why not me? ( a squid game fanfic)

Maturing

ALEX
As a kid, I've always wanted to go to Korea. It's just stupidly unfortunate that I was born into a family that could barely pay for at least one meal a day. The more the years passed the more fortunate we got.
But that's only  if two meals a day is fortunate.

Today I wake up to the ghastly sound of my alarm. I look at the half working clock hanging on the wall and it seems to be around 6:00 am but you can never be sure.

This morning I have the cereal that I keep at the very top of my cupboard where the rats can't reach it. I savour my breakfast while staring at the brilliant view of the peeling ugly orange wallpaper of my apartment. If you can call it an apartment. The place looks like it's been through both World War 1 and 2.

After that fun 5 minutes, I get dressed and head for work.
_______
"Sorry I'm late sir," I gasp as I run through the door.
Toussaint whirls around furiously when he hears the sound of my voice.

"ALEX MONET. YOU COME LATE ONE MORE TIME AND YOU'LL BE OUT IN THE STREETS IN A DAY," Toussaint screams, his bushy moustache bouncing.

I try not to wince or look embarrassed but I feel it nonetheless.

Toussaints the one who spotted my talent for writing , the one who gave me a job here at Rue Gazet, the one who gave me a chance to live outside the streets. Not only do I get to live in my apartment without rent but I get my pay as well.

"I'm sorry sir," I say keeping my head up high trying to look straight into his eyes, " It won't happen again. I promise."

"It better not." He spits.

I silently walk past him to the little cabinet I share with my colleague, Fleur. She's busy writing a report about the rats in the local area, so she barely spares me a glance.

"Hello Alex."

"Hey Fleur. Anything new?"

"Same boring Fleur as always. Apart from the 20 reports I have to do this week," she replies which earns a scoff from me.

To call Fleur boring would be a grand lie. She might as well be the beauty standard with her tiny nose, big blue-grey doe eyes, topped off with the classic blonde hair. I have no idea what she's doing here in Roubaix. She should be somewhere off in Paris.

We continue to small talk for the next hour while doing our assigned work for the day, until a knock sounds on the door. Toussaint.

He nods to us in greeting. "Alex, Fleur. I've come to talk to you about your next assignment." He fumbles for the sheets of paper in his hands.
"The Rue Gazet has been invited to the annual Journalist competition, and you two being the youngest of our workplace, would be perfect as participants." He searches our faces for a reaction. Meanwhile Fleur and I share a glance. She looks excited. Me not so much. I have far more better things to be doing than writing about how there's more weed in our town than flowers.

"This years theme requires participants to travel the world and learn about the culture and lifestyle of a country. You two, would be going to Korea...if you accept the invitation of course."

At that I jolt upright. It's been my biggest dream to go there ever since I was little. I've just always loved Korean culture and their traditions. I even went as far as learning the language, and I'm currently fluent.

"We'll go." I stumble out the words.
Toussaint gives a nod, " Your deadline is in 3 weeks. You'll have to be in Korea by next week."

"Oh sir I don't think I'll make it," Fleur intervenes. " You see my brothers wedding is next week and you know I can't miss it."

Toussaint sighs in reply " I understand." He then turns to me. " Looks like you have the task to yourself Monet. Don't fail me now." With that he abruptly leaves, leaving me no room to argue.

Not that I was going to anyways.