People don’t take trips, trips take people - Antoine 07

that Antoine opened his eyes the next morning and smiled broadly as he saw Lily’s beautiful face lovingly looking down at him, smiling, “Morning baby”, she cooed, “how are you feeling”?

Antoine stretched, “hmm, I’m not feeling my freshest, but considering how much we drank last night, not too bad”, he replied as he noticed she was fully dressed.

Antoine suddenly looked around and felt a bit disorientated, realising he wasn't in his own bedroom, “Are you going out”? he asked.

“Yeah, I told you the other day, I’m going to help out Brie with her pop up store today”, she replied.

“Can’t you cancel? What am I supposed to do”? Antoine asked worriedly.

She leaned in and kissed him on the forehead, “sorry baby, I promised her I’d help out, she won’t be able to cope on her own, just stay in the room and wait till I get back, we’ll sit down later and figure a way out of this situation, ok”?

“ But what if your mother decides to come in here”? Antoine asked looking over towards the door.

Lily smiled reassuringly,  “don’t worry, she won’t come in, why would she? Besides she said something about going out shopping later”.

“And what if I get hungry or need to use the bathroom”, Antoine shot back.

Lily brought her hand up to her head and started stroking the side of her face, thinking, “hmm, ok that's a good, point, you might need to use the bathroom or get a drink, ok, we’ll find something pyjamas for you to put on and I’ll help you put on a little makeup just in case”.

“Great”, Antoine moaned wishing he hadn’t said anything.

Two hours later Antoine sat bored in Zara’s room looking through the mobile store app, trying to find something to do to pass the time, trying to ignore his pink fingernails curled around his phone surrounded in its girly pink case Lily had put on.

The time was passing slowly as dared not leave the room, constantly on alert every time he heard Monique’s footsteps walking around the apartment on the other side of the door.

Hearing the footsteps once more Antoine shot up like a meerkat, holding his breath as the footsteps this time seemed to be getting louder and heading towards his door. He hoped with all his heart that he was wrong about what was about to happen but as the sound of knocking on wood, echoed through the room, he knew his worst nightmare had come true., “Zara dear, can I come in”? Monique cheerfully asked from the other side of the door.

Antoine jumped up panicked snatching his wig of the bedside cabinet, “Just a minute please”, he shouted back in a high pitch panicked voice.

He wrestled the wig into position on his head, twisting and turning it to make sure it was on straight just as the handle to the door lowered and the door slowly opened, “good morning Zara, I hope I’m not disturbing you”? Monique asked from the doorway.

“Err… no, you’re not disturbing me, can I help you with something Monique”? Antoine asked trying to appear calm.

Monique smiled, “oh no, I’m fine, I was just wondering if you had any plans today”?

Antoine’s mind raced, thinking about how to reply, “err… no, I’m just going to stay home today and perhaps look through some job websites”, he answered, feeling happy with his answer having remembered Lily telling her mother Zara was looking for work.

“You poor thing, it must be tough, not having an income right now, but I’m positive something will turn up soon, “Monique replied reassuringly, “but I think right now you could use a short break, how about you change out of those PJ's and we'll head out for a few hours to get some fresh air? It’s another beautiful day today”?

Antoine panicked, “err… thanks for asking Monique, but I really need to keep looking for work”.

Monique took a step forward, “that can wait surely? A little break will do you the world of good, it’s way too stuffy to spend all day in this room”.

“No, really I’m fine, I better stay here”, Antoine replied, the tone of his voice coming across harsher than he had intended.

“I see", Monique replied looking hurt, "sorry to bother you, you probably don’t want to spend your afternoon with an old woman like me, I’ll leave you alone”, she replied turning to leave.

“Monique wait", Antoine quickly said, " I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that, I’m just a little stressed at the moment, you know, having no job, I think you’re really cool, I love spending time with you”, 

Monique turned back around as a broad smile crossed her lips, “Really, that’s so sweet of you to say, Zara, ok, you get dressed and I’ll meet you outside in say 30 minutes? And don’t worry if money is tight right now, today is my treat”, she replied before walking away, leaving Antoine wondering what the hell had just happened.

Left alone to get ready, Antoine was unsure of what to wear, he slowly got off the bed and looked around the room, opening a few draws and the closet only to be overwhelmed by the number of clothes Zara owned. 

