It's two weeks later and like a typical male i have left things to the last minute. I'm running around my flat, throwing clothes into a suitcase not even bothering to fold them. Andrew is picking me up in exactly 7 minutes, shit! We're leaving for LA today for 6 weeks. At first, after i agreed i was somewhat apprehensive, leaving my family...familiar surroundings but as our departure creeped closer i started to feel really optimistic. This could be a new start for me, maybe i could find some work while i was there or make some new friends. Anything to keep my mind from her...It's getting easier, i think of her less and less and it doesn't hurt so much...my mind starts to wander when i hear a knock at the door. "Fuck fuck fuck" I mutter, quickly closing my suitcase, making sure everything was switched off and i have my passport i close the door, staring at it for a few seconds and i think to myself "well this is it."
The flight was long and i had slept most of the way, waking up not far from LAX. "Welcome back mate" i hear from my side. I turn and see Andrew smiling "Did you sleep well sleeping beauty" he mocks. I let out a laugh, a real belly laugh. "yeah, i guess i needed it" The captain comes over the speaker system asking us to fasten our seat belts as we are approaching our landing. After exiting the plane, collecting our baggage and making it through customs we step out on to the sidewalk, WOW..the sounds, smells..everything is different. Especially the sun, its blinding. We don't get much of that back in London. Grabbing our bags we get into a cab. Andrew mutters an address that i can't quite hear, not that i would know where our destination was anyway. We drive for about 30 minutes, with my face pressed against the glass taking everything in. We arrive at a gated house, i look at Andrew "how did you swing this?" "pretty sweet huh? the studio are paying for it, lets go and we can look around" Taking some bills from my wallet i pay the driver and quickly get my bags, i'm dying to see the inside of this place, i feel like a kid on Christmas. The house is beautiful, very modern..lots of windows, a pool. Its a long way from my little flat in Notting Hill. We've both chosen our room and agreed to go out and eat once we've settled in, Andrew has arrange for us to meet some of his friends.
A few hours later we arrive outside the restaurant we've arranged to meet everyone, walking in Andrew spots our companions for the evening and waves. He introduces me to them one by one, i shake each of their hands, until he gets to the last person. "This is Amelia, she's a musician from London i think you'll have a lot in common and to talk about" he says as he turns to me and winks. I give her a slight smile and tell her its lovely to meet her, she's attractive but i don't know what Andrews game is, I am SO no ready for another female in my life romantically. We laugh, we eat and the hours pass quickly. Andrew was right, i do have a lot in common with Amelia. We've both acted, play music and have come from London. Although Amelia is originally from Liverpool but moved to London when she was younger. One of the guys invites us all back to his apartments for drinks and we all agree with a cheer...
It's late, i'm drunk and i'm ready for falling into my bed. We've spent the night eating, drinking, laughing and playing music. I find Andrew and tell him that i am ready to head for home and that i can get a cab on my own if he's not ready to leave. He wants to stay, which is cool, i just want to pass out! I thank everyone for a great night and find Amelia to say goodbye. She walks me to the door.."I've enjoyed getting to know you tonight, i'd love to hang out again..perhaps just us though, alone?" I stare at her, not knowing what to say, she waits for my reply with a hopeful look on her face "um..yeah that would be good, i guess" The next thing i know her lips and planted hard to mine and her hands wrapped around my neck. I don't immediately kiss her back and she pulls away, looking flustered "i...i....i'm sorry, i thought that would be okay.." she says. "no, its okay i was just surprised thats all, i'm sorry i didn't react differently. I'd like to hang out..here, put your number in my phone" i say handing her it. She takes it from me and enters her number and when she passes it back to me i call her and hang up "there, you have my number now too" she looks at me shyly "ill call or text you and we can meet up right?" "sure" i reply. I kiss her cheek and start to walk down the sidewalk..."what the fuck am i doing?" i think to myself.
