Author’s note: I’d think this my first time writing about me [Narrator]; Mathieu [Also known as uncle Mat] plus Chaz Galloway along with his friends for the very first time.
Oh; and this is going to be my first story (Or Fan fiction) talking about the past between me and my dad for the very first time as well on how do we move to Honolulu just before he plans on moving back to Seattle; Washington State.
Plus currently I am working on a time when I am going to UH for the very first time while meeting the coach and the girls as well. (In addition; in the story—I ended up becoming very close to one of the girls who is also my roommate as well—additionally I am going to write it as soon as possible yet I do got inspired by a picture from Twitter.)
In addition; this is the first chapter of the writing on Mathieu’s arrival from Nantes, France to Honolulu; Hawaii.
Second chapter will be coming soon however most likely the project would become abandoned as in more of a wish than a plan and a serious goal with several plans.
Hopefully I’ll update the chapters of ‘Chapter 4’ and ‘Chapter 5’ on ‘One last walk’ to be much more better than what I did last month basically. (At least Chapter 3 was one of the best chapter and best work I ever done so far for a ‘One shot’ Fan Fiction type of work)
Except I still love my past work on ‘Boy talk in the morning’ on how we got Brett Rosenmeier; Stijn Van Tilburg and Austin Matautia as one of the few writing work which I did back in 2019. [Oh; what an exciting work I did on ‘Boy Talk in the morning’] Read here-Boy talk in the morning
P.S Most of my stories [Fan fictions] are normally take place in the 2000s based on how we used to have dumb phones on Nokia; Motorola, Sony Ericsson as well as how Samsung is more famous for their electronic devices on washing machines; televisions: fridges and so much more just before they are well known for their smart phones—Plus we also used to have Ipod in their old school classic style plus MP3 players too as well.
Oh; additionally did I mention back in the 2000s we used to have a lot of good TV shows as well as good music as well? Definitely I shouldn't forget mentioning about the television shows as well as the music we used to have before the 2010s.
In addition; the internet used to be a platform and fun—sadly now; in today's generation—it is very different.
Okay, enough talk for now—I’ll let you enjoy the writing I decided to do for today.
My relationship with Mathieu [A.k.a Uncle Mat as what I would love to call him yet I do normally called him ‘Uncle’ as I felt he is a brother to my dad] is very different to the one with my dad.
While we [Me and my dad] would normally help each other out (One of the task is running errands ever since he tends to get busy at times thus he needs my help as well as the cleaning the apartment plus helping him with the documents on which one he needs to submit and so much more) as well as we watch his favourite movies in silence; Mathieu and I—our relationship is so much more different.
I remember the first time I met Uncle Mat is back when my dad is bringing me to move in to Seattle in Washington State—just right after a few months; he decided to bring me on the very first trip to his home in London; UK (*I’d might think my dad in a lot of my stories I written here does reminds me of how I'd think of Liam Neeson who is an actor—except the voice is more like Paul Mcgann) as well as France to meet up with his friend whom he considered to be his own brother—Mathieu Richard.
When I first met Mathieu (Or Uncle Mat); he is only around in either his mid twenties or the late twenties of his age—I felt truly shy and nervous about meeting him however overtime we start to build a proper relationship between each other over several events.
From meet-ups at different kinds of cafés [Especially the family-friendly ones my dad had chosen]: walks at many different locations to having video messages to each other on Thanksgiving and Christmas as well as New Years Eve.
Additionally Mathieu had gone to Hawaii before; he remembered how my dad planned on living there because his priority was on me just to choose an environment where it does feel safe, secure and comfortable yet somewhere I can not only make memories additionally I can go to a proper school as well.
I didn't know the reason why my dad choose Honolulu however for him; he did wanted to choose somewhere else not only to make me happy plus to have an environment where I enjoyed well additionally [Maybe] he wanted to get a change of scenery.
Plus when Mathieu arrived to Hawaii; he felt surprised about how it felt to his personal home in France however he too loves Honolulu additionally the school I went is also faring me well ever since I am starting to play catch up with my studies as well as making great friends as well.
In addition, the environment is very different than either Seattle of Washington State or New York City where my mum is living yet she planned to study there. (Or rather to get far away from her own family.)
