If Looks Could Kill (Sideshow Bob Fanfiction)

Chapter Eleven

Author's note:

So now we know about what is going on inside Caitlyn's mind and her life. I'm sorry if anyone was badly affected by the topics mentioned in the last chapter. I think that it's time to visit some other, more sideline characters for a short while. Though Bob is the main character, and plays a huge role in the story, and same with Caitlyn, I think that some authors don't really mention the smaller characters enough. Because even though their role in the story isn't a big one, that doesn't mean that it isn't important! There may be some triggers in this chapter, but I haven't quite decided yet. Sorry that I didn't put a trigger warning on the last chapter ; I probably should have.

Anyway, enjoy!

Bart was weaving in and out of people, on his skateboard, along the pavement. Today had been exhausting ; he'd got yet another 'F' on one of his college assignments, and he knew exactly how his father would react. Bart sighed and turned down the alleyway leading to the nearby park, in the opposite direction of home.

"No Skateboarding? Aw man!" Bart hopped off his skateboard and carried it under his arm as he proceeded through the park gates. Much to Bart's disappointment, the wall where he enjoyed sitting was taken up by a very large group of elementary school kids. Looking around for a place to sit, he noticed a familiar woman sat on one of the red painted benches.

"That's Franchesca!" Bart muttered to himself. Should he go over to her? To Franchesca, Bart was probably the worst person in existence, because of his past with Bob. But then again, she looked upset, and Bart really wanted to comfort her. He couldn't quite put his finger on a reason why, but he reckoned that it was probably because he'd had a rough day, and he would kill for someone to cheer him up right about now.

Bart walked over to the bench in trepidation, slightly fearful of what the woman's reaction would be. As he came closer, he noticed that she was clutching a photo of someone, and that she had tears in her eyes.

"Err... Hi," Bart sat down beside her, trying not to feel awkward.

"Oh-a!" she gasped, and quickly shoved the photo into her pocket, alongside a scrumpled piece of paper that she'd also been holding.

"Sorry. I-err... I didn't mean to startle you," Bart apologized. Despite his best efforts, Bart began to feel a little awkward.

"Franchesca, right?"

"Yes. I'm-a Franchesca," Franchesca confirmed, wiping her eyes.

"You probably know this already, but I'm Bart Simpson," Bart said.

"I-a know who you are," Franchesca said coldly, scowling at him.

Bart laughed nervously, pulling on his shirt collar. 

Franchesca took a deep breath ;  she knew that it wasn't Bart's fault, and she also knew that she shouldn't take her pain out on him, but at the same time, it was difficult not to.

"I'm sorry. That-a was rude of me," Franchesca sighed.

"It's ok. Um... I'm sorry about your son," Bart said, finally realizing who that photo was of.

"It's-a very quiet without him," Franchesca said, smiling sadly.

"How old was he?" Bart asked.

"Ten."

Bart didn't really know what else to say, but at the same time, he didn't want the conversation to come to a close. That would mean he'd have to go home, and that was not something he wanted to do.

"It's kinda warm out, isn't it?" Bart said. He unzipped his hoodie and threw it down on top of his skateboard.

"A little, yes," Franchesca replied, "I'm-a glad that I am not wearing a jacket."

Bart chuckled.

"Yeah. It's gonna be a pain dragging that along with me," he said, gesturing to his black hoodie on the ground.

"You know, it's days like this that make me sad that I have coursework to do," Bart laughed. Franchesca smiled.

"I-a remember having to do all of those stupid assignments at-a college and university. They-a were such a waste of time," she chuckled.

"You said it," Bart replied.

"Bob teaches at a university, right?" Bart asked.

"Yes. He has been doing that-a job for nearly seven years!"

"Woah! NO way has he stuck at it that long," Bart replied, surprised.

"He has. Quite surprising really. He never managed to-a stick to his promise to do the laundry for even a week!"

Bart snorted with laughter. That was just so like Bob.

"And another thing ; he-a never finished cleaning out that attic!"

"Bob never really finished anything," Bart snickered, "Including me!"

Franchesca and Bart laughed for what felt like a lifetime, and then Franchesca stood up.

"It-a was good chatting to someone, Bart. Thank you," Franchesca smiled.

"Anytime!"

"I-a must be going now. Goodbye, Bart!"

"See you later, Franchesca!"

Franchesca walked hurriedly away, and a piece of paper fluttered out of her pocket. The wind blew it towards Bart, and it got stuck to is shoe.

"Franchesca, you-" Bart called after her, only to realize that she'd already left. Wondering what to do, Bart picked it up and looked at it. It was a note of some sort. His conscience told him not to read it, because he could tell that it was a private letter, but being the curious person that he was, Bart went against his better judgement and opened it anyway. Intrigued, Bart began reading.

"Oh my God! She's gonna kill herself!"