::Dedicated to::
~Bridge4382- Thanks for all your editing, and helping me pick out new books to read! hehe. Can't wait for Christmas! I'll bring a poster for your closet*wink, wink*!
~Jaclyn(writer of "The Cornflake Girl" series)-If it wasn't for your help, I wouldn't have been able to finish this story! Thank you so incredibly much!
~You!-If I never heard any feedback from anyone, I wouldn't of had kept on writing. It's because of YOU that I keep on writing. It's because of YOU I still have that thrill in me when I start writing. It's because of YOU that this story is here. (You should be pretty proud of yourself...hehe) Thank you so much!

Enjoy the story! I hope you like it, I poured my heart and soul into this...

The heavy aroma of roses filled the room. The delicate lace veil hung loosely from her hair, draping down around her shoulders. Soft music was being played in the next room.

She bit her trembling lip as she wrung her lace handkerchief. Like a faint whisper into her ear, she could hear someone calling her name. Yet, only softly brushing her mind. She continued to chew on her lip, until the copper taste of blood filled her mouth...

She opened her eyes at the sound of the door buzzing open. She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. She checked her surrondings once more before picking up her luggage and walking up the flight of stairs. She was far away from all of that, that's why she had moved to London in the first place...to stay away from that darkness creeping in the back of her mind.

"308...C" she said aloud when she reached the door. It was partly ajar and she could hear someone moving around inside. She slowly opened the door, peering her head around the door. "Hello? Is anyone here? Hello?". Suddenly a young man in a hat and glasses turned around to face her. He stood still with his mouth slightly agape.

"Um...hello. I'm sorry, am I in the wrong flat?" she asked. The young man continued to stare for a few moments before stuttering, "Er...oh yeah! Um, sorry, no you aren't I'm just--". "The most annoying man alive" said a cool voice behind them.

A tall, beautiful woman came out from behind the door. She had smooth dark skin, and long, shiny, ebony black hair pulled back in a low ponytail. Her face was flawless, with high cheekbones, and full, lush lips. She was breathtaking in just a casual, loose outfit.

"No, you're not in the wrong flat. You're Lizzy Cooper right?" asked the dark-skinned woman. Her voice was intoxicating, smooth and melodious. "Yes, that's me...you must be Sydney" said Lizzy. Sydney continued, "And this bumbling fool is Josh. He lives across the hall, and don't worry he's not *always* this idiotic, though he tends to linger around here a lot, probably because his flat is such a complete dump. Hope you don't mind." said Sydney. "Oh, of course not. Is Josh you're...boyfriend?" Lizzy asked a bit confused about things. Josh and Sydney both broke out into a complete uproar of laughter.

Josh answered her, "No way in hell would I go out with this woman. You've got to be bloody mad to date her. Most of her boyfriends usually are though." Sydney grabbed his shirt and shoved him out the door. Josh managed to yell, "Nice meeting you!" before Sydney shut the door on him. Sydney brushed a few stray hairs out of her face before saying, "Sorry 'bout that. He can be such an ass at times, but he's a really great guy, don't tell him I said that though". Lizzy gave her a smile and said, "Don't worry, I won't".

Sydney quickly took Lizzy's suitcase from her and explained, "I was running late at work and Josh was suppose to greet you and show you the place if I wasn't here in time. Yeah, like that was ever going to work." Lizzy couldn't help but smile at Sydney and Josh's relationship. "Well let me show you the place. Follow me." said Sydney.

"And lastly, but certainly not least is your room" Sydney opened the door to a bare but large bedroom. "It isn't the most colorful, but I'm sure a few things here and there will make it better. The room is okay, yeah?". Lizzy couldn't imagine what luck she had. "It's perfect! I love it! Thanks so much!". Sydney gave her a warm smile and said, "No, no, thank *you*. Not many people can afford the rent I charge, but I can't afford to lower it. Where did you say you got the money?". "I didn't" said Lizzy coldly. "Ahh, I see, well make yourself at home, better be off", as Sydney slowly backed herself out of the room.

Lizzy didn't want to be rude towards Sydney, but there was no other way. Sydney would just have to accept it. With that in her mind, she began to unpack her things and decorate her new room. She worked well into the evening and was just about finished when Sydney came knocking on her door.

Sydney walked into the room and exclaimed, "I love it! Brilliant! You should decorate the whole flat! Are you an interior decorator?" Lizzy laughed before saying, "No...no, definitely not. I'm a photographer." "Ever better. Where'd you get those paintings? They're gorgeous!". "I painted them", Lizzy stated with pride. "Well aren't you the talented one?" Sydney said with a smirk.

