Désobéissance - Palaye Royale

Chapter 7

VII

DANS LES RUES DE PARIS

Alcohol doesn't help me get my head straight, and at first I honestly think of a hallucination. I try to analyze each part of his face to allow my head to analyze the multitude of information available to me. Those hazel eyes, those long black hair, his pirate hat... no doubt about it. It's him. 

How can you not recognize someone who has spent years decorating your bedroom walls? 

Emerson still has his hand out to me and his worried eyes on me. I seized it with force, not taking my eyes off his, and got up not without a slight dizziness that I put on the account of my advanced alcoholism.

"Are you OK?"

It takes me a while to realize that he just asked me a question. Am I dreaming or is Emerson Barrett really worried about me?

"Oh uh... Yes I'm fine."

I stammer more than I really speak. I feel completely stupid in front of him. Emerson is quickly overtaken by a thin, tall man, whom I identify as Remington, the singer of the group. My eyes widen a little more in front of this other observation. The band seems to be walking quietly in the streets of Paris. I take a quick look at the people who are a little further and recognize the other members of Palaye Royale. There's Sebastien join by Roxanne, Andrew and Brian who holds Kylie by the hand. The latter seems to have recognized me and whispers something in the ear of her boyfriend. They're all there, in front of me and I can't believe it. My mind swirls at high speed, almost making me nauseated. As I get lost in the confusion of my thoughts, I find that Emerson still has his gaze fixed on me, which makes me somewhat uncomfortable. Remington starts talking.

"So ladies! Emerson his hitting on you or what?"

I'm interrupted in my thoughts by this remark which is both funny and unflattering.

"Shut up, man! I just wanted to make sure she was fine!"

"I'll be fine, thank you."

"Apparently Kylie has already seen them, they are auditioning for us tomorrow", said Brian to Emerson, as if we weren't there.

No sound comes out of my mouth. And I notice that neither Carole nor Maxine will be able to do it given their surprised heads.

"And where were you going like that ?" Asked Remington in a very macho tone.

"We were going back to our hotel."

My answer immediately earned me murderous looks from my two friends.

"Very well, come home safe then girls" He said before joining the rest of the group.

Well, it will teach me to always want to tell the truth.

"See you tomorrow then, if I understood correctly."

Emerson said as if he is speaking only to me. I feel like I'm blushing and it bothers me. I don't answer him. He walks away, giving me one last look. I try to sort through my head. Too much informations are jostling at the same time. I feel like I missed something, but I'm not sure what. They disappear from our sight.

"So that... Was... Unreal" Said Maxine, stunned.

"And you 'We were coming back to our hotel' ! Lexie! He was clearly about to invite us to join them!" Shouts Carole, shaking me by the shoulders.

"Sorry... His question caught me off guard!"

"Maybe we should follow them and tell them that we have changed our minds?"

She is seeking approval from us.

"It's not a very good idea..."

"Maxine! Come on! Where did your adoration for Sebastian go?"

"Lexie's right, it's not a good idea! We're not groupies!"

"So what!"

"Carole!" Maxine and I shouted her name in unison, which brings her somewhat to reason.

"Ok, as you wish! But Lexie, you clearly missed the opportunity to spend a very amazing night with Emerson, sorry to tell you!"

"Pff!"

"Yes you are right, you can do it tomorrow!"

I can't help laughing at the falsely casual tone she uses. I take support between my two friends and we leave zigzagging towards our hotel.

After two attempts to enter the hotel entry code, we arrive at the room we share. Carole repeatedly apologizes to a plant that she jostled in the hallway, causing us to laugh. So much that Ellie, who's in the next room, points her head outside. She quickly notices the state in which we are and crosses her arms as if to show us her discontent. Carole wasted no time in telling her about our unusual meeting and she was stunned. And of course our drummer doesn't forget to tell her theory that Emerson only had eyes for me.

"He's doesn't have high standards then!" Says Ellie laughing and inviting me to look at myself in a mirror.

My hair is in fact disheveled, my mascara has flowed somewhat under my eyelids and my eyes are bright and bloodshot.

"Jeez! I look like shit!"

I can only note that indeed I have a horrible face.

"I hope you will not be too hangover tomorrow!" Says Ellie to conclude our conversation.

I hate when she thinks she's more adult than me. But for once, she's probably right.

"Yes, don't worry."

I kiss her on the cheek and join the other two in the bedroom. Carole is already sprawled on the bunk bed without having taken the time to take off her clothes and begins to snore. Fortunately, I thought of bringing earplugs. Even if I know that I will find it difficult to fall asleep after this evening rich in emotions. But contrary to what I thought, I end up letting myself go into a sleep punctuated by images where I meet a charming young man with long black hair and hazel eyes.

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