Theo’s lip and cheek bunched up on one side like he just ate something bitter, but it was just a text he got that left him with this aftertaste. In the back of the bus, the familiar click of a camera going off could be heard. The young teenager glanced to the side, only to be met with the big lens of a camera suspiciously close to his face. A lopsided grin flattered his features. [color=steelblue]”Did you at least get my good side?”[/color] He asked, seeing his sister’s face appear after she lowered the camera. Her hazel gaze was downward, to the display of her slightly too expensive Canon, a dimpled smile on her face, almost mischievous. Theo leaned over, seeing the distasteful look on his own in the photo. Is that really how he looks when he sees a text from his situationship? [color=steelblue]”Mon Dieu, no you didn’t.”[/color] He groaned, sitting back in his seat. 

The two eldest were sitting way in the back of the bus, choosing solitude from the people in the vehicle yet seeking each other out instead. It was something they’d done their whole life. Aurélie rolled her eyes playfully, the dimple still present in her right cheek. [color=rosybrown]”You don’t have bad sides, Theo.”[/color] She stated, like it was a fact, then went back to focus on her camera settings, tweaking them to her liking. Theo let out a soft chuckle and looked back at his phone where the message was still displayed. [i]‘I miss yu bby, when r u comin bck sweetie!’[/i]. With his thumb, he locked his phone and shoved it into the front pocket of his hoodie, one he had only just put once a slight chill entered the bus. She may miss him, but he didn’t miss her. The only thing he missed were several vowels in her communication. And any form of real affection for her. Which he thought he had made clear. Who ends a question with an exclamation mark, anyway? His gaze shifted toward the scenery outside the window again.

This vacation already felt different from their other ones, but then again, could he really call it one? At the very least, their parents hadn’t put the pretence out there that it was. His parents, Thierry and Sabrina, had come here on request of the Louvre, Theo’s future employer. Or well, if Theo had anything to say about it. But, if there was one thing he was excited about, it was the prospect of getting to see Giza in real life. The aspiring archeologist with admiration for his father’s work, was buzzing on the inside. Sure, the building itself may be a cliché when talking about archaeology, but to Theo, it was the centre of what it meant to be one. Stuffing his hands into his front pocket too, he hoped his father would include him a little more on this trip, so Theodore could show him how worthy he was. And maybe then, he would talk to him a little more. 

One of his favourite songs played on the radio, which had definitely played worse songs during this tip that seemed to take forever. Still, his eyes were on the outside, trying to catch a glimpse with an anticipating grin on his face. He rested his head against the side of the window. This was going to be the best family trip ever. 

Aurélie made a mental note to keep this picture for if Theo ever decided to get married. She’d definitely show this picture in a slideshow, along with several other slightly incriminating but hilarious snapshots of his life. The tip of her manicured nails, babyboomer style this time, clicked against the hard plastic of the camera as she pressed some buttons, adjusting the settings to her liking. She raised the camera once more, the telltale shutter sound breaking the relative silence in the bus. She was sitting sideways in her seat, her leg pulled up to rest on the space before her, while her shoulder rested against the back of the seat, facing her brother and the window. The teenager put her camera back in her lap and looked at the photo she just taken of him and smiled fondly. This time he wasn’t looking like he just drank a bitter tea, but eager and excited instead. It reminded Aurélie of a younger Theo that would wait in front of the door, on the seat meant for putting on shoes, when their father was supposed to come home. When he did, Theo would jump from his seat and start telling him about dinosaurs or something else he’d learned at school before Thierry could even get his shoes off. More often than not, their father wouldn’t come home at that time, leaving the eager boy sitting for longer and longer periods of time until eventually, the bench went unused. 

She decided to keep the pictures, both the bitter and the eager one, and started to put her camera back into its bag. It was late and dark, and Aurélie was feeling slightly bored. She’d much rather spend this time with her friends back in Paris. Once her camera was properly stashed, she took her earbuds and put them in. From her phone, she turned on Voilà by Barbara Pravi and let the music soothe her. Resting her phone on her thigh, she crossed her arms over her cashmere forest green sweater and closed her eyes. She didn’t really want to come, but it was a [i]family trip[/i] and how can one complain about the lack of family time and then decline a family trip? Though it was more like a work trip, and Aurélie wasn’t really too interested in dusty stacked bricks. But Theo was excited and Cosette was generally happy to go anywhere with her family so, Aurélie bit the bullet. Her goal here was to ensure that her siblings had a good time, whatever happened, or however busy her parents would get. 

It made her worry sometimes about how things would go now that she was going to university. Would she become busy, too? Too busy for her brother and sister? She doubted it. Spending time with Cosette was something Aurélie always made time for, and just thinking of her made her smile as the bus justled her while taking a turn. She peeked an eye open, glancing down the bus and seeing her baby sister standing in the aisle, by their mother’s seat. She wondered why, but a nudge of Theo’s elbow to hers got her attention instead. She looked at him, pulling one earbud out.

 [color=steelblue]”Auri, look.”[/color] He said, facial hair-covered chin nudging toward the outside. Aurélie leaned forward, leaning on her brother as she looked out the window, too. It was a sight to behold, she couldn’t deny that. The Pyramid was both entirely the most boring piece of architecture she’d ever seen and the most exciting one. Or rather, an impressive one. Looming, something slightly sinister about it.  [color=steelblue]”Isn’t it amazing?”[/color] Theo said, full of wonder as he couldn’t tear his eyes away. Aurélie hummed in agreeance before her gaze shifted to Theo, who looked at the Pyramid like it was the most amazing thing he’d ever seen. And maybe it was, to him. But to Aurélie, it was him looking like this that was the most amazing. 

The bus stopped near it, and when the bus driver addressed their father, Aurélie knew it was time to pack up. Damn, she really wanted to stretch her legs, too. She put on her coat and grabbed her backpack, slinging it onto her back and watched Theo do the same. Together, they walked through he aisle of the bus until they came upon Cosette still there, standing by their mother. [color=rosybrown]”Are you excited, Cosy?”[/color] Aurélie asked with a smile.