Chapter One

I checked the hands on the clock as the second hand moved incredibly slow. I was in a hurry to get out of work, but not even for any special reason. I wanted to get away from the fake smiles and pointless chatting. As I looked around and watched my co-workers in their freshly ironed clothes, clutching their coffee cups and making small talk, it reminded me more of like a play or performance. I watch, and they sit and coo over each others baby pictures, pretending to be concerned about the bug someone else's kid caught at daycare and I realize, that's all anyone does. Pretend.
    The low sound of chatter seems to grow as a louder and louder rawer in my head, and I get more anxious. I pick at the bottom of my skirt to some how distract me from the droning of this place. Five o'clock, finally. I stood up from my desk, and gently switched off the desk lamp at my cubby, and grabbed my purse out of my desk. As I turned around to walk towards the back door, clutching my cigarettes in my hand, I heard someone call out my name.
    "Vanessa?", I heard my boss's strong, yet seemingly friendly voice.

Damn, I almost got out without notice.

I blew the dark brown strand of hair out of my face, slapped a smile on, and turned around.
    "Hi, Mr. Lloyd..."
    "Can I see you in my office?"
    My heels clacked down the hallway as we marched there in silence. As we got to the end of the hallway, he pushed open a solid door on the left and it swung open, gesturing for me to walk inside. I looked at him nervously as he took a step in after me, and closed the door behind us. However, I was surprised there was already someone sitting in front of Mr. Lloyd's desk.
"Vanessa, this is Miss Loveless, she is from our Australian partnership."
    Miss Loveless was short. No taller than 5"3', and had short straight blonde hair that came to her chin. A smile spread across her face as she stuck her hand out to greet me. Great, more fake smiles. "Hello, Miss Rose, you can call me Monica." Her hands were clammy, and her accent was quite thick. As I tugged down my skirt to sit, the woman continued.

    "As I am sure Mr. Lloyd has told you, our partner campus is located in Queensland, Australia..."
    
Okay? What does this have to do with me?

     Can I just get out of here?...I need a f*****g cigarette. I watched her mouth move, but all I could think about is when this dreadful moment would be over and I could leave, and go back home to the confines of my tiny apartment. I couldn't wait to kick off my shoes and soak my feet...these heels were killing me! - "So what do you think, miss Rose?"
    S**t. What was she saying?
    "I think that would be awesome!" I say quickly, trying to recover the fact that I just completely tuned her out.
    "Great! We'll book the tickets and I will send someone to pick you up from the airport!"
What? Airport? S**t, s**t, s**t what did I just sign up for?
    As she rose, she handed me a white folder and graciously shook my hand, with the biggest grin on her face.
"Make sure you get this contract to me before Friday, Miss Rose."

Contract? How could I really have not heard a lick of what she was saying?

    As I walked back to my car, I tried to search my memory to understand what I agreed to. Lighting my cigarette, I unlocked my car and climbed in, setting my purse in my passenger seat. I took a deep breath, and opened the white folder. In the left pocket, there was a quite large, stapled packet with all sorts of colorful arrows slapped all throughout it. But this isn't what caught my eye. In the left pocket, there was what looked like a brochure, that said "Welcome to Queensland!".
    My heart beat faster as I ripped the contract out of the pocket and quickly leafed through it, scanning it. It was an employment contract, to become a supervisor for the workers who oversee wildlife all the way down in Australia.

Australia?
And I agreed to this?
What the hell do I do?

    I was just about to dial Mr. Lloyd's number into my cell phone and beg to retract my offer when my curiosity got the best of me. I sat in my car, sipping on my iced coffee, reading through the contract. Not only was my traveling and living arrangements paid for, I also got a 40% pay increase. I can't believe I am actually thinking about this.

I am crazy.
I am stupid.
I am....
moving to Australia.