I look up to see the teacher staring at us with a disapproving expression.
-May I know why you're staring?, I said, trying to sound contrite.
She gives me a stern look before returning to her class.
-As I was saying, today we are going to study the main themes of Zola's "Germinal", she continues, but me and my friends continue to discuss discreetly.
Nyx leans towards me, whispering:
-We'll talk about it again after class. Just pretend to listen for now.
I smile, amused, and nod. I do my best to pay attention to class, but my thoughts keep returning to Lorenzo, Damon, and everything that happened. Rhea and Nyx send me knowing looks from time to time, and we exchange a few notes scribbled under our books.
-Do you think Lorenzo is sincere? Rhea slips to me while Madame Leroy turns her back to write on the board.
I sigh softly.
-Sincere in his motivations impossible. He likes to play his little games so it's hard to know how much you can trust him.
Nyx interjects with a mischievous smile.
-Maybe playing this game could also have a little fun for you, who knows?
I roll my eyes, a smile on my lips.
-Don't worry, I've prepared a lot of games for him, I replied.
The class continues, but our mind remains focused on our conversation. Even though the situation is complicated and potentially dangerous, it didn't scare me, on the contrary. After all, with Rhea and Nyx by my side, the adventure was much crazier.
As my friends and I continue to chat, I hear murmurs in the classroom. Several students mention the name of the new student. A few claim to have seen her being blocked by other students. A feeling of uneasiness grows within me, and I decide to take matters into my own hands.
I raise my hand, interrupting Ms. Dubois in the middle of her explanation.
-Mme Dubois, I said loudly. Can you make the call again? It seems that the new student is having problems.
Ms. Dubois frowns, visibly annoyed by my interruption.
-No, miss, the call has already been made. We must move with the flow.
I stare at her, feeling irritation rising.
-With all due respect, Madam, if you haven't heard the murmurs circulating in the class, you are either deaf or not cut out to be a teacher, I replied, my voice full of arrogance.
Even though I felt no respect towards her, I thought inwardly
A shocked silence settles in the room. All eyes are on me, some admiring, others frightened by my audacity. Ms. Dubois stares at me, visibly furious.
-Miss, I will not tolerate such disrespect in my class, she said dryly.
I stand up slowly, holding his gaze without blinking.
-Very good but I advise you to check where this new student is, I replied before leaving the room.
Once in the hallway, I take a deep breath to calm my anger. I start looking for the news, trusting the whispers I heard earlier. After a few minutes of searching, I came across a small gathering of students near the lockers. In the center, a girl I recognize as the new one, visibly in distress.
-What is happening here ? I asked loudly as I approached.
The students turn to me, surprised and intimidated. Some step back, letting the news appear, with tears in their eyes.