The French Girl

Chapter 3: Eloise

I finish packing my bags and take them to the front door, the taxi is already waiting at the front door.

"Maman! Je dois partir!" I call into the house. My mother comes down the hall, hugging her cardigan to her chest.

"Soyez prudent, chaton." She tells me, hugging me.

"Maman, je sais que tu es plus prudent après l'accident de Papa et Pierre, mais les aéroplanes sont sûr. Je me sent serais bien." I let go and she helps me take my luggage to the car. I hug her once more before getting into the taxi. As the driver begins to drive, I put in my earbuds and play my favourite song, Dernière Danse by the singer Indila. A few songs later, we pull into the airport. I get my luggage out of the trunk and thank the driver, then go through security and find my plane. I got there before the boarding started, so I sat down in one of the chairs and read a book while I waited. Once I boarded the plane, I found my seat and went back to reading my book.

Time Skip...

I exit the plane and clear customs, then go out to where the cars are. I unzip my hoodie and put my sunglasses on as I look for the people I'm supposed to be meeting. Finally, I see a sign with my name on it being held up by this guy, beside him is a girl leaning against the car. She doesn't look too happy to be here.

"Salut!" I say, smiling at them. "Qui est Haven?" The girl looks at the guy and the two seem to have a silent argument and the girl finally gives in, rolling her eyes at him.

"C'est moi." She says, crossing her arms. "Parlez vous anglais?"

"Oui." I answer. I point to the guy beside her.  "Who's this?"

"This right here is Ryan." She says, gesturing to him. She raises an eyebrow at him and nods in my direction. He realizes what she's telling him and comes over to me.

"Can I help you with your bags?" He asks and Haven chuckles. He turns around and sticks up his middle finger at her. I giggle and nod, he picks up my bags and puts them in the trunk, showing off to Haven. "It's called chivalry Haven. Ever heard of it?"

"Merci Ryan." I say as he holds open the door for me. Haven slides into the passenger seat without a word.

"So, you must be Eloise." He says, looking at me through the mirror.

"That's right." I turn on my phone, revealing multiple texts and missed calls from my mother. "Hang on, I have to let my mom know that I'm safe."

"You have to? You're going to be away for two months, surely she doesn't expect you to check in with her every hour?" Haven quips from the front seat.

"No, it was just after the plane ride." I tell her, putting my phone in my purse. "My dad and my brother died because of a helicopter accident. Maman has been weary of flying vehicles ever since."

"Shit. That must've been tough." She says and even though her words might not be that comforting, I could tell that she was sincere.

"So Eloise," Ryan says, looking between the two of us. "Haven tells me you're a ballet dancer."

"Oui, I am. I study at an academy in Paris." I tell him. At the mention of Paris, I can see Haven's eyes light up a little bit, before returning to her usual glare. "My teacher was a little concerned with me coming here for two months. She was worried I'd get out of practice."

"You won't" Haven looks forwards. "My mom said you'll join my class. We're the same level."

"Oh, perfect! I'm glad I brought my dance gear then." I smile, excited that we found something we have in common. She then turns up the radio, which I'm assuming means that she doesn't want to talk to me anymore, so I take out my book and start reading again.

"How can you read in the car?" Ryan asks, impressed.

"I do it a lot since I have to take the metro to school, so I guess I got used to it." I say, shrugging. Haven looks at him and the two share a silent exchange.

"I think you'll like it here." He says, keeping his eyes on the road.

"Yeah, I think I will." I say, agreeing with him.