We lived in a subjective world.

My mother's favorite phrase gave way to this ideal: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," she would lecture if I made one comment about a strange coupling or told her that no, I would not date that man because I do not find him attractive. Yes, beauty was subjective. What I found beautiful, someone else might think was ugly. And vice versa. Everyone these days had an opinion on one thing or another; on how what they think something should look like or not look like.

However, before me was something so objectively beautiful that all of my insides sort of melted into putty at the sight.

The Netherlands - a place I once used to think Peter Pan lived - proved to be something far more incredible. Perhaps it was because it was 6 AM or that the plane ride took 10 hours, but the second the clouds dispersed and land came into view the plane seemed to go silent with a hush. Everyone's eyes were peering out the little windows to glimpse what was to come. Though most likely I was just imagining that last bit...given I couldn't see anyone else doing it.

Green was everywhere. Green expanses of land. Green trees. Green grass. Green lakes - not totally appealing, but better than chemical blue or shit brown. It was as if the Grinch had thrown up all over it. Well, maybe not. Bad imagery. Point was, it was green and healthy and beautiful.

Best part?

No walls.

"Hasn't your mouth gone dry yet?"

I was interrupted in my surveyance by my plane partner. In response, I sat up and closed my agape jaw, wondering how long it had been open for. I gave him a nervous smile and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

"This is my first time," I told him, in way of explanation.

He nodded in response but said nothing.

I went back to my gazing but made sure my mouth was closed for the rest of the time. I couldn't believe I was here - that it was happening. That I was pulling through on one of the thousands of seemingly ridiculous plans I had made in my life. I mean, sure, I hadn't originally chosen the Netherlands but that was beside the point. I was happy to be here regardless. Ecstatic, even. Who needs Germany anyhow? Dutch people were just as good, right? No. They were better.

Besides, the Netherlands were progressive. Open-minded. And-

Wow. Beautiful.

Ope, there went the jaw again. I felt the man next to me chuckle under his breath and my cheeks heated from the attention. I refused to look back at him. He yawned and stretched and stuck a hand out leaving me with no choice but to shake his hand and look at him. "Levi Kleij," he smiled at me while he introduced himself.

He had a slight accent. And that name sounded Dutch. Safe to assume it, right? "Iris Lisowski. But everyone calls me 'Irie'. I'm American." Don't know why I had to add that last bit but okay then, Irie.

Levi didn't seem to mind. He laughed a little. "Dutch," he played along with my stupidity. "I actually think I've heard your name before. Are you a part of the TEFL program in Amsterdam?" He lifted a questioning brow and had a languid smile on his face.

I nodded eagerly. "Yeah. It's my first time doing this sort of program. What about you?" I wondered what he'd been doing in Chicago going back to what I assumed to be his home country, given he was Dutch. But I didn't ask because that wasn't any of my business.

"I'm a teacher, actually. So I suppose it's Mr. Kleij, to you," he winked at me with a bemused grin on his face. "I think you'll enjoy your time here. It goes by fast and everyone is always very nice."

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and gave a slight shrug and nod. "I'm sure," I offered, "I'm just a little nervous to be around people I don't know, in a place I don't know." I lowered my voice as if someone was listening, even though I knew no one even cared enough to listen, "It's my first time doing something like this."

He gave another chuckle and it eased my nerves somewhat. "You know me now," he said. He glanced outside then, behind me. "I can show you around a little, help you get settled in and all that if you'd like. Are you staying in the dorms provided or are you subletting?"

Oh, thank God. I did not want to do all that by myself given I was terribly awkward and nervous around other people. It'd be so nice to have someone who knows it here help me out. I breathed out a sigh of relief and nodded, "That would be wonderful, thank you. I'm subletting with another student, but I haven't met her or talked to her or anything. The program matched us up."

Levi nodded and opened his phone, typing something. Without looking at me, he asked, "Do you know the address?"

Perhaps I shouldn't be giving my address to someone I hardly knew, but he seemed nice enough, so I told him and he typed it into his phone and gave me a warm smile. "When we get off, I'll help get you there and then I'll show you the TEFL building. Will that help?"

