A Z R I E L (A Freenbecky Fanfiction)

CHAPTER 18

It was a silent night, the stars are shining through the darkness, painting the night with it's radiant glow.

Nestled beneath is a little girl, 10 years of age, Her eyes held innocence but also a secret, a power beyond mortal comprehension, a gift, a power that could shape the world or shatter them.

Francis, Her name.

As Francis sat outside her home– where her mother is being mended at due to an event that traumatized the little girl, A man approached her, a pillar of strength and love, his heart bound tightly to the little girl staring at the twinkling stars.

He sat beside her.
Francis quickly turned to her father and wrapped her arms around him as she sobbed.

"I didn't mean to." Her voice is shaky, full of regret and guilt.

"I know you didn't" Her father answered calmly, Rubbing Francis's back to calm the little girl.

"Are you mad at me?"

"I'm not. It's something you cannot control, how can I blame you for it?"

"But I did it."

"Yes, but it  doesn't mean you wanted to. You're different, you know that right?"

"You possess something. Something that is very dangerous if used badly. But you are a good person, France."

"But I'm scared, what if I lose control again? And you won't be there to stop me?"

"You'll figure out a way to stop yourself"

"Dad-"

"Trust me."

"I don't want this power. I'm a bad person."

The older man stare at his daughter eyes filled with a mixture of concern and unwavering love.
"Francis Azriel Chaidee, your power is a gift, a very powerful one that is beyond anyone's imagination, A power that could change the world. But remember, power does not define us, it's how we choose to use it."

"Francis, Use your power with your heart, And you'll do great things for yourself and for other people."

And as the days passed, Her father became Francis's beacon of understanding, guiding her through the complexities of her ability. He encouraged her to explore the depths of the power she possess, to find balance between strength and restraint.

"France?"

The present snapped back around her like a rubber band.

She was no longer ten, no longer sitting in the glow of starlight. She was twenty-two now, seated on a worn couch in a dimly lit dorm room far from home.

She blinked.

Across from her sat Ria, her best friend.

"Are you okay? You seem a bit lost."

"I'm fine Ria, Just thinking about something." She responded innocently when a teasing grin appeared on her best friend's face making her raise an eyebrow in question.

Ria raised an eyebrow, a smirk already forming on her face. "Thinking, huh?"

"What?"

"Thinking about something... or someone?"

Francis gave her a look. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, nothing," Ria said innocently. "Just wondering if that 'something' happens to be a certain freshie with pretty brown eyes, dimples, and—"

"Shut up, Aria. I'm not thinking about Bella." Francis sharply stated a little too defensive according Ria's perception.

"I didn't even say her name."

"Oh You were pertaining to her, I know how your brain works Ria, shut up. What do you even want?"

"I'm hungry." She pouted.

"And?"

"Let's go eat."

"Why me? Go ask your girlfriend."

"I don't have a girlfriend." Ria rolled her eyes and slumped on the couch kicking her feet like a little kid who got her candy snatched.

Francis stare at her friend shaking her head. "You two broke up again?"

"We weren't even back together." The blonde woman clarified.

"But you moved in with her on her dorm room, no?" Francis asked a little confuse.

She isn't aware where Ria and Ely's relationship stand, it's always been like this for the two, makes her wonder why they keep repeating this on and off thing. If they actually love each other why don't they just go stable with their relationship instead of doing this push and pull thing over and over again?

"I did, we were trying to work things out and check if we can find a solid ground with our relationship, but I don't know, I don't think it's working out." Ria explained, She loves Ely, she wouldn't settle for this kind of set up if she doesn't, but Ely is a complicated woman, and Ria is close to giving up on her.

"Have you talked to her about this?"

"We always talk about it but we never come up with a mutual decision with our relationship," She explained, 

"She tells me she loves me but is too afraid to commit, we have been like this for almost three years and I don't think she has any plan of settling with me. I'm just getting tired of understanding her bullshit." She added.

She's hurting, Francis can see it in her eyes, and as much as she want to go after Ely for putting her best friend in this kind of situation, she can't. Ria would be mad at her. 

They've talked about this before and  the blonde made her promise not to hurt or threaten Ely no matter how much she hurt her.

She always keep her promise.

"Just end things with her, for real this time." Francis instead stated. "This is not healthy for you and for her. You're both just hurting each other over and over again."

The blonde did not respond. Francis let out a sigh and sat beside her best friend.

"Let's go eat. I'll pay." She offered trying to make her best friend feel better, and she know it worked by the huge smile that appeared on the blondes face.

The older of the two hugged the younger and utter various thank you's stating how her best friend always know how to make her feel better.








They left campus soon after.

Francis didn't like the school cafeteria. It's always packed with students who stare at her every time they see her, they look at her with scrutiny and judging eyes as if they know her. 

She hated it.

And she didn't want Ria dragged into that mess. People already speculated about her—she didn't want them pestering her best friend too.

So they went to a diner a few blocks off-campus. Somewhere quieter. Simpler.

Just as they were peacefully having their meal with Ria occasionally bringing up Bella to get a rise out of her friend, who continuously roll her eyes telling her friend to shut up.

Ria suddenly raised her hand and waved at someone behind Francis.

"Ria, what—?"

Francis turned around—and instantly regretted it.

Faye had just walked in. Hand-in-hand with her girlfriend.

Trailing behind them, unsure and out of place, was the one person Francis was desperately trying not to think about.

Aelia.

Bella.

*****
Hi, readers!