Right Now **EDITING**

The Crash

Virginie's Point of View

September 15th

I wake up full of energy this morning with a raging desire to leave the campus and feel the city. I don't want to go on a tour. I want to discover the city by myself. Even if I don't know my way around very much, the best way to get to know somewhere is by getting lost in it. And that's what I only plan to do. For the first time in my life, I won't plan anything, not even an itinerary, which is a big leap for me. So I get up, get dressed and get out of my dorm with a head full of adventures.

Outside, I breathe in the fresh humid air of the early morning. It's so beautiful, I get chills all over my body. I'm in London!

I walk out of the campus and look at the cars, the buses and the bicycles going up and down the streets of the Strand. I'm very charmed by this urban view and spontaneously decide to go and buy myself a bike to a near shop down the road. I buy a used cheap one and a helmet. I'll be able to use it to go to class. It'll be quicker to ride than to walk from my dorm.

I put my headphones on and start my journey, wherever it leads me. The fact that they drive on the other side of the road messes with my head a little, but the idea of following the traffic helps me be on the right side. I cross a lot of roads and decide to go north. I take in my surroundings. There are lots of tourists in this part of the City. I decide to go on a more deserted road to be free to look around without fearing to be run over by a red double-decker.

As soon as I see a cycle track, I get right on it. I ride through parks I don't know the names of, but it's really the best way to spend my day. I look at the trees and I can tell the leaves are starting to change colours. Fall will be very beautiful here.

I decide to unplug my headphones for a second to hear the birds. I'll have to get back here soon. Everything is so peaceful and just perfect. I'll try to notice the name of the park on my way back.

I must have been riding for an hour now and I don't know where I am. I keep my cool until I leave yet another park and cross a road. I try my best to look at a sign but there is none. The cars seem to go only one way so I follow them. "Spaniards Rd" I read. I look around and I see a huge domain. I'm in awe and see yet another. What is this place?

Right after, all I see are trees on the side of the road and a big red brick wall. Something catches my attention. It smells so good. What is it? Where is it from? It makes me so hungry! What time is it?

I look at my watch to see the time and collide entirely against something I had never seen in my way. The crash was more of a surprise, but I realise the pain I am in when I hit the ground roughly.

I can feel the sting of the scratched skin on my knees and hands. My mind is fuzzy and despite the pain, I can feel more my stomach groan than anything else. My mouth is also dry.

"Ouch!" I let out trying my best to see what's happening in this blurry tornado. My head is spinning so much I can't seem to see properly for a minute. I can't focus on anything going on around me. I try to look around, but only see a blurry big black wall around me.

"Hey! Are you OK?" I'm asked, but I'm too focused on getting back my sight to answer. I take my time and nod trying to stand up. It takes me quite some time, everything's spinning. I try to hold onto everything I can, but two hands help me, keeping me steady.

"I think I've hit something..." I let out, still recovering, looking blindly around me. I hear the person holding me laughing which makes me confused as to why that is.