Diplomat High

Chapter 17 - Meeting up with Justin

So much for a carefree weekend. What was it about you? You were no one special as far as you could tell, but your 6 Homecoming proposals would say otherwise. But it couldn't get worse, right?

Right?

That was reassuring, wasn't it? You were starting to think there was some sort of lesson in all of this, but you honestly didn't have the capacity for that since you weren't great at analyzing anything.

As you walk down the street, you notice an event set up in the park with tents and decorations. Then it dawns on you. That French festival that you promised Justin you'd go to!

If you were being honest, you'd completely forgotten about it through the whirlwind of days you'd been having. And you couldn't just back out now, he was counting on you being there. It was just a little festival; the scariest thing you would encounter is French people.

You sigh as you trudge towards the park. Welp, this was happening. Just blend in, simple. Except it didn't seem that simple. All you really knew was croissant!

But thankfully, you spotted Justin by a booth. You walk up to him and give him a small wave. He smiles at you.  "Hey, glad you decided to show."

You shrug. "Oh well, wasn't a big deal. I had little else to do." You glance around, noticing how empty the space around you looks. "But where's everyone else?"

He sighed. "Not exactly sure. I still needed help setting a few things up."

"I'll gladly volunteer."

"Thanks." He picks up a banner off the ground. "Maybe you could help me get this up?"

"Of course." He hands it to you, and your fingers brush against each other for a brief moment. But strangely, it makes you slightly unbalanced. Maybe it was the ice cream you had that had made you jittery.

You continue helping Justin set up his little booth, chatting with him a bit. But once you finish up, you're a little winded. "You're not tired?" you ask.

"Nope," he says. "But maybe that's just because I do too many sports for my own good."

"Really? Like what?"

"Boxing, running, rock climbing, skiing, canoeing, snowboarding."

You widen your eyes at him. "Gee, do you ever have time for anything else?"

He chuckles. "I try, I promise. Most of those I only do a few times a year anyway. I'm just good at making time for things I care about."

"I'm good at that, too, but only because I basically don't do anything."

"A similar difference." A few people start arriving, and he writes their name on a sheet.

It's starting to get louder and Frenchier around you, and you're starting to get worried. "So will it be a problem that I don't speak French?"

"It's fine. I'm a great translator, I like to think," he assures.

"Would it be ill timed to ask if they have croissants here?"

He laughs. "Actually, I don't mind. I'll go get you one real quick, just keep watch."

You nod as he walks off. Who knew this would actually turn out being fun? Well, it was mostly because of Justin not really everything else going on around you.

Speaking of Justin, it's taking a while for him to return. But maybe there was just a long line. Croissants were a favorite. But you peer through the crowds and manage to see Justin arguing with someone. Uh oh, how'd he get involved in that one?