(Viewpoint: Hérèse )
The paper was still on the floor.
I looked at him for a few seconds.
"4 p.m., you and me, duel."
Then I sighed, massaging my temples.
Again.
Why did people in that class have so much free time?
I give the ball of paper a sharp whack and balance it on the other side of the room.
and I turn my attention back to the painting.
- Really…..,
The professor continued his lecture, a really gentle and relaxing atmosphere, I really wanted to sleep, at least I wasn't having to make an effort anymore, he was a better therapist than a teacher.
4 p.m.
When it comes to these boring, repetitive classes, time never seems to move, but suddenly it gets busy and does its job when I have a sword of Damocles hanging over my throat.
The duel with Alex, what a stupid idea, just like the author himself.
I already knew how it was going to end.
He will probably charge, since he only uses his head to hit.
I'll just have to avoