Whirlwind

36

[Riley]

Between the striking emerald palm trees, the vast Santa Monica Mountains and monumental Hollywood Hills that each helped sculpt the sublime backdrop of Los Angeles, I was at a loss of words. My eyes weren't used to such a sight, only suffocating streets invaded by rude city folks, skyscrapers and every form of polluting ass transportation you could think of. This change of scenery that had me peering over the rims of my shades every few seconds was refreshing and breathtaking to some extent.

I was so adjusted to the crowded lifestyle that free space, real landscaping and a pinch of aliveness seemed damn near exotic. The vibrant unforgiving sun drafting in warm temperatures, which would be a routine thing now, along with a list of other pros made me glad I had made this move. I could see my life in California clearly, and it looked pretty promising.

"Hey hot chocolate!" I called out from my second floor balcony, watching as he trailed from his parked rental car and toward the steps of the front entrance with a grin etching his face. "What you got in those bags? It better be something worth my while."

"Go unlock your door so I can come in and you can see for yourself."

"Oh, well excuse me." I sputtered at his smart remark and loud enough for us both to hear. "You don't have to tell me twice." And he really didn't.

For the last thirty minutes I had been standing outside in a trance, admiring every corner, condominium complex and person that looked as if they were pulled straight from the pages of a magazine. Each image was created perfect in every curve with not one flaw in view and was just a dream. I'm telling you, everything about the west coast at this point was a breath of fresh air for me, but none of that stopped the growling my stomach was creating all morning and afternoon.

Unpacking sucked all of the energy out of me and had me regretting the choices I made in buying half of my belongings and furthermore, making the choice to lug them here. It was also the cherry on top the hunger I knew started at some point yesterday. I was sure I had forgotten to eat, maybe because I was busy sleeping during my down time instead. But if I was correct, this slight issue that was becoming a bigger one would now change.

"I can smell the Cajun spice already." I murmured to myself as I weaved throughout my cramped living room and to the door, yanking it open for Tate. "I smell steaming corn too."

"You sound obsessive right now." he mouthed off with a chuckle then walked down the hall that led directly into the kitchen. "But you're pretty close with your guesses. I stopped by The Boiling Crab and picked up some crawfish, shrimp and hot wings."

"Damn, I hope you got some TUMS too." I said, charting behind him once the door was closed shut. "Because it sounds as if my intestines are about to be just as lit as the seasoning on this mess."

"I didn't," he admitted, placing the food onto the refined hardwood counter top whose surface shined under the streaks of sunshine gleaming from the balcony doors and ceiling high windows. "I did however grab some Michelob Light for drinks."

"Great, I'll only need to get my stomach pumped once with that." I shot back sarcastically as I began diving into the bag, taking out the sacs of crawfish and other styrofoam carryout containers. The aroma was so heavenly and only fought against the melody my stomach was still singing. There was not one ounce of regret I had in the way I was about to annihilate this food and knock out across my spacious yet bare bed afterwards. "Thank you for this, for everything honestly."

"Well we were both hungry so it's no big deal." he shrugged off casually as he sat in the transparent dining chair on the opposite side of the counter. I still couldn't get over how seamless this kitchen layout was and how at Target I managed to find these reasonable chairs and tons of other pieces of furniture for the remainder of this place.