New Beginnings

Today is the day that we have been waiting on for so long. So much time has passed, since we started university four years ago, that I haven't had any time to think about the future. My room-mate Christine and I moved into halls together to study business and economics, and we had had a blast together. We had been through exams, break-ups, make-ups, and so much fun together, that nothing would ever make us fall out. Now it was time for the real world, and we were moving from the halls here in Florida to the beautiful town of Anchorage in Alaska. We had both secured placements within Black's Enterprise, one of Alaska's biggest companies buying and selling businesses and property all around the globe.

'Oh, this is so exciting.' Christine came running through to tell me she was all packed and ready to go. She was loud and very excited, just like she always is when something is happening. I didn't know how we had been friends for so long because we were as different as chalk and cheese.

'I can't believe we are now entering the real world.' It all still seemed so unreal. Time had flown by so quickly over the years that I swore I didn't know how we got here. I, sometimes, looked back on my life and wondered where the time had gone. I had been through so much in my short life that I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. But when I thought about it, everything that had happened to me had made me the person I was today.

'I know it is going to be early mornings and late nights for all the opposite reasons.' We had had four years of parties and lectures; now it had all got to be hit on the head with a hammer. We were going to be wrapped up in work and meetings for the next X amount of years. My heart was pounding in my chest. I felt as though I could pass out with the thought of everything going on in my head. I was all packed and ready to turn the page into a new chapter, but I still wasn't sure that I was ready for all this change. We were leaving our comfort zone and entering the big bad world.

'Ashley, you look as though you have seen a ghost, babe.' Christine had her two hands on my shoulders, pushing me towards the door. This flat had been our security net for so long, and now we had to stand on our own two feet. I knew that I had a few years without my parents, and I had no choice but to stand on my feet. But now it seemed like we were being thrown in at the deep end. It was amazing to think how much security school could give you. When I lost my parents in the car accident, I would have fallen into pieces if it wasn't for Christine and school. They were my rock when I felt like I had nothing and no one.

'I just can't believe that this is finally happening.' Tears welled up in my eyes as I took my last look around. Everything that we have achieved over the last few years happened here, and I was sad to leave it all behind. It was like one door was closing and a whole world of opportunities was opening up to us. We closed the door and walked down the path slowly. It was like a force was holding me back. I might have had a lot of heartache here, but it has made me the strong and independent person that I am today. We both looked back at the very same time. Even if Christine seemed happy about moving, she was still sad about leaving everything behind; she had a lot more to give up than me. I don't think that I could have walked away so easy if my parents were still alive. I would have still had a connection here.

'Alaska might hold a lot more pathways for us, Ash. It has been too long since we have been in a stable relationship.' I looked at my friend through sarcastic eyes. We hadn't even got away from halls, and she was looking for Mr Right. She was torture.

'Let's move and settle into our new home and job before you decide to jump into the arms of the first person who comes along.'

'Ha ha.' I really did hate when she thought that I was joking especially when I was being serious. I just wanted to move to Alaska and have a normal life. I wasn't interested much in the whole falling-in-love scenario. I thought that I was going to stay single for the rest of my life; I wasn't into the whole break-up thing at the end.

'I mean it, Christine. Haven't you learned your lesson?' As usual she didn't listen and skipped off to the car. My friend had more relationships than I had hot dinners, and she drove me daft. I loved her to pieces, but I just wished that she would listen to me at times. I cared about her like a sister, and I didn't like to see her get hurt. Our long journey was now in progress, and we had the music on in the background while we were reminiscing all our fond memories. The last four years were the happiest four years of our lives, and we had lived life to the max. We never had to answer to anyone apart from ourselves. We had the taste of the good life, and things could only get better. Christine was always trying to spice things up and get me on blind dates, but I really wanted to wait for my Mr Right. I wanted someone to love me, care for me, and treat me right. I had this perfect picture in my mind, and I had hoped Alaska would hold my key to Mr Right. Florida only brought me idiots and self-centred pricks, and I had enough of them all. I had come to the conclusion that I would be better off alone than to put myself through any more stupid relationships. If there was someone out there for me, then I would meet him one day.

The journey to Alaska was horrendous. The long winding roads had my heart in my mouth. You could tell when we reached the Alaskan borders because the scenery changed, and it was just beautiful. I had always been used to the fast track of busy Florida, and it was going to take a lot of getting used to out here. Everything was so calm and peaceful.

