Swimming in Stars | Byron Langley

one

Stepping out of the taxi, I felt the freshness of the London air. I looked directly in front of me, staring at the flat building. I tilted my head slightly, smiling at how nice it looked compared to everything in the states. I grabbed my things after paying the driver with cash my father had given me. I gathered my things and headed towards the building. I found the buzzer labeled "Sugg" and pressed my finger on to it. A minute later the door unlocked and I walked in, finding the lift. I got inside and pressed the floor my cousin had told me the day before.

After living in the states for the past ten years, this was a crazy change. My father and mother had filed for divorce back when I was twelve. My dad stayed here in the UK while my mother and I moved to Colorado near her parents.

The lift doors opened and I stepped out, searching the doors for my cousins. Once I found it, I hit my fragile hand against the door. I waited a minute before the door flew open and Joe stood in front of me.

"Alexis," He smiled and let me.

"Hey," I smiled back as he shut the door behind us.

He turned, gathering my tiny body in a hug. I took in his scent, he smelled strangely of strawberries. We pulled back and I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. I looked at Joe as he smiled, shaking his head slightly.

"You're all grown up." He said.

"You say that like we're not only four years apart." I smiled.

"Well, you were twelve the last time I saw you."

"You were sixteen," I said, "Where's my bedroom?"

"Right," He replied, "Follow me."

I took my bags, following closely behind him. See, when I mentioned the fact that I'd be moving back to the UK, my dad said he didn't have the room in his tiny flat. Zoe told me all about Alfie and so Joe stepped up and allowed me into his flat until I can get a place of my own.

"Alright," Joe stated and pushed the door open.

Inside the large room was just a simple bed, it had plain beige sheets on top. There was a dresser and nightstand. There was a single lamp and the overhead light. There were no curtains on the sliding doors that led to the balcony.

"Wow, you went all out." I stated sarcastically.

"I've never gone shopping for a girl." He laughed. "Plus, I figured I can take you shopping tomorrow."

"Are you paying?" I asked.

"With what money are you going to pay with?" He scoffed.

"Jerk," I said and pushed him.

"When will the rest of your stuff be here?"

"My mom said she'd mail my boxes as she got them packed." I replied.

"Why is your mum packing your bags?"

I shrugged, "I'm lazy."

He shook his head, "I'm ordering pizza."

"Make sure you have ranch." I stated and let him walk out.

I pulled open the closet doors and saw a ton of hangers already inside. On one of the many shelves sat a camera and a tripod. I pulled out the camera, examining it in my hand. It was a Canon EOS, I pressed the on button but it was dead. I pushed it back on to the shelf and started unpacking my two bags. I pulled everything out of my carryon and pushed it on the dresser. I moved my purse to a nightstand and then put all my empty bags in the bottom of my closet.

"Alright," Joe said, "I unfortunately don't have ranch. I'm going to run to the store, the money for pizza is on the counter."

"Okay," I smiled, "Thank you."