Jenny was sitting at the edge of the dorms pond, watching the water ripple and the lights from the dorms reflect off the water. She didn’t flinch when she heard rustling behind her.
“Desole…” The Frenchman’s voice came behind her. She didn’t reply, so he continued to approach her slowly. “Oui, I’ll admit, I’ve been a bit of a jerk since we first met. But-“ He stopped, he knew if he made excuses he wouldn’t get any sympathy. He stopped when he was next to Jenny.
Jenny sighed, looking down. “I’m sorry, too. I’m just kinda irked because I didn’t expect myself to be turned into a snack before a big test.” She paused, looking at him. “You’re going to get us changed back tomorrow, right? My whole future rests on this test.”
Francis looked back at her, looking thoughtful for once. “Your dream. It’s really special to you, isn’t it?
She nodded, smiling a bit. “Yeah. I made a promise to my dad before he passed away that I would never stop pursuing my dream. So I’ve been working hard at it ever since.”
He blinked, looking away at the water. “You know. I’ve never met anyone so passionate about something before. I’ve been surrounded by royalty and partying for so long that I’ve never really experienced someone working hard for something. We always got everything at the snap of a finger.”
She nodded, letting out a quiet laugh. “I guess you got your fill of the real world on just the first day then, huh?”
They sat in silence, a few more lights in the dorms going out with students starting to go to bed.
It was quiet, expect for the soft breeze, before loud rustling was heard behind the two mochis. They turned to see Antonio joining them, sitting beside the two and smiling. “Nice night, no~?”
The last of the dorm lights went out, making it easier to see the stars in the sky. “It’s nights like these that I wish I could be with my chica~”
“You have a girlfriend, Antonio?” Jenny asked, looking at him.
“Si~! Her name is Bella~” He pouted. “She wanted to join me at this school but her brother and her couldn’t afford the tuiton.”
“Bella.” Francis repeated, smiling. “So she’s your true love?”
“Si. I miss her a lot. I should be going back home soon to see her again.” He looked over at the two mochis, beaming. “Don’t you have any?”
They both moved back and forth, making the same movement of shaking a head.
“I haven’t had time for love.” Jenny said, being completely serious with her statement.
“Quoi?! But there is always time for love, cherie!”
She couldn’t help but to laugh. “Maybe for you, pretty boy. But I’ve got a dream I’m chasing after instead.”
Again with her dream. Francis looked at her, a few thoughts running through his mind. He wondered why he was becoming so intrigued with her. Maybe he was just impressed with the passion and was starting to admire it. …Admire her?
Antonio stretched and yawned, standing up. “Well. It’s time for me to go to bed. Care to crash in my dorm?”
The two took the offer, eventually finding themselves sharing a pillow to sleep on. Thankfully it was large enough to where they could have their own sides and not feel like they were sleeping together. Antonio was quickly asleep, as was his roommate, Lovino. The mochis couldn’t sleep, so they talked for a bit until they did.
“I’ll get you to meet my friend, tomorrow. Maybe she can charm you and help break this...” Jenny said quietly.
Francis looked over, not expecting that. “Oh- oh oui.” He said, nodding. He was happy that he was being set up with someone. But at the same time he was feeling a bit disappointed by the decision.
“I can’t wait to turn back again…” Jenny said, mostly to herself quietly, starting to drift off.
“…Mademoiselle?”
“Hm?” Her eyes were closed now, but she continued to listen to him.
Francis sighed, blushing at his own words before he could even say them. “I admire you, cherie. You’ve given me reasons to rethink my choices. You’re passionate about so many things. You make me wish I had something to be passionate about as well. And it’s not often I meet someone who’s not obsessed with me just at the first moment. And even though you know I’m a prince, you don’t treat me any differently. I… I honestly respect you for that.” He paused for a few moments, smiling a bit. “I think I might be starting to like you, cherie.”
He was quiet while he waited for an answer, only to find out that she had already fallen asleep. She must have fallen asleep during his pause. He sighed, but he would try again sometime the next day. “Bonne nuit, cherie.”
Jenny wasn’t fully asleep yet, she just didn’t have the words to reply. She blushed lightly as she let herself fall asleep.
