Killing Distance............................Dear Mella 1

September 22, 20071

Dear Mella,2

It's been only two weeks since I last saw you and I already miss you like crazy. It's been a pretty busy two weeks, and I'll admit sadly that I hardly even had time to remember that we were separated until today, but when I did I missed you horribly. It's just been such an exciting two weeks, you'd never imagine.3

Okay, to start things off, England is WAY different than in Doctor Who. Well, obviously there aren't any alien ships crashing into Big Ben, but that's not what I mean. England is a bazillion times better than you'd ever imagine, and sorry if I'm bragging, but it's true! I love the feeling I get every time I look outside. I feel like I'm on some dream vacation, except now I go to college here! I still can't believe it, it's like some good dream that I won't wake up from. It's so pretty, what with the endless city streets and sights to see, and everyone has a drop dead sexy accent, though I guess it's not much different in Australia. But honestly, the people here are easy going and fun to talk to, and London is a beautiful city.4

My first day at the university was, to say the least, crazy. I'd just moved into this quaint apartment complex nearby the day before, and I had pretty much no idea where I was going. I ended up asking some guy on the tube for directions (that's what they call the subway here, apparently) and he turned out to be my bio professor. Nice guy, anyway, and we talked for a while on the tube. At least there was one familiar face in my first class, which was somewhat of a relief. 5

As it was the first day we didn't do much education-wise in my classes, pretty much just socialized and whatnot. I took a lunch break at a little cafe a couple blocks from the university with this guy, Cimon, who was actually in both of my classes today, bio and art. He's amazing at drawing, but his personality is amazing, he's sunny and funny (that wasn't meant to rhyme) and huggable and sweet and... 6

I know what you're thinking. And here is my answer.7

YES, HE'S FUCKING HOT! He has adorable light brown eyes that always shine, and he has hair that partly covers his eyes that is the same color as them, and he's super tall, but then again most guys are (damn our shortness!), and he's really smart and fun to lead a philosophical conversation wtih. I was a little shocked when he said this, but he's majoring in both art and biology, which is exactly what I'm majoring in, unless you forgot. I'm happy that there's finally someone who can talk about molecular structure of arthropods AND Chagall. Sorry hun, but you don't quite cut the bio end! 8

Pardon that little outburst, but honestly, he is incredible. Anyways, we had lunch at the cafe. They have sandwiches that are... yum. We talked, we laughed, we exchanged phone numbers. I can't believe my luck, meeting someone like him, a day after I move to London. Seven years of living in D.C. didn't give me all that much luck with guys, and then bang! One day in London and I'm falling.9

Later that evening him and a couple other people I met at the U went to a sort of hang-out-and-meet-each-other thing with a bonfire in the park. (I'm pretty sure it's illegal, but eh.) It was way fun, and I got to know Cimon a lot better... 10

That was two weeks ago. The two of us have hardly gone a few hours without talking or hanging out ever since, and on Friday night, after we saw a movie and went for a long walk in the city, (super romantic, what with all the beautiful trees that have leaves just barely turning orange) he walked me to my door and (prepare for a squee) kissed me in front of my door! Here it comes...11

SQUEE!!!12

So I'm pretty content right now, despite the fact that it's Monday. The whole Garfield-syndrome thing kinda fades when you have something, or someONE to look forward to. 13

Other than Cimon, I've met a couple friends at the U. Tessa is way cool, you two would get along, I think. She's really abstract and is always doing something cool, be it painting all of her chairs with random designs or hitting the streets with a half-empty bottle of red spray paint. We have fun.14

David is Tessa's boyfriend, and equally fun to hang out with. He's a lot calmer and more bookish than Tessa, and you'd never believe how well they get along. He's great to talk to about just about anything and listens really well. 15

Mark is another guy I met there and he's really into movie making. (I laughed when he told me that, he's totally stealing the persona of Mark from rent.) Actually, he looks a little like rent-Mark too. He's good fun to hang out with if you just wanna wander and forget about things, just get away from life I guess you could put it. 16

Zoe is the other girl I met, and we are nearing best friend titles here (now don't worry, love ya more than anyone else m'dear). She's probably one of the most silently gorgeous people I've ever met. She has really dark long hair that somehow always looks neat and crystal blue eyes, and she's a little paler than normal but her features are all perfect, like she was made by some uberly careful sculptor. She may be a quiet composed person by the light of school, but by night, she's the most raucous little hell raiser I've had the misfortune to paired with, and she makes just about anything intense and exciting. 17

I could go on and on about the wonderful people I've met here so far but you're probably falling asleep on me already with this long letter, so I'll wrap it up. How is it in Australia? Met any cool people-- Actually, I know you have, so I'll say what cool people have you met? How goes the whole musical prodigy thing?18

Time seems to have flown by in the blink of an eye in my life here in England, but between you and me months and months seem to have gone by already. Please write back soon, I'm dying to hear from you.19

With an olympic-swimming-pool full of love,20

Clarissa Diego Winfrey21

P.S. I enclosed a picture Cimon drew of him and me. He drew it especially so I could send it to you. Careful though, it's in charcoal which, as I've learned the hard way, gets EVERYWHERE if you handle it carelessly. Enjoy!