Blue Rose Tears

Chapter 2

P.O.V Narrator

It didn't work, the pain Carl felt was still the same. Those hours spent in the Church begging for forgiveness were useless.
His gaze was empty, as if he was looking for something, but at the same time, didn't know what it was. He wouldn't dare go after Serge again, he didn't want to get hurt anymore.
He would probably be lectured by Professor Louie Renné, he would receive punishments like kneeling during the break, or getting twice as much homework.
It didn't bother him.
As he passed by the other students, he put his usual calm expression back on his face. Everyone looked at Carl with admiration, thinking of him as a role model of responsibility.

"If they knew what is behind this smiling face, they would be disgusted..." – He thought to himself as he walked towards the school.

All he needed was to be distracted, he needed to think of something other than the gypsy. His homework was done, his bedroom was clean, mass was over, there was nothing more to be done.
He thought and decided that spending time with one of his friends would be a good idea.

Serge? He didn't want to see him until he felt better.
Gilbert? He was not comfortable around him, knowing the relationship he had with the pianist.
Kurt and Neka? They were playing football, and Carl never got along with sports.
Sebastian? He and his younger brother rarely spent any time together, since Sebastian liked to mingle with the older boys.
Pascal?

"Yes, I think spending some time with him should make me feel better. He is usually at the lab studying something new, maybe I could help him and distract myself!" – The dark-haired boy quickly heads towards the school laboratory.

Feeling useful was a relief to Carl, as he usually had some self-esteem issues.
Walking through the corridors of Lacombrade, he approaches the laboratory door.
The place was only used during Chemistry classes, and was rarely used after them, except for a red-haired scientist.
Taking a deep breath, the religious boy knocked lightly on the door, waiting for an answer.

"Come in." – A voice answered from inside the room, a few seconds later, he could only hear the noise of the old wooden door being opened.

The laboratory was well lit, because of the windows that occupied most of the walls.
The benches were filled with glassware, books, and notes. Anyone who saw would be confused, but Carl was already used to it.
The fact that the red-haired scientist stayed most of the time in the lab was normal to Carl; since he met him, he already knew that he was an eccentric person, and ahead of his time.
Passing calmly between the tables, the religious boy observed the silhouette that had its back to him.
He wore a white coat with sleeves rolled up to the elbows, his red hair disheveled, and he was bent forward.
Getting closer, the dark-haired boy saw his friend with his glasses on top of his head as he looked at something under a microscope; he seemed very focused.

"Working on the blue rose?" – Carl asks, leaning on the table, while watching his friend.

"You know me, someone has to revolutionize science around here." – The redhead responds, replacing his glasses before taking a drag on a cigarette that was nearby.

When the two boys stood side by side, it was possible to see the difference between them. For being older, Pascal was always the tallest of the group.
His scraggly shaved chin, messy hair and iconic shaped glasses were the scientist's trademark. Anyone who knew him could recognize him from afar.
This was the perfect time for Carl to distract himself. Maybe he could talk to Pascal about his experiments, and forget about Serge.