'Ash ... Ashley.' I heard Christine practically shouting my name, and I realised I was daydreaming again. It was kind of hard to concentrate when you were out in the wilderness. There was always something that was taking my attention and making me daydream.

'Sorry, I was just thinking.' Christine had that big smile on her face like she was up to something. She always made me nervous with this look. This was the look that I got when I was least expecting something to pop up.

'When we get unpacked, we can go out and get a feel for the area and see what Anchorage is like.' We weren't even at our new home, but she was thinking of going out. All I wanted to do was curl up and sleep for the full weekend.

'Yeah, yeah, Christine, just spit it out. You just want to see who you can get a feel of.' I had my witty face on so that she could see that I knew what she was up to. She was so predictable. I didn't know why I seemed surprised. My friend was the queen of partying, and Anchorage wasn't going to stop her.

'You know me too well ...' That was an understatement. I knew her better than she knew herself. 'Ashley, you need to get out more before you turn into a grandma before your time.' I could always rely on my friend to tell it how it was, even if it wasn't what I wanted to here.

'How can we be very good friends, yet we are so very different?' I laughed and so did Christine. That was why we were meant to be best friends because we could bounce off one another no matter what was going on in our personal lives. I was more of the laid-back girl, whereas Christine was the party animal.

'BFFs.' Christine was grinning like a happy child, for once I didn't want to burst her bubble. I thought carefully about what she had said, and it hit me right between my eyes. I didn't want to come across old before my time, but I was comfortable in myself. Maybe that was the problem. I was getting stuck in a rut, and I needed to get out of it somehow.

'BFFs forever.' Christine and I had been friends for years, and we never got tired of one another. God knew what we would do when we moved on with husbands and kids. We probably still won't be far away from one another. It would have been easier if we were homosexual and married each other. We wouldn't need to bother about the whole separation when it arrived. We had been travelling for what seemed like an eternity, but really, it was only eight hours. We had just entered our hometown of Anchorage in Alaska, and it really was beautiful. Our car was the quietest it had been all day. We were both gobsmacked at the scenery; it was truly beautiful. I had noticed how beautiful everything was for about two hours, but it had just suddenly hit Christine when we hit our hometown. We turned into this driveway of a typical Alaskan cottage. I couldn't believe that this was my new life. I truly was happy. Our home was stunning. It didn't look old, but it was traditional. It was out of this world.

It was surrounded by trees and water, and it looked better in real life. I didn't notice half of the features from the pictures that were sent to us. It was like a dream come true.

'Come on, Ash, let's get this party started.' I followed my friend and got the car unpacked. We were like two school children excited about a birthday or Christmas. I stupidly let my friend talk me into getting ready to go out tonight. I didn't know why I seemed surprised. She always gets her own way. We had the whole weekend to get ready for our new start at work on Monday morning. But I knew that the time would fly in, and we would be left running about like headless chickens. But there was no talking to Christine when she got something into that head of hers. It seemed like we were getting a feel for the cottage and we were getting ready for a night out, all in the same breath. It was madness. I hated getting ready to go out when you didn't know what to wear. Christine was always beautiful, and she didn't even have to try to look stunning. She was a blonde beauty, whereas I always felt under pressure to look gorgeous. I hated everything about myself. I would love to find some self-confidence and forget about everyone else. That was my problem: I care too much about what everyone else thinks and forget about what really matters. Maybe when I find my prince charming, it will all fall into place.

'Come on, Ash, I am waiting. I am starved and thirsty.' I sniggered to myself at my friend's comments. She really could amuse me at her childish outbursts. I immediately thought hungry and thirsty for what? She never just had food and drink on the agenda, and anyone who knew her well enough would know that. I was all ready, and walking along the hall, I felt crazy to be going out tonight, but I gave in just for the peaceful life. I really could see the back of tonight. 'Wow. Ash, you are looking lovely tonight. I am so jealous of you.'

'Eh, why? You're thin, and I am curvy. You're blonde, and I have brown hair. You have a great personality, and me there isn't a word to describe.' I didn't mean to sound so negative, but by God, there was nothing to be jealous of me for.

'Come on, Mrs Negative, let's go.' Her arm linked mine just like she had done for years, and it was nice to share this whole experience with someone who knew me so well. I would have been a nervous wreck if I had to come out here on my own. It was a very true saying that 'two was company'. I couldn't imagine life on my own now.

