Alice Not in Wonderland

Chapter 5 - A Peculiar Delay

The day of the football match had finally arrived, and Alice was filled with both excitement and nervous anticipation. Thibaut had promised to pick her up from her home before heading to the stadium. As the clock struck 16:00, the agreed-upon time, Alice anxiously waited in her cozy living room, glancing at the clock and checking her phone for any updates.

Her mother, Claire, noticed her restlessness and exchanged a knowing look with Alice's friend, Lily, who had come over to offer her support.

"Is everything okay, dear?" Claire asked, her maternal concern evident in her gentle tone.

Alice tried to hide her growing unease, but her worry was difficult to conceal. "Thibaut should have been here by now. He promised he'd pick me up."

Lily chimed in, trying to offer reassurance. "Maybe he's just stuck in traffic or had a minor delay. I'm sure he'll be here soon."

However, as minutes turned into what felt like hours, Alice's anxiety deepened. She couldn't help but wonder why Thibaut was running so late, especially on a day that meant so much to both of them.

Just as her imagination began to run wild with thoughts of what might have happened, her phone rang, and Thibaut's name lit up the screen. Her heart skipped a beat as she answered the call.

"Thibaut, where are you?" she asked, her voice filled with a mix of relief and concern.

Thibaut's voice, apologetic yet filled with warmth, came through the phone. "I'm so sorry, Alice. There was an unexpected delay. Could you meet me at the junction three blocks away from your place? It's quieter there."

Alice agreed, still puzzled by the secrecy of this request. She quickly informed Claire and Lily about the change in plans, assuring them that she would be safe.

As she made her way to the designated junction, Alice couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. She had grown accustomed to the openness and simplicity of her life, but Thibaut's behavior today was veering into unexpected territory.

When she arrived at the junction, she spotted Thibaut standing there with a sheepish smile. He greeted her with a warm hug, as if trying to dispel the tension that had built up during his unexplained delay.

"I'm really sorry for being late," Thibaut apologized again, genuine regret in his eyes. "I wanted to avoid any attention from your mom or friend, so I thought it would be best to meet you here."

Alice accepted his apology, though her curiosity only grew. She couldn't help but wonder why he was being so secretive.

Thibaut seemed to sense her confusion and decided to address it. "I have a little surprise for you," he said, his voice filled with excitement. "Since we're running late, I thought we could grab some Coca-Cola and pizza on our way to the Parc des Princes. It's a small treat to make up for the delay."

Alice's heart warmed at the thoughtfulness of the gesture. She realized that, despite the peculiar delay and secrecy, Thibaut's intentions were nothing but sweet and considerate.

With a smile, she nodded, and together they walked to a nearby café, where they enjoyed Coca-Cola and pizza. As they sat there, sharing laughter and stories, Alice couldn't help but feel that, even in the face of unexpected twists, their connection was growing stronger.

Little did she know that this day, marked by a mysterious delay and a simple meal, would be a turning point in their budding romance. It was a day that would set the stage for the adventures and challenges that awaited them in the chapters ahead.