Diamonds and Gold {Paul Lahote}

4

Li Na looked down at the times table in her hands. She glanced every so often at the numbers on the walls. The classes on her time's table or as Americans called it a schedule, some she knew like French but she was not sure about the Gym class. A few students had offered their assistance, but Li Na had declined. She didn't want other students to try to get her to become their friend. Making friends with Kim was enough for her.  

Finally, after walking down the whole corridor to find the room, Li Na had finally made it to the French classroom. The school bell rang as she stepped into the opened door. A few students pushed passed her as she looked around the room for an empty seat. All of the students turned their heads in the direction of her as she stood in the doorway. She pressed her lips together as she stood there.

As Li Na scanned the room, she saw a few faces she knew, like Kim. But she had also seen the boy named Paul in the room as well. She had an empty seat on Kim's right side and Paul was sitting to her left. The girl gestured her with a wave, Li Na contemplated before she made her way down the narrow space between the seats. A few comments of "pardon me" as some of the students moved their belongings. She had to make way as students had their school bags on the ground.

"Thank you, Kim" Li Na whispered as she sat down in her seat. Placing her school bag on the small desktop. "No problem, French is the only foreign language class here," Kim said as she leaned in towards her. The teacher rose from her desk in the front of the room, making the students quiet down.

"I'll tell you later" Kim whispered as she faced the teacher. "We have a new student joining us at this time of year," the teacher said as she looked around the room until she connected eyes with Li Na. Li Na wished she could just disappear as all eyes moved to her.

"Bonjour madame...." Li Na looked at the teacher to fill in her name. "Madame Riley" the teacher filling in for her. "Madame Riley, merci, j'ai hâte d'être dans votre classe (thank you, I look forward being in your class)" Li Na said as she spoke in just about fluent French. Students looked back at her in shock at her fluency. Most of the students don't actually understand it but were still impressed.

Madame Riley rose her eyebrows, surprised at the girls French-speaking. It was as if she was speaking to a fluent French speaker. "ou as tu appris le francais? (where did you learn French?)" she questioned the student. Li Na smiles as she remembered her time in France. "J'avais vécu à Monaco pendant une brève année (I had lived in Monaco for a brief year)" Li Na said as and the teacher were having their own conversation in French. "où à Monaco? (wherein Monaco?)" Madame Riley question, knowing many residents of Monaco were wealthy. "à monte carlo, ma famille est propriétaire de l'hôtel de Paris Monte Carlo (in Monte Carlo, my family owns Hotel de Paris Monte Carlo)" Li Na smiles as the teacher was shocked, she was shocked her family owned the most expensive hotel in Monaco.

"Well, it's nice to have a fluent French speaker in class" Madame Riley switched back to English as the class watched the conversation intently. "Miss Chu would you like to translate our conversation into English?" Madame Riley asked looking at her new student. "Um... I learned my French when I had lived in Monaco, my family owns the Hotel De Paris Monte Carlo" Li Na said awkwardly as all of the students continued to stare at her.

Paul leaned against his elbow as he listened to his imprint speak. Her voice was like silk, so soft and elegant. Kim has looked over to see him dazed by Li Na's voice, more like everyone was in a bit of a daze. "It's a pleasure," Li Na said as she sent a tight lip smile to the French teacher.

•••••

By the time Li Na had gotten to lunchtime, she was even more talked about. People either hated her or adored the girl. All of the teachers loved her already being the brightest student. British boarding school did have its perk, being a prestigious school for academics.