His Little French Boy • Fack

2

Jack almost felt sorry for Finn who was clumsily trying to explain the worksheet that they were doing. Finn was even sometimes using the wrong French word. Jack nodded not getting a single thing then when Finn was done he mumbled a quick 'mecri'.

He looked at his paper and began reading it. Yes, Jack knew how to speak, read and write in English although his writing isn't as good.

He wondered why that teacher said he couldn't speak English. His mom had prepared him months ago with a really boring tutor. It was hard. Really hard but if it wasn't for that he would have had a really tough time here.

Jack sighed and began answering the first question but stopped midway. He could feel Finn staring at him. Jack turned to face him but Finn turned around. Finn's cheeks were slightly red with his eyes looking blankly at the sheet.

Jack shook his head, quietly chuckling "You can just talk to me in English but I am still not as good" His French accent was thick and still there.

Finn's eyes widen as he looked back at Jack. "How comes Mrs Hemmings said you couldn't speak English" Jack shrugged causing Finn to bury his face in his hands. He probably realized he was explaining the worksheet wrongly.

"It's okay Finn, don't be em-" and now Jack had forgotten that one word. It was that word when someone felt ashamed or awkward. Jack bit his lip trying again. "Em-"

"Embarrassed?" Finn helped.
"Oui!" Jack cried out causing the class to look at him in confusion. Now Jack was embarrassed. He smiled apologetically to his classmates before looking down at his worksheet.

'Grande première impression Jack' Jack mentally and sarcastically mumbled to himself.

"So uh, how was France?" Finn whispered to the red faced Jack.

"It was good. I miss some kind of my friends especially my girlfriend Ellie" Finn slightly chocked on his spit causing Jack's eyes to widen. "G-girlfriend?"

Jack nodded but he was quite confused on why Finn was so shocked. Doesn't girlfriend mean a girl who is your friend? Doesn't Finn have one? "Don't you have one Finn?" Jack asked. Finn blushed as he shook his head. After that it just went quiet. The two boys went on with their worksheets and didn't talk until the end of the lesson.

* * *

It was finally the end of the day and Jack was already exhausted. "Finally" Jack sighed as he sluggishly walked with Finn who laughed. Middle school is hard.

"Hey Finn!" Jack heard from the distance then saw a girl and a boy who were near the exits, waving trying to get their attention. Finn waved back heading towards them, Jack followed.

As they made his way Jack felt as if he might get lost since the hallway was slightly crowded and so he held on to Finn's arm.

"Hey guys, we've got a new member in our group" Finn smiled "This is Jack"

Jack politely waved at the two strangers. "Is he the French kid that everyone's been talking about?" Sophia questioned Finn.

"Yeah but he speaks English too"

"Hi I'm Sophia and this is Caleb" Sophia pointed to Caleb who was too busy looking for Sadie. Sophia rolled her eyes then smacked the back of Caleb's head.

Caleb winced rubbing the back of his head. "Hi Jack"

"Hi" Jack replied but you could barely hear him. He wasn't good with meeting new people. His mother had always called him a 'small, shy, silly goose' and Jack would always roll his eyes denying it but he knew it was true.

Suddenly Caleb's eyes widened. "Bye Sadie!" He quickly waved at the girl who was leaving the school with her friends. Sadie smiled at him and waved back whilst still walking.

When she turned away Caleb clutched his chest. His heart was beating fast. Finn rolled his eyes at how dramatic he was being. "Seriously Caleb? Why don't you actually talk to her instead of just saying 'hi Sadie!' and 'bye Sadie!' "

"Because I'm not ready yet. I've talked to her before anyways" Caleb pointed out "Remember that project we had? She was my partner"

"He can take his time if he wants to" Jack finally spoke up. Everyone faced Jack. "But if you take too long she might be taken. That's what my ma mère always said"

Caleb was the first person to do something which is to clap. "See, those are words of wisdom!" He praised. "You guys have never encouraged me"

"What do you mean? We always encourage you!" Sophia playfully gasped. Jack giggled at her reaction.

"Yeah, by calling me a loser"

Finn placed his hand on his chest, pretending to be hurt "Ouch Caleb. That actually hurt"

"It better hurt Wolfhard"

And that was the beginning of a new beautiful friendship.