Putting the final box down, Julia left out a sigh of relief, knowing she was finally done for the day. Moving is always exhausting but doing it alone is a lot harder than she thought. She accepted this new position at her job as a fresh start on the other side of the country. A brand new opportunity for this late bloomer to finally spread her wings on her own.
At 28, Julia had always lived closed to home and her anxiety kept her from exploring and trying new things. This move was the start of her new life. Determined to build up her confidence and start living her life without always second guessing herself.
She made a list of everything she wanted to accomplish.
-
Try something new every
day
,
week
, month.
She had crossed out the first two, worried that not meeting her own expectations would crush any motivation to continue to put herself out there.
-
Meet people and make new friends.
Her whole social circle since her childhood had always been her family and a handful of friends from school. Now that she was alone on the other side of the country, she had to be the one making connections.
-
Become more confident
In her work, Julia was pretty assertive. But when it came to the social part of life, she was failing. Hard. Always second guessing herself and caring too much about what others thought of her.
She did not dare to write it on the list but this item also implied the loss of her virginity. She was not a prude by any means.. she masturbated--a lot--, she watched porn--a normal amount--, she read erotica and created scenarios in her head before going to bed. She was not religious, she was not waiting for "the right person".
People were the problem. She never knew how to talk to people, how to interpret their feelings. She had often been accused of being too clinical, too literal. Julia wished she could attend a class on sexual intimacy, learn how every part of male and female body worked, what brought pleasure, and how to express what she want. She thought that attending such a class would free her and allow her to start her romantic and sexual journey. But the more time passed, the harder it got. Who wants to be with a 28 year old virgin? One that has the social skills of a hermit crab.
But this was her chance. Nobody knew her here. She could change her whole looks and attitude without fear of someone she knew judging her. Fake it 'til you make it. She could become who she always imagined herself to be.
Daydreaming about her new life, Julia exited her apartment, on her way to walk around the neighborhood in search of somewhere to buy groceries.
"Oh hello! You must be our new neighbor. It is so nice to meet you!" The voice belonged to a woman exiting a door across the hall. The woman dropped her trashbag next to her door before walking toward Julia, extending her hand. "My name is Maria. My husband, Robert, and I have lived on this floor for the past twenty years."
Her motherly warm voice fit her appearance perfectly. A pear-shaped woman in her late fifties, a little shorter than Julia and much curvier than her. She radiated kindness.
Julia shook her hand and answered: "I'm Julia, but everyone call me Jules." Nobody called her Jules, but she had always wanted to have a nickname and this seemed like the perfect occasion to start.
"Well, Jules, pleasure to meet you. You should come in for a nice cup of coffee!" Maria assured her as she now held Julia's hand with both of hers. "We love helping our neighbors here, and getting to know each others."
Julia raised the shopping bag she was holding. "I was on my way out to buy groceries, but another time maybe?"
Later on, after having finished her errands, Julia found herself in front of her neighbors' door, ready to knock. She wondered if she should have re-done her hair, or changed into better clothes before coming here but it was too late. She knocked and immediately heard Maria call out from inside: "I'll be right there!".
Just a moment later, the door opened. "Jules! I'm glad you decided to stop by." Maria led her inside the kitchen, where two cups were waiting on the table.
Maria was easy to talk to. She was eager to share her tips about the neighborhood--where to get the best coffee (at Bean's), who to ask for help if you had any sewing need (Suzie in 4C), etc. Julia also notice how tactile she was. Shuffling around the kitchen while making coffee, taking out some biscuits, she would always put her hand on Julia as she passed by, on her shoulder, on her arm. When she finally sat down, she didn't choose the seat opposite of her, she sat next to her.
Julia felt hyper aware of all of Maria's movement, of Maria's eyes examining her. Conversation was flowing easily and eventually, Julia was explaining that she just moved here for work. "You should come for dinner any time you need! Rob and I would be happy to have company.." Maria offered, putting her hand on Julia's forearm. Julia's eyes looked at her hand, before slowly going up, stopping momentarily at Maria's cleavage. She was very well endowed, and was wearing a shirt whose neckline left little to the imagination. Julia was flustered and when she glanced back up at Maria's face, the knowing smile confirmed she had been caught looking.