Beep beep beep
I lurch out of bed, stumbling for a moment as my head spins from the sudden transition to upright. Managing to haul the blankets off me I dive for the alarm clock, making it just in time to turn the darned thing off before it launched into its second fit of beeping. Sighing with relief I sink back down into the bed, curling myself into a ball. This is it! Today is the day that mousy old me makes the transition from bored and boring student to a woman of the world. In four short hours the plane will be whisking me away from the monotony of life in England to the bright lights of Seattle and I couldn't be more excited! I've had this day planned in my head for months but I hadn't anticipated the ball of nerves that was simmering away in my stomach in anticipation of what was to come. Me, Ana Steel, nervous?! Ha! Barely a day went past when I wasn't anxiously stressing about all the things I had to do, the study I had to catch up on, the patients I had to check in with, the endless tutorials and lectures. Seriously, if someone had told me how much work medical school would be, I highly doubt I ever would have enrolled! Don't get me wrong, I love it to death but I pretty much have no life! Starting today though, I'm taking a break from it all and making the most of my last ever summer holidays as a student. Time to live a little and gather a few stamps in the passport I figured, and what better time than the present!
Jumping off the bed I leap into the bathroom and set to work creating the new and improved Ana. My roommates all left the day before so I'd taken yesterday to recreate myself for my American summer. Gone is my long frizzy brown hair and in its place sits a sleek, frizz-free brown waterfall with subtle blonde highlights to brighten it up a little. I'd forked out an arm and a leg to get it done professionally but I figured this was my time to branch out and start the summer as a fresh new person. No more clumsy, quiet Ana. This Ana has a wardrobe full of bold new clothes I'd secretly been stockpiling for the last few months and now I just had to work on developing the confidence to match.
Looking in the mirror I'm pleasantly surprised by what I see. The girl looking back at me looks young and excited; her over large, deep blue eyes shine back at me with bright anticipation.
I shrug on a white linen shift dress, pull on my nude wedge heels and complete the look with my trusty locket. Kate gave me the locket three years ago after one of her typically extravagant family holidays, this time to the Carribean. Instead of your usual picture inside, my locket held some grains of sand from what Kate promised me was one of the best beaches she'd ever had the pleasure of dipping her French manicure clad feet into. She thought the idea of putting some sand in it was cute, but to me it means way more than I'd ever let on to her. I've never left the UK before thanks to my rather hectic academic commitments so the twinkling grains of sand in the locket hold the promise of a whole different world out there waiting for me to explore. Luckily today is that day and I'm almost ready to begin.
I toss the last of my things into my huge bag, zip up my life for the next three months and then pause for a moment to glance back at my room as I leave. Reaching into my purse I yank out my new iPhone, a present from my mum for passing finals, and snap a picture to remind me of home once I'm gone. I survey the mess I've left behind to deal with in three months time. Medical textbooks strewn across the floor, my trusty stethoscope hanging from the handle on my desk and a half eaten packet of m&m's scattered over pages and pages of handwritten notes spilling out of my binders. Let's do this girl.
"Miss Steele?!" a voice boomed making me jump. "Taxi's here!".
Taking a deep breath and slinging my purse over my shoulder, I grab my bag and I'm off!
Standing in line to check in for the flight I could feel the butterflies in my stomach growing by the minute. For goodness sake, keep your cool Steele, people do this every day! I didn't want to show it but I had to admit, I was nervous! I've lived in the UK my entire life and suddenly I was about to board a plane to a different continent, all by myself with only minimal plans for once I arrived. Not to mention the thought of being trapped in a metal box for the next 12 or so hours! Kate told me not to sweat it, just relax and enjoy the ride but this was coming from someone who flew exclusively first class. Us mere mortals forced to slum it in coach weren't quite so lucky. Taking a deep breath and plastering a fake smile on my face, I made my way forward to the counter.
"Miss Steele", the check-in assistant simpered as she tapped my name into the system. "It's showing up on our system that your ticket has been upgraded to first class".
"What?" I murmur, confused.
"Ma'am it says here that you purchased an economy ticket with us but a Mr Ray Steele upgraded that ticket 2 weeks ago", she gushed. "Let me finish checking you in here and then I'll introduce you to Anthony who will escort you through security and show you to the first class lounge to await your flight".
