BACK AGAIN​- ᴊᴜᴅᴇ ʙᴇʟʟɪɴɢʜᴀᴍ

50

The sun peeked through the thin curtains of our apartment, casting a soft, golden glow over the room as I stirred awake. Jude had already left for training, leaving a quiet calm behind. I stretched out lazily in bed, enjoying the slow start to the morning. Today was one of those rare days where I didn't have anything pressing on my to-do list—no deadlines, no meetings—just a wide-open day to myself. 

The physiotherapy job was on hold, sadly enough, but I didn't mind jsut having a few days to myself until they wer ready for me to work there. I got to spend my days working on the appartement, cooking, wandering about the cities, it was all like I was living in a movie, really.

After a quick shower, I grabbed a croissant from the bakery down the street and decided to take the metro into the heart of the city. I'd been meaning to explore more, maybe check out some galleries or just get lost in the winding streets, the way you always hear people talk about when they come to Paris. The city had a rhythm all its own, a hum of life that never seemed to stop, but in the quieter moments, it felt like it was all mine to discover.

The metro station wasn't far from the apartment, and I quickly descended the stairs, navigating the familiar routine of ticket machines and turnstiles. The platform was bustling, as usual—people rushing off to work, students with backpacks slung over their shoulders, tourists with maps and wide eyes. I found a spot on the bench and pulled out a book, letting the city's movement swirl around me as I settled into the story.

When the metro finally arrived, I stepped into the carriage, grateful to find a seat by the window. As we rattled along through the city, I couldn't help but watch the people around me, each one wrapped up in their own world. It was a habit I'd picked up living here—watching, observing, wondering about the lives that intersected with mine, even if only for a few minutes.

I was absorbed in my book when I felt someone sit down next to me. A quick glance revealed a girl about my age, with short-cropped hair dyed a vivid shade of teal and a warm, carefree smile. She caught me looking and grinned, her eyes lighting up with amusement.

"Hey," she said, her accent unmistakably American. "You're reading Le Petit Prince in English? Isn't that like... Parisian blasphemy?"

I laughed, closing the book slightly. "I guess it is, but I'm still working on my French. It's more of a crutch until I can get through it without Google Translate."

She nodded knowingly. "I've been there. I moved here a few months ago, and the language is still kicking my butt." She extended her hand. "I'm Sam, by the way."

I shook her hand, feeling instantly at ease. "Nice to meet you. I'm—" I hesitated for a second, then added with a smile, "Still trying to figure out what I'm doing in Paris."

Sam laughed. "Aren't we all? But what"s your name?" she added, laughing more. Her laugh was really contagious, like it brought life to silence.

"Sorry, I'm Vina, nice to meet you," I laughed.

The conversation flowed easily after that. Sam was from New York, working remotely for a tech company, and had decided on a whim to move to Paris for a year. She had this infectious energy about her, like she was always on the lookout for her next adventure. By the time we reached my stop, she glanced up and asked, "Got any plans for today? I'm heading to this little café near the Marais. It's kind of a hidden gem if you want to join me."

I hesitated for only a second. My day had been open anyway, and something about Sam made it feel like the universe was offering me a new experience. "Sure, why not?"

We hopped off the metro together, chatting about everything and nothing as we wandered through the streets. The café she led me to was tucked away in a narrow alley, the kind of place you'd never find unless someone told you about it. It was tiny, with mismatched chairs and an old record player spinning soft jazz in the corner. The smell of fresh coffee and warm pastries filled the air, and it instantly felt like the kind of place I'd want to spend hours in.

Sam ordered us both cappuccinos, and we grabbed a table by the window, watching people pass by outside as we sipped our drinks. Conversation flowed easily between us, like we were old friends catching up after years apart. We talked about everything—how strange it felt to live in a foreign country, the quirks of French culture, our favorite places in Paris so far.

"I think I love the randomness of it all," Sam said, stirring her drink thoughtfully. "One minute, you're walking through history, passing by these ancient buildings, and the next, you're in the middle of this modern, bustling city. It's like time overlaps here, you know?"

I nodded, understanding exactly what she meant. Paris had a way of making you feel both grounded in the present and deeply connected to the past.

As the afternoon wore on, we decided to check out a little vintage shop nearby that Sam had been raving about. Inside, the shop was a treasure trove of trinkets—old postcards, antique jewelry, and worn-out novels stacked high on shelves. We wandered through the aisles, picking up random objects and laughing at the oddities we found.

"Look at this," Sam called out, holding up a tiny porcelain cat wearing a miniature top hat. "It's so ridiculous, but I kind of love it."

I laughed, shaking my head. "You have to get it now. It's fate."

By the time we left the shop, Sam had the tiny cat in her bag, and we both had that light, giddy feeling that comes from spending an unexpectedly perfect day with someone new. As we walked back toward the metro station, the sun was starting to dip low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the buildings.

"You know," Sam said, turning to me with a grin, "I didn't expect to make a new friend today, but I'm glad I ran into you."

"Me too," I replied, smiling. "Paris feels a little less overwhelming now."

We exchanged numbers before parting ways at the station, promising to meet up again soon. As I rode the metro back home, I found myself reflecting on the day, feeling a warmth spread through me. It was strange how the city could surprise you, how in the middle of a routine day, you could meet someone who felt like an instant connection.

By the time I got back to the apartment, Jude was already home from training, stretched out on the couch with a game on TV. He looked up when I walked in, raising an eyebrow. "You look like you've had a good day."

I smiled, dropping my bag by the door and heading over to sit beside him. "I did, actually. Met someone on the metro. We ended up spending the whole day together. It was... nice."

He grinned, pulling me into a lazy hug. "Making friends already, huh?"

"Yeah," I said, leaning into him and giving him a soft kiss. "Don't worry, I won't replace you," he laughed and rolled his eyes.