(no accents because you're both speaking French. Trigger warning for threats, verbal abuse, and abusive themes.)

(I also have a title for this one. :3)

~Fragile Paper~

Your P.O.V.

A rich teenager's life in Paris, France was a lavish one. Didn't prevent acne, though. I groaned as I inspected my face in the mirror.

"Nobody could love a face like this." I stepped back and inspected my stretch marks.

"Nobody could love a body like this, either." I sigh and put on my clothes, then go downstairs for breakfast.

"Honey, you really need to use the acne stuff we got you." I roll my eyes.

"Well, it feels uncomfortable. I don't like it." My father looks at me over his newspaper.

"It doesn't matter whether you don't like it. We need people to like you. That means beauty. No acne. Styled hair. Makeup. Fancy clothing. And did you get piercings when I SPECIFICALLY TOLD YOU NOT TO?!" I cross my arms.

"Dad, they're tiny hoops. It's not the end of the world!" He stands up. My mother does nothing.

"Do I need to go over there and rip them out myself?" I bow my head and take them out.

"I'm sorry, father." He nods and we continue eating breakfast with no more talking.

A few hours later, and I'm ready to go to my private school. Makeup covers my acne as best it can and the stiff uniform makes sure none of my unsightly body marks are seen.

"Have a nice day at school, honey." I only nod and start walking the short distance between school and home.

I arrive on time, as usual, and sit down in my usual seat. Class begins, and we all wait for him to show up. Then, right on time, Laurent strides in like he owns the place five minutes late. He hands the teacher the tardy slip and scans the room for an open seat. I see that the only seat is next to me. He gracefully walks over and sits his handsome ass next to me.

"I have not seen you before, my little rabbit. Why would a girl as pretty as you hide?" I look away to avoid him.

The entire class passes like this, with him flirting with me at intermittent times. One time, he even passed me a perfect paper flower. I kept it on my desk, and he saw it as a victory. Once class ended, he slid me a folded slip of paper, then got up and left.

I carefully put the flower in my lunch bag, then read the slip of paper. It's a small declaration of love, which I found adorable. I put that with the flower, then go to lunch.

After the day ends, I walk back home, with the flower and note still in my lunch bag. Before I go inside, I check the front window.

My father has been day-drinking again. I decide to go to my room quietly, as to not anger him. I slip inside the house and go up to my room and set my book bag down, then take out the paper flower, still pristine, and set it on my desk. I smile softly, then quietly go downstairs, sneaking past my father, and put my lunch bag in the kitchen. I go back upstairs and do my homework, then just sit and admire his craftsmanship.

The next day, I cover up again and go to school. Laurent sits next to me again, but he's on time today. It spooks everybody. He cups my chin with his hand.

"Why would you cover up such a pretty face with makeup?" I blush softly.

"Acne isn't beautiful." His gaze hardens.

"Whoever says that your natural face isn't beautiful is an imbecile. After school, would you let me see?" I blush harder and nod once. His gaze softens again and he smiles.

"Perfect. See you then." He then turns to the front and pays attention.

He slips me notes throughout class that say wonderful things. I tuck them all in a bag I brought specifically to carry items he gives me. Then, he passes me a fleet of paper cranes, one by one, until my side of the desk is littered with them. I smile softly and tuck them in the bag as well.

The school day ends, and I remember my promise. I wait outside for him. When he comes out, he grabs my hand and takes me to a car.

"I am sure your parents will be fine with you coming with me if you're saying you're practicing to take care of guests, yes?" I giggle and let him lead me to the car. We get in the back, and the driver takes us to his house as I text my parents. I don't look at the reply in my carelessness.

We soon arrive. He gets out first and holds open my door for me. I get out and take the hand he offers me. He leads me up to his rather fancy house, even by a rich person's standards. He takes me in and gets me to the kitchen.

"You seem far too skinny. Want anything to eat?" I blush softly.

"I'm not allowed to..." His jaw drops slightly.