I nodded immediately. "Yes, thank you. I'll forever be in your debt." Levi laughed and opened his mouth to say something else, but the pilot came over the speakers to let us (the passengers) know that we would land soon and to make sure we are buckled in and all that. I took the moment to look outside again, but all that was out there was the cement and gravel of the airport; no more green. I looked back at Levi, who was studying me.

"Have you ever been out of the USA?" he asked.

I shrugged. "A couple of times. Mostly to the Caribbean or Mexico. But I went to Germany once for a school trip. It was nice." It was more than nice. It was life-changing. After that trip, I knew everything would be different for me. I couldn't remain in a small town in Michigan when there was an entire world out there waiting for me to explore it, even if it would force me into uncomfortable situations. It was worth it.

Through the TEFL program, I would receive my TEFL (obviously) and placed in a teaching position somewhere, anywhere, in the world for a couple of months. And then somewhere else. And somewhere else. Until I suppose I tired of it.

But I doubted I ever would.

Levi had a thoughtful expression. "Germany is similar to the Netherlands," he finally said. "But I prefer it here, I think."

The plane felt some turbulence as we pulled into the airport and I gripped my seat momentarily. I hated flying because of this exact moment. It always made me feel sick. Within a few minutes, however, it was over and people began to unbuckle. I stood up to wait and Levi followed suit and got into the aisle, helping people get down their bags. "Are you the pink?" he asked as he reached above our seats and pulled out a pink mini suitcase.

I nodded sheepishly. "I had to borrow it from my mom," I said in way of explanation. "She really loves pink."

Levi didn't seem to care much either way and handed me the bright pink bag and pulled out a leather bag for himself. People moved, shuffling in a line to get off the plane and Levi motioned for me to get out ahead of him, which I did. I hauled my pink bag into the aisle and set it on the ground and moved forward, with Levi following behind me.

Everything seemed very regular, very similar to an airport in America. Lucky for me, the signs all had English on them, so finding baggage claim was easy. Levi trailed behind me, not saying anything, and I wondered if him agreeing to help me was cutting into anything important he had to do. The program officially started in two days, and he was a teacher, so he probably had to get a lot of things set up and ready.

Knowing that just made me even more grateful for his help.

We retrieved our bags and scrambled outside before all the taxis were taken. Levi, thankfully, easily got us a cab and helped pack both of our suitcases into the trunk before opening the back door for me and sliding into the passenger seat himself. I sat in the cab, twiddling my thumbs while I listened to Levi smoothly speak Dutch to the cab driver. Within seconds, we were off.

Levi made casual conversation with the cab driver all throughout the drive, giving me the opportunity to watch outside my window as we passed through Amsterdam. It was just as beautiful as I figured it would be. The architecture was similar to Germany but brighter, but maybe that was just because it was sunny and beautiful out. Townhouses and tall buildings lined the streets with little canals in between the city. I wondered if where I would live would have access to the canal. I would be able to go kayaking, or canoeing, or something. That would be neat.

People were everywhere I looked, but they weren't overwhelming and none of them looked unapproachable, like how many people in cities in America were. The city just seemed full of happiness and lightness and it made me feel calmer now that I was seeing it firsthand. Pictures didn't do it justice.

Levi turned back to look at me and smiled widely. "Almost there." I nodded meekly in response and sat up straighter, peering out in front of us. One more left turn and the driver parallel parked in front of a small townhouse. He said something to Levi, and Levi got out money but I intervened.

"I'll pay. It was to my house anyway and you've been so kind to me already." I said and handed the taxi driver my card. I wasn't sure exactly how much it was, but it seemed like a relatively quick drive so I imagined it wasn't expensive or anything. As I did that, Levi climbed out of the car and got our suitcases out of the trunk. After I signed and put my card away, I got out too and met him on the sidewalk in front of my new building.

I glanced over at Levi as the cab pulled away. "So, um, what now?"

