Anna and the French Kiss: Etienne's POV

11

I'm walking home from a photography show that Ellie invited me too. I'm running late, which isn't surprising.

Even with Ellie, all I can think about is what happened at the movies earlier this week. The more I think about it, the more I need to remember to stop giving myself false hope. Nothing happened at the movies, and Anna probably didn't think anything of it. After Anna told me that she is too American for Paris, I decided to order her a Canadian flag off the internet. It arrived this morning, and I never got the chance to give it to her.

The next day at breakfast, Anna didn't act any different.

I enter the lobby, relieved to find my friends sitting on the couches. Anna's staring at me. And even though Rashmi, Josh, and Mer are staring at me too, I only notice Anna.

"Oh God," Rashmi says. "He's wearing The Hat."

I like The Hat," Mer says.

"You would," Josh says.

I lean over the back of the couch where Anna and Mer are sitting. Anna turns and looks at me. My stomach drops.

"So The Hat is back," Rashmi says.

"Yup," I say. "I know you missed it."

"Is there a story behind The Hat?" Anna asks.

"Only that his mother made it for him last winter, and we all agreed it was the most hideous accessory in Paris," Rashmi says.

"Oh yeah?" I pull it off and yank it down over her head. "Looks great on you. Really fetching."

She scowls and tosses it back, then smoothes her part. I shove it over my messy hair, and Anna stares. Why does she keep staring?

"How was the show?" Mer asks.

I shrug. "Nothing spectacular. What have you been up to?"

"Anna's been sharing her father's 'gentle reminder'," Josh says.

I make a yuck face.

"I'd rather not go there again, thank you." She shuts her laptop.

"If you're done, I have something for you," I say.

"What? Who, me?"

"Remember how I promised I'd make you feel less American?"

She smiles. "You have my French passport?"

"Better. Came in the mail yesterday. Come on, it's in my room." I put my hands in my coat pockets and strut into the stairwell.

She chases me up five flights of stairs. We get to my floor, and I lead her down the hallway.

"Home sweet home." I pull out my "I Left My Heart Heart in San Francisco" key chain.

"Hey, 508! Your room is right above mine. You never said."

I smile. "Maybe I didn't want you blaming me for keeping you up at night with my noisy stomping boots."

"Dude. You do stomp."

"I know. I'm sorry." I laugh and hold the door open for her. My room is neater than the other guys who attend SOAP. My room is tidy. My bed is made, and there's only one small pile of clothing on the floor. There is antique world map tacked above my desk and two colorful oil paintings above my bed. I have plenty of books tacked along walls like towers--thick history books and tattered paperbacks.

"I can't believe I know two people crazy enough to own the OED."

"Oh, yeah? Who's the other?"

"Bridge. God is yours new?" I look at the book, the spines crisp and shiny. 

I'm embarrassed. The Oxford English Dictionary is a thousand bucks new, which my family could barely afford. But I saved up my money for the last 3 years just to buy it--which sounds insane. 

"Whatever happened with her and that band?" I ask, changing the subject. "Is she going to be the drummer?"

"Yeah, their first practice is this weekend."

"It's that one guy's band--Sideburns, right?"

I know Toph's name. I'm trying to get a rise out of her, but she ignores it. "Yeah. So what do you have for me?"

"It's right here." I hand her a yellow padded envelope from my desk and she rips the package open. The Canadian flag falls to the flor. 

She picks it up. "Um. Thanks?"

I toss the hat onto my bed and rub my hair. "It's for your backpack, so people won't think you're American. Europeans are much more forgiving of Canadians." 

She laughs. "Then I love it. Thank you."

"You aren't offended?"

"No, it's perfect."

"I had to order it online, that's why it took so long. Didn't know where I could find one in Paris, sorry." I fish through a desk drawer and pull out a safety pin. I take the tiny maple leaf flag from her hands and carefully pin it to the pocket of her backpack. "There. You're officially Canadian. Try not to abuse your new power."

"Whatever. I'm totally going out tonight."

"Good." I slow down. "You should."

We're both standing still. I'm so close to her. My gaze is locked on hers, and my heart skips a beat. She steps back and looks away. Ellie. I like Ellie, not Anna. Why do I have to keep telling myself this? I still don't avert my gaze. But does she really like Toph? I wonder if she feels the same for me, I can't stop thinking about her. 

"Did you paint these?" Thank god she changed the subject. "These above your bed?" She glances back, and I'm still staring.

I bite my thumbnail before replying. My voice is odd. "No. My mum did."

"Really? Wow, they're good. Really, really. . .good."

"Anna. . ."

"Is this here in Paris?"

"No, it's the street I grew up on. In London."

"Oh."

"Anna. . ."

"Hmm?" She stands with her back to me, trying to examine the paintings. 

"That guy. Sideburns. You like him?" 

Her back seems to squirm. "You've asked me that before."

"What I mean't was," I say, flustered. "Your feelings haven't changed? Since you've been here?" God, I'm practically telling her I like her. 

It takes her a moment to answer. "I'm interested, but. . .I don't know if he's still interested in me."

I edge closer. "Does he still call?"

"Yeah. I mean, not often. But yes."

"Right. Right, well," I say, blinking. "There's your answer."

She looks away. "I should go. I'm sure you have plans with Ellie." Is she saying this because she doesn't think I have feelings for her? 

"Yes. I mean, no. I mean, I don't know. If you aren't doing any--"

She opens my door. "So I'll see you later. Thank you for the Canadian citizenship." She taps the patch on her bag.

I feel hurt. "No problem. Happy to be of service."

I watch as she leaves the room. Was I too obvious? What just happened? It was like one minute we were fine, and the next it's like she couldn't leave faster. Maybe I made her uncomfortable, but why would I if she didn't feel anything back? She probably thought nothing of it, and just wanted to do her own thing tonight.

But, I like her. I like Anna.