London Airport (2022)
Finally, i was about to do it. I had finally gathered all the courage I needed to leave here.
I was at the airport and my flight left in 30, so I was ready to board the plane. I sat in my seat, next to the window.
It wasn't a very long flight, just two hours to get to the capital, but it still felt very short. When I least expected it we were already landing.
I took a taxi to take me to the city centre, I hadn't booked any hotel as I did this very suddenly. So I was crossing my fingers that I would get lucky and get a place to spend the week.
It was barely 11 in the morning when I arrived at the first hotel I found, it was nice and small, it was located near to the center.
Luckily I was able to get a room for the whole week. I brought my baggage up and settled in my room, I didn't have many things so it didn't take me long to put all my clothes.
I changed my clothes to go out to explore the city, I put on black jeans with a white sweater, a black leather jacket, because it was colder than I expected, and a scarf. To finish I put on my Doc Martens and grabbed a bag to store my things.
So i walked to the Trinity College.
I was fascinated by the library, I had never seen so many books in my life.
I spent the rest of the morning there, until 2 p.m., i arrived and I looked for a place to eat.
Then I headed back to the hotel to get some rest. I took a nap and when I woke up it was almost 7 p.m., so I left the room to go to the Temple Bar area.
I had seen many photos of that place, but seeing it in person was much better.
I walked into a pub and it was full of people, many groups of people in their 20s and 30s. All talking or singing karaoke..
I loved being here.
Everything was full of life and people are happy and very lively. I think this is one of the first moments in my life in which I would like to not be alone.
I went up to the bar and ordered a beer, paid and went over to the karaoke area to watch the people. Most of them had no idea how to sing, but that didn't matter to them, all they cared about was having a good time with their friends.
-Do you want to sing?-said a voice behind me.
-Excuse me?- I said, I thought I hadn't heard properly since the karaoke music was quite loud.
-I said that if you want to sing,- he responded, getting closer to me so that I could hear him well. I just stared at him. -Both of us together,- I didn't answer. -Come on, it will be fun.-
-Why me?- I said pointing to myself.
-Well, my friends refuse to sing with me,- he said, pointing to a group of four people who were a few meters away from us. -And I saw you here alone and I thought we could sing together.-
-i don't even know you, I don't even know your name- I replied.
-I'm Elijah,- he said, holding out his hand to me. -Now you know what my name is.
I stared at her command and accepted it -lizzy.
-lizzy... Pretty name- he looked at me -now do you agree to sing with me?
-with one condition- Elijah frowned -I choose the song.
-What do you want to sing?
-Do you know "you're so vain"?-
•••
So there we were both, heading to the stage to sing, all the things that could happen to me singing karaoke with a stranger I just met was at the bottom of my list.
"And all the girls dreamed that they'd be your partner
They'd be your partner and
You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain
I bet you think this song is about you
Don't you, don't you?"
We were both singing in unison, I was having fun, something I hadn't done in quite a few months. I don't remember being so happy and feeling happy in a long time.
When we finished singing the people in the pub applauded us.
-You have a very good voice- Elijah said.
-You're not far behind either- I replied.
-Have you come alone?- I nodded. -Come, I'll introduce you to my friends.-
Under other circumstances I would not agree to go with a person I had just met, but this time I let myself be led by his hand, grabbing mine to lead us out of the crowd.
He took me to a corner of the bar where his four friends were.
-Guys, there's Lizzy- I smiled when Elijah named me -Lizzy, these are Rob, Ryan, Josh and Lu.
-nice to mery you guys- I said.
-Wow, you were incredible there- said the one I think is Ryan. -You sing very well.-
-Oh, thank you so much- I said, blushing, it always happened to me when they gave me a compliment.
-Then why did you come alone?- asked the one with blue eyes.
-Well, I'm not from here, I'm from London. I just wanted to leave, and Dublin is the closest thing I could think of- I said simply.
We were talking all night, all the guys were amazing. I was very happy to have met them.
I turned my head when someone gave my man a double tap.
-Will you accompany me outside?
I nodded, so I went with Elijah to the street in front of the pub. Elijah took out a box of cigarettes and a lighter.
-Do you want?- he offered.
-I don't smoke- I answered.
Elijah lit his cigarette and took a long drag.
We stayed silent for a couple of minutes, until Elijah broke it.
-I like you, Lizzy- he said, turning to me- you're good company- I smile.
-Really?- I said incredulously, no one has ever told me that I was good company, I have always believed that I annoy people.
-Of course, I had a great time.
-Me too- I said, still without looking at him.
-Can I ask something?- I made a noise of agreement. -Why have you left London? And don't tell me what I already know, no. Why are you really gone?
-I don't know... I think I just wanted to avoid feeling pressured, I don't know. People always expect a lot from me and I have wanted to leave for a long time without anyone knowing where I am or when I will be back.- I turned to look at him.
-Pressed for what?- I stayed silent. -You don't have to answer if you don't want to-
-No, no, it's just that... -he sighed- I don't know, it doesn't matter.
Elijah finished his cigarette, threw it on the floor and stepped on it to put it out.
-Let's go back inside, it's starting to get cold- he held out his hand to me and I grabbed it to go back inside.
•••
