Flutter |h.s|

15

Harry

She is art.

In a building filled with priceless masterpieces by the world's most famous artists and sculptors, she is all I saw.

Her hair was down, like silk flowing down her back, ending with a slight curl. Her curious blue eyes searched for a meaning in every painting she saw as she slightly lifted her head to get a better view. Her beautiful, glossed lips would part in amazement as we walked through the galleries and the light would always hit her soft, tanned skin perfectly. She has freckles that faintly litter her cheeks, easy to miss if you don't look hard enough.

Even when she sat on a bench to rest, her eyes would focus on a painting. Her brows furrowed as she studied the art, as if she was trying to burn it into her memory forever. She looked like she belonged there. Another priceless work of art for the world to admire, carefully crafted by the gods.

Paris looks good on Grace.

How does this happen? How is it that within a handful of days, this person has gone from being a stranger, to a friend, to art? Why can't I stay away from her?

Spending more than a few minutes with her out of my sight is like torture. Maybe that's creepy, it probably is, but it's true. Being near her feels like home.

Now here in this restaurant in the middle of Paris, she sits across from me, animatedly talking to Elias about how disappointing and small the Mona Lisa was. A small smile stays on my face as I watch the two interact.

It's a nice restaurant, the inside is small so we chose to sit outside. It's a risk for me since someone could walk by and see me, but it's beautiful out and the golden sunset is casting a glowing light on Grace.

The waiter comes over to the table to take our orders for dinner, placing a basket of bread in the middle of the table.

"Ready to order?" the man asks with a heavy accent. It's clear English is not his strong suit.

With a nod, I take over the conversation, "Je parle français." Might as well make it easier on the guy.

He nods with a smile, probably grateful that I can communicate with him.

I bring the menu over to help aid in the order, "Je voudrais une bouteille de Cabernet Sauvignon." I order, pointing to the wine on the list.

Everyone is silent as I order, all eyes on me. I've broken out the French a few times while we've been out here, less in the more touristy areas since the people there tend to speak better English. But at the apartment and here, it's probably better I speak.

I had everyone tell me their dinner orders before the waiter came, so I quickly go down the list, pointing them out as I give their orders.

"Et pour la jolie fille..." I start, my eyes glancing over at Grace. Thank god none of them speak French.

The man looks over at Grace with a smile at my comment, writing down her dinner order. I close the menu and hand it back to our waiter, and the other three do the same. I smile at them and sit back in my chair.

"So, the Louvre. Seems like you all enjoyed it." I note.

Holly nods, "Oh it was amazing. Never in a million years did I think we would be able to see those art pieces in person." she gushes. She really did enjoy the museum.

"Yeah, as disappointing as the Mona Lisa was, it's kinda cool to be able to say I got to see it." she said.

"I'm sure you guys are going to be able to say that about a lot of things by the time this trip is over." I smile as I reach over to grab a piece of bread from the table.