"Lila, your flight leaves in just over two hours! I refuse to break speed laws in order to accommodate your inability to time-keep!!" Bellowed my dad, stood by the front door of our beautiful London Town home which until today had been the only place I had ever called home. I could hear his cars engine rumbling away like white noise in my mind, the keys ready in the ignition to drive me to the airport; as I stood in my bedroom processing the months that lay ahead.
I had dreamt of travelling around Europe for years, and now that I was twenty two and had finally graduated from Art school, the world awaited me. My first stop was the south of France, it's golden coast and beautiful scenery being something that occupied my mind ever since I had first read Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca. Soon, I would be living out my dreams, and as I stand in my bedroom now, I can't quite believe it.
"Coming!!!" I respond, my eyes glazed with light tears, as I tug my oversized suitcase towards the door.
"You're awful Lila, honestly. You know how my nerves are. You going away is enough stress for me-"
"Dad. I'm here. Lydia is at the airport already and I won't miss our flight, I promise" I sigh, giving my younger brother Sebastian a hug as my father puts my suitcase into the car.
"Take care Lils, okay? Don't let Lydia push you around. Call me if anything happens, and I'll be there in a heartbeat. Unless it's an F1 weekend, then I can make no promises" Seb laughs, the sun dancing on his brown curls. My brother and I have a close relationship - our mothers absence throughout our childhood proved to be very bonding for the both of us, and Seb and I had been there for each other in the times when we both needed it most. His F1 obsession was something I didn't entirely understand as I found the sport relatively boring whenever he forced me to watch it, but he loved it more than anything, which was fair enough.
The drive to the airport, as anticipated, was relatively fast. I had barely stepped into the departure lounge when Lydia's loud voice pierced my thoughts: "LILA! Our lives begin now. I cannot wait! Oh my god, think of all the French and Italian boys were gonna meet! Ugh, I'm never coming back to London. Adieu, Londres, Bon nuit! I shan't miss you and your sweaty Fulham clubs full of private school boys". Lydia was a very direct person, who often spoke her mind with little filter, even when it was warranted.
Lydia had been my best friend ever since I could remember. Our mothers had been best friends and so, naturally, we were always with each other. And thus, even when my mother left the picture, Lydia remained. Lydia was loud, crazy and obnoxious, but she was gorgeous and funny and was everything I could ask for in a best friend. Growing up, my appearance had often been compared to Lydia's - her confidence lit her beauty, her tanned skin, bold features and thick brown hair often caused her to attract attention from both sexes, whilst my blonde hair and pale, freckled skin was a direct opposite. Lydia's mum was a fashion designer, and thus we had often modelled and shot for her.
Flight BA0967 to NICE is BOARDING. Please go to Gate B17 immediately. The tannoy was loud. Too loud.
3 hours later
"I can feel the French suns rays on me already Lils. This is my moment - I have reached my peak. God, look at that guy staring at us. I knew the French boys would be hot but ooh la la, boy was I right" Lydia giggled.
"You know, if I didn't know better I would think you only came on this trip to find a European boyfriend Lyd" I retort, rolling my eyes as I scan the road for a free taxi.
"I love you more than life Lila, but not all of us wish to spend our European 'summer of dreams' painting. I am single, and I am going to take advantage of this beautiful situation. And so are you. Whilst I have no problem with letting you paint every inch of the French Coast, It's high time you got some action too darling." Lydia winked at me, her playful laugh ringing in the hot French air.
"Taxi to Cannes, please" I sigh, lifting my suitcase into the little Renault which I had managed to flag down during Lydia's speech.
One hour later
The sun was beginning to set as we reached beautiful Cannes. Lydia and I had booked a hotel here for two nights, as we hoped her mother would be able to get us last minute tickets to Cannes film festival tomorrow. As we had both modelled a little before, we were relatively known in the fashion world, and so I was really hoping that we would manage to secure some tickets.
"This hotel is so peng wtf!" Lydia shouts, as we open the door into our stunning hotel room. It's gold and turquoise features dance around the room, as the gorgeous vintage furniture shines in the sunset. At the far end of the room, a little window reveals a balcony with a stunning view of the sea in the distance. At this moment in time, everything is as it should be. On the bed, I notice a little card, with a handwritten note
Ladies you have worked hard this year both in your personal studies and in helping me model my designs. You twos beauty is unparalleled and I could not dream of two lovelier girls to model my line. Here are two tickets for the festival tomorrow. In the wardrobe, you shall find two gorgeous gowns and a few pieces from my collection to help spruce up your wardrobes whilst you travel. Be happy, stay safe, you deserve this. Love, mummy X.
———— Adeline Van Woodson Designs ————
"Oh my God! I'm gonna meet Timothee Chalamet! He's totally gonna fall in love with me! Lils, look at these dresses! They're gorgeous! This light blue tulle one screams your name, god we're gonna slay the house down in these" Lydia's face was red with excitement.
We danced in circles around our little hotel room, laughing like little girls, for the rest of the night. Life was perfect.
Author's note
Hi! Chapter 1 complete. Writing is a lot harder than i expected, so I hope you enjoyed. I don't want this story to be too fast paced, as I think the beginning of relationships is so beautiful and a story built on strong foundations cannot be beaten, so bare with me. The girls will meet the drivers soon enough.
Tell me what you think!
Love xx
YOU ARE READING
Bonne Nuit// Charles Leclerc
Fanfiction"The world I have stepped into is a crazy one, of wealth and power, where no one questions what you do or who you're with because they know you can pay for the damages" As Lila travels the south of France with her best friend Lydia, she is forced t...
