Waiting to hear back from the Science Center was agonizing. The days stretched endlessly, and Rowan knew he had to keep himself busy or risk spiraling into overthinking. That was when an idea struck - why not take a trip? France had always been a dream destination, full of culture, history, and scientific discoveries.

It wasn't long before he convinced Oliver to join him. "You sure you wanna do homework in France?" Oliver had asked, raising a skeptical brow.

Rowan smirked. "I can multitask. Besides, it's France. If I'm gonna be buried in assignments, I might as well do it somewhere beautiful."

The morning of their departure, Rowan and Oliver arrived at the Appaloosa Plains International Airport groggy but excited. The hum of travelers, the scent of coffee brewing in nearby kiosks, and the voice over the intercom announcing departures filled the air.

Oliver tossed his bag onto the conveyor belt at security. "Alright, genius. What's the plan when we land?"

Rowan adjusted his backpack and handed over his passport. "Check-in at the hotel, find good food, then explore. I want to see everything."

"You sound like such a tourist," Oliver teased.

"Because I am a tourist," Rowan shot back.

Boarding the plane felt surreal. As they settled into their seats, Oliver took the window while Rowan double-checked his itinerary. "You nervous?" Oliver asked, nudging him.

Rowan chuckled. "Not about the flight. More about how I'm gonna handle French customs. You do know they greet with kisses, right?"

Oliver smirked. "I'll be watching to see how you handle that."

Rowan groaned. "Great. Just what I need."

As the plane taxied onto the runway, Rowan took a deep breath. The engines roared to life, and within seconds, they were thundering down the tarmac. The weight of gravity pressed against him as the plane lifted into the sky, tilting upward, leaving Appaloosa Plains behind.

Oliver looked out the window, watching the land shrink below. "Man, this is crazy. We're actually doing this."

Rowan nodded, staring ahead. "Yeah. We are."

The flight was long - agonizingly long. They watched movies, napped, and exchanged dry jokes about airplane food. Every few hours, Rowan would open his notebook, determined to get some work done, only for Oliver to distract him with conversations about what French cuisine they should try first.

"Snails?" Oliver suggested.

Rowan wrinkled his nose. "Hard pass. I'd rather try the pastries."

Oliver grinned. "That's fair."

When they finally descended into France, the plane shaking slightly as it hit the runway, Rowan felt an overwhelming sense of excitement. Looking out the window, he saw the sprawling city below, bathed in warm, golden hues.

The second they were off the plane, the difference in atmosphere was palpable - the rapid French chatter around them, the scent of fresh bread wafting from a nearby caf�, and the sheer energy of a country so vastly different from home.

Oliver stretched as they walked toward customs. "You ready for your first French greeting kiss?"

Rowan groaned. "If I can survive a plane ride with you, I can survive that."

After an exhausting trip through baggage claim and customs, they finally arrived at their charming boutique hotel nestled in the heart of the city. The grand entrance boasted vintage architecture, soft golden lights illuminating the courtyard, and an ornate lobby full of elegant d�cor. Rowan took it all in, completely mesmerized.

Oliver dropped his bag dramatically on the bed. "Finally. That flight was torture."

Rowan laughed, stepping over to the window to take in the glittering city lights. "Yeah, but look where we are now. Totally worth it."

Oliver came up beside him, nudging his shoulder. "Alright, genius. France awaits. Tomorrow, we take on the city."

Rowan grinned. "I can't wait."

The adventure was only beginning.