Exotic

I

Sydney

It's a big jump, moving from Australia to LA. For one, it's ever so slightly warmer. And I have no friends here. I'm going to a completely new high school with completely new people in a completely new country, and I don't know what to do with myself.

"Sydney, you need to take the rubbish out!" my Mum called. But I was wallowing in my self-pity and besides, I took the rubbish out yesterday.

Of course I wouldn't dare complain straight to Mum's face. She'd have my arse for that. But I do as she pleases and I take the rubbish out. It's a neat little neighbourhood. Lots of standard size houses and one massive one at the end of the street. We're neighbours to said massive house. I've only ever seen one person from it and that's an absolute unit of a woman. She's blonde, has blue eyes and is fucking built. I'm talking massive muscles, toned... e v e r y t h i n g. This bird has to be taller than six foot and she sports the most gorgeous tan. I'm almost jealous.

And I don't know why I'm acting like I should've seen more people coming in and out of the house, because we only moved in yesterday. I haven't had time to scope the place out yet.

Speaking of the Unit-woman, she was making her way down the stairs that lead to her front door. She's holding a cute little bag and she seems focused. It's almost adorable.

She made her way down the street and it then dawned on me; she was coming to my house. I close the lid of the rubbish bin and I wasn't sure if I should wait for her or go back inside and tell Mum that we have a visitor.

"Hi, you must be the new comers. I'm from the one on the end, there." the Unit-woman said, pointing to the unit-house.

"Okay, would you want to speak to my Mum, maybe?" I reply.

"I don't mind who I talk to, really. As long as you guys know that we're here to welcome. And we're here if you need anything. So just pop over whenever you feel like it." she explained.

"Excuse me, hi!" my Mum said, coming down the path and stopping by us, "Is she causing trouble? I only sent her out to put the rubbish in the bin. She wasn't supposed to do anything but that."

"Mum-"

"She didn't do anything. I was just welcoming the new arrivals." the woman smiled a little, holding the gift bag out to my Mum.

"Oh, thank you! That's so kind! I'm Nat and this is my oldest daughter, Sydney." Mum says.

"It's lovely to meet you all. I was just saying to Sydney that you guys are more than welcome to come over whenever if you need or want. We're here for... This whole neighbourhood, pretty much."

"Thank you! I might need someone to babysit this one while I go out shopping." Mum gestured to me.

"Mum!"

"It's no problem. I can send one of my girls around if you need." the woman said.

"That'd be much appreciated." Mum nodded, "I didn't catch your name."

"Christina."

"That's a lovely name."

"Thank you. Anyways, I'll be off. I'll have the babysitter over." Christina smiled. And she walked off. She was quite fast so my Mum couldn't say goodbye.

"I hope she's not serious about the babysitter thing. I was only joking." Mum said quietly as we watch her enter her house.

"You best hope she took it as a joke." I warn before going back inside.

Later, there was a knock at the door and Mum answered. I couldn't be bothered to get up so I just listened from the living room.

"Hi, how can I help you?" Mum's cheery voice answered.

"Hi, I'm Christina's wife, Kate. I have a feeling you made a joke about a babysitter earlier?" the voice replied. She had a thick Irish accent, it was sort of cute.

"I did. I wasn't sure if she was serious when she said she'd send a babysitter." Mum laughed nervously.

"She was serious. She was just about to call one of our daughters before I stopped her and asked if it was a joke. She's autistic, so she didn't know."

"Right, okay. We're completely fine, we didn't need a sitter. I'm so sorry for the confusion." Mum apologised.

"Ay, no worries. I'll just go and tell her now. I'm sorry, she can be a bit... Oblivious to jokes sometimes."

"That's fine. I'm glad all the confusion is cleared up now."

"Yup. Goodbye!" Kate chirped.

"Bye!" and Mum closed the door.

She came into the living room with a look of disbelief, "What's the matter, Mum?" I ask.

"Well, the neighbours are gay." she said.

"Is that a problem?"

"No! Not at all! I'm just wondering if they'd... Know anyone..."

It's no secret that my mum is gay. She divorced Dad five years ago because she was forced into a hetero relationship by her parents, hence why we moved here so then there wasn't any negativity and she could just be herself. And she wanted her kids to grow up in an open-minded environment. She's also actively looking to find a girl.

"Maybe." I nodded thoughtfully.

"How about you, Sydney? Are you going to find yourself a girl here?" Mum questioned, sitting next to me on the couch.

"Maybe. But I'm not actively looking for one like you are." I answer.

"And that's totally okay." she patted my leg, got up and went to the kitchen. I shake my head at her and go back to scrolling through my most recent search of interesting places in my local area. And I've also signed up to the local gym. I like to keep fit and healthy. I played a lot of ice-hockey in Australia, so I'm hoping to join a team here. That'd be so cool and my younger siblings love watching me play.

Even though I whined at first, I really see myself starting my life here in California and I really hope my Mum finds what she's looking for because she absolutely deserves it.

And bloody hell, I'm boiling.