Meet Me At The Eiffel Tower

To visit the Effiel Tower.

We planned it out when we were eight.

“We will both get a job right when we turn 16 and make enough money to go to Paris!” Eliza’s 8-year-old self yelled.

“Hazel, Eliza, no talking in class!” Mrs. Ellen screeched.

We both giggled in the back and talked about our little dream.

But now we were 16.

It was time to say goodbye to Eliza.

She was moving and was not coming back.

We looked at each other’s eyes, talking through them.

Then Eliza got up and locked her arms around me.

“I’ll miss you so much Haze,” Eliza whispered shakily.

“Not as much as I’ll miss you, Meilleur Ami,” I whispered gently.

“I’ll miss being and doing stupid things with you,” Eliza giggled.

“Oh trust me, I’ll totally miss you dancing on the road almost getting hit by a car every time.” I laughed against my tears.

Tears sprung out of both our eyes then, getting each other’s hoodies wet.

“Eliza, it’s time to go!” Mrs. Fenley yelled across the street.

The sun shone on us both, but knowing it was time to leave, I didn’t want to let go.

Eliza started letting go and getting ready to walk away but I stopped her.

I took her clenched palm, opened the fingers slowly, and planted a note in it.

“Read this later,” I said with a smile.

She nods with tears covering her eyes still and gave me one more hug.

“Stay in touch,” she said.

“Only if you don’t get hit by a car,” I grinned trying to lighten the mood.

We finally let go, and she plopped herself in the car.

The engine started and that’s when I knew.

That was it for now.

Just for now.

Her car drove off into the sun, disappearing.

I felt arms wrap around my legs, and looked down. There stood Lily with teary eyes.

“Oh Lily, I’ll miss her too,” I said to my little sister.

“We’ll see them again soon,” With a smile, I forced myself to keep walking.

Walking away from what was once a dream.