How Paris Changed My Life

18

After we had finished our meal and spent a considerable amount of time laughing and chatting, we finally wrapped up the last of our food. The dining area, which had once been filled with the clatter of trays and the murmur of conversation, was now quiet as we all stood up, cleared our trays, and made our way toward the exit. We stacked our trays neatly on top of each other before heading outside, the fresh air greeting us as we stepped out from the enclosed space of the cafeteria.

"How much time do we have before our next class?" I asked, glancing at Max, who was already pulling out his cell phone to check the time.

"Looks like we have another half hour," Max replied, his eyes fixed on the screen.

"I have an idea," I announced, drawing the attention of my friends. Everyone turned to face me, curiosity piqued.

"What's your idea?" James asked, his tone eager.

"What if we head to room 2.21? We can hang out there for a bit," I suggested, hoping they would agree.

The group seemed to find the suggestion appealing, and with nods of agreement, we set off toward the classroom. We moved quietly, our footsteps muffled as we tried to avoid attracting any unwanted attention. As we approached the door, a sudden, sharp voice broke the silence.

"Hey! You there!"

"Oh no! Run!" I exclaimed, grabbing James' hand and urging him to move faster. The rest of the group followed closely behind as we hurriedly made our way to the classroom. I flung the door open and ushered everyone inside, closing it behind us just in time to avoid detection.

"That was a close call," I said, letting out a relieved laugh as we gathered in the room. The tension from our near encounter began to dissipate, replaced by the comfort of our temporary refuge.

We quickly rearranged the chairs and tables, pushing them aside to create a more relaxed and open space. We then settled down on the floor, creating a cozy circle. I found a spot next to James and rested my head on his shoulder, feeling a sense of warmth and security. Olivia made herself comfortable by lying down with her head resting on Max's lap, while Liam perched on the windowsill, a broad smile lighting up his face.

"Hey, Liam," I called out, trying to draw his attention. He turned his head toward me, his smile widening.

"What's up?" he asked, his tone cheerful.

"Why do you have such a big smile on your face?" I asked, noticing that he was holding his cell phone with Messenger open.

"Oh, you noticed," Liam said with a grin. "I've been chatting with Mike."

"Ah, I see. So, what's the scoop? Are you two planning something?" I inquired, curiosity getting the better of me.

"He just asked me out," Liam revealed, his excitement palpable.

Olivia, who had been lying comfortably, sat up with interest. "Oh, where are you guys going?"

"We're just planning to go to Starbucks and then relax at his place," Liam explained.

James, ever the joker, couldn't resist adding his own spin. "Just make sure to wear protection."

Liam's face turned red with embarrassment. "What? You can buy it at Starbucks," James teased.

Liam looked visibly flustered. "Oh my god, maybe he's asking for something specific. I should ask him."

He quickly started typing a message on his phone, his fingers moving nervously. After a brief pause, he received a reply and let out a sigh of relief. "He just wanted to buy candy," Liam said, his earlier anxiety melting away.