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A/N: I WROTE THIS CHAPTER FOR LIKE EIGHT DAYS STRAIGHT... TRYING TO THINK OF A PERFECT PLOT AND TWISTS I HOPE YOU LIKE IT AND YES IT'S LIKE 14717 words. This is going to be the longest chapter in the book and I totally don't blame you if you take like two days to read it but look out for those hints and twists because this ain't your average chapter. I gave my blood, sweat and tears for this! Hope you like it!
𝐈 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐌𝐘𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐅 𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐒, an old letter which Jared had sent me clutched in my hand as I read the address, "73, Rue du Hazard, Versailles." I sighed as I glanced at google maps on my phone.
"Well, we're here- We just gotta find door number 73" I said turning to Judy her face wrinkled from worry. "Are you sure he's alright? What if he isn't even here? His mother could have just kicked him out" Judy said in a shaky voice. "We can try," I said, though doubt gnawed at me.
Ok, so quick summary of what happened: It's been two weeks since summer break started, and Jared hasn't written a single letter to anyone. Suspicious. There are a few possible explanations—his mom might have thrown him out, and he's wandering the streets of France, or worse, he's locked up somewhere, left to starve.
But realistically? If he had been abandoned or stranded, he would've found a way to contact us. He's not that stupid.
Judy and I had tried to come last week, hoping to handle things legally, but getting approval from the ministry was a slow, bureaucratic nightmare. They said it would take at least two more weeks. I could've applied for emergency clearance, but what was I supposed to write as a reason? "I THINK MY FRIEND IS DEAD. NEED TO CHECK." Not exactly the most compelling case.
So, I did what any RATIONAL person would do—I entered the country illegally.
I ran the plan by Lorcan. We decided to tell our parents that he and I were going on a two-day 'brothers' camping trip'. That gave us an excuse to disappear. Meanwhile, Judy had already moved out and was renting a place in London, so Lorcan was staying at her place for the weekend.
And now, here we are—Judy and me, in France.
We walked in the pavements along with many cyclists ringing their bells to clear their path and many residents walking to their workplace. It was pretty lively on the street at 7:00 am. In my town you really can't see many people until 8:00 am.
