Episode 1 - The Arrival
Sara looked doubtfully at the contents of her hired UHaul. Her friends in her hometown of Ballarat had helped her pack her meagre belongings but here in this new world that she was about to venture in, she new no one.
She grabbed a few odds and ends and staggered up the cracked, concrete stairs to her new apartment. She thanked the gods that her new abode was on the ground floor.
She struggled with her keys, trying awkwardly to balance a box of cd's which were now about to topple. Suddenly, a helping hand saved them from crashing to the door step.
'Hey...gotcha!' a strangers voice spoke, taking the box from Sara's arms. She looked at her saviour, a tall athletic looking woman with short bleached hair. Sara smiled.
'Thankyou. I guess I should have got the place unlocked before I started unpacking.' she said.
'No probs, babe.' and smiled a warm, welcoming grin. For a second Sara was taken away by her friendly demeaner. She was resigned to the fact that all city dwellers were rude and unfriendly and this was a pleasant surprise. The other woman raised her eyebrows,
'You think we should get these inside?' she said, raising the cd box a little. Sara blushed.
'Oh...sorry.' and fumbled with the keys again, this time managing to get the door open.
Once they were inside, the woman asked where she wanted the cd's dumped. Sara told her anywhere and the other grinned, turned around and placed them on the floor. Sara watched the grrls tight shorts ride up, exposing more than a little buttock. She took the oportunity to scan the magnificently toned legs and firm butt. She was wide shouldered and in her singlet, Sara could see that she obviously worked out more than her legs. She was so engrossed in what she was admiring she didn't hear the light tapping at the door behind her.
'Cloe!' a voice squealed behind them. Sara nearly screamed and Chloe turned suddenly and smiled.
'Pauly, you bad boi. Come, meet a new tennant.' She took him by the hand, 'By the way, I'm Cloe if you didn't work that out by this nasty boi's shriek. Sorry, I didn't get your name?'
Sara regained her composure and took the small 'mans' hand, which he was offering limply, as if for it to be kissed rather than shaken.
'Hi, I'm Sara.' she said as she tentatively shook the slight hand. His bangles, the colours of the rainbow, jangled. He smiled primly,
'Pleased to meet you, Sara. Paulie welcomes you to the Hotel of Heaven.'
'Do you live here as well, Paulie?' Sara asked.
Chloe butted in,
'Lets just say Paulie is a frequent guest to many of the rooms here. He has a lot of...friends.' she said with a wry smile. Paulie ignored her and flitted around the apartment.
'Ooh, I remember the previous tennant, Gary. He had this place looking like a terrarium.' He grasped Sara's elbow and looked at her seriously. 'You're not a plant person are you? They are just perfectly hideous things, completely break the lines of a good living area. All they are good for is ashtrays.' Sara shook her head slowly in the negative. She had no idea what to make of this guy. Chloe rolled her eyes,
'Take no notice of him, Sara. He's odd but he's harmless.' Paulie slapped at her in mock indignation, 'And just for that you can help us with Sara's moving. Build up that scrawny bod of yours.' Paulie shrieked and protested as Chloe dragged him down the stairs to the van.
It wasn't long before everything had been transferred from the van to the apartment. The most tedious object was the sofa, which Sara and Chloe moved while Paulie gave directions; "A bit this way, a bit that" and cried when Sara broke a nail after jamming her hand in the doorway. Sara was grateful that she had a futon and not a mattress and base. Chloe commented that she had never slept on one and Paulie grumbled that it was like shagging on an oven rack.
Once everything was inside, Sara thanked them and asked them back for coffee when she was more organised. Chloe smiled,
'You can count on it.' she purred. Sara again was stunned by her attractiveness and felt herself blushing. Paulie broke the awkward moment.
'Coffee my tight little arse!' he exclaimed dramatically, 'It is tradition to christen a new neighbours arrival with a bottle of bubbly. You get your fine self organised grrlfriend and I'll bring some of the others around later on tonight.' Before she had time to protest he had sauntered out the door. She looked hopelessly at Chloe.
'Don't worry. It's Friday. They all go to the Prince of Wales bar around the corner for happy hour. They'll be out of here by 10.' Sara looked relieved.
'I'd love to meet some people, don't get me wrong. It's just been a big day.' she explained. Chloe stepped towards her and put a hand on her shoulder. She towered over Sara, who when she looked up, found her face barely 6 inches from Chloe's.
'I know, you must be exhausted.' she whispered, her eyes blazing a brilliant green, staring into Sara's wide, shocked pupils. She felt giddy. A breeze caught the open front door, causing it to slam. They both jumped, breaking the trance. Sara cleared her throat,
'Thanks again for your help.' Chloe waved a hand and shrugged,
'My pleasure, I guess I best leave you to your new home. I hope you like it hear. We have a very close...community and I think you'll fit in just fine.'
to be continued... |