She stood there admiring the room for several moments until Lizzy asked, "Why are you all dressed up?". Sydney looked down, smoothed her dress and turned her foot, admiring the way the dress shimmered in the light. "Don't you simply adore it? It's for a party a friend of mine is throwing. You should come! It'll be a chance to meet some new people!"

Lizzy opened her mouth to speak, but instead slowly shook her head and let out a deep sigh. "I think I better not. It's been a long day." Sydney nodded and reassured Lizzy that it was alright. "Totally understandable. Well, I showed you where everything is, and if you have any trouble, just call Josh, though I think he would just make matters worse." Lizzy gave Sydney a smile and walked her to the door.

As she shut the door, she sighed deeply. It was the first time in a long time that she was alone...and happy.

She retreated to her easel, thinking that in this happiness, an inspiration would come to mind, so she waited...and waited...and waited. But none came. From her window she watched night fall and the city coming alive. When her stomach started gurgling, she realized how hungry she was and went to the kitchen to find something to eat.

However when she went to the cupboard, there were only energy bars. And when she opened the refridgerator there was nothing but water bottles and lettuce. "So much for eating tonight" Lizzy muttered to herself. Yet the constant grumblings in her stomach told her that she needed to find something to eat soon. She picked up the phone and called the first person who came to mind.

...
"Hi, this is Lizzy, you know from across the hall--yes, everything is great, thank you. Well...actually, there's no food in the house, and well--"
...
(laughs) "Oh thanks so much! See you soon!"

After drumming her fingers on the kitchen table for 26 seconds, Lizzy heard a light knock on the front door. When she opened the door, she found Josh holding a pizza box with a large grin on his face. "Pizza delivery for the American!" he said. Lizzy took the pizza box from him and set it on the counter. Josh closed the door behind him and said, "I know that London isn't known for her pizza, but--". When he turned around he found Lizzy starting on her second piece. "Alright then..." he said laughing.

Lizzy let a sigh and rubbed her stomach, "Mmm, thanks so much. I don't think I've ever eaten that much pizza in my life. I must have eaten at least--". When she looked up from brushing the crumbs off her shirt, she saw Josh with a mouthful of pizza, trying to listen to her but at the same time trying to swallow without choking. Lizzy couldn't help but laugh. She laughed from deep down in her stomach, a laugh that makes the muscles in your face hurt, a laugh that makes your stomach hurt, a laugh that makes your cry, but at the same time a laugh that makes you feel better than you ever have before.

Josh's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "Wha? Do I ive sumfin on mer ferce?" he asked with his mouth still full of pizza. "No, no. You just have a stupid expression." Lizzy said with a giggle. Josh managed to gulp down much of his pizza and replied with a smirk, "Oh is that it?". A mischievious look came across his face as he looked at Lizzy. "No...no...no" she said, as she got up from her chair and started to run away in mock fright. "Come back here! Calling me stupid eh?" He grabbed her arm and started playfully punching her lightly. "Let's see what you think after Josh 'Pillars of Power' Harper is done with you!". Lizzy tilted her head back and gave a blissful laugh, "That's the most idiotic thing I've ever heard.". "You chicken yeah? Don't want to face the all powerful--Ow! That hurt!", Josh said after Lizzy gave him a hard punch back.

Josh retaliated with a punch to her shoulder. "Ow Josh, that really hurt! I can't believe you did that!" Lizzy said. "Oh geez, sorry Lizzy, I didn't know, I--", Josh looked over to Lizzy who was giggling. "You lil' lier! And I thought I really hurt you!" he accused. "Oh, tsh, tsh. C'mon 'Pillars of Power' and help me clean up" she said.

As Lizzy was finishing cleaning up the last of the dishes, Josh inquired, "Soo...how do you like London?" She dryed her hands on a towel before replying,"Well, I only got in today, so I haven't had much time for sight-seeing". Josh's eyes widened with delight and exclaimed, "Well I'll have to take you out to see it all! I'll show you places that tourists would eat their little fanny packs to see!". Lizzy laughed at Josh's remark and said, "That sounds wonderful! So I'll see you tomorrow then?". "Wicked, see you tomorrow" said Josh before he left to go back to his own flat.

