A Night in Reims
She breathes in the sharp cold winter breeze. Inhaling through her nose, bringing air into her tobacco-stained lungs.
The clickety-click of her black polished moccasins resonates in the streets of the old city. Somewhere on the other side of the town, a train departs, carrying those unfortunate enough to work in the early hours of the day.
The crisp air makes her conscious of the dryness of her lips and as she licks them to soften their touch the taste of sweet white wine makes its way back into her mind.
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It had been an exciting student party, one she would cherish in her memories. They were all Master students now and the drinking games and chugging of beer had made place for fancy three-course dinners accompanied by quality wine and engaging conversations about society, art and city life.
These parties unblocked something in her and liberated her from the sometimes unbearable repetitiveness of daily life. Filling her with a comforting sensation, conversations suddenly flew out of her.
The atmosphere mixed itself with the jazz music and the lights from the chandelier and the melting candles on the table became blurry in her eyes. As she subtly escaped to the balcony to light up a cigarette, the chestnut haired boy who sat in front of her took place next to her. He gently placed his hand in the hollow of her back. Their eyes found each other while she helped him light up his cigarette. They used to take the same Economic class, but in the University of Reims, knowing everyone was a game lost in advance. Still, somehow, amidst the crowd of similarly dressed hipster students, she recognized him. His friends had the habit of shouting his
name – Étienne – whenever they met before class, in the long corridors leading to the lecture room.
Amused by her unsuccessful attempts to light the cigarette against the wind’s current, a smile formed at the corner of Étienne’s mouth. They introduced themselves to each other, talked about the gentrifying neighborhood and shared embarrassing stories about the host, whom both knew only briefly.
A compliment, a lingering look and a sudden longing emerged from within her. The silhouettes united in the dark, their hands entangled as their lips found each other’s warmth. His arms enveloped her waist and as she breathed in the scent of the cologne in the hollow of his neck she
felt a sense of peace engulfing her from within.
She imagined the lipstick smeared on her chin, her bewildered hair and unbuttoned shirt after this brief moment of lust would have come to an end. He loosened his grip on her, took a step back and slipped back into the living room after placing one last kiss on her cheek.
For a short time, she remained standing there on the balcony with the wind blowing in her face. The perfection and fragility of the gone moment hit her but she prefered not to think about it.