Levi raised an eyebrow. "Didn't whoever is leasing this to you give you directions as to how to actually get inside?" What he said I knew wasn't meant to make me feel stupid, necessarily, but lately, it seemed all I said was stupid and I felt more than a little ashamed as I nodded and pulled out my phone to look at my exchanged emails with my subletter.

Levi waited patiently, looking around as he did so until I finally knew what the hell I was doing. "Okay, so this says there should be some sort of self-service unlock system on the door and then there's a key underneath the doormat to get into the mailbox and the actual keys are in there."

Levi smiled. "Oh, fun. Like a little treasure hunt."

I used the code my subletter gave to get into the building and then hoisted my suitcase inside. Levi held the door from behind and followed me in. The townhouse was split in two with a small entryway in the middle that had a couple of mailboxes for its tenants. On one side was my apartment, and on the other was someone else's. I was in door two. I left my suitcase with Levi and went up to my designated door just a few steps away and reached under the mat to grab my mail key which I then took to my mailbox and got out my apartment key.

I waved it excitedly at Levi and he grinned back at me as I grabbed my suitcase again and went to my door, opening it up for the first time. My stomach was tight with nerves as I stepped into my first ever apartment. All by myself. Well, not really. I had a roommate. But I wasn't living with my parents like how I had been.

For the first time in my life, I was on my own. And it felt incredible.

Levi trailed in behind me as I looked around. It was just as how I expected. It was small, and downstairs only had a living room, kitchen, half bathroom, and a washer and dryer room. Upstairs I knew was the two bedrooms and another shared, but full, bathroom. It was modern, yet old fashioned at the same time. All the rooms shone brightly with white walls and the kitchen had all white counters and lower cabinets. The firetruck red fridge and upper cupboards contrasted well with the white and black accents in the room, and the living room stayed true to the theme, just without the red.

The trim and accents on the walls and stairs were the same wood as the floors. It was clean and nice and I was more than grateful that I could rent this place out for only about 400 American dollars because of the program.

I looked over at the stairs and bit my lip, wondering whether or not I should go up.

Levi seemed to notice this and offered, "I could carry your suitcase up if you'd like."

"That'd be nice, but I'm not sure if I should choose my bedroom just yet. Shouldn't I wait for my roommate to get here?" I asked, glancing between him and the staircase.

Levi just shrugged. "I don't think it really matters." I nodded back and began my descent upstairs with my pink carry on in tow. Levi left his own suitcase and leather bag and grabbed my other, much larger, bag and carried it up behind me.

From pictures, I knew that the bedrooms were very similar, if not the same, but I chose the one on the right. In between the two bedrooms was a closet accessible from the little hall between and a jack and jill style bathroom. I brought my bags into the room and set my carry on my new bed. Levi rested my suitcase against the wall and looked at me expectantly.

"We can walk to the TEFL building from here, I believe. My building is on the way, so if you don't mind I'd like to drop my suitcases off. There's a cafe in my building, too, if you wanted to grab a coffee." He looked pointedly at the clock beside my new bed.

It was a little past 7 AM already. I nodded back at him and we left my room to go downstairs.

I offered to help carry Levi's bags because I felt bad he'd have to cart them around outside, but he waved me off and managed them himself. I closed the apartment door behind me and began walking before Levi stopped me with, "Aren't you going to lock it?"

I blushed in embarrassment and hurried back to lock it up. "Sorry. We didn't really lock things back home. Didn't need to." Levi nodded in understanding.

"It'll be a good habit to get yourself into." We fell into step beside one another as we exited the townhouse and began walking. I had no clue where I was going, so I just followed him. At first, we walked silently, but it didn't feel awkward. It gave me some time to soak in my surroundings and everything that had happened hence far.

"So, are you from Chicago then? Or another state?" Levi made conversation as we trudged along. Thankfully, it was nice and warm out already.

"Michigan," I clarified for him. "I had a layover in Chicago. What about you? Why were you in Chicago?"

"Just visiting. I like to make it out to the states every so often. Life is pretty..." Levi tilted his head, considering the right word for what he wanted to say and finally settled on, "exciting."

