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Chapter 4 - Game

The Next Day

The day was marked by palpable tension as Eliott, besieged by accusations, found himself at the center of a meeting with the principal and the bullies. The evidence he had provided against Marc and his accomplices, meant to prove their relentless abuse, seemed to have had little impact on the principal's decision.

The principal's office, an austere and cold space, had walls adorned with diplomas and certificates. Principal Lefèvre, an imposing figure at the school, was reputed for his impartiality but often turned a blind eye to issues that only concerned certain students. Today, he seemed visibly annoyed by the situation.

Marc and his friends, summoned individually, fervently denied Eliott's accusations. They claimed everything they had done was merely for fun and that Eliott was, in fact, complicit in their actions.

"That's not true," Marc protested."It's just for laughs," added Clément."He's lying," muttered William."He's a liar," Julie chimed in."He agreed to it," Marie insisted.

In addition to the testimonies of his classmates, their confidence in their own impunity was almost tangible, as if their status as privileged students exempted them from any responsibility.

Principal Lefèvre, arms crossed behind his desk, looked skeptically at Marc and his friends' statements. It was evident he had already made up his mind, and the idea of intervening seemed more of a bother than anything else.

"You understand, children," he addressed Marc and his companions, "that these accusations are serious. But we must remember this isn't the first time we've had conflicts at this school. I'm sure this is just a misunderstanding between students."

Marc, with a smug smile, feigned an apology. "We really didn't mean to hurt Eliott. It was just for fun. We never thought it would go this far."

Watching Marc and his friends, Eliott felt his heart sink. The denial from Marc and his gang only deepened his despair. He knew the principal, despite his efforts to appear impartial, was already convinced this was nothing more than a childish squabble.

When it was Eliott's turn to be called in, he entered the office, his face tense and hands clammy. The principal looked at him sternly, as if searching for a flaw in his demeanor.

"Eliott," Principal Lefèvre began, "it seems we have conflicting evidence. Marc and his friends claim you were in agreement with them and have exaggerated the situation. Is this true?"

Marc, standing right next to Eliott, wore an expression of contempt barely hidden behind a mask of feigned friendship. Subtly but obviously to those who observed closely, he placed a hand on Eliott's shoulder, squeezing with a force bordering on discomfort. His fingers pressed heavily, as if to compel Eliott to comply with his desires. Marc looked at him with a satisfied smile, a silent pressure dictating Eliott's response.

Eliott, overwhelmed by the pressure of this uncomfortable situation, felt his resolve weakening. Marc, with a triumphant smile, stared at Eliott with penetrating eyes, seemingly savoring the power he held over him.

"No, Principal," Eliott responded, his voice trembling but determined. "It's not true. I... I'm sorry for all this confusion. I wouldn't want to cause more problems."

Principal Lefèvre, satisfied with Eliott's response, nodded. "Good. I hope we won't need to revisit this sort of issue in the future. We expect our students to act as responsible adults."

Marc, now fully satisfied, slightly loosened his grip on Eliott's shoulder while maintaining his triumphant smile. The principal's words only added to Eliott's frustration. He knew it was all a façade, that the truth had not been heard, and that Marc and his friends would continue to act with impunity.

When the meeting ended, Eliott left the office, his mind tormented by disappointment and anger. He felt betrayed by those who were supposed to ensure justice and the well-being of the students. His thoughts revolved around the blatant injustice he had just experienced, and the mounting pressure of accusations and threats weighed heavily on his shoulders.

Returning home with dragging feet, his mind clouded by the weight of defeat, he opened the door to his house and was greeted by the worried looks of his parents. They knew something was wrong, but Eliott, exhausted and demoralized, simply forced a faint smile and greeted them.

"Good evening, Mom, Dad. Everything's fine."

Jeanne and Thomas, despite their own worries, returned the smile with a façade of reassurance for their son. They knew things were far from fine but felt compelled to remain strong for Eliott.

Eliott climbed the stairs to his room slowly, each step resonating like a cruel reminder of his failures. As he collapsed onto his bed, he reflected on the day's events and the frustration caused by Marc and his friends' actions.