wasted eyes | joseph descamps

Ch.3: troubles

That is when Mr. Bellanger arrived in the class and ordered everyone back to our places.

« Let me see Descamps » asked the dean softly. « Do not touch anything. Pichon, go fetch the nurse. Quickly. »

Mrs. Giraud ran inside, trying to see why one of her students left her class running. She's quickly followed by Miss Couret and Mrs. Bellanger, bewildered at the sight in front of them.

« I will take care of this » assured the nurse, holding Descamps by the shoulders to help him out.

There was so much blood between his fingers, I hoped his eye would be okay. His prank was far from okay but he didn't deserve to lose an eye for it.

Mr. Bellanger started barking orders at everybody to get the classroom back in order. Miss Couret looked so out of place and uncomfortable, I felt bad for her. It was her first day of teaching and she had to witness this. The dean left shortly after and Miss Couret managed to pull herself together and starts her lesson.

This was definitely not the English class I was hoping for.

Two hours later, we were back in Latin for today's last class. The teacher was in the middle of torturing Pichon at the front of the class when there was knock on the door. Michele got inside, apologized for her tardiness and asked if she could get back to her place. The teacher let her in, that's when everyone saw it. Michele had exchanged her beautiful green blouse and white skirt for a white shirt twice too big for her and a pair of black pants. She was still wearing her cat heels. Apparently, these boys had never seen a girl in pants because murmurs started being heard « why is she dressed like a boy? » « are those pants? »

I couldn't help but smile at her, all the girls did. There was something fierce about the way Michele held herself. She looked confident. She smiled back at me and sat down next to Simone, who was grinning like a child.

When the last bell rang, I couldn't be any happier. My education was important to me but this day had drained of every bit of energy I had. I skipped down the stairs and the hall with Simone and Michele.

« She just put the clothes down and I told myself why not ! » Michele recounted her story.
« Well, coming back dressed like that, you really had to do it » Simone responded laughing.

« I'll see you girls tomorrow then, I've got to talk to Annick something » I told them. I bid them goodbye and turned on my heels just to spot Annick a few meters behind.

« Good news » she approached me. « Miss Couret just told me, that even with today's events, we would still be able to come to school here » she was smiling.

« What a relief ! » I let out « If I could go anywhere else, I would. It's just that Voltaire is my only option at the moment. You too, I suppose »

« Yeah, my mom couldn't afford another school » she confessed.

« Mine thought that if I absolutely had to go to school, it would be here, so I can follow my brothers' footsteps. She wouldn't take any other school as an answer. So Voltaire, it is » I tried to appear cheerful but I wasn't convincing her.

« I wonder if Descamps is okay. That must've been really painful » she changed the subject, which I was thankful for.

« I guess, I hope for him that he won't lose an eye » I shrugged.

We walked past Pichon, wished him a good evening and parted ways. She got on her bike while I started walking home. She drove past me and waved at me, which I did back.

I took my time to get home, trying to enjoy the last few rays of sunshine. I stopped by the bakery to get bread for tonight. Mother liked bread with almost everything.

I got home to find I was not alone. I took my shoes and jacket off. The smell of tomato soup filled the air.

« Darling, is that you ? » I heard my mother shout.
« Yes, I'm home, Mother »
I found her in the kitchen, preparing two bowls of soup. I put the fresh bread on the counter and sat down.
« There is a letter for you. I put it on your desk » she started. « From Dad ? » I asked excitedly. She hummed in agreement. I tried not to feel hurt she didn't bother to ask about my day. I knew why but it still hurt.

I got upstairs quickly, excited to hear about my dad's newest adventures in Paris. I opened my bedroom's door and looked immediately for the letter. I spotted it on my desk, and opened it. I had missed my dad's handwriting more than I thought I would. I read the letter at a fast pace.

« Hello Darling,

As I'm writing this to you, we are still in August. I suppose this letter will reach you around your first day of school. I hope everything went smoothly and the boys at Voltaire are not too much too handle. But knowing my girl, you didn't let yourself be treated badly.
Personally, I have met a few of my colleagues already. They seem nice enough. One of them has law students. I could ask him about the procedure to get in, if law is still what interests you.

I know you and your mother are not the closest at the moment, but please do not turn your back on each other. You need family more than anything in times of change like now. Don't be too hard on her, she just wants what's best for you.

Let me know about your days. I want all the details of your school life.

I should be home for a few days in the beginning of November.

Until then, darling, I wish you the best.

Love,

Dad »

I smiled fondly at my dad's letter. I would write in response later that night.

I threw myself on the bed and started reflecting on today. This day was awful. The teachers were awful. The food was awful. But I had made friends, and that was not too bad. I just hoped the other days would be more peaceful.

Everything about the first episode is officially done! Let me know what you thought about it !
Take care of yourselves and happy New Year ✨🪩