Tuesday
I sat in the breakfast room, eating my cereal and chatting to Ana about what we'd be up to today when Siva and Tom walked in. I think my heart stopped. He wore black ripped jeans, an old t-shirt with black ray-bans hanging over the collar and his converse, his leather jacket slung over his shoulder as he picked out food.
Sally and Jasmine sat with us, moaning about the French couple that were in the room next door to them.
“They're just so loud.” Jasmine groaned. I smirked and took another mouthful of my cereal, keeping an eye on Tom.
“Where to today?” Jay asked, sitting down.
“Do you not listen to anything?” Sally asked.
He mimicked her and they shared a smirk before being consumed in a conversation between themselves.
Tom sat down, as did Siva. “Good morning, my love.” Siva said, leaning across to peck Ana's cheek. Tom nodded in my direction and I reminded myself to thank him for saving my gurgling stomach from it's death last night.
Tuesday evening
“Why are we doing this?” Nikki asked, stepping onto the boat carefully. We were about to endure a river ride on the Seine.
“It's educational!” One of the teachers said as they counted us for 'safety and security precautions'.
“I'll educate you.” Nikki grumbled, pushing her hair from her face. “I have hair in my lip gloss.” She sighed.
We sat down in rows of four. Of course, it ended up Tom, Siva, Ana and then myself. Me nearest the water. I shivered, the cold air chilling me to the bone. Siva handed Ana his jacket and I sighed with insane jealousy.
Tom's face was emotionless. And if there was any emotion, it would no doubt be boredom.
“Cheer up.” I called across to him, hoping to make him smile at least. He gave a fake smile and I smirked back.
“Don't try too hard, you may burst a blood vessel in your cheek!” This got a smirk from him.
The boat tour began and we sailed along the river, shouting to the people on the bridges above us and the couples walking river side. They waved and laughed back and it wasn't actually too boring. We even got a Titanic rendition from Jay and Nathan, both attempting to sing My Heart Will Go On.
Tom was laughing loudly, for once.
We finished the boat ride and decided to head off for dinner.
Once settled in a small, Italian restaurant, the twelve of us toasted to making the best of the time we had in this beautiful country.
“Siva, could you pass me the water jug, please?” I asked.
“That's not Siva... that's Kumar.” Jasmine told me, quietly. My eyes widened. “I...” They were identical.
“We're twins.” Kumar smiled with the identical grin that Siva had.
“I'm so sorry!” I said, feeling terribly foolish.
“The difference is that I have nose freckles. He doesn't.” Siva said, winking at me. I nodded, taking mental note.
“Right... freckles.” I said.
Tom elbowed me in the ribs. Ouch. “Pass me the salt, will you?” He asked.
“Polite as always.” I said, reaching for it.
“Right, come on. Let's do dares.” Jay announced. I groaned inside. I hate dares.
“Jasmine, drink this.” Nathan said, tipping a large amount of salt into his glass.
“You can fuck off. No way.” Jasmine said, shaking her head as she ate a piece of her pizza.
“I'll do it.” Val said, shrugging. She downed it, much to everyone's surprise. She winced afterwards. “Ewwww!” She said, shivering. I laughed and patted her hand across the table.
“Sophie...” Max said. I sighed and turned to him, crossing my arms and praying for no frogs legs or snails. “I dare you to....” Max looked at Jay for help.
“I dare you to kiss Tom.” Siva said. I frowned in horror, as did Ana. She'd clearly spoken to him.
They thought I wouldn't do it, as did Tom who sat leaning back against his chair, twirling the pasta around his plate with his fork. I took a deep breath and turned in my seat, looking at him.
He didn't look at me, he stayed still, smirking at his spaghetti.
I sat forwards and took his cheek in the palm of my hand, leaning closer, my heart about to break out of my chest and land in his lap.
I kissed him, slowly but firm and the table went silent. Tom dropped his fork and placed his hand on my thigh. Not in a pervy way... but in a nice way. I broke away and saw his expression, shock.
Quickly, his smirk returned and he sat back, biting his lip and tracing his jaw with his thumb but staying silent. He took his hand back and I turned away, fearing that my cheeks were the colour of the dreadful curtains beside us.
Ana cleared her throat.
“I think it's your turn, Siva.” She said. I squeezed her hand under the table to thank her for changing the subject, just at Tom placed his hand on my other one.
