𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃, joseph descamps

𝟎𝟏𝟖. the boys' secret

THE ATMOSPHERE IN THE COURTYARD this morning, the first of November, is unusual, as if filled with a strange tension that hangs in the air. The groups of boys seem more restless than usual. Whispers ripple through the crowd like an electric current, and Aimée, sitting off to the side with the other girls, can't help but notice her classmates' odd behavior.

Mr. Bellanger, the supervisor, paces the courtyard with a scrutinizing gaze, seemingly wondering what might be brewing. "What have the boys come up with this time ?" he mutters to himself, irritated. The sophomore boys are buzzing with excitement. Debates break out sporadically, sometimes escalating into disputes that draw attention. Throughout the morning, the hushed conversations have intensified, and the stealthy movements only add to the atmosphere of curiosity.

Aimée suddenly notices Daniel Applebaum darting across the courtyard, heading straight for the bathrooms. Near the entrance, Dupin and Descamps stand guard, looking serious, while a line of boys waits nearby. The whole scene is curious, to say the least.

Aimée narrows her eyes, watching Yves Lamazière hastily adjusting his belt. The boys waiting in line at the bathroom keep whispering and glancing around furtively, as if expecting to get caught. Joseph's smirk as he exchanges a few words with Dupin doesn't escape her notice either.

Michèle, still sitting beside her, follows Aimée's gaze. "This is so weird, I swear... What do you think they're up to ?"

Aimée shrugs, a small smile forming on her lips. "I have no idea, but it's probably something really stupid. With them, it always is," she says in an amused tone.

Simone then chimes in, arms crossed over her chest. "If you're so curious, go see what's going on."

The redhead sighs, finally tearing her gaze away from the bathroom door, which has just closed behind Lamazière. "I'm not that interested," she lies with a smirk, though deep down, she knows this curiosity will nag at her until she gets some answers.

Then, the bell rings, signaling the end of the break. Aimée's gaze meets Simone's and Michèle's, who both shrug. Their faces reflect the same curiosity tinged with frustration, but they seem resigned. The mystery will have to wait.

The students start dispersing, heading back to their classrooms. Aimée follows the flow, but not before casting one last glance toward the bathroom. This time, it's Joseph she sees emerging, his face showing unmistakable amusement. He briefly meets her gaze, a glint of mischief in his dark eyes before he looks away.

Almost instinctively, Aimée decides to walk alongside him. It's the perfect moment to ask some questions.

"What's with you guys today ? You're all acting weird. And you're standing guard in front of the bathroom. So, what's going on ?" she whispers, trying not to attract too much attention.

He glances at her, a sly smile stretching across his lips. "We're the weird ones ?" he repeats, feigning innocence. "You're the one interested in what we're doing here. It's like you want to join us." He crosses his arms over his chest, letting out a light chuckle.

She rolls her eyes, annoyed by his enigmatic attitude. "Oh, come on. Something's happening, and you all look like you're conspiring. If it's not one of your stupid bets, then what is it ?" She stares at him, hoping to make him crack.

Joseph shrugs, faking a nonchalance she knows is calculated. "Maybe we've found a new way to have fun," he says, his smile widening. "It doesn't concern you, anyway. The girls wouldn't get it."

Aimée furrows her brows, stung by that remark. "The girls wouldn't get it, really ? You think that's going to stop me from finding out what you're hiding ?"

He slips his hands into his pockets, a glint of provocation in his gaze. "If it entertains you to try and figure it out, be my guest," he says, raising his eyebrows. "But I doubt you'll get it. It's a guy thing." He lets a moment of silence pass, then adds, almost as if giving her a hint: "Let's just say it's... interesting reading."

She narrows her eyes, suspicious. "Reading ?" she repeats, incredulous. "Since when do you guys read ?" She tries to decipher his words, but Joseph remains elusive, his sly smile lingering until they reach the classroom. It's as if he enjoys leaving her in suspense.

Inside, she senses a new kind of agitation in the air, heavier than before. The boys keep exchanging knowing glances and snickering, while the girls are clearly left out of whatever seems to be causing all the excitement.

Annick, beside her, appears just as puzzled. Without saying anything, the blonde merely sighs inwardly. Those boys will never change.

Just then, the door opens slowly, and Applebaum enters the classroom. All eyes turn to him, and laughter erupts from the boys' side. Madame Couret, the English teacher, looks up from her papers, visibly irritated.

"Didn't you hear the bell, Mr. Applebaum ?"

Embarrassed, he clumsily shuts the door behind him before responding, "Sorry, miss."

The teacher sighs, indicating his seat with a look that says she doesn't have time for his excuses. He heads to his desk without a word, and Madame Couret resumes her lesson. "Now, have you heard of the Beatles ?"

As Aimée starts jotting down what the teacher is writing on the board, she catches murmurs behind her. She recognizes Joseph's voice, quietly whispering toward Applebaum.

"Hey ! Are you going to give it back or what ?" the one-eyed boy says insistently. "Can't turn the pages anymore, huh ?" he adds mockingly.

Glancing quickly over her shoulder, she sees Applebaum rummaging discreetly in his bag. Then, everything happens very fast. He takes advantage of the moment when Madame Couret is engrossed in her explanations and the students are focused on their notes to pull out a magazine from his bag.

Aimée can't see what it is, but the movement catches Annick's attention. In a swift motion, the blonde intercepts the magazine before the boys can grab it. She slips it under the table and hands it to Aimée without giving her time to refuse.

The redhead, startled, suddenly finds herself holding the object, unsure of what's happening. She glances down at the paper, and it's at that exact moment that she realizes what she's holding: a pornographic magazine. Her face instantly flushes, heat rushing to her cheeks. How did she end up in this situation ? She tries to compose herself, but it's too late. Joseph, furious, pushes Jean to try to retrieve the magazine.

"Redhead, give that damn magazine back, you're going to—" he starts, reaching out.

Before he can grab it, Annick intervenes again, shoving Jean away. Then, in a desperate move, she tosses the magazine into the air to prevent Jean from snatching it. Aimée watches the magazine's trajectory, powerless.

It lands noisily on Michèle and Simone's table. The sound captures the entire class's attention. The two girls remain frozen, wide-eyed, staring at the open pages of the magazine.

Madame Couret suddenly halts mid-sentence, her gaze falling on the magazine in plain view. The boys' muffled laughter abruptly stops. The exposed pages leave no room for doubt, casting a heavy silence over the entire classroom.

An almost reverent hush descends, and Aimée feels a weighty gaze upon her. She looks up and meets Joseph's stare, his eyes dark with obvious irritation. He clearly didn't appreciate losing control of the situation.

The teacher's face hardens instantly, her cheeks flushing with anger. "What is this ?"

Annick presses her lips together, as surprised and embarrassed as anyone by the outcome of this little struggle over the magazine. Aimée, for her part, feels her cheeks burning even more. Everything had happened so quickly that she hadn't even had time to think. Shame rises in her throat, and she averts her eyes from the magazine, praying that Madame Couret won't question her directly.

The following seconds seem to stretch on forever as the teacher approaches Michèle and Simone's table, her heels clicking sharply on the floor. She reaches out to grab the magazine, her fingers gripping the glossy cover. "Can someone explain to me what this... this filth is doing in my classroom ?"