New Beginnings

Today is the day that we have been waiting on for so long. So much time has passed, since we started university four years ago, that I haven't had any time to think about the future. My room-mate Christine and I moved into halls together to study business and economics, and we had had a blast together. We had been through exams, break-ups, make-ups, and so much fun together, that nothing would ever make us fall out. Now it was time for the real world, and we were moving from the halls here in Florida to the beautiful town of Anchorage in Alaska. We had both secured placements within Black's Enterprise, one of Alaska's biggest companies buying and selling businesses and property all around the globe.

'Oh, this is so exciting.' Christine came running through to tell me she was all packed and ready to go. She was loud and very excited, just like she always is when something is happening. I didn't know how we had been friends for so long because we were as different as chalk and cheese.

'I can't believe we are now entering the real world.' It all still seemed so unreal. Time had flown by so quickly over the years that I swore I didn't know how we got here. I, sometimes, looked back on my life and wondered where the time had gone. I had been through so much in my short life that I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. But when I thought about it, everything that had happened to me had made me the person I was today.

'I know it is going to be early mornings and late nights for all the opposite reasons.' We had had four years of parties and lectures; now it had all got to be hit on the head with a hammer. We were going to be wrapped up in work and meetings for the next X amount of years. My heart was pounding in my chest. I felt as though I could pass out with the thought of everything going on in my head. I was all packed and ready to turn the page into a new chapter, but I still wasn't sure that I was ready for all this change. We were leaving our comfort zone and entering the big bad world.

'Ashley, you look as though you have seen a ghost, babe.' Christine had her two hands on my shoulders, pushing me towards the door. This flat had been our security net for so long, and now we had to stand on our own two feet. I knew that I had a few years without my parents, and I had no choice but to stand on my feet. But now it seemed like we were being thrown in at the deep end. It was amazing to think how much security school could give you. When I lost my parents in the car accident, I would have fallen into pieces if it wasn't for Christine and school. They were my rock when I felt like I had nothing and no one.

'I just can't believe that this is finally happening.' Tears welled up in my eyes as I took my last look around. Everything that we have achieved over the last few years happened here, and I was sad to leave it all behind. It was like one door was closing and a whole world of opportunities was opening up to us. We closed the door and walked down the path slowly. It was like a force was holding me back. I might have had a lot of heartache here, but it has made me the strong and independent person that I am today. We both looked back at the very same time. Even if Christine seemed happy about moving, she was still sad about leaving everything behind; she had a lot more to give up than me. I don't think that I could have walked away so easy if my parents were still alive. I would have still had a connection here.

'Alaska might hold a lot more pathways for us, Ash. It has been too long since we have been in a stable relationship.' I looked at my friend through sarcastic eyes. We hadn't even got away from halls, and she was looking for Mr Right. She was torture.

'Let's move and settle into our new home and job before you decide to jump into the arms of the first person who comes along.'

'Ha ha.' I really did hate when she thought that I was joking especially when I was being serious. I just wanted to move to Alaska and have a normal life. I wasn't interested much in the whole falling-in-love scenario. I thought that I was going to stay single for the rest of my life; I wasn't into the whole break-up thing at the end.

'I mean it, Christine. Haven't you learned your lesson?' As usual she didn't listen and skipped off to the car. My friend had more relationships than I had hot dinners, and she drove me daft. I loved her to pieces, but I just wished that she would listen to me at times. I cared about her like a sister, and I didn't like to see her get hurt. Our long journey was now in progress, and we had the music on in the background while we were reminiscing all our fond memories. The last four years were the happiest four years of our lives, and we had lived life to the max. We never had to answer to anyone apart from ourselves. We had the taste of the good life, and things could only get better. Christine was always trying to spice things up and get me on blind dates, but I really wanted to wait for my Mr Right. I wanted someone to love me, care for me, and treat me right. I had this perfect picture in my mind, and I had hoped Alaska would hold my key to Mr Right. Florida only brought me idiots and self-centred pricks, and I had enough of them all. I had come to the conclusion that I would be better off alone than to put myself through any more stupid relationships. If there was someone out there for me, then I would meet him one day.

The journey to Alaska was horrendous. The long winding roads had my heart in my mouth. You could tell when we reached the Alaskan borders because the scenery changed, and it was just beautiful. I had always been used to the fast track of busy Florida, and it was going to take a lot of getting used to out here. Everything was so calm and peaceful.

'Ash ... Ashley.' I heard Christine practically shouting my name, and I realised I was daydreaming again. It was kind of hard to concentrate when you were out in the wilderness. There was always something that was taking my attention and making me daydream.

'Sorry, I was just thinking.' Christine had that big smile on her face like she was up to something. She always made me nervous with this look. This was the look that I got when I was least expecting something to pop up.

'When we get unpacked, we can go out and get a feel for the area and see what Anchorage is like.' We weren't even at our new home, but she was thinking of going out. All I wanted to do was curl up and sleep for the full weekend.

'Yeah, yeah, Christine, just spit it out. You just want to see who you can get a feel of.' I had my witty face on so that she could see that I knew what she was up to. She was so predictable. I didn't know why I seemed surprised. My friend was the queen of partying, and Anchorage wasn't going to stop her.

'You know me too well ...' That was an understatement. I knew her better than she knew herself. 'Ashley, you need to get out more before you turn into a grandma before your time.' I could always rely on my friend to tell it how it was, even if it wasn't what I wanted to here.

'How can we be very good friends, yet we are so very different?' I laughed and so did Christine. That was why we were meant to be best friends because we could bounce off one another no matter what was going on in our personal lives. I was more of the laid-back girl, whereas Christine was the party animal.

'BFFs.' Christine was grinning like a happy child, for once...