His Secret

Chapter 11

Henri

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The students flood into the classroom, dragging their feet and flopping their bags nonchalantly onto their desks.

I've always been a model student. I'm the first person seated, my notebook is already open, and I'm quietly waiting for class to start. Meanwhile, half of the class is still standing up and talking.

Of course, this really gets on my nerves, but I don't say a word. Invisibility is the magical recipe to not having any problems and especially to not get noticed.

Actually, I notice that Lyla isn't here... Is she late, yet again?

All the others are almost settled in and the only seat left is next to me.

I know someone who's not going to be happy about not being with her friends. Up front and on top of that... next to me.

How am I going to be able to talk to her?

I have to make the first move...

Especially since I let myself get mixed in with her stories yesterday... when I had ordered her to keep her distance from me.

I was a bit hard on her last time... But... I completely lost it.

Of course, I don't have an excuse. But... I didn't know how to react towards that type of person.

No one had ever stood up for me like that. With so much energy and with justice in mind. It's completely bewildering.

I always act strangely when my emotions take over.

I've always handled things like an adult. If I am where I am today, I only owe it to myself, and I'm very proud of that.

With Lyla's reaction, I felt totally crushed and pitied.

But after talking with my dad... I concluded that this girl probably just wanted to help me.

Me and my quick conclusions... Always on the defensive. I should loosen up a bit...

Even if I did find her to be a bit too invasive, I could have controlled my reaction a bit more.

Today, I sincerely regret it.

I can't say that I've gotten to know her better in just a few days... However, I was able to observe her a bit...

Her personality seems to be the opposite of mine.

Yesterday, when we were alone in the hall, I was tempted to talk to her.... But... to say what? She wouldn't understand...

And it's even less sure that she would accept to talk to me after what I said to her.

That's when that childish and egocentric guy stepped in... Enzo.

Is he really that stupid to not see that she isn't interested in him?

It bothered me so much that I surprised myself by talking to him... for Lyla.

Everyone was shocked.

She didn't seem to take it the wrong way... She remained shocked... Rightfully.

I really need to find a moment to apologize to her. However, I may have shot myself in the foot by getting involved in all that.

What a mess...

I'm making too big a deal about this...

Sometimes it's just easier to be... my "other self"... seeing as I'm too concentrated on my work, I don't create ties.

I hear footsteps coming: It's as if someone is sprinting down the hallway.

Just as the teacher was about to close the door, our great athlete appeared, out of breath.

Her face froze when she saw where she had to sit, and I looked away.

I want to laugh... despite it being her... yeah... that girl makes me laugh.

She makes me... lighter.