The Appointment

Chapter Three

(Tanya's POV)

I was driving through the winding streets of the city centre in an attempt to get to my friend Abigail's office on time for going out for food. As friends, we are kind of opposites. She likes bright clothes whereas I'm more into black but maybe that's why we get on so well. While she studied psychology at university, I decided to try photography and I loved it. I think the fact that it could take me anywhere (hence why I'm in Australia) and I could potentially meet anyone from it.

I had the windows fully down as English people are just not used to the Australian heat so consequently I kept getting little strands of my purple hair blowing into my face and most annoyingly my mouth as I was driving. Even though the wind is ruining my hair, I'm the kind of girl who didn't mind though as my colourful hair is just all wound up in a loose, messy bun, my nails aren't perfectly painted and my tank top, black skinnies and converse combo suggests my laid back attitude.

"I hope this is the right way" I muttered to myself as I made a left at the junction, clearly my map reading skills have not served me well today. I had just finished my first photo-shoot for my new job at a magazine company here in Sydney for the celebrity column. I'm hoping that my editor likes it because this is my dream, to take pictures and meet the people that have helped me through life. I will stay confident though and hope for the best. Whilst overthinking my photo-shoot I finally made it to Abi's office after what felt like an everlasting journey. So now I'm just sat in my car hungry and waiting, it's already been 15 minutes. Getting impatient I began biting my lip piercing as I usually do when I'm bored and tapping my finger on the steering wheel to the music as I sat and watched the blacked out doors hoping Abi would be the next person to walk out of them. A black Audi pulled up and stopped outside of the door, obviously waiting for someone to come out. The door started to open but it wasn't Abigail, I wonder who it is? I watched as a man holding a coffee stepped out and glanced up the street towards where my car was parked. Then it hit me, and I felt myself internally implode but I kept my cool as best I could without freaking out. Oh my God, that's Michael Clifford holy shit! Is that who Abi's first client is? He had a dark grey beanie on pulled down just enough so his fringe was flicking out and a black hoodie on probably trying to disguise himself from cameras but the only person with a camera here is me. I watched as he climbed into the black Audi and as it pulled away from the curb and out of the street.

Quickly, I removed the keys from the ignition grabbed my phone and bag and literally ripped the door off getting out of the car. Due to my excitement, it took me a few attempts before I actually locked the door. I began to run across the street dodging cars and finally I got myself to the buildings doors; the floors were slippy and my shoes didn't exactly grip well so I slid into the lift at a ridiculous speed. With my feet now safely on the ground I pressed the button to take me up to Abi's floor and took some deep breaths to compose myself.

Cutting the lift music to an end, the doors parted and revealed a lovely looking section of the building with potted flowers and scenic photos on every wall. Wow Abi wasn't kidding, they really went to town on bringing the outdoors in to try and make the place look more natural. Taking in, I guess what you could call the scenery, I walked up to the front desk where Abigail's receptionist Charlotte was sat. She looked up at me and smiled 'hello, do you have an appointment dear?'

'No I'm Tanya, Abigail's friend.' I replied awkwardly smiling back at her. 'We're going out to get something to eat, is she ready?' I asked. Charlottes face changed into that of realisation I supposing she was remembering Abi mentioning me coming earlier or something. 'Oh hello Tanya you can go straight through. She isn't with a client at the minute' she said motioning me towards the door at the end of the corridor (obviously plastered with more nature photos). I thanked Charlotte and when she wasn't looking my excitement flushed back and I hurried down the corridor but stopped myself before entering just to make sure I had the right place.

Noticing her name on the gold plaque I practically threw the door open along with myself and before I knew it I was face first on the floor greeting the carpet. (Carpet burns aside I really do love the smell of new carpet.)

Abigail obviously noticing my entrance giggled and holding in fits of laughter said in her usual sarcastic tone 'I see you found the place alright. I hope the floor in to your high standard however if you haven't noticed I do actually have chairs.' She got up from behind her desk and moved herself so she was sitting on a fluffy cream sofa looking over to me at the door.

I rolled away from her to face the ceiling 'ignoring the sassy comment, you will not believe the God like miracle that just occurred outside! Like oh my actual God'. By this pint I realised how weird I must look. Lying on the floor arms sprawled across the carpet, yelling at the ceiling like a crazy person. Anyone who didn't know me would probably think I am actually here for psychiatric help.

A big smile grew across Abi's face, obviously trying not to laugh 'Oh really?' she asked curious of what could have got me so excited. I pulled myself up and into the chair opposite as she had her thinking face on. Trying to guess, Abi was all of a sudden buzzing with excitement as she raced to the window 'did an ice cream van break down and they need volunteers to eat all of the ice cream? Because I was born ready for this!'. 'Sadly no' I said laughing at how excited she was. 'Jesus Christ it is way better. It was him Abigail!' I said then I brought my voice down to a whisper (as if hundreds of fans were gonna burst out if they heard me say this) 'Michael Clifford'.

I watched as Abi sat back down in her chair and a huge smirk took over her face, the as cool as possible she said 'oh I know. I thought you be excited to know who my first client was'.

I looked at her with wide eyes; my mouth fell open. 'Wait, are you telling me you get to spend an hour every week in the same room as that God like creature!?'

At Hungry Jacks

Given that it was about 3:30 now, this meal is pretty much becoming dinner not really the late lunch that I had originally planned for so now I am starving. However, it isn't so bad, because it's that weird time between lunch and dinner where most restaurants become pretty quiet. Abi and I sat in a corner booth next to the window after we had ordered our food because who doesn't love fast food with a view?

Struggling to open a bottle of water Abi started talking happily about how her day went and it made me happy to see how proud of herself she was. 'So presuming your day went well too, who is it you are supposed to shoot next? It's so great that you are a photographer for a magazine now, I really think this is where you are meant to be don't you? Imagine all the people you are going to meet' exclaimed Abigail whilst enjoying a hand full of chips.

I smiled and quickly swallowed what I was chewing before answering her. 'It's Airspoken tomorrow, the band we found out about while we were in sixth form. I really can't wait to meet them! Tomorrow is probably going to be the best photo shoot so far' I said grinning before diverting my attention to my own chips.

Taking a sip from her drink Abi said 'Is the photo shoot local or do you have a go far to get there?'. Looking up at her I responded, 'It's in Nelson Bay, I'm doing the shoot for their album cover so it's a really big deal. So due to how important it is, I'm going to stay over for lots of reasons. One, it is far away so I don't fancy driving there and back and two, I want to take my time with the photo shoot because I want to get it exactly how they want it. I'll be back on Wednesday though so I will just see you whenever. On the plus side, you'll get the flat to yourself' I said with a smile. However I noticed that Abi didn't look too thrilled about being left alone in our new place by herself, so I decided to make it up to her I will bring a pizza to her office on Wednesday. In my opinion, pizza makes everything better.