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Juliette leaned against the cool metal of the Metro seat, her thoughts drifting as the city blurred past the window. The journey was short, just a few stops from school to her home, but it felt like a lifetime today. With the anticipation of the evening's guests looming, as well as the constant replaying of lunchtime's events, she was eager to return to her familiar surroundings.The Metro came to a smooth halt, and Juliette stepped out, the familiar scent of summer mingling with the distant sounds of the city. Her house stood just a short walk away. As she approached, the sight of her home brought a small sense of relief.She unlocked the door and stepped into the entry hall, immediately greeted by the rich aroma of something delicious cooking. She took off her school shoes, put them in the shoe cupboard and went up the stairs to the kitchen. Her mother was at the stove, stirring a pot, while her father sat at the kitchen table with a newspaper spread out before him.

"Maman, I'm home!" Juliette announced, her voice bright but her thoughts slightly preoccupied. Her mother turned with a warm smile, her face softening as she saw Juliette. 

"Salut pépite! How was school today?"

"It was fine," Juliette replied, hanging her backpack on the hook by the door. "I remember we have guests tonight. Are they here yet? Who's coming?"

"Not yet," her mother said, checking her watch. "You remember my friend Jen? The Englilsh one? Her niece has just moved in with her so I invited them over. They should be arriving at seven. How was your day otherwise? Anything new?"

"Not really. Just the usual dance stuff, the usual school stuff," Juliette answered, making her way to the fridge to grab a bottle of water. "I'm just going to finish some schoolwork and change into something more suitable, then I'll come help with dinner." Her father glanced up from his newspaper, his eyes twinkling with interest. 

"Sounds like a plan. Tegan might have some interesting stories about her time in England. It could be fun." Juliette offered a faint and polite smile. 

"Yeah, it'll be interesting to meet her." Her mother nodded.

"And don't forget to change before you start helping. We're aiming for a nice dinner, and you know how I like things to be just right."

"Got it," Juliette said, already heading up the stairs. In her room, Juliette rifled through her wardrobe. She chose a light blue dress that was both comfortable and elegant. The dress had a simple, flowing design that ended just above her knees and complemented her figure. She paired it with white ballet flats, perfect for the warm summer evening and her go to footwear as someone who spent most of her life in dance attire in some way shape or form. After quickly brushing her hair and adding a delicate silver bracelet, Juliette felt more prepared to face the evening's events. Sitting at her desk to tackle some maths homework, Juliette's gaze wandered out the window. The Seine glistened in the early evening summer sunlight, its golden reflection creating a dreamy, magical atmosphere. The sight was calming, and Juliette allowed herself a few moments of quiet reflection before returning to her work. Her concentration was interrupted by her mother calling from downstairs.  

"Juliette, it's almost time! Could you come down and help with the final touches?" With a sigh, Juliette closed her textbook and made her way back downstairs. The kitchen was bustling with activity, and her mother was busy arranging dishes while her father was setting the table. Juliette joined in, preparing the salad, the bread, the wine and setting out the cutlery. The doorbell rang, and Juliette's parents went to greet their guests. She followed, trying to keep her nerves in check. Jen, her mother's friend, was a woman with a warm smile. Tegan, her niece, stood next to her, her silent stormy presence commanding immediate attention.

"Hello, Jen! It's so nice to see you," Juliette's mother greeted warmly, pulling Jen into a hug. "And this must be Tegan!"

Tegan gave a polite smile that looked very forced and extended her hand awkwardly. "Hi, I'm Tegan. It's nice to meet you." Juliette's mum disregarded her hand and kissed her on the cheeks.

"Welcome to Paris, ma cherie."

"Thank you... " Tegan said, her tone clipped and measured. Juliette couldn't tell if she was just anxious or full-on cold.

"This is Juliette, you are a similar age, non?" Her mum asked Tegan as she ushered them all towards the table. As they all settled into the dining area and the adults took over, conversation flowed easily. Jen and Juliette's parents discussed recent events and mutual acquaintances. Juliette found herself listening more than participating, her thoughts drifting as she observed Tegan's dark demeanour.

"Juliette's been doing really well in school," her mother mentioned. "She's also made great strides in her ballet training."

"Oh, that's wonderful!" Jen exclaimed. "And how's she doing with her friends?"

Juliette felt her cheeks flush slightly. "Everyone's good. We've been busy with exams and projects." Tegan, didn't say anything, just watched.The conversation then shifted to Tegan's experiences in England. 

"I used to like school quite a bit, but then I mostly focused on other things," Tegan said casually. "Now I'm just getting used to life here." Juliette felt a twinge of annoyance, hearing about how the other girl - who seemed far cooler than her - seemingly didn't put any effort into anything. She brushed it away, disliking herself for making assumptions. Juliette's father, sensing a lull, made an effort to continue the conversation. 

"Are you seeing anyone back in England, Tegan? Us French men are really very good partners. Matthieu, hein Julie?" He teased. Juliette's face turned a deeper shade of red. 

"Dad, really?" Her father chuckled. 

"Just mentioning it, love. You know how it's a bit of a running joke around here." Tegan raised an eyebrow. 

"Matthieu? Is he a classmate or someone from ballet?" Juliette quickly interjected. 

"He's a friend from school. Nothing serious."

As dinner progressed, Juliette felt increasingly out of place. She struggled to find common ground with Tegan, whose stories and experiences seemed so different from her own. When Juliette's parents suggested that the two girls spend some time together, she felt a mix of reluctance and duty.

"Maybe you two can find something to do together over the weekend," Juliette's mother suggested. "It would be good for you both to get to know each other better."

"Sure, that sounds fine," Juliette agreed with a half-hearted smile, feeling a twinge of unease. The evening drew to a close, and after dessert, the guests prepared to leave. As Tegan and Juliette exchanged Instagram handles, Tegan's social media presence struck Juliette as both impressive and slightly intimidating.
After the guests left, Juliette helped her parents clean up and then retreated to her room. The evening had left her feeling a bit off-balance, and she was eager to escape to her own space. She changed into comfortable pajamas and sat on her bed, reflecting on the night's events. The sight of the Seine through her window was still captivating, the magical glow of the early summer sun casting a gentle light over the water. Juliette felt a pang of longing, wishing for a simpler evening or a clearer connection with her new acquaintance. With a deep breath, she settled under the covers, and tried to push aside her thoughts and concerns.