𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬

Seventeen

I've always woken up to arguing, but never in French.

"Tu es tellement stupide!" A voice from the kitchen shouts.

Out of instinct, I almost cover my head with my pillow. Instead, I force myself to get up and throw on some shorts and a sweater before going downstairs to see what the commotion is.

"S'lil te plaît, grandis, Madeline," Bastien's voice echoes.

"Can you guys shut the fuck up?" Liana exclaims as I almost reach the bottom of the steps. "She's going to hear you."

"Good morning," I mutter as I face all of them finally.

The room is so silence you could hear a pin drop as I cross the room to get a cup of coffee. I want to get out of this house.

Bastien gives me a sympathetic look as I turn around and sip my coffee.

"You drink it raw?" Liana says finally.

"Raw?" I almost choke.

Liana blushes. "You know—like, without cream and sugar."

"It's called black coffee," Madeline informs bitterly.

"Sorry," her sister whispers.

I take another sip. "It's alright. Raw is a better way of saying it anyway."

She gives me a smile.

I place down my cup. "I'm going for a walk."

"So early?" Bastien follows me to the living room.

"I need to clear my head," I start putting my shoes on.

"You've been clearing your head for three days."

I throw him a glare. "I don't have anything better to do."

I walk out the door without letting him reply.

-

I've always liked stormy weather. Maybe a light drizzle that feels like the lowest pressure of a shower head—or even a thunderstorm kind of rain on a hot summer afternoon.

So I'm thoroughly enjoying the gloomy weather as I stroll through Moineau, trying not to think.

"Amie?"

Well, there goes that.

I spin around to see Adam strolling up to me with a grin on his face. If physical assault wasn't illegal, I'd slap him.

"You go for morning walks too?" He asks as I turn around to keep walking.

"No," I respond shortly.

He matches my pace. "Not very chatty this morning?"

I don't even bother replying.

"That's fine," he shrugs. "I like the silence anyway. Much more peaceful than the constant ruckus I usually get involved in. Like girls from Massachusetts."

"We are not involved with each other," I roll my eyes.

"Woah, not like that," Adam puts his hands up as if he's surrendering. "Trust me—I'm a gentleman."

"I can tell," I deadpan.

He smiles and shoves his hands in his pockets. "Are you enjoying your visit? Or, I guess you live here now. Must suck being with the Blaise family. Do they really not know what the word 'poor' means?"

"What's your problem with them?" I find myself asking.

His smile evaporates. "They've done a lot of shitty things to my family. Butchered our name too."

"You have siblings?"

"Yup. My little brother Jules and Virginie who's the eldest of us. She says I'm her favorite," he explains fondly. "What about you, mystery girl?"

"Nope, only child," I concur. I never really thought about wanting a sibling, but I guess it wouldn't be too bad. The company would be nice, even if I do enjoy being alone.

"Miss your family?" He asks more quietly.

I put my head down. "It's complicated."

I can sense his nod. "That's understandable. Family is tricky."

I look at him and we lock eyes. He looks genuine for the first time, not smiling but still an inviting expression on his face. He's pale and has a few freckles on the bridge of his nose, scattered on his cheeks that are a light pink at the moment.

He looks away and clears his throat.

I look forward again.

"Well, I should get going," he kicks a rock on the path we're taking. I don't know where it goes. "My parents will be waiting for me to get back."

I nod.

"See you later, Amie," he waves and turns around, he doesn't take the path back, though. Instead, he turns to walk into the woods.