𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐘 | 𝙅𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙥𝙝 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙨

17: it's two-faced, it's too late

I've been basically dreading the last days of winter break. 

That would mean that I'd have to go back in school again, and the chance that I'd have to face Joseph Descamps was too big. Does he even know that I saw him? 

Nevertheless, I put my hair brush down and make my way down the stairs. 

Maman and Papa still don't know that I snuck out that one night, and that's a secret I'll take to my grave. I'm just glad that none of the other people attending the party have been caught yet. 

"Madeline, have you heard about the party held at Jean's parent's lake cabin?" 

Damn you, Jean Dupin. 

I feign innocence, looking at Maman with big, incredulous eyes. "No, when was it?" 

She sighs, placing our kitchen phone down. "I've just talked to Jean's mother, and they've totally trashed the place. There was alcohol involved as well," She reports, looking like she didn't believe in the story. "I remember Jean being a good kid, I don't understand how it'd gone this badly,"

"He's been a bad kid as long as I've known him," I mumble under my breath, and I pick up an apple before going out to put my heels on. 

Maman seems to not notice my mumbling, writing her shopping list for the day. "Let's just hope that his little sister doesn't get influenced by her older brother," 

I get up again, dusting off my dress before waving goodbye to Maman. "I'm going to school, I'll be home as soon as possible," 

She mumbles some intangible gibberish, waving me off as I grab my new bike and make my way down the streets. I catch Descamps as soon as he walks out of his neighborhood, and in a fit of pettiness, I bike right past without greeting him. 

I make sure to be careful as I place my bike in front of the school, making sure it wasn't close to any mopeds. The last thing I want today is to go out and mud or smoke markings from some boy's moped. 

Simone and Michèle see me and walk over, both greeting me. I look up, a small smile on my face as I wave in response.

"Happy New Year Maddie!" Michèle says, and I chuckle as we walk into the school yard. "Happy New Year to you both," 

They both start talking about the Christmas gifts that they'd gotten and things that they've done over the break, but I wasn't listening. My eyes caught Felbec's, and I wave excitedly at him, mouthing a small 'Happy New Year'. 

He was talking to Applebaum, and when he notices my small wave, he returns one of his own, albeit embarrassed. Applebaum was basically going crazy next to him, and I can't read lips, but it's probably something about me. 

Nevertheless, I follow after Simone and Michèle as they walk up to class. 

I meet eyes with Descamps for a split second when I entered the classroom. We didn't exchange any words, but it was obvious that he didn't know I saw him. He smiled at me, though I didn't return one of my own. 

The first two periods went by without much commotion, and I manage to not fall asleep in Marcelin's class. 

We had Giraud in fourth and fifth period - I barely paid any attention, but it didn't seem like she noticed anyways. The bell rung, and I was about to get out of my seat when Lamaziere shot up next to me, making me have to sit down again as he eagerly packed his things together.

"Are you in a hurry, Lamaziere?" Giraud asked, raising a thin brow. Joseph answered enthusiastically for the said boy, grinning widely. "Yes, he definitely is."