New Beginnings

by Megan Keith

  “This is it,” she says and I pull up outside an old Victorian brick house. “Thanks for the lift.”

  “Any time Bianca,” I reply, expecting her to quickly jump out of the car like last time. She doesn’t. I can see a vulnerability on her face again. She’s so damn hard to read. One minute she’s feisty, the next minute sad. Confident and angry, then quiet and shy. It’s confusing.

  She opens and closes her mouth a couple of times before finally speaking. “I’m really sorry, Seth … for being a bitch to you at work … and earlier tonight, too.” I’m stunned into silence. Even in the darkness of the car I can see her cheeks are red with embarrassment.

  Bianca

  I feel like such a loser for the way I’ve treated Seth. I’ve been so rude and I wish I could take it back. Hell, if I can manage to be civil to a dickhead like Matt surely I can cut Seth some slack. Tonight’s proven he’s nothing like the pretentious business man I’d assumed him to be. And who knows? Maybe we can actually be friends.

  “I have a problem with thinking before I speak sometimes,” I explain, “and I’ve been way too judgemental toward you. I apologise. Maybe we could hang out sometime? Get to know one another?”

  “I’d really like that Bianca.” He gives me a broad smile and it lights up his dark eyes that are illuminated by the dashboard light. “I had fun tonight and I guess we’ll be seeing more of each other, so yeah, I’d like it if we could be mates.”

  “Cool.”

  “I haven’t lived in Sydney very long. Maybe you could show me around a bit? Point me in the direction of good take out and that?”

  “Totally!” I reply with a lot more enthusiasm than required. “We should definitely get together some time. Thanks again for the lift. Good night Seth.”

  Seth

  The warm Sunday sun beats down on my back as I make my way up the garden path. There’s music blaring from inside Bianca’s house. I knock, but of course she doesn’t hear me. I knock again, calling out her name. When she still doesn’t answer the door I try the door knob. It’s unlocked. I crack the door open a little and call her name through it. Still no response. Opening it wider, I hesitate. I probably shouldn’t just walk in. “BIANCA!” I yell one final time before walking in anyway.

  ‘Call Me Maybe’ is blaring from the room off to the right but Bianca’s voice is louder as she sings over the top of it. I open my mouth to call out to her again, but quickly close it when I catch sight of her. I lean in the doorway and find her dancing around her lounge room with a feather duster. She has her back to me as she sings at the top of her lungs and dusts the mantelpiece of the old fireplace in the centre of the large room. She’s totally uninhibited as she sings off-key and manages to get the words wrong. Of course she’s uninhibited! You’ve practically broken into her home and she has no idea you’re spying on her!

  I gently bite my cheek in an attempt to stop myself from laughing as I stand paralysed by the vision in front of me. She’s mesmerizing and absolutely gorgeous, even from behind, but kind of goofy looking too. She’s wearing a very short, white and blue floral sundress, her hair in a ponytail high on her head. I find it impossible to look away. Her bare feet and her long tanned legs are … looking even longer right now. I gulp. Did I mention she was wearing a really short dress? Well it’s even shorter when she stands on the tips of her toes and stretches to reach the top of the framed mirror that’s hanging over the fireplace.

  When the song comes to an end, I figure I better announce my presence before the next track starts.

  “You shouldn’t leave your front door unlocked.” She jolts at the sound of my voice, which seems awfully loud now that the music has stopped.

  “FUCK!” she screams as she spins around. She glares at me with her hand on her chest, her blue eyes wide with fright.

  Bianca

  “It’s not safe.”

  I freeze and stare at him with my mouth hanging open. Then jump again when the next song on my iPhone begins, before storming over to the dock to turn it off.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” I scream, turning on Seth like a banshee. “You scared the crap outta me!”

  “Sorry, but I did knock.”

  He smirks at me as he casually leans against the door frame with his hands in his jeans pockets. I try to control my breathing and calm myself down. My heart continues to beat at an alarming rate. He gave me such a fright!

