Gold on the ceiling.

I

Amongst the empty wine glasses and still coffee cups, there lay Damon. His head was pressed deep into the golden velvet material of the sofa and his eyes were tightly closed. He was still dreaming. Of what he did not know, but somewhere in his dream, there were reflected his thoughts of the trip they were about to take which he both wanted and did not want to participate in. The thought filled his mind until he finally awoke and the first place his gaze turned toward was Elena's bedroom. The door was open, the bed neatly made and no sign of the girl was found in the apartment. Damon rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and unsurely stood up. He found his way to the kitchen and there he found pastries and the mix already prepared for an omelet - three eggs, spring onions and plenty of spices. The pan was out, so Damon got to cooking. Elena thought of everything. Despite Damon's previous notions that he would not appreciate someone taking care of him, he did not mind that someone being Elena. She had already gone to her lectures and he should have done the same, but he was still not out of his artistic phase, but what he appreciated most, was that at no point had Elena scolded him, for not attending university, therefore making him feel bad. Yes, she had reminded him of his classes, but that was what a friend should do, instead of pressure one into something, they have no desire to do. Damon was amazed at Elena's sense of responsibility and determination as she did not miss classes, but went religiously and seemed to enjoy them. Perhaps she had made a better choice choosing her course, than he had.

Damon sat on the sofa and ate his breakfast, his omelet – scrambled and golden yellow, his toast – crispy and with an amber undertone, and his black coffee with two sugars, which trickled down his throat and made him yearn for a cigarette. As he sat by the window and let the smoke out of his lungs, he pondered that perhaps it was wise to drop smoking before their trip, otherwise he would not be able to keep up with the energetic and healthily glowing Elena. The more he imagined scenes from what was to come, the more he wanted them to be in his life already. But what's most important is that the more he thought of Elena the more he found that it was inevitable that he would make a pass at her. She was not leaving his consciousness, even for a breath.

Around noon Damon decided to leave the apartment – he had already cleaned up as well as he could and aired out all the rooms so Elena wouldn't know he was smoking in the apartment again. He knew that even though she didn't say anything, she did not find the after taste of the cigarette smoke appealing. As he headed out – through the small streets of Paris, he kept looking up admiring every house there was and its overgrown flowerbed from which spilling forth there were blossoms of red, violet, blue and yellow. The streets were rather full of bustling young people and tourists, who seemed as if they had some place to go. Damon on the other hand didn't. Completely given up on his studies, at least for the present, he had lost his purpose and he supposed he could find it through his drawing, but somehow his yearning to draw had made him repulsed by the whole idea in general. After such a pensive stroll he ended up, where he usually found himself – waiting by the university for Elena. He thought he fitted in with the scene. The rushing hipsters or quietly strolling youngsters with glasses. He wore his black sunglasses and black tee and blue jeans and for the umpteenth time in his life felt almost too good about himself. Damon was never sure whether one was allowed to feel like this or wasn't, but whenever Elena came he knew that together they were the perfect pair.

And so she did. Elena entered into the bright sunshine from the gray cell of the university halls – her brownie hair caressing her face, clearly irritating her, but creating the perfect view for Damon in her short and loose floral dress, that fitted her tiny wasp waist to the inch. She came up to Damon and placed a kiss on his cheek, leaving him breathless for a mere second.

"I really don't understand you Damon. If you are willing to make the effort to actually come to the university why can't you go to the classes? "

"It is a very complicated question. I don't know. Perhaps I am just afraid of the dreary auditoriums. And it is so much more pleasant to just come and see you. Here in the sunshine. I don't think you should complain,"

"You know," Elena began as she put her arm under his elbow and started walking, "You're not the only one to abandon me. I just found out today that Caroline is dropping our course together as well. Why? She won't say. She also mentioned that it is complicated. Sometimes I begin to wonder if I am not the only responsible and sane person around,"

"You most certainly are," Damon smiled or grinned more like.

