Une Nouvelle Ère [Book 2]

V

Josephine Lewis didn't really like Valentine's Day.

She doesn't really care much about it at all, either. No one likes her anyway, so why bother in expecting someone to give her flowers and letters, or even chocolates?

It's also the day that the popular girls in her class brag about how much suitors they already have, and how many gifts that they got. Her friend, Diana did get some of course, but she don't brag much about it as much as the others.

"Oh look, poor Josephine didn't get some Valentine's gifts again. Boo hoo!" Priscilla, one of the popular girls, said as she and her other friends approached her table.

"At least I'm not kissing too many boys at a very young age" Jo said, her eyes not leaving her the assignments she was already doing.

"It's because they love me, that's why they like kissing me. I am, after all, the luckiest girl around here." Priscilla argued "You on the other hand, is just a smart girl that no one will ever like."

"At least I won't have any problem with my school life. After all, I did pass King's School without any problem...unlike you." Jo grins proudly, which angered Priscilla and almost attack her when Diana blocks her path.

"I am warning you, pretty girl." Diana said "If you ever lay a finger on my best friend, my hands will gladly punch your face."

The popular girls glared angrily at her, and rolls their eyes before leaving them be. Diana then looks at her friend, who seems to be unbothered.

"Still no letter from him, Jo?" she whispers, referring to Alex.

"Not yet, unfortunately" Jo whispers back "I am quite worried. I haven't heard from him in two weeks!"

"I'm sure he's just very busy." Diana assured her "And besides, it's Valentine's, maybe he's spending time with his family."

Jo then looks at the necklace he gave her the previous year. She smiles a little as she gently rubs her thumb against the engraved A on the pendant. With his last letter only promising to give back the books he borrowed from her since he has finished it all already, she hasn't really heard from him since, which worried her a lot.

"Are you certain that the Alex you're referring to...is really the Viscount Downton?" Diana then asks "Are you sure it's just some other rich young man named Alex?"

"I assure you. A hundred percent, that Alex and the Viscount Downton are one and the same" Jo said "Once I see him soon enough, I'll introduce him to you, as he did introduce me to his friends."

"He has other friends?"

"Three other friends, yes. They've been friends since second year, and has been stuck with one another ever since."

"Are they handsome?"

Jo chuckles at her friend's question "Well, I can say they're all good-looking people. But Alex is the most handsome of them all."

Diana rolls her eyes, and chuckles "Of course, he is."

Finally, the bell rang loudly, indicating the end of another long day, and the start of their February break.

***

Alex finally arrived at the Downton School. It's been quite a long while since he was here, and he's somehow happy to be back.

He then saw the upperclassmen pouring out of the school grounds, alongside with their teachers, all eager to go home and enjoy a week-long break. He mustered all of of his courage, and parks his bike along with the others nearby the gate.