The red strings (FrUK)

Chapter four

During the day I kept looking at the string on my pinky, wondering who was at the end of it. Before I knew it, the day was already done, and I needed to head home. "Bye bro!" Alfred waved to me walking off with Kiku. I really hope they get together. "Hello, Arthur," I heard a voice call making me turn slowly to see who it was. "Oh!....uh..."I suddenly forgot his name again. "Francis, don't worry, you will remember it," he chuckled, lifting a bag up. "What's this?" I asked looking at it. "Wait! How did you find out where I worked?" I asked, confused.  "Wow, you really have a bad memory; you told me this morning, also, you forgot your shirt at my place," he said laughing. Man, what is wrong with me? I need to keep it together.

"Thank you, Francis; you did not have to do this though," I said gratefully as I swung the bag over my shoulder. "I know, but I wanted to. Also because I wanted to make sure you were alright" he said nervously. "Ahh....well, I am, just had a very hectic morning," I said defeated. "Would you like to go to my place for some tea? In return for all you have done for me today," I asked nicely. "Yes! That would be splendid" he smiled, starting to follow me.

"So tell me, Arthur, do you have an explanation for your red string?" Francis asked walking beside me. "Well, I spoke to my friends about it, and one of my good friends had an explanation. Honestly, it is hard to believe, but it was the only explanation that was given to me" I laughed embarrassed to even say that I was probably cursed by some lady to see people's red strings. I wish I could remember why, though. I am sure it will come to me. Maybe the bad memory today is connected to last night because usually, I have a good memory. 

"I am sure you will tell me more about it once we get to your place?" Francis asked, and I nodded in response. "Do you live alone? Sorry, I hope that does not sound weird; I meant it wondering if you were dating someone" Francis laughed nervously as if trying to not scare me off. "I am not dating anyone; I am pretty hopeless in that area," I said, laughing. "Do not worry; you will find it one day; everyone does" Francis smiled at me as I nodded. We continued to walk. "So you are from France?" I asked him. "I guess it was noticeable from my accent. I am from France and moved here to England a few years ago and it has been fun" Francis explained.

"I have actually never been to France, but I hear it is nice," I said complimenting where he came from. "Oui, it is beautiful. Maybe one day I can take you to sightsee" he joked, patting my back. "I don't see why not" I laughed making him jump a bit. "Here we are," I added, pointing to a house. I put my hands in my pockets, looking for my keys. "Here we are" I smiled, holding them up and starting to unlock the door. "Have you always lived here in England?" Francis asked as I held the door open for him to come in. "Yes, born and raised here" I laughed Turing on the light switch. "It might be a bit messy since I was in a rush this morning," I laughed, remembering the mess I left.

"No worries" he smiled taking his shoes off before entering into the carpet part of the house. "I will put the kettle on, would you like a snack?" I smiled at him as I closed the door. He looked at me for a while before answering. "Y....yes please," he said before smiling. I turned the stove on placing water in the kettle to heat up. I went through my cabinets and found some sweet crackers. I placed some on a plate and took it to the table where Francis sat.

"Do you plan on staying here in the future or moving back to France?" I asked him as I took a cracker off the plate to nibble on. "Maybe.. if something were to make me want to stay... or someone. You never know," he chuckled, taking a cracker as well. "I guess the future is kind of a blind eye" I smiled at him. The kettle started to go off, making me get up quickly to pour the tea into some cups. I placed the tea cups on the table and rushed back to the kitchen to get spoons and sugar. "Here we go" I smiled, handing him a spoon. "You are very nice," he smiled at me.

"Well, you did help me out today; if you were anyone else, I probably would not be as hospitable," I laughed, putting sugar in my tea and stirring it around. "So tell me about the red strings you mentioned" Francis placed his chin on his palm, looking at me curiously. "Well, I told my friends about it this morning; one is American and the other a Japanese man. Once I explained what I was seeing, my Japanese friend Kiku told me that there were stories his relatives used to tell him as a child about the red strings. And how everyone has one, but they can't see it," I said, lifting the cup to my face to blow on.

"So you can see the strings? What are they exactly?" Francis said, humoring me with a smile. "Well, according to Kiku, they connect from the pinky of someone's hand to their soul mate at the other end," I explained and his eyes widened. "How did this happen to you?" He asked, starting to believe it a bit now. "All I remember is meeting a woman last night, then drinking something she gave me before you say anything! I was dead drunk!" I said defending myself once seeing his face starting to laugh at my stupidity.

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Thanks for reading so far!!! I will try and do another update today