Take Me to Paris

Day 2

                                                                                Day 2

‘’Cheese, baguette, onions, bacon, salad…’’

Alexandre read the list he made early in the morning. Amélie was sleeping very peacefully, so he didn’t want to wake her until it was almost nine. While she took a bath and clothed, he took his time around kitchen, thinking of what to make for the breakfast.

The kitchen was quite modern, unlike many others Alex had been in Paris. It had all tools he needed, from a hand mixer, blender, oven and even a dishwasher. He sat on the sofa and took a piece of paper and a pen, writing down all ingredients he needed from the market.

Paris’ market always has fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs and meat. Since there are no tourists around the area that are interested in buying something like that, people who were selling their own products were much friendlier and kind.

Alex took Amélie, knowing this was a good place to start the day and to get to know Parisians and people from the suburbs who took their time to bring what they created to Parisians. Some marketplaces moved from street to street, but they were smaller than the rest.

As Alex put a check beside what they bought, a piece of cheese and some meat, he ran into someone. Looking up at the person, he thought he recognized him.

‘’Pardon…Gabriel?’’

The man smiled, slightly nodding. He never thought he was going to ran into Alexandre, meet up again after what had happened. Gabriel noticed a woman standing next to him, looking confused. He had to admit that if she were Alex’s girlfriend, his friend had a lovely taste in women. Looking at her made Gabriel smile for no special reason. How did she have that kind of effect on him, he had no idea.

‘’Oh, Gabriel, tu m'as tellement manqué! J'espère que vous souvenez de moi.’’ (Oh, Gabriel, I missed you so much! I hope you remember me.)

Amélie smiled awkwardly at the man, understanding it was someone important to Alex. He never said anything about a friend living here, or about any friends at all. She thought they both only had each other and their parents.

‘’Oui, oui, Je me souviens de toi Alexandre. Tu es ma meilleure ami.’’ (Yes, yes, I remember you Alexandre. You’re my best friend.)

Gabriel gave him a man hug, just like they used to do what seems centuries ago. They were best friends ever since Alex had a problem with sleeping while he was here in Paris, so he always went to the rooftop to watch the sparkling Eiffel tower and stars. Gabriel lived in that building too, so when he saw Alex one night, he joined him. They immediately bonded, having quite a lot of things in common. Although Alex had to leave after summer, they spent every night together, in clubs or lying on the rooftop. Gabriel was very shy back then, so he was very happy when he became friends with Alexandre.

‘’Tu as une copine?’’ (You have a girlfriend?)

Alex stood surprised at the way Gabriel was looking at Amélie. She was slightly smiling, making Alex quite jealous. Alex had to admit the tables have turned, Gabriel didn’t have braces now and he was taller and more muscular than him, so he was an opponent for winning Amélie’s trust and heart. Maybe he was overreacting a bit, but Alex was afraid to lose her, especially if the reason is his best friend…or at least ex best friend.

‘’ Amélie est mon amie. Amélie, this is Gabriel, my…friend.’’

She nodded towards Gabriel, not knowing how to respond in French. I’m so learning French, starting today, she thought.