The café smelled of roasted beans and fresh buttered croissants, its windows fogged slightly from the cool morning air outside. Stella pushed open the glass door of the little café tucked between a bakery and a bookstore on their street. It had always been their place — a pocket of warmth and laughter where time seemed to slow down.
Hannah was already there, waving from their usual corner table. She had two steaming cappuccinos waiting, the foam dusted with cocoa. Stella slid into the seat opposite, her scarf slipping from her shoulders as she grinned.
"So," Hannah began, eyes sparkling, "we actually did it. London! Can you believe it?"
Stella wrapped her hands around the warm mug, feeling the heat seep into her palms. She shook her head lightly, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "I still feel like I'm dreaming. One moment we were pulling all-nighters, the next… we're packing for a whole new life."
Hannah leaned forward, her tone playful but proud. "Not just any life. We're officially business management students now — future leaders, future CEOs. Can you picture us? Sitting in some fancy London office, running the world?"
Stella chuckled, stirring her coffee slowly. "More like sitting in lecture halls buried in case studies and textbooks. But yes… maybe one day."
"Don't ruin my fantasy," Hannah said with mock seriousness, flicking her spoon at Stella. "Let me have this moment."
Their laughter blended with the gentle hum of the café. Outside, the streets of Lausanne bustled quietly, the lake glittering in the distance. For a moment, it all felt surreal — two girls in their favourite corner of the city, talking about futures that stretched across countries.
"Honestly though," Stella admitted, her tone softening, "I'm excited, but nervous too. London is so big. What if we get lost in it? What if we don't fit in?"
Hannah reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "Then we get lost together. That's the deal, remember? From Lausanne to London — side by side."
Stella's chest warmed at the words. She smiled brightly. "Deal."
As they finished their cappuccinos, Hannah glanced at the window, her eyes dreamy. "Can you imagine us walking along the Thames after class? Or sipping coffee at some trendy London café while planning our first business idea?"
Stella followed her gaze, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and fear. "Yeah," she whispered, "I can."
When they finally stepped out of the café , the cool air rushed against their cheeks. Lausanne's familiar streets stretched before them, but their minds were already across the Channel, painting pictures of the lives waiting for them in London.
A week later, the reality of their adventure finally set in. Suitcases lined the hallway of Stella's house, neatly packed with clothes, books, and little reminders of home. Nick was coming with them to London, at least for a few weeks, to help the girls settle in. He had grumbled about "babysitting duties," but deep-down Stella knew he was excited too.
At the airport, the atmosphere was bittersweet. Hannah's parents hugged her tightly, whispering last-minute advice. Stella's mother fussed over her scarf while her father tried — and failed — to hide the mist in his eyes.
"Take care of each other," her mom said firmly, looking at both girls.
"And call us," her dad added, adjusting his glasses.
Nick threw his arm casually around Stella's shoulders. "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on them," he said with a smirk, earning a playful glare from Hannah.
After one last round of hugs, the three of them wheeled their suitcases toward security. As they walked, Stella glanced back one more time — her parents waving, the familiar faces of Lausanne fading into the distance. Her heart twisted, a mix of excitement and ache.