19.3 First steps

As he grabbed one he liked, Nils turned to join his friends, his eyes still on his onion. But he was suddenly stopped in his tracks by a small head that poked into his winter coat at his chest. The shock caused him to gasp for air.

He stepped back, trying to regain his balance, and then saw a small blonde head emerge in front of him, looking completely panicked.

"Oh my God I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" the stranger apologized. "Your coat, oh my god... It's completely stained!"

Unable to react to the confusion of the young woman who didn't know what to do, he stood there, dazed, looking at his coat ruined by the stains of the hot chocolate that was originally in the cup his attacker was holding.

"I'll pay you back, I'm so sorry! I..."

The little blond girl didn't know what to do with the panic that had taken control of her mind and Nils, who was having trouble understanding what was going on, tried as best he could to calm her down.