Peppermint Tea and Pippa Soo

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

"Hopped off the plane at L.A.X., with a dream and my cardigan..."

I grinned to myself as the song blasted through my ear buds.

How ironic.

I had just flown straight from LAX in Los Angeles and was about ten minutes from landing at JFK airport in New York City. God, I had been looking forward to this moment for the past three months. As the plane began to descend, I saw New York City lit up in the dark night sky. But it wasn't just NYC anymore, it was my home.

The sweet old lady sitting next to me turned my way.

"Dearie, do you have someone picking you up from the airport?" she asked. We had talked earlier in the flight, before she dozed off.

I glanced at her, surprised. "Yes, thank you for asking." I replied.

She patted my shoulder. "Mother's instincts, I suppose. Someday you'll understand."

I gave her a small smile - you know, the awkward ok-sure-you're-the-adult type, smile you give when you just want to be done with the conversation- before shoving my book into my backpack and preparing for landing.

A few bumps later, we were at the gate, itching to get off the plane. I slung my purse over my shoulder and handed the nice lady her bag from the overhead compartment before grabbing my own.

Yikes, it was heavy. I always over pack. Oh well.

I headed through a tunnel off the plane and into terminal four and stopped in the bathroom before heading to the baggage claim.

After weaving through people, I finally reached the right claim. A tinny voice over a loudspeaker informed us that it would be few minutes before our luggage was there, so instead I checked my phone.

Pip: i'm here! wearing hat

I looked up, scanning my eyes around the baggage claim.

Hmm... wrong color hat...that's a guy...too tall...

Ah ha! Phillipa Soo, spotted. Her brown fedora and straight brown hair gave it away. She was staring at her phone and hadn't found me yet.

Me: i'm wearing leggings and red t-shirt

Pip: don't see u

Me: in south east corner, bags delayed a few minutes, if -

Before I had a chance to respond, someone came up from behind and grabbed me.

"Natalie!"

I whipped my head around, whacking my blond ponytail in the face of my attacker, the one and only Phillipa Soo.

"Sorry Phillipa." I said, letting out a laugh before hugging her.

"Where's your stuff?" She quizzically looked at my purse and small carry on. "Please tell me you brought more clothing."

I pointed to the baggage carousel, where bags had just begun to circle through.

"With all the stuff I brought, you might need to get another apartment," I joked, knowing that most New York apartments were tight on space.

She dragged me to the carousel and helped my haul my purple suitcases off the moving track.

"Let's go let's go!" Phillipa shouted, shoving me towards a door. I stumbled over my feet as I followed her onto a nondescript bus with a sign that said simply, PARKING LOT B.

I was surprised. "You parked?" I asked her, knowing that most New Yorkers opted for public transportation instead of paying top dollar for parking spots.

"Borrowed it from a friend," she replied, getting ready to get off the bus as we reached a maze of cars. "Follow me."

I was getting tired from a long day of travel and a time change but managed to haul my ass of the seat and follow Pippa, who had graciously taken my suitcases for me. We walked down a long row of cars until reaching a sleek black Mazda.

"How the heck do you live like this?" I groaned as I got in the car. Cali girl in 45 degree weather was not a good idea.

Pippa glanced my way as we drove out of the lot. "Uh, a good coat?" She said, gesturing at her maroon jacket. "I have one you can borrow until we stop by the store. And scarves are lifesavers."

We headed towards the bright lights ahead, following New York traffic across the Brooklyn Bridge.

"I know this is kind of the long way, but this bridge is kind of iconic." Phillipa said, expertly weaving through traffic and honking at tourists every thirty seconds. "Welcome to New York."

We drove through lower Manhattan before following long streets up Broadway and heading uptown. I had only been here a few minutes, and already the hustle and bustle just outside the car was making me excited and exhausted all at once. I sank back in my seat, enjoying the protection that the car provided.

Sensing my exhaustion, Phillipa reassured me that we would be there soon. Sure enough, we turned on to a slightly less busy street and slowed down in front of a tall apartment complex.

We pulled my stuff out of the car, waving hi to the doorman on the way to the elevator. Pippa punched a button and the elevator doors soon opened to reveal a quiet hallway, sheltered from the constant noise of New York.

Phillipa stood in front of the fourth door on the hallway and unlocked it, towing one of my suitcases.

I stood behind, arms laden with bags, stomach suddenly nervous with anticipation. This room in front of me, my new home, would be the confirmation that everything was real - my parents' death, college, Pippa, the opportunities of NYC, knowing that I couldn't back out now.

And so I stepped through the door.

***

A/N: No idea where Pip actually lives in the city. But hello hello to y'all! Even though I've read stuff on Wattpad for 5 years now, this is my first time writing. Tell me if this format is weird (I'm writing on a computer but my guess is that a lot of people read on their phones), leave comments and questions or just say hello! <3 K