IN THE WAKE OF US

1. Adeline

I didn't want to be here. Perce was too quiet, too small, too.... different. Back in Quebec City, I was used to the sounds of traffic and the energy of people rushing by. But here, the most I'd heard all week was the wind and the ocean crashing against the cliffs.

I sighed as I entered my new school St.Williams High, trying to ignore the stares. It was as if everyone knew I didn't belong, whispering things I couldn't quite catch but could feel. I pushed on, keeping my eyes forward, looking for my homeroom. And that's when a girl with curly blonde hair appeared in front of me, holding a notebook against her chest like a shield.

"Adeline, right?" she asked, giving me a warm, practiced smile. "I'm Marie, class rep. Just wanted to say hi and help you settle in."

"Oh, hi" I replied, feeling some of the tension leave my shoulders.

"Nice to meet you."

"Listen," she said, her voice softening as she leaned in. "If you need anything, let me know. And, um... just a heads-up-be careful who you talk to." She glanced around, then lowered her voice even more. "Especially Francis. I heard Mr. Raphael put him on a project with you?"

"Yeah, I think so," I said, not sure what to make of her sudden warning. "Is he...?"

"Trouble," she finished, eyes widening a bit for emphasis. "Total trouble. Honestly, I'd ask Mr. Raphael for a different partner if I were you. I mean, no one knows what goes on with him, but everyone talks. His mom has... issues, and it's sort of... let's just say he's had run-ins here. Keeps to himself and kind of drags everyone down with him."

I didn't say anything. Part of me wanted to brush it off, but I knew that coming to a new place meant finding the right people to trust. And Marie seemed nice. It didn't help that I'd seen the look Francis gave me when we were assigned together-a sort of blank stare that I couldn't read.

Marie's voice softened. "It's just a little advice. People here... they don't always know what's going on in his life, but he's made his reputation, you know?"

"Got it," I said, forcing a small smile. "Thanks for the heads-up."

But something in me rebelled against her warning. Back in Quebec City, I'd felt judged all the time-by people who didn't know a thing about me. And, honestly, maybe a little trouble didn't scare me as much as it should have. So as I made my way down the hall, I caught a glimpse of Francis. He was slouched in his seat, staring out the window with a bored expression, looking as if he'd rather be anywhere but here.

I took a deep breath and thought, What's the worst that could happen?