One Day in California

Portland

A beautiful city upriver from the Pacific Ocean on the Columbia. Though much of downtown Portland is relatively flat, the foothills of the Tualatin Mountains, more commonly referred to locally as the "West Hills", pierce through the northwest and southwest reaches of the city.

Another crowded city I'm going to stay. I work as a librarian at Multnomah Country Library- Hollywood. I was lucky enough, the payment at the library is higher than the payment in Seattle. I rent a small room in a small minimalist house where a couple of old Mr and Mrs. Cash live in. They were very nice to me, but to be honest I like myself alone then sharing the house, got no choice because it was the only option I got. The apartment in Portland near the library is too pricey.

I explored a lot during my time in Portland, they're countless. Each city has their own uniqueness. Sometimes I spend the whole night in the park, eating ice cream and enjoying some attractions by the clowns.

I lean my head to the bench, looking up to the sky. The night sky is how I wish to fly, the beautiful stars filled the sky in blinking white bulb, but I can't see the moon up there. The wind blows my hair covered my face, I sit straight, sweep my hair and bun them up. I lift my left arm, looking at my watch, it's 10 o'clock. I should head home before Mr and Mrs Cash fell asleep.

***

The next stop, as I've planned.

San Fransisco.

I swept my sweat with tissue from my pocket, still holding my fat tote –bag  with documents in my left shoulder. I just left the Supermarket I applied few hours ago. I wasn't accepted, don't even know why.

"hey" a soft voice from behind, her hand hold my shoulder for a little while.

I turned my head to look, there stood a woman with long dark brown hair and perfect natural arched eyebrows, her eyes are brown and eyelashes are naturally curled up. She is a beautiful woman.

"You are looking for a job right ? I'm looking for an employee in my Florist" her smile is so friendly.

I follow her to the Flower Shop she owns, it's 8 o'clock in the evening. The street lights are flashing on, the city is crowded by the walking pedestrians.

"by the way I am Lily Duce. You can call me Lily" she slower her steps so I can catch her up, now we are walking side by side.

"I'm Steffi" I replied her, trying to smile as friendly as I could.

"where do you stay?" she asked randomly, fixing her black coat's collar into the right place.

"I'm still looking for a place to stay, I just arrived 2 days ago, so I sleep in the motel near the supermarket.... just for temporary" I replied her awkwardly, sounds so pathetic.

Her expression changed, her forehead's wrinkling

"You can live with me, Steffi. I am alone in the house"

My eyes widened, I'm so glad I finally found a perfect place to stay, I don't even need to walk. And I can make it on time too.

I squeezed her hands, "Thanks !" thanking her with excitement. She chuckled femininely,

"that's okay. I am the one should thank you. I've been so lonely all this time" she rolled her eyes and lifted her pointers making a half circle.

"You know, I have to do all the things alone. Anyway I just moved out from my parents a year ago. So ..here we...are"

Lily stops and turn her body to the left, there is a house with 2 floors, the door is made of wood painted in pink with a glass so I can see through inside the dark shop. When Lily push the door, an artificial bird chirping. Lily turns the lights on, several warm white bulbs brightly lit, the flowers are colorful and fresh, the ceiling of the shop is made of glass. I can see the stars shimmering, the sky is in dark navy and the clouds are moving slowly where the moon is hiding.

"Here Steffi, you need to see your room first before you move in tomorrow" Lily leads me to the back door. When the back door pushed, the small room exposed, it's not wide, but very cozy. We go through the small stairs, there's a short hallway leading us to 3 rooms, left, right and the straight one with small wooden name carved LILY hanging on the door.

"that one is mine" Lily pointed straight

"this is yours, the better one with pink wall. It suits you" she giggles, pushing the left room's door. Then I can see a small and cozy room painted in pink, a mini wooden dresser, and 1 side wardrobe. The single bed is covered with silky shocking pink bedcover.

"I love it here Lily, thanks !" keep thanking her, this is more than enough

"but how much?" I asked, hoping she won't charge me too expensive.

"Don't mind that" Lily lower her voice and swing her hand.

Long short story, Lily won't charge me the room. She told me she is so lonely and been looking for an employee for her florist, her previous employee just left 3 weeks ago. Lily sent me to the bus stop, I wave goodbye as the bus departs, she waves back to me.

I work as florist along my time in San Fransisco. I learn how to arrange flowers' bouquet, Lily taught me, she is always there with me at the shop, rarely go out, his boyfriend is the one that come over everyday, sometimes stay the night. When he did, I feel like a third wheel between them.

Back to that day, when I saw Jake and Lily in the kitchen.

"err... Lily I think I am sleepy. I will go to bed... bye" I fake yawned, I took a step to the stair. Lily hold my t-shirt tight and  won't let me go.

"You liar ! stay with us here. We are making pizza ! it's just 7 in the evening !" she clenched her jaw

"Yes Steffi. Stay with us, sleeping is for looser" Jake smiles widely, his hand is stirring the pot.

