We were sitting on a bench in a small park in Paris, the kind of place where you can lose yourself in thought, surrounded by the distant hum of the city and the songs of birds. Ty was nestled against me, her head resting on my shoulder. We were chatting about everything and nothing, as usual, when the subject of our future adventures came up again.
"How about… we wait until my parents go on vacation?" I said in a relaxed voice. "They mentioned leaving for a week, but it won't be for another two months. We could have the house all to ourselves, with no one to disturb us."
Ty lifted her head, a teasing smile on her lips. "Two months, Tom? Do you really think I’m going to wait two months without doing anything?" She looked me straight in the eyes, a mix of challenge and desire in her gaze.
I smiled, a bit caught off guard. "Well, it was just an idea… But I guess you have a better suggestion?"
She hesitated for a moment, as if weighing the pros and cons of what she was about to say. "Actually, yes. I’ve been thinking of a way to sneak you into my room at the residence."
I looked at her, surprised and amused. "Seriously? You’re willing to take that risk?"
She nodded, determined. "It’s not that risky if we’re careful. I’ve thought of everything."
"Oh really?" I said, laughing. "And aren’t you afraid of that so-called curse? Imagine, I could turn into a woman…" I took on an exaggeratedly dramatic tone, then added with a wink, "By the way, I think I’d look pretty good as a woman."
Ty burst into laughter, shaking her head. "Stop talking nonsense, Tom! You have too much imagination for a scientist!" She gave me a light tap on the arm, pretending to be annoyed. "If you keep this up, I might actually tell you to be quiet."
I smiled, pleased to have made her laugh. "Alright, alright, I’ll stop. But seriously, do you believe in this curse story?"
She shrugged. "I’m not sure… There’s this girl in my class who keeps telling stories about people who have been transformed. She’s convinced that her current roommate was once her lover, and that he was turned into a woman by the curse."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Wait… She says her roommate was a guy before? So now, they’re…?"
Ty nodded, an amused glint in her eyes. "Yes, apparently they’re together now. It’s weird, isn’t it? But at the same time, who knows what’s true or not in all this."
"Yeah, it sounds a bit like an urban legend… But it’s still crazy to think people believe in it," I said, shaking my head, still puzzled. "And you, have you ever had a roommate?"
Ty sighed slightly. "Yes, last year. But since the beginning of this year, I’ve been alone in my room. I don’t know why no one has been assigned to my place… Apparently, I’m supposed to get a new roommate sometime during the year, but I don’t have any more details."
I smiled at her. "Well, that makes things even simpler, doesn’t it? If you’re alone in your room, there’s less chance someone will catch us."
Ty seemed to think for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, you’re right. It might be the right time to try…"
I held her a little closer, sensing her hesitation. "Listen, we don’t have to do this if you’re not comfortable. We can always wait, find another place."
She looked at me, determined. "No, I want to do it. I don’t want to wait. We’re young, we’re in love… why not enjoy it?"
I couldn’t help but smile at her resolve. "Alright then. How do you see this happening exactly?"
Ty sat up a bit, thinking out loud. "There’s a back door to the residence, rarely used. I could get you in there late in the evening, when everyone is in their rooms."
"And if we run into someone?"
"We shouldn’t. The hallways are usually empty after 10 PM, especially on weekdays."
I nodded, impressed by her plan. "That could work… But once I’m in your room, we have to be really quiet."
She smiled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I’m sure we’ll find ways to be discreet."
I laughed softly. "Yes, but we still need to be cautious. If someone hears us, it could go badly."
Ty agreed. "I know, but I trust us. We can manage."
We spent the next few minutes fine-tuning the details of our plan. Ty explained exactly where the back door was, how she would make sure no one saw us, and the best time for me to slip into the building. Every detail seemed well thought out, every risk considered.
"How about we pick a weeknight, like next Wednesday?" I suggested finally. "That way, there’s less chance that others will still be out or in the hallways."
Ty thought for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, that’s a good idea. Next Wednesday it is. I’ll sneak out around 10 PM to open the door for you."
She smiled, looking satisfied. "Everything seems to be in place. Now, we just have to wait until Wednesday."
I took her hand and held it gently. "It’s going to be amazing."
She looked at me with a spark of complicity in her eyes. "Yes, it’s going to be."
We stayed there a little longer, talking about everything and nothing, savoring the excitement of our secret plan. Next Wednesday seemed both too close and terribly far away, but we both knew that the anticipation would only add to the intensity of the moment.