"Let's not talk about that. It depresses me. Soon I will be the only person sitting in that auditorium. Did you do anything productive with your day?"

"No, not at all. Unless you call pensive strolling productive,"

"That is precisely why we must take this trip somewhere, because you are going into a rut. A rut of laziness and utter procrastination,"

"I completely agree with you. I have nothing against the trip any more. We will do it as soon as the holidays come. It will be a blast, I'm sure,"

They approached a brasserie and then settled there to have lunch, As the soft midday sunshine was hitting their table Damon remained with his black shades and smoked a cigarette meanwhile looking terribly like a character out of a 50s film. Elena gazed at the flowerbed beside her and at the gloriously decorated walls. They were shades of vanilla and flamingo pink depicting the classic 18th century pattern. Damon extinguished his cigarette and then gazed at Elena sipping her afternoon coffee.

"Elena, this trip, it will be all right won't it? It won't change anything?"

"I don't know. I've wondered about that. But we live together anyway, so I don't think you could unnerve me during a trip,"

"Yes, but I believe that we will escape society and there in the lonesomeness and solitude of each other's company, what if something occurs? Something terrible,"

"As long as we remain who we are, and since we are both honest and sensible people with a rather free spirit, nothing should change. I sense that the more we talk about it, the more anxious we become. We should stop. It doesn't do any good,"

They left the brasserie and promenaded along the bank of the Seine. The little boats carrying people passed them by as they took slow steps and gazed at the grey pavement. The air smelt of water and coffee and they decided to change the scenery. They strolled towards the Notre Dame and there in the square, amongst the pigeons and huddled crowds, they didn't speak, but just sat and gazed at the now greyish sky. There was no sunlight to be found as it was cleverly concealed by a blanket of white, bluish and grey clouds. Elena leaned against Damon and closed her eyes. It was so safe to be around him and that's precisely what she wanted.

"Shall we see if there is anything good at the movies?"

"Oh let's watch something even slightly intelligent please!" Elena said turning to him. Then they stood up and left and wandered all the way to the Champs to find a movie theatre and delight in a film which suited their melancholic mood.

II

The next day brought heavily pouring rain and a certain dreariness. It was nine in the morning, when Elena awoke to find Damon by her side in her bed. He was staring at the ceiling and appeared to be thinking very seriously. Elena wrapped herself more tightly in her duvet and looked at him. His prominent cheekbones caught the dim light, his eyes looked radiant blue in the greyish hue of the room and his overall gaze expressed such depth and mystery that Elena began to wonder if she really knew him. They were not too familiar with one another. They were friends and that was true, but that was more so out of necessity for living together than the actual time spent together and secrets shared. Her pondering led her to the question of was she in love with him? Could she be, because for all she knew she was attracted to him. The mystery intrigued her. If he were an open book she knew that her interest would be lost. Elena did not believe that one should reveal all, because what would be the purpose of it, besides allowing people to take over your thoughts. Thoughts should remain where they are – in the mind of the thinker and that's why she admired Damon so much. He was thinking right now, but she knew that he would not suddenly burst out with words and she also knew that she didn't want him to.

Damon turned to her and smiled. He got under the other duvet and pretended to sleep, but he couldn't. Not next to her. It seemed too difficult to leave her and enter the world of dreams. So he opened his eyes and found hers – black as the night gazing upon him, pulling him in.

"Next week we're leaving. It sounds so adventurous doesn't it?" Elena sighed with a smile.

"Mmm," Damon nodded, "Do you want breakfast?"

"Are you offering to make it?" Elena said ironically.

"I suppose I could. But it is too comfortable here,"

"I know what we need to get our heart's racing," And with a smile Elena was momentarily up and in her pyjamas pulled Damon out of the bed and threw him his coat and took hers. With her in the lead they were out the door and on the street in a mere moment. Damon looked gloomily about him and up at the greyish sky, letting tiny drops of rain trickle down his face.

