Heavenly Eyes, Joseph Descamps.

𝒻our.

THE SUN STRUGGLED TO ENTER MY ROOM through the cracks in the curtains, as I struggled to get out of bed. After dinner, I fell asleep quickly - a way to escape from my issues, at least during the hours I spent in deep sleep. 
Fortunately, my father wasn't home; he had probably arrived late and left before the sun even rose. Still, the fear of his reaction upon discovering what had happened on the first day haunted me - I never knew what he was capable of. 
As I undressed to take a shower, I let the water wash over my body along with my worries. I longed for a more peaceful day - and although I didn't feel like going to school - I decided to follow Marie's words: I wouldn't dim my light for them.

As I walked toward the gates of Lycée Voltaire, I spotted Michele and Simone with a much taller and more put-together boy, probably from the final year. His looks were a sight for sore eyes, but what caught my attention the most was the way the younger boys, including those from my year, stared at him shamelessly, as if he were a freak. 
— "Michele?" — I reached out to the blonde girl, gently placing my hand on her shoulder. She looked at me with a curious expression. — "I wanted to know if you're feeling better after yesterday?" — I offered her a gentle smile, and I couldn't help but notice the way Simone looked at me as if I were a heaven-sent creature. 
— "I'm better, thank you." — She signaled for us to continue walking together.  — "At first, I thought about leaving school - but at least Descamps got what he deserved." 
Her statement amused me. I surely didn't expect him to get away with it, given the consequences of his actions, but anything more than a suspension would be a miracle. 

Before I could ask them what had happened after I left school, their gazes shifted to something - or someone - behind me. Following their eyes, I was shocked to see Descamps walking across the courtyard. 
His presence wasn't what surprised me - it was his new appearance. His usual cocky and self-entitled demeanor was gone, replaced by a blank, lifeless expression, and a white cotton bandage covering his right eye. 
— "Shit!" — Magnan mumbled. What the hell had happened?

THE MORNING GIFTED US with a lesson by Madam Giraud in the first period. Yet, her annoying voice was way more pleasing than the uncomfortable silence that fell upon our class - It was like there wasn't enough air for all of us. Louder breathing could be heard, and even the birds singing outside made a bigger noise than my classmates.
Slightly turning around, I met Descamps gaze, sending a shiver down my spine. He had a blank look, no mocking, no devious smirk, nothing. His cold stare made me scared of him, it felt like he was mentally cursing me. Breaking eye contact, I could still feel his eyes on me from time to time, as if he was meticulously analyzing every inch of my figure.
— "Who can give me the dates of the Battle of the Marne?" — Madam Giraud question caught my attention. History was a very tempting subject for me, but unfortunately I wasn't blessed with such acknowledgment, that's why most of my notes were red when it came to that class.
My desk trembling made me wake up from my mental nap, making me notice Annick presence besides me. She was practically shaking her hand in the air, while waiting for Madam Giraud attention. — "Miss Sabiani,, are you going to jump on the desk for me to see you? Don't you think you already draw enough attention?" — Of course, she wouldn't bare her from such unnecessary comment. It was funny to think that even though she was a woman herself, Giraud seemed to be the most against our presence in the school.
— "Don't raise your hand if you only know half the answer." — She scolded — "And please, tie your hair, this isn't a party." - Old fashioned - I taught to myself, and maybe too loudly, because I unfortunately caught the teacher's punishing eyes.
— "Perdon me, Miss Baudelaire. We didn't hear your mumbling." — She was always looking for ways to embarrass us; as if the boys' attitudes weren't hell-sent enough, she came to state she was the devil himself. — "Nothing, Madam Giraud. I'm sorry for disturbing— I was abruptly interrupted by her large hands' grip on my cheeks. It was aggressive; oppressive, and the way her nails dig into my skin made it clear her true intentions. Could she do this? - I don't know, but I was infuriated.

— "What is this in your eyes? Are you wearing makeup?" — As if it was the most disgusting thing in the world, she had a disbelief expression, acting like it was the biggest problem at our school. — "Do you and your friend Miss Sabiani think you are at a party? Do you want boys to look at you?" — Well, now they surely were looking, but not because of attraction, but because of pure shock, just the way I was feeling.
Releasing my face of her steady grip, she made sure to stick the knife in deeper - and as if the embarrassment wasn't enough - she made sure to humiliate me. — "I know your mother didn't had enough time to teach you manners. Do you know what happens to girls like you?"

Who this hag thought she was? - Mentioning my death mother with such disdain, inferiority. She was pushing me to the edge, waiting for me to loose my cool - and as much as I wanted to slap her ugly face until she came back to her senses - I needed to keep in control.
— "Anyways, we'll pick up about the Battle of Marn tomorrow. Let's move on to naming our class president." — I could hear her displeasing voice while I walked towards the bathroom, being demanded to 'wash my face'. It seemed as though this school was drawing out the worst in me.

Letting the breeze hit my face, I distracted myself with all the thoughts going through my head while reading a book. It was break time, and Annick and I would use this moment to relax a bit, before having to deal with any other insulting teacher.
As I bumped into someone, my book fell to the the ground, making me bent down to pick it up - however, the other person reached for it at the same time I did, making our hands slightly touch. He chucked awkwardly, and that was only when I gave attention to his visual; he was older, definitely. He was tall and had broad should, his hair was blonde as curly, but his gentle expression was definitely what caught my attention - he was cute.
— "The Death of Ivan Ilitch... Have you finished it ye?" — He started a small conversation, which caught me unprepared, as I was too busy analyzing his structure.
— "This is probably my fourth time reading." — He chuckled, handing it over. — "Well, I have to go" — he checked his watch "but it was good chatting with you, miss..." — He extended his voice, letting me inform my name — "Genevieve" — "A pretty name for a pretty girl"
I was as red as a tomato, how could he be so charming? Have I met the black sheep of Lycée Voltaire? The only gentleman, perhaps?
— "I'm Andre Hilbert by the way." He smiled, while leaving me alone immersed in my thoughts, trying to assimilate what had just happened.

Annick was spot on in updating me about what happened yesterday's afternoon, and especially, the reason behind Joseph's eye patch.
— "And then bang, he punched Descamps right in the eye," — she reenacted the fight. Apparently, Jean Pierre, the eldest Magnan, entered the room shortly after we left and punished the boy. — "A shard of his glass fell into his eye, there was blood everywhere." — My pained frown showed empathy for the boy, even though his actions were mean; losing an eye over it was a hell of a punishment. After all, at some point he'd have to face the consequences — and maybe he'd end up a bit more humble because of it.

— "Do you want to be the class president?" — Annick randomly changed the subject, leaving me confused. — " I don't know, why?" — "I know the answer, but Madam Giraud hates girls." — I laughed at out own pitiful situation; see, we were smart enough to be class presidents, but because of an old hag like Giraud, women weren't deserving of such title.
— "I think you should give it to Pichon, maybe. He is the most tolerable among the boys in our class." — I suggested.

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hilbert is jean pierre's friend who helps him with simone in episode 7, get used to him because he will appear more  😶😶

i'll probably post a new chapter later so this way the fic develops more faster

please like and comment if you can too!! 💫💫