Falling Hard

I stood there frozen on the sidewalk with my bags at my feet. The cab left me here about ten minutes ago. It hadn't taken me long to get my bags at the airport and then get to the train that took me all the way to Holmes Chapel where I now was. I had been staring at the apartment building for a while now, scared of going inside. For some reason it felt like the second I go inside, this is all really happening.

“Get your self together Sofia” I whispered to myself. Taking my bags and walking the little distance to the door and opening it. I knocked on the landlords apartment that was right inside the door and waited until the door opened. Out peeked a woman in her forties with red crazy hair in a big bun and a big smile on her face.

“Sofia?” She asked in her beautiful british accent.

“Yes, thats me.” I rasped out, my voice a little stiff.

“Wonderful, did the ride here go okey?” She leaned inside her apartment to get something before she closed the door and we walked up the stairs.

“Yes, thank you. It was good.” I didn't really want to tell her how scared to death I had been the whole flight and train ride.

We went up two flight of stairs before she opened the door to the right with the key she had in her hand. She turned to and gave me the key which felt heavy and burned in my hand. I looked at it with bewilderment. Was this really mine now?

“There you go sweetie, please let me know if you need anything or have any questions. My door is always open.” The nice lady said, which name I now remembered as Charlotte.

“Thank you so much.” I got out before she turned around and walked down the stairs. I stood there frozen again, with the burning key in my hand. It wasn't really burning, it was more the fear in me that projected itself on the key.

I took a deep breath and walked inside the apartment, put my bags down on the floor and looked around. This was a small apartment with a small bedroom, a living room and a kitchen in one and a small bathroom. But I was happy because the bathroom had a bathtub and that I knew that I would use.

Thankfully the apartment was furnished with the essential. A bed, nightstand, sofa, coffee table and a small kitchen table with two chairs. But I needed to go shopping for everything else. Good thing that I had a few days until I had to start my new work. I was so trilled that I had gotten this job, it wasn't much, only part time, but it was great to have something.

I unpacked my clothes and hung it in the closet before I sat down to write a list of what I needed. It was all from bedsheets to pillows to food. So I made two different list, because I didn't have a car and it would be to much to carry all by myself. It was only a little after noon when I finished so I took my purse and list and walked outside. The sun was pretty warm even though it was only march. I walked downtown and found a store that seemed great for what I was looking for. I bought some towels, bath salt, bedsheets and pillows for the couch. I walked around looking in every store I could find and found more things that would be great in the apartment. Everything that would spruce the place up was welcome. After I left the bags back at the apartment I walked to the nearest supermarket to fill the fridge.

That night after I made myself a sandwich, I sat on the couch feeling the place in. It had gotten a lot more cozy with the new stuff I had bought. I wasn't done with my list but I had the essential things that I needed right now. And that night I slept surprisingly good in my new bed, in my new apartment, in this new town.

A few days later it was time for me to start my new job. It was as an photography assistant, which I was trilled about because I had been working as one back home so I new the job pretty well. I was nervous though. I woke up early that day and sat with my tea for a long while, staring out into nothing. I couldn't really believe that I was here, in England of all places. I had always dreamed about living here and now I was.
I opened my computer to check my email because I knew my mother would have written me and I was right. I know my mom too well.

Dear sweetheart,
Good luck on your first day, it will be wonderful.
Call me tonight and tell me everything.
We love you!
Mom and Dad

I had some really loving parents. I couldn't have done this without them. A smile started playing on my lips as I though about the love they always sent my way. I closed the computer and stood up to get ready for this big day.
I walked to the studio where I would meet my new boss, Mr Hart. It only took about fifteen minutes to walk there and I felt my heart beating extremely fast when I opened the door. It was a light big room with a lot of commotion going on. To my right there was a couple of armchairs put together, next to them there was a small kitchen and to my left the big studio with its equipment stood with the makeup tables just behind it. I got scared for a minute that I was late, but the watch said that I was teen minutes early. In the middle of all the chaos was a man who looked trilled when he was me. Apparently everyone had come early and he needed my help to set everything up, which meant that I got thrown straight into work. But that was exactly how I wanted it.