Also, I love the environment of Hawaii so well thus I remember when I am just a toddler; as we (Me and my dad) went there for the very first time just before moving to Honolulu: I remembered how I walk (And fell down for a few times) towards the waves for the very first time; although he wanted to stopped me from getting too near to the waves however he decided not to do it anyway ever since he decided to see the results with his own personal pair of eyes while watching me nervously.
Plus luckily; I got so near the waves and I am so joyful to feel the power of the waves yet establishing a proper relationship between me and the sea.
Additionally this is when my dad decided to plan on moving to there just to watch me growing up while enjoying the times we have in Honolulu.
Now, with me going to UH; I am planning to share the story to Mathieu however he told me he is planning to go back to Hawaii which I didn't expect anything from Uncle Mat at all except for the last time when we video message each other—he told me he is really happy to hear that I did got accepted to enter UH.
(*Even though my dad is from London; he told me he decided to go to America for his studies at the University of Stanford for a couple of years in Northern California just before he went to New York City to meet my mum—plus although originally he wanted me to plan to go for University of Washington or to Stanford University however he understands about how I wanted to go back to Hawaii at UH additionally finding out how I am happy to be accepted by UH as well as going back to Hawaii ever since I felt like it is ‘Home away from home’ kind of energy.)
In addition; he did managed to explained to me about how he booked the flight from France to Hawaii with a couple of stops as transfers in six months advance; in addition he is planning to book an apartment to stay there for a couple of days [More like weeks or months] just so he can spend time with me until he is ready to go back to France.
In addition; I felt excited to see Mathieu again in person ever since the last time we seen each other in person is many years ago just when I am very young back in France.
“I know, Mathieu—I am very happy to see you again; Mat!”
“Me too, Paula: I am very happy to see you too in person as well!”
“I’ll see you at the airport?”
“Yep, see you there: Paula!”
I squealed; feeling excited to see my uncle arriving at the Honolulu International Airport however the question is ‘How am I going to go there?’
Oh wait, maybe I can take one of the bus where it does go to the Airport plus afterwards; we have to either get a taxi or go to one of the rental kiosk for a rental car.
Except the oversized tee I normally wear along with the pair of shorts I am now wearing isn’t appropriate for going to the airport thus I need to change into something appropriate yet proper as well—thus I decided to go for a white tee shirt with a pair of flared jeans which I normally love wearing it everyday yet it seems to be suitable for Mathieu’s arrival to Honolulu at the Honolulu International Airport.
After that; I prepare to go to the airport.
~
At the Honolulu International Airport which I take a taxi: I waited patiently for Mathieu at the arrival hall.
Then all of the sudden; I see a tall; thin figure who is now arriving at the arrival hall along with his signature silver luggage additionally he is carrying an Under Armour bag slinging on his right shoulder. (Mathieu is a left hander by the way.)
“Mathieu!” I called.
As he turned around; he scanned the crowd for me—but it wasn’t going to be easy.
“Mathieu!” I called out again.
‘Oh dear, why hadn’t I made a welcome sign just so it is easy for him; my uncle from France to spot me?’ I thought, feeling worried and confused at the same time.
Oh dear, I knew I should had done a welcome sign for Uncle Mat however it is all too little too late.
With the airport is so noisy just as when you are going to Target, Costco: Starbucks; Ala Moana Shopping Centre and so much more as well as the famous Waikiki beach on either a Saturday or a Sunday or even a Friday; it does felt as when you have to be patient yet to stay calm at a chaotic atmosphere just like this one.
This time I have to call Mathieu even louder than usually I did all because of the crowds; the announcement on the flights as well as the engine sounds of the airplane taking off; landing as well as the buses and the other vehicles as well such as various types of cars additionally the taxis as well.
“MATHIEU!” I called; louder this time thus he can hear my voice out ever since many of the people who are waiting for their loved ones to either arrive home or those who are going there for a vacation.
“Paula!” He called back; luckily he heard my voice out loud.
After that, we managed to spot each other.
“Mathieu!”
“Paula, I am so worried about you and I am so sorry—I am just feeling lost in the airport: are you feeling okay?”
“I am feeling okay; thank you plus aloha: welcome to . . . Hawaii!” I replied through the noisy atmosphere of the airport.
“Me too! I mean . . . I can’t believe how different Hawaii is with my home France.”
“Correct; Mat—do you want to rent a car or do you want to go for a taxi?”
“Normally you have to rent a car to go around the island; right?”
