1912

I handed my passport to the flight hostess who’s smile was so plastered on that it was a little creepy.

“Alright, everything appears to be in order, go through and enjoy your holiday to France!” she said, her eyes almost popping out of her head in enthusiasm.

I waited for my best friend, Evangeline-Eva for short, so that we could go through to the plane together. This was our first holiday together, and I wanted the two of us to be able to remember all of it together.

“Are you ready for this?” She asked, her tone implying that she wasn’t. Hell yeah, I was ready! I had been ready for this my entire life.

“Um, yeah, this is Paris we’re talking about! The place we’ve been dreaming about since we were practically in diapers,” I said dramatically. That’s kinda my thing, being dramatic.

“Ok, then, say good bye to Alabama,” she sighed turning and looking at minuscule building that is Dothan Regional Airport.

“I don’t think that’s going to be too hard,” I said dismissively as I hauled my SportsGirl duffle bag back onto my shoulder and started to walk onto the plane.

“Hey! Wait for me!” Eva said, jogging up to me, her elbow length auburn hair swaying as she did so. Another smiling air hostess greeted us at the door of the plane and handed us a blanket, ear plugs, a pillow and earphones.

We eventually found our way to half way back the economy section, and sat down at seat 42A and 42B after having a squabble about who got the window seat (me, after some convincing). We sat down and clicked our seat belts together and the plane took off. After about 15 minutes of finding out what movies were on and asking when the food came around, we finally settled down.

“I think we should talk about it Mags,” Eva said, using her favorite nickname for me.

“No,” I said instinctively. It was like a chain reaction now. She had asked me so many times now that I was used to it.

“Margarita,” said Eva, using my full name, as though I was in trouble.

“Yes, Evangeline,” I teased, trying to change the subject. We were about to spend 3 months together, and if we started it fighting it would be spoiled.

“If you aren’t ready to talk about it yet, that’s fine,” she said innocently, shrugging her shoulders, “But if you need a shoulder to cry on-”

“I’m FINE Eva, ok?” I snapped. I instantly regretted it.

“Look Eves, I’m sorry. It was just too hard to live through once without retelling it,” I said softly, offering a weak smile as a peace offering. “But when I am ready to talk about it, you’ll be the first person I tell.”

“Alright,” said Eva, and just like that we were friends again. It’s awesome when you have someone like that, when you can make up instantly. After that, we launched into a conversation about the awesome French clothes, guys and our side trip to Italy.

But my mind was still on our previous conversation. Billy cut me deep. Real deep. I was still in love with him, but what he did to me was unforgivable. I just needed to get away. To get away from him. That was one of the main reasons I decided to come to Paris.

Well that, and the shoes.

* * *

“Attention flyers this is your captain speaking. Your flight is half way through, with only about 4 hours and 45 minutes until you arrive in Paris,” said the deep, slow voice of the captain over the speaker. “Our stewards will be bringing around some hot beverages in just a moment, so please make yourselves comfortable. Thank you.”

This announcement was met by many groans from the sleeping passengers. I, on the other hand could never sleep on planes, and hot beverages meant only one thing to me. Coffee!

“Ugh!” groaned Eva as she stretched her arms, almost knocking me out. “Why did he have to wake us up? Oh, well, I may as well get some tea while I’m up.”

“Uh-huh,” I said absent-mindedly as I watched the liquid gold coming down the aisle. I wished other people would stop asking for drinks. They were wasting precious time.

Finally she made it to us and I put my hands around the Styrofoam cup contentedly and took a sip. Heaven.

“I’m glad we’re almost there,” I said, now able to speak because I’d had my cup of Joe. “I so can’t wait to see our hotel!” That was where our parents had chipped in. We were staying in a four star hotel within walking distance of the metro, and a view of the Eiffel Tower.

“I know! It’s going to be great!” Eva exclaimed. “I think we should go to the Eiffel Tower the day after we arrive.”

“Agreed!” I said putting the earphones back into the tiny TV on the back of my seat and watching the rest of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.