"Damon, don't brood so much! Let's run through the rain! A morning stroll, if you will,"

"I suppose this is your free spirit acting up again isn't it? I should just give in now, shouldn't I?"

Elena smiled as only she could and it melted his heart. So when she took his hand, he let her in completely and together they ran through the twisted and turning streets of Paris, along the Boulevard des Invalides, letting people see their happiness and all the way to the Notre Dame. There they stopped to take a breath and as they stood before each other, drowned to the bone as two rats, they were smiling like two idiots. Somehow this idea had let them be free again. Damon had not felt free for a long time, even though he had dropped all of his obligations he still felt restrained and Elena being the responsible one whilst still trying to retain her bohemian nature had felt tired and weary, but the rain and storm opened their minds and hearts. Damon gazed at the vision before him – Elena had rosy cheeks and her hair was chocolate dark, but she looked beautiful beyond words. The rain had illuminated her natural radiance and he loved that she was always herself. She never hid behind anything when she was with him and he knew that. He might not know her in all her details but he knew she did not have a false bone in her body.

"We should probably return home, but somehow I don't want to. We could just bask in the glory of the rain forever, couldn't we?"

"I could with you," Damon smiled.

"Damon, don't," Elena closed her eyes and her long lashes fell upon her cheeks.

"I know it's something I shouldn't say. But why not? If I am feeling free, why shouldn't I?"

"Because when you start things like that it always indicates something terribly personal. I am not ready for that now. Not here. Not in this moment. Can we just enjoy it, just as it is?"

Damon said nothing, but took her hand in his and pulled her close. She could feel his body against her – cold, but radiating such warmth from his arctic blue eyes. Damon moved her from side to side, dancing to music that wasn't there, but the more they danced in the pouring rain, the sky growing darker above them, Elena felt she could actually hear the music. It seemed so ethereal and other worldly, but it was as if they had created it. Then Damon stopped them and they began their journey back – fast paced, but still more of a stroll, as if they were promenading the streets in sunshine rather than the heavy rain and storm, the thunder rumbling in the background beyond the ancient buildings of Paris. When they reached the Boulevard they stopped for a moment and regarded the little flickering lights of the many cinemas, the dim romantic lights of the cafes and the other couples strolling under umbrellas of all shapes, sizes and colours past them. Somehow this scene was what they took in – the city view. This they would take with them on their trip into the wild, the nature, where they wanted to get away from people, noises, tall buildings and cars and anything else that came with Paris.

Entering their humble abode they left puddles at the doorstep. Elena dragged Damon into the bathroom and there they left their clothes, changing into different pyjamas whilst turned away from one another. It would leave the wrong impression otherwise. Then they sat down on the sofa, nothing but the silence around them disrupted by the rain falling upon the windowsill and trickling down the transparent glass of the window. They looked at each other and after sharing a look, they laughed. It was a heartwarming laugh, because their morning had truly been impressive. Elena was a ray of sunshine in his life and she knew that Damon was the greatest companion to fulfill her impulsive ideas with. It was a match that resembled no other. After a while of regaining their breath on the sofa, which in the light of the stormy day looked like dark amber, they decided to make breakfast. They turned on the radio in the kitchen and amongst 1940s French songs they cooed and made pancakes, which they ate with raspberry jam and milk later. That was their morning. The afternoon was a moment of true inspiration.

As Elena retired to her room she had a sudden urge to write. She sat down upon her bed and with her notebook in her hands she began a story, completely abandoning the previous unfinished one. It was as if she needed it – to resolve her own thoughts, to play things out, to comprehend what she felt. Damon smoked a cigarette by the salon window, feeling the cold rain hit his hand, which was placed upon the windowsill. His mind was rushing and he knew he had ideas and he knew that now was the time. He would draw. It had come back. The inspiration he'd lost or forgotten to sense and delight in and so he sat upon the sofa and putting his sketchbook against his knee sketched for hours and hours, while Elena silently wrote in her bedroom. They returned to the world in the evening and thought it would be good to go out. Not for dinner, but rather for the company of strangers amongst them, which they would soon leave behind, when they set forth on their escapades.

