What’s His Name?

Mae was in an elegant ball room, with a large high ceiling and many chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The room was empty expect for the live band at the far end of the room. There was a nice glamourous buffet on one long table, with the centre piece being a champagne fountain.

            Mae was wearing a very fancy white and black ball gown that had a heavily laced trim. Her hair was done up nice, and she was wearing large diamonds studs in her ears. She was dancing with the handsome boy who lived across the hall. He looked exactly the same, even more handsome if that were possible. However, he was dressed as elegantly as Mae was. He was dressed in a very handsome tux with matching highly polished black shoes.

            The two were slow dancing around the room, the band were keeping up with their pace of their moments. This felt like a dream to Mae, she felt like a princess, this was everything she wanted; even though it wasn't anything she thought she needed.

            ‘What do you like to do?’ Mae asked, the handsome boy.

            ‘I like whatever you like,’ he said, ‘I like reading, studying, walks in the park, silly things like that.’

            ‘That is what I like,’ amused Mae, ‘what kinds of food do you like?’

            ‘I like all kinds of food like you, but my favourite is grandma’s cooking.’

            ‘Just more like me, so what are you willing to do for me?’

            ‘Anything you want me too,’ he went on, ‘I will do whatever you need me to do; I am your absolute boyfriend, the perfect boyfriend.’

            Mae had the strongest desire to kiss the boy, but decided against it. As handsome as he was, and as perfect this all was it didn’t seem right to suddenly start kissing his face off. She also thought the band would approve.

            ‘Tell me the most important thing,’ said Mae, gently, ‘what’s your name?’

            ‘My name is?’ He said, ‘my name is?’ He went again.

            This was the only thing Mae want to know right now was, his name. Everything else was less important now. As beautiful as everything was or where things could go she needed to know his name.

            ‘What’s your name?’ She asked again.

            ‘My name is…’ but before he could answer, everything seemed to slow down, and things were moving and sounding in slow motion. Mae seemed to be working at regular speed, and then suddenly there was a loud buzzing noise.

            Mae jumped up out of her sleep. Complete confused and coming to terms she was dreaming, Mae rubbed her eyes then was suddenly shocked again. It took her a second to remember she wasn't in her teenage bedroom any more. She flopped back on her bed and sighed.      

Twenty minutes later Mae got out of bed and got on with her day. She washed and dressed and made sure to put everything back in pristine condition, as she now was meant to be capable of doing household chores. She then headed to the living area to make breakfast. When she got inside Sophitia was standing by the kettle in pink pyjamas with little unicorns on the bottoms and a large one on the top.

‘Morning,’ she said, clearly embarrassed. ‘I didn't think anyone would be up this early.’

            ‘Oh I get up at the same time every day to, make sure to get the most out of my day,’ explained Mae. ‘I found out we live with another guy.’

            ‘What?’  Sophitia exclaimed.

            The two sat and had coffee while Mae explained her brief encounter with the new flatmate. She went into great detail recounting her thirty second meeting. After she finished Mae wondered if there was anything she left out.

            ‘So you say he was cute?’  Sophitia asked.

            ‘No,’ said Mae firmly, ‘I said he was beautiful. The most beautiful boy I've ever seen. I wonder how long he is going to sleep before I can see his face again.’

            ‘Wow you seem very into him,’

‘           Do I?’ Mae pondered, ‘I guess it’s just being happy we live with someone good looking.

            ‘I guess,’ said Sophitia, sounding not convinced, ‘you don't see me going on about…’ Sophitia didn’t finish, as she heard a bang of a door.

Almost at the same time Mae and Sophitia got up and dashed to the door. They peeked through the little glass but saw nothing. 

            ‘That was weird,’ said Sophitia, giving up looking for the source of the noise.

            ‘’It could have been someone leaving Rosetta's room.’ Mae said. ‘She did have a date last night.’

