(Viewpoint: Hérèse )
The night wasn't particularly bad.
It simply wasn't restful.
I woke up several times for no real reason, with this strange feeling that I had forgotten something important. Each time, I looked at the time on my watch, noting that there was still time before morning, then closed my eyes again hoping to fall back asleep.
In the end, when the alarm went off, I mostly felt like I hadn't left my office.
– My back hurts
I sat for a few seconds on the edge of the bed, elbows resting on my knees, before running a hand over my face.
My jaw still hurt.
My shoulder too.
The blows I received the day before weren't particularly serious, but they had accumulated. Every movement reminded me of the duel, the stones thrown, the dust in my eyes, and the cold that was coming on.
I find myself with blue equinoxes all over the place.
Finally, I got up and got ready without taking my time.
When I went downstairs, breakfast was already served.
François was in his usual place, an open file in front of him. He looked up when I entered the room.
We were alone for breakfast
– Have you finished your lessons?
- Yes.
It was an acceptable lie since I had done half of it, so that's the joy of being lazy.
He made no comment.
I sat down opposite him and began to eat quietly. The silence didn't bother me. On the contrary, I found it more relaxing than some of my mother's forced conversations.
After a few minutes, François closed his file.
– Is your forehead feeling better?
I instinctively raised a hand towards the faint mark that was still visible.
- Yes.
He simply nodded.
Then he resumed his coffee as if the question had been of no importance.
I never knew how to react to him.
He almost never asked questions, but he always seemed to notice what I was doing; it was as if he was telling me he knew without actually saying so.
The journey to the high school was as calm as the one the day before.
This time, however, I noticed something as soon as I crossed the gate.
The looks.
They were all lying on top of me; it wasn't the first time, but…
Just the day before, some students were looking at me with amusement or contempt.
Today, it would seem that I have a small community of fans.
Conversations would break up when I passed near certain groups. Some students looked at me longer than necessary and took the initiative to give me a positive wave.
I continued walking without stopping, ignoring them as usual.
I had no desire to join in this little game.
I crossed the courtyard, went up the stairs and entered my classroom.
The silence that greeted me lasted a second too long.
Then the conversations resumed.
I returned to my seat.
No white dust today.
That was already an improvement.
I put down my bag and sat down.
The two twins in the class were a little too close to my row, they were talking in low voices in my direction.
Seriously ?
I decided not to listen; these kinds of discussions always ended up becoming boring or problematic.
I took out my notebook hoping to finish all my homework before the bell rang.
In just a few minutes, someone pulled the chair next to me and went over the desk.
I turned my head slightly.
It had become a habit now.
Maëva.
She put down her things before sitting down without looking at me.
I turned my attention back to my notebook.
- What ?
I looked up at the sky.
– What what?
She crossed her arms.
– Do you have something to say?
– No.
– Yes.
I think for a few seconds.
– I don't think so, we have nothing to say to each other.
She clicked her tongue in frustration before opening her textbook.
Silence returned between us.
I thought the conversation was over when she spoke again.
– Jack won't be coming today either.
I turned my head slightly towards her.
– Oh, so what?
– Is that all?
– Is it your responsibility in the neighborhood?
– I knew you'd be a bad match?
I think for a few seconds without really thinking about his question.
– What do you want me to say?
She looked at me as if she were hesitating between insulting me and giving up on the idea of talking to me.
- with.
I nodded.
The professor entered a few moments later and the lesson began.
For once, nobody threw any paper.
Strangely, I found this situation much more worrying than the usual mockery.
During the break, several groups quickly left the room.
I stayed in my place.
I much preferred the peace and quiet.
I took a book out of my bag when we stopped again in front of my table.
I looked up.
The twins
– Hello.
– hhum
He seemed to hesitate.
– we want to join your cause
– We are with you in the revolt
I watched them for a few seconds.
- What ?
He seemed surprised.
– we're going to train to reach your level in combat.
– we are ready to overthrow their supremacist power.
– hein ? .
I thought for a moment but I still wasn't following the spiel they were telling me.
– what revolt?
They remained silent, as if disappointed, before leaving.
I lowered my eyes to my book.
People were definitely strange.
A few minutes later, Maëva returned to her seat.
She put down her bag and observed me briefly.
– Mr. Revolutionary
– you've become very popular
Silence
– It seems like you don't hate me anymore
I closed my book and stared into her eyes.
She looked at me for a few seconds before shaking her head slightly.
– You really don't understand people at all.
I'm thinking about his comment.
– It's possible.
She sighed.
Then she turned her gaze towards the window.
– if only you knew how many times I've planned to throw myself from the first floor… Too bad we're on the ground floor, you're only likely to get a simple scratch.
She's crazy.