The ones who live hidden in plain sight (A discovery of witches story)

DNA (Andrew POV)

Andrew chatted with a parent, a smile on his face, enthusiastically explaining his child's progress. He loved these exchanges, this bond he created with families. It was one of the most rewarding aspects of his job.

But as he looked up for a moment, his breath caught.

Camille.

There she was, standing not far away, her gaze anchored in his. He was pleasantly surprised, but also slightly worried. He hadn't seen her coming, and her face... it didn't radiate the lightness he so loved to see in her.

- Camille?" he exclaimed, moving quickly towards her.

She smiled, but her tone was hesitant.

- I'm fine," she said quickly. I just wanted to see you. But if you're busy, I can go back.

Andrew immediately shook his head, his smile returning in full force, sincere and warm.

- No, stay. Let me just finish here, and then I'll show you around the school.

She laughed softly and nodded.

- Take your time.

He returned to his conversation, but his mind was elsewhere. Every time his gaze drifted to Camille, he caught something dead in her expression. He knew that posture, that silence that weighed heavier than words. Something was wrong.

Another parent asked him a question, and he answered mechanically, taking one last look at Camille. She was sitting on a bench, her back slightly arched, her fingers playing nervously with the hem of her sleeve.

Then there was that little movement in her eyes, a sad gleam that flickered before disappearing.

It was enough for Andrew to cut short the discussion and immediately join her, sitting down beside her.

- Has something happened?" he asked softly.

She nodded, taking a breath.

- I told my mother.

Andrew raised his eyebrows, immediately understanding the magnitude of what she had just done.

- Oh..." he breathed. How did she react?

Camille looked down, her voice trembling but determined.

- She screamed. She told me I was ruining my life, that I should have an abortion... She reacted even worse than I'd imagined.

A cold shiver ran through Andrew's body. The idea that anyone could treat Camille like that, especially his own mother, made him angry.

- Your mother makes me want to... He paused, I'd rather not say what I really think. Let's just say I don't like her at all. He managed to keep light.

Camille laughed bitterly, but a smile spread across her lips nonetheless.

- At least it's done, she asserted. It's a step. I'm going in the right direction, even if she won't accept it.

Andrew looked at her, infinite tenderness in his eyes.

- You mean the baby... and us?

She nodded, before raising her eyes to his, a softer sparkle in her gaze.

- I love seeing you in your element," she added, looking around them.

He smiled, regaining some of his lightness.

- The hospital is your world. Mine is school. Want to see my class?

She nodded briskly, and he led her inside the building, his enthusiasm returning as he showed her the projects on the walls, the colorful drawings, the little decorations he'd put up himself.