The sun had begun to set as John B. Routledge, Christian Hughes, Clay Jensen, Jordan Baker, Sarah Cameron, Dani Ardor, Betty Cooper, Jessica Davis, JJ Maybank, Kiara Carrera, Pope Heyward, and Cleo gathered in the lobby of their hotel, ready for a well-deserved Provençal dinner. After a day packed with ancient ruins, historical tours, and random JJ antics, the group was eager to indulge in something rich and flavorful.
"Alright, team," JJ announced, slinging his arm over Kiara's shoulder. "Tonight is all about Provençal cuisine. Which is just a fancy way of saying, 'JJ is about to eat his weight in food.'"
Kiara rolled her eyes but smiled. "I'll make sure you don't accidentally order snails again."
"That was once! And you said they tasted good," JJ quipped.
Emily Cooper, ever the cultural guide, walked ahead with Camille and Mindy, explaining the culinary treasures of Provence to the group.
"Provençal food is all about fresh ingredients, herbs like thyme and rosemary, and olive oil," Emily said enthusiastically. "Think ratatouille, bouillabaisse, and tapenade. Oh, and don't forget the local wines."
"Local wines?" John B. turned to Christian with a grin. "Sounds like our kind of night."
Christian chuckled, leaning into him. "I'll drink to that."
They arrived at Restaurant Les Alizés, a charming Provençal spot that looked like it was plucked straight from the south of France. The warm glow of candles and rustic wooden tables gave the place a cozy atmosphere, the air filled with the aroma of garlic, olive oil, and fresh herbs.
Camille gestured around the restaurant as they all sat down. "This place is famous for its take on classic Provençal dishes. You'll love the bouillabaisse here, it's incredible."
Mindy chimed in. "And the tapenade! You guys have to try it on their fresh bread."
As the group began perusing the menu, Emily, Camille, and Mindy shared stories about their favorite dishes, making the whole experience feel like a mini history lesson.
Jessica glanced over at Betty. "So... what are you getting?"
Betty, her face scrunched in concentration, finally said, "The ratatouille. Gotta go for something classic, right?"
Sarah grinned at John B. and Christian. "I'm torn between the fish soup and the roast lamb. What are you guys getting?"
John B. shrugged. "Whatever Christian orders. He always picks the good stuff."
As the orders were placed, everyone settled into casual conversation, the table abuzz with laughter and stories about the day's adventures. Emily continued to weave in facts about Provençal food, while Pope engaged in a deep discussion with Dani about the herbs used in the region.
Just as their food began to arrive—beautifully arranged dishes of bouillabaisse, roast lamb, and ratatouille—the peaceful atmosphere was interrupted by the shrill ringing of Kiara's phone.
She glanced at the screen and groaned. "It's my mom," she muttered, her expression instantly souring.
JJ raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you just talk to her?"
Kiara sighed and reluctantly answered the call. "Hey, Mom..."
From across the table, everyone could hear the faint, angry voice of Anna Carrera, who seemed to be giving Kiara a hard time.
Kiara's face shifted from annoyance to frustration as her mom's voice grew louder, ranting about her "irresponsible spending" while in Paris. "You need to be more mindful, Kiara," her mother said in a voice that was unmistakably volcanic. "I'm seriously considering sending you back to Kitty Hawk. You're wasting—"
Kiara's eyes widened in disbelief. "Kitty Hawk? Are you serious? I'm not going back to that wilderness camp!"
The rest of the group glanced at each other, suddenly very aware that this conversation was spiraling into uncomfortable territory. Pope shot Kiara a sympathetic look, while Sarah mouthed, "Do you need help?"
But Kiara had had enough. "Mom, I'm an adult. I'm making my own choices, and I'm not going to that camp. I'm blocking your number."
And just like that, Kiara hung up the phone, her face red with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. She blocked the number with a tap and set the phone down hard on the table, letting out a long sigh.
There was a beat of awkward silence before JJ, in typical JJ fashion, broke it. "Well, I guess that means dessert is on you, right?"
Everyone burst out laughing, including Kiara, who finally relaxed a little. Sarah, sitting beside her, gave her a reassuring nudge. "Ignore her, Kie. You're not going anywhere except maybe back to the hotel for a nap."
Emily nodded. "You're here to experience life, Kiara. Don't let anyone take that away from you."
Mindy added, "Yeah, we've all been there. Pushy parents, that pressure... but you've got us now, and we're not letting you get shipped off to some camp."
The table echoed with murmurs of support, with John B. and Christian giving Kiara a thumbs up from across the table.
Kiara smiled, the tension lifting from her shoulders. "Thanks, guys. I just—ugh. She drives me insane."
JJ leaned in. "If she ever tries to send you to some wilderness camp, I'll personally stage a rescue mission."
After dinner, they headed back to the hotel, each person feeling the weight of the day settle in. As they walked through the city, the group was quieter than usual, lost in their own thoughts but also basking in the warmth of each other's company.
Kiara stayed close to Pope and Cleo, feeling more at ease knowing she wasn't facing her problems alone.
Once back at the hotel, everyone said their goodnights, disappearing into their rooms for some well-deserved sleep. John B. and Christian, as always, shared a quiet moment together by the window, gazing out at the city lights.
"You know," John B. said softly, "I'm really glad we're doing this. All of us."
Christian smiled, pulling him close. "Me too. It's like the best adventure we could've asked for. And we've got each other through it all."
They kissed, their fingers intertwined as they stood together, content and happy, knowing that whatever challenges lay ahead—whether it was an overbearing mom or an unexpected detour—this group could handle it.
And with that, they fell into bed, ready for whatever chaos the next day would bring.
