Haven (Paul Lahote Fanfiction)

Valentin

"Come back" He whispered into the phone. "I am. Just a little later." I told him back. He chuckled and responded. "I can't wait. For the first time in my life, I am looking forward to a Monday." I smiled and thought of all the dreadful Mondays I did not want to get out of bed. "Yeah, me too" I quietly spoke. I was in my big bedroom, back home, far away from LaPush, taking to Paul at 3:00 am. Whispering to each other was foolish because the rooms were widely placed in this huge house, making the chances of eavesdropping low. But talking to Paul like this felt safe. It felt like a secret. I did not want anyone to listen to his voice, look at his face, or get one of his charming smirks. I wanted him all to myself. That was selfish.

"Have you dated anybody before" He asked abruptly. I was shook and memories of Valentin flooded in my head. "Why do you ask?" i questioned. "No reason." he said instantly. Lies. "No. Paul, tell me." i prompted. He sighed and said "You'll hate me. It's selfish." he said, a defeated edge to his sound. "I could never hate you. It is not in my capability" i informed him. "It is selfish because I want you all to myself. The thought of you being so far disturbs me. And the thought of you liking someone like that makes me feel insecure." he sighed and said "Sorry." He went silent after apologising but i could hear his breathing. My heart was pumping 25 times faster and adrenaline rushed through my veins. "Don't be. It is selfish but i would not hate you for it, considering i feel the exact same way." I swear I could feel him smiling and darting his eyes around the room.

"His name is Valentin Maxence Laurent" I started off. "I met him when i was nine. I was going down the street to get some chocolates from the chocolate stall that came every Sunday at 10:00 am. My bike broke down so i got off to check what was wrong. I couldn't figure it out and then i heard Valentin ask "Puis-je vous aider, mademoiselle?" I looked up to Valentin and said "I am sorry, i don't speak French much." He had laughed and translated "Do you need help, madame?" I smiled and he fixed my bicycle, basically put the chain back on and wiped his grimy black hands on his pants. Then i rode to the stall and he ran beside me, introducing himself in his french accent. While coming back i felt guilty for making him run again so i walked, supporting my bike with my hands. Surprisingly, he lived really close by so he dropped me to my house. Soon we became good friends but then i moved back to the U.S" I told Paul. Talking about Valentin made me feel his absence greatly.

"That's not dating, Al. No offence" Paul said into the phone. "Tell me what he looks likes, please" i giggled and said "Thats only half the story"

"I moved back to France when i was 15. My Grandma and i were driving back from the airport. When we reached our house, a boy was sitting on the porch, holding pink lilies in his hands. I was moved. He looked different yet the same. He looked angelic." I said, getting lost in the thoughts of my best friend, forgetting for the first time that Paul was on the other side of the call. "He was taller, over 6 feet. his shoulders were much, much broader. His skin was pale and smooth, shining under the moon. His green eyes were somehow greener. His black hair were trimmed from the sides and longer on the top. He had dark stubble on his face and his jaw was sharper. His pink lips stretched into a a huge smile when he saw me. His smile was the only thing that had assured my that he was the same person." My brain sent me memory after memory of all the times he smiled at me. While watching movies, while buying chocolates, while giving me some of his ice from his iced tea. While giving me his frozen yogurt spoon when mine fell down. When i dropped the broccoli accidentally on purpose. A laugh escaped my mouth.

"He had stood up and spread his arms. I had rushed to hug him. Our friendship became much more stronger. The threads of a beautiful tapestry tightened. A few months later, he asked me out and i couldn't say no. We dated for 11 months and then broke up because we knew that being friends was easier." I pause and sucked in a breath "None of us had cried when we broke up, because we did not lose each other. There was no sorrow. We knew that we would still be intimate friends." I concluded.

"Oh." Was all Paul said in return. "Now you know. The whole thing" i said. "He sounds like a really nice guy." Paul commented. His voice sounded normal, but it had a slight sad tone. "He is." i agreed.