III

The day had arrived. Bright and early in the morning at five Damon awoke with a start. He heard something in his dream and when awake he saw that Elena was already bustling about putting the kitchen in order after making breakfast.

"I'm sorry I woke you. A bowl fell,"

"I'm glad. I feel bad when you wake up that early and I sleep like nothing was happening around me,"

"I just felt so exhilarated I could barely sleep. Truth be told I didn't sleep a wink. I couldn't. Damon this is going to be amazing!" Elena wore her short shorts which had a minty hue to them, her white tennis shoes and a white top with small dots that was tucked into the shorts. Her hair was up in a messy bun but still appeared shiningly brown and sleek.

"You're all ready for the trip aren't you? I can barely see anything yet. I should probably learn to live your lifestyle, it would be better for me in the long run I think,"

"Hmm," Elena smiled and then carried their bowls of cereal and fruit to the sofa and jumped in next to him. Her smile was indescribable. It really was as bright as sunshine and so true and warm, that Damon felt he was betraying her by not being able to smile that beautifully. He still felt the same as she did about the trip, so at least he was delighted about that. Unknown to the two of them, but they were the reason the other was happy. It was a mutual feeling of trust, inspiration and cheerfulness. Their friendship, although a terribly complicated and undefined one, was so pure and honest that it suited them and made both their lives a little better. The rest was done by their strong will and spirit. This trip would turn out to be a turning point. A turning point which was desperately needed to complete them. Their mere existence was an event to mention, but when the two make a pair they become something that transcends all that is earthly as somehow their bond is stronger than they could possibly realize.

Damon ate his cereal and looked at her admiringly.

"What time does the train leave?" Their planned route was to go to Avignon and from there to explore outwards, not knowing where to go, but they knew that they would reveal something truly stunning, because France was full of treasures.

"In two hours. We'll make it. Just have to take the metro to the Gare," Elena said cheerfully and determinably and smiled like a happy dog. Damon laughed because she was too perfect for words and then stood up to pack his things. He unlike Elena had not yet attended to anything. Elena put the final item in her rucksack – which was her notebook. It needed to be with her. It held her heart. Elena felt fully prepared. She took her denim jacket and waited for Damon to get ready, meanwhile admiring the lovely morning. It really was perfect for embarking upon a trip – sunshine was brightly yellow and lit the city, the flowers came alive, the birds chirped, there was not a cloud in the sky and everything seemed to be without a flaw. Finally Damon appeared in his jeans, tee, shades put behind his shirt and his rucksack in hand. The two of them were once again a pair, even now travelling. Across the Provence, the countryside, the lavender fields, the small cottages – everything this country could offer.

"Shall we, love?" Elena smiled and they headed out, locking the door behind them and saying goodbye knowing that they will return as completely different people, with a completely distinct view of existence and anything to do with their notions and ideals.

The train with its blue warm seats proved to be a wonderful method of transport. Damon sat and read 'Rasputin' by Edvard Radzinsky and Elena slept on his shoulder. After some time they arrived in Avignon. There they stood for a while in the station. Quietly preparing themselves for the adventures ahead. It was the calm before the storm of emotions that was to come. They were not nervous, just unsure of what was to happen. Both liked the mystery, both knew it wouldn't be easy, but the honest truth was that they didn't mind what was to happen as long as they remained together. Everything else seemed unimportant. After they would arrive, and this is looking ahead, Elena's notebook will be full, Damon will be artistically happy, for better or for worse and the two of them will have revealed sensations which seemed impossible, but will improve both their lives.


Note/ Sorry, it took me so long to update, but oh exams, moving to Latvia for the summer, so many things to do, there was not time for writing. But hopefully now I will have more time and I will try to update plenty! Hope you delight in this chapter! Yours excitedly, Martina!