Anna and the French Kiss: Etienne's POV

26

In all of the holiday's I've had to spend with my Father, this ranks as the worst by far. 

I haven't gotten in six arguments with him so far over where I'll be attending school next year. He screams at me in French, saying that I'm incompetent and never listen. All I ever do is listen. I'm doing the best I can given the circumstances and he doesn't even notice how hard I am trying. Nor does he care about Mum, he never even asks her if she's okay. 

And she obviously isn't. 

She's trying to stay strong so that I don't get affected by it, but I want her to know she's allowed to shut it off. If she needs to cry, she can. I understand how Mothers never show their true emotions in front of their children. They do this so that their child doesn't feel like the only sturdy person they can rely on is no longer there for support. But I'm 18. I can be there for Mum. I can return the favor. 

I bought Anna a Christmas present with Mum. I know that Anna and I weren't planning on giving gifts, but I saw it and wanted to get her it. The doctor allowed Mum to leave the hospital the other day, and I decided to take her to her favorite bead shop. She loves making necklaces. So while I was there, I saw cute fruit beads in a basket and found a banana. I know Anna told me that the only person who could call her that is Bridgette, but since they are not friends at the moment, I'll stand in Bridge's place for now. Just so Anna doesn't feel alone. 

It's New Years, and I'm sitting on the couch alone watching television while Mum gets some rest. My Father is out at a New Year's party, probably drinking and flirting with young women. Arse. 

It's bollocks that I have to spend New Years away from me Mum. Every year we would go out to dinner and eat until are bellies were about to pop, then we would come home and watch the ball at Times Square drop. But here I am, absolutely starving. I refuse to eat another bowl of muesli. Maybe I'll order a pizza, haven't had that in a long time. 

Wait. I don't have to be alone on New Years Eve.

I pick up my mobile and dial Anna's number, but it goes straight to voicemail. She must not have charged it. I go on Mum's desktop and go to the online phonebook and I type in Oliphant. I see Atlanta, Georgia, and dial the  number. 

BEEEEP. BEEEEP. BEEE---

"Hello?" A little boy says on the other line.

"Hello, does Anna Oliphant live here?"

"I don't understand you," he says, "Please speak English."

I repeat myself, assuming this is Sean. "Does Anna live here?"

"Your voice is weird. Yeah, she's here."

I laugh. "Can you hand her the phone?" 

"Is this her BOYFRIEND?" Sean laughs maniacally, which makes me laugh too. 

"Hello? St. Clair?," it's Anna. "GO. AWAY." 

I stop laughing. "Sorry?"

"I was talking to Sean. Is that you?"

"Yeah it's me."

"How'd you get this number?"

"Well, you see, there's this book. It has white pages. And it has all of these phone numbers listed inside it. It's also online?"

"He's a boy who's a friend," I'm assuming she's speaking to Sean, "Go watch the countdown."

"What happened to your mobile? Did you forget to charge it?"

"I can't believe it!" Anna says, "That's so unlike me."

"I know, I was shocked to be sent to voice mail. But I'm glad to have your real number now. Just in case."

"What are you up to?" I can hear her smile in her voice, "Shouldn't you be out celebrating?"

"Eh. Mum wasn't feeling well, so I'm staying in tonight. She's sleeping, so I suppose I'll be watching the countdown alone."

"What about Ellie?"

I scratch my head. "I, er. . .talked to her earlier. It's the New Year in Paris, after all. She went back the day after Christmas. . .she's out partying."

I tried calling her a bit earlier, but she didn't answer the phone and then texted me saying she was at a bar. It's awfully typical of her. 

"Sorry to be your second choice." 

First. But I can't tell her that. "Don't be stupid. Third choice. Mum's asleep, remember?" I laugh.

She chuckles. "Thanks. Well, maybe I should hang up before my first choice falls asleep." 

"Nonsense, I've only just called. But how is your man? He sounded good, even if he didn't understand a word I said."

"You do talk funny," she says softly. 

"Speak for yourself, Atlanta. I've heard the southern accent slip out---"

"No!"

"Yes! Several times this week." It's awfully cute. 

She hmphs, and I smile. I lie down on the sofa, staring at the white ceiling. We watch the countdown together. Anna's three hours ahead of me, but we don't care. When her midnight hits, we toot imaginary horns and throw imaginary confetti.

And three hours later, when my midnight hits, we celebrate again. 

Why is it that I'm so much happier around Anna, than I am with my own girlfriend? Ellie and I have been together so long, it's almost impossible to imagine a life with her not in it. But what if it's over?

I'm sitting here, conversing with the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, the only one who truly cares about what I have to say and what I do. Sure, Josh, Rashmi, and Mer care, but they don't talk to me like Anna does. It's completely different. 

Our voices have grown tired, and we have stopped talking. We just keep each other company. My breath. Her breath. My breath. Her breath. And I realize that maybe all this time the reason I'm so happy and comfortable and safe around Anna is maybe because she is like a home to me. 

I love San Francisco, Paris, and England. But I never feel this warmth when I'm there. I haven't ever really felt it until I met Anna.

I could never tell her, but it's true. 

This is home. The two of us.