"N-Not allowed to...No, your parents aren't here to tell you what to do. You are here as a guest, and I aim to make you comfortable." He goes into the fridge and pulls some things out, then gets some cooking supplies and implements.

"What are you making?"

"Crepes. Feel free to have some of the Madelines, and I can put some tea on if you want." I smile and go over to the plate of cookies and take one, eating happily and humming in content.

"These are so good. I've never had one before." I hear him gasp quietly.

"What have you been eating, then?"

"Just what's needed to survive. Skinny girls are beautiful, or that's what my parents say." He comes over and sets a plate of strawberry crepes in front of me, then kisses my cheek.

"They are, but starvation to be skinny is not. You are actually far too skinny, and people would suspect something. Tell this to your parents. Make them let you eat." I nod and blush softly when he kisses my cheek.

"Thank you." I start eating and grin. It's the most delicious thing I've ever had. It's gone after a few minutes. He chuckles softly.

"Seems you really were hungry." I nod and blush harder. He smiles and kisses my cheek again.

"Now, can I see your lovely face without the powders in the way?" I sigh quietly.

"Do you have any makeup remover? This stuff is pretty strong." He nods.

"Just wait one second." He leaves and I hear him going up some stairs. A few minutes later he returns with some wipes and starts cleaning my face.

"I can do it myself..."

"I know, but I want to do it." I nod and let him do it. After a few minutes, my face is clean. He smiles softly.

"You are much more beautiful like this, my dear." I blush and look away.

"No, I'm not...I'm terribly ugly." He turns my head to look at him.

"Those are your parent's words, not yours. Is that how you really feel?" I sigh quietly.

"I just wish I didn't have to cover up all the time...but the acne stuff my parents got me is annoying..." He chuckles softly.

"Please use it anyway. For your comfort, and so I can see your beautiful face without all the powders and chemicals in the way." I blush and smile. He leans in when suddenly there's a thundering knock at the door. I pull out my phone and check my parent's reply.

"Oh, shit." He gets up and walks quickly to the door.

"My mother's bathroom is the second room on the right upstairs. Reapply there." I nod and race upstairs quickly, ducking into his mother's bathroom and recreating the look I had this morning. I come back downstairs calmly to find Laurent charming my parents into not being angry.

"Please, sir, we are teenagers. It is the age of blossoming romance. One cannot blame her for seeking one on one male company."

"I suppose that is true...Well, she should have asked us."

"I was the one who suggested it, sir. I was so excited to finally have a beautiful girl such as your daughter over that I forgot to plan it out. She does seem awfully skinny, though. Do you not have enough food at home? I could easily get my parents to donate some to you."

"No, no, we have more than enough food at home."

"Then why does she seem like she is starved?"

My father kind of paused. I stayed at the banister of the stairs to listen to his decision.

"Does she?"

"Yes, sir. I thought that maybe she was just picky, but she told me you put her on a diet when I asked. It seems this diet might be hurting her."

He nods.

"Okay. We'll take her off the diet." I grin, then school my face into neutrality and approach my parents. My mother glares at me softly.

"Why didn't you come home immediately?"

"I didn't get your message. I'm sorry." She nods, accepting the answer. My parents lead me out and to the car, but not before Laurent slips something in my pocket. Once we got home, I raced to my room.

I deposited all my paper cranes on my desk, then pulled out the paper he gave me. It was a number, which I assumed was his. I entered it into my phone and gave him a contact.

The next day, I was a bit more confident when I walked into the classroom. Laurent came on time again and sat down next to me. I slid him my number and he entered it into his phone.

"You look healthier already, my dear." I smile.

"They changed my diet immediately. I got actual food this morning." 

The class started, and we both set off to do our work. He seemed focused on his latest origami creation rather than the work, however. When he finished it, he smiled softly before he handed it over to me.

It was a paper heart, with a message in beautiful script on it.

'Beautiful, but fragile. Just like you. I intend to make you stronger, my treasure. I love you.'

My face goes red. I tuck it in my lunch box before burying my face in my hands. He kisses my cheek.

"Je t'aime."