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The bell rang, signaling the end of morning lessons, and the hallway burst into life. Students streamed from classrooms, their conversations blending into a low hum of excitement and chatter. Juliette gathered her books and made her way to her locker, weaving through the throng of her peers.
"Juliette!" a familiar voice called out. She turned to see Matthieu Fournieu, his signature grin stretching from ear to ear. Beside him were Sophie, Arnaud, and Jacques, their laughter trailing behind them like an infectious melody."Hey, Matthieu," Juliette replied, a warm smile gracing her lips. She had grown accustomed to seeing him and his friends more often lately. Their once separate social circles were now more entwined than ever, a change that was slowly becoming the new normal."Got any plans for lunch?" Matthieu asked, leaning casually against the locker next to hers.Juliette shook her head. "Not really. Just the usual. You?""How about joining us in the courtyard?" Arnaud interjected, his bright eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "We're planning a little picnic. The weather's too nice to stay indoors."Juliette hesitated for a moment, glancing at her watch. "Sure, that sounds lovely."
The mid-morning break was always a welcome break from the rigors of class. Juliette and her friends gathered by the vending machines, where the hum of conversation filled the air. Matthieu handed her a chocolate bar, his fingers brushing hers briefly."Thanks," she said, unwrapping the treat."No problem," Matthieu replied, leaning against the wall. "So, any interesting plans for the weekend?"Juliette shrugged. "Not really. Ballet. I might catch up on some reading. What about you?""Actually," Matthieu began, a twinkle in his eye, "Louis Lefevre's birthday party is coming up. It's supposed to be the biggest party of the year. Everyone's talking about it.""Louis Lefevre?" Juliette repeated, her interest piqued. "Isn't he the one with the mansion just outside of Paris?""That's the one," Matthieu confirmed. "And he's invited practically the entire school. It's going to be epic.""Sounds like it," Juliette agreed, taking a bite of her chocolate bar. 

The next day at school, the excitement was palpable. Everywhere she went, Juliette heard whispers about Louis Lefevre's upcoming birthday party. The anticipation was contagious, and even she couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement.

"Are you going to Louis's party?" one of her classmates asked as they waited for class to start."Yeah, I think so," Juliette replied, her mind already racing with possibilities.As the day went on, the buzz only grew louder. By the time the final bell rang, it seemed like the entire school was buzzing with anticipation.It was after school, when Juliette was at her locker, when Matthieu approached her, his usual confidence tinged with something she couldn't quite place."Hey, Juliette," he began, scratching the back of his neck. "I was wondering...would you come to Louis's party with me?"Juliette's heart skipped a beat. "You mean, like...together?""Yeah," Matthieu said, his smile a little shy. "Together."Juliette felt a rush of warmth. "It would be my honour, Monsieur Fournieu," she replied, giving a playful curtsey.Matthieu laughed, the tension easing from his shoulders. "Great. It's a date then."
Later that evening, Juliette couldn't wait to share the news with Tegan. She grabbed her phone and quickly typed out a message.Guess what? Matthieu asked me to go to Louis's party with him!

A few moments later, her phone buzzed with a reply.

omg! thats amazing! i knew he liked you!

Juliette smiled at Tegan's enthusiasm, her own excitement bubbling over.  When Juliette arrived home, she found a letter waiting for her on the kitchen table. Her heart leapt when she saw the familiar logo of the Paris Opera Ballet.

"Maman, Dad!" she called, tearing open the envelope.Her parents appeared in the doorway, curiosity etched on their faces. "What is it, sweetheart?" her mother asked.Juliette scanned the letter, her eyes widening with each word. "I've been given an audition for the summer company at the Paris Opera Ballet!"Her parents' faces lit up with pride. "That's incredible, Juliette!" her father exclaimed, pulling her into a tight hug. "We knew you could do it."Juliette felt a surge of joy. This was a dream come true, a chance to dance with some of the best in the world. She couldn't wait to share the news with her friends.
That evening, the family gathered in the living room to celebrate Juliette's acceptance. They ordered pizza, her favorite, and spent the evening talking and laughing.As the night wore on, Juliette found herself curled up on the couch with their family dog, a golden retriever named Milo. His warm, furry body was a comforting presence, and she stroked his ears as she reflected on the day's events."So, tell us more about this party," her mother said, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "It sounds exciting."Juliette smiled, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks. "It's Louis Lefevre's birthday party. He's invited the whole school, and Matthieu asked me to go with him."Her father raised an eyebrow. "Matthieu Fournieu, huh? He seems like a nice young man.""He is," Juliette agreed, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "I'm looking forward to it."As the evening drew to a close, Juliette felt a sense of contentment. The changes in her life, the new friendships, the upcoming party, and her acceptance into the ballet program—all of it filled her with a sense of anticipation and excitement for the future. Slowly, this was becoming the new normal