𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐘 | 𝙅𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙥𝙝 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙨

6: if we can agree to disagree, yeah

I was mentally preparing myself for the dreadful walk that was going to be from my house to the school, but I don't think I'll ever be prepared enough for it.

I let my hair loose this morning, liking the way the braids from yesterday gave me slight curls. I debated on wearing a dress, but decided on a pink pencil skirt and an off-shoulder knitted sweater. The weather was getting colder anyways.

Hurrying myself down the stairs, I hear Maman with her banging pots and pans, stirring up whatever she's had planned. "Madeline?" She yells, before turning around and realizing that I was already out of my room. "Oh good God, don't scare me like that. Are you done? I'm pretty sure Joseph is waiting for you outside,"

She gives me a quick look before tutting, pulling my hair up into a ponytail. She ties it with a white bow, probably one that she got from church. "It's school, not a party. Tie your hair up,"

Maman pats my clothes down like always before giving me a kiss on the lips, shooing me out to our front door. "Go now, don't leave him waiting!" She yells, and I roll my eyes, putting my heels on. He could definitely wait a few minutes outside.

Opening the door, I am greeted by a less than satisfied looking Joseph Descamps, a piece of cotton and medical tape stuck over one eye.

"Do you always take that long in the morning?" He mutters disgruntledly, the morning blues obviously getting to him. I smile falsely and nod, closing the door behind me with a slight slam and walking away from him. "Sorry for wanting to look refreshed and put together,"

I could basically feel the eye-rolling happening behind me as we walked in silence, the sounds of students and cars filling the empty void between us.

"Why the hell do you have a bow with a cross in your hair?" I hear him complain a few minutes into our walk together, and it's not long after I feel the said bow get pulled out of my hair, leaving it like that. "Don't tell me you've also started embracing the whole Christian mentality as well,"

I stop abruptly, turning back to look at him. "Can you just not comment on me for one minute? It's really annoying, and for your information, my Maman put that in my hair, not me." I snap, and he takes a small step back, hands up in defeat.

"Hey, just saying," The one-eyed cyclops had the audacity to chuckle, and I snatch the bow out of his hand, huffing. Turning around, I see a handful of people, old and young alike, stopping up to stare at us. Dang it, can I just have one peaceful moment without everyone's attention?!

I march my way to school, though nothing could get Joseph off of my heel. Damn him and his long legs as well. "Mads, I hope you know that those heels and your short legs are never going to be able to outrun me," He grins, and I feel my soul leaving me. Ave Maria.

Sooner or later, I could finally see the school gates, and I take off running. Sure, these heels weren't made for running, but every girl has her purpose, and my purpose right now is to not get caught walking to school with that weirdo.

I go directly for Simone and Michèle when I see them. They were quite invested in their own little conversation, so both didn't notice me before I spoke up.

"Who has perfect hair and nice manners?" I asked, butting myself in. Simone looks over at me for a long second before smiling embarrassedly. "Jean-Pierre has his disciplinary hearing today, and I'm just reassuring Michèle that people are thinking of him, and not the one-eyed boy."

"I mean, I'm not so sure about tha..." I was saying, before the schoolyard suddenly goes quiet and everyone was looking at us. Or well, behind us. Michèle and Simone turn back, and I follow suit, seeing Descamps walk into the school yard.