“Correct, Mathieu.”
“Oh, so where can I rent a car?”
“Have you booked with International Cheap Car Rental earlier?”
“Yes, I did—and I heard it is a company which operates with Alamo and Dollar.”
“Oh, okay; hopefully maybe I’ll try to get the chance to rent a car.”
“Good idea; however there is another thing you do need to know.”
“Okay; what is it; sweetie?”
I explained to him when he is staying at a hotel: he has to call the hotel to avoid prohibition on parking charges. “Oh no, do they charge the parking?”
“Yes, they do however it is mostly when you are staying at a hotel; Mat.”
“Okay, I truly get it—however the question is . . .”
“What?”
“Can you help me this old man out? I do speak English but sometimes it is hard for anyone to understand what I am speaking with my French accent.”
“Sure; why not—perhaps we could help you to translate based on what you are saying.”
“Good idea, however we do need a pen and paper additionally a computer to make sure we can translate what you are saying from French to English.”
“Okay; thus where can we get started?”
“I don’t know.” I answer; feeling confused about where is the starting point plus did he managed to booked an apartment at an apartment building with a well known company for apartment rental [Normally in Hawaii—apartment rental is an alternative to booking an expensive hotel ever since they normally have a kitchen where guest can prepare their own meal while spending their money on sightseeing as well as activities.] as well as making sure he booked it early just before he is going to Hawaii.
“Well, never mind . . . let’s get a taxi to go to my apartment on the building where I booked it just before the trip additionally I don’t know whether do they have a computer there otherwise I have to use the laptop I brought with me very carefully personally.”
“Okay, let’s hope; Mat.”
~
When we arrive to the apartment building where Mat has managed to book an apartment yet the location is turned out to be at Kuhio Avenue just where my dad and I used to live in an apartment building just down the Kaimana Beach (Or San Souci Beach) however I don’t know any of the information now ever since we don’t know where are the owners nor we know the apartment where we used to live together plus now it does feel difficult now with all of the changes.
Anyway, Mat decided to book his apartment at Kuhio Avenue ever since many people decided to book their apartment there.
“Wow, you decided to book there instead of the ones at Waikiki Beach?”
“Actually I do want to book one just near Waikiki Beach however I decided to make notes on choosing the apartment between Waikiki and Kuhio Avenue—although the ones at Kuhio Avenue won’t be the same as the ones near the Waikiki Beach; however it does help me to get my morning walks and morning runs.”
“Cool; I like the sound of the idea you have on your mind; Mathieu.”
“Me too.”
“How are your classes?”
“Well, I did manage to do well except sometimes it isn’t easy to catch up with the class thus I do need to get help with those who are taking the same scholarship on art.”
“Oh wow, no wonder you do need a lot of help.”
“Exactly; I really do: uncle Mat.”
Just when our taxi pulls up to the apartment building where Mat had booked it in six months advance just before the trip—the taxi driver helped us with the luggage he brought from the car boot.
“Thank you, but how do you say it in Hawaiian language?”
“We said ‘Mahalo’, Mat.”
“Oh . . . Mahalo; sir.” He replied to the taxi driver.
“No problem, sir. Are you from UK?”
“No, I am from France; sir.”
“Oh wow; no wonder you have an accent: sir.”
“Thank you or should I say ‘Mahalo’.”
They both laughed while I stared at the building for a long time.
After the taxi driver went into the taxi and drove off; we decided to go inside the apartment plus we check-in with the receptionist in addition to get the key which does come with a keychain of the word ‘Aloha’.
Later, we go into the apartment which does look like many normal apartments except it does have the energy of ‘Home away from home’ vibes which is the one thing I love about the apartment. “It’s amazing; isn’t it: Mathieu?” I asked him while I helped him with the luggage.
“Definitely; I mean . . . I kind of worried it might look too much like a prison at first however thankfully in reality; it turns out it is beautiful.”
“Agreed, plus you do mention earlier about the parking charges; right?”
“How do you know?”
“We still need to ask the receptionist about the parking charges as well as the service charges.” I replied; remembering how James has mentioned to me about something has to do with how the hotel did charge for the services as well as the parking thus it is important to call the hotel on avoiding a nasty surprise based on the parking charges.
“Oh okay, I’ll go down to the reception floor on asking the parking charges because I scared about forgetting the important tips based on staying in a hotel.”
