The Sanders Sides

41 - Meeting Up

The Eurostar train rumbled to a stop, its metallic groan echoing through the bustling Paris Gare du Nord station. Logan, clutching his backpack and a well-worn travel guide, waded through the throng of hurried passengers, a hint of apprehension battling with excitement in his chest.

A month and a half had passed since their semester abroad ended, and the promise of a surprise reunion with Roman in England had kept him going through the long weeks of summer. He'd meticulously planned this trip, coordinating schedules and flights with Patton, Virgil, and Janus, all sworn to secrecy.

A quick text confirmed their location – a quaint café nestled on a cobbled side street. Stepping inside, the aroma of freshly baked croissants and strong coffee instantly transported him to a world away from the sterile train station.

There, huddled around a corner table, sat his friends. Patton, his sunshine smile as bright as ever, waved him over. Virgil, ever the picture of stoic composure, managed a small nod of greeting. Janus, a mischievous glint in his eyes, leaned back in his chair, a half-eaten croissant clutched in his hand.

"Logan!" Patton boomed, his voice filled with genuine warmth. "You made it! We were starting to think you got lost in some Parisian back alley."

Logan chuckled, slinging his backpack onto a chair. "Almost did," he admitted. "But French traffic signs are a whole other beast."

He exchanged greetings with Virgil and Janus, the familiar camaraderie washing over him like a warm wave.

"Alright, team," Janus said, his voice low and conspiratorial, "we have a two-hour train ride to England ahead of us. Time to finalize the plan."

He pulled out a crumpled map, his finger tracing a route. Patton leaned in, his eyes wide with excitement. Virgil, ever the voice of reason, interjected with a few logistical concerns, which Janus quickly dismissed with a wave of his hand.

Logan watched them bicker playfully, a smile tugging at his lips. They were a mess, this group of his – Patton's boundless optimism a constant counterpoint to Virgil's anxieties, Janus's mischievous energy keeping things interesting, and Logan himself, the quiet observer, the glue that held them together.

As they boarded the train, their laughter echoing through the carriage, a single thought filled Logan's mind – the look on Roman's face when he saw them all, a surprise reunion orchestrated by his best friends, was a memory he wouldn't trade for anything.

The rhythmic clatter of the train lulled Logan into a comfortable state of drowsiness. He glanced out the window, the sun-drenched French countryside blurring into a green and brown tapestry. But the excitement buzzing within the compartment kept him from fully succumbing to sleep.

Across from him, Patton, a manic grin plastered on his face, bounced in his seat like a hyperactive puppy. "Just think, Logan!" he exclaimed, his voice barely a whisper due to the thrill of their secret mission. "Roman's face when he sees all of us! It'll be priceless!"

Janus, ever the strategist, leaned back in his seat, a worn travel map sprawled across his lap. "Alright, alright," he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "let's not get ahead of ourselves. We still need to solidify the plan."

He tapped the map with a long, purple fingernail. "We land at Ashford International, right? From there, we need to catch a local train to Ashford town center. Ideally, we want to arrive at the castle sometime in the late afternoon, preferably when Roman is..."

Janus paused, a thoughtful frown creasing his forehead. "What's his usual schedule again, Logan? Any royal engagements we should be aware of?"

Logan, who had been diligently studying his own copy of the travel guide, piped up. "No official engagements on the calendar for the next few days, but knowing Roman, he might be in the library, working on a painting, or..." he trailed off, his brow furrowing in thought.