Chapter 12

It’s been a few years. I am in Paris for Christmas, visiting Billy. After this whole story with Finn, Billy and I managed to become best friends. We would talk almost every day and help each other out with the dates, but we haven’t met anyone serious so far, so I am spending Christmas with my best friend in the most beautiful city in the world. They say life after a horrible heartbreak gets better, and it truly does, I can see it now.

Paris looks lovely tonight. It’s not my first time here, so I can skip the first fascination of the beautiful streets and underwhelming Eiffel Tower. I can just enjoy the imperfect beauty of the channels, the intoxicating smell of freshly baked pastry, and the invigorating rudeness of Parisians. I understand why people fall in love in this city, even my best friend Billy looks somehow different now.

The holidays flew by fast with a taste of foie gras and wine, it’s almost New Year now, and me and Billy went outside to look at the fireworks.

„You know, there is this French tradition. We kiss each other a few seconds before New Year’s and a few seconds after. Like that, you are the last person to kiss in the last year and the first one to kiss in the new year. “ Billy says and looks at the boxes of fireworks being prepared for the big show.

I am considering it. It is, after all, just a kiss. We tried to date a long time ago, but we were kids and there was Finn always being in the way. Maybe it is not such a bad idea?

„Sounds like a very nice tradition. I’m in.“

„Great, let’s look for some hot girl for me, you can get this homeless guy who is peeing in the river.“

I laugh, he always makes me laugh.

„Or I get a hot girl, and you just watch? How about that?“

Billy opens his mouth to crack another joke, but the fireworks are starting. We are looking at the thousands of sparks crumbling into the most beautiful firefly flowers. It feels like one of those moments you will tell your grandkids about.

He turns around and looks at me, the fireworks reflecting in his glasses. People around are screaming and clinking champagne bottles, but all I can hear is my heartbeat. He touches my cheek very gently, I get little bolts of lightning in my whole body.

„You know, I wanted to do that for a very long time. I was just not sure if the moment was right, you were so heartbroken about ‚you know who‘ and everything. But I just want to let you know, whatever happens after this kiss, I will always be there for you, no matter what, I am your best friend.“

I look at him and finally kiss him. It feels like a thousand fireworks exploded in me, it is the most passionate first kiss I ever had, and we can’t stop. Maybe it can be that simple? Maybe true love is just falling in love with your best friend?