Chapter 17

"Sorry," I said, helping Etienné to stand up.

"Please maintain distance, I need to breathe," he said walking away from me. Confused, I stood where I was.

"Umm....are you okay?"I asked and he nodded

"You sure?"I asked concerned

"Sure," he replied

"How do I look?"I asked, twirling.

"Good," he answered.

"Just good?"I asked feeling disappointed. Why? I didn't know.

"Breathtaking," he said and I blushed.

"You're acting weird," I stated

"Is it okay if I go outside for fresh air?" he asked.

"Yeah sure, "I replied.

Maybe it was the dress I wore. I shrugged. I liked the dress so I was going to buy it. I paid for the dress and left the shop. I looked around but couldn't find Etienné.

"Hey," Etienné said, making me jump

"Hi, where did you run off to?"I asked with folded arms.

"Horning my poetry skills," he teased.

"Really huh?"I asked.

"Yup," he said, popping the p.

"Then create poetry from anything around us except me, "I said, challenging him with a smile.

"Your wish is my command," he said.

"This one goes to the sunset," he said and I nodded.

"The sky is ablaze with the fire of the setting sun. The yellow ball of fire changes into hues of orange and almost tangerine. It merges in the sky like a juice mix dissolving in a glass of water. The clouds are like cotton candy, as though they were blushing from the warmth of the sun. Silhouettes of birds flew across the sky that is now magenta. The mauve of the dusky sky intensified and in just a while the biggest star had set making way for a thousand more."

I clapped, surprised he came up with that. He smiled.

"I surprised, didn't I?" he asked.

"Pretty much. Don't tell me you took poetry classes?"

"I did. I hated it but I had to," he replied.

"How about a little stroll?" he asked

"Why yes my good sir, "I said and intertwined my hand with his.

~~~~~

"Did you call that a little stroll?"I asked, trying to catch my breath.

"Why are you complaining? I told you we should hail a cab but you said no 'you want to burn some calories. Look where that has gotten us." he said.

"Calm down tiger, it's not like we knew we would end up with labored breaths," I said.

"I knew but you didn't listen," he said with a frown.

"Brighten up already, "I said and laughed, making him smile.

"I love it when you laugh," he commented.

"Thank you," I said timidly.

Really?. My subconscious asked. What else did she expect me to say?

I sat down on a bench and Etienné sat beside me. It was dark already and Etienné had brought me to the Eiffel tower. He had told me that it would be more beautiful when the lights came on.

"I shouldn't have walked with you, my legs hurt"Etienné complained

"I didn't force you, "I muttered underneath my breath but he heard me anyway.

"I didn't want you to get lost." His concern for me turned my heart into puddles.

"Thanks, "I told him and he smiled.

Silence.

"Let's walk around, "Etienné announced.

"My legs hurt, "I whined.

"Stand up," Etienné commanded, making my insides turn to jelly. There was just something attractive about men who were in control. He hauled me off the bench.

We 'walked around'–Etienné walked around while he dragged me–I stopped to buy ice cream–which Etienné refused to let me eat at first but later agreed– I stopped to look at charm bracelets even though I knew I wasn't going to buy them.

"It's time. Come on Hazel let's go," he said, gripping my wrist.

"But....." he cut me off

"But nothing. Just run and don't ask questions."

I nodded and ran without asking questions. We stopped in front of the Eiffel tower.

"Just in time, "Etienné muttered with a smile.

"The lights aren't....."

I couldn't complete my sentence and lights began to shimmer from the tower.

"Is it okay if I cry?"I asked.

"Yeah sure, "Etienné answered.

I let out a fake cry and Etienné laughed.

"You're something else, Hazel," he said.

"I know, "I said with a smile.

"It's beautiful though, "I said, admiring the lights coming from the tower.

"I know," he said looking at me and I blushed.

"I've watched the light show a lot of times but with you, it's like a variety of emotions with different flavors bursting inside of me," he said but this time he was looking at the tower.

"Is it like that with Meredith?" I asked and instantly regretted it.

"No." he frowned.

"If you were trying to flatter me, it didn't work, "I said, trying to change the air around us.

"I could try more of my boyish charms on you," he said.

Playful Etienné was back.

"Yeah right," I said.

"Can we climb?"I asked.

"Yes but not tonight," he answered.

"Why?"I asked curiously.

"Because it's dark," he replied.

"I still want to climb it, "I whined.

"I can't," he said with a sad expression.

"You're afraid of heights aren't you?"I asked.

Silence.

"Are you?"I asked again and he nodded.

"Everyone's afraid of something".I said, trying to comfort him.

"What are you afraid of?" he asked.

"The dark." he laughed and I frowned. He seemed to notice the frown etched on my face.

"You're serious?" he asked.

"Yes, and you just made fun of me, "I said with folded arms.

"I didn't mean to," he said apologetically

"I know. Let's go home" I said with a smile.

~~~~~

We talked a lot on our way back home and this time we hailed a cab. My legs would have died if I continued walking.

"Thank you, "I said once we were in front of our apartment.

"For?" he asked.

"For making today special"

"No problem," he said.

I turned to open my apartment door, instantly I felt a force hurl me back and I felt warm, soft lips colliding with mine