An Irvine Christmas

CHAPTER 1-Ariving back in LA

     I walked off the plane and into the terminal. Visiting my family in Main was always a tiring trip. I zigzagged through the LAX airport. The LAX airport is always crazy and congested but it's 100x worse during December.
      It took me about an hour to get out of the airport and to my car. I slid my bags into the trunk of my white 4Runner. I hopped into the front seat and took my hoodie off. I am still getting used to it being in the 80s during December. Back in Main it's probably in the 30s or 20s. I sure don't miss the cold. As I slid my car into reverse and started backing out of my spot I got a call from my roommate Astrid.
       "Phoenix!! Have you landed yet?!?" She yelled over the phone.
       "Yes I am headed back to our apartment right now." I laughed as I turned onto the freeway headed to our apartment.
       "Good because we leave tomorrow! And you need to get packed gurllllllll!!!!" She kept babbling on but as per usual I didn't pay attention. I started to realize how different this Christmas was gonna be. Normally Astrid and I go home to Maine and spend Christmas with family and hometown friends. But this Christmas I'm going with Astrid, her boyfriend, and his friends to Colorado. The one thing I'm looking forward to is that the cabin we rented out is right next to the slopes so that means I get to snowboard all day.
       "Phoenix?! Are you even listening to me!?"
       "What? Yes I'm almost home we can talk more when I get there." I hung up the phone and turned off the freeway.

       I slid into my parking spot and took my bags out of the trunk. I slung my bag over my shoulder and rolled my suitcase to the elevator. To my surprise the elevator was working today. Thank god. It normally is never working. With living here for 2 years I've gotten stuck in it 24 times, yep it's normally once a month for me. But that's how it goes using the elevators at our apartment complex.
        As the elevator doors squeaked open I walked onto floor 7. The highest floor the elevator goes up to as I live on floor 10. Thankfully for living here for 2 years and traveling as much as I do, I've learned how to pack light. I walked up to my apartment door and heard the normal screaming and laughing from all the neighboring apartments around mine. I saw Mrs.Peterson's door slowly creep open and before she saw me I sprinted into our apartment. I can't go a day without that woman asking me if I've seen her pet goldfish when it's right in the bowl.
        "Phoenix!! Took you long enough! You have to start getting packed!" My roommate days as she mold me once I enter the apartment.
        "Good to see you too." I laughed as I pushed her out of my way to get to my room I slid the barn door that separated my room with the rest of the apartment.
        "We leave tomorrow!! And tonight I'm dragging you to Calum's band's gig at your bar tonight! So put on something slutty were leaving at 7." She walked out of my room and went to hers to get ready for tonight. I looked at my watch to see that I had two hours before we had to go.
        Tonight Astrid's boyfriend Calum's band is performing a small gig at a bar I work at. Our first year moving to LA I worked there almost every day. Now I only work night shifts.
         "Wait Astrid I totally forgot tonight is my last shift before the trip!"
         "Oh come on but you can still wear something slutty right?! Because I think you would like one of the boys in Calums band" she winked at me as she walked into the kitchen to get a drink.
         "Well if you count my white flannel, black leather  skirt, fishnet pants, and black combat boots slutty then yes." I teased as I walked back into my room to unpack my suitcase. I took a quick shower and dressed into my uniform. I don't really have to work at the bar anymore because I make pretty good money as an interior designer but it's fun and I've made some pretty good friends with the workers and regulars.
         "Let's go Astrid!" I yelled as my roommate stumbled out of her room and down the stairs putting on her heels.
         "I hate heels so much but if I don't where them then I look like a midget next to calum and his whole band."
          "Ok good to know" I say as I pushed her out the door and Locked it.