How Paris Changed My Life

20

The shrill beeping of the alarm clock pierced the silence of the early morning, dragging me from a deep slumber. My groggy eyes fluttered open, and I squinted at the clock's glaring digits. "Already?" I groaned, my voice thick with sleepiness and reluctance.

"Yes, get up," came James's voice from the other side of the room. He was already up and moving with a sense of urgency, pulling on clothes with practiced efficiency. "We don't have much time."

I reluctantly pushed myself out of bed, feeling the chill of the morning air against my skin. I glanced at Kamiel, my ever-faithful pet, who was still nestled in his cage. With a soft sigh, I reached for his food and filled his bowl. After ensuring he had a good breakfast, I gently placed him back in his cage. Kamiel settled down immediately, curling up comfortably as if he had all the time in the world to rest. I couldn't help but envy his ability to stay cozy and carefree while I faced the reality of another school day.

Dragging myself out of the room, I made my way downstairs. The house was quiet, save for the sound of James and Emma moving about. James was already seated at the kitchen table, munching on breakfast, while Emma was nowhere to be seen. I joined James, took a bowl of cereal, and sat down next to him.

We ate in silence, the morning routine feeling almost mechanical. Once breakfast was finished, James and I slipped on our shoes and grabbed our bikes. The ride to school was uneventful, with little conversation between us. The crisp morning air felt refreshing but did little to lift the weight of the day ahead.

As we approached the school gates, Olivia appeared, her face lighting up at the sight of me. We ran to each other and embraced in a warm hug, the kind of spontaneous gesture that brightens the start of any day.

"When were you picked up yesterday?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity.

"Let's not dwell on it now. We can chat about it this afternoon. For now, we need to head to study," I replied, steering the conversation towards our immediate concerns.

We walked together toward the study hall, the chatter of our classmates gradually filling the air. By the time we arrived, the room was already bustling with activity. Max and I took our usual seats and continued our conversation.

"So, are you happy with Olivia? You know, everyone wants her," Max inquired with a hint of envy in his voice.

"I am really happy with her," I said, smiling. "And yes, I know. Didn't you see the looks everyone was giving us yesterday?" I chuckled, recalling the envious glances we had received.

"Silence!" the study master's voice cut through our conversation, demanding attention.

"Ugh, when is she going to retire? I'm so tired of her," Max muttered, earning a soft laugh from me.

"And what about you?" Max continued, shifting the focus. "James wasn't exactly easy to win over, but when he saw you for the first time, it was like love at first sight. In fact, I was the first to know. He didn't want anyone else to know and make fun of him."

"That's true," I agreed, smiling. "But fortunately, things have changed for the better."

Just then, the bell rang, signaling the end of the study period. It was time to return to class. Although our next lesson wasn't so bad, the thought of being confined to the classroom was less than appealing. As we walked to our classroom, we hoped for a bit of luck in finding our teacher absent.

Arriving at the classroom, we were met with an empty space. "The teacher isn't here," I observed with a mix of relief and curiosity.

"And Aiden!" Liam exclaimed, equally pleased. The prospect of a free period was met with enthusiasm.