Life of A High School Student

Chapter 20: Sightsee

December 22nd, 2018
Sunday...

I had forgotten who had said what exactly they had wanted to do, but I'm sure that wasn't important since we were all going to stay relatively in the same area. The hotel was placed right at the centre of a popular plaza that had bakeries, clothing stores and amazing tourist attractions nearby.

I figured I could get to look around a bit, while the others were doing their own thing.

I made sure I had everything in my bag and exited the hotel. The streets were filled with people from all over the world, not surprising though since it is Winter Break. In all honesty I am a little nervous by myself, but it would have been embarrassing to ask one of my friends to go with me, they were all very independent.

I managed to find my way to a Rose Garden, and in excitement I rushed to enter until I was stopped by a security guard. I looked at him quizzically, wondering what I could be doing wrong but then I realized, there was probably an entrance fee.

"Combien?" I asked.

He gave me a number and I just handed him one of my bills. After the exchange he let me enter. Relieved, my eyes wander as I finally get a good look at the garden and take my camera out, natural scenery always had a sense of peacefulness which I loved. The calming aura to the flowers showed beauty to its appearance.

I had my camera and started to walk around and take pictures. Once I was satisfied I had enough I left the garden and bid the security guard a good evening.

On a park bench a few metres away, I see a familiar figure eating a croissant quietly by himself. I smile and take a picture of his natural stature and then go to join him.

Dante smiles at me as I sit down and he looks at me oddly as I'm eyeing his other croissant.

"Can I have that other croissant?" I show my best puppy face. He rolls his eyes and gives it to me.

I grab it with delight and dig in.

"Thanks, by the way. What brings you here? I thought you would want to stay at the hotel?" I asked.

Dante shrugs his shoulders. "Andrew and Jake stayed behind while Maria and Irene went shopping, so I thought I might as well walk around until I find something interesting to do."

I nod in understanding. There was an awkward silence that followed quickly afterwards, and as much as I wanted to speak up, I had no idea where to start.

The both of us just sit there for a few minutes, until Dante finally manages to look up at me and talk.

"We still have half an hour before we need to head back, do you want to walk around for a while?" He asks me, part of him looks like I'll decline his offer.

I smile at him softly. "Sure, let's go!" I tug his arm excitedly and we start walking around the streets of Paris taking in its beauty that surrounds us.

"You know they called Paris the city of Lights?" Dante said.

I looked at him puzzled.

"Wasn't it the city of Love?" I ask.

"Oh, it was? Must've slipped my mind." He smirked. I avoid his gaze and look at the ground, taken aback.

I look at the time and my eyes widen as it's almost 5 o'clock.

"It's late, we have to get back now!"

Dante reflects the same panicked expression I have. In a swift movement he grabs my hand and starts running with me following shortly behind me. My stomach starts feeling queasy with the physical contact, but it's replaced with somersaults and my feeling of worry goes away.