  He’s wearing the same grey beanie from Friday night. It’s not cold like it was Friday night so I wonder if he’s wearing it for my benefit, because I said I liked it. Then I realise that I’m staring at him and quickly avert my eyes.

  “You really shouldn’t leave your door unlocked, you never know what kind of riff-raff could just wander in.”

  I stifle my giggle at the term Johnno used on Seth and try to focus on how mad I am.

  “What are you doing here, Seth?” I point at him accusingly with the feather duster as I walk over to him. I stop at arm’s length and suck in a short breath when I realise something else. “How long have you been here?” My voice is raised when I speak, I’m beyond humiliated and totally pissed that he just walked in.

  “Long enough,” he says nonchalantly. I cover my mouth with my hand in embarrassment. I’m about to hyperventilate at being caught out in- what the fuck am I wearing? I look down, a little revealing but not too bad, I can live with that. I can’t believe he was watching me dance! Oh my god, I was singing! Again. Like being caught on Friday night wasn’t bad enough.

  “You could’ve called out! You don’t just barge into someone’s home! You at least yell out to them or something.”

  “I did!” The amusement on his face fades a little and my resolve weakens. “I called out a couple of times. I’m sorry that I scared you.”

  “I suppose the music was pretty loud,” I concede after a moment’s hesitation. “I wasn’t expecting anyone to show up unannounced though, was I? A polite person would call or text first.” I can’t seem to get that annoyed tone out of my voice.

  “Yeah, I suppose I could have if I had your phone number.” Yeah, that would help. Now I feel like a real bitch. “But then again, I would’ve missed all that,” he adds, motioning around the room in a circle with his hand, his smile broadening.

  I feel my cheeks heat with embarrassment again. The look on his face is so playful that I can’t help the smile that forms on my own. I smack him across the chest with the feather duster but he grabs it off me when I try to hit him a second time.

  “I came by to see if I could take you to lunch,” he says, tapping me on the nose with it, tickling me.

  “Really?” I can’t hide the surprise in my voice.

  “Yeah, you said you’d show me around. Remember?”

  “Oh, I …”

  “I know I shouldn’t have just dropped in but I was bored out of my mind and you did say we should hang out some time…”

  He’s right, I did. I guess I can’t argue with that. “Sure. That sounds good.”

  “I was hoping you’d have an idea on where to eat. My shout.”

  “Okay, yeah, I know just the place.” I step forward to leave the lounge room, expecting Seth to move from the doorway but he doesn’t budge and we almost collide. I look up to his face that’s just inches from mine and my heart skips a beat. I blink rapidly to re-focus. “Oh, um…” I turn around and practically run to the stereo to grab my iPhone, then I grab my keys and bag from the hook just near the door where Seth’s still standing, watching me. I can’t help but feel even more self-conscious with the way he’s staring at me. I slip my feet into the thongs by the door and stop in front of him. “Ready.”

  He again holds his arm out, motioning for me to go ahead. I walk past him and out the front door. Then I watch Seth put the duster down on my side table, he plays with the lock on the door before pulling it closed and checking the handle to make sure it’s locked. I know it’s not much, but seeing him do that gives me a thrill. Something so simple but it kind of sh
ows that he cares - cares enough to make sure my door is secure, cares enough to tell me off for leaving it unlocked in the first place. It’s nice and causes my lips to curve.

  I continue walking down the path and out to Seth’s car that’s parked in front of the house next door.

  “This place you have in mind, is it within walking distance?” he asks.

  “Yeah, I suppose it is.”

  “Do you mind if we walk then?”

  “Okay.” I shrug.

  After a few steps along the footpath Seth breaks the silence.

  “Have you lived here long?”

  “Forever. I grew up in the area and I’ve lived in that house since I was eighteen.”

  “Yeah? It looks like a nice place, what I saw of it. Big.”