            ‘Maybe, but do you think she invited them back, after one night?’

            ‘Maybe, it could have been a date with her boyfriend.’

            While Mae made her breakfast the two discussed the opportunities they would have to have people staying over. They both wondered if Rosetta was the type to invite strangers into their home. Then Mae wondered if the guys they had moved in with were players also. Mae convinced herself her new flatmate definitely wasn’t the player type, as well not a cheater and of anything like that. Yes … was a one girl kind of guy. There was no way she could ever like a two timing man whore.

            Before Mae could move her thoughts over to the other boy in the building, they heard another bang, and rushed to the door again. This time they saw Alexi, going into his room. He looked all sweaty and was wearing gym clothes. He then went into his room and disappeared from sight.

            ‘Wow he works out,’ said Sophitia,

            ‘Hmm I guess,’ Mae said saddened it wasn’t the mysterious flatmate.

            ‘I’m going to get dressed,’ said Sophitia, bring Mae back into the room. ‘Do you want to go exploring the shopping centre?’

            ‘Sure.’

When Sophitia left Mae didn’t know what she could. She knew she could wait all day in the living area for the guy to come and get a drink, food, or just to see who was around. However, she knew she needed to be sensible as she needed to do some food shopping. She had only had enough for two days and she had nothing else to do, she should do it now. She needed food for living, and waiting for a boy to come out of his room wasn't.

            Mae went and got her coat and bag and took a walk down the hill to the supermarket in Ruralton. As she walked she amused herself by thinking maybe next time she and the guy could be going shopping together. It could be a little date, and little private get away between the two.

            ‘What do you want to cook me for dinner,’ Mae asked, as they were walking past the fruits and vegetables section.

            ‘What do you want me to cook you?’ the boy from across the hall asked.

            ‘Something romantic.’

            ‘Do I cook anything else?’

            Just as they were about to have a little kiss over the potatoes, Mae was brought back from her dream world as she just went crashing into and early woman's trolley.

            Mae had to get a grip her fantasies weren’t happening. No one was going to cook her dinner, maybe Alexi was but he was not the guy she wanted. Maybe they might go shopping together but not now.

            After remaining in reality for the rest of her shopping Mae made very simple decision on her food choices, she chose to try and actually cook her meals and not rely on ready meals, as her mother predicted.  While still living a little bit on a fantasy world, she planned to make enough dinner for her mystery date and her.

            When she finally got back to the flat, Alexi was in the kitchen sitting on the sofa reading the paper.

            ‘Hey,’ said Mae, to announce herself. ‘How come you’re in here by yourself?

            ‘I am not,’ said Alexi, looking over from the paper. ‘I am talking with the other man who live here.’

            Mae froze; the guy would be back any second, she couldn’t believe her luck.

            ‘Oh where is he,’ asked Mae, as calmly as she could.

            ‘Oh he got call and left.’

            Just her luck.

            After spending a couple minutes explain the past and present tense with Alexi, Mae reassured herself she would meet the guy again. Even if she stayed in the living area like she orginally wanted to, she would meet him again and have a conversation. Or at the very least, know his name.

            Wait a minute, thought Mae.

            ‘Alexi what was the other guy’s name,’ she asked desperately.

            ‘Oh,’ said Alexi. He took a moment or two to remember then said, ‘I can’t remember. I'm not so good with err names.’

            ‘Alexi I need you think,’ said Mae, as if she was talking to a small child. ‘What's his name?’

            After another moment Alexi then said, ‘I don't know. All I know he said he spells it different. Sorry I not good with people name. I know yours Mari.’

            ‘Mae!’

            ‘Oh!’

            ‘Like the month but just spelt different,’ said Mae sounding disappointed. On the bright side, she thought we have one thing in common, we spell our name different.

            By the time to go check out the shopping centre; the boy still hadn’t come back. Mae had sat in the kitchen with Alexi, not really talking just wait for him to come back. When Sophitia was ready to go she was extremely disappointed, as a part of her knew when they left he would come back, and get talking to his new pal Alexi not Mae.

