Love & Time (AshRald)

Love & Time - Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

August 2010

“I’m free!”

I shouted, causing people outside the San Diego International Airport to look at me. Their eyes showing their thoughts that I’m a convict. But I don’t care, because now I’m free. No parents with high expectations, no pressure, no one telling me to do this and that.

‘You may be free but you’re alone. You’re miles away from your friends, your best friend and your brother. .’ A voice in my head suddenly said.

‘But you know you can always make new friends.’ Another voice in my head answered.

Where did those voices came from?!

‘But what about your brother? You can’t possibly make a new one.’ Voice no.1 said.

‘Oh what’s the use of internet, Facetime or Skype, or Yahoo messenger if you want.’ Voice no.2 replied, ‘ and besides…’

“STOP!” I shouted out loud before Voice no.2 even finished, which caused people to stop and stare at me, like really stare. So I just sheepishly smiled at them, grabbed my bags, and run to hail a cab.

“That was embarrassing.” I mumbled once I was seated at the back of the taxi and thought about what those voices said.

After a while I noticed the taxi still hasn’t move so I looked at the driver and saw him scowling at me through the rearview mirror. “Why aren’t we leaving yet?” I softly asked.

“You still haven’t answered.” The driver replied.

“Answered….?”

“To where are we gonna go?!” He answered, obviously frustrated.

“Oh! Sorry,” I sheepishly said, and then told to where I’m headed to.

He suddenly pressed the accelerator, making me jerk forward and almost hitting my head.

‘That’s enough embarrassment for a day.’ I said in my head with my own voice, once I’m comfortably seated at the backseat after scowling at the driver.

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Now I'm looking at the building where my soon-to-be apartment my brother helped me find is. His opinion really matters to me; I wouldn't have even left if my brother hasn’t changed his mind. When I first told him I'm gonna leave and study in California, he was sternly against it but eventually gave in after stating my reasons, a lot of persuasion and puppy eyes. ; )

But with the condition that I'll communicate with him regularly and that he'll be helping me financially so i could focus on my studies and not need to work. He even thought of buying me an apartment but I insisted in just renting. So that also includes him paying for my apartment rent. 

Minutes after waiting and boarding the elevator which thankfully they have, I'm now in front of my apartment room door which i know I'll be sharing with someone. I was about to knock when the door suddenly opened revealing a grinning, tall, probably 6' feet,  and blonde haired man with an also blonde woman behind him.

The man looked at me and then to the woman behind her who has a questioningly look. So I decided to introduce myself.

Extending my hand to the woman I said, “Hi, I’m Shawna Gutierrez and I’ll be your new roommate?”

The woman suddenly squealed, moved forward and hugged me, tight.

 “Finally you’ve arrived!” She said after slightly releasing me to look at my face. She probably saw the bewildered look on my face that she let go of me.

“I’m sorry! I’m just really happy that you’re finally here! Cause it’s really getting lonely when alone,..” she then looked at the guy behind her and seductively added ,“but of course not when my boyfriend is around.”

“I’m sorry! I’m just really happy that you’re finally here! Cause it’s really getting lonely when alone,..” she then looked at the guy behind her and seductively added ,“but of course not when my boyfriend is around.”

She then wrapped her arms around his neck, tiptoed and then kissed him. I didn’t look away because I thought it will just be a simple kiss but after some seconds I realized I was wrong.

 ‘They’re making out in a hallway!‘, I internally exclaimed. I was really getting uncomfortable so I faked a cough, a big one.

That made them realize that I was still present, causing my future roommate, whose name I still don’t know to blush, while the guy just grinned after untangling their bodies.

“I really should be leaving now.” He said to my roommate and then turned to me, “and it was nice meeting you….what was your name again?”

“Shawna.”

“Shawna…it was nice meeting you Shawna.” He turned to my roommate, “And see ya later Nel” and said with a wink.

“Yeah baby, can’t wait!” She replied giggling and watched him walk away

“So your name is Nel?” I asked after seeing the elevator door close.

“Oh, sorry! Where are my manners?” She exclaimed and extended her hand, “My real name is Cornelia Sanders, but some people call me Nelly or Nel.

I reached for her hand and shook it, “And again I’m Shawna, Shawna Gutierrez.”

 -endofchapter-