The Way I See You

Chapter One The Quiet Truth

Simone stood in the middle of her bedroom staring at the open suitcase on her bed.

She held up a black dress, squinting at it.

“Too much?” She tossed it onto the bed, then picked it back up again.

“It’s Paris,” she said to the empty room.

“People wear dresses in Paris.”A second later she sighed and folded it, sliding it into the suitcase.

The rest of the bag was already packed. Jeans.

A couple of blouses. Comfortable shoes for walking.

A couple nicer outfits she told herself was just in case.

She sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed her hands over her face.

“Okay,” she said quietly. “It’s just a week. ”

Just one week in Paris. One week to tell Camille the truth she’d been holding onto Simone leaned back and stared at the ceiling. High school felt like a lifetime ago, but some memories stayed sharp.

Locker-lined hallways. Friday night football games. Borrowed hoodies Camille never returned. Simone pretending not to care who Camille was dating.That part took real effort. Because the truth was simple and had been sitting with Simone for years. She was in love with her best friend.

Simone laughed to herself.“Great plan,” she said. “Wait almost twenty-three years and then confess in another country.”

She reached for her phone and checked the details again. Flights. Hotel. Transportation from the airport. Everything was booked.Camille still thought the trip was spontaneous. Like Simone had woken up one morning and said let’s go to Paris.

Simone let her believe that. The truth was, she’d been planning it for months. Ever since Camille’s divorce. Ever since Simone watched her slowly start putting herself back together again.

She didn’t plan to say anything at first. Camille had enough going on.

But the longer Simone thought about it, the clearer it became.If she didn’t say something now, she probably never would.

Her phone buzzed in her hand. It was Camille.

“Are you done packing yet? Or are you still standing in front of your suitcase debating outfits like you’re about to meet the Queen of England?

”Simone laughed under her breath. Another message came through.

“Because I know you. You’re probably folding things perfectly while I’m sitting here staring at the clock.

” Simone typed back.“I am almost done, thank you very much. Some of us like to be prepared.”Three little dots appeared.

“Prepared for what exactly? It’s a week, Simone.

We’re not moving there.”Simone smiled, shaking her head.

“You just never know.”A few seconds passed before Camille answered.

“I’m just really excited. I can’t believe we’re actually doing this.

Paris!”“A whole week with my best friend in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I’ve beensmiling like an idiot all morning.

”Simone smiled.“I’ll be there soon. Just finishing up.

”Camille replied right away.“Good. Because I’ve been ready since like, an hour ago.

I keep looking out the window like you’re about to magically appear.

”Simone laughed at herself.“I’m coming. Relax.

”She grabbed the handle of her suitcase and pulled it off the bed.

“Alright,” she said to herself. “Let’s go before you talk yourself out of this.” The wheels rolled softly across the hardwood floor as she pulled it out of the bedroom and down the hallway. The house was quiet. She passed the kitchen, looking at the clock on the stove.

Simone pushed open the door. Her car sat waiting in its usual spot.

The suitcase wheels rattled over the concrete floor as she pulled it across the garage.

“You’re about to spend a week in Paris,” she continued quietly, like she was reminding herself.

“With the woman you’ve been in love with since high school.

”Simone stopped at the back of the car.“Totally normal,” she said.She lifted the suitcase and slid it into the trunk.

“Okay,” she said, dusting her hands together.

“Quick review.”She walked around to the driver’s side.

“Step one: survive the flight.”Her hand rested on the door handle.

“Step two: spend the week pretending you are completely normal around Camille.”Simone opened the car door, then paused.

“And step three.” She stared at the garage wall for a second.

“Somehow tell her you’re in love with her.

”She sighed. “Yeah. That part still needs work.”She slid into the driver’s seat and started the car.

“Maybe Paris will help,” she murmured.Then she backed out of the garage and headed toward Camille’s house.Simone turned onto the main road.

She tapped the steering wheel lightly with her fingers.

“You’re fine,” she said to herself. “It’s just Camille.

” She let out a small laugh.“Yeah. Just Camille.” The evening was light, the sky was soft. Simone slowed at a red light and

leaned back in her seat. Remembering the moments that made Simone fall for her back then. Camille leaning across the aisle during class, whispering some ridiculous comment that made her fight to keep a straight face.

Late-night phone calls that started as quick check-ins and turned into hours of talking about absolutely nothing.The way Camille used to show up at Simone’s house unannounced, knocking once before letting herself in like she lived there.Back then she thought the feelings would fade.

That eventually she’d grow out of them. She didn’t.

They just settled somewhere deeper.Simone looked up as the light turned green.Back then she didn’t say how she felt.

Too scared. Too worried about ruining the friendship.

Too convinced Camille would never see her that way.But things were different now.

Life had changed. Camille had changed. And Simone spent too many years pretending the feelings didn’t exist.“This time,” she said, looking down the road, “you’re actually going to say it.

”Not right away. She wasn’t about to pull into Camille’s driveway and blurt it out like some dramatic movie scene.

No. She’d take it slow. Paris would give them space.Time.

Moments. If the timing felt right, she would tell her.

Simone exhaled slowly. But, underneath the nerves, there was something else.

Confidence.For the first time in a long time, Simone felt ready.

Ready to be honest. Even if the answer wasn’t what she hoped for.

She turned down Camille’s street, her heart beating harder now.

“Alright,” she said.“Now just act normal.”Simone slowed the car as she turned onto Camille’s street.

She’d driven down this street more times than she could count.Late-night talks.

Movie marathons. Random afternoons when Camille texted come over.

But today felt different. Simone pulled up to the curb and shifted the car into park.Then she saw her.

Camille stood on the front porch, leaning against the railing like she’d been waiting.

Simone paused. Camille looked nice. Beautiful without trying.

“Yeah,” she said under her breath. “This is going to be a problem.”As if she felt Simone looking, Camille looked up.

The moment she spotted her, her whole face lit up.

That smile. The one that made Simone weak.Camille pushed away from the railing and walked down the porch steps.

“Okay,” she whispered to herself.“Act normal, just, act normal.”She took a breath, opened the door, and stepped out.

“Alright,” she said to herself. “Here we go.”Up close, Simone noticed the little details she always did.

Camille crossed her arms when Simone reached her, raising an eyebrow.

“Well,” she said, “look who finally decided to show up.”Simone laughed.

“You texted me ten minutes ago.”“Exactly,” Camille replied.

“And I’ve been standing out here waiting.

”Simone shook her head, smiling as she grabbed Camille’s suitcase beside the door.

“Come on,” she said. Lifting it easily and walked ahead of her toward the car.Camille followed behind, watching her with a small smile.

Simone set the suitcase in the back seat, then opened the passenger door for her.Camille paused before getting in.

“You did make me wait, so I deserve the best treatment.”Simone rolled her eyes, though the smile stayed on her face.

Camille slid into the seat. Then shelooked up at Simone, amused.

“Hm,” she said. “Maybe I should fuss more often if this is the kind of reaction I get from you.”

Simone laughed, shaking her head as she pushed the door closed.As she turned away,“I’d do anything for you.”

She said quietly under her breath, then she walked around the front of the car and slid back into the driver’s seat. For a second, she just sat there, adjusting the mirror and reaching for her seatbelt.