Intertwined

August 3rd 2017 - Paris 2 weeks before

Her scream could be heard faintly from the street below as Marie threw her around Clara and pulled her into a tight hug. "You're here!" She exclaimed "You're really here!" Marie stepped back for a second to look at how much Clara had changed before pulling her Greek cousin into a loving and unescapable hug.

The two caught up over mugs of tea in the living room, between fits of laughter they told each other about the past 5 years. Of lovers and regrets to jobs, dreams and new beginnings. Clara had become a very successful solicitor back in Greece while Marie ran her quaint café next to the Seine.

Though almost identical in personality, Marie and Clara carried no family resemblance. Marie had soft, golden skin with warm blonde hair that fell just below her shoulders. Her eyes were a cool brown and her face was small and rounded. Her mouth was dainty and her equally small nose was dappled with freckles. Then there was Clara with dark, curly hair and rich olive skin, and deep, black eyes. She had full lips and high cheekbones that made her face look sharp. Polar opposites on first glance they may have been but they shared the same bright smile.

The next few days were wonderfully unexciting, Clara helped out in the café and between shifts Marie showed her around Paris. Marie was also having work done on her flat, Clara had taken quite a fancy to one of the builders. He was a Norwegian called Olly who had moved to Paris to work with his partner and best friend, Ben who was originally from Florence, Italy.

"We're heading out for a while, okay?" Marie called to Ben and Olly as she grabbed her bag from the table in the hall. "Where you off?" Asked Olly emerging from the kitchen, "There's this amazing restaurant I want to take Clara to" Marie replied. "Do I look okay?" Asked Clara, who was now standing on the bottom step of the staircase. "Uuuuhhh ...wow....you.. uuhh ..yeah ..wow" A now very embarrassed Olly stood leaning against the doorway with his eyes wide and fixed on Clara who smiled shyly as she grabbed her coat. "You look gorgeous now let's go" said Marie as she pulled Clara out the door after her. "Smooth" said Ben, half pissing himself in the corner "real smooth Ol" "Oh fuck off" retorted Olly, blushing bright scarlet. "Ooo, someone's in deep" Taunted Ben who was still weak with laughter "I'm not!" Olly replied angrily and he grabbed his coat and left.

The night air was warm and the breeze was soft but fresh. Marie and Clara walked arm-in-arm down the light filled street. Olly managed to catch up with them and whilst he caught his breath Ben casually strolled up to them. "I fucking knew you were going to see her" said Ben, proud he'd figured out was Olly was doing. Clara and Olly caught each others eyes, butterflies erupted and electric sparks of desire flew into the air. It hung there for a second, right above their heads and then it came crashing down and they both looked away quickly, too shy to look back.