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       THE TWO WEEKS BREAK honestly went by like a dream. First of all, David and his friend had stayed with them all the holidays, which had delighted Edith. The girl had always adored and admired her big brother and now that he was away she was missing him a lot, so having him by her side for two whole weeks was everything she could want. She had also talked a lot with his friend Nathan who was very nice. It turned out that he was only two years older than the twins since he had graduated the previous year and had started his military service straight after. The two boys had returned to their regiment the day before school started but had both promised to write.

      Last but not least, Edith's parents had given her a dress for Christmas. It was her first dress ever. It was white with a light blue veil and fell above the knee. Edith loved it. This was what she was wearing on this first day back in school. For the first time, she wouldn't go to school in pants.

      One of Thierry's friends came to pick them up with the car he had gotten for Christmas. There were two other friends of theirs in the car so Edith found herself sitting in the back between her brother and one of his friends called Nicolas. He handed her a cigarette which she accepted and they drove to school, singing to the sound of the car radio. When they parked, it didn't take long for all eyes to turn to the car and the four boys dressed in leather jackets who were proudly getting out. Thierry held the door for his sister and she got out of the car too, her cigarette between her lips. She took one last drag before throwing it on the floor. Her brother closed the door and they exchanged a "have a good day" before he left with his friends and she headed towards Alain who had just parked his motorcycle.

      "Happy New Year, Alain." she smiled as she stopped in front of him.

       "Happy New Year." he replied as he looked at her new dress.

       "I have a gift for you." she said as she opened her bag.

       Alain, who was looking at something behind her, brought his gaze back to Edith. "You didn't have to."

      "I wanted to. Open it." she smiled as she handed her the gift.

      He smiled in turn and tore the paper. "Le Comte de Monte-Cristo." he read out loud.

      "Have you read it already?" she asked.

      "No, never. Thanks a lot." he smiled genuinely.

       A boy suddenly walked up to them. "Well, Laubrac. You don't say hi to your old friends?"

      Edith stared at him. Leather jacket, cigarettes, slicked back hair. It was obvious he was a part of a gang like Thierry was. She looked back at Laubrac. Had he been part of this gang too?

      "Hi, Yves. What do you want?" the curly haired boy replied, politely but dryly.

      "We're racing tonight. We need you."

       "I can't. I'm busy, sorry."

       "You're busy?" the boy repeated. "Busy doing what? Reading, sharpening pencils?"

       "Not that anymore, anyway." Alain said.

      "Come on! We've been challenged by the Val d'Or guys. We're gonna lose without you! Laubrac is our champion." he added, looking at Edith.

      "It's not my problem anymore, okay?" Laubrac told him, suddenly annoyed.

      "I see. Mister goes to Voltaire High and he forgets his old friends. Your friend can come, if you want." Yves replied, pointing at Edith.

𝐔𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍, 𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜Where stories live. Discover now