Oof!

"That's the last one I think," I called out, dropping the box of blankets in what would soon be the dining room. I looked around at the mess of boxes and newspaper that littered my new home and nodded. I'd scored pretty well when it came to moving out of home- it was small but spacious enough for three. A tall girl with straight black hair that cut off at her shoulders popped around the corner from the kitchen. Even in overalls she looked stunning but honestly, she could pull off a dishrag if she so chose to wear one.

"Sweet! Did you park the car in the garage already or did you want me to go and do it?" she asked. I shook my head.

"I've already done it, Iz," I said, picking up a box full of kitchen utensils and handing it to her. She grimaced and re-treated to the warzone of Tupperware and pots that covered the checked linoleum floor.

"That's why I love you, Clary," she said placing the box on the bench and returning to the cupboard she was filling.

I suppose I should introduce myself. My name was Clarissa Fray and I believed that the knees were the most awkward part of the human body. I liked my tomato sauce in the cupboard and my books sans dog-eared pages, my coffee black and my shoes flat. I had naturally auburn hair and at scary, domineering height of 5"2, I maintained a 'not to be messed with' reputation with a spitfire temper. And now at 20 years of age, I had finally moved out of home and into an apartment with my best friend, Isabelle Lightwood who was at the respective age of 21. If anything you should know about Isabelle it is that she gives Carrie Bradshaw a run for her money fashion (and men) wise.

Isabelle and I had known each since freshman year (caused by a particular incident that will not be mentioned lest it cause embarrassment) and now, while both attending NYU, we figured it was time to move out of home and into our new home graciously bought by the Lightwood family. They seemed to find real estate agents a pain, letting us pay the rent directly to them at a more reasonable price for two students. Sure it wasn't the most spectacular of apartment buildings, but inside the orange brick square, our beautiful renovated apartment comprising of 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and a luxurious parking space, looked over 2nd Avenue rush and that was all we really needed. Cool, huh?

I rummaged around in one of the boxes marked 'Clary's Tech' and dug out my small stereo system and speakers. Sure it was relatively compact but it could make the neighbours cringe if at its max. I plugged it in at the power point on the wall separating the lounge and kitchen, pulled my iPod out of my back pocket and placed it on the docking connection. One of Chopin's Nocturnes filled the silence however I paused it immediately knowing Isabelle would shut down my choice within seconds. I put on my 'Get Yo' Ass Up' playlist and bounce off to get more boxes to drag off to the different rooms of the house.

Our small apartment was predominantly the lounge and dining room space from which veered off a kitchen and a small staircase upstairs to the bathroom and two bedrooms. The stairs even had a small Harry Potter-esque cupboard under them- that just made the booklover I was ridiculously happier. I dropped off a box of cleaning products inside said cupboard, picked up another two and walked up the stairs to Izzy's room.

As the more fashion conscious of the two of us (and also the fact that her family owned the place), I conceded the master bedroom and its walk-wardrobe to Isabelle. Other than that minor detail, our rooms were pretty much the same size, the only difference being the orange feature wall in my room and the dark blue in hers. Both rooms were still bare from beds and desks as such; the delivery of all our new furniture for the house had been delayed until tomorrow apart from a couch my mother had given us so Izzy and I were camping out tonight on the floor.

By 3:30pm Izzy had unpacked most of the kitchen stuff and I had sorted out the destination of most of the boxes and had started to unpack the linen into the closet across from the bathroom when our intercom buzzed.

"I got this," Iz yelled from downstairs. I heard the slight crackle of the intercom and Izzy letting them up. Moments later, the door bursts open followed by a loud "What's up bitches!?"I shoved the armful of sheets back in the box and race to the slight walkway that overlooked the lounge.

"Maia! How lovely of you to grace us with your bootyliscious presence!" I shout enthusiastically across the apartment. Maia Roberts is one of those girls with the tough-love façade and the soft, nougat centre and yet still party the pants off anybody I knew. Well, maybe except for Isabelle. Maia's long braids hung to her elbows yet some curls had escaped the style and stuck out at odd angles, providing a messy yet stylish look to compliment her perfect, dark skin and big eyes.

"Of course! I had to bring my women their housewarming gift and obviously that required me to shake my ass all the way up those stairs. Why does this building not have an elevator, seriously!?" She complained.

"Well you're just in time to help me unpack my wardrobe," Izzy said, appearing from in the kitchen around the corner. I groaned. She had made me promised to help her unpack it all and get rid of anything unwanted. I had argued that she should go through and sort it out beforehand but she insisted. 'Who knows, maybe I'll have room to fit it all in at the new place?' she had said.

Maia laughed. "It's a good thing I bought these as your housewarming gifts then!" She pulled two bottles of wine from her duffel bag and I giggled. Of course the alcoholic of the trio gave wine as a present. Izzy walked back into the kitchen, re-emerging with three wine glasses and gestured upstairs.

"See, Maia knows how to get things done in the best way possible," Izzy said, hip-bumping me. I poked her in the side, taking a glass from her and followed her into her room. I had stacked all of Izzy's clothes boxes in front of the wardrobe and a box of coat hangers beside them. Maia pinched me on the butt cheek and I turned and stole one the bottles from her hand.

"I do believe this is mine therefore I don't know why it isn't open yet and a toast hasn't been proposed," I said, stifling a laugh. Izzy pulled a corkscrew from the front pocket of her overalls (the woman thought of everything!) and I pulled out the cork, pouring drinks into the empty glasses held in front of me by both ladies. After pouring my own and setting the bottle on of the boxes marked 'Iz's secret stuff', Maia raised the glass in her hand.

"I would just like to say that if we don't get buried alive in Izzy's clothes, that I wish you two the best adventures in your new place and that many fine gentlemen grace your beds," she said, deadpanned. Isabelle burst into laughter but accepted the toast and takes a sip. I follow, not able to keep myself from snorting at Maia's vulgarity.

"Has anyone told you that you have a filthy mind, Maia?" Izzy gets out before laughing again. Maia nodded and joined in on the giggles.

"Yes, in fact I find it a compliment however that isn't going to unpack your clothes," she replied, setting her wine glass down on the makeshift table. She picked up the first box, I arm myself with coat hangers and we plummeted into the task.

After 2 bottles of wine, it took 3 friends 4 hours to unpack 5 boxes and use up like a billion coat hangers in the process. Our heads buzzing and eyes tired, we figured it better to order Chinese and have Maia stay over as well. It wasn't often we got to spend quality time with her with study and work but Isabelle and I were currently were on mid-semester break so we were making the most of the brief holiday. Maia called into her work and ordered us the usual of beef and black bean, noodles, steamed chicken and vegetables, and sweet and sour pork at an employee discount while Iz and I set up the sleeping bags and pillows in the lounge room.

Within the next two hours, we'd finished our meal and been ready for bed. Honestly, moving is as much as a tiring effort as hitting up the gym for me. Izzy switched off the light and stretches out in the sleeping bag beside me, Maia already dozing off on the other side of me. The sounds of the street below are much more aggressive than I'm used to but I found it somewhat soothing. Izzy rolled over towards me and yawned.

"To many new adventures," she says through the yawn.

"To all of the adventures," I reply and begin to doze.

So there we have it! Follow along for the adventures, cupcakes!

More soon, but ciao for now!
Bowvs. xx