He ummed and ahhed, for a good 20 minutes, no wanting to look stupid and trying to think about what clothes went together. But with time running out he knew he had to make a decision and seeing a woolly white sweater and a pair of jean’s shorts on a chair, he picked them up and slid them on, feeling reassured that they went together as he had seen Zara wear them the day before she left on her trip. 

With the outfit on, he felt a little strange, once again wearing Zara’s clothes without asking, especially with the sweater still smelling of her favourite perfume. 

With the decision about what to wear taken care of, Antoine walked over to Zara’s makeup station to check his appearance. His makeup still looked presentable after Lily had applied it that morning but thinking something was missing, he located the tube of red lipstick he had worn the previous evening before puckering up and sliding the creamy solution across his lips, once again shaking his head, and wondering how the hell he had got himself into this crazy situation.

Stepping away from the mirror, the only thing left was to find a pair of shoes, which wasn’t easy with the huge selection at his disposal. Deciding heels were definitely out narrowed his options and after trying on a few pairs of trainers and not liking how they looked with the outfit, he picked out the same flat sandals, he had worn on his first outing crossdressed the day before, and strapped them to his feet.

A few hours later, Antoine once again found himself out on the streets of Paris dressed up and pretending to be a girl named Zara. The sun was shining, and the temperature was perfect for a pleasant stroll around the city. 

The problem, of course, was Antoine didn’t want to be out and felt very self-conscious as he tried to focus on the way he moved and behaved, not wanting to appear out of place in front of Monique or the numerous other people he passed by in the street.

After following Monique into a few shops and doing his best to look around at the different clothes and outfit on offer, they arrived at a large indoor area full of stalls, Monique, what is this place”? Antoine asked looking around at the huge open space.

“It’s where Lily is helping out her friend, I thought we’d stop by and say hello as we are in the Neighbourhood”, Monique replied striding ahead.

“Oh just great”, Antoine muttered to himself, knowing he would now have to meet another of Lily’s friends dressed as Zara.

They walked on through the giant room, past tables full of shoes, clothes and all manner of trinkets. Stopping in front of a stall, Monique pulled out her phone and looked down puzzled, “Hmm, this is the place she told me but I don’t see her”.

“Good afternoon, can I help you with something”? A smiley round-faced girl asked from behind the stall.

“Oh, hello”, Monique replied, “I’m actually looking for my daughter, but perhaps I’m in the wrong place”.

“Oh, you must be Lily’s mother? She mentioned that you might drop by today, my name is Brie, it’s nice to meet you”.

“You too Brie”, Monique said looking relieved, “is Lily not here”?

“You just missed her, she just stepped out to grab us some lunch, but she’ll be back soon, I’m sure she won’t be long”.

“Ok, no problem is there a bathroom here I can use by any chance”? Monique asked looking around.

Brie stepped out from behind the stall and pointed to the back of the room, “there are some public toilets not far from here, head through those door in the distance, take a right and go up the stairs”.

“Thank you, Brie”, Monique replied before turning to Antoine, “you look around a little Zara, do you and Brie know each other”?

Antoine froze, did Brie and Zara know each other? it was about to get pretty awkward if they did, “no, we’ve never met, but I’ve heard a lot about you, nice to meet you Zara”, Brie said extending her hand.

Antoine breathed a sigh of relief, extending his own hand and limply shaking Brie’s hand, “nice to meet you too, Brie, Lily’s told me lots about you too”, Antoine lied hoping she couldn’t tell he was a fraud.

“Perfect, you too get to know each other then, I’ll be back soon, Zara, why don’t you look around the stall, if you like anything, we could always pick up a few pieces, to help Brie out, back soon”, Monique said before turning and walking away.

Brie turned, “so, Zara, I thought you were travelling at the moment”? Brie asked an awkward-looking Antoine with a puzzled expression on her face.

“Uh…, yeah, I cancelled my trip at the last minute, decided to stay and look for work”, Antoine said flustered, picking up a hairband from the stall trying to distract her from the questions.

“Oh, I just thought...”, “Hey I like your designs”, Antoine said interrupting her, trying to change the topic of conversation.

