Tomorrow. Again.

1

Every now and then, it really does not happen that often, you realise that this is what your life has led up to. That this is where you're supposed to be, doing what you're supposed to be doing. That you fought your absolute hardest to get through a degree you didn't particularly like, only to get the job you've always dreamed of. That you cut off a person who had a toxic influence on your life and realise that you did the right thing, that you're able to look forward again and see things in perspective. That you went to an event you did not want to go to because you had a bad day, but have the time of your life, meet a special someone, or make a drastic decision to improve every day that comes after that one.

When Lily put her legs over the ledge and opened her book, she felt just like that. She had dreamed about this moment all her life. A hopeless romantic? Possibly, but as the wind swept through her butterscotch hair and ruffled through her flower dress, as she heard the people around her laugh and speak in a language she could only dream of speaking, Lily realised that her entire life led her to this place: Paris. Although she had never been there before, in Paris she did not feel like a visitor; she felt like she had been reunited with a childhood friend. It felt warmly familiar and like coming home. She knew nothing of the city, except that it was beautiful and that it was hers.

Lily now lived on her own in a tiny little flat and had told no one that she was going to Paris. She saved up all of her money and took a plane. She liked it that way. Paris was her secret; something she did not want to tell others about. She didn't want people asking her how Paris was, because Paris was hers, not theirs, and she did not want to share.

Cars honked, but she could no longer hear them. Lily was reading her book and the world had become Victor Hugo's France. She was there. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, she was pushed and although she could save herself from falling into the water, her book did fall in. Lily was still in 19th century Paris and it took her a long time to realise what had happened.

'Je suis vraiment désolée!' She heard someone say. She turned around, still confused, and was greeted by the most beautiful pair of dark brown eyes.

'I'm sorry,' she said. 'I don't speak French. What just happened?'

The boy put his hand through his hair and smiled sheepishly. 'Apologies. I can speak some English. I wasn't being careful, I was running, but I accidentally ran into you.' He shifted his gaze from her to her book that fell into the water and was slowly sinking. 'Les Misérables? You don't speak French.'

Lily's felt her eyes fill with tears, that she tried to resist. Her dream was currently drowning in the water. 'Translation,' she managed to say, but her voice cracked and the tears she tried so hard not to let go, rolled over her cheeks.

'Oh no, did I hurt you?' The boy asked. He put his hand on her shoulder and looked at her worryingly. Lily shook her head and dried her tears. She pointed at the book. 

'That one was quite special to me.' 

'Why?' he asked.

'It's stupid'

'I'm sure it's not. Tell me.'

Lily chuckled and shrugged. 'That book was my dream.' He gave her an encouraging look. 'Hugo is the reason I'm here. "A breath of Paris preserves the soul". I believe he was right. This city, the people, this all feels like one big dream. It's like I am finally able to breathe. All thanks to that book. I've had it since I was ten. Didn't understand much of it back then and I'd be lying if I said I fully understand it now.'

The boy sat down next to her. 'They've taught me that book since I was in primary school. Everyone in Paris knows it. Few understand it.' Lily laughed. 'I'm Maxence by the way. And again, my apologies. I'd jump in the water and get it for you if it wouldn't be soaked by now.'

'I'm Lily. Don't worry, please don't jump into the water.'

'What if I bought you a new copy. I want to make up for it. And I know I won't be making up for it, since you've had that book for such a long time.' He bit his lip. 'What if I show you Paris?'

Lily chuckled and shook her head. 'I don't care for Paris. I mean, I care for Paris, but not for the reasons why everyone loves it. I feel at home here. I want to talk to the people, go to the quiet little streets, sit in a small cafe with a good book and just be here.'

Maxence got up and extended his hand to her. 'I am one of those people. I can show you the little streets. And my mother owns a small cafe. You can take one of my books to read.' 

Lily realised she did not have much to lose. 'Well. Since you've just drowned my book, it's not like my original plans for today still exist.' She nibbles her lip. 'So I guess that's a yes.'

She took his hand and he pulled her off the ledge.

'Where are we off to first?' Lily asked him.

'Right there,' he said, pointing at something on the other side of the river. 'There's a bookstore. I am first going to buy you a new copy of that awful book you like.'