            Reluctantly Mae got ready to leave with Sophitia, before deciding on her best idea of the day, to take Alexi with them. If the guy did come back there was no one for him to talk to, and he couldn't get buddy, buddy with Alexi anymore. The position was reserved for Mae.

            The trio walked from the other side of the hill to Queenstown’s main high street. It was also near to where the university was located, which gave them an idea to where they would be headed every day. While they walked they mostly took in there new surroundings and talked about its general look.

            When they reached the high street, there were shops a plenty. Queenstown it seemed were ready for the new residence, as many of the shop windows were offering student discounts, as well as there being many different stickers placed on the ground telling new comers where everything was. This was all very inviting, and made the trio want to explore everything.

            Not looking for anything in particular they went from shop to shop, not buying much, but taking in the all the inviting shop displays and friendly staff. The only shop Mae had to buy things from was Ryman, as many of the offers they were there were too good for her to pass, as she needed them for her to get her education.

            ‘You really don't remember his name,’ said Sophitia, into her coffee cup.

            They had stopped for a coffee, and when they did Mae had brought up Alexi and the mystery boy had met.

            ‘I still don't remember,’ said Alexi.

            ‘Isn't that shame,’ said Sophitia, ‘such as shame. Do you think you know it you heard It.?’

            ‘Possibly.’

            For the next couple minutes Sophitia came up with several boys names she could think of, Mae didn't interfere as Sophitia was taking it upon herself to find out. However, the only thing did hitch her investigating skills was the fact she didn't know his name was spelt different.

            ‘Tom? Adam? James?’ Sophitia asked, after a moments pause.

            ‘No,’ said Alexi, simply.

            ‘Let’s leave it for now,’ said Mae, having heard enough of their failed attempts to get his name. Every name didn’t sound right.

            After their coffee they went back to shopping, Alexi picked up someone thing to send back to his mother and sister, to let them know he liked being in England. Mae and Sophitia had decided to get matching bracelets to remember their new friendship.

            Before they knew it a lot of the shops started to close and they decided to head back home. When they got home no one seemed to be around, there was no one in the living area, and it was hard to know if anyone was in there room. Mae hoped with the noise of their return would make someone curious to see what was going on.

            Sophitia had offered to cook for the three of them, which neither Mae nor Alexi declined. Mae liked it as it gave her the opportunity to talk to the guy if he happed to show up. Twenty minutes later and still no one still had come in, but it didn’t dishearten Mae. She knew as the evening went on he had to come home some time, and if she had to stay here till he did she would.

            The door to the kitchen suddenly opened, and in came Rosetta. ‘Hey,’ said as she entered.

            ‘Hey,’ said Mae, sounding not too enthusiastic with seeing her.

            ‘You’ll never guess what,’ said Rosetta as she began to going through her cupboard. ‘I met the guy who lives at the end of the hall.’

            Mae couldn’t believe what she just heard. In the hopes of getting everyone out the flat she completely forgot about Rosetta. The big breasted easy going girl, and of course she met him first. She might have been the first one to see him, but everyone else seemed to have conversations with him.

            ‘That’s not fair everyone has met him except for me,’ said Sophitia, sounding disappointed.

            ‘You’ve all met him!’ cried Rosetta.

            ‘Mae met him last night, Alexi met him this morning, and you this afternoon. I so feel like the odd one out.’

            ‘Don’t worry sweetie you’ll meet him,’ Rosetta said, giving Sophitia a pat on the shoulder. ‘And I’ll think you’ll agree when you see him he’s quite the cutie. It’s nice living good looking guys isn’t it Mae?’

            ‘Huh,’ said Mae, after realising everyone was looking at her. ‘What was that?’

            ‘I was saying how we're living with cute guys,’ said Rosetta coming closer to Mae, ‘as me and you have seen both guys.’       