I laughed at that. "You mean hectic," I said knowingly. Levi gave a demure smile. "Well, what about you, then? Where have you been to, besides the states and here, obviously?" Levi motioned that we would take the upcoming crosswalk to get to the other side of the road and I wondered how far "walking distance" was in his mind.

"I think the better question is where haven't I been, to be honest." We scurried across the crosswalk before the light turned red and then continued on in the same direction on the other side of the road. "In this line of business, I travel around a lot. I got started about seven years ago. I've been to every continent already and have probably visited well over 50 different countries, and taught in about 15 of them." Seven years ago? He didn't look very old, definitely still in his twenties, I'd say.

"How old are you?" I asked, and regretted it because I wasn't sure if that was too strange of a question to ask or not.

Levi didn't seem to mind, however. "28," he told me. "This is me." We stopped in front of a large apartment building and he swiftly climbed up the steps to the door and let us in, holding up the door for me. The floors were a shiny linoleum and inside felt much nicer than where I lived, which I guessed meant he made okay money doing what he did. Hell, there was even an elevator in here!

Levi turned to face me. "My apartment is up a couple of flights. You can come if you want, or the cafe is through that door," he pointed to a door on the right.

"I'll get us some coffee," I replied. "What would you like?"

"Black is fine," Levi told me and left me to it. I held my purse to my side and went through the door to the little cafe. The baristas were nice enough and greeted me in English. I ordered a macchiato and a black coffee and stood at the counter, drumming my fingers on it and looking around, wondering what I'd be doing right now if I hadn't met Levi. Probably would be just getting to the townhouse, maybe putting some of my things away.

The coffee shop was small and cute and only had two people working. There was seating, but not a lot and no one else seemed to be in here. It was early, on a Monday no less, but I'd expected to run into at least some people.

A hand on the small of my back startled me and I jumped, turning around to look at Levi with an amused grin on his face. "Sorry," he apologized for scaring me. He reached around me to grab the black coffee that the barista had set in front of me. "Thank you for the coffee. I'll have to pay you back sometime." He sipped it and winced. "Too hot still."

The barista handed me my iced macchiato and we were off again. "This place is nice," I commented as we stepped back into the entryway.

Levi shrugged. "The program sets the teachers up in here. Well, the older ones. Not the aides."

I laughed at "the older ones". Levi was hardly old, and it surprised me he even got such a good gig given how young he was. But, as he had said, he had a lot of experience in the field, and I was sure he had degrees to go with it.

"What did you study in college?" I asked casually as he held open the front door for me and I walked through it, saying thanks as I went.

"English and linguistics. I have degrees in both, and then I took part in this same program and got my start teaching shortly thereafter." Levi met my eyes. "It is a very helpful program. Got me my first couple of jobs until I had enough experience to get them on my own. And it's pretty tight-knit, so oftentimes they'll ask old students to come back and teach for them."

I smiled. "That's good. I'm glad I chose this one. I almost went to a program in Germany, but ultimately decided against it."

"Why's that?"

I shrugged. "Personal reasons, mostly." Levi raised an eyebrow at that, but he didn't ask about it, which I was thankful for. "Besides, I think this was the better fit. The Netherlands just seemed so...open. Kind."

Levi nodded. "It is. It's a very progressive place, too. Hardly any bullshit politics." He gave me a pointed look and I laughed. He smiled in response. "What did you study? Have you graduated yet?"

I nodded and took a sip of my drink before I responded. "Yeah, this past March. Same studies as you but with a minor in German."

"Also sprichst du Deutsch?" Levi smiled and I nodded with a short "ja".

"Not fluently, but for the most part, I can understand it when people speak to me. But I don't know if I'd fair very well in Germany by myself." I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "Then again, I'm in the Netherlands without knowing Dutch, so I suppose it doesn't really matter."

"English is probably the universal language, I'd say. The business language." He said. "So that makes you...what? 22?" I nodded. "And this is the first time you're by yourself, out in the world?" I nodded again and he reached over, squeezing my shoulder reassuringly. "You'll be fine," he promised, before stopping suddenly and nodding towards the building we stood in front of. "We're here."