Through You

Chapter 10 - Sweet Moments

The late afternoon sun bathed the streets of the small town in a gentle warmth. Jeanne and Thomas walked side by side, their steps naturally in sync, without even paying attention to it. Their shadows stretched lazily on the sidewalk, and the sounds of the town, mingled with the laughter of children playing in the parks, composed a reassuring background melody. Since their reconciliation, they had regained the closeness that bound them, an almost sibling-like bond that neither arguments nor silences seemed able to break.

Thomas, with his hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans, glanced at Jeanne from time to time. There was no need for words between them; sometimes a smile or a look was enough. She wore a light dress that danced with the rhythm of her steps, her hair flowing in the warm breeze. Their relationship, always marked by deep friendship, had never needed to be defined.

They slowly made their way down the main street, where all the shopkeepers were closing up for the day. A few passersby greeted them, and Jeanne, always smiling, returned the greetings with a nod or a wave. A brief silence settled between them, but it was neither awkward nor heavy; it was comfortable, natural.

As they reached the beach, the salty sea air welcomed them with a gentle breeze. Thomas took off his sneakers and hung them from his fingers, while Jeanne did the same, letting her bare feet sink into the warm sand. The sea was calm, almost hypnotic in its movements, and the waves lapped the shore in a soothing rhythm.

Thomas bent down to grab a handful of sand and let it slip through his fingers. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, then smiled before tossing a small handful at her feet. Jeanne stopped suddenly, surprised, then burst out laughing. She bent down to scoop up some sand in return and threw it back at him in a golden splash. Their laughter blended with the sounds of the waves, and for a moment, it felt as though they were alone in the world, sheltered from everything.

They eventually sat facing the ocean, their feet in the water, remaining silent as they watched the horizon. Thomas let out a soft sigh, his face turned toward the setting sun, while Jeanne closed her eyes, savoring the calm. She finally turned her head to look at him, a peaceful smile on her lips.

"It feels good, doesn't it? The calm," she said softly, breaking the tranquility of the moment without truly disturbing it.

Thomas nodded without looking at her, still fixated on the horizon. "Yeah... I need it."

They fell silent again, allowing the quiet to take its place. Jeanne gently rested her head on Thomas's shoulder, and he didn't move, accepting the natural gesture between them.

A little later, they left the beach and walked back up the street toward Thomas's house. The late-day light cast a golden hue over the small town, and a few children still played in the streets, their laughter echoing through the alleyways. Thomas lived in a small house on the outskirts of town with his parents and younger sister-a modest but warm family.

Upon entering his home, they were greeted by the enticing smell of dinner. Thomas's mother, a warm woman with a welcoming smile, was preparing the meal while humming a soft melody. "Ah, Jeanne!" she exclaimed upon seeing her. "It's nice to see you. Are you staying for dinner?"

Jeanne smiled and politely replied that she didn't want to intrude, but Thomas's mother insisted kindly. "Come on, you're part of the family."

Thomas and Jeanne quickly went upstairs, where his little sister was already waiting for them with a video game. She loved having Jeanne over, considering her almost like a big sister. The evening passed lightly, filled with the laughter of the three young ones and warm conversations around the table, punctuated by teasing and family anecdotes. It felt like a cocoon, a moment where everything seemed simple and uncomplicated.

A little later, Mattheo and Lynne joined them, as planned. The small house filled with cheerful chatter, and all four of them went out into the garden to enjoy the gently stretching evening. Conversations flowed back and forth, but sometimes silence fell, natural and comfortable, each person content to enjoy the others' presence.

The sky was already tinged with stars when Jeanne decided it was time to go home. "Do you want me to walk you back?" Thomas offered, always protective, but she gently shook her head.

"No, I'm fine. I want to walk a bit." She smiled at him before taking the path home.

On her way back, the coolness of the falling night brought a sense of calm. The streets were deserted, and only the sound of her footsteps echoed on the cobblestones. When she arrived home, she let out a sigh of relief upon finding the silence of her room. She flopped onto her bed, exhausted but happy from the day shared with Thomas and the others.

She took her phone out of her pocket to check the time and noticed several notifications. A message from Ethan caught her attention right away. Her brows furrowed slightly as she read the beginning of the text, but she decided not to delve deeper for now. That could wait for later.

Finally, she set her phone on her nightstand, leaving the rest of the world behind, just for a moment. With thoughts still full of the day's laughter, she closed her eyes, savoring this fleeting peace.