"Let's go explore!" I shouted while dodging Jackson. I turned around and saw his back stiffen a little... then he turned around to expose the same playful grin I was used to and locked arms with mine.

I followed along with his pace.

"Let's go shopping first because I know a lot of boutiques. And there's probably a lot of museums and galleries you want to visit? But there's usually a lot of line ups, especially at The Louvre... but we have some time and a private car so I'll give you a tour..."

"Alright, but let's eat first..." he smiled and then took me to a place nearby for brunch. After loading up on some baguettes we traveled to the Eiffel Tower. The closer I got the more amazed I was by its' grandeur.

"Let's take some photos!" Jackson tugged the edge of my coat and pulled me forward. He brought out his phone and selfie stick and I scoffed... of course he carried that around with him.

I took some photos on my own and explored the grounds.

We then headed over to The Louvre and as expected there was a line up. But Jackson was surprisingly patient and after 2 hours we entered the museum...

I was able to see living pieces of art history in person. Not from a picture book or text book, but in person and it was... an indescribable feeling. Seeing the Mona Lisa, Caravaggio pieces, various iconic portraits centuries old and of course sculptures like the Venus de Milo... I almost broke into tears...

I don't know how long I sat in front of The Liberty Leading The People until Jackson gently touched the top of my shoulder...

***

"Did you enjoy yourself?" we had left the museum some time ago and had gotten some latte's nearby at a cafe. We were now heading to our next destination, The Palace of Versailles.

"This is a dream come true to be honest..."

Jackson pointed out a few places outside of my window while we were driven to the Palace... I was amazed by design of the gardens, the lively water fountain, and the majestic architecture inside which shone like a golden sun... 

By the time we had finished another tour I was exhausted... we had spent an entire day out. When Jackson suggested we head back and eat I immediately agreed.

Afterwards, we walked back to the hotel. It was nearby the restaurant we had dinner at...

"Let's check out a winery tomorrow."

"You've got to be kidding me. Drinking got us into this mess..."

"You can't come to Paris without trying local wines. I know a place..."

"We need to go back soon..."

"Alright, we'll leave tomorrow night but let's explore some more places alright?"

I sighed... how could I explain this to everyone? Even though this was one of the best days of my life...

When we got upstairs Jackson and I took off our coats again.

"I can send someone for clothes tomorrow. We forgot about that," he chuckled.

"Really, it's alright."

"It's no trouble. When I visit I frequent their shop. Their independently owned."

I exhaled while sitting down... it felt like I could fall asleep in seconds.

"Although this was an accident... did you have fun...?" I looked up at Jackson who was pouring himself a glass of water. He turned to me slightly and smiled.

"Of course... it's been a dream of mine to visit Paris."

Before he replied I heard the door key unlock and Jackson sighed. I wondered what was going on but seconds later someone opened the door and entered the room... my jaw nearly dropped.

Kai?!

I wanted to crawl under a rock... why was he here?

My heart started beating as rapidly as a hummingbird's wings taking flight.

He looked agitated... 

"Jackson..." he almost growled as he spoke. Right now his eyes were fixated on Jackson, who was putting down his water.

"You got my message..." I saw Kai walk over to Jackson angrily and I immediately stood up and put my arms between the two of them.

"It was an accident! It was my fault as well." I turned to look at Kai whose expression took a different turn than I expected.

He seemed genuinely hurt by what I said. My heart began to race again and I suddenly felt guilty for being here.

"Then sorry for interrupting this accident, but Jackson... this is irresponsible. You need to think through things much more clearly."

"I am thinking through things clearly. What about you Kai? Did you think through things clearly during your 8 hour trip?" there was a long pause between them... I couldn't stand the tension anymore.

"Alright... alright... please don't fight. I'll take responsibility on my end... Kai... I'll talk to you tomorrow... I'm sorry..."

I stepped away from them without looking back...

*

I woke up early in the morning without a clear conscience.

That was to be expected though...

And I couldn't get past the fact that Kai came all the way to France...

When I walked out into the lounge area Jackson was already up. He was drinking a cup of coffee while staring out of the window.

"Are you guys alright now?" he then turned to me and nodded.

"It's better..."

"Your clothes are in a package over there..." I looked over at the large box and opened it...

There was a long grey sweater dress with thick tights.

After I got dressed Jackson was already standing and waiting for me. I had forget to ask where Kai went.

"Where is...?" but then Kai walked into the front door and I slowly shut my mouth...

"It's our last day here, so let's have some fun!" I watched Jackson reach over again to link arms with mine but Kai was staring daggers at him so he slowly released his hand. 

Kai stepped right in front of us and said: "where are you going?"

"To see some local art galleries. Move... you don't visit Paris often anyway..." Jackson tried moving around Kai but I was still a little too stunned to speak.

"I'll accompany you..." Jackson sighed as Kai looked up at me.

"Fine, whatever. Let's go, we're losing daylight..."

I followed after Jackson and Kai...

And before I knew it we were on a tour bus. Jackson was excitedly pointing things out to me as usual... but I couldn't help but stare at Kai who was staring out at the window on the other side of me. He seemed a bit calmer compared to yesterday but there was definitely something different about him...

After we got off of the bus, Jackson held onto my hand.

"Watch your step..." I thanked him while looking up a Kai who had a scowl on his face...

Was I just imaging things?

"Jackson!!" I looked ahead and saw a beautiful woman running towards us. She looked like a model. When she approached us she landed a quick slap on Jackson's cheek. He held it while looking up at her. She started shouting at him in French. Jackson answered back smoothly. I watched the two of the converse a little before I felt a hand touch the top of my arm...

Kai had reached out towards me.

"Just give me a moment with her... it's just a misunderstanding."

I glared at him... I'm sure it wasn't a misunderstanding. She was probably one of his flings that he didn't contact after quite some time...

"Let's go..." I looked up at Kai who had now taken a hold of my hand.

I was a little too surprised to respond to him so I let myself be drawn into the direction he was walking. I heard Jackson shout after us but that woman kept him in her company.

Moments later I could feel the warmth from his skin press into mine... this is the first time we were holding hands like this so I closed my eyes to savor the moment.

When we stopped moving I opened my eyes. We were in a park and pigeons were flying around. The sun was now overhead in the sky. I turned to see that Kai was looking over at me...

Of course my heart was now beating wildly... I had been able to steady my feelings towards him over time, but right now I just wanted to rush into his arms and tell him how much I loved him...

But then a mime came and suddenly my life felt like a comedy... he was pretending he was in a box beside us and completely killed the moment. Kai seemed amused by it though so I smiled... he released his hand from mine and observed the mime for some time while I sat on a bench nearby.

When Kai realized I was sitting by myself he asked if we could take a walk together.

"I may not know the area well, but I'm sure there's some local art we can find..."

I nodded and we walked side by side...

It felt a little serene being next to him... while we walked along the riverside we did indeed find some local artists selling handmade trinkets and small canvases. I found a few items I wanted to give as gifts. After we were done walking around we found a stand with hot chocolate and then spent some time feeding the ducks swimming in a pond nearby.

"I'm sorry about what happened yesterday... I know the both of you didn't fly to France on a whim..." I watched him... his nose was a little red from the cold.

"It's just that Jackson... does things like this from time to time and it makes me worry about the people he effects with his impetuousness..." there was a moment of silence between us before I replied.

"You know... when I woke up on the plane I could only think about how absurd this was. At first, I couldn't help but get angry and lash out on Jackson, but you know Kai, Jackson has something special buried in his heart whether or not he's conscious of it all the time... his desire to want everyone around him to be happy..."

Kai looked over at me blankly and then turned. He continued to listen to me.

"I always dreamed of visiting Paris one day... it was a little bittersweet at first... but I'm grateful for this experience..."

*

Kai remained silent for quite some time. When it got a little darker in the evening, it also got colder so I shivered a little. When I did he turned to me.

"I'm sorry... I probably wasn't a good host and I didn't even think about how cold you would be..."

"It's fine... how are you feeling now?"

"I... I think I understand a little more... but just a little..." I chuckled to myself... they were more alike than he probably ever imagined.

"Thanks for the day... I had fun."

"I'm sure it was boring..." I laughed and then smiled at him.

"You can be a little stoic sometimes... from the first time I met you I thought your personality was like driftwood..." he seemed to be unhappy with what I said and turned away. 

"I mean... at first you were kind of difficult to understand... but after some time I've realized that rather than think you were unpleasant...you're actually quite thoughtful, protective and good-willed... kind of like watching..." and in that moment it started to snow so I lifted my hand a little. I smiled while the snowflakes melted into my hand.

"Kind of like... watching winter melt into spring..."

I realized how silly that might have sounded but when I turned to look up at Kai he was actually blushing... when he noticed I discovered this he started walking ahead of me...

"Kai... what's wrong?" I caught up to him and I tried to see his facial expression... I noticed he was still blushing. So I smiled and stepped in front of him. Before I knew it I was holding onto his arms. We were standing underneath a brightly lit street lamp...

It was quiet... but somehow I felt like I could hear his heart race a little...

"Why are you...?" he moved his head a little and I tilted my head a little.

"We're flying out early tomorrow... we should get some rest tonight..." he stepped around me and my arms fell down to the side of my body... I stood there wondering why I was compelled to hold onto him like that...

I heard his footsteps retract and walk back towards me.

"Hazel..." I turned around to watch half of his face being lit up by the shining light above... he stepped closer to me and I was able to get a closer look at his face...

It was softer than before...

Just at what point did I start loving you this much?

At what point did my heart and mind only see you... only thought of you?

I felt a few tears roll down my cheek so I turned my head quickly to wipe them away.

Kai rushed towards me.

"Are you hurt?" he asked while holding onto my shoulders... I could feel his grip tighten a little...

"I can't... do this anymore..."

How pathetic I was... when I had so much time left at Ravenwolf... but I couldn't keep pretending that I felt nothing towards him...

I looked up at him and without hesitation said:

"I'm in love with you..."