Lily is very kind, sometimes she cooks for me, and I will do the same in the other day. She is an easy going person, and I like her that way. We grow trust on each other and finally get along as bestfriends.

One day, she approaches me crying. She told me Jake ended their relationship, told Lily that he is bored of her. They have been dating for 3 years.

She covers her face with her hands, I can see tears dripping down like waterfall.

"Lily what would you like to do?" I hope I can cheer her up. She doesn't reply me, her crying is both ferocious and noisy. She blinked briny tears from bloodshot eyes, her lashes stuck together in clumps as if she's been swimming. The tears made wet tracks down his face and dripped, her chin wobbling.

"Lily?" I touched her back and pat her softly. I became speechless seeing her like this, I have no experience in cheering people, but I don't want to see Lily suffering like this. I plan to bring her somewhere. I rub my forehead, trying to figure something out.

"Lily, I'm really sorry"

I move closer to Lily and wrapped my arms around her shoulders and give her a gentle tap.

An idea came up, "Should we go to karaoke?" she loves singing and dancing.

Lily lift her head looking at me, her eyes widened and looking so excited, her wet brown eyes shining by the low brightness bulb above us, her face is soggy.

"WE SHOULD GO !" she shouted, slamming her fists on the table.

"LET'S KILL THIS NIGHT" she yelled.

I can't sing, I should consider before asking her to go. I imagine myself singing in false tone, it would be extremely embarrassing. But then, thinking of Lily, as long as she is happy, I guess it's fine. I will just let her sing alone.

Lily rushed to the back door, changing her outfits.

The night in San Fransisco,

Lily drove her Nissan King Crab Pickup, she told me this is a birthday gift from Jake last year. Lily seems sad but she is fine now, I'm glad she's not that hard to persuade.

An hour ago, Lily rushed out with metallic green spaghetti tank and black pencil skirt, with 15cm black high-heels. She is perfect for a night out, but we are going to the karaoke right ? She supposed to wear a hoodie and leggings.

"alright don't look at me like that" Lily rolled her eyes, crossing her arms.

"we are going to the bar and..." Lily stretched her arms to reach me and pull me to the back door, bring me to her bedroom. Her bedroom is a mess, the wardrobe is hanging open with all the clothings scattered around. Lily bent her body and show me a short spaghetti dress in maroon.

"I'm not gonna wear that" I lift my palm, shake it rapidly.

Lily rolled her eyes,

"Ah come on Steffi. Let's have some fun, don't be a grandma ! " Lily insisted.

The bar is hundreds of conversations in loud voices with the DJ music that dominates the atmosphere. The crowd is from young until grown up adults of women and men. Lily leads me the way through the crowds, sometimes grossed of the people's sweat I accidentally skinned with, we stopped by the bartender. To be honest I hate the bars, my first time is with Rony's classmates. It's too noisy and crowded, I hate it.

The mini dress Lily chose for me is too tight and short. I adjust the mini skirt, pull it as lower as I can, sliding my tight butt on the bar stool.

"what do you want to drink?" Lily talk loudly so I could hear her in the loud.

"I don't drink Lily" shaking my head

Lily narrowed her eyes and put her palms on her ear

"What?" she mouthed.

"I...don't ....drink..." I mouthed back

Lily moaned "SERIOUSLY STEFFI? YOU TOLD ME YOU LOVE SOJU" loudly as I can hear her speaking clearly.

Oh so I can find soju at the bar ? Stupid me.

I widened my eyes, feeling excited about Soju.

"Soju please" I ordered to the bartender. Lily lifts her thumb and nods her head slowly wearing her silly expressions.

When the drinks served, the bartender winked his eyes on me.

What was that?

My hands gripped the bottle of soju in my hand, my eyes swiveling towards the back of my head in a distressed sense of a headache. I tilted my head towards Lily who hold my hands and bring me to the dance floor. My breath was the underlying cause of the smell of alcohol that entered my nostrils, and my mouth was sore from the amount of alcohol that I poured down my throat. The DJ plays the music loudly, I became more excited.

As we dance playfully on the dance floor, a tall man appeared, towered in front of me, my eyes are blurry I can't see his face clearly, he is tall and white,  wearing a blue shirt without ties. He approaches me, standing beside me and whispers,

"I'm James. Can I buy you drink?"

Lily gasped, she mouthed "SAY YES" lifting her thumb at me.

My sense's still working even I feel tipsy, I shook my head, tipping my toe so I can reach his ear, I can smell fresh cherry fragrance from his body.

"thanks, but I'm full"

That man smiles, patting my shoulder and disappears in the crowds.

It's midnight in San Fransisco, we both feel tired and about to head home. As we threw ourselves inside the car seat, plug the seatbelts on and Lily starts the engine, a tall guy with flower shirt and a short black pants knock on Lily's side window, seems hot from the posture.

