Chapter Text
London. Heathrow Airport.
The girl follows the other passengers towards the exit by inertia. She still can't believe she's here. It seemed so distant and impossible just yesterday. But luck was on her side, so Ellin got into the student exchange program. Just a few hours of flight and that's it. Ellin is already leaving the airport building heading to the house where she will have to live for the next few months.
“Well, hello darling, let's see what you're really like.” – were her first thoughts when she stepped on the ground.
Almost at once after her arrival, Ellin went to get to know the city for the first time. Confused by the many streets of London, she was completely delighted.
She found herself in a very cozy courtyard. It was unexpected to see such a calm and quiet place on the streets of London. Then she noticed the sign of a bookstore at the far end of the yard.
"Why not, I wanted to bring home some book from England. So why not do it now?” - thought the girl and went inside.
The bookstore was the perfect place to feel the magic of books, a bit old-fashioned with warm lighting, endless bookshelves filled with all kinds of books, green doors and large windows. You can easily lose track of time and stay there much longer than planned.
Ironically, the girl stood at one of the shelves for over an hour, trying to choose which of the two books she would take with her. A bell rang at the entrance, announcing that someone else had found this place too. But Ellin didn't pay attention to the sound, because all her thoughts were only about the books in her hands. Therefore, the question, which sounded so close, made her jump slightly in place:
- “Difficult choice?”
Turning, she tried to catch her breath and blurted out the first thing that came to mind:
- “Dickens or Shakespeare?”
But being calm was not so easy. How could Ellin keep herself in her hands, if in front of her stood a man of whom she had been a huge admirer for years? Thomas William Hiddleston himself. There was silence. Both were confused and didn't know how long they stood staring at each other. Ellin dared to stop this first:
- "Sorry" - quickly apologizing, she smiled awkwardly, looking down: "Sorry again"...
"I think it looks awfully silly... Oh, I'd better not turn around."
Could Mr. Perfection be silent? Of course, he couldn't and here it is again his voice sounded:
- “Ehehe. No, I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to scare you like that. You managed to confuse me for a while. Truly said, no one has ever reacted this way, yet.”
This made her look again at the attractive Brit.
- “Oh, don't worry, I'm fine.” - all the while continuing to smile - “I'm not took offense at all, but you were damn right. The choice is pretty hard.”
- “If you can't choose one, just take both.”
- “Unfortunately, taking both is not an option.”
- “Take Shakespeare, you won't regret it. But, of course, it's up to you.”
- “Thank you.” (“I'll take Shakespeare. The choice is made. It was clear from the beginning.")- and smiling at her thoughts, went to the cash desk.
After paying for the book and already leaving the bookstore, Tom appeared again on the way. At that moment, she had an idea.
- “I'm sorry, Mr. Could you do one more thing for me, please?”
Hiddleston was surprised but interested at the same time.
- “No, don't think anything bad. I just wanted to ask you to write a few words on the back of the book. Such events have not happened to me yet. So, I just want to have something to remind me of that day. If you don't mind.” - handing the book to the man.
Raising an eyebrow in surprise, he still took the book from Ellin's hands.
- “I don't know what I would have done if it hadn't been for this incident,” - said Ellin with a smile, - “I probably stayed there until closing time.”
- “I'm glad I could help.” - returned the book, answered Thomas.
- “Now, whenever I read Shakespeare, I will remember that day. Goodbye.”
- “Goodbye, miss.”
He left without looking back. The girl stayed on the doorstep of the bookshop for a while longer, looking after him and smiling happily, until Hiddleston was completely out of sight. After that, she turned around and walked in the direction of her temporary shelter, carefully and firmly holding the signed book in her hands. Happiness grew in the heart, and the smile could not be erased from the face. Let sadness hide somewhere in the corners of her eyes, it is no longer important. London is an amazing place where two dreams have already turned into reality after she went here. Who knows what awaits her further in London?