Chapter 3
I huddled with the rest of the fifteen-member tour group that I'd met moments before.
Hey, when there are only three umbrellas available in a British downpour, you befriend anyone you need to.
'All right! Let's get on the bus and get this tour started! Hopefully the rain will clear out soon!' Kara, our tour guide shouted, as we stampeded onto the tour bus.
Once seated, we were all handed a map showing the tourist locations we'd be stopping at, as well as the emergency meeting spot in case we got separated from the group.
I was completely giddy as we drove around London, stopping to hop out of the tour bus and take pictures of places that I'd only dreamt of until that moment.
An hour into the tour, I looked across the street from the bus and saw the most adorable book shop in the world.
I have to go in!
I figured I'd have enough time to pop in, grab a book or two, and get back well before the tour bus moved on.
It was still drizzling so I grabbed a jacket and dashed across the street into...heaven.
The shop smelled like books and I was completely overwhelmed by the selection.
'You seem like a book lover to me dear.' A nice looking old man said as he walked towards me.
'I really am!' I smiled, 'Do you come here a lot?'
'I should think so, since I'm the owner!' The old man laughed.
He took me through the aisles, pulling out limited editions of books for me to look at and telling me about his favorite stories.
Finally, I picked a book to buy and walked back up to the register.
'For you, no charge. Just visit me again soon eh?' The old man said, and I thanked him before walking out back into the street.
Oh look! The rain stopped!
I smiled, thinking that the other tourists would be happy about this new weather too.
Wait...WHERE IS THE FREAKING BUS?
I ran across the street in a panic and, sure enough, the bus had already left without me.
Checking my watch I realized why - I'd spent an hour inside the book shop.
Why am I such a nerd?!
I ran around the corner of the street and couldn't see the bus anywhere.
I grabbed the map, took one look, and lost it.
'OH MY GOSH I'M LOST IN ENGLAND. I AM AMERICAN. I DO NOT KNOW ENGLAND. I DO NOT KNOW ENGLAND!' I cried, as a couple of passersby stared at me in confused horror.
'Hey, I know England! I can help you out.'
I looked to see a, okay let's face it, gorgeous guy about my age standing in front of me.
He gently took the map out of my hands.
'Well for starters, you've got it upside down!' He laughed.
Reply Seph! REPLY!
I couldn't say anything. All I could do was stare at him as he looked down at my map.
He has was tall, with dark brown hair and a perfect smile.
His eyes were brown but...there was something special about them.
Or something weird.
'Is there something on my face?' He smiled, and I opened my mouth in horror.
'I wasn't! No! I wasn't trying to stare I just - Hi, I'm Seph.'
'Hi Seph! I'm Jim.'
Don't look at his eyes anymore. Just don't.
'I lost my tour and ehm I need to get to the meeting point. If you could direct me there that would be super!' I said.
'Ah I see it here! But you have 4 hours still until you have to meet, are you just going to sit there?' Jim asked.
'Ehm...yeah kinda.' I said.
'How about instead of sitting alone for four hours and missing some of the best sights in London, you come with me instead, I show you everything, and have you back at the meeting spot in time?' He smiled.
YES YES YES SO MUCH YES!
'That sounds good yeah!' I laughed.
Jim took my hand and we walked all over the city.
For some reason, I wasn't even afraid to be with him...I trusted him.
Don't ask me why, I just did.
When our four hours were almost over, I felt like I'd known him all my life.
Seph and Jim...it could be worse.
Sim?
The meeting spot was a fountain and, just across the street, I could already see the tour bus arriving.
'So...this is it then.' Jim said looking down at his feet.
'Would you mind uhm taking a picture with me? Before you go?' I asked.
Without saying another word, Jim had taken my IPhone and snapped a picture.
I didn't get a chance to look at it before I heard Kara screaming my name from the other side of the fountain.
'I hope I see you again, someday.' I said.
Might as well say what I'm thinking, it's not like I have much to lose.
'I have a feeling we'll meet again soon Seph.'
Jim leaned in and quickly kissed my cheek before walking away.
'Seph! SEPH I WAS SO WORRIED!' Kara ran up to me and hugged me.
Kara looked at me, then at the now distant figure of Jim.
'Who was that guy?' she asked.
'No one.' I replied.
No one...except maybe my soul-mate...and I let him walk away.
Go Seph.
