Leclerc

P18

If noels mom had a different name in a previous chapter, pls correct me cuz i have no idea

The thirteen year old French girl stepped into the bus, sitting down on one of the empty seats with her headphones on. She was already dreading this week of school. She knew that Jacob wouldn't stop mocking or laughing at her for the whole week, maybe even next week too. Why? Because this week was some weird day at her school where the students could bring someone they look up to, mostly their parents, to school. And of course it wouldn't go unnoticed that Adeline would always stay quiet and all alone at that time of the school year.

She wanted to bring someone, wanted to bring her father. But she couldn't, of course. He was gone and she still couldn't accept that fact. She would hold back tears seeing the people around her bring their dads to school, how they'd introduce themselves and how they would share their reasons why they look up to them.

All while she had no one.. This would go the whole week, too. And everyday, Jacob would mock her a little more than the one before. She wanted to just punch him in the face sometimes, but she wouldn't.

Noel sat down next to her with a big smile, greeting her happily. When he saw the expression on the girls face, his smile faded into worry. "Is everything okay?" Asked the Monegasque, only receiving a shrug in response. "What's wrong?" He asked again.

"It's nothing" she waved off, but seeing the look he gave her, she knew he wouldn't stop insisting. With a sigh, she told him. "It's just, i don't have anyone to take with me this week." "Oh" Noel nodded in understanding. He felt sympathy for her, he knew it was hard for her.

"Well, it's okay, you can just say you don't have anyone special in your life" He said, but soon realized that sounded a bit mean. "Sorry, i didn't mean it like that." "It's ok." She shrugged.

"Even if i say that, the guys in class would still bicker and mock. You know how Jacob and his friends are" Adeline looked down. "Hm" Noel thought for a bit, wanting to help his friend out.

"Maybe.. you could bring Charles, or Arthur? They're still on break, right?" He suggested, but then dismissed that thought. "No, that's probably not a good ide-" "Actually," her face lit up and she looked at him with a smile. "That's not a bad suggestion!" "It's not?" He looked confused. "Uh, yeah.. it's not!" He then just went along with it and nodded.

"Thank you, i'll ask them once i get home!!" Adeline quickly hugged Noel, who was a blushing mess by now as he patted her back. "Yeah, no problem.."

- - - -

And with that, even the mocking and bickering from Jacob couldn't bring her mood down because she had a bright smile on her face the whole school day, not able to wait until she could talk with her two brothers.

"Why so happy? Not like you have a father to introduce" Jacob commented smugly, but Adi wasn't even listening. "Shut up, i have someone to take with me, just you see!" She said back, turning her back to him. The small scoff and mumbled words that came from the guy was barely even heard as she watched Noel walk up to the front of the class with his mother. He looked so shy and red, while his mother had a warm and sweet smile on her face. She was so nice!!

"So, Noel," the teacher stated with a small encouraging smile. "Who have you brought with us today?"Adeline gave him a subtle thumbs up to ease his nervousness.

"Well, this is my mom" He said shyly, looking at her. "What is your name, Madame?" "Belle, I work as a nurse in the Hospital in Monte-Carlo and i'm 38 years old." The woman said calmly with her usual kind smile. Adeline felt so calm with her, Noels mother has always been an angel!! "Noel, why do you look up at her?"

"I look up at my mother because... she is a very kind hearted person and has saved a lot of lives, i couldn't wish for a better mother" Said the child shyly, the room erupting in "awww"'s, making him blush more as his mother smiled down at him.

"Now that's sweet" Commented the teacher with a soft smile.

- - - -

After a bit more talking, Noel sat back down again and his mother watched from the side as the next student came up.

There were about 3 or 4 students telling about their special person, including Noel, before the school day had finally ended. Adeline quickly made her way to the lockers, excited to see and ask her two brothers if they would do this for her.

At her locker, when she put on her shoes and jacket, Noel caught up with her, a smile on his face. "Hey, Adi," he said to get her attention. "Mom said that she would drive you home, if you want?" He asks her, the girl gratefully taking the offer.

In the car, she thanked his mother a few times, making the woman laugh and wave it off. For the rest of the ride, she was telling Noel all about how she'd ask Charles and Arthur and how she hoped one of them would say yes.

"I'm sure they'd both be more than happy to come with you" Belle assured her, looking through the rear-view mirror. It brought a smile to her face as Adeline looked out the window.

As they pulled into her driveway, she said her goodbyes to Belle, gave Noel a quick side hug and the got out the car, quickly walking to her front door.

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