Right before he left, Lizzy called after him, "Wait! Josh!". He slowly turned around facing Lizzy. "Yeah?". She rubbed her shoulder sheepishly, "I just wanted to tell you that...well...I haven't laughed like that in a very" she broke off. She took a deep sigh and began again,"...Very long time. Thank you for that." He gave her a huge grin, "Hey, that's what I'm here for, to provide entertainment for all!" Josh said with a wink. "See you tomorrow" and waved goodbye as he shut the door behind him.

The next morning Lizzy was awoken by the warm rays of sun streaming through the window. She slowly awoke from her slumber, rubbing her eyes with her fingers. She sat up on her bed staring at her blank easel still half-asleep. She slowly moved her eyes to her clock, staring at the bright green numbers until she realized what time it was. 11:17 AM. She was suppose to meet Josh at 11 o'clock. She jolted out of bed and raced to the bathroom. Quickly brushed her hair and did her makeup. As she closed the medicine cabinet mirror, she studied her reflection.

She studied most of all her eyes, where all truths are hidden. She was still the same girl, only now living in London. She thought everything would change, perhaps nothing ever does.

A knock on the door startled her back to reality. It was Sydney. "How much time do you have to spend in the loo? Josh is here and has been *waiting*...". Lizzy sighed in frustration,"Alright, alright. I'm coming, just let me get dressed." She hurried back to her room and pulled open the drawers to her dresser. After several frusturating tests of putting on clothes and stepping outside on the balcony to see if she would be comfortable, she left her room to meet Josh in the family room.

However when she got closer, she heard Sydney and Josh talking in hushed voices. She pressed herself against the wall, straining to hear the conversation.

"Don't ask her!...deserves...her privacy! Syd, come off it...nice...once" whispered Josh.
"Well...find out...I can't...secrets" stated Sydney. They stopped whispering and Sydney declared, "Where is she?"

After Sydney's remark, Lizzy came walking out from around the corner, acting as if she hadn't heard a thing. "Hey, sorry, still getting used to the time change." "Don't worry, no rush" said Josh. "I invited you to a party where you could meet *interesting* people and you hang out with *him*" Sydney said with a disgusted look towards Josh.

Lizzy gave a chuckle and smiled at Sydney. Sydney rolled her eyes and said, "Ugh fine, I'll let you go, but you have to promise me you'll actually come and meet some *interesting* people"
"I promise" Lizzy said with another smile. Josh interrupted the two and said "She promises! Alright alright? Will you let us go now?" "Go, go!" Sydney said as she started shooing them out with her hands. Right before she closed the door, she yelled after them "And *please* don't let Josh take you to all of the 'Monty Python' fan clubs..."

Throughout the day and into the evening Josh took Lizzy all over London. They went on the subway in the "Underground", visited Buckingham Palace (tried to peer into the windows to see the royal family), took a bus ride on one of the double deckers, saw the London Bridge and walked by the water, made a call to Sydney on one of the red phonebooths(to Lizzy's insisting), and of course goofed around with the guards around Buckingham Palace. It was not until late evening when Josh took her to his "secret spot".

A movie theatre that played non-stop Monty Python movies and shows. At this showing, it was "Monty Python and the Holy Grail".

Josh raised his eyesbrows and nodded his head in excitement when they reached the theatre. "Eh? Eh? Pretty brilliant idear?" Lizzy rolled her eyes and smiled at Josh, "Well we'll just have to see, won't we?". When they entered the theatre, the movie had just started and there was not one other living soul in the theatre. Josh took this to his advantage and was as loud and obnoxious as he could be. Throwing popcorn at the screen, yelling "Run Away, Run Away!" when the Killer Rabbit came on screen. Lizzy soon became caught up in his euphoria and joined in. She was laughing so hard she had tears rolling down her face.

It was a warm summer's night, so they decided to walk home, laughing all the way.
"You *have* got to be messing with me? You've never seen *any* 'Monty Python' shows?" asked Josh incrediously. "No! I'm sorry, I know it's blasphemy to your ears, but I just...didn't do those type of things before" said Lizzy giggling. "Well then what type of things did you do?" asked Josh. "It doesn't matter" stated Lizzy coldly. They were quiet for some moments before Lizzy broke the silence,"Soo...tell me about Sydney? What does she do? Like how come her flat is so nice?!". Josh stared at her before saying, "Didn't you know? Sydney is a fashion model. She's Sydney Baker, you know the one on the billboards?" Lizzy stopped for a moment and said, "Well that would explain some things..." Josh gave her a laugh and they continued chatting and laughing together.