A few weeks went by, and unfortunately, the situation didn't get any better. It honestly became worse. Michele refused to speak to Simone, no matter how hard the other girl tried. It broke my heart to see my friends split up like this. Michele was hanging out with Martine and her friends while Simone was either with me, Jean-Pierre or Pichon and the boys.
Michele, while not actively avoiding me, didn't talk that much to me anymore.
The only good thing to come out of this was that those last few weeks strengthened my relationship with Descamps, as we spent more time together. While we weren't out in the open for everyone to see, our friends knew and that was what mattered.
That morning, I was sat on the small wall in front of the school, waiting for Annick to arrive as I had a book for her she wanted to borrow. Michele arrived, giving me a small smile, which I did back. I couldn't help but sigh, missing my girlfriends.
Annick arrived soon after, parking right next to where I sat. She greeted me, her hair a bit undone by the wind.
« I got the book you talked about last time » I started, searching for it in my bag. Found it.
« Are you sure your dad doesn't mind I borrow it ? » she inquired.
« No, don't worry. I think he'll be more than happy to know they're not collecting dust while he's away » I chuckled.
« Thanks, I'll get it back to you once I'm done »
« Don't sweat it » I assured her.
We got inside the courtyard, chatting about books. Annick and I had grown comfortable with one another.
« Can I ask you something, Nora ? » she suddenly asked.
« Sure, whatever is on your mind »
« You're friends with Alain, right ? »
« Yes, I mean, he's hard to keep track of nowadays but yes, he's my friend » I said, trying to mask my frustration by a laugh.
« It's Michele, right? » she supposed.
« What ? »
« He's dating Michele, and ever since Simone and her don't speak, they spend a lot of time together »
« Annick Sabiani, you are way too smart for Voltaire » I said, amazed. « I trust you so don't repeat it, but they've been dating since the frog situation last month »
She sighed, looking annoyed at the information I had given her.
« Have you noticed he's failing recently ? Even math ? » she asked.
« I have. But Michele is a touchy subject to him, and I don't think I'm in the best position to lecture him about relationships » I admitted
« But you dating Descamps hasn't changed your grades; your one way to university » she argued. « People like us can't afford second chances, Nora, you know it all too well »
I sighed.
« I know » I looked at her. « Do you have an idea ? I want the best for him, Annick, but I'm out of ideas »
« Let's just talk to him after the math test today, see what he says, and we'll advise »
Only problem was: Alain didn't show up for the test. Actually, he showed up half an hour before the test was over, making it impossible for him to pass.
Annick got out first, wanting to have a word with the teacher before catching Alain. I waited for them on top of the stairs in the hallway. She joined me soon after, announcing me they were hidden in that little corner next to the classroom.
Michele was the first we spotted, followed a few seconds later by Alain.
Once he was close enough, Annick called out to him.
« What the hell did you do ? » she asked.
He looked taken aback.
« Sorry ? »
« What happened with the test ? »
« It's the farm » he said shortly.
Annick raised an eyebrow.
« Really ? Or is it Michele? » she asked.
He looked at me. I raised my hands in defense, signaling I was not guilty of treason. He turned his attention back to her.
« So ? Did you come to congratulate me ? » he asked coldly. I could tolerate him being annoyed but Annick was just worried for him, there was no need for the attitude.
« You already messed up in History and English, Alain » I finally spoke. « And now Math, your best subject »
« Why do you care ? » he asked.
« School is your only chance. What are you doing ? » she said.
« You think I don't know that ? »
« Right now, it doesn't seem like you know it » I answered.
Annick slightly shook her head.
« You're throwing it all away for a crush »
« No, it's not a crush »
I sighed.
« Alain- » I tried to speak. He looked me in the eyes.
« She loves me »
« We're not saying she doesn't. But you know that Michele and you don't have the same chances. If she messes up, she has a life to fall back on; her family, their shop, everything. But you ? You can't afford to mess this up, Alain. You're capable of great things, of having a great life. Is loving Michele worth throwing all of that away ? » I asked. « Nothing is forbidding you to date her, but your studies should be your priority right now, for at least two more years »
« She loves me » he repeated, clearly distressed by what I had told him.
Annick took a harder way.
« When she will have to find a suitable husband in five years, what do you think she'll do? »
That left him shocked, no more words coming out of his mouth.
We left him there, hoping to have knocked some sense into him.
