Not Crazy | ✓

forty eight

j a c q u e l i n e

Why is Antonio taking me downstairs? was the sole question running in Jacqueline's mind. She expected a surprise, obviously, but couldn't think of any reason as to why there would be one at all. Once they reached down, Antonio told her to close her eyes.

"This better not be a joke, Antonio," she warned him, closing her eyes. "Or else I'll kick you out of the house."

"You can try, Ms. Leroy, but you'll fail." He joked as he grabbed her hand and guided her towards the dining room much to her knowledge.

When they reached there, he stopped.

"Are we in the dining room?" The confused girl asked. "Can I open my eyes now?"

She heard footsteps as if someone was leaving the room and then instantly a hand grabbed hers. This surely wasn't Antonio's, she knew.

Then who's. . .?

Jacqueline opened her eyes and what was in front of them, made her gasp and move back. She rubbed her eyes several times to see whether she was dreaming or not.

This can't be. . . F-Francis? He can't be here. This is a dream. Yes, it has to be a dream. Wake up, Jacqueline. Wake up! You shouldn't be deceived by this at all. Francis is injured in a hospital and he can't be here.

"You gonna faint again?" Imaginary Francis said with a smile.

"Y-You're not real, Francis," she said in disbelief, rubbing her eyes. "This is all a dream and I'm going to wake up now. Any second," she whispered. "Yeah, any second now. I will wake up and have a normal day."

Imaginary Francis wheeled himself towards her and smiled again. "I am real, Jacqueline. It's me, Francis."

"I- but how?"

Her nerves were a wreck and she couldn't understand what was happening here. Francis in her house? The boy who she had never thought of meeting standing right in her dining room? And smiling as if this was no big deal? This was too much for her take in.

"Well, ange," he smiled once again as if in a trance. "When Antonio came to visit me in the hospital, I expressed my desire of meeting you once before I leave. He should be credited for this, really. Because if not for him, I won't be here."

Wow. . .

"I- can I get a moment to just... oh gosh!" She exclaimed, smiling. "I just-" and then heavy tears started flowing from her eyes. Not out of sadness, but out of happiness. The reasons she had given Antonio about why making friends was futile, seemed stupid to her now.

Because here she had a true friend, maybe even more, who even in an injured state, came to meet her. And what could be more better than that? For Jacqueline, the simple answer was: nothing.

"Hey hey," Francis murmured, grabbing her hand gently. "Why are you crying, ange? What's wrong?"

Jacqueline shook her head. "I'm just so..." she lowered her eyes. "I'm just so happy. Thank you."

Francis laughed. "You scared me. Now please just stop crying. I want this day to be full of joy and laughter, not full of tears." he released her hand. "Why don't we go sit on the table, yeah? I've got lots in store for today."