Silver Clouds [COMPLETE]

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Edwards County was huge compared to Kingsford. There were skyscrapers and buildings wider than city blocks. Even as I pressed my nose against the window of the cab I was in, I knew that this still must have been nothing compared to New York City. Mom had told me all sorts of stories about the place.

But for the moment, Edwards was the biggest place I had ever seen.

After I had accepted the job a few days ago, I had instantly contacted the apartment manager at Resident Hills on the west side of Edwards County and rented out a place. I knew that it was a bit much for the small amount of money I had saved up right now, but I knew everything would change as I got settled with the band and started performing regularly.

Every time I thought about the band, my stomach flipped with excitement and nerves.

As the cab driver pulled into the lot of Resident Hills, he looked at me in the rearview mirror. "Alright, here you are."

As I looked up at the seven story building, I felt my heart pick up in speed even more.

After handing the man his payment with the money I had pulled for the ride, I gave him a smile. "God bless."

After a second, he grinned and replied, "God bless you, too. And good luck in Edwards, miss."

With a sweet nod, I climbed from the back seat. He popped the trunk for me and I pulled out my suitcase, duffle bag, guitar case, and slung my backpack onto my shoulders. As he zipped off into the street once again, I stared up at my new home. This was where it all started.

With a breath, I headed toward the front double doors.

The lobby of the apartment building was small but clean and comfortable with a reception desk and two elevators behind it. The floor was sleek grey stained hardwood and the air held a hint of cherry blossom air freshener.

All and all, it was already looking to be a way better upgrade from my sketchy apartment in Kingsford where half the time the toilet wouldn't flush.

I approached the desk, but found that no one was sitting behind it. Looking around, I also discovered that I was the only one in the lobby. Dropping my duffle bag on top of my suitcase and leaning my guitar up against the desk, I found a little bell and gave it a tap. It reverberated through the lobby, louder than I had expected.

Only a few seconds after the echo of the bell ended, a lady emerged from a door to my left that I had thought was a closet but I guess was an office. "I am so sorry. I leave my station for three seconds to grab a coffee and I end up gone for three hours." She laughed, her laugh lines showing her age. "My husband tells me all the time that I get distracted more easily than a dog with a squirrel."

Smiling, I replied, "It's no problem really."

"What can I do for ya'?"

"Uh, I'm Ella Holdgrafer. I think I talked to you a few days ago about leasing an apartment here."

Her face lit up. "Oh, yes, yes! I remember that sweet voice of yours now." Shuffling over to a file cabinet that sat next to the desk, she opened the top draw and pulled out a paper. "If you would just sign this lease agreement for me."

Taking a duct tape flower topped pen from a little bucket, I scribbled down my name on the line.

"Perfect! I'll file this and get you your room key." She shoved the paper back into place in the drawer and then dug around underneath the desk where I was assuming the keys were kept. She smiled as she emerged with a key, a bright blue and white tag with the Resident Hills logo hanging from the key loop. "Here you go! You're room 409, but if you forget, it's on the tag."