Welcome to LA

2.

Bumps and claps woke me from my slumber. I looked around to see happy passengers as we arrived safely in Los Angeles, the city of angels. Out of the plane window, I saw the skyline of the city where I now would be living for the next year. The lights fascinated me against the darkness of the sky, as it was now close to midnight. My heart raced as I thought of my future here as a potential actor. 

The plane came to a stop, and I started getting my things together. I pulled out my earpods, and stuffed them into the small pocket of my backpack, zipped it, and waited until people started making their way off the plane. 

I gathered myself as the people on the plane stood, knowing since I was at the window, I'd be forced to take my time getting ready. I quickly took out my compact mirror and checked my makeup and hair. I rubbed some of the smudged mascara from under my eyes, and applied a new coat. Then I looked at my hair, my plain, bland middle part, combed perfectly straight. And then I thought to myself. I'm in LA, the city of angels, where everything changes. I could be someone completely different. And then a rush fell over me. I ran my fingers through my platinum gray hair, and promptly shook it, releasing my tense hair from its previous do, and creating a mess. Then I moved half my hair to the side creating a new part. My hair stuck up a bit, and my roots felt strange, but I got used to it. And I loved it. 

My row was finally clear enough to move through, so I collected my things, removed my suitcase from the over head compartment, and started down the aisle of the plane. I said my thank yous to the flight attendants, and speed walked to the baggage reclaim, and then to customs. I sent a quick text to my mum saying I had arrived safely, to which I receive no response. I sighed and returned my phone to my pocket. 

Pulling 3 suitcases around the large, disorienting airport was no easy task, especially with the amount of people here. You'd think that at nearly 1am, it would be a bit less busy, but no such luck. I dumped into several people, rolling over their toes or knocking their bags to the side. I had promptly apologized, but they continued to mind their own business. The sense of community here was so much different that in Canada, and I found myself longing for familiarity, but I pushed through the notion, and continued to the arrivals pickup area, where my roommates should be waiting. 

As I exited the sliding doors, the first thing I saw was a large hot pink bristol board that read "Welcome to L.A, Lyndsey!", behind which, I noticed two girls, one brunette, the other blonde. I recognized then immediately from their Facebook profiles. I made my way over. 

When I came face to face with the pair, I held out my hand to shake. The blonde took it with a smile, but the moment she took her hand away, the brunette pulled me into a hug. My arms hung awkwardly at my sides before shyly putting them on either side of the near stranger. 

"I'm guessing you guys are Victoria and Cosimia," I said as the dark haired girl pulled away. She chuckled. 

"Yes, otherwise this encounter would be awkward. I'm Cosimia," she said, pulling her hair behind her ear, away from her brown skin. "This is Victoria, but she prefers Vic." Then Cosimia leaned in and whispered in my ear, "Call her Vicky and you might die."

My eyes widened and I pulled away at the remark. I looked at the blonde, her blue eyes reflected her nails as she inspected her cuticles. Her skin looked far to pale to be anything but innocent, and she seemed very well brought up. Then suddenly, her eyes shot up and looked at me. "Don't listen to Cos, she's just trying to scare you. I'm no murderer. But if you call me Vicky, I may blast heavy metal in the mornings as my alarm." 

I sheepishly grinned, both intimidated and intrigued. Cos laughed and took a suitcase from me as Vic took the other, leading me to their car. 

The auto was nothing flashy my any means. It was a Mazda, a few years old. Inexpensive and efficient. The three of us lifted the suitcases and stuffed them in the trunk. I ended up keeping both my carry-ons with me in the back seat, since the trunk was cramped. Cos, Vic and I made casual conversation as we made the 30 minute trip to the apartment, talking about their work here, what they did and what they were studying. It was nice, hearing about their lives. Although we were near strangers, we were able to build connections within the short car ride. Cos studied film at ULA. She wanted to be a director, and vowed to show me her equipment when we got to my new home. Vic on the other hand, was studying science, getting a degree in medicine. She was fairly reserved when it came to her personal life, although she mentioned someone named Joseph before she cut herself off and became silent for the rest of the ride. 

We arrived at the apartment at nearly 2:30. Going up the elevator proved to be claustrophobic, and once we reached the 17th floor, I was glad to be out. Vic went ahead, unlocking the door and leading me in, Cos following. Upon entrance to the apartment you were greeted by a large foyer and living area, where a TV, couch, and coffee table sat. To the right, I could see a doorway that connected to a small kitchen, and to the left was a hallway with several doors. Vic lead me to the last door, and opened it, entering a small bedroom with a mattress, bed frame, and drawers already in place. 

"Our last roommate left it here, since she didn't need it at her new place, so its yours," Cos explained. "I'm assuming you're tired, so I'm gonna go. I'll see you in the morning." She smiled and left, Vic following, closing the door behind her. 

When they left I turned to my suitcases, left precariously in the middle of the room at the foot of the bed. I sighed and turned them on their sides, beginning to unpack. Perhaps I should have gone straight to bed, but I wouldn't be able to sleep comfortably without knowing everything would be settled when I woke up. I put my sweaters, tshirts, and jeans into the drawers, and my dresses jackets and blazers in the closet attached to the room. By the time I was done and in my worn out sweatpants and university tshirt, I was exhausted. 

I collapsed onto the bed and immediately fell into a dreamless sleep.