silence » c.h.

1

I sighed when I finally pulled my suitcase along with my guitar from the conveyer. The plane had finally arrived in Sydney and I could already feel the jet lag. I groaned, not expecting the weight of my luggage as I put the guitar on my back. I took my suitcase and set my handbag on top of it, slowly maneuvering it through the huge hall of the Kingsford Smith Airport. I made my way through the huge gate and found myself in the arrivals hall. I could see the sun outside, shining bright and making me feel a little bit better. I had the worst moods after plane flights. I was still very tired and hungry and grumpy, though.

I looked around, not noticing anyone. Maybe the person that was going to be my exchange sister was late. Making my way to the vending machine on the other side, I took out my wallet and started picking a snack. I was so hungry. In a daze I looked at the price and started getting out the coins. I felt like I was in a trance, as I stared at the coins in my hand, before attempting to shove them into the vending machine.

And then, it hit me.

My money was fucking American and there's no way I can get anything at this damn vending machine. I desparately looked around the hall, in hopes of finding an exchange booth. There were car rental booths, vending machines, drivers waiting for arriving clients, but no exchange machine. I sighed  and put my headphones, re-thinking my decision of coming here and already worrying about how my mom was holding up. 

"Hi!" a light voice not far from me called, and I took out my headphones. 

I turned around, trying to find the source of the noise and my dark green eyes were met by light green ones.

"Are you Ivy Hemsworth?" she asked excitedly, giving me a huge grin. I smiled and nodded quickly, clearing my throat.

"Oh, well hi, I'm Nova, I'll take care of you during your time in Sydney!" the girl said and looked at me with big eyes. She was very loud and giggly. 

"Hi Nova," I said, not knowing what else to say. I was very thankful for having Nova as my exchange sister, she was a very talkative person. It wouldn't be that bad. 

"Okay, let me take this and then I'll bring you to the car, you must be really tired, after, how many hours of flying?" she took my suitcase with the bag on top from my hands and headed towards the exit. 

"Thanks," I said and then added quickly, "I don't even know, like, sixteen hours." I slightly turned around and fixed the vending machine behind me. God, how hungry I was.

"Woah," Nova quietly mumbled and kept pushing my luggage towards the parking lot. "So how'd you like Australia so far?"

Well it's not like I had seen a lot of it. 

The word 'Australia' suddenly reminded me of the conversation with my mom I had many hours ago and it sent shivers up my spine. I ignored the thought about home and how I was not gonna see my mom for one entire year.

"It's pretty cool," I simply said, as we approached a dark blue car. I opened my eyes a little more, recognizing a person sitting in the drivers seat.

"Oh, you're not picking me up alone?" I asked surprisedly. Nova giggled and then gestured to the person in the car.

"No, I don't have my license yet, but Ashton kindly offered to pick you up, since my mom has a lot of work today. He's a very good friend of mine, don't worry," she answered, winking at me. She opened the trunk, first putting my bag in and then trying to do the same with my big suitcase. My stomach made a heartbreaking sound and I prayed to God Nova didn't hear it. 

"Holy shit," she breathed, as I rushed over to help her put my luggage inside the car. Eventually we managed to somewhat push the suitcase in and Nova closed the trunk, shortly after I carefully put my instrument in it as well.