Grace's Gap Year In Australia

Grace's Gap Year In Australia- Part One

Part One

I was falling down, my limbs flailing uncontrollably as the dusty ground became closer. A dessert stretched out beneath me, about to swallow me up in its large landscape.

A jolt halted my body in mid-air and my eyes snapped open. I was on a plane and had just been sleeping. Go figure with the falling dream.

“Having a nightmare were we, Grace?” asked Summer from the seat beside me.

Yawning, I replied groggily; “Yeah, I guess so.”

“Well you woke just in time. Put your belt back on, we’re just about to land,” she ordered, clicking her own belt into place. I obeyed and copied her action.

“Melbourne, here we come!” Summer practically screamed as the plane tilted slightly and began its descent.

I giggled girlishly along with her, fully awakened by her screech.

Once we had landed, we hurried through passport control, grabbed our bags and hopped into a taxi.

“Where to?” asked the driver in a heavy Australian accent. Ahh, I was going to enjoy my new life there.

Summer told the driver the address and we sped off towards our new residence.

“How do I look?” Summer asked, turning in her seat to look at me and allow her to assess her appearance.

Her bright blue eyes stared at me, waiting for my assessment.

“Well,” I began, “Bright blue eyes glinting, long blonde hair that trails to your waist has not a single strand out of place, your make-up is not smudged in the slightest and your body looks hot in that outfit. My conclusion- perfect,” I told her, grinning.

She beamed back at me. “Thanks. You look pretty hot yourself,” she said, winking at me and nudging me suggestively. I laughed and nudged her back- nothing was ever awkward with best friends.

Truth was- Summer was going to fit right into Australia- her appearance made her look like a true Aussie. I, on the other hand, was going to stick out like a red rose in a field of snow. My hair is jet-black and ends halfway down my back, my eyes a vivid green and my lips a ruby red. But my complexion was at least the same- a beautiful, natural golden colour.

I should probably tell you why I moved to Australia with Summer. The simple reason was to escape our lives in America and explore a new country before we started university a year later.

“Can I get a hell yeah? We’re there!” Summer exclaimed, making me laugh at her ridiculous outburst. She was such a freak. I loved her.

The taxi pulled up outside a cream and brick, two-story house. The door was a deep blue and made it seem welcoming already.

“That will be eighteen dollars please, ladies,” the man told us, leaning over the back of his seat.

Summer handed him the money whilst I clambered out of the car in a dream-like state. The house was better than the online pictures and the neighbourhood was beautiful.

In my dreamy state, I didn’t even notice when I walked straight into a pedestrian.

“Sorry,” I muttered absently.

“It’s oka- woa,” the boy said, cutting himself off. I could feel his eyes on me, but I seriously couldn’t have cared less. All I wanted at that moment was to run into the house and take it all in.

“Hey, Summer!” I shouted over my shoulder, still staring dreamily at the house. “Hurry up with the bags baby gal!”

I could practically feel her eyes rolling, but moments later; she joined me with our luggage by her side. The taxi driver had helped her drag our six cases onto the sidewalk.

“Can you believe that this is our house for the next year?” I asked- whether I was asking Summer or myself, I did not know.

“I know. Isn’t it amazing?!” she squealed.

“Definitely mo-fo,” I replied, grabbing a suitcase with each hand and hurrying toward the house like a kid that was entering Disneyland. Seriously- I was eighteen and still that childish?

Once we had dragged all six suitcases into the hallway, we left the door wide open and ran around the house, searching our new residence.

The bathrooms (yes, there were two!) were amazing, each with it’s own small steam room section of the shower. The bedrooms were huge- also two- and had full-length mirrors that covered an entire wall. The kitchen was small in comparison with the rest of the rooms, but still big enough for an island and mini bar.

And then, there was the lounge. It had a massive open space in the middle- perfect for parties- and a thirty-two inch TV hanging up. To top this off, there were both beanbags and couches that could comfort at least fifteen people.

“This place is perfect,” Summer exclaimed, gawking at the lounge.

“Agreed.” Sometimes having a rich mother helped.

“I saw a small market just down the road, so I’m going to go and stock up the fridge. I suggest you start un-packing or something,” Summer said, already grabbing her purse from her hand luggage and scooting round the cases.

“See ya!” I shouted after her, just as she disappeared out of the door. She left it wide open. Jeez, she hadn’t a care in the world.

I sauntered over to the door to close it but something distracted me. A boy was strolling past, headphones in, cap on and high-tops padding on the pavement.

Knowing that I should probably make friends sooner rather than later, I walked out of the house and over to the boy.

Interrupting his head-bobbing dance moves, I tapped him on the shoulder. He tugged out his earphones and stared at me. Or rather gawked, but whatever.

“Hi,” I said in my American accent, “I’m new to this area and thought I’d introduce myself. I’m Grace.” I gave him a small, girlish wave and blinding smile.

“Hey,” he replied after a moment, “I’m Luke. So you’re American, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Cool. So that’s your house?” he asked, pointing to behind me.

I nodded gleefully. “Sure is. Which house is yours?”

He moved his finger so that he was pointing to a house three down from mine.

“Ah, so we’re practically neighbours,” I stated, still smiling.

Luke nodded, grinning back at me. “So, Grace, you living here all by yourself?”

I shook my head. “Nah. My friend Summer lives with me.”

“Ah, okay. Well since you’re new, and by the looks of it have just arrived, you most likely don’t have any food. Do you and your mate wanna come over for dinner tonight?”

He was being pretty forward, considering I had just met him. I knew Summer had just gone to collect groceries, but I wanted to make friends, so… “Sure. Sounds great. What time?” Jeez, how was it happening so easily? Maybe it was my killer charm and smile. Haha- yeah right!

“Seven,” he replied. “See ya then, Grace.” And with that, he plugged his headphones back in and resumed his head bobbing.

Heading back to the house, I grinned to myself- I’d just made a new friend within an hour of being in a new country. Pretty impressive if I do say so myself.

Finally shutting the door, I lugged the cases up the stairs and into the right bedrooms. I’d taken advantage of Summer’s leaving to shop to claim the comfier bed as mine.

The jet lag hit me like a truck, making my body go limp as I flopped down onto the bed and sank into a deep sleep. God only knows how I stayed upright whilst talking to that Luke kid.

Dreamless sleep welcomed me with open arms and I fell into the embrace, allowing it to swallow me up.