Mr. Hart was a nice man in his thirties with dark brown hair, big black glasses and a very stylish wardrobe. Professional but also very funny. He was god at showing me what he wanted me to do and he seemed pleased with my work. The first days we had smaller photoshoots, which was good so I could get into the work and also have breaks between the shoots. But he informed me that we would have a big series of photoshoots next week that was very important, so he would really need my help the whole week. I was trilled about that, not only because I would have things to do every day next week but because it was a fun job. I loved it! Beautiful models posing for cool pictures, me running around fixing the light, getting coffee and changing batteries and so forth. It was my kind of work. I would never stand a desk-job. I wanted physical things to do and preferably different things.

When my first week at work ended I celebrated by getting takeout. I called my parent to tell them about the week before I put on a movie and eat my food in front of the TV. It had been a good week and I so looked forward to the next. I realized that I hadn't cried for the last two days which made me happy. Maybe this really was a smart idea to move here. It was tough though, every time I got a free moment I though about my wonderful friend that I missed like crazy, wishing she was here with me. And from time to time I couldn't stop thinking about the betrayal of my ex, but I tried to push away those thoughts because I knew they wasn't good enough to be thought.

It was nice wether that weekend so I decided to walk around town on saturday, I brought my camera so I could take a lot of picture to send my parents. On sunday I went to a park just a few minutes from my apartment. I sat there on a park bench enjoying the sun and watching the british people walk by. I really loved their accent, I couldn't stop myself from smiling when people talked while walking by. I wish I could sound that good with my english. I think I've gotten better at it just in last week, but I needed even more practice.

I overslept on monday which made me run like a crazy person around the apartment getting everything ready for work. I was so stressed but I made it just in time for our big week at work. Only a minute after I got there did the models arrive. There was five girls we were going to shoot in all different kinds of locations and clothes.
I started arranging the light in the studio for the first shoot when I heard a girl behind me.

“Hi, you are new here right?” I turned around to se a gorgeous brunette standing in front of me.

“Hi, Yes I am.” I ran my hand trough my hair.

“I have been a model for Jack several times before and have never seen you here. I love meeting new people.” She said addressing my boss by first name.

“Oh, okey. Well, I'm new.” I felt a little awkward, not knowing what to say really.

“I should get to make up, but I see you later.” She walked over to the makeup tables a few meters away.

I realize that I didn't really give a good first impression, but I was fully concentrated on my work and didn't expect anyone to come up to me. I took a mental note to make an effort to be nicer and talk like a human being to this nice girl or any other person who wanted to talk to me. I would never find new friends if I kept this non-talking thing going.

The first day of our photoshoots went without a hitch. It was a fun day, we did all the inside studio photos today and tomorrow we would do an on location photoshoot. I was starting to pack our things we needed in the morning when the sweet brunette came over to me. This time I was a little more prepared.

“Hey, Jack told me you new to the town. Where are you from?” She asked me.

“Yes, that's right. I'm from Sweden, came here about two weeks ago.” I put down the flash I was holding.

“Wow, I've never been. Do you have friends or family here?”

“No, I don't really know anyone yet.” I said a little embarrassed. Who moved to a country where they knew no one? Well, apparently me.

“Then you have to come out with me and the girls! We're going to a pub right around the corner to eat something and have a beer. Will you join us?” She asked with a huge smile.

“Yeah, sure. I just have to finish here.”

“Take your time, we will wait. ” She walked back towards the girls who sat in the chairs by the door. But turned around halfway “I'm Eleanor by the way.” and gave a little wave.

“I'm Sofia.” I almost yelled at her. Feeling that my excitement spill over. I couldn't be happier to have anything to do tonight, it had gotten a little lonely at the apartment.

I felt the trill as I walked with the girls to the pub.

Notes

It's still just the start of the story. I want to give you a real introduction before I get started with the juicy parts. ;)

Comment what you think is the storyline!