In shock I manage to utter a thanks in reply as I hand over my passport. Oh daddy, you shouldn't have. I felt slightly guilty that my step-dad Ray had done this. He was on my hit list for a quick phone call as soon as I made it through security. Although he wasn't with my mum anymore, he was the only man I'd ever call my dad and he sacrificed everything he had to give me every opportunity possible. I couldn't thank him enough for all the sacrifices he'd made over the years to get me into medical school and help me cope with the fallouts of my mum's various relationship breakdowns. She was fragile at the best of times and not known for her attentive parenting skills.
"Right this way Miss Steele", Anthony appeared ushering me off in the direction of a private line, bypassing the endless queues through customs and security. Before long I was being shown into the sumptuous first class lounge and seated in a plush recliner. Geez no wonder Kate raved about this! I could certainly get used to first class! I'd barely had time to put my purse down before I was being offered a cool glass of white wine. I'm definitely not much of a drinker but who would say no to this! Kate's always whining at me for being such a party pooper but it's easy for her to say. Tall, gorgeous and blonde without a care in the world, Miss Kavanagh, the naturally bright and tenacious accounting student couldn't put an academic foot wrong even if she tried. Her dad owns and manages a large accounting firm and has schooled her up on all the tricks of the trade. Kate's got all the right connections and been through all the right internship programs so she's not exactly short of confidence! I on the other hand have spent one evening too many witnessing the carnage of the emergency department on a typical Friday and Saturday night to ever want to get drunk again. Trust me when I say that being vomited on, slurred at, hit on and punched by drunk patients hasn't exactly instilled a love of alcohol in me.
Checking my phone I notice a text from Ray
* Hope you're being well looked after in first class – you deserve it. Miss you already. R *
Noticing there's only 15 minutes until our flight is supposed to board, I decide on a quick text to thank my overgenerous father.
* Can't thank you enough Ray, this is such a treat! Love you and miss you. A *
Thinking of the massive journey ahead of me and my darling Ray I suddenly start to feel panicky and weak. What on earth am I doing travelling half way around the world all by myself?! I don't know anyone there and I don't even have a clue what I'm going to do once I get there! Shaking, I down the rest of my glass of wine in one large gulp and start anxiously twisting my hands to and fro in my lap. Reaching up to my locket I nervously twist and untwist the chain letting it spin as it unwinds, banging against my neck. Just as I start to think I can't take another minute of this, I hear the announcement over the speakers that the first class cabin of the flight to Seattle is about to board. Holy crap I'm really going to do this! Nervously gathering up my things I make my way towards the exit of the lounge and straight to the gate for the plane. I'm the first one in line and the flight attendant looks at me sympathetically sensing my nerves.
"Welcome aboard Miss Steele, please make your way down the air bridge and one of the attendants will welcome you on board" she greets me kindly. Trembling, I make my way towards the huge plane, teetering as I go. Jeez Steele, don't you know heels and wine don't mix! I hurriedly make my way to my seat and gratefully curl up in the huge leather seat accepting a glass of champagne from the attendant. Yup I definitely see what Kate was talking about! This is the life! Gazing out the window sipping the delicious wine, I admire the British sun rising in the sky as I lose myself in thoughts of Seattle and all the new things I'm about to see.
A not so subtle cough disturbs me from my thoughts and I jump back from the window slopping the wine all down my front in the process. Crap! I frantically search for a tissue in my purse desperate to clean myself up a little but I don't seem to have one with me. Another cough comes from beside me and I look across to see a pair of expensive leather shoes pointing my way. Awkwardly I look up to the man standing before me. His face is fixed in an angry mask but as he sees my startled expression it rearranges into one of surprise. Raising one eyebrow sky high he cocks his head to one side appraising me with cool amusement, a smile gathering at the corners of his mouth. Gazing back at him I'm aware that I'm blatantly staring. I think I'm in shock. Holy cow, who the hell is this guy? He is quite possibly the most attractive man I've ever seen in my entire life. I feel like I'm looking at some kind of Greek God or something. Seriously how can one man look so calm and in control yet so damn attractive all at once. He raises a hand up to sweep through his unruly copper hair, a full grin breaking out onto his face now. Reaching a long fingered hand into his pocket he pulls out a crisp white handkerchief emblazoned with the letters C.T.G in neat, official lettering.
