FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Bad first impressions

I watched the buildings past, as my eyes took in the grey landscape of London from inside of my cab. I sighed. I was going to miss the beaches of Australia, but I was willing to give it up to escape my Mum.

I felt the cab slowing down and I looked out the window to see the most amazing house, or perhaps a better word was mansion. I paid the taxi driver, motioning for him to keep the change. After all it looked like Dad could spare a few ‘pounds’ and ‘pennies’.

I slowly lugged my bags up to the front door and took out the key my Dad had sent over to me. I gently opened the door and poked my head around the door, the rest of my body following soon after. The house was amazing.

Freaking hell… if we’re so rich, what took so long to get me over here?

I walked around until I found the kitchen; on the bench was a note.

Rhi,

I’m going to be at work till late, but dinners in the fridge. Your room’s upstairs, first door on the left. Make yourself at home.

Love Dad xxx

I had expected this. Obviously with an expensive house like this comes a lot of work. I quickly sprinted upstairs, eager to check out my new room. I walked into it and I think I must have died and gone to heaven. It was perfect, and it had an ensuite… SCORE! Maybe life here would be different.

I decided to go out and explore the city, after all, it was barely lunchtime and the jetlag didn’t seem to have kicked in yet. I shoved my earphones in my ears, putting on a little dubstep, and skipped out the door.

*****

Walking through the back alleyways, I could hear some kind of commotion nearby. I smiled to myself; the sky was starting to clear. I took a sip of the slushy I had bought as I continued to stroll along.

I heard desperate footsteps approaching behind me.

I just prayed to god it wasn’t some drunken paedophile.

I grunted as I was knocked to the ground, my slushy splattering around me. I looked to try to identify the unlucky fellow who had just knocked me down. He was scrambling to his feet again, and looked as if he were about to take off.

“What the actual fuck, are you retarded? You can’t just knock me down, get up and leave, you retard!” I shouted in an angry rampage.

“Sorry?” A deep voiced murmured, stopping and offering a hand to help me up.

“I don’t need your help.” I said, angrily slapping his hand away, and pulling myself up. The screams from before seemed to be getting closer.

“Shit, they’re getting closer” he murmured more to himself than to me.

“Hold up there mister, sorry just ain’t gonna cut it in this situation.” I snarled, getting irritated.

Suddenly he jerked me into an empty shop, and pulled me down behind a bench with him.

“ Oh, a forward one are we?” I hissed “Take your charms elsewhere buddy, they’re not wanted here.” I was about to give him a fistful more when his hand flew over my mouth in an attempt to shut me up, just a bunch of screaming girls ran past. Once they had passed, I decided his hand needed to remove itself from my face. So I did the first thing that came to mind; I bit it.

“Ouch!” he yelped in shock.

“Your hand tastes gross.” I snapped.

He laughed, a sound I found pleasant even though I tried not to.

“I’m terribly sorry.” He smirked.

For the first time I took in the boy’s appearance. A head of gorgeous brown curls, and blue-green eyes the colour of the sea. He was well built, with slightly golden skin.

Hottie alert! Wait, stop that, Rhi, he just knocked you over.

“Here’s what’s going to happen, Curly Fries: you’re gonna give me money for a new slushy, then you will leave. And if I ever, I repeat EV-ER see your sorry face again… you won’t be so pretty any more. Kapish?” I growled.

He looked at me and laughed again. “Look.. I’m sorry ok? Would you rather I got run over by that mob of girls?” he smirked.

I pretended to ponder on this for a while, before answering: “Well, yes, actually. Then I wouldn’t be channelling Lady Gaga slushy style. And seriously mate, they didn’t exactly look vicious.”

“You’d be surprized.” He muttered, then smiled sweetly “How ‘bout I buy you a new shirt?”

What is it with these English boys and being too…nice?

“Don’t bother, Curly Fries, the deed’s been done. I have to go home anyway.” I stood up and walked away. 10 minutes later, I still seemed to be in the exact same street.

Great… I have no freaking idea where I am.

“Ah, a tourist, I see. You look lost…need help?” a voice asked.

I nodded, ashamed and turned around to see ‘Curly Fries’.

“I’m Harry, by the way.” He stuck out his hand. I looked at it and raised an eyebrow.

“Yeaaaaaahhhhhh. No thanks. I’m not gonna ask why you’re following me, because you’re leaving, now. I’d like to make it through my first day without acquiring a stalker.” I sighed, continuing up the street.

He just laughed and kept walking beside me.

I spun to face him, hands on hips.

“Are all Brits this persistent?” I scowled.

He shrugged. “Just the good ones. Mum always said that unless you try, you’ll never get anywhere.”

“Thanks for that drop of divine wisdom, Confucius.” I muttered.

 “I’m here to help.”

“Then God save us all.”

Harry grinned.

“Do all Aussie girls play hard to get?” he winked.

Ugh. Trust the good looking one to be up himself.

“Honey, I ain’t ‘playing’. This is me, period.” I answered.

He let out a whistle. “Tough crowd.”

“Yeah, well, show’s over, Curly. Bye-bye now.” I gave a fake smile and waved.

Harry rolled his eyes. “Will you just tell me where you’re going so I can feel like less of a jerk?”

I opened my mouth to point out that I rather enjoyed pointing out his flaws, be rethought myself. I did have to get home after all.

“Fine. Tell me how to get to Pitt Street, and then you can put on your cape and play heroes and victims with all your friends, or  whatever you weird Poms do in your spare time.” I said.

“Sure, it’s just across this road, then you take a left and bingo, Pitt Street is at your mercy.” he grinned.

“I’d say thank you but…I strongly dislike you.” I sniffed, trying to maintain my stand-offish composure.

 “Anytime, catch you later, yeah?” he waved as I walked off.

I rolled my eyes and snorted.

“I sure hope not, Curly Fries.”