And Then There Was Us

1 + Goodbye Strasbourg, Hello Mayhem

If you were given a chance to live in one of the best cities in the world, wouldn't you be thrilled to the brink of madness? When I finally got the letter of acceptance, winter was fading and summer was starting to simmer. It felt more legitimate because I received their acceptance notice through a hand written letter. These days, who does that? It made me love Eos Ltd. even more. The smell of ink and the eloquent calligraphy drove me wild with happiness, and it smelled like espresso. Now what book lover would not be jubilant with that?

I know my life would change from then onward; finally, a place where I have the option of drinking wine or not. Moving to London had caused me a bit of a problem about what books to bring with me. One cannot simply leave their beloved books and forsake them to collect dust while they're away. It's a colossal pain to only bring a few

Alsace will always be my home. I'll miss the vast vineyards that showcase warmth from dawn to dusk, the sweet smelling flowers inside reused barrels, and the night sky that stares back at you so lovingly. It's a small place compared to London. 

When I arrive at Knightsbridge, tiny raindrops are drizzling from the light grey clouds and little puddles of water are scattered everywhere. Today's weather is that one you'd want to wake up at. I look up and check if I got the right address. From the look of it, I seem to get it correct. In front of me is a exquisite seven-storey building. The letter tells me I will be residing in a penthouse. I doubt it will get better than this.

"Lucy!" I was about to open the front door to the building's welcoming room and I hear someone call my name out loud. I can identify that voice in a heartbeat. I turn around and I see a black car pulling up. A girl comes out of the vehicle; wearing a crimson trench coat, knee high boots with her thick dark locks flowing down to her chest. She walks towards me and that's the time when I fully recognize her.

"Lois?" I smile half-heartedly. I am happy she's looking great but I am more surprised about how puberty treated her. She became the beauty no one in Strasbourg expected. She gives me a warm embrace while I awkwardly pat her back.

"Oh how I've missed you," she coos.

Her name is Georjane Lois Devra. Her family of Iris-Scottish descent moved in Strasbourg when she was two years old. We were childhood best friends until she moved to Brussels to pursue higher education. We lost connection and God knows how many letters did I wrote for her. I was and still am hurt when she returned none of my letters. From what I'm seeing, it seems to be that she's doing alright.

She pulls away and gently kneads my forearms, "It's been so long."

I don't know what to reply. I want to say something delightful but there are times that my tongue gets in the way when I talk. "It wouldn't feel that much if you replied to any of my letters," I respond. 

"Oh sweetheart, I am truly sorry about that. I'm busy with college, a part of growing up that you always avoid. Did you ever went to a coffee brewery school?" 

"Uh, no. I got a paid apprenticeship here in London."

"Oh," she gives me the look will make you know she doesn't give a damn. "Listen, I feel sorry for not staying connected with you. Give me a call whenever you're free. I know some amazing coffee shops and I think you will fall in love with all of them. I owe you an apology Lucy, I'm really sorry. I have to go now."

She hands me a business card and carefully walks backwards. "Take care okay? And welcome to London!" she smiles brightly before entering the vehicle. I slip the card inside my pocket and enter the building after the car disappeared. 

-

Damn is the only thing I can say when I got inside the sixth floor. The modernized interior is amazing. The housekeeper tells me to stay in the reception hall while she calls the owner of the penthouse. No one is around so I will not settle at the couch, I have to walk around and explore a bit. At the other corner of the room stands a white grand piano. Who wouldn't try playing it in an empty room? Not me.