            ‘Yeah, yeah,’ said Mae quickly.

            ‘I think we got off lucky,’ Rosetta went on, ‘I mean we could’ve been living with a bunch of geeky chubby boys, ew! But instead we got good look young gentlemen, the only thing that could make it better if there were a lot more of them. Oh look at me talking like you’re not here Alexi. Just ignore us it’s just girl chat.’

            ‘Okay,’ said Alexi, very firmly.

            ‘So what did you find out about him?’ asked Sophitia, before Rosetta could start up again.

            ‘Hmm,’ she replied, thinking it over, ‘not much I don’t think. I know were all doing the same could so yay! Other than that I don’t really remember.’

            ‘Do you at least know his name?’ asked Mae, thinking of the wasted opportunity Rosetta had. If it were Mae she would know so much about him.

            ‘Yeah, yeah he told me. It was… I know it… it was…. damm I don’t remember.’

            ‘How do you guys not remember!’ exploded Mae.

            ‘I’m sorry honey I guess I was taking in too much of his body, and face and whatever else,’ said Rosetta.

            Feeling completely hopeless, Mae laid down on the sofa. Why didn’t she just ask for his name last night? Why couldn’t the two people who claimed to have proper conversation with him, not remember his name? It was all she wanted she just wanted a name, was that so hard to find out.

            After dinner Mae decided to go to her room and lie down in the dark. She knew her chances of meet the mystery guy would go away by doing so, but she didn’t care. She instead gave him a name. His name was Aaron like the last boy she liked, and he was kind gentle and actually wanted to tell her things about himself. That was good enough for her for the moment, till she found out the real name, which by the look of things could take a long time.

            Mae woke up several hours later; lying in the dark had made her fall asleep. It was a dreamless sleep, which was sad as she did want to have another dream about “Aaron”. Realising she was dry in the mouth; she went to the living area to get a drink. As she did, she was complete surprised to see “Aaron” at the counter. He was sitting at the counter, with a small bowl in front of him. He was wearing a hoodie, and jogging bottoms. Which still made him still look good.

            ‘Hi,’ Mae forced herself to say.

            ‘Hi,’ he said back.

            Unsure of what to say, but determined too actually talk to him Mae racked her brain for someone to say. ‘Erm,’ wasn’t a good start, ‘I’m Mae nice to meet you.’

            ‘Nice to meet you Mae, I’m Marc.’

            Marc was his name, Marc that was his name. Thank goodness. His name was Marc.

            ‘How do you spell that?’ asked Mae, then realised she might sound a little silly as “Mark” wasn’t a complicated name.

            ‘What?’ Marc asked.

            ‘Err well,’ started Mae, not sure how to carry on. ‘Um... err, oh you know Alexi the other guy, well err he said you spell your name different but he couldn’t remember it. So I err just wondered how do you spell yours.’ completely mortified how un-cool she just sounded Mae hung her head in shame.

            ‘Oh yeah, I did tell him that. I spell it with a C not a K.’

            ‘So M A R C, how cool,’ said Mae, trying to sound like a regular person again. ‘Well you and I have something in common.’  Why did I just say that? Mae thought. ‘I don’t spell my name like the month I spell it M A E so you know.’

            ‘Cool,’ said Marc, not giving it a second thought.

            What do I say, what do I say? Mae thought.

            ‘Well it seems like you’ve met everyone in the flat except Sophitia, and the person in 9Isix hasn’t moved in yet.’ said Mae, as that was the only thing she could think of.

            ‘Okay, so it’s three girls and two guys so far. I hope the last person is a guy to help balance out the sexes.’

            ‘You never know it might be a girl, girl power you know.’

            ‘Maybe,’ said Marc. ‘Might be quite fun living with four girls, two for each of us.’

            Mae was shocked by this comment; this wasn’t the Marc she wanted.

