"Hold on, let's back up a bit," said Francis. "She said in her message that she'll only get here once we're already in class, right?"
"That's right," replied Lucas. "And that makes sense, considering the distance from Millem to here and the traffic on the way."
"But isn't her college class in the afternoon, just like ours? Doesn't that mean she intends to skip class today?"
"At first, I also thought that this 'something' she said she was going to do later could simply be her college, but the round trip from Millem to here, with the traffic, would take a long time, so it wouldn't make sense. Besides, if it were just college, she would have specified that to me, so I think she really intends to skip class today and do something else."
"That's strange... will skipping class like this affect her in any way?"
"Well, considering that she has a practically perfect attendance record and her grades are also excellent, it shouldn't make much difference, and also, her exams aren't today, so if that's all, she'll be fine." Lucas explained, but he seemed a little frustrated as he spoke.
"The problem is that it's hardly just that." Francis said, also feeling a little frustrated. "Something happened last night and now she's acting strange, and the way she's being vague, it's likely that she doesn't intend to explain this situation to us anytime soon."
"Yeah, maybe, but she still said earlier that she would explain it to me later, and I trust her word. Besides, she also said one more thing in that last message."
"Yes, she said... that in any case, you had her location, wasn't that it?"
"Exactly, and that seems like a good sign," Lucas said. "What do you think?"
"Well, considering she said you don't need to worry for now, I think it's a way of reassuring you. I mean, she still can't explain the situation to you and knows she's being too vague, so she reminds you that you have her location in case it's really worrying you..."
"I agree, I mean, whatever it is, it's probably a complicated matter, but if it were something serious or urgent, she would have made it clear to both of us, but I don't know... I have a bad feeling about this."
"Man, I understand you," Francis said sympathetically. "I also hate to think that she might be in serious trouble or something, but everything indicates that it's nothing urgent and that she can handle it herself. I mean, she definitely knows what she's doing. But even so, if you want to, for example, skip your college class to see her when she gets here, I won't blame you."
"I... well, I did think about doing that, but... I think you're right, maybe I'm worrying too much, and skipping my class might be a bit too much."
"No, I mean, I don't think you're worrying too much, and I also don't know why she still can't explain to us what's going on with her, but I'm sure that if something serious happens, she'll let us know somehow."
Lucas let out a sigh. Feeling a little more relieved, he said, "Yeah, you have a point there."
"Yeah, but to be fair, let's do the following." Francis said with determined eyes.
"Hm?" Lucas tilted his head.
"You're going to reply to that message she sent you and try to find out what you can. It's possible she won't reply right away, considering how she doesn't seem to be able to explain anything to you yet, and if she does reply, she may still be vague, but regardless, I'll also try to contact her to see if she tells me anything. Whatever she replies to you, let me know, and whatever she replies to me, I'll let you know too."
"Okay." Lucas nodded firmly.
It would be easier if Lucas and I could just skip college today to talk to Rose in person, but the truth is that we can't be considered such exemplary students, at least not enough to risk missing a day without being affected in some way. Besides, the way she wrote in the message, it seems that she already expects us to be in class anyway, even so...
"And Lucas, assuming she doesn't tell us anything now, if we find out anything serious about her while we're at college, we'll leave right away and see what we can do."
"Okay, I'll keep an eye on her location in the meantime and update you as necessary."
"Perfect, good idea." Francis agreed. "And if no problems arise during that time, we'll see what she left here in my apartment when we get back, and then we'll decide what to do."
Lucas nodded.
"I'm going to my apartment then," Lucas said, turning his back. "Talk to you later."
"Okay, see you later," Francis said, saying goodbye to Lucas and then entering his apartment.
With that, he went to his bedroom, where he grabbed a bath towel, and then went to the bathroom, where he took off his clothes—a simple tank top, gray sweatpants, and a pair of running shoes—and put them in a laundry basket.
Then he stepped into the shower and turned on the water, feeling the hot water pour over his body. Francis was a little frustrated, that was true. This whole thing with his sister acting strange and possibly getting herself into some kind of trouble was a worrying issue for him, especially considering how she seemed to avoid or be unable to talk about what was tormenting her.
Still, Francis wanted to trust Rose. He wanted to trust that his little sister knew what she was doing, because in his view, that was what a good older brother should do, and also, after all, she was already a twenty-year-old woman who certainly knew how to take care of herself.
Besides, he had already decided for himself that he would act at the first sign of a serious problem, and he had also just discussed with Lucas the measures that were available to them at that moment, in case they were necessary, so he could, at least for now, try to relax and let the hot water do its job.
Am I doing this right?
Maybe, or maybe he should be trying harder? Worrying more, maybe even skipping his class so he could confront her, that way he would show that he cares, right? Maybe, but the truth is that, deep down, Francis knew he was doing his best.
But is my best good enough?
He didn't know. So all he could do, with these thoughts, good or bad, was continue with his shower.
...
Having already gotten out of the shower and dried himself off, Francis was in his room wearing clean pants.
After that, he grabbed his cell phone, left his room, and walked to the balcony.
Francis didn't put on a T-shirt; after all, when Lucas wasn't around, Francis spent most of his time alone, so he could dress however he wanted and no one would be there to complain. The exception, in this case, would be his mother, who also lived with him, but her presence became increasingly rare over time, considering the time she spends in the hospital.
When it wasn't just his mother, on normal days, it was on weekends when Rose came to visit him, his father came to visit him—although he was a very busy man and couldn't always show up—and Lucas also joined the Noctis family. After all, besides being Rose's boyfriend, he also lived upstairs, and so everyone enjoyed their time together.
Francis also liked Lucas's father to be present on these occasions, as he was a man Lucas respected greatly, a longtime friend of his father's, and someone Francis had interacted with a few times. Unfortunately, as Lucas himself had explained to him, his father was someone who managed to be even busier than his own father, which was curious, considering that both his father and Lucas's father worked in the same place.
Finally, Francis had arrived on the balcony once again. Unlike that moment in the early hours of the morning, when twilight reigned over the sky, now it was daylight that ruled. Still, Francis was able to notice, on the distant horizon, the accumulation of gray and darkened clouds floating in his direction.
Looks like rain is coming... He reflected, and then sat down at a small table next to the balcony.
With that, he turned on his phone to check if Lucas had sent him anything.
He didn't send me anything, so I can assume that Rose didn't send you anything either. He sighed, massaging his forehead. Well, in that case...
Francis then opened the chat app and selected his sister's contact.
Let's see if she tells me anything.
He then typed: [Hey sis, how's it going? Lucas and I talked this morning and it seems like something happened to you yesterday or something. Are you okay? Is there anything I should be worried about?]
And finally, he sent it.