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I WAS WALKING TO CLASS a little late, hoping the teacher wasn't like Mrs. Giraud, who didn't tolerate tardiness. I had went to the bathroom, which apparently also belonged to the teachers, and I told Annick not to wait for me, so I was by myself. I noticed Michele and Simone walking behind me, laughing loudly. My next period would be English and I loved the language. I felt happy, even with the small scandal with Descamps in the cafeteria, things seemed to be in alignment. When I opened the classroom door, I felt a bucket of water falling on me, not containing a scared scream of pain because of how cold it was. I was completely drenched and humiliated, without any courage to open my eyes, wishing that it was all a terrible nightmare, and that when I woke up I would be in my comfortable bed. I heard small sniffles coming from my side, which meant either Michele or Simone had also been splashed. When I finally opened my eyes, everyone was staring at me in pure shock. Some boys had just pity eyes, while others blatantly stared at my bra, which was the only thing that protected me, as my light pink dress had turned see through. My eyes were filled with tears, showing the helpless and innocent little girl I was. I let a loud sob fill the room, being drowned out by the evil laughter of Descamps and his stupid friends. How could boys be so mean? I started to realize how much stronger they were and that we would never be as powerful as them, so going to this school was useless. I should've never opened my stupid mouth and I definitely should've never stepped here. No one wanted us here. Not even the boys, or the teachers, or our own parents for some reason. I hated here and it was only my first day.
When the English teacher, Mrs. Couret, entered the room, the laughter gradually diminished, but for me they were already very distant, it was as if everything was spinning, it seemed that at any moment I would faint. The teacher had the same shocked and disbelieving look as some students, she probably couldn't understand why they did that. She covered both me and Michele with her coat and walked us out of the class quickly. She heard my small sobs and rubbed my back, trying to comfort me. We were walking through the hallway and some of the fifth year boys were peeking with their heads out of the classroom, and one looked visibly angry. I just heard another boy from the same class, who looked at me with pity eyes, yelling after the boy who was walking towards our classroom "Magnan?". That was Michele's last name, if I'm wrong. Was he her brother? At the moment I couldn't care less, just letting our teacher guide me out.
We were on the infirmary and a little bit more dried. I couldn't dare to look up, as my eyes were still red and from time to time I would let small sobs echo through the room. I was so embarrassed, I just wanted to go home. I stared at my dress; that once was my mother's, sadly hoping it wasn't ruined. I created so much expectations, I though everything would work out eventually, but after all why would the boys be friendly? I quickly grabbed my dress and walked out hearing Mrs. Bellanger shouting for me to come back, but after the third time she gave up, and just let me disappear through the big gates of the terrible school. I started to run home, wishing this day never happened.
HOW COULD I BE SO STUPID? I had forgotten to grab my bag. Obviously I wasn't going back to class, so I didn't have my house keys. I rang the doorbell, hoping that my father wasn't home yet, because then I would be in trouble. I didn't even realize it, but I was still crying, and when Marie, our maid, opened the door, somewhat confused, I just curled up around her, crying like a baby. She tried to comfort me with a warm, cozy hug, while her your hands went though my hair asking what had happened. "Shouldn't you be at school?" She asked me very worriedly, while I was trying to recover. I was always close with Marie, I would say she is a second mother if she wasn't so old. Since I never had my grandmother around, she ended up taking the role. And after my mother's death, she was the person who took care of me the most. I briefly explained what happened to her, with very few details, not wanting to remember the terrible moment. "Maybe take a hot shower to calm down a bit and then help me with dinner, does that sound good?" She suggested trying to help me. I nodded, it would be good to clean my thoughts.
Now hugged by the warm fabric of my silk pajamas, I thought about Descamps and his stupid friends. I hate them, because they reminded me exactly of the idiots who embittered my life in Paris. I was an easy target, innocent, and they took advantage of that to mock me constantly. I thought that here in Saint-Jean things would be different, that it wouldn't happen again, or that I would know how to defend myself, but when the moment came, I just acted like a defenseless little girl. While I was having dinner with Marie, I was thinking about tomorrow, I didn't have the courage to set foot in Lycée Voltaire again. "I think I will make up an excuse for papa and ask to leave school, be homeschooled maybe. I don't know if I can step there again." She looked at me empathetically "I understand your side, but don't give up" She started squeezing my hand to show comfort. "I know you felt humiliated by them, but you must go tomorrow and show them that their immature attitudes don't affect you." She continued, giving me an encouraging smile. "You're an amazing and intelligent lady, Genevieve. Don't let others put you down." I smiled, thanking her.
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two chapters in a row! thats my xmas gift to yall i know its just that beginning but i really hope you're already enjoying the story stay tuned for the next chapter!! <33
(i also never mentioned it, but english isn't my first language, so the translator has been helping me with writing. i hope there aren't too many mistakes)
