a sad girl

Her face was serious when she looked at the mirror for the tenth and last time. She saw the ponytail was perfectly done. Then she smiled. The bell of Saint-Suplice tolled as she closed the door and the sound of her high-hells echoed fast down the stairway. It was ten o’clock, then. In twenty-five minutes the train was arriving at Saint-Lazare. She left the building and waved happily at the cafe owner who stood outside. He waved back at her and said ‘bonjour mademoiselle’. His eyes followed her down the street, but when she went out of sight the man felt hollow and rushed inside. When she reached Saint-Michel she turned to the left and sat at the bus-stop looking to des jardins. She thought about the iron chairs that are around the fountain. In the afternoons, they would sit there, the two, chatting. Another day, they would sit and remain silent for hours looking at each other. She woke up with the roar of the bus. It was Saturday so she found one place next to the window. She liked to see the Paris passing by and had this habit of coming up with a story for everyone she saw. The saddest thing there is is a life that doesn’t fit a story, she thought. After passing l’Opera she became more anxious. She looked for the reflex in the window to see her ponytail. She hopped off opposite the old station, walked inside and stood next to the railway. There were many people in the platform with her. Girls in their twenties with their hands together. There were two boys nervous with bouquets des fleurs. One on her left had red roses. Another one had margaridas of many colours. There were also some old ladies who should be mothers. She stood motionless, as if she had all the time in the world. At 10:27 a chug was heard. The sound grew louder and louder and finally the train came in slowly and stopped and suddenly the doors opened and dozens of people rushed out. She was smiling again. She put herself on the tips of her toes so she could see in the distance and through the crowd. You could hear people laughing and see people hugging and kissing. This lasted for some minutes. Then, the train driver hopped off. He was the last passenger. He skimmed the platform. It was quiet and empty. Only a girl was standing frozen in the middle of it. She was very pretty and she looked very sad.

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