Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the highly anticipated last day of school had arrived.
It was a day that marked the end of a chapter, yet it often seemed like a mere formality.
The teachers, fully aware that the students' minds were already drifting towards summer holidays, would remind them time and again "Guys, school ends today, and you're expected to sit and pay attention until the final bell rings!"
However, it was evident that the students had already mentally checked out, eagerly envisioning days spent at the beach, organizing fun-filled adventures with their friends, indulging in refreshing granitas, ice creams and chilled beverages.
The teachers would persistently caution "And don't forget, we will review the assignments I've given you when we reconvene in September."
Yet, deep down, they understood that only the best student of the class would diligently complete the homework, while the rest would resort to hurriedly copying it a few days before returning to school.
The final day of school stood apart from the rest of the academic year, even from the concluding week.
It possessed an extraordinary aura, similar to the anticipation felt on New Year's Eve when everyone eagerly watches the clock, awaiting the stroke of midnight.
The students experienced this heightened sense of excitement as the last day drew near.
Time seemed to accelerate on that momentous day, as if the hours were rushing towards their grand finale.
The morning classes passed by in a blur, and during the break, a buzz of activity filled the hallways.
The students busily organized themselves for a significant event that had become a cherished tradition on the closing day: the water balloon battle.
In numerous schools, it had become customary to engage in lively water balloon fights or gleefully empty bottles of water upon one another as they bid farewell to the academic year.
Naturally, the schools attempted to discourage such activities, taking preventive measures to the best of their ability.
One could hear the teachers, with a mix of sternness and humor, repeatedly cautioning during the elusive last day of school "Please, no water balloons. Otherwise, rest assured, you will discover an unpleasant surprise on your report cards!"
Did these threats serve any purpose? Clearly, they did not.
As was customary each year, during the recess, the students seized the opportunity to collect water-filled bottles and stow them away in their backpacks.
They knew precisely how to prepare for the moment they stepped beyond the school's gates.
Even Dorian, breaking away from his usual routine of a cigarette break, took advantage of the recess to visit the men's bathroom discreetly, where he promptly filled two empty bottles with water.
Emerging from the bathroom, he zipped up his backpack.
A mischievous smile played on Delphine's lips as she asked "Are you going to end up drenched again this year?"
Without lifting his gaze, Dorian nonchalantly raised his eyebrows and responded "It's a matter of attack or be attacked. I don't remember you went back home dry last year."
"Because of you!" she replied smiling Delphine, as she turned to continue walking towards the class after the break.
As the final hours of lessons swiftly passed, the students found themselves merely counting down the minutes until the anticipated last bell would resound throughout the school.
The atmosphere was charged with excitement, each passing moment bringing them closer to the blissful onset of summer break.
Ten minutes before the scheduled end of the lesson, the professor warmly greeted the students and wished them a good summer.
Everyone swiftly grabbed their backpacks and made their way towards the corridor adjacent to the exit.
Then, like a sudden burst of exuberance, the bell rang, reverberating through the stairwells and echoing on every floor.
Accompanying its chime was a boisterous scream that pierced the air.
It was a signal for the older students, whose classes were situated on the upper floors, to spring into action.
Water bottles were uncapped, and water balloons soared through the air, targeting the unsuspecting students who were already making their way out of the building.
Laughter and excited screams filled the air as the schoolyard transformed into a playground of aquatic delight.
Some boys found themselves drenched, their clothes clinging to them as if they had just emerged from a pool.
Others, like Dorian had foreseen, skillfully managed to attack without falling victim to other students' balloons.
The ones who were coming out of school still hadn't started their water battle.
Amidst the chaos, Dorian stood behind Delphine, mischief twinkling in his eyes.
He seized one of the bottles, opening it with a mischievous grin, and emptied its contents onto her head before playfully dousing those around him.
Delphine's blonde long hair clung to her head, drenched as if she had just stepped out of a pool.
Rivulets of water trickled down her shirt, forming a small puddle on the ground beneath her.
The students around her got wet too, but at that moment, she found herself being the most soaked member of the group.
In her state of surprise and frustration, Delphine swiftly turned her attention towards Dorian, who still held the water bottles in his hands.
With an impulsive urge to retaliate, she sought to pour the contents of the bottles over him, her expression filled with mischief and a determination to even the score.
Inspired by Dorian, the other students followed suit, each unleashing cascades of water upon one another.
Within mere minutes, the entire schoolyard transformed into a watery wonderland, with joyous laughter and the sound of splashing water filling the air.
Amidst the frenzy of the water balloon battle, Delphine's pocket suddenly vibrated, signaling the arrival of a message on her phone.
Curiosity piqued, she swiftly retrieved the device, only to discover that the message came from an unknown number.
Her eyes widened as she read the sender's name: Ethan.
With each word that appeared on the screen, Delphine's disbelief transformed into elation.
"Hey, it's Ethan" the message declared.
A second message quickly followed "I'll wait for you on the corner outside school".
In that moment, a surge of hope rushed through her, dispelling any remnants of doubt that she had previously harbored.
Ethan had finally reached out to her.
Initially, Delphine had contemplated searching for him among the older students on this eventful last day of school.
After all, everyone would be leaving at the same hour, and it was uncommon for anyone to be absent on such a special occasion.
However, her decision had wavered.
Yet, now, as she read Ethan's message, her heart raced, constricting her throat.
Without a moment's hesitation, Delphine propelled herself through the throng of students reunited near the exit.
She emerged from the crowd, stepping into the open air, and instantly broke into a sprint toward the designated corner.
With each step, her excitement surged, propelling her forward.
As she rounded the corner, a wave of relief washed over her.
Ethan stood there, one hand casually nestled in his pocket, wearing an expression of eager anticipation.
Even in the shade, the sunlight glinted off his ice-colored eyes, magnifying their captivating allure.
Delphine couldn't help but feel captivated by his beauty.
Lost in her own thoughts, Ethan remained oblivious to her presence.
Delphine, determined not to let this moment pass, summoned her courage and raised her voice, calling out "Ethan!"
As soon as Ethan became aware of Delphine's presence, his eyes widened in surprise, but he tried to act as natural as possible.
"What happened to you?" he said amused, eyeing Delphine who had her hair and clothes full of water.
"Oh, nothing, my best friend decided that today I needed to take a shower at school" she said amused.
"You, on the other hand, aren't wet at all" she added, noting that, in fact, Ethan didn't even have a drop of water on him.
"Oh, no no, I escaped the attack" he stammered in surprise.
"I see..." Delphine smiled.
She ascended the steps leading to the secondary door of the school, which happened to be closed at that particular time.
Delphine settled down, finding a spot to sit, her mind buzzing with excitement.
Ethan joined her, positioning himself just a few inches away.
As they sat in proximity, a palpable tension filled the air, thick with unspoken emotions.
Delphine carefully lifted her backpack off her shoulders.
Her intention was to place it on the step beside her, but as she raised it, a sudden realization struck her.
"Oh, look at this mess" she exclaimed, a tinge of worry seeping into her voice.
"I hope my books didn't get wet."
As if on cue, a few drops of water descended upon Ethan, landing on his legs and arm.
A sudden panic overcame him, causing him to leap up from his seated position.
His reaction resembled that of someone who had witnessed the apparition of a ghost or a monster.
With an apology hastily uttered, he blurted out "Sorry, I have to go."
Without offering any further explanation, Ethan turned and fled, his hurried footsteps echoing in the distance.
Delphine sat there, utterly dumbfounded, her mind reeling with confusion and unanswered questions.