We took a walk into the village, and we still couldn't believe that we were here in Anchorage. Everything looked like the picture on a postcard; the trees, the buildings, and everything was breathtaking. We went down to a lovely restaurant at the dock called 'Maggie May's'. It was lovely. I really didn't know what to expect, but it wasn't any different to what I was used to. We were made to feel very welcome the minute we walked in, and it felt like we belonged here. Our waiter took us to our table. It was a nice quiet booth, dimly lit like candlelight. It would have been perfect for a romantic night out, with no one to interrupt you. But instead, I was here with my obnoxious friend.

'Can I get you both a drink?'

'We will have a bottle of your finest white wine, please.' Christine was very polite; I had wondered what came over her. She was usually a very bubbly and in-your-face kind of person. But I smiled over at her as I was very grateful to see this side of her for a change. We sat for a few minutes and studied the menu. It was very nice and authentic. You could just tell that the food was going to be gorgeous. Our waiter was very nice and polite, and he seemed very good at his job. He had the perfect personality for a job like this. Everything seemed too good to be true.

'Your wine, ladies.' He was very quick of the mark, which was always a good sign. He seemed pretty feminine for a guy, not that it bothered me though. I preferred the gay community. At least you know where you stood with them. I felt that we could be good friends if we got to hang out together. I had a good sense of judgement when it came to people, except when they were boyfriends or potential boyfriends. Then I would go as blind as a bat.

'Thank you.' Christine was being very well behaved tonight, and I was impressed. But usually it was that calm before the storm, unless Anchorage was the making of her.

'Ash, something smells lovely in here. I could eat a scabby horse.'

'That would be our speciality, honey, the Alaskan salmon.' I never even noticed our waiter clearing the booth behind us. But obviously, he heard Christine's comments. 'Hmm, I will try that. Thank you. What are you having, Ash?' I didn't know what to pick for the best. Everything sounded delicious and too good to eat.

'There is too much to choose from ... I think I will have the same. It smells divine.' We handed our menus to the waiter, and I was glad to be sitting here now. It had given me the perfect feel for the place. It made me feel right at home and forget about this being our first night here.

'Good choice, ladies. You will be eating here every night of your vacation.'

'O, this isn't a vacation. We have just moved here from sunny Florida. We have moved into Anchorage, and we start work on Monday morning at Black's Enterprise.' Christine had a flirtatious look on her face, and I knew right away that she was wasting her breath. I don't think that the waiter wanted our life history in one conversation. All I could do was smile because it was clearly obvious that this waiter was gay. She always wore rose-tinted glasses when it came to the opposite sex. She had a one-track mind. But in all honesty, she was just as bad as I was at finding a decent man.

'Well, I hope to get to know you two better. You seem like two lovely girls. Anchorage is a lovely place to live. You will love it. My name is Christian. If I can get you anything, please let me know.'

'Thank you, Christian. My name is Ashley, and this is my best friend Christine.' I felt like I had known this man for years. He was so easy to get along with.

'Christian, can you tell me where the ladies' room is, please?' I rolled my eyes at my friend because she always spent most of her night in the bathroom. The alcohol would go straight to her bladder.

'Sure, sweetie, just over there.' Christian pointed over to the corner where the bathroom was, and he headed off to place our order. I was sitting on my own now, enjoying my glass of wine; it was sweet and cold, just how I like it. I looked around myself to take in the whole restaurant, and I caught sight of this group of people in the middle of the room at a large round table. They looked like they were working at a business meeting. But there was one man doing the very same as me—looking around the room. I couldn't help but notice how bored he looked. He caught me watching and shot me a smile and a nod of his head. I could feel the heat in my cheeks rise quicker than any mercury could, and I quickly sent a smile and a courteous nod of my head back. I wasn't really in the mood for any male attention tonight, but I wasn't the sort of person who could have been rude and ignored him.

'What have I missed?' Christine was back, and I never even noticed her return. My attention had been otherwise engaged, and I wasn't even sure why I was bothering about it.

'Nothing, I am just being nosey.' I thought that she knew something was wrong, because she grinned at me and sipped away at her wine. Her eyes never left my face, and it just made me more nervous.

'Here we are, ladies. Enjoy.' I was glad when our food arrived because it would take the attention off me and it would give her something else to concentrate on.

'Thanks, Christian.'

'Can I get you anything else?'

'No, thank you. This is perfect.' I couldn't think of a better word at the top of my head. The food looked and smelt delicious.