Me, my dream and Lili in Wellington

Finally! I was going to live the experience of a lifetime. The ones I already dreamed of. Middle-earth, Orcs, Hobbits, Elves…here I come! And here the horror comes! I've just arrived on what was supposed to be my paradise when suddenly Lili appeared. This little pain in the ass had decided she was going to ruin my holidays. So here I was, sat on the floor, my back against the wall and trembling holding my knees against my chest.

After all those months where I had to make several sacrifices, saving all the money I had. After so many days working overtime. All this hadn't been that terrible. After all, who didn't do this from time to time to earn more money? Well unlike me, they didn't have to work with a living Red Queen. To say she was quick tempered would be a euphemism, she was more like a bipolar person…well even if I'm 100% sure they were more than two people in her head especially when she was yelling “Zach, what am I going to do with you?” calling me a total douche and one second later praying my job and talent.

Whatever, I deserved those holidays in one of the most beautiful island in the world. The place where my favorite films had been shot. It was more than a cinematic experience, it was my chance to live my own adventure. I could have chosen a beautiful hotel where I would have done nothing expect relax…but no. I wanted to be free. I've spent my whole life in an apartment, I didn't know what playing in the front yard or in the treehouse meant. This is why I had booked this charming place. I still can't believe I have found it. It truly looked like a treehouse. It was like a dream coming true.

It was perfect with two wonderful bedroom, a fitted kitchen, an immense living room and let's not talk about the balcony. It was so big and with such a nice view. Day or night, I could enjoy a really nice tea with a breathtaking view on the Wellington bay.

I had prepared everything. The place I wanted to visit. The clothes I should wear depending on the weather. The roads I should take. Who I should contact in case I needed help. Everything! There were no reasons for this trip to turn into a nightmare. Well... then Lili had appeared.

She was quite smart actually. She may have noticed nobody was in the house and so decided she could move in and live her little life. Nobody told her that someone was coming. Actually I doubted a notification would have changed the situation. Now that I was standing there, it seemed she didn't want to leave. And yet, I've told her, asked her nicely…ok I totally begged her to leave. But my requests and tears have been useless. She was still there, standing on the whole in front of me.

I grew up and lived in the city. The only moment I was surrounded by nature was the city garden where they were more joggers than animals…and insects. So I had quite a distant relationship with them especially those with eight legs. Let's be honest, I was scared by them, terrified by them. Damn it I hated spiders so much.

So here I was, 1 hours after my official arrival, in what was supposed to be the most beautiful moment facing a huge tarantula. Her long eight legs spread on the whole where she seemed to be quite at ease. Lili was still as if she was sleeping…but I knew she wasn't. A spider never sleeps! Lili seemed to be at home and not ready to move. Yes I decided to name her Lili because it was a beautiful name. It has a pleasant sound. It was better than horrible hairy beast with a dozen eyes and immense legs who can jump on me any time she wanted.

After several minutes looking up and down each other, I decided that if I had been able to work with the Red Queen for several months, I wouldn't let a stupid spider ruin my dream! No. Never! My back still stuck against the whole, I stood up, took a deep breath and…ran as fast as I can – screaming- towards the main door. I ran down the stairs reaching the street surprisingly safe and sound but with all the neighbor watching me.

The guy next door suddenly laughed while I was trying to stay alive. Seeing my face, I think he understood perfectly what was occurring and laughed at those “poor American boys”. He smiled at me and went into the house to take care of Lili. That's what I was hoping for. Deep down I was praying she wasn't his best-friend. When he came out, holding a towel in his hands, he told me that everything was fine. It was quite normal.

Whatever, I walked a few meters away while he was bringing Lili somewhere I didn't know where and I didn't care of. If he could send her to Mars, it would perfect. But I lost all my hope when he came back about 30 seconds later. He smiled and offered me a beer to help me to regain my composure.

“Thanks,” I told him trying to calm down.

“You're welcome. It's nothing,” he said while walking to his house “also this is how you react when you see such a little thing, I can't wait for you to meet Bruce…that would be epic.”

~~~The End~~~