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Chelsea stood in her new apartment, squishing her toes into the thick, plush pile carpeting, and staring out the window. Even after the work she had put into her graduation, the excitement and festivities, none of it felt real yet.

The hard work proved worthwhile. After sending only a few applications and demo tapes, she was picked up by KCTV to start as their new meteorologist. I can't wait, she thought, giddy with anticipation.

Her head was still spinning with the excitement of that phone call and the whirlwind of packing, plane ticket acquisition, taxi cabs, her new apartment, an expense account, and the complete rush of these last-minute surprises. She felt absolutely dizzy! What an exciting week, she thought, trying to catch her breath.

Kansas City was a far cry from New York City, where she customarily checked the windows at night to make sure they were locked. This is definitely an upgrade, she grinned to herself, already feeling safer.

Chelsea opened the screen door and stepped out onto the balcony. Everything looked fresh and clean to her. The air was lighter and she could breathe more deeply than she had prior.

Chelsea hadn't realized how dirty the streets of New York were until she had gained this comparison. She sipped a warm coffee and clucked under her breath, "Sometimes perspective is everything."

A full moon rose in the night sky, littered with stars, as though it were a personal greeting. She was rarely able to see stars in New York. This is a treat, she mused, to herself. Chelsea felt she had accidentally landed exactly where she belonged.

She stood, taking in her surroundings, in jeans and a light tank top, with a soft breeze whipping her blonde hair to and fro. It had been an exhausting day and she was glad to have a day to unpack before starting work. Chelsea was disheveled, with her hair tangled, she wore no makeup, and she was completely content.

She stood in the shadows, smiling softly, chin tilted up in thanksgiving to the moon and stars, and whatever luck had brought her here, when a voice disturbed her reverie.

"Hello!"

Chelsea looked around unable to detect where it had come from. Then she heard it again, and the whereabouts of the disembodied voice snapped into focus. She leaned out to peer onto a neighboring balcony to discover a large parakeet perched on the arm of a man.

"Hello!"

She threw her head back laughing at the silliness of the situation, and the delightful sound of her laughter made the man turn and lean out to view her balcony.

"Well, hello, miss. You must be my new neighbor."

Chelsea stepped closer to address the bird and its owner. "Hello. I'm Chelsea McMahon. Very pleased to meet you, and your bird," she offered, smiling.

"I'm Pete Scott and this is my parakeet, Axel. If you're not too busy unpacking, why don't we share a drink on the balcony, unless your husband would object." Pete held her eyes with his stare and waited.

Chelsea glanced back into her apartment, and stumbled, "I really should be unpacking." But the way he seemed to inhale her, his attention so focused, and his grass green eyes, pulling her to him like a magnet, made her throw caution to the wind. "Okay, one drink. You're on!"

Pete disappeared into his apartment and offered a grateful thanks, "Good boy, Axel!"

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