A 'Sim'ple Story

First Impressions (1)

'New Year, new start'.

That mantra repeated in Joe's head as he stared up at his new home. Though, a part of him hoped that this place wasn't his new home. Although Joe had overseen much of the work on it, it had been a while since he had visited the place; and it wasn't how he remembered it. In the winter snowfall, the house looked like a cross between Santa's Grotto and a maximum-security prison; not exactly the most appealing place to live! And if Joe of all people was disturbed by the result, he could only imagine how Dianne would feel about it.

However, Joe didn't have time to panic – let alone try to fix anything – as he suddenly became aware of a presence behind him, "Uh, hey..." a familiar Australian voice began, "You're Joe, right?"

The young man reluctantly turned to face her, "Yeah, that's me," he replied; and all of his senses suddenly came alive as he finally saw the woman in person, "And you're Dianne?" he clarified, though it was rather pointless given that they had technically already met. Joe felt his breath hitch as he took in the redhead before him; although he knew what she looked like, it was something else having her standing right in front of him with a collection of bags and suitcases surrounding her, and her dimply smile on display.

Dianne nodded and extended a hand towards him, "Yeah, it's nice to meet you... well, properly!"

Joe shook her hand politely, "You too", he breathed as he tried to ignore the electricity flowing through him by the simple action. He had no idea that the young woman had felt it as well, and had almost jumped at the sensation.

"So, this is the place?" Dianne suddenly questioned as she broke their gaze to glance up at the unsightly building.

'I wish it wasn't!' Joe thought to himself, but plastered a smile onto his face, "Yep, this is our new home!"

Dianne studied it for a few moments, "It's... homely", she decided on.

Joe snorted, "You don't have to lie, it's one of the ugliest buildings in existence!"

"Oh, good!" Dianne sighed in relief, "I didn't want to offend you!"

"It's okay," Joe assured her, "This is the first time I've properly seen it, and it is not what I had in mind!"

Dianne studied him sympathetically, "That sucks," she murmured, then shrugged, "But we shouldn't judge a book by its cover, right? Or a house by its exterior", she added falteringly.

"True," Joe nodded, "It is what's on the inside that counts".

"Exactly!" Dianne agreed, "So, maybe the interior design will make up for it".

Joe shrugged, "Maybe".

Dianne grinned, "You've got to think positive, roomie!" she told him, "Now let's get that overly-colourful door open, and take a look at the décor!"

Joe laughed; his mood buoyed by Dianne's positivity. But unfortunately, it didn't last long. The pair knew that they had gotten off to a rough start with the place after it took them longer than it should have just to get the front door open; whether it was an issue with the key or the door itself, neither of them were sure. But the interior was somehow worse than they had imagined. Even once they had turned the power on, the place still left a lot to be desired: poor lighting, empty spaces, cheap furniture; it was a disaster.

"Does the interior make up for it?" Joe asked, although he reckoned that he already knew her answer.

Dianne hesitated, "It's... homely".

Joe raised an eyebrow at the adjective that she had repeated from earlier, "Really?"

"Look, it's a house," Dianne pointed out as she walked around the excessively spacious living room, "It's warm, safe, and dry; that's all that really matters".