Crossing the line

Change of direction

— "So where will you go after the exams ? What's on your list ?"

Frances' fork paused, the stabbed piece of sea bass still stuck between plate and mouth. After the surrealist morning they had spent together, Tristan didn't want to put out the future anymore. He wanted to ensure he could be by her side, and it started with a very, down to earth, geographical question. Frances gave him a weary look before pursing her lips.

— "I... have not so many places of interest. Agronomy it out of the question. Forests... could be nice, but there are not enough spots, and I would hate stealing one from the passionate guys. There's geology in the north east of France"

— "Nancy, right ?"

— "Yes. But that would mean oil industry, mines perhaps. I don't know how to fit into an engineering world. I don't even know if I can. Productivity, money, environment... humanity. The first ones go against the second ones"

He could see the stress creeping up, her shoulders tensing. He already knew that this choice wouldn't suit her, but right now, she needed a way out.

— "What else then ?", he asked, his voice flat even if he felt anything but calm.

— "National Superior School, if I can make it."

A difficult choice; only the best ranked students were accepted there. Less than 5% of the lot.

— "You are brilliant, Frances. All your teachers say so. I'm sure you can"

— "Thanks for the vote of confidence, but even if I did, that would mean working for the government for ten years at least"

— "Because you get paid while you study, right ?"

He wasn't up to par with the system; it had been his first time teaching those special classes.

— "Yes. And I don't know if I'm ready for that kind of engagement."

Engagement, the word twisted something in his chest. Fortunately, Frances was too lost in considerations of the future to watch his face. Else she would have noticed his uneasiness.

— "But the programm there... it's just so great. Cosmology, planets, geochemistry..."

There were literal stars shining in her eyes now and Tristan smiled at her enthousiasm. The geek hidden within was shedding her layers... and he still found her beautiful.

— "Well, your boyfriend is a teacher after all"

The piece if whitish fish disappeared between her so lovable rosy lips before she scoffed.

— "You're hardly a boy. And you're contractor, right ? You're free. If you want to take off to a foreign country, you can."

— "Good point."

Yes, Tristan was like a leaf, taking spots where he was needed, and flying to another place the year afterwards. It was a strange life that suited him. Had he been born a nomad, he wouldn't have been so out of his element. He had been nearly ready to settle with his wife; if she had agreed to childen, he would have filed for a more permanent post.

What were Frances' aspirations like ?

— "Is that what you want ? Freedom ?", he asked.

She bit her lip, taking a sip of the excellent white wine she had chosen – Chassagne Montrachet, to honour the burgundy roots – before answering.

— "I think... yeah. I think I need to not be tied up to something because I'm still unsure about what I want to do. Doesn't it feel immature ? Twenty one, and still no idea what I like ?"