Michel & Josette

Chapter 29: Don't Give Up!

Michel sat at his desk in his apartment, gloomily writing in a notebook. He was supposed to be studying, but he was too busy feeling sorry for himself and was too busy thinking about his Josette. He was currently just writing her name down over and over again.

Bartholomew suddenly entered the room, bored and hungry. She walked over to Michel's feet and meowed loudly, sitting down and expecting him to do something about her hunger. However and unfortunately, Michel completely ignored her.

"Josette…" he whispered solemnly.

"Mrrrow…" Bartholomew drawled out, narrowing her eyes at her master.

Michel continued to ignore his feline companion. He had a very pitiful look on his face as he continued to write Josette's name down over and over again, almost in a deranged state.

"Meow!" Bartholomew meowed again, pawing at Michel's socked feet.

Michel stopped what he was doing, wearily bringing his woeful eyes down to look at the cat. Bartholomew meowed loudly and swished her tail back and forth. Michel stared at her for a very long moment before going back to writing in his notebook, sniffling.

Bartholomew was starting to get very annoyed. She unsheathed her claws and then took a swipe at his leg, tearing through the fabric of his pants and catching his skin.

"OW!" Michel yowled, jumping up from his chair, the chair falling backwards onto the floor by the force. He looked down at his cat, rubbing his now bleeding leg. "What has gotten into you, you silly cat?!"

"Mrrrrrrrow!" Bartholomew responded, expecting him to feed her some food.

Michel stared at her for a very long time, thirty minutes. Then, a determined expression adorned his face and he held up a fist. "You are right, Bartholomew! I shouldn't be sitting here feeling sorry for myself! I shouldn't give up!"

Bartholomew gave him a look.

Michel put one hand on his hip and held his fist up higher, his eyes shining with conviction. "I shouldn't give up!" he repeated dramatically. "I should go out and explain myself to Josette and apologize as well, like a true gentleman!"

"Meow…" Bartholomew growled.

"Thank you for you honest advice, Bartholomew!" Michel picked his cat up and gave her a very tight hug.

Bartholomew could barely breathe.

Michel then released her and let her fall to the ground, gasping for air and struggling to breathe. Michel laughed and then merrily exited his apartment, slamming the door behind him.

The young man traveled through Paris, France, in search of his wonderful Josette. He headed to the park first and finally found her there.

Josette was sitting on the usual bench, feeding the pigeons like she usually did. She looked rather lovely in Michel's eyes.

"She's like a beautiful maiden…" Michel thought harmoniously, grinning widely.

So, he made his way over to her, eyeing the pigeons apprehensively. He was aware that the pigeons could attack him at any minute. He waved as he approached Josette.

"Oh, Josette!" Michel called out joyously.

Josette looked up, surprised. However, her surprise quickly turned into annoyance. She quickly looked away from him in a dismissive manner, not even saying a word.

Michel was hurt by this, but kept his smile. "It's nice to see you here on such a dandy day, Josette!" he told her.

Josette tossed the pigeons some pieces of bread, completely ignoring him.

Michel bit his lower lip and hesitantly took a seat next to her, fiddling around with his thumbs and keeping his head down. He wasn't sure of what to say first.

"I'm sorry," Michel thought an apology was the right thing to do first.

Josette rolled her eyes, but didn't say a thing.

Michel frowned. "I was framed!"

Finally, Josette turned her head to look at him, trying not to burst out laughing at what he said. "You were what?"

Michel almost grinned, happy that she was actually talking to him again. "I was framed. I was framed by Faux! He did that because he doesn't like me."

Josette stared into his eyes intently, searching for the truth. She leaned forward some, their noses almost touching. Michel tried not to back up and his heartbeat accelerated, his cheeks burning.

"Are you telling the truth?" Josette wanted to know.

Michel nodded, unable to speak.

Josette leaned back and put on a smile. "Good. I knew you weren't that stupid, Momo."

Michel almost jumped in happiness. "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Josette only shrugged, fighting to stop her smile from getting bigger. She kept her eyes on the pigeons instead.

Suddenly, the smile on Michel's face vanished and he frowned, looking offended. "What do you mean I am not that stupid? Are you saying I'm actually stupid? And my name is MICHEL!"

"Really?"

"Yes!"

"I don't think so."

"Just say Michel!"

"Yolanda."

Michel stared at her in disbelief before smacking his forehead in despair, shaking his head.

He'll never get a break.

"But at least…things are back to normal…"