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Fifteen

1 year ago

Nikki groans when she hears a knock on the door. She wraps her blanket around her tighter and gets up from the couch to find Lucas outside her apartment. She blushes, embarrassed at her sweats and messy bun. He grins as she sighs. "Hi."

"Hello, Nikki. I was planning on going out tonight with some friends for New Year's Eve and was wondering if you wanted to join us?"

"Oh... I don't really feel that well. I planned on just staying in and watching movies."

"You're sick?" He takes a step away as she chuckles, waving a hand.

"No no. Just..." she hangs her head down with a groan, "I'm cramping really bad. Don't really feel like going anywhere."

Lucas laughs, stepping toward her again, lifting her chin. "That's all?"

"That's all?" She repeats with a scoff. "Imagine having your balls squeezed in a vice randomly throughout the day when you least expect it. And then also add bleeding from your dick to the mix and then tell me 'that's all'."

"Touchè." He grins wide, bringing his thumb to stroke gently along her cheek. "You're cute when you blush. So, you're going to spend your first New Year's Eve in Paris, alone in your apartment?"

"Pretty much, yeah."

"Okay," he chuckles, taking a step back, "if you change your mind, you know where to find me then."

"I appreciate you offering to include me though."

"Well to be honest, it wasn't just me, but some of my friends were insistent on inviting the pretty American girl next door." She doesn't respond as a bright shade of scarlet covers her cheeks as he chuckles. "See? Cute."

"See you later, Lucas."

"Bonne journée, Nichole." He winks at her before turning away to his apartment. She closes the door, leaning back against it before shaking her head and returning to her spot on the couch.

***

Nikki answers the door just after 7 to find Lucas in front of her again, this time with bags in his hands. He pushes past her into the apartment, setting the bags on the kitchen counter. "Lucas? What are you doing here? I thought you were going out with friends?"

"I was... but I decided to stay in and make you dinner instead."

"What?!" She watches him pull food from the bags, handing her a box of macarons. "Why?"

"First New Year's Eve in Paris? I can't leave you alone." He smirks at her as she scoffs, just watching him.

She glances down at herself in her sweats. "I'll just go take a shower." When she comes back into the kitchen, she finds Lucas at the stove. "It smells good in here. How long was I gone?"

"Long enough." He grins at her, holding up a wooden spoon for her. She crosses the kitchen, locking eyes with him as he feeds her the white sauce on the spoon.

"It's so good!" He chuckles as she smiles, sitting at the counter, watching him. "So, you cook, too?"

"I worked as a sous chef when I was first trying to make it as an actor. Besides," he shrugs with a smirk, "it's just chicken fricassee." He hesitates, looking from the pan and back to Nikki, "oh, it has mushrooms, I probably should have asked if you were allergic to anything."

"I'm not allergic to anything." She giggles as he sighs, relieved, pouring her a glass of wine. "So... you gave up a night out with your friends to stay in with me?"

"I did." He shrugs, turning back to the stove as she watches him.

"How do they know about, as you say, your pretty American neighbor? I've never seen any of your friends."

He smirks, glancing back at her quickly before turning away. "I told them about you."

He says it so nonchalantly, shrugging slightly as he pulls something from the oven. She watches him plate chicken and potatoes, setting it in front of her before making his own. "Lucas, this is... so great. Thank you."

He takes the spot beside her, watching her take a bite as she closes her eyes, moaning softly as he chuckles. "Good?"

"Oh my god, it's so good!"

"Mon Dieu, c'est si bon." He smiles as she repeats it back to him. "Oui, bonne fille."

"Bonne fille?"

Lucas clears his throat, blushing slightly. "It means, good girl."

"Oh. Well, thank you for making dinner. Most guys I've dated only know how to make breakfast, not dinner." He laughs, pouring her more wine. "And for giving up your night with your friends."

"I don't really like going out that much. I prefer intimate settings. One on one, or small groups. Not large crowds. Besides, I wanted to get to know my neighbor better. Maybe even end the night as friends?"

"I'd like that. I also prefer small groups."

***

Lucas shuts off the tv when he hears Nikki snoring softly as her head rests on his lap. He chuckles softly, running his fingers through her hair. She whimpers softly as he strokes her cheek with the back of his hand. He pulls her fully into his lap before standing up, holding her bridal style as he walks her to her bedroom, setting her gently on the bed. He pulls the blanket up over her, leaning down to kiss her head. "Bonsoir, Nichole."

Nikki stirs slightly, grabbing Lucas's hand as he begins to turn away. "Happy New Year, Lucas."

"Bonne année, Nichole." He kisses the back of her hand before leaving her apartment.

***

Present

Nikki jolts awake to a loud knock on the apartment door. She sighs, placing her feet on the floor as there is another knock. "Okay!" She plods to the door, opening it to find a delivery person with a bouquet of pink lotuses. "Merci." She accepts the flowers, shutting the door before turning to place them on the counter, grabbing the card.

I know you need your space, but I didn't want this day to pass without reaching out. Lotuses represent new beginnings. I'm hoping we can start over when I return in a few weeks.
Joyeuse Saint Valentin.
Tu me manques énormément.
Je suis impatient de te voir.
-LB

She sighs, placing the card on the table as he leans in to smell the flowers. They hadn't talked for weeks since Lucas left for filming. He had called a few times but gave up after a week of Nikki not responding. She fiddled with his ring on her finger, twirling it around her finger, staring at the note and flowers.