“Really”, Brie replied looking happy, “everything here is my own design, I’m trying to get noticed, you know? Is there anything you like in particular”? she asked.

Antoine panicked once more before turning to look at the stall in front of him, picking up the nearest thing to hand, a wooden-soled wedge heel, “these are… cool”, he said holding the shoe twisting and turning it in his hands.

“They’re from my new designs, “try them on, what size do you take”? Brie asked moving back behind the stall.

“Uh… it’s ok, I don’t want to trouble you”, Antoine quickly replied dropping the shoe back on the table. “Oh, no trouble, let me guess, a 38”, right? Brie asked.

“39”, Antoine replied instantly regretting the words slipping out of his mouth.

When Monique returned from the bathroom, ten minutes later, she found Antoine and Brie chatting away like old friends. As she approached, she noticed the new shoes on his feet and gave a little nod of approval.

“I’m back girls, oh love the shoes, Zara, they look so much better than those old sandals you had on, step over here and let me take a better look”, Monique announced as she approached.

Antoine sighed quietly, taking a few steps forward, once again feeling his foot angled at an uncomfortable angle, and wondering how he had ended up once again stuck wearing heels.

(See image 10)

“Oh, I like them, they look great on you, do you like them”? Monique asked as Brie leaned in listening hoping to make a sale.

Antoine was now in an impossible situation, how could he say no and hurt Brie’s feeling, watching on with a big smile on her face, “yes, they are… nice”, Antoine replied blushing with embarrassment, brushing back his wig, which now housed the hairband he had picked up earlier.

“Brie, how much are they”? Monique asked.

“45 Euros, but as you know Lily, I’ll give you a 20% discount”, Brie replied happily.

“No”, Antoine cried as both the women looked at him strangely, “sorry, I don’t really feel comfortable with you paying for me, Monique”.

“Oh, Zara, you are sweet, but honestly, they are so reasonably priced, and we’ll be helping out Brie by purchasing them, I told you today is my treat, I know money is tight right now, while you are looking for work”, Monique replied opening her purse and handing Brie two 20 euro notes, “Please, keep the change, and do you have a bag for Zara’s sandals, this new pair is so cute, I’m sure she’ll want to wear them out”, she added. 

“Of course, be right back”, Brie replied disappearing behind the stall.

Realising Monique had just done something nice for him, and that she didn't know that the last thing he wanted to do was buy a pair of heels, he looked her in the eyes and forced a smile, “thank you, Monique, that’s very kind of you”, he said knowing he’d now be forced to wear the clumpy wedge shoes for the rest of the day.

“Mama, you made it”? Antoine heard Lily’s voice from behind him as Monique stepped passed him.

“Hi darling”, he heard Monique reply as he turned slowly to see them hugging. Antoine just stood there awkwardly, grinning like a fool waiting for Lily to notice him. It took her a moment, but when she did finally spot him, Lily's eyes opened wide in shock as she suddenly realised the dark-haired girl in the denim shorts and wedge heels was actually her boyfriend, Ant…..ahem Zara, oh my god, what are you doing here”? she cried out surprised.

“Oh, I couldn’t just leave her moping in that dark depressing room all, day", Monique answered for him, "I thought she could use some air and a bit of retail therapy”.

"Well, it's great to see you Zara", Lily said stepping over and giving Antoine a hug, whispering sorry in his ear.

For the next 15 minutes, Lily, Monique and Brie stood around chatting, as Antoine stood next to them nervously looking around at everyone who past by, "Well we better be off Lily", Monique suddenly announced, "we have a few more stops to make, but I'll see you later for dinner"?

"Sure Mama, and don't keep Zara out too long, I'm sure she has things to do at home", lily replied.

"Oh, don't worry, darling, she's a big girl, I'm sure she'll tell me if she gets sick of me", Monique answered cheerfully, "Oh before we go, I want a picture of you three, I do love to have pictures to look over and since you moved up here Lily, I hardly get the chance".

Lily nodded, taking Antoine by the hand and moving over to stand by Brie, who had moved out in front of the stall, "So which restaurant do you want to eat at later Lily, I was thinking that new place I read about online".

"Restaurant"? Antoine repeated as the flash of the camera almost blinded him.

(See image 11)