Leaning forward I gratefully accept the handkerchief from him. As our fingers touch momentarily, I'm surprised by the spark that seems to ignite between us suddenly. As soon as I'm aware of it though he's withdrawn his hand and when I look up at his face he's rearranged it into a careful mask giving nothing away.
"I'm afraid that I'll have to take the blame for this wee spillage Miss..." he trails off in his American accent, gesturing at the wet mark spreading down my white dress.
"...Steele", I finish. "And please don't apologise, you're talking to one of the world's clumsiest people. I'm afraid, I was in my own little world".
"Were you now?" he purrs, a grin lighting up his eyes as he gazes down at me. "And I suppose you were so caught up in this world of yours that you didn't notice that you're sitting in my seat?" he smirks.
Crap! Way to make yourself look like a fool in front of this God Ana! I scramble in my purse for my boarding pass to check my seat number and to my horror, the envelope full of photographs of my family and friends spills out over the floor between us. As fate would have it, right on top of the pile is a photo of Kate, Jose and I together at our end of semester party. Jose is a good friend but I know he'd like us to be more than just friends. Although I usually try my best to ignore this side of him, the photo staring back at us shows a scantily clad Kate posing for a photo with me while Jose has his arms wrapped tightly around me. To be fair he had, had a lot to drink that night and I didn't want to hurt his feelings so soon before leaving to Seattle, but the photo clearly makes us look like a couple. Double crap!
I look up at Mr Gorgeous and he's glaring down at the photo with a look of pure hatred.
"Is that your boyfriend?" he asks, his voice icy.
"Ummm..." I awkwardly mutter retrieving the photographs as fast as I can. "No, that's Jose my good friend. Well, he'd like to be more than friends, but you know the way it is..." I stammer.
"I don't believe I do".
"Well, you know...we're good friends...really good friends...he's like a brother to me, only sometimes I think he wishes it was something more...not that I feel that way of course...I mean I don't like him in that way", I splutter, the words falling out of my mouth before I can even think about what I'm saying.
"I see", he says evenly, giving nothing away.
Desperate to break eye contact I glance down at my boarding pass. With horror I notice that he's right and in fact I am in the wrong seat. "... err you're right, I'm such an idiot. I'm in the seat behind this. I'm so sorry. Give me a moment and I'll move".
"Don't bother", he says cooly. "With a quick glance he's summoned the flight attendant and has quickly explained the situation to her. Before I know it, I'm being efficiently cleaned up and Mr Gorgeous has agreed to swap seats with me for the flight. My original bubble of relaxation has officially burst and I'm feeling like my wits have totally been scattered by this formidable stranger. There was just something about him that I can't put my finger on. I mean seriously! I, Ana Steele, have shown next to no interest in men up until now what with my non-existent social life and my endless study. I'm not going to lie though, I'm intrigued by him.
The plane seems to be filling up now and it must be nearly time to takeoff so I decide to nip to the bathroom quickly. As I round my seat I see him stretched out in his seat, his lovely long legs on display. His face is hidden behind a newspaper and I quickly scamper past before he has a chance to see me.
As I head back to my seat I risk a glance at him and see him staring back at me intently, following my every move. I awkwardly smile at him and he returns the gesture with a huge grin. Blushing I take my seat again, just as the captain announces that we're about to leave. As I slide back into my seat, I notice a post-it note tacked to the seat in front of me. It's not your ordinary yellow post-it, but made from a beautiful, thick, textured paper with the same C.T.G authoritatively stamped in the corner. Scrawled across the pristine paper in elegant script is a short message. 'Miss Steele, I do believe I haven't had the chance to introduce myself properly yet, or apologise for making you so wet. Please do join me after takeoff. Yours, Christian Grey.' For some reason I blush furiously again and burrow down further into my seat so he can't possible see me. Is this for real?! I haven't even left the country yet and already I've met an impossibly good looking stranger who for some unknown reason wants to talk to me! I have no idea what I should do. The old Ana would probably ignore him and busy herself in a book but this new Ana seems to have other ideas. I feel like there's some kind of magnetic pull from the seat behind me and I know I have to find out more about this man.
Authors Note: Hi everyone and welcome to my story. This is my first go at writing so I'd love some feedback. Let me know if you'd like me to continue the story :) Please review!
x Saskia
PS: The characters are not my own.