Stuck Between a Luke and a hard Jai

Ch.1: Melbourne Melbourne

Melbourne, Melbourne. This time last year I was singing New York New York...but what can I say? Life took a totally different direction without my permission...and here I am, dragging my bulky pink suitcase and fanning myself out of flies as I stepped out of the international airport...

"Beth !!!!" I turned as I heard that strange yet familiar voice of my dad, he's waving like a five-years-old at me and smiling innocently. I seriously couldn't get my hate on him, I haven't seen him for years but every time I saw his smile, I just couldn't stay mad at him long.

"How's your trip? Pretty sweet huh?"

"Sweet indeed, I just threw up twice and knocked off an old man when I was rushing through the gates," he burst out laughing though I didn't find myself funny at all.

"Awww..." He chuckled after he calmed his hysterical laughter," typical Beth huh?

"He gave me a signature teddy-bear hug before helping me out with my luggage. I felt like sweating already, it's so hot here with flies and sunshine on my head.

"Here, take this," he winked and handed me his black shades,"It's just my first gift, I'm gonna give you huge surprise gifts during your stay," he closed my side door and settled beside me. So we drove down the sunshine Boulevard, under the clear blue sky and the green coconut trees. Everything looked so much pleasanter under those shades. Perhaps this isn't too bad, Beth, this isn't too bad...forget about the flies and the hole in the ozone layer, Melbourne is still a damn fine city I suppose. Though it doesnt have flashing city lights and magnificent broadway posters that made my blood race...After all it's a new start, for once and for all. You just turned 17 and it's freaking summer! Just learn to have fun!

I accidentally slipped out a smile as my mind exploded with fireworks.

"I see you're having fun?" Dad asked the moment he glanced me smiling.

"I guess so...I'm just chilling, feel way better than I was on the plane..."

"Glad you are...and sweetie you should smile more, it's the only way to get guys," he chuckled.

"Dad! I'm not here to get guys!" I almost screamed as always when everybody around me seemed to urge me to get somebody to love and cuddle with. But I never saw the point of dating, like after all those kisses and cuddles comes the tears and heartbreaks. That's why I never bother to torture myself with it. Perhaps that's why I flee to Australia , to escape from my moms nagging about the boyfriend and sex talk. I had one and only one guy number in my phone and that's some random boy whom I got into a project with, we haven't texted besides hey and how's your work doing...so the urging is almost pointless because I see myself shaving to be a nun or travel around the world with a cat...or a bunny.

My mind wandered elsewhere as dad kept bragging how hot Melbourne guys are, and gave me shitload of dating advices. He's sounding like mom even if they didn't meet in a decade. Before I could argue that broadway stars are zillion times better than 6-packed, shallow silly dudes, we already arrived my dad's place. It's a lot nicer than I imagined too, I wondered how he get the money to buy a villa beside the beach like this...

"Now sweetie...there's something I haven't mentioned to You before..." He scratched his head which means the following's gonna be bad.

"I don't know if you're gonna take it as good news...or bad news..." He chuckled uneasily.

"Just say it dad, you're killing me," I snapped impatiently.

"The thing is...it's been 5 years since you last saw me...and ummm... You know, I met somebody else. And she's moved in with me,' he gave a forced smile and stared at me nervously as the shades hid my expression.

"Oh that's nothing expected, I knew you won't stay celibate forever," he chuckled again.

"The real thing is...Beth," he gave the most anticipating pause," she's got 3 kids with her too,"