After I Chose You

F o u r

Vlad kissed the ground and Dmitry frowned, his nose crinkling as he exclaimed in disappointment, "It looks like Russia!"

Vlad stood up, eyeing his friend in an irritated manner. "France looks nothing like Russia," Vlad corrected, "It looks like France!"

"Except Russia is more beautiful," I proclaimed, which caused me to receive my own glare from Vlad and a slight smile from Dmitry.

Vlad rolled his eyes and argued passionately, "Russia is not the world! Open your hearts and minds to all this." He then stomped one of his feet, "Learn something!" Dmitry and I exchanged glances and Vlad sighed, "I'm getting emotional...The last time I was in Paris, I was a young man. My waist was like this." With that, he held up his fist, which I assumed represented the size of his waist back in the day, and turned away.

•••

Dima and I walked hand in hand down the crowded sidewalks of Paris. Automobiles honked and hummed on the road beside us and I watched them in a sort of fascination. The people bustling by for the most part, wore casual clothing, and yet is seemed like the most expensive and exquisite attire known to mankind. The sky was blue, but somehow it was bluer in Paris. The clouds were fluffier, the sun brighter, the grass greener, smiles bigger, and love even sweeter. Vlad had been right back then—Paris was beautiful; it made the ordinary seemed extraordinary.

We had visited the Eiffel Tower after breakfast, it being my third time. I had seen it our first day in Paris with Vlad and Dmitry, then on the way to the ballet, and now this morning. I don't think I'd ever get sick of seeing it.

The Eiffel Tower was truly beautiful. Its architecture was seemingly flawless and the patterns within the steel and iron mesmerized me. I had no idea how tall it really was, but I figured it must be ten thousand feet tall at least.

I don't know exactly why I was fascinated with the grand tower—it really was simple compared to the cathedrals and palaces in St. Petersburg. But it was so enchanting, that it didn't matter so much as to why I liked it.

Dmitry and I had walked around for a little while there, laughing, talking, and enjoying each other's company. It was nice, just me and him out together in nature, enjoying an exceptionally beautiful day. He had proven great company, but that was no surprise to me now. It was a funny thing—change. A few months ago I would've laughed at the thought of enjoying a day with the Russian rat, let alone enjoy his company.

It is truly beautiful how people grow.

"Isn't it strange, Anya?" Dima began, starting up small talk after ten minutes of silence between us, "I haven't seen one beggar, one hungry child, one revolution cart, or one officer..."

"Paris is a very different place," I nodded, "But there's more to it than meets the eye."

"What do you mean?" He chuckled, "This place seems perfect!"

I smiled softly, "Seems. There isn't a place unaffected by hardship." Dima nodded in agreement and I continued, feeling a sudden passionate rant coming on, "While there isn't a revolution or officers roaming the city, there are poor here. There are hungry, dirty, and homeless people everywhere, I believe. We just aren't looking in the right place. I think it's a hidden thing here in Paris. This city is known to be and is glamorous and they damage that picture, so they must be outcasted."

Dmitry grinned widely down at me, his brown eyes shining as he spoke gently, "You know, you're brilliant and amazing in every way." I blushed madly and stared at my feet as he continued, "I'm enjoying today, especially because I am learning more about you. It's nice to find out we have so much more in common than I originally thought we'd have on a deeper level."