(Book Two) My name is...well you know my name and I think I'm gay. No, I'm sure of it. I'm in love with my best friend. She is wild, reckless, and the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. I love her not just for her beauty but her soul. She pulled me...
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Ari went out with her friend but didn't come home last night.
"Est-ce que tu comprends?" (Do you understand?)
I'd stayed up all night waiting for her, watching the door and staring at my phone. I'm pathetic. I didn't get any sleep. Then around five in the morning, she strolls in with a smile on her face and not a care in the world. My initial reaction is to question her and worry over her but I hold it all in. I didn't want to come off as a controlling and needy girlfriend. When she wasn't my girlfriend.
"Comment vous appelez?" (What is your name?)
She went straight to her room, showered, and changed. Then came out and asked me if I was ready for French lessons. She was oblivious to the fact that I was still wearing yesterday's clothes. That my eyes were blood-shot from lack of sleep and worry. Basically, I was sitting on the couch in the same spot she'd left me.
"Peux-tu m'entendre?"(Can you hear me?)
I still haven't asked her where she went last night. Or if she had fun.
"Êtes-vous sourd, quoi?" (*Rudely* Are you deaf?)
I look up at the annoyed voice of the instructor. The man's voice had grown louder and thicker. He'd been talking for a while now, but I hadn't been listening. I shake my head.
"I'm sorry, I don't understand anything you're saying," I say.
The bald man nods his head and makes a tick on his clipboard.
We are in a small room that reminds me of preschool. There are primary colors everywhere. Numbers, letters of the alphabet, and pictures of people doing "verbs", plastered all over the place. I feel like I'm four all over again. He looks up and motions towards the door for me to leave. I've most definitely failed any test he's given me. I get up from my seat and exit the room.
Immediately, I scan the hallway for Ari.
I find her standing with a group of girls who appear around our age. She always makes friends with such great ease. People flock to her charismatic smile and personality.
I slide my hands into my pockets and awkwardly walk over to the instant "in-crowd" she's formed out of thin air. Ari is surrounded on either side so I stand across from her instead. She is smiling and talking animatedly to one of the girls. I'm grateful to hear she is speaking English.
The girl she is talking to turns to me when I approach. She is bird-like. Waifish, delicate, and dainty. She reminds me of a swan. But perhaps it's the white lacy fabric of her shirt traveling up her slender wrists to her tiny shoulders.
She gives me a friendly smile and greets me. "Hello."
Her voice is light, as soft as she appears, and she is English.
