Welcome to L.A.

Part I: L.A. - The grocery store

The blindfold is off, it's incredible, but there's no way that it's really happening. It's hard to believe it when it has always been both our wildest dream. Mads and I going to L.A. together, living free as birds on the road without any idea of where we'll close our eyes for the night and where we'll be at sunrise...

"Are we where I think we are?"

"If you're thinking about the same thing I am, Mili, yes we are! How does it feel to finally be in L.A.?"

"It feels like I'm dreaming, Mads, it's..."

"Unreal?" Yes, of course it is! As she hugs me sideways, tears slowly start rolling on my cheeks.

"Long year again?" Maddy always knew me as if we were connected. She can read me as easily as she reads a book when no one can. As she's strengthening her embrace, I can finally let go my demons, but couldn't help but sigh.

"Long and rough..."

But she's here now. Nothing else matters. Everything's over, it's all in the past. I missed having her head on my shoulder and I can't believe I've been away from her for so long even if I was living my dream. Nevertheless, it wasn't such a great idea. I hardly survived without my second half.

"Don't feel bad, okay? I know that you're haunted by what happened a few years ago, but don't guilt yourself for living your own life. I told you. You are the big sister I never had. I'll always be there. "

"Until the end." As I put my head on hers, I can feel her head moving as she nods.

" Until the end." Her voice is lighter and slower. Her hand grabs mine as she adds: "We promised each other such a thing almost ten years ago, at graduation, and look where we are now! Don't ever forget that." Trust me, Mads, I won't. Unconsciously, I tightened her hand and started smile.

" I'll never forget you. We've been through so much together, so I guess you're stuck with... " A weird noise just interrupted our moment. Even emotional, this walking endless hole finds a way to be empty.

"Shhhh! Sorry, Mili, I can't shut it down, I'm starving." I can't help but laugh again. All of a sudden, I feel better and I know that she knows what I meant.

" Oh, and you're stuck with me too! I'll even dance on your grave when you'll die!" And here she goes again!

"Not if you die before me!" It's her turn to laugh. Her eyes are full of tears. Out of breath again, she falls on the ground, laughing even more, and more, going on and on like a little girl.

"Hey, don't take it literally! Here, take my hand. Like in the old days." She's still laughing, I can't believe she can laugh for this long.

"Okay..." She focuses on her breath carefully. "Before I forget again, I just want to tell you that that's the Mili I used to know! I'm glad you're back." That's sweet. I needed that. Before I can even move, she's already embracing me as if she saw me for the first time after five years. Even if it's way too tight, I know that I'll remember this moment all my life. It just feels so right.

Back at the car, she hands me a grocery bag full of... candies, chips, chocolates and weird stuff I've never seen before.

"Wait, Mads, I thought that you went for lunch and dinner..." The look on her face isn't good, don't tell me...

"I did, look! We have fruit flavors, meat flavors, weird flavors and cheese flavors."

"You forgot to tell me that chips are made of potatoes too."