Second Chances

Chapter 6: Trust Instincts

So, people are actually reading this book now, and I'm ecstatic. I'm seriously dreaming of collecting a following and having QnA's. I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO THAT. Thank you few so much for reading this! It's something I am so, so proud of and having so much fun writing. I love and appreciate you all. 

Now now, I wouldn't categorize this chapter as angsty, but it is just the littlest bit sad. Or I tried to make it sad, idk if it actually is. ANYWAY, ON WITH THE SHOW.

 Warning: Google translate French

Much Love, Krissy

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Junior Year (Literally Two Weeks after Nicolette is Born):

"-and he just kinda blew me off. I dunno. He's been really distant lately," John rants, watching me bottle feed Nicolette. I hum, looking up at him. He looks a bit distressed, and I give him a sympathetic smile.

"I'm sure everything is fine, John. He's going to university soon, you know? And in London no less. It must be stressing him out," I say, trying to reassure him. He looks up at my face and bites his lip, before smiling a little and nodding.

"Yeah, you're probably right," he says. The truth is, I have a bad feeling. Like I previously stated, Francis is going to university in less than a week. In London. I have this sinking feeling in my stomach that he's going to end things with John before he goes. Do I think it's for the best? Maybe. I can't imagine how hard a relationship from that distance would be. It would be easier than it used to be, but still difficult. They'd go long periods without seeing each other, which would be hard on both of them. I look back at Nicolette, silently deciding what to do. I need to talk to Francis.

"John?" Francis asks from the other side of the phone. I sigh.

"Non, Francis. It's Anastasia," I correct. He mutters something I can't hear before he speaks again.

"Oh, bonjour, Anastasia. How are you?" he asks. I glance over my shoulder at my mother, who's holding Nicolette at the dinner table while she reads a book.

"I'm well, and you?"

"Quite well, thank you. Did you need to talk to me about something specific, or is this just a social call?"

"I actually have something I need to discuss with you, but it wouldn't feel appropriate over the phone. Would you be able to meet me at the park?"

"I should be able to...I can take a break in about fifteen minutes. Meet there in thirty minutes?" he asks. My mother looks up at me.

"Can I go out in thirty minutes, maman (mama)?" I ask. She smiles slightly and nods.

"Just be back by 6:30 for dinner," she says. I smile back at her and nod, before returning my focus to Francis.

"Yeah, Francis, that works. I'll see you in thirty minutes."

"See you in thirty minutes."

It's still fairly warm, being early September, and I wait at the same picnic table that we first talked at all those months ago. I look up as he walks over, raising my hand in a small wave and flashing him a small smile. He waves and smiles back, sitting down opposite me. I bite my lower lip, smile dropping.

"So...I don't know how much time you have, but this is really important to me," I say. His look turns serious, and he nods. I stare at my hands on the table for a moment, before looking up at him.

"You're going to college at the end of this week. All the way in London. I'm...Worried about yours and John's relationship," I say slowly. He frowns and looks down at my hands. I slowly reach across the table, and he gives me his hand before meeting my eyes again.