Maddie POV
I let out a sigh as I took a step out of Heathrow Airport and glanced over at my best friend Lucy, who looked back at me with a knowing smile. We were home. Well technically, we were abroad but ever since we first visited Europe after graduation we felt homesick wherever else we went. We made a promise a long time ago that we'd be living here before we were both 21 we had made it before my 20th birthday. Everything about this place was so different to back in Australia. Brisbane had its perks but for someone who couldn't stand humidity and preferred trench coats to singlets, it definitely wasn't number one on my dream destinations.
"Mads, we made it out." Lucy laughed as she pulled me into a hug. I grinned but couldn't shake off the exhaustion I felt. Unlike Lucy I couldn't sleep on planes and we'd just flown to the other side of the world. "You know what would make this perfect?" I asked her, "Starbucks and cigarettes."
Lucy scrunched up her nose and shook her head at me. "Coffee sounds good but I'll pass on the cancer sticks thank you."
"Oh Lu, lighten up! We're in Europe. People smoke at dinner over here!"
"This isn't France! Whatever, smoke if you want but don't come to me when your skin turns yellow and your hair falls out."
I couldn't help but laugh at her, "It's a cigarette, not lines of cocaine." I told her before looping my arm through hers and pulling her along to find a taxi.
Once we had picked up the key from the real estate agent we made our way to our rented apartment. It was small and smelt like an old wardrobe, but what could we expect. Besides, anywhere in London is better than nowhere. We dumped the week's worth of luggage we had brought into our rooms, the rest will arrive in a few days. We decided we should shower and get changed before getting dinner. While I waited for Lucy to finish in the shower, which could be anytime between now and next month, I had a look around the apartment. There was a tiny balcony beside the kitchen, which looked like it might fit two chairs if we were lucky. After a struggle with the door, I slid through the small gap I had managed to make. It was getting dark by now and the city looked beautiful. I knew I wasn't going to be seeing an Australian sunset for a while but sunshine was one of those sacrifices that seem irrelevant in the short term. Just when I felt like I was falling in love with the London streets all over again I hear Lucy announce that the shower was free.
I decided on my favorite green dress, and my gold capped heels. Once I rustled my wavy hair, swept a thin line of liquid eyeliner across my eyelid and put on my Chanel foundation- my savior, I was happy with how I looked. When I walked out into the living room, which was really just a couch beside a cramped kitchen, I found Lucy crouching on the kitchen bench, holding her iPhone above her head. Leaning against my doorframe with a smirk on my face, I waited for her to notice I had seen her. When she did, she laughed at herself and climbed down. "I was trying to find reception!" she laughed defensively.
Her light brown hair was perfectly curled, falling just over her shoulders where a black blazer sat. She had her favorite white blouse on. Her legs were covered by red jeans and with the help of her black pumps, looked even longer than they already were. Her naturally long eyelashes, which had been made thick with mascara, were hiding the subtle shimmer of her champagne eye shadow. She looked gorgeous, she always did. I wouldn't call it effortless though, but then again I knew how much work she put into looking good 24/7. Lucy lived by the phrase, 'Dress like you're going to see your worst enemy." and for Lucy that was always a possibility. It's not like Lucy went out of her way to find enemies, she just had an expectation of how people should behave. Being rude was unacceptable, no matter the circumstance, personal hygiene was a must and intelligence was preferred. Of course to Lucy these weren't demands…they were common sense. I can understand why people would call her self-righteous because she is, and she knows it. But there's something about Lucy that makes you want to pass her test. She's beautiful, smart, stylish and funny but most of all, she's loyal. She's the best friend you could ask for and if you make it to her good side, you'll stay there, just like I have. Lucy and I got close after we bonded over, what all girls do, heartbreak. We've been inseparable ever since.
I pulled on my coat as we were running out the door. Luckily, Lucy knew exactly where we were going for dinner because I had no idea where she was dragging me. In the months of preparation we had before moving here, Lucy had taken it upon herself to find all the best places to eat and most importantly, get good coffee. After 10 minutes of walking and convincing from Lucy that we weren't lost we made it to the restaurant. "Oh this is fancy Lu! Trying to seduce me are we?" I said, winking at her. She grabbed my hand and laughed, " You really shouldn't try to wink. You look like you're having a stroke."
"Whatever you love me."
"Of course, darling! But I love you more with both eyes open" she smiled as the waiter took us to a table. Just as Lucy sat down a young girl ran past, kicking the leg of her chair on her way, causing Lucy to bump into the table. The girl was too distracted to notice what she had done and had run out the front door to a group of people leaving the restaurant. I noticed a camera flashing a few times before the group got into a car and drove away. "Well then, I guess some people have been raised by barn yard animals…" Lucy said, rearranging her cutlery that had been knocked out of place. She obviously hadn't seen what had happened outside. Oh well, nothing like a little first night drama in the big city.
A meal and a few drinks later, we decided we should walk home and get some sleep. Lucy had an open day at the London University of Business to go to tomorrow afternoon and unlike my organized friend, I hadn't found a job for myself yet. We agreed that we would look for jobs tomorrow morning, and with the help of caffeine and my winning charm, I might just find one before the end of the week. After a few wrong turns under the direction of a drunk Lucy, we finally made it home. By the time we made it up the stairs we only had the energy to make one bed so we crashed in my room. Just as I was drifting to sleep I whisper, "Thanks for coming with me Lu." She responded by grabbing my hand and squeezing it. I fell asleep with a smile on my face.