Unstable

Chapter 1

“Mum, I’ve got everything! Stop fussing.” I said as I shut the door on my bedroom that I wouldn’t be seeing for the next 5 weeks.

“Well this isn’t just a sleepover honey, if you forget something I can’t just hop in my car and drop it off to you. It’s England.” Replied my mum.

I couldn’t get overly mad at her for making sure I was all prepared, she had a point.

“You know they still have supermarkets and shops over there right?” I laughed as I kissed her head in attempt to get her to calm down. Mum and I had always had a pretty good relationship. Not to toot my own horn but out of my two brothers and myself, I know I’m her favourite. Dad always said that when they first got married she was always going on about wanting a little girl, and she wouldn’t be truly happy until she had one. Being the youngest she clearly didn’t stop till she got what she wanted.

“Hey, we have to go or I will miss check in.” I said looking at my watch.

“Oh and wouldn’t that be a shame.” She joked back grabbing her handbag.

“Have a good time Ness, I won’t miss you!” I heard my brother Kale yell from his bedroom window. Kale was the second eldest in the family at 20, with my eldest brother Jason being 23 and then me at 19. Kale and I were the only two still living at home, Jason moved out when he was 20 to live with his then girlfriend, now fiancé Vicky. Kale has always called me Ness, when my parents brought me home he couldn’t grasp the concept of Vanessa.

“If you don’t miss me I won’t bring you back any wicked presents!” I yelled back.

“Okay, okay I’ll miss you so much Ness, please don’t leave me.” He pleaded as he leant more than half of his body out the window.

“Now you just sound desperate Kae.” I laughed as I slid into the passenger’s seat.

-

‘Ladies and gentleman this is the final boarding call for all passengers traveling on flight QF397 to the United Kingdom. We ask that all remaining passengers make their way to gate 30 as your plane is ready for take-off.’

“That’s me.” I smiled as I put my arms out inviting mum in for one last hug. “I’ll miss you and as soon as I can let you know I am there, I will.”

-     

I had no idea that I had slept the whole flight until I felt a tap on my shoulder from the stewardess. I was in England for the next 5 weeks for a makeup artistry internship as part of my course back home in Sydney.

“Hello mam and welcome to the Ibis, are you checking in?” Spoke the elderly man at the front desk.

“I am, Vanessa Duffin.” I replied. Once I made my way up to my room I decided that I should probably go for a shower before getting into bed. The shower seemed like the best shower I had ever taken in my life. As I was drying myself I heard a cough that sounded like it came from just outside the bathroom door. I paused and turned for a second, wondering if someone was in my room.

“Hello?!” I yelled. There was no reply. “Hmm, must be hearing things.” I said to myself as I continued drying myself. As I was brushing my teeth I heard a TV start to announce the recent news, again it sounded like it was coming from the TV in my room. I walked right up to the door and pressed my ear against it, nothing changed.

“HELLO?!” I yelled louder this time. “Is anyone there?” I asked shyly. No one answered again. I shrugged it off and just decided that it must be coming from one of the other rooms around me. I picked up my dirty clothes and made my way out of the bathroom.

“AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!” I screamed, dropping my clothes on the ground. “Who the fuck are you?!” I yelled towards this random boy laying on my bed.

“Who am I? Who are you and what are you doing in MY room?” Questioned the boy, who I did not realise was so tall until he scrambled up from the bed.

“Vanessa, Vanessa Duffin. And YOUR room? I believe that you are in the wrong room. Who are you?” I asked still standing frozen.

“Sorry, I’m Michael, Clifford.” He replied walking over to me.

“Which is it, Michael or Clifford?” I asked abruptly.

“Both.” He laughed. “My name is Michael Clifford.” He smiled as he offered me his hand. I tilted my head up to look Michael in the eyes. Green with hint of brown. He was tall, at least a good foot taller than me. He was wearing a pair of black, ripped skinny jeans and an oversized grey singlet. Part of his eyebrow piercing was sticking out between strands of lilac purple hair. The smell of his cologne was constantly in the air but not over powering. I soon realised that he was still holding out his hand. I placed my hand into his and gripped it loosely while he shook it.

“You still haven’t told me why you are here, or even how you got in here. Did you not hear me call out while I was in the bathroom?” I asked while I picked my clothes back up.

He grabbed an earphone cord that was dangling from his jean pocket, indicating why he didn’t hear me call out. After explaining that he had been given this room when he checked in and that he would go back down and explain the whole thing and get a new room, he repacked what little belongings he had pulled out of his suitcase and was on his way. I was left standing there wondering if I would ever see him again.