« Do you think we were a bit too harsh ? I feel bad for having talked to him that way » I said wearily.
« He needed a reality check, Nora. I hope he will make the right decisions » she simply said.
I knew she was right but I felt bad I hurt him.
« I've got to talk to Pichon about something, I'll see you later »
« See you around, Annick »
The rest of the day was uneventful, except the few glances Alain threw my way. I really had to apologize to him.
After class, I made my way through the hallways trying to find Joseph. Dupin spotted me first, making big gestures for me to come.
« It's nice to see you too Dupin, but I'm afraid I have to steal Joseph for a second » I said.
« Just for a second then, we're placing bets, and whoever wins gets cigarettes from the losers for a whole week » Vergoux said.
Once we were a bit further, we could finally chat more freely.
« Do you have anything to do after school ? I'd like to go to the bookshop; my father is coming home soon and I want to get him a gift » I explained.
« I have something planned right after school » he said, an expression I couldn't recognize on his face. He quickly composed himself. « But we can go tomorrow after class. We can spend the afternoon together if you'd like »
That brought a smile to my face.
« Sure, let's do that. I made cookies yesterday, I'll bring some for snacking » I suggested.
He nodded, starting our routine to bring me home, not caring that his friends were waiting for him.
« I saw you with Annick, talking to Laubrac earlier. What was that about ? »
I was surprised he would mention it, we barely talked about our respective friends, probably because he knew my friends disliked him.
« We were worried about his grades slipping, recently. We just wanted to check on him » I said vaguely, not wanting to betray the trust my friends had in me.
« I see » he looked at me strangely. What was up with him ? « I can't bring you all the way back home today, I've got to stop at the shops for my mother »
« I understand, no worries »
I kissed him once, and started walking away before he grabbed my hand, bringing me back to him, kissing me deeply.
He finally let me go, telling me we'd see each other the next day.
When I got to school the next day, I couldn't help but notice both Michele and Laubrac were not here and Jean-Pierre looked rather upset. I immediately went up to Simone, who made a surprised face when she saw me.
« What is going on, Simone ? » I asked, looking discreetly at Jean-Pierre.
She sighed, looking around before explaining to me what had happened the day before.
« Yesterday evening, I was supposed to meet Jean-Pierre for a date but he was not coming down. Michele had her window opened, she noticed me and explained that they were grounded »
« Grounded? Why ? » I interrupted her.
« Word apparently got to their parents that Michele is dating Alain and that I'm seeing Jean-Pierre »
« They were grounded for that ? » I wondered. Her parents were awful.
« Yeah, I know »
« But that doesn't explain why they're not here » I frowned.
« Michele had a date with Alain at the park, so she asked me to let him know what happened. I did. I ran as fast as I could to get there. I told him everything. He was surprised. I mean, who wouldn't- »
« Get to the point, Simone. It sounds serious »
« Yes. Right. After I told him, he immediately ran in direction of her house, and I went back home. Since then, nothing » she got closer to me, speaking more quietly. « I think they ran away, Nora »
Before I could respond, Jean-Pierre made his way over, putting himself between Simone and I.
« Why are you talking to her ? You want to ruin other people's lives, just like your little boyfriend ? » he accused me.
Huh ?
« She doesn't know, Jean-Pierre » Simone protested.
« What does he mean? » I looked at Simone, begging for answers.
She got past Jean-Pierre, putting her hand on my shoulder.
« I know you had nothing to do with it Nora »
« Simone. Who told their parents ? »
She sighed.
« Descamps came by yesterday after school before they got back home. He made quite a scene apparently » she looked at me. « I'm so sorry, Nora »
My mind went blank. At that exact moment, there was nothing other than pure rage in my body. How could he ? I had given him everything and he still managed to do this to me.
I saw him by the gate, looking at me. He knew that I knew.
I gave my bag to Simone, making my way to him as fast as my legs would allow me to. And before, I could process it, I slapped him across the face.
Hiii
The drama begins !? Go Nora !! He deserves it 😭
The talk with Laubrac?? I would've cried if this was said to me. It truly showed how they care for each other and she's truly worried for her friends
Next chapter is going to be very emotional, lot of anger so be prepared 😭
I think there are like 4-5 chapters left ???? Something like that?? And I'm thinking of an epilogue, if I manage to fit it in.
Tell me what you thought of this chapter !!
Take care 🩷