Read Soul Lock :: 3641.235 miles from home

We arrive at our final stop before we part ways, Paris. We visited the Eiffel tower and have been spending time exploring. We stumbled across a gate covered in locks and noticed people adding their own locks to it. A local spotted us and explained that the locks are symbolic of promises people make to each other, so it's come to be known as the Promise Gate. He spoke in English, so Alma, my Spanish friend, could only understand bits and pieces. I translated what he said in my shaky Spanish, and when I was finished, I saw her eyes light up. She took my hand into hers and I could feel my heart racing. Her small hand felt like they fit perfectly in mine. Despite how small she was, she was strong. She dragged me to a vendor that was selling locks . We picked out a lock we both liked and walked back to the gate.

"Promise." She said sternly as she put our lock on the gate. "I promise to learn English." She bit her lip. I knew her well enough that I could tell she was being serious. "You promise to learn Spanish." she requested. I looked at her determined and we closed the lock together. Alma gave a bright smile then tossed the key into the river below.

***

Unsure of when we will see each other again, Alma and I exchanged emails. We kept in touch, but it wasn't the same as being together. I decided to give my all to learn Spanish so I could visit her in Spain. I had just started college so my goal was to visit her when the semester is over. I'm grateful to my best friend and roommate Ron because whenever we talked, all I would do was gush about Alma. I looked up what events were popular in Spain so I could participate in them alongside her.