London Nights

One: Friends

"7 days" I sighed as I closed my notebook. 7 days until I would move to London for a year. I was so happy about this, yet anxious as hell.

I had quit my job, my flat, sold my car and had moved in with my parents for the remaining time. They weren't particularly positive about the whole thing, but they supported me. I went into my room to see my suitcase sprawled over the floor, already full of clothes and stuff. There were loads of things to pack for one year abroad.

I was going to leave my old life behind me and as much as I would still be me when I arrived in London I hoped I could start fresh there.

7 days later

"Text us when you land" my mom said as she hugged me, tears in her eyes. She was so worried about me being on my own there.

"I will" I smiled, also tears in my eyes.

I took a deep breath but couldn't seem to shake that nervous feeling within me. I knew all would be fine as soon as I landed in London, but the trip there felt like torture. Luckily the flight would only be two hours and I had been to London before, so I should be fine.

The second I got on the Tube at Heathrow airport I felt better and smiled. This would be my home for the next year. I sat down and watched the people around me until I got out at Kings Cross. My flat was a short walk from there and I arrived there within 10 minutes. The room was small but wonderful. I had a kitchen including an oven and a microwave, a small bed and the bathroom was pretty new.

I recorded a short voice message for my friend Kat and took a few pics I sent to her and my parents. Then I lay down on the bed for a bit before unpacking. I would actually have my first job interview tomorrow and I was pretty nervous about it. I hoped the job would be nice and that I would be good enough so that they would hire me.

My phone rang before I could worry to much "Hi" I smiled.

"Hey you!" Kat answered. "How is London?"

I sighed "I only just arrived but the weather is fine for May" I was sure there would be worse times.

"Meet Taron yet?" she joked.

I laughed "You know that will never happen". As much as I would love to just bump into him here somewhere, it was unrealistic.

"You never know" she said. "So how are you feeling?"

I sighed "I'm pretty nervous"

"I would be too" she said "but you will be fine"

"I hope so. I'll text you after that interview tomorrow"

"Good luck, honey"

"Thank you, have a good night" It was actually already in the middle of the night in the US now.

I got up and dressed the next day and as I got on the Tube and rode over to where my interview would be I felt like my whole body was shaking. Urgh I just had to get my shit together.

I entered the Lamb & Flag pub at Covent Garden and the interview was a cake walk. I had the job and they would show me everything. It was no big deal really. I was a pro at worrying over stuff that wasn't worth worrying about.

"So your first shift will be today from 3 PM to 11 PM" the boss Rob said. He was around 40 years old with blonde hair and seemed quite nice.

"Liz will explain everything to you" he explained.