translated ♛ || a. griezmann

•dix-huit•

Thanks for 2k!!!!

When I got to Paris, I was met with a small surprise.

Our old house had been torn down for reconstruction, which meant that I had to either live in my mom's house or get a hotel room.

I chose the latter, obviously. Her house wasn't very large, and getting a hotel room wouldn't be that much of a hassle. I still didn't feel comfortable with being around my mother, because she really wasn't the one who watched me grow into the person I was today.

I knew she was a bit upset over the fact that I had chosen to live in a rather fancy hotel over her house, but I guess that's just how it is sometimes.

~~~

"So, you haven't told me much about your relationship with my brother," Maud says to me.

It's already the next day, and we had decided to get to know each other better. She asked me if I wanted to go shopping with her around some shopping centers near the Eiffel Tower, and I agreed.

Although the main reason why I came was because of my mother, she did mention that this senior break was going to be one where I'd fully be able to enjoy myself.

"Are you guys like, dating or something?" She asks.

"Uhh..." I stutter, feeling my heartrate increasing in uneasiness and nervousness, "not really? I mean uh... we kind of just confessed?"

Her eyes widen in realization.

"Has he asked you to be his girlfriend yet?" She asks.

"No."

I watch her shoulders sag down in relief.

"You gotta make the first move, Rose. Trust me." She says, smiling.

"Why?" I ask, sensing her excitement, "Won't he feel a bit rushed?"

"No, not at all. In fact, I'm sure he'd feel better," she says, "because then he'll actually feel like somebody loves him."

I raise an eyebrow at her last statement.

"What?"

She sighs and continues to walk forward, briefly answering my question, "He had a bad experience with love in his first relationship."

Not this again.

"Is this the reason why he's scared of love?" I ask, thinking back to our conversation on the plane.

"Generally, yes. But again, when the time comes, he will tell you himself. He will explain everything." She says.

"That is, of course, if you two somehow get to that stage." She adds.

That stage.

It feels as if my relationship with him is some kind of obstacle course.

"So, do you think tonight is an okay time for him?"

"Yeah, of course!"

I sigh in both relief and anxiety, still concerned about this proposal of Maud's.

"Are you sure, though? I feel like it's a bit early."

"Whatever works for you, but I'm just your advisor," she says, as we exit the last shop.

"Hey, do you want to come over tonight?" She asks, "You'll get to meet our brother, Théo."

"Wait a second, don't you live in Mâcon?" I ask.