Free (featuring Harry Styles and Liam Payne)

CHAPTER 1

“We love you so much darling. Please call me as soon as you get there.”

“I will Mum I promise. I really have to go now,” I say as I give my Mum another hug.

“I love you guys.”

I wave to my Mum and Dad as I walk into the Departure Terminal at Sydney Airport, my heart racing with a mixture of adrenaline and nerves.  It’s hard to believe I’m finally doing it. I’m going overseas and being independent – if only for 8 weeks.  After 20 years I’ll finally be able to make my own decisions and stay out as late as I desire with no one questioning my actions.  I’m positive that this summer exchange at the University of California, Los Angeles will be the best experience of my life, and I actually am surprised how my excitement overwhelms my fears.  As I go through security and go to sit in the departure lounge I check my bags for my maps of LA, passport, plane ticket, and check in information… you could say I’m a bit neurotic when it comes to being organised, but it’s become a habit.  I run my hands through my long blonde wavy hair and watch the minutes tick by until it’s time to board my flight. 

The flight, though uncomfortable and stuffy, seems to pass quickly, and before I have time to work myself into a bundle of nerves we hit the tarmac. “Welcome to Los Angeles, California,” says the air hostess, and I smile to myself as I take the first step of my very own freedom.

***

I walk to the luggage carousel to collect my huge suitcase and haul it off, and take it with my hand luggage to the rendezvous spot outside the airport that was agreed upon by some of the other students on the exchange trip.  There was a bunch of us coming from Sydney, about 30 students in total, and since we were all taking different flights we decided to meet up at LAX.  I breathe a sigh of relief as I see a small group of familiar faces standing there, calling me over.

“Charlotte!  Over here!” Claire calls out to me, and I run up to hug her, a picture of excitement.  We had met at the information sessions our university had held and instantly became close friends.  We wanted to see the same things in LA and always had so much to talk about.  We even looked alike, though her blonde hair was lighter and shorter than mine, hitting her shoulder whilst mine skimmed the middle of my back. I was so relieved to see her.  “How was the flight? Can you believe we’re here? I can’t believe it’s actually happening, we are really doing this!”  Claire began to fire questions at me, ranging from if I had met any cute guys on the plane to what food she thought we should try on our first night as official American college students.  In between her animated monologue I interjected, “Let’s just make sure we get there first.”  We shove our luggage, along with a few of the other students who I hadn’t come to know by name, into a cab and leave for UCLA.  As we drive along the wrong side of the road I can’t help but feel relieved that I am thousands of miles away from all my problems back at home – the ex-boyfriend who had cheated on me with my (former) best friend, my overprotective parents, my concerns over what I should do once I finish university… they shrink in the rear view mirror as we turn into campus, and I’m rendered speechless by what I see.

***

Green.  It is so green.  The campus is like a hidden sanctuary compared to the towering buildings and concrete jungle of LA that I’ve seen so far.  We drive over rolling hills and through trees to arrive at the check-in reception desk on ‘The Hill’ where all the student accommodation was located.  After we fix our fare, Claire, Hannah, Ellen, Josh and I drag our bags to the desk and receive our room keys, then make our way over to the Saxon Suites.  There are about 6 blocks of buildings, each with three levels and made out of wood and rusted red metal, surrounded by gum trees.  They reminding me of the cabins I used to stay in for high school camps.  I instantly feel a sense of home and smile at the prospect. 

Other students arrive with us, attempting to navigate the sets of stairs with their bags.  Since Claire and I were too late to request being roommates, we say our goodbyes as she heads to her room on the first floor in Block G and I head to the third floor of Block E.  Of course I have to try and haul half of my closet up two flights of stairs.  I decide on two trips.  I get my hand luggage up with relative ease, and then the real struggle begins.  After more exertion than I thought was possible after too many hours without sleep, I get my last bag to the top of the stairs.  I drag my bags along the pathway which wraps around the outside of the building, and around the corner from my room I pass a guy with his arms full, struggling to swipe his key card in the door.  I hesitate before rounding the corner and say, “Need a hand?”  He turns to face me and I instantly regret my small act of kindness.  His green eyes lighten as his expression shifts from one of frustration to surprise.  A small smile crosses his pink lips as he hears my gesture.  And my heart jumps to my throat and then falls somewhere below my stomach.   I just volunteered to help the most attractive guy I’ve ever seen, and I look like a mess.  I try to match his smile as my brain stalls.  “Yeah, I’d love some.  Can you swipe my key card while I hold this?”  I see his lips move before I register the words, and only after a few silent seconds I hastily reply, “Yeah, of course.”  His smile broadens as I take the card from his hand and open the door.  I’m struggling to remember how to use a door handle.  After I figure it out and hold the door open so he can carry the box he holds inside he turns to say, “Thanks for the help.  I’ve got to grab a few more things so I guess I’ll see you round?”  I simply nod and turn to leave him to arrange the rest of his things, pulling my bags around to my room before I hear footsteps following me.   My heart starts racing as I turn to see the handsome stranger standing behind me, my mind starting to imagine a million possible things which may slip from his lips.  Instead he asks, “Um, can I have my key back? I might need it later.”  Heat flushes to my cheeks as I realise I am still clutching his key, and I hastily offer it to him along with an apology.  “I’m so sorry, I didn’t realise I still had it. I blame jet lag.”  I mentally slap myself for my inability to construct a smooth sentence, yet I am slightly relieved as he laughs lightly and slips the key back into the pocket of his skinny jeans.  “Don’t worry, I know what that feels like.  Where are you from?”

“Australia, I just flew in from Sydney this afternoon.  I don’t think I’ve slept in about a day but it’s so exciting being here. How about you?  Where did you come from?”   I try to steady my breathing as the stream of words flows from my mouth.  “I just came from England.  Yeah it seems to be pretty cool around here,” he says while I try to supress the heat I can feel creeping up to my face as I register his British accent.  After a few seconds of silence in which I try to think of something non-idiotic to say, he interrupts my thoughts. “I better go get the rest of my things, thanks for the help again and for giving me my key back.”  He smiles widely as he talks about the key, the smile someone gives you if you have a personal joke with them, and in return I can’t help but laugh as I say, “No worries, I’ll leave you to it.”  He moves forward, and for a minute I think he may hug me, but then he offers me his right hand and I meet his hand with mine.  It’s very warm and slightly rough, and encompasses my relatively small hand.  “I’m Harry by the way.  Thanks again…”

“Charlotte.  I’m Charlotte.”

“See you round Charlotte.”  And with one more smile he’s gone, and I’m left with what feels like pins and needles in my hand and a stupid grin on my face.