  “It’s old and a bit shabby, but I love it. I love the impossibly high ceilings, the too large rooms, polished floorboards … it’s got character. It could do with a new kitchen and the bathroom isn’t great but its home, you know?” I pause for a quick breath. I know I’m talking too fast and prattling on but I can’t help it. Seth makes me nervous for some reason. “I’m so lucky to have it,” I continue. “Most people comment when they see it for the first time how they can’t believe I have such a big place all to myself on the edge of the city. I know what the going rate is for rentals in the area and I pay no way near that. My rent hasn’t gone up once in the whole time I’ve lived there. I’m not sure why that is-”

  “How old are you?”

  “Huh? I’m twenty-four. Why? Is it because I’m talking too much? You think I’m over-excited and immature or something?”

  “No, I was just wondering.” He smiles and shakes his head. “You said you’d lived in the house since you were eighteen?”

  “Oh yeah, well … So I’ve lived there for about six years. I’m sorry if I’m talking too much. My mouth gets away from me sometimes.”

  “I’ve noticed.” He laughs. I want to close my eyes and savour that sound. It’s so good when he laughs. “I’ve been on the receiving end remember?” he says, bringing me back into focus.

  “Oh yeah. I’m sorry. You just have to tell me to shut up sometimes. I swear it’s a condition.”

  Seth

  Her face reddens again and she looks away, suddenly going shy. I love listening to her talk. I don’t want her to stop.

  “Twenty-six.” I say the first thing that pops into my head just so I can hear her voice again.

  “Sorry what?”

  “I’m twenty-six years old. I moved up from Melbourne about three months ago.”

  “Oh yeah? What made you do that?”

  “A job.”

  “What kind of job? What do you do?”

  “I’m a computer programmer. I’m currently on a contract to overhaul the computer system for a finance company.”

  “You moved all the way here for a job? Must have been a good offer for you to relocate.”

  “Yeah, it was.”

  “Where is it?”

  “KR Finance.”

  “I know that name. Why do I? It’s a big company, yeah?” She looks adorable. Her face is scrunched up in concentration as she tries to place the name. She stops suddenly and thumps me on the arm with the back of her hand. “Oh, I know! I have my super with them. Wow Seth! That’s huge! They’re like a nationwide company!”

  International actually, but I don’t want to sound like I’m big-noting myself so I don’t correct her. I still have moments where I have to pinch myself.

  “You’re redoing their programs? On your own?” she asks and continues walking.

  “I have a team.”

  “You have a team? What? They work under you?” I nod. “That’s impressive. You must be making good money. Shit! Sorry, that was rude. See? Told ya!” She points to herself. “Big mouth.”

  “It’s alright, I’m kinda getting used to it.” She nudges me with her elbow and I laugh.

  We walk down the footpath in silence for a while. I can’t help but continuously tilt my head in her direction. Every time she does the same, catching me and capturing me with her beautiful face and bright smile – so happy she’s not withholding those anymore. She’s attractive in that ‘girl next door’ kind of way – real, no make-up, a natural beauty. I’m beginning to enjoy her unfiltered mouth, too. The way she speaks whatever’s on her mind is refreshing and entertaining. Even if it is to attack me for being a stalker. I smile at the memory of her angry confrontation that day in the café.

  “So, you’re like a computer nerd, huh?” she teases, her startling blue eyes lighting up.

  “Yep.” I chuckle.

  “I’ve never been friends with a nerd before.” That one word brings me crashing back to reality. Friends. She only wants friendship.

  Bianca

  Seth and I are seated at a small round table, under an umbrella outside the café, munching away contentedly. He’s just been filling me in on his family, playing the get to know you game and I can’t help but notice how comfortable I’m feeling. Usually, one on one with somebody new makes me nervous and I talk too much. Okay, so I’m still talking too much, but my nerves have left me. Seth has put me at ease somehow, with his charming smile, chocolate eyes and friendly nature. Maybe that’s it? He’s so friendly and warm that I can’t help but relax. Also the fact he’s wearing that cute beanie and casual clothes probably helps too - he’s a lot less intimidating out of a suit. Although I feel embarrassed for my earlier comment about what he earns, and a little unworthy of someone with such a career focus, I can’t help but be mesmerised when he talks.

  “What about you? Tell me about your family,” Seth interrupts my thoughts.

