summer break || cl16

one

i've never felt as fulfilled as i do at the moment. my life was working out pretty okay, better than teenage me could've ever dreamed for i thought to myself as i walked under the glimmering sun to work, taking the longer route for the view. france was a totally different environment compared to London, and Nice was mesmerising. when i started my politics degree 3 years ago, i never would have imagined that i would be here doing my masters now. but i wouldn't trade my place for anything.

although my course didn't start until mid-october, i decided on moving here in june, a month after i finished my bachelor's.  being overly cautious, as usual, i knew that i'd want to get to grips with this change before jumping into what could be the most daunting year of my life so far. 

the change hasn't been too demanding. i grew up speaking a very little bit of french, and i studied it for a few years, but that level is nothing compared to what you need to know to survive. i think coming here early has helped me practice a bit, which has only been good. my current job is also great for practice. i've always loved coffee, tea, cakes, you name it, along with my love for acts of service, being a barista might be the perfect side hustle for me. only a side hustle though since politics outweighs anything in my life.

i've always been described as an opinionated young lady, and that hasn't worked in my favour many times, however, i wouldn't change that part of my character. it's a huge part of what makes me me, and for a brief period, when i did lose that part of me, i became a shell of a human, and i was merely and utterly lacklustre. but i'm not there anymore. now i am here walking through Nice, with the salt air hitting my face, and a gleaming tan developing. as much as i love the oscillating nature of london, and the magnetic forces that attract me there, i really could see myself settling here one day. 

being out of the suburban areas of london, i've become much more accustomed to walking everywhere. the idea of saving up for a bike has crossed my mind a few times. the exploratory nature of a bike really draws me to the idea. perhaps i could cycle to Cannes, or Monaco. these next four months, i want to get my life together and i  want to enjoy doing so. self-improvement only works when you truly want to improve.  i've always had a hard time with this kind of thing, but i'm committed, focusing on myself and my happiness. i'm 21 and i know i'm mature and i always have been, but i just want to get my life together. do big things.

i push on the forest green door of the cafe where i worked and was greeted with i smile from camille, my work wife. it's been difficult finding friends in a new country, with a language barrier. i hope that eases up once i start uni, and i have a rhythm to the people i see. even if not, it's only a year, i can keep myself entertained for a year.

'bonjour adele. ca va?' she said.

'oui ca va bien. et toi? i replied.

'tres bein merci. alors, es-tu prêt' she asked.

'oui laisse moi juste mettre mon tablier'  i said putting on my deep blue apron.

camille was around 28, and lovely. she loved her job more than i did. i know the french have a reputation for being rude and snobby but camille was far from that. in the few weeks i've worked here, she's taken me under her wing and i've never felt more welcome. 

i put my burgundy hair into a claw clip, washed my hands and got right to work serving customers. today's selection of sweet treats was croissants, pain au chocolates, palmiers and les madeleines. there was also a baguette bar, which was one of my favourite parts of the job. in the most absurd way to describe it, it was like a subway, people get me to make them their custom sandwiches in baguette form. it was always fond of being attentive, so deciphering what each individual would put in their baguette was entertaining.  

a while passes and camille's shift is coming to an end as i was cleaning the sandwich bar. she clocked out, and i was the only one left, since adrien was off sick today. i didn't mind as i like the solitude and it wasn't a very busy day. a few minutes after she left a customer walked through the door. i mustered up my courage and got ready to speak my best french. 

'salut, un cafe noir si vous plait.' he asked.

'd'acorrd. c'est tout? et est-ce que tu manges ici?' i responded

'oui, merci' he mumbled back.

he made his way and sat down at table 16, whilst i began on his order, simple enough. grind the beans, and put them in the stovetop cafetiere, put that on the stove, and pour.  

i made my way over with the tray of his order and placed it infront of him. 

'merci madmoiselle.'