            ‘I’m joking,’ said Marc, taking in the expression on Mae’s face. ‘I think we’ll all get on well if it’s a guy or a girl. I just hope there not like that Rosetta.’

            ‘What do you mean?’ asked Mae, surprised.

            ‘Well when I met her earlier she mostly just did the talking, I could barely get a word in. I didn’t even get a chance to even tell her my name.’

            ‘Oh really?’ asked Mae, taking a chance to take a seat next to Marc. As she was this close she could see his lovely hazel eyes.

            Marc told her of the very one sided conversation he had with Rosetta. It was no wonder why she couldn’t remember his name, she never asked, nor did Marc get a chance to tell her. After five minutes of talking to Rosetta he had to excuse himself.

            It was good Marc wasn’t impressed with Rosetta, it meant there might still be a chance Mae could be the first one to get really close to Marc, and it definitely wasn’t to be an opportunity missed by her talking too much. That’s why while they were talking Mae took the opportunity to ask him question and reply when she thought necessary, or when prompted.

It was easy to talk to Marc; his voice was gentle but manly. He spoke of things so eloquently, but wasn’t a conversation hog. He was also interested to find out about Mae.

‘Tell me about your family,’ said Marc.

            ‘Well I don’t know my dad, but I have a dad,’ explained Mae, ‘my step dad really. I call him my dad as he was the one who took care of me. I didn’t know any different till I was about seven, I only found out cos they were arguing. Other than them I’m really close to my Grandma, she so cool. We go shopping all the time and she’s a very hip Grandma too. I mean for her birthday I got her a new phone, like I had cos she wanted to have “the Facebooks” and all her “records” on her phone. I taught her and she's pretty good with it and even texts now too.’

            ‘Wow, sounds nice,’ said Marc.

            ‘Yeah,’ said Mae, hoping she hadn’t said too much, ‘how about your family?’

            ‘My Obaasan, grandma, lives in Japan,’ Marc started, ‘she’s there with my aunt. My mum is a nurse and dad is a doctor any there work together. I have an older brother who went to Queenstown about eight years ago, he’s married. And umm that’s about it.’

            ‘Are you close with your brother?’           

            ‘Used to be, but when he got married he started going all over the place. He actually lives in Queenstown, so I guess I might see more of him, but I’m ok if I don’t.’

            ‘I wish I could have had a brother.’

            ‘Well you can take mine if you want; I think he might like you a lot more than he likes me.’

            Before Mae could ask what he meant, Marc’s phone started ringing.

            ‘What?’ said Marc, answering his phone. His manner completed changed. ‘Why are you here.’ he then paused, ‘fine, sometimes I really hate you.’ he then hung up the phone. ‘It was nice talking to you Mae; I’ve got a little problem I’ll see you around.’ With that Marc left the room, and there was a bang as the front door to the flat closed.

            Completly perplexed as to what was going on, Mae stayed in the kitchen. Marc seemed nice, until he got that phone call. Was it his brother on the phone? She thought. Deciding she wanted want to know what was going on Mae went to the kitchen door pulled it open just a bit, and watched thought the glass. She hid behind the door so she couldn’t be seen, and waited. She didn’t have to wait long, as she heard the flat door being opened.

            ‘I’m at the end of the hall,’ said Marc’s voice.

            ‘Egh, so long,’ said a feminine voice.

            ‘You can sleep on the street.’

            ‘You love me really,’

            Just then the two passed the window, but Mae didn’t get a good look. Silent like a ninja Mae moved to a better vantage point, and saw it was a girl with Marc, and it definetly not a relative. As she was tall, had long curly black hair, and was black.

            ‘Let’s go to bed you can spoon me if you want,’ said the girl.

            ‘Shut up,’ said Marc, shoving the girl into his room.

            Mae let the door go and gently slid to the floor. Marc had a girlfriend, and what was worse he wasn’t even nice to her.