Julia's POV
My skin trembled as the warm water coming from the shower head hit my skin.I closed my eyes,relaxing.I dragged the sweet smelling soap all over my body.After my shower,I stepped out of the shower, my body wrapped with a thick towel.I walked out of the bathroom,stopping by Marie's room.
"Hey,where exactly are we going to?" She turned to me while putting on an earring.
"Relax,Julia.We're just having a stroll through the city.It's not like we're going to a fancy restaurant.Brady's on his way by the way."
"Okay." I dragged the word as I walked away to my room.
I quickly got dressed into a simple outfit,took out my bun and brushed out my hair.My phone rang as I was brushing.Seeing the caller I.D,I picked it up.
"Hey,Brady.You're here already?" I got up from my vanity to grab my purse.
"Yesssss.So where are we going?"
"I don't know,Marie said we're just having a stroll through the city."
I closed my bedroom door,signaling Marie that Brady arrived.We walked out,me waiting for Marie to lock the door whilst talking to Brady.After she was done,we made our way down the stairs.
"What? I'm dressed so fancy.I figured we were going to a restaurant." Same.
"I thought so too.It's okay,you're British.British guys always dress nice don't they?"
"Ha-ha.Real funny,Julia.I guess you're kinda right." He chuckled.
I hung up as soon as we reached ground floor.Brady was leaning up against a lamp post.
"You walked?"
"My car sorta died while I was trying to start it.Sorry,girls." Brady said.
"You goof." I nudged him.
"Let's go eat first.I'm starving." Marie said in between laughs.
"Any suggestions where? Marie? Julia?" Brady questioned.
"McDonald's!" I answered excitedly.
"McDonald's it is then."
(Fast forward to McDonald's.)
"So,why are we going out so suddenly?" Brady asked.
"We're celebrating this blessed day." Marie said simply.
"Why is it blessed?" Brady took a bite
out of his burger.
"Julia's found a new guy.Who seems really nice." I kicked her under the table and she gave me a stern look.
"I don't know what she's talking about.I don't have a new guy. Geez Marie,that makes me sound like a slut."
"Do I need to check him out first?" Brady said seriously.
"No."
"Where'd you guys meet?" Not done interrogating me are we? I'll leave it to Marie to answer his question.
"At our usual hangout spot during lunch hours.You didn't come with us today so you didn't get to see that gorgeous man." Marie winked at me.
"Are you sure he's nice? Last time I checked,Ben was a..."
"Bugger and an arsehole." Ben and Marie said simultaneously.
"He really does seem nice though." I finally said something.
This happens every single time I encounter the other gender.It's almost like a ritual.Where did you guys meet? Is he nice? Should I go check him out?
We were walking down the streets now as I linked my arms through Brady's and Marie's arms.The air was cold.Every exhalation created ghostly plumes of my breath before dissipating into the breezy air.The streets were wet due to how much it's been raining. I don't mind the rain.I actually enjoy it while most don't.
"Hey,you guys wanna ride the London Eye? I've never been on it before." They both stared at me in shocked,stopping in their tracks which caused me to lurch forward slightly but I was secured in their arms.
"You haven't rode the London Eye before? Julia Sanderson,you have literally been in London for 2 years now and you're telling us that you've never been on it before?" Brady said shaking his head.
"Well,I'm sorry,I've been busy writing my novel."
"Have you finished it by the way?"
"Not...yet.Hey,writing a novel takes a while.I need to find inspiration every single time I write and I have to...I have to...I've been having writer's block recently." I whispered the last part.Every writer's nightmare.
"Cheers to you for not giving up." Brady patted my head.
"Yeah,kudos to you,darling.Let's show her what London looks like at night,Brady.It's really beautiful." Marie said linking her arm back with mine,Brady doing the same. "Let's go now,it's freezing."
We walked faster,which made me giggle at how silly my friends are.I miss my friends back in Washington DC.I mean my friends here in London are nice too but my friends in Washington DC are my old friends.The best people I could ever have met.
We made it on the South Bank of the River Thames at last.Brady and Marie paid for the tickets even when I insisted on paying since I was "new".They fought against me as if it were a debate competition saying it was their treat to me.
Stepping into the eye,I could already see the skyline of the city.It was stunning. The lights coming from the city was so magnificent as if the city was having a festival.
While it's basically a Ferris Wheel, it's absolutely nothing like the ones you rode as a kid.The passenger capsules were big enough for people to walk around in.They're glass enclosed on all sides so we can see the view.
I could see Big Ben,the Tower of London and many more of London's most famous landmarks.Oh,how I hope to go near Big Ben later to hear Ben himself strike the midnight hour. I've never had the chance too.I know,I know.I'm being such an old woman. 2 years of staying here and I've only just started sight seeing.
I was having the time of my life until I saw someone I was hoping to see but at the same time don't. I felt like I literally couldn't breathe.I closed my eyes really hard and open it again to make sure I wasn't in a bad dream.I took a seat and took deep breaths.Marie noticed me and sat down next to me.
"What's wrong?" I jerked my head to the left. "I don't see anything."
"Look down." I said.
"What? Oh." She came back to me. "Holy shit.Julia,you have to go for it." She said linking arms again.
"What are you girls chatting about?" Brady walked up to us.
"It's that gorgeous man we met before." Marie winked at him.
"Where?"
"I don't think you can see him anymore.He's way below us.Maybe later we'll bump into him."
"Marie." I whined softly. "I won't know what to say."
"I'm sure once we get down,you'll know what to say." She rolled her eyes at me.
Once the ride was over,we walked out arm in arm with each other only to see him sitting on a bench with his head in his hands.He looked like he was having a rough day.I hope it wasn't me that caused it.Marie gave me a stern look.I ignored her,walking past him.
"Julia?"
Shit.
