𝐔𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍, 𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜

seven.

     THE BOYS who were involved in the Dupin magazine thing had given their names so that the rest of the class wouldn't be in detention. They had all been summoned to Mr. Bellanger's office and Edith had been quite glad to see that Alain wasn't involved. She didn't get the chance to talk to him that day so they didn't talk about what almost happened between them.

      The following day, Mr. Herman was giving back the biology test. It was impossible to get a good grade with him. Unsurprisingly, Edith looked at the seven on her copy with disappointment. The best grade in the class was once again Annick who got a twelve.

      "As a reminder, I don't grade too harshly, you're just dimwits." the teacher told them. "Tomorrow, we'll be dissecting frogs."

      Edith didn't even have time to complain about this information because Mr. Bellanger entered the room and directly look at her.

     "Miss Lefebvre, you can pick up your things and go home. You are excused for the rest of the week."

       The serious tone and the look he had did not reassure her. She quickly put her things in her bag while the dean handed a paper explaining the situation to Mr. Herman. She took her bag and left the room with Mr. Bellanger under the questioning looks of her classmates.

      "What is happening?" she worried as they were walking.

      "Your father called. Your mother had a relapse. She is in the hospital, you have to join her there. Your brother is already waiting for you in front of the school." Mr. Bellanger explained to her. "I'm sorry."

      Edith's heart skipped a beat. Of course, her mother seemed tired since she got sick but she didn't seem that bad. No one expected her to relapse.

      When the dean opened the gate for her and she saw her brother, that's when she gave in. She threw herself into his arms and the twins hugged for long seconds. Neither of them seemed to want to cry first yet they both knew how much they wanted to. The period when their mother's illness broke out had been the worst of their lives. To think that it could start again was unbearable.

      "We need to go." Thierry finally whispered.

★

      The Lefebvres had spent the day at the hospital with Victoire. The doctors operated on her and everything went well but she needed rest and significant medical monitoring. The twins were going to have to work at the restaurant until she returned so they wouldn't have to close. Adam had been notified and was due to return the next day to visit their mother.

      That evening, Edith was cleaning tables when she saw Alain through the restaurant window. He waved at her and she waved towards the back door to let him know she was meeting him there, so her dad wouldn't see him.

      She placed the cloth on the counter and quietly went out into the backyard. Alain was waiting for her, leaning against the wall.

      "Hi. What are you doing here?" she asked him.

      "I came to see if everything was okay. You left quickly this morning."

      "My mother is in the hospital."

      She honestly didn't know why she was telling him, but saying it out loud made her feel better. But it also made it real, and tears welled up in her eyes. Alain noticed it and quickly took her in his arms. She rested her head on his shoulder as he held her close and the embrace relieved her somewhat.

      "Is it bad?" he asked without letting go of her.

      "The doctors think she will be able to be discharged in a couple of weeks, but it's a relapse. She has been ill for over a year. If she relapsed once, it could happen again." Edith replied softly.

      "I'm sorry."

      They stayed silent for a few seconds, just hugging each other. Edith was the first to back down. "Thank you for coming."

      "Anytime." he replied with a nod before grabbing his bag. "I also brought you today's lessons. So that you won't be lost when you come back. I can bring you these every night."

      "You'd do that for me?" she asked, taking the sheets he was handing her.

     "Of course."

      "Won't that be a problem for you on the farm? It takes you a detour to come here." she worried.

      He shrugged. "Don't worry about it."

      "Thank you so much. Thank you."

      She came closer and hugged him again before pointing at the door. "I should get back. But thank you. I really appreciate it."

      "You're welcome. I'll see you tomorrow." Alain smiled.

      She nodded and smiled back before going back inside. She went up to the apartment to put the lessons that Alain had given her in her room before coming back down to finish her work. And even if she didn't forget the misfortunes that was happening to them, she was feeling a little lighter.

— i hate this chapter i'm sorry it's so bad