A Beautiful Forever - By Anderson, Lilliana Page 0,9

my room to activate it. The first place I call is a shop called ‘Stylz’ in Waterloo.

Elliot

I get out of the black cab in front of the block of flats I am staying in and look around. It feels so strange knowing it’s the end of January but feeling so freaking freezing. Lifting my bag, I climb the short flight of concrete steps leading up to the rendered white building and press the button for number twelve.

“Hello?”, a female Australian voice answers.

“Hi, it’s Elliot. I just arrived from the airport.”

“Of course, I’ll just buzz you in.”

As I hear the buzz from the entry door I push, “Got it, thanks,” I call out.

“Great, see you up here,” she says, I can hear the clunk over the intercom as she replaces the handset.

As I ascend the stairs, I can’t get that stupid Abba song out of my head, it’s the name of the town I’m staying in - Waterloo. I hope I get over that fast because I’m not an Abba fan and three months with that song in my head is going to drive me mad.

A petite blonde girl is waiting at the door when I round the corner, wearing jeans and a woollen turtleneck. Her brown eyes widen when she sees me, and I get the sense that I will need to keep my distance from her now that I have put my screwing around days behind me.

“Wow, you must be Elliot. I’m Naomi, Stephanie told me you were good looking but wow!” Her mouth is actually open right now. I think this girl might be missing a filter or something.

“Hi,” I nod walking inside the flat as she steps to the side, but only just enough so I actually have to brush past her.

“Let me show you where your room is, and then I’ll give you the tour,” Naomi tells me leading me through the lounge room where another guy and girl are sitting draped across each other watching tv.

“Hi mate, you must be Elliot,” the scruffy looking guy says, he’s wearing tracksuit pants that have a massive hole in the knee and a hoodie that's also seen better days. His dark-brown hair is sticking up all over the place, and I’m not sure if he has a beard, or just hasn’t bothered to shave for a few days. He gets up to shake my hand. “I’m Gavin and this is Petra.” He indicates the tiny girl with a dark-brown pixie haircut, and large chocolate coloured almond eyes set in a face with small but pointed features. She gives me a finger wave but remains seated.

I nod my head at both of them as I shake Gavin’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you both,” I respond.

“I’m just showing him to his room,” Naomi tells Gavin, who nods his understanding and doesn’t hesitate before he flops back on the couch.

I follow Naomi down a hallway with four doors leading off it. She stops at the second one on the left and opens it. Inside are two single beds and two wardrobes, and some mess - that’s all. One bed is unmade and there are clothes on the end of it.

“You’re sharing with Brian. He's at work right now. But he’ll be home by dinner, so you’ll meet him then.”

I nod my head and rest my suitcase on the end of the second bed. I didn’t realise I was sharing a room with someone but whatever; it's only three months.

Naomi is standing in the doorway watching me unzip my bag while she twists, side to side, happily twirling her hair around her fingers. I pause my unpacking and look at her with raised eyebrows.

“Do you want me to show you around?” she asks.

Straightening up I look at her, as I place my hands on my hips. “Thanks Naomi, but I think I’ll be ok. It’s pretty much kitchen, living area, bedrooms and bathroom at the end right?” I say nodding my head to indicate where each room was situated.

“Well, yeah,” she says giggling a little.

“Thank you Naomi,” I say pleasantly, placing my hand on the door.

She takes the hint and slowly walks back from the door as I close it so I can unpack my bag in peace.

Paige

Wow, that was easy. I have a trial shift set up already – tomorrow! Shit, I’m petrified all of a sudden that I’m not going to be able to find my way there, or that I’m going to get a terrible case of jet