“You can say that again; Mathieu. Do you want me to come with you?”
“No need, you stay here just in case and make sure you lock the door; okay?”
“Sure, deal.” I answered with a wink to Mat plus as a reply; he winked back at me while going down to the reception floor.
As I sigh to make myself comfortable yet at home; I got a phone call from Chaz on my Sony Ericsson T303 phone.
“Hello?”
“Hey . . . did you just . . .”
Woke up early this morning? Yes, I did on meeting Mathieu—also known as Uncle Mat to me. Take breakfast? Unfortunately no, I need to meet up with them. Letting Chaz know about how I am going to the airport? Definitely.
‘Did I take breakfast yet? No, it seems my stomach is rumbling and I’m starving—need to call him to meet me somewhere for brunch.’ I thought, feeling guilty and confused about skipping breakfast. [Thus don’t skip breakfast as always!]
“Sorry, I just didn’t know what I want to ask here earlier.”
“It’s okay; Chaz and can you and your friends meet me at any of the cafe on where we have been before?”
“Definitely, where?”
We usually either go to Morning Glass cafe; Goofy Cafe and Dine: Shaka Pressed Juice; Eggs and Things or even to Bogart’s Cafe as well as Rainbow Drive in: Kamehameha Bakery plus Aloha Coffee Lab’s The Curb at Pan Am during the off days plus the usual Starbucks and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: however we decided to go for somewhere different just so we can welcome Uncle Mathieu to Hawaii as well as meeting my friends.
Sometimes we go to Honolulu at either Downtown or Chinatown for breakfast—depends on their choice.
Except today it is all on me to choose the location for today’s choice of cafe ever since I didn’t mean to skip breakfast all due to the reason that I need to pick up Mathieu from the airport additionally I decided to choose somewhere different; plus I think long, hard and deep to rack up a location.
Luckily there is a location on where I wanted to try out a cafe.
“How about . . . Wailana Coffee House? We can meet up there.”
“Cool; I’m in for the choice of location based on where you are choosing thus my friends are coming too as well.”
“Wow, really? Thank you; Chaz—you are such a sweetheart/ sweetie—I got to say ‘Thank you’!”
“Hey, you’re welcome; sweetie and please don’t mind about the noise background—it isn’t music; it’s my friends!” He said instantly when he is mixing a joke and a personal note based on how I can hear people chattering in the background.
At first I thought he is in class except instead it is at his personal dorm room—the voice does sound familiar to me. It is only his friends: Eleu and Shea.
“It’s okay—I know their voices.” I replied with a smile on my face.
“Cool; I’ll meet you there?” He replied back to me.
“Sure; I’ll meet you there along with them.”
“Definitely; see you there.”
“See you there.”
As Mathieu went back up plus he knocks on the door; I straight away check through a small viewpoint just before opening the door.
“Oh it’s you, luckily—thus my friends ask me to meet them at Wailana Coffee House.”
“Wow, cool—do they call you or something like that?”
“Yes, did you manage to ask them about the charges?”
“I did and they told me it depends thus you need to make sure you call them early to avoid a nasty surprise on parking charges.”
“Agreed; and what about the computer?”
“No, unfortunately they do not have it here thus however I do have to ended up using my laptop plus thankfully for the internet connection—they told me about the network.”
“Cool, however you do realise I am starving.”
“Oh no; oh dear—I’m sorry: Paula—do you think I owe you anything?”
“No, you don’t have to owe me anything; uncle Mat . . .”
“Yeah; I thought I could owe you something.”
I shrugged while speaking “Okay; deal—Mathieu but you do not owe me anything!”
“Yeah, but I felt guilty about it!”
“Okay, okay; okay—spending the day with me and my friends?”
“But you know I have important tasks to do thus how about meeting your friends every morning and evening while getting to know them better for the whole day during the weekend: Paula?”
I think of it at first; with my classes—I would think I need to wake up early in the morning then meet up with Mathieu in the evening as for the weekends; we can spend a whole day on different activities? Good idea however the question is how can I tackle this altogether?
Oh well, better to keep expectations low while I am enjoying my quality time with Mathieu and my friends just so I can make the memories and the days count to be tracked down in my diary.
“Deal, Mathieu; I like the idea of it.” I replied with a genuine smile on my face.
After unpacking the luggage; we go down to walk to meet up with our friends at Wailana Coffee House.