Lily click the power window and the window slid down.

"I'm Stan" the guy bent down, we can see his face clearly, lifting his right hand waiting for Lily to shake. An extremely HOT GUY, a messy top cut blonde hair, a turquoise blue eyes like the color of the sea. He is perfect for Lily. Hotter than Jake FOR GOD'S SAKE.

Lily smiles timidly, their eyes are on each other for a long moment. I angled Lily's arm, Lily blinks rapidly and lift her hands to shake Stan's. His long fingers covered Lily's.

"I'm Lily" she smiles widely and blushing, I can see that.

The music is as loud as thunder, neon lights flashed everywhere like police sirens, but much more colourful. I have no idea where are Lily and Stan go while I slept in the car.

***

I took 7 days break for a vacation to Alcatraz Island. I come back to San Fransisco, pushing Lily Florist's wooden –door as the artificial bird chirping.

It's 9 o'clock in the evening, the shop is in pitch dark I can see nothing in this room, the moonlight is the only leads, I lock the front door and loosened my backpack, my back body is sore.

"No ! Hihihi" soft chuckling from the back door, I bet Lily and her crush were having fun back there so I'm not gonna disturb them, it's gonna be awkward if I do.

I sit on the floor leaning by the wall. Unzip my bag and take my airpods out from the small pocket inside, I plug the pods inside my ears and volume up. My back felt sore, I feel really tired, I've been walking so far from the bus stop by carrying a big fat backpack. I fold my arms and fell asleep soon as the country –songs played softly in my ears.

"Steffi?" a soft pat on my shoulders, I know it must be Lily.

Don't know how long I got asleep though.

I unplug the airpod from my right ear, my view is still blurry but I can recognize Lily very well.

"You can go to sleep now. Stan is already asleep in my room"

She bends down and help me carry my backpack, my eyes are still soggy, I rub my eyes and start yawning. As I arrive in my room, I threw myself to the bed and Lily turn off the lamp,

"Goodnight Little Steffi" whispers softly and close the door carefully.

She tip -toes back to her own room, I can barely hear footsteps.

"You know Stef? I'm so proud of you, you are brave and intelligent, don't waste your time ! you can travel as much as you can, and hey reply my email by sometimes, don't you dare to ignore me or I will take a flight to L.A. and report a missing person" she spoke vigorously. I told Lily about my journey since last year, she was fine even though I can see a little bit of sadness from her expressions. She knows I'm leaving for Los Angeles too, she supported me like always.

When the time has come, Lily brought me to the airport, we hug in tears and promise we must contact each other, she promised me of her marriage invitation too, we will never forget this friendship. And her last word before I go,

"Steff, go find love. You deserves a good guy too"

We've shared our life together like sisters and will still going on.

I wave my hands at her still in soggy red eyes, I wipe my tears with the scarf she gave me yesterday. Lily was in tears too, she air kissed me and waves back.

I loosened the green scarf from Lily, it smells like rose, my favorite flower. I told Lily about my family and ex –fiancé, how I ended up here. She supports me, "You live only once in this world and you will never know what you will be in the next life, do what ever you want but don't forget me !"

Back to the time when I told her what happen to my life,

"your family?" Lily asked, sipping her hot mocca in a pale yellow cup.

"my father and mother divorced. I have twin sisters, one is married, one is engaged. My sisters used to DM-s me via Instagram, but I've deleted my previous Instagram account" resting my cheek on my palm.

Lily put her cup down to the matching pale yellow plate. She stretched her arms and touch my shoulders.

"My mom and dad divorced too, I ended up here. It is our life anyway, we can take our own decision. We are grown up women. We can handle it ourselves"

Anyway I and Lily are in the same age. Lily will turn 26 in the next 6 months, mine in the next 8 months.

The plane is departing soon, I rushed into the gate and go through the long and narrow hallway. I took my time too long imagining things.

I sit beside the window, I can see the city of San Fransisco clearly from here. I rubbed the knitted scarf from Lily, its pretty chilly during January.

The plane fly higher and higher, the stewardess is busy checking the passengers. I remember another word from Lily

"you know. L.A. is an amazing city ! you will meet a lot of handsome actors there ! I bet you ! you can be rich if you marry one ! HAHAHAHA ! and don't forget to let me know if you meet Angelina Jolie" she is talking non-stop whenever it comes to a topic of Los Angeles, literally talking non-sense too.

"who is Angelina Jolie?" I rubbed my forehead. I remember the last American Show I watch with my mom, which is around 20 years ago.

"Booooo Steffi BOOOO!!" she boo-es me, giving her thumb upside down

"you spend your night too much for soju and Korean Drama" she moaned, both hands lifted.

"let's watch Angelina's show after we close the shop" Lily crossed her arms and cringed me.

So this is how it feels like having a bestfriend