Beyond Fangirl

Stirfry

After a week of searching for a flat or dorm, I decided on the oldish, tiny flat 4 blocks away from the university I was to start attending in a few weeks. My other option was a larger flat overlooking a park but that was much more expensive and had a isolated or commercialized feel to it. When you first enter the flat you are inside an L shaped room. The 2 longest walls are exposed brick, both with fairly large windows looking out onto the street. That room is most of the living space; the kitchen, living room and dining room are all squished into the one space. Then a hallway leads you to the bathroom, laundry room and my bedroom. My bedroom is also pretty small, maybe 13 by 16 feet so the biggest bed I can fit is a twin bed. Which I am fine with, it's not pike I need to share it. I sigh and laugh to myself.
I sent most of my furnishings from my room in Canada to England but they still haven't arrived yet. Without a bed, I still have to stay at the hotel.

I walk into my flat, loving it more and more with each step I take. The only piece of furniture is a small, yet elegant, wooden dining table with matching wooden chairs and an antique, upright piano. The whole kitchen is equipped with an oven, fridge and dishwasher, as well as the built-in cupboards and counter.
The bathroom has everything from a vanity to toilet brush but the laundry room and bedroom are as empty as they were when they were first built. It's weird how the last owner took some things and left the others.

I walk to the empty half of the L room, the side I assume is for the living room, and sit down on the floor. I close my eyes, leaning backward until I'm lying on my back. The worn hardwood floor is cool and somehow relaxing. This flat will be mine tomorrow after all the paperwork and boring crap I know I should care about. My mind wanders it's way to Dan, who I have been texting back and forth with since I got my phone. Taking a deep breath I allow myself to think what I have been pushing out my head for the past few days. What if Dan loves me? What if he hates me? What if he is just talking, texting me because he feels guilty that he killed my phone? What if he is thinking about me right now? I fling my eyes open. I picture him talking to Phil about me. Maybe about how I took his breath away when he saw me. Maybe about how he loves the way my eyes sparkle in the sun. I press my palms on my forehead and shake my head as if that will make the thoughts fall away into a vast alternate dimension. Stop it! I scream to myself in my head.
Someone hesitantly knocks on the open door. I stand up quickly and turn to the boy at the door.
"Oh, sorry." His voice was lower then I expected it to be and he had a strong accent that may or may not be British. "I didn't mean to startle you." He was cute. Very cute. He had light brown eyes like milk chocolate or a gingerbread cookie. His hair was very much like Troye Sivan's hair, although more fluffy and bright orange. It was his natural colour though and it suited him very well. The boy was more or less 6 feet tall, probably 19 or 20 like me.
"Um, sorry. No, that was my fault." I shook my head and gave him a small smile. Awkward pause in which he stared at me like I was a teddy bear and he was a little boy. "Who are you?" Wow, rude Lillian.
"Oh, I'm James Front. I'm your neighbour. I live next door." Another pause. More staring, this time followed my awkward blushing. "Do you attend West Cliff University?"
"Yeah. Starting this September."
"Cool."
"Yeah."
"This is my second year." I nod.
"Well, um, I better get going. I, uh, have to finish legal paperwork and stuff for this place. I won't be able to move in yet until my stuff arrives." Please leave.
"Yeah sure. You don't sound British. Or American." Pause. "Are you Canadian?"
"Yup."
"Oh cool." Gosh, we are horrible at socializing, or maybe it's just me. My phone buzzes from my back pocket signalling a text. I take it out and turn it on. Dan Howell is the first thing I see on my phone so I hurriedly slide my finger across the screen to unlock it but I hesitate and look up. James, the adorable redhead, had left my flat. I feel a bit disappointed until I remember my text and I look back at my phone.
"Hey, you doing anything tonight?"
I froze. My heart pumped in my chest.
"No just checking out my new flat. Yay! It's so gorgeous :)"
Did that sound to blunt? I closed my eyes but looked back at my phone when I felt it buzz in my hand.
"That's so exciting! Make sure to send me some pics or...:)"
"Or what?"
"I could come check it out right now. could i?"
"There isn't any furniture in yet so it's kinda boring but sure. If u want to" I sent him the address and he replied saying he will be there in 5 minutes. I shouldn't be so nervous. What could possibly go wrong?

7 minutes later there was a knock on the door that remained open and I saw Dan peek his head in.
"Welcome to my lair, full of mysteries and open space." I announce with my arms spread open. Dan laughs. His laugh seemed more gentle then I'm used to from the videos, it seemed sweet. He steps in and walks to the kitchen counter which is directly in front of the door. Silence follows but not awkward silence, calm silence. Dan stood beside the counter and sliding his hand across the smooth surface. I watched him walk to the piano. Still standing up, he played a few notes of a song. I winced.
"I'm guessing it has not been tuned yet."
"Argh. It's horrible. It sounds like a dying duck, but I might not get it tuned. I don't know if there is enough space in the house for it and I don't even play." I say and grimace as he sits down, playing a song. Despite the out-of-tune notes it's beautiful or maybe Dan makes it beautiful. His fingers dance upon the keys and he sways slightly to the music. He stops and looks at me.
"Keep it. I can call in a tuner for you." I bite my lip. "Please?" Dan's eyes widen and he stands up to be at the same eye level as me. He is about 6 inches taller, so he tilts his head down to look me in the eyes. I blush and turn my head, stepping backwards. Too close for comfort, I think to myself.
"I don't know if I will have enough space for it." He shrugs and grins at me.
"Make space."

"How was your day?" Mari asks as I walk through the door to our hotel room.
"Really good. I went to check out my flat and Dan came over too see it."
Mari looks at me, raises her eyebrows and says, "Oh really? And how was that?"
"Good. Its good. He's good." I flop onto my bed. I change the subject and ask her how her day was.
"After I left you at lunch I went down to the river and walked around a bit, but my walk was cut short because of the cute boutique I found. Then I spent the rest of the day shopping. Here, look at this." She walks to the pile of clothes and shopping bags on her dresser and rummages through, searching for something. Mari picks out a black dress. It has thin spaghetti straps and a mid length, tutu-like skirt. A white trim outlines every seam, highlighting the seams down the skirt and across the breasts, the top a swimsuit I saw on Tumbr once. I'm sure there is a name for it, though I do not know of it. "I thought it might fit you and if it doesn't I can always return it." I stare at the dress.
"Ah! It's so gorgeous!" I cry and grab the dress to try on. In the washroom, I slide out of my jeans and Tshirt. I wiggle into dress that, surprisingly, fits me perfectly. I stare at my reflection. The dress features my curves and diminishes any hint of fat or unwanted lumps. Plus the black brightens my blond hair.
I step out of the room and Mari screams a cry of delight.
"I love it so so so so much! Thank you, Mari!" I run over to hug her, then step back. "Now I just need somewhere to wear it."

~~~

Hello!
I just want to apologize for my lack of London knowledge. I'm making up things I don't know, including the university, and guessing at things that may or may not be true.

Many wishes,
Laura
xoxoxoxo