Mieux Que Tout

03

03 | sur les plages de la vie

Sunshine spilled into the guest room and showered it in a deep rust coloured orange. It bounced onto the cream walls, and as it oxidised, it simmered to a paler hue the further it pushed upwards into the sky.

Annie had watched the sun rise, content. She had woken to the bang of the upstairs bathroom door, the sound of the hot water pipe creaking as Sally showered. Annie had promised that she'd drive her to work - a down-town cafe that had been sprinkled with rumours of being the hotspot of the Hollywood famous, but also known for its health conscious menu.

Upstairs, the house was bathed in golden light. Annie was surprised. It looked bigger than it had the night before. The large scaled windows and sliding doors in the living room adjacent to the kitchen helped. A panoramic view, framed by the lush shrubs and tall trees of the garden created a private oasis in the middle of a suburb.

Annie stepped towards the sliding glass doors.

"Jeez," she exclaimed to herself. "Everything here sure does grow fast."

"It's the climate," Sally chimed. Annie turned her head. Sally walked into the kitchen, dressed. "And also all the white smiles that are flashed around."

Annie smiled and walked towards her. Sally pulled out a bowl from a cupboard, followed by a large packet of coco-pops.

"Sorry, it's the only one I've got," she grimaced. "Haven't been shopping for a while."

"All good."

"Milks in the fridge, spoons are under that draw over there," she pointed at the slim cupboard underneath the stove top. Sally paused. "And I wasn't sure if you like coffee, but I did buy some beans a while back."

"Thanks, Sally."

Sally grinned. "Make yourself at home, I've just got to finish getting ready."

Annie walked into the kitchen, as Sally whizzed past, heading to the large mirror by the living room couch. Annie poured the small chocolate round flakes into the bowl, reached into the fridge and grabbed a spoon. She decided not to sit at the table, instead enjoying the view from the kitchen.

Sally hummed to herself as she brushed her blonde hair. Annie stood behind the bench, watching, while spooning out the cereal from the ceramic bowl.

"You got any big plans today?" Sally asked.

Annie shook her head. "Not really, thinking about going for a drive, but that's it."

Her friend grinned. "Gonna check out the sights?"

"Yeah."

"Check out all the sights?"

Annie chewed on the crunchy flakes. "Whatdoya mean?" She hurried out, mouth full.

Sally grinned. "You're in California, babe," and pulled up her hair, winding it up into a tight bun. "There's plenty of pretty fish swimming around here."

"I'm driving you to work, babe," Annie replied, "not hunt down anyone. Besides, I have to call my mother. Want to check up on her."

"So?"

"So," Annie continued, spooning the cereal, "maybe another time. You're busy today, I don't mind."

Sally frowned. "You're such a downer. You're interesting meat here, Annie. Californian's dig Australians."

"Is that why we're friends?" Annie teased, bringing the spoon up to her mouth. Sally laughed.

"I mean probably, I just get cool points from all these sleazy casting directors by doing my best Australian accent."