Last Kiss in Paris

Chapter 16 - Agent 007

Suggested Song: STAY by BLACKPINK

Lalalalalala Lalalalalala Lalalalalala
Lalalalalala Lalalalalala Lalalalalala
지금 당장 많은 걸 바라는 게 아냐
그저 내 곁에 stay with me

—

"Is everything alright Amrisha?" Saige asked, looking uncomfortable sitting next to Pierre.
"You look flustered," Alexander noticed.
"Where's Alek?" demanded Amrisha.
"Dunno," Sadipoh shrugged.
"He's hanging out with...ugh," Sophie shivered. "Those boys. I forgot their names, but you know the really bad boys in Class B Pierre used to hang out with?"
"Reggie and his friends?" Buvhi asked. "Davis still hangs out with them sometimes."
"Oh," Amrisha said. "Great. That means he's getting worse."

Amrisha explained what happened that night. Her friends' expressions changed from confusion, to horror, then to anger. Luc and Sadipoh began to shout at Pierre while the others sat in shock.
"I can't believe it," Sophie whimpered. "I've known him since Year 7 and I never bothered to really ask what was wrong."
"He's been doing it for a while you know," Pierre said. "And none of you noticed?"
"It's your fault!" Sadipoh lunged at Pierre, who calmly side stepped. Sadipoh crashed onto the ground and cursed.
"How long have you been involved with this?" Saige snarled.
"I've never done weed continuously, only at parties. Trust me, I was as shocked as you guys when Alek consulted me a few days ago."
"Pathetic. And you just agreed!?" Luc spat.
"Hey, I'm going sober as of today ok? Promise," he turned to face Amrisha. "Right babe?"
"Mhm," Amrisha muttered.
"No wonder he never let me touch his stuff," Alexander grumbled, shaking his head. "And I thought I was bad with vodka."
"Amrisha don't tell me you're gonna trust Pierre after this," Buvhi whispered to her.
"I have to Buvhi," she replied. "Otherwise, I- I might end up like Alek."
"We need to help the poor guy," Luc concluded.

*

The next day, the boys reported that Alek had not returned to their room the previous night. He did, however, turn up bleary eyed and even more gaunt than ever at breakfast. He had even less food on his plate than Sophie, and a large mug of black coffee. Everyone went silent and glanced nervously at each other. "Alek," Luc cleared his throat. "We're sorry we haven't been paying attention to you lately. We know you've been doing drugs man. Where were you last night? We wanna help you."
Alek look unfazed. "Well too late for that," he grumbled, before promptly getting up and moving to sit with Reggie's group.
"Seriously?" Luc began.
"We need to keep on trying," Saige urged. "We have a free day today right? We shouldn't all go out at the same time. Some of us need to stay and keep an eye on him."
"If Alek still doesn't listen by Monday, we have to tell the teachers," Amrisha added.

*

Amrisha yawned. It was late in the afternoon, and it was her, Pierre and Sadipoh's turn to watch over Alek. The others had reported no suspicious behaviour so far, as Alek had hung out with Buvhi and Sadipoh all morning, though he didn't talk much. Amrisha had spent the day cycling around Paris with Pierre and relaxing in parks and beside the Seine. She felt herself falling for Pierre even more despite the events of the previous night. Sophie and Luc, and Saige and Alexander would be going on their first dates somewhere in the city, while Buvhi had gone to watch a soccer game with Davis and Aliza. Alek had decided to come back to the hotel and was now swimming laps in the pool. Amrisha, Pierre and Sadipoh were sitting in the common room, playing cards next to a window where they could spy down on Alek. He'd been swimming for almost an hour, and they were beginning to get bored."Oh look, he's finally done," Sadipoh remarked.
"Quick, let's go," Amrisha got up and threw the gym bag towards Pierre.
"Ok, so here's the plan," Pierre said. "I'll randomly ambush him in the change rooms and ask him where he's going, then I'll text you guys so you can follow him. I'll work out a bit so Alek, I mean, Bumblebee - what a dumb code name - won't be too suspicious."