A ghost story (FrUK)

Chapter nine

Tuesday

"Arthur we should hang out" Ivan put a hand on my shoulder softly. I looked at his hand uncomfortably. "When?" I asked, backing up a bit. "How about tomorrow night?" He smiled friendly. I thought about it for a second Not sure about his offer, but I did not want to be rude and say no. "Sure; where do you have in mind?" I asked putting my pen down. "My place?" He smiled. I thought about that for a second. If I go, there might be some risks. I do not know who he is; what if he might be a murderer? "How about my place, it would be fun," I smiled back at him. If I am going to get murdered, I would rather be murdered in my house. Plus he could just be a misunderstood guy. "Really? Are you sure?" He asked surprised. "Yes, I do not see why not; just don't murder me" I laughed a bit. "Yeah, right" he laughed nervously. "So what time?" He asked suddenly. "How about around nine you can come over, that way I can go to the store," I suggested, and he nodded. "Sounds great," he smiled back. I suddenly noticed Emma was looking at me suspiciously. I wonder what was wrong.

~Wednesday cause I can do that~

"So you are bringing someone from work over?" Francis asked as I took some food out of a bag. "Yes," I looked at him. "Male or female?" Francis asked, interested. "A male," I said looking at him. "Oh....okay... so you are friends with him now?" He asked sadly. "I can have more than one friend Francis. Plus, I do not know anyone besides you, and you are...." I started pointing him up and down. That just made it worse .

"I wish it was Friday then," he said starting to pout. "Me too, but I only need a few more things for the spell," I told him setting up plates. "It is almost nine," he added sitting down at the table. "Please do not do anything to scare him or to distract me," I held my hands on my hips. "My dear, I would never." He chuckled in a childish way.

The doorbell rang, making me jump to get it. Francis continued to look at me in an unamused way. "You know, we could have just hung out together," he started to whine. "We see each other all the time," I rolled my eyes as I walked to open the door. "So..." he whispered.

"Hey!" I smiled, seeing Ivan looking eager. "Really? Him?" Francis complained, making me start to smile nervously. "Thank you for inviting me over," Ivan smiled, coming into the house. "You invited him!!!" Francis shouted heartbrokenly. "No problem" I started to breathe out so the temptation to yell would go away.

"Would you like something to eat? I did not know what you liked... so I have sandwiches," I laughed nervously. "That would be great," he said following me into the kitchen, along with Francis who kept staring at him suspiciously. "I do not trust him, Arthur." He started to whine once more.

"So Arthur, do you live alone?" Ivan asked, taking a seat at the table. "Yes, I just moved here from England, so I have not met anyone really," I started to turn the kettle on. "That is good," he whispered, but I did not hear well. "What was that?" I asked, confused. "Nothing, nothing," he laughed. I looked to Francis, who looked at him suspiciously. "Ditch him and watch tv with me," Francis suggested in a child-like tone.

"Would you like some tea?" I asked Ivan, making him nod in response. "Definitely," He said plainly. I started to take out some sandwiches from the fridge that I had made before when I heard Francis yell. "Arthur, look at him!" He said, making me get the plate and turn around quickly. Yet he looked normal. I turned to Francis glaring "I swear he was making faces at you," Francis defended. "Here," I smiled at Ivan ignoring Francis. He was probably just scaring me like usual. "Thank you," He smiled, taking a sandwich off the plate I placed in front of us. "Where are you from?" I asked, smiling nicely.

"So you noticed?"
"Of course"
"I am from Russia and came to France for a new experience."
"Wow! Same here!" I said excitedly. I looked to Francis, who was crossing his arms and looking away, annoyed. "Sorry about getting so excited," I laughed nervously. "It is fine; I thought it was cute," he reached over the table and placed his hand on mine. Francis's head shot toward him, looking angry. "Tell him not to touch you!" Francis demanded. The kettle started going off as I got nervous.

"That is the tea," I laughed, pulling my hand away in a fast way. I stood up and turned away to make tea. I have no idea what to do. That was an awkward position to be in. Does that even count as being hit on by someone? I did not like it. Not because he was a guy, but because I do not know him that way. "Arthur, just a heads up, but he is right behind you," Francis said in a worried tone. I breathed out, not wanting to turn around.

"Is the tea ready?" He asked from behind. "Yes..." I smiled, turning around slowly to see how close he was. "Tell him that it is getting late, Arthur." Francis looked at me, worried. I nodded slightly in an agreeing way to what Francis said. "You must be eager," I laughed, walking past him to place the tea down. "You know, I think it is getting late; maybe we should cancel" I looked at him trying to smile.

"We just started, though," he gave me a creepy look. "I told you something was wrong with him," Francis walked over to me, annoyed. "Yes...I know," I said, gesturing to Francis, But Ivan thought I directed it to him.

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