T H E - A N T A G O N I S T (Joseph Descamps)

Chapter 3: Nephilim

After lunch the girls and I decide to wander outside and debrief on the previous spectacle.

The summer's heat still lingers in the air, I feel the fabric of my dress start to stick to my body and I pull at my thick cardigan in discomfort.

"Do you guys have any plans after graduation?" Simone plops herself down on a bench, patting next to her welcomingly.

"Mm...Not really. I'm just going to work at my family's butcher's shop." Frowns Michele

"Oh? I think I saw your place on the walk over here, it's a sweet little building." I say encouragingly.

"Yeah, and at least you have a job when you get out!"

"I guess, it just isn't very exciting. What about you two?"

I look over to Simone.

"I haven't thought about it too much, but I'd really like to travel a bit more! Go to Paris and then maybe even Hollywood!" She raises her arms above her head animatedly.

Michele and I chuckle as their eyes turn to me. I bite my bottom lip a little unsure on what to say.

"By the time I graduate I'm hoping I can return to America." I shrug. I didn't think that staying in this little town would suit me well for long, it certainly wouldn't work for my mother who had since become used to our exhilarating debutante lifestyle.

"What's stopping you from going back?" Michele looks at me a little confused.

"Moving and packing is just such a hassle, y'know. Plus we're staying at my mom's childhood home."

"I see, so you're half french then?" Simone smiles and I nod. She suddenly pops up from the bench and grabs Michele

"Mm..Guys I really have to use the washroom!"

"Can you save our seat, Marianna? Pleaseeee." She cocks her head at me.

"Yes, of course." I watch them run off, regretful I didn't point out they were headed towards a boy's only washroom.

I take my chance to observe the other students. They all hang around in packs at the edge of the courtyard, Pichon and his nerdy friends, a posse of chain smokers with slick back hair and a group of boys passing around a soccer ball. My eyes land on Descamps usual group, a handful of troublemakers like Dupin, Vergoux, and a few I didn't have class with. I can't seem to pinpoint Descamps' face and I quickly realise their ring leader is elsewhere. Before he even speaks I can smell him behind me, reeking off tobacco and sandalwood.

"Your friends left you to fend for yourself?" I feel him flick my bow before walking around to stand in front of me.

God he is tall, so much so he blocks the sun from reaching me. His shadow cools me for a moment and I can't help but sigh in relief, which he takes as a huff of impatience.

"What, you don't want to talk to me? Is that it?" He licks the corner of his mouth and smiles.

"I'm just not sure you have anything to say that I'd really like to hear, Descamps." I think back to how rude he'd been this morning during the assembly.

"Tch, don't be like that, aren't you foreign women raised a little more carefree than these little french girls." He leans down towards my face. There he goes again, making my blood boil and my heart race.

"You say that like it's a compliment." I scoff. Feeling rather embarrassed I hadn't worn more drab clothing, perhaps that would have reduced his lecherous intrigue.

Descamps makes an amused noise and pulls a cigarette out of his pocket, lighting it up between his lips. He offers me one and out of habit I take it.

Although I had gotten my addiction down to only a few a week, it had been quite an issue for me when I was doing runway. A great appetite suppressant and a social pillar at every party- but ultimately it had been costly, making me reel back my intake.