just being nice.’

            ‘Maybe,’ said Alexi, ‘but she wouldn’t send you if couldn’t cook good.’

            ‘I guess so,’ said Mae, a little reassured, ‘maybe I’ll cook something some for us to try.’

            ‘Sound good,’ said Alexi, patting Mae on the shoulder while he went to clear the table.

            ‘Let me do that,’ said Mae taking the plates, ‘you cooked I’ll clean, it’s the least I can do.’           

As Mae was washing up, she heard a lot of noise coming from the hall. It sounded like a gang of people were in the hallway. ‘Who’s that?’ she asked, as she couldn’t move from the sink.

            Alexi walked to the door, and peeped thought the glass. ‘It look like,’ he said pausing for a moment, ‘six people.’

            ‘Six?’ exclaimed Mae, ‘Go out there and see, there can’t be six people moving in.’

            ‘No, too many.’

            Mae looked at Alexi, and realised he must be nervous, as any of the people outside could be the person or persons moving in. Even thought she was also nervous going through all people out there to find the one or two people moving in, Mae dried her hands pushed past Alexi and went into the hall. When she got into the hall there were indeed six people standing out there.

There were four men, a woman and young girl. Mae had to assume the young girl was the one moving in, and everyone had to be the family. The girl was short average build, with shoulder length blonde hair, and wore glasses. Her mother looked almost identical to her but had long hair and didn’t wear glasses. While the men all looked the same tall slim and dark hair, but varying ages from mid-twenties to fifties.  

            ‘Hi,’ said Mae, sounding rather intimidated, ‘I’m Mae I live at the end of the hall, and Alexi is also our flatmate but he’s in the kitchen right now. Nice to meet you.’ while she spoke Mae directed her gaze to everyone in the group.

            ‘I’m Sophitia,’ said the young girl stepping out of the crowd, ‘sorry if were a little loud, couldn’t get the door open.’

            ‘It’s okay,’ said Mae, ‘it’s nice to meet you, and when you’re ready come join us in the living area.’

            ‘I will be there as soon as I can,’ said Sophitia.

            Finding it weird no one else addressed her; Mae smiled at everyone and went to go back into the kitchen. As Mae went to go into the kitchen the front door went again, and a Latin girl walked in wearing a low cut top which showed off her, rather large chest. She had a round face that was slight made up, and had long red and brown hair. The man with her was small balding man and had a small moustache. The girl seemed to stand up straighter when she noticed all the people in the hall.

            ‘Hello, hello,’ she said, ‘nice to meet so many of you. I’m Rosetta, this is my dad, and I’m moving.’

            ‘I’m Sophitia, and this is Mae,’ said Sophitia, pointing as she spoke and before anyone could speak. ‘We live here too.’

            ‘Living with girls excellent, and here’s me thinking I would be living with five guys.’ said Rosetta, jokingly. ‘Once I’ve unpacked ill come and find you guys later.’

            Amused by the frankness of Rosetta, Mae went back into the kitchen to deliver the news. ‘You’re going to like this,’ she said to Alexi, ‘you’re living with three women.’

            Half an hour later, Mae and Alexi were joined by Sophitia and Rosetta after Sophitia’s family rather noisy exit. Both were eager to get rid of their parents and get on with knowing there new flat mates. After Mae’s and Alexi’s brief introduction they we're given an almost full account of Rosetta Lopez’s life story to present. She also was doing the same course as the other two. She was an only child and was the first in her entire family to go to university. She had studied hard to get there, and had sacrificed her boyfriend for her to pass her exams. However this wasn't an issue for her, as she was quick to get another few boys to take her out, after her exams of course.

            Mae found Rosetta’s frank talk about these things interesting, and she had never met someone like her before. Thought it seemed Rosetta’s excessive talking was getting to Alexi. Not knowing if it was a smart idea, Mae asked Sophitia about herself when Rosetta was in between breaths.

            ‘Oh I’m the youngest of my family, and only girl,’ she started, with dangerous looks from Rosetta. ‘There are all very protective, but I'm used to it and glad to be away from them.’

            ‘I know the feeling,’ said Mae.

            ‘Well I am looking to being friends with all you,’ said Sophitia, most speaking to Mae and Rosetta.

            ‘Me too,’ agreed Alexi.

            ‘Well in the spirt of all of that,’ said Rosetta, she then went into a bag she brought in with her and took out a bottle of prosecco. Rosetta then went thought the cupboards and got out a couple of mugs and shared it around then said, ‘even though we haven't met everyone yet I like to think this is the start of something new. To new friends!’

            ‘To new friends!’ The others cheered along, and took a drink.

            ‘Well I hate to drink and run,’ said Rosetta, downing the rest of her drink. ‘I must go and get my room ready, I’ve got a date. Later.’ With that she left.

            Mae thought, how could Rosetta have a date already, she’d only lived here for an hour.

            ‘I must go too,’ said Alexi, putting his half-drunk mug of prosecco on the counter. ‘I got to video chat my sister.’ When he went to leave the room, he tapped his hand on Mae shoulder.

            ‘I guess you’ll want to go unpack,’ said Mae, trying to be polite.

            ‘That can wait,’ said Sophitia, ‘I want to go and see what about, who’s about what’s this town’s about. Want to go?’

            ‘Let’s go,’ said Mae, and she grabbed Sophitia’s arm and walked out of the kitchen.

            After they grabbed their wallets and jackets the two walked from there flat, to the outside of building, as they did, a car pulled up outside. Neither one of them took notice of this car as many cars were coming going around the complex. They walked around the Highland Coast complex taking in all the different people moving in, and celebrating their new found independence.

            Deciding they defiantly didn’t want to go back to the flat just yet, they decided to talk a walk to the small high street of Ruralton just off the complex. While walking they took in there new environment, and looking at all the different places they could go to dinner, and placers they could shop. They walked past a coffee shop, and decided to stop and people watch. During the time they sat, they got to know each other.

            Mae got to learn about Sophitia’s four brothers names, which were; Chris, Nathan, Sam, and Tom. Her two older brothers had fiancés’, named Julie and Karmen who she got on well with. As she talked about them, it was easy for Mae to see that Sophitia wanted something similar.

            ‘Have you ever had a relationship like your older brothers do?’ Mae asked when Sophitia had stopped for a moment.

            ‘No I haven't,’ said Sophitia, in a sigh. ‘I wish I could. The things Jules has told me that Chris has done for her it’s so romantic, but I know one day I will.’

            ‘I know what you mean,’ agreed Mae. ‘You know today was the first day I spent with a boy who wasn't related to me. It was so nice and easy.’

            ‘Really, how come?’

            ‘I went to an all-girls school, and never really had any contact with any boys since I was eleven. I guess I was too occupied with learning and doing well that I never ever really thought about boys.’    

            ‘What about your friends, didn’t they try and set you up or anything like that?’     

            ‘They tired,’ said Mae, thinking fondly of the memories of various attempts. ‘They would constantly ask me to go to the cinema or to go places after school but I was never really interested. I tried to be social, but I didn’t find the boys attractive. The one boy I did like was with my friend, so I never really got the chance to go boy crazy.’

            ‘Well you’re guaranteed to meet a lot of guys while you here,’ said Sophitia, positively. ‘Hopefully one or two you actually might like.’

            ‘I guess,’ said Mae, bashfully. ‘But I want to focus on passing the course first.’

            ‘And get a boyfriend second,’ giggled Sophitia.

            ‘Yeah,’ agreed Mae, also giggling. ‘Only if we can both, find someone decent.’

            ‘And smart.’

            ‘And handsome.’

            ‘And... .’

            The two of them went on like that for a while after that, listing all the qualities they wanted in a boyfriend. Then when they saw it was getting dark, they head back to their new home of Highland Coast. When they got home Alexi was cooking dinner and invited the girls to join him. While they ate, Mae and Sophitia kept passing looks at each other and quieting laughing as they both wanted a boyfriend who could cook. After they finished eating Mae and Sophitia cleaned up and decided on an early night, as they both had a very busy day.

            As Mae got into her room, she realised she had forgotten her phone. She quickly went back down the hall into the common area to find her phone on the counter; she picked it up and went back towards her room. As she did the front door of the flat opened, and Mae stopped to see who it was coming in.

            Mae expected it to be Rosetta and her date coming home, but it wasn't. It was boy. He was tall, slim, but looked toned. His hair was short black hair, and had a slight undercut to it. He was hearing a grey sweat top and black jeans and pair of blue Nike running shoes, and he was walking towards Mae.

            ‘Hi,’ said the guy, as he approached Mae. He then walked towards the door opposite Mae’s room, ‘Goodnight,’ he then said and went into room closing the door behind him.

            Mae stood in the hall for a moment, looking towards his door.

Who was that guy? Thought Mae, He was hot, who is he? And how can I kiss him. Then Mae realised they were living together, she had time to find out. They were going to be living together for a year. Moving out to go to university was defiantly the smartest thing Mae had ever done.