  “My dad died when I was four and it’s just been my mum and her various partners over the years. No siblings.”

  “How did he die? If you don’t mind me asking.”

  “Car accident. I don’t remember him that well. Just a few snippets here and there that I’ve tried really hard to hold onto over the years. I think a lot of my memories stem from photographs more than anything else. I do remember he used to call me his ‘blonde-haired, blue-eyed angel’, though. Before you say it, no I don’t dye my hair. I used to be blonde. In fact, when I was really little my hair was practically white but as I grew it got darker and darker to the plain mousey light brown you see before you. I hate it. I sometimes wish I was brave enough to dye it like Scar does, but it’s the only part of me that I get from my dad, so I don’t know, I guess I hold onto it because of that. It’s all I’ve got of him. If that makes sense.”

  “It does. And for the record, I like the colour of your hair.”

  “I already said I’d be your friend Seth, you don’t have to suck up to me!” I roll my eyes. He laughs that sexy laugh of his and my cheeks heat up. I need a distraction. “Enough with the boring stuff.”

  “Okay then, tell me something about yourself. Something that no one else knows…” He wriggles his eyebrows at me and crosses his arms against the table, leaning closer.

  “And why would I want to share my secrets with you?” I tease.

  “Because I won’t repeat them,” he replies seriously. “Isn’t that what friends do? Keep secrets?”

  “Um…”

  “Trust me.” I barely know him but, for some reason, I do want to trust him. “It’s gotta be an embarrassing secret,” Seth adds slyly.

  “I can’t think of anything,” I say after a moment.

  “Yes you can.” Seth has a playful look in his eye and it’s distracting. It takes me another moment before I respond.

  “Okay, I only work ‘til 11 on Wednesday mornings so in the afternoons I go to the movies … by myself.”

  “Lame!” Seth practically shouts as he shakes his head. It makes me jump and I look around the café at the few faces that have turned in our direction. “I’ve been to the movies by myself.”

  “You have?” He nods. “Okay … but every week? I think that’s pretty embarrassing and sad.”

  “Nope.”


  “Nope?”

  “Not good enough.” He leans back in his chair, waiting for me to say something worse.

  “Well, sometimes I see kid’s movies.”

  “Nothing wrong with that.” He shrugs. “Try again.”

  “Okay then, I pick the movie that is closest to lunch time so I can pig out on junk food in the cinema and call it lunch. Does that pass?”

  “Mmm,” he contemplates my answer while he taps his finger on his chin, smirking at me. “Closer…”

  “I have an exercise book that I paste all the movie ticket stubs into,” I rush out in a quick breath as my cheeks heat up.

  “Really?” Seth laughs.

  “Yes, really,” I mumble, which just makes him laugh again.

  “Well, that’s definitely embarrassing!” He chuckles.

  “What’s worse, is that I like to write down the names of the people I see the movies with, next to the stubs in the book,” I say through a giggle which only spurs his laughter on even more. “Your turn.”

  “Well … um … I don’t think I’m capable of topping your embarrassing secret!”

  “Shut up!”

  “Okay.” He shuts his mouth and looks around the café.

  “I didn’t mean literally! Come on, I want an embarrassing secret!” I bat my eyes at him and beg, “Please.”

  “Hang on. Let me get this straight.” He unfolds his arms and leans toward me. “So you glue these stubs into a book and write names next to them?”

  “Yeah. There hasn’t been any names in there for a while though, even when I was with Dean I wouldn’t take him. Now that is sad and embarrassing.”

  “Who’s Dean?”

  “Some loser I dated for a while.”

  “How long?”

  “About six months.”

  “You were with him for that long and he never once took you to the movies?”

  “He never really took me anywhere. He was always broke and nearly always unemployed. So I’d only end up paying anyway. To be honest, I never wanted him to come. Movies are my escape from reality.” Then, because my mouth tends to get away from me I continue, “He lived with me but it was never anything serious. I liked him a lot, in the beginning. For a while, I thought it was going to be more than it was, I guess. Eventually I woke up and tossed him out.” I really need to learn to shut up. Talk about overshare.