MADDIE
I’m almost in New York now. The plane is getting ready to land, and through the tiny window, I catch a glimpse of that unmistakable skyline, tall, bold, buzzing with life. The most electric city in the world.
Right now, I feel completely overwhelmed. There’s the joy and pride of having earned this opportunity. The pressure of the expectations I’m carrying. The ache of already missing Remi. The regret of having just missed seeing Seb.
And the growing worry about how the two of them will get along sharing the same flat.
A horrible thought suddenly crosses my mind:
Was it completely reckless to ask Remi to host Sebastian, after four years apart, and while I’m away?
Actually, now that I think about it… yeah. It was total madness.
Only someone like Remi would have agreed.
Anyone else would’ve laughed in my face at the very idea.
But not my Remi.
I think he sensed how anxious I was about Sebastian, and being the generous, empathetic person he is, he said yes, just to give me some peace of mind as I left.
The truth is, my lingering affection for Seb clouded my judgment. Looking at it with a clear head now, I realize I shouldn’t have dropped this on Remi.
If anything, I should’ve asked Anne to host him.
But it’s too late now.
What’s done is done.
All I can do is stay optimistic and hope the two of them manage to live together peacefully until I get back.
Maybe Sebastian will find a place quickly.
Or maybe, who knows, those two might not hate each other after all.
They’re different as night and day, sure… but sometimes that’s how the most unexpected friendships begin.