How Paris Changed My Life

7

The entire scene was one of utter astonishment and disbelief.

"Is that Mr. William and his wife?" someone asked incredulously. "And is she wearing a wedding dress?"

It was a revelation that took everyone by surprise. The neatly dressed Mr. William, who had been impeccably attired for the day's events, was now standing before us with his bride. His usual composed demeanor was now punctuated by a broad, gleeful smile. The atmosphere of the gathering had shifted from that of a regular school event to something far more festive.

"Welcome, everyone, to my wedding!" Mr. William announced with an air of genuine warmth. "You're all invited to join in the celebration and enjoy the party. Please remember to behave appropriately. My family is here too, so let's make it a memorable occasion."

A murmur of surprise and excitement spread among the students. "Why would he do this with school?" Liam inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"I don't know, maybe he just really likes us?" I suggested, shrugging as I shared in the bewilderment.

"Who knows? Let's just enjoy it," Liam said with a grin, clearly eager to make the most of this unexpected turn of events.

As we entered the reception area, the stark contrast between the two sections of the room became immediately apparent. The space was divided into two distinct halves. We were directed to the left side, where a vibrant dance floor beckoned. The right side, reserved for the distinguished guests, featured a much larger dance floor, elegant tables, and an array of delectable dishes laid out for the enjoyment of the guests. The buffet spread was impressive, ranging from spaghetti and pizzas to an assortment of other treats. The air was filled with the tantalizing aromas of the various dishes, and the energy in the room was electric.

Max, still grappling with the surreal nature of the evening, marveled aloud, "Who would have thought we'd end up partying at Mr. William's wedding?"

"Well, be grateful for this unexpected twist. Otherwise, we'd probably be on the bus heading home by now," Liam replied, visibly pleased with the change in plans.

I turned to the others, "Can we grab something to eat?"

Without hesitation, the three of them agreed. I picked up a slice of pizza and a Caprisun, a drink that had always been one of my favorites. James opted for a coke and a pita, while Liam and Max chose Chinese food accompanied by some more coke. The juxtaposition of so many different types of cuisine on the same table struck me as unusual, yet amusing. We settled at a table for four, casting glances around the room to see that almost everyone had found a place to sit.

Soft music played in the background, setting a mellow ambiance. A sign near the music system indicated that we could request our favorite songs, which added a personal touch to the celebration. I quickly devoured my pizza, savoring each bite. Pizza had always been a favorite of mine, and it seemed like the perfect choice for the occasion.

As I glanced around, searching for familiar faces, I noticed something unsettling. The room appeared to be emptying out. My friends were nowhere to be seen. Panic began to set in, and I called out, "James?!"

There was no response. My voice, strained with worry, rang out again, "James, where are you?!"

My anxiety intensified as I spotted a figure on the far side of the room. I hurried toward it, hoping to find James, but as I drew nearer, I realized it was Aiden. There was something unnervingly different about him, he appeared lifeless, almost ghostly. As I reached out, the ground beneath me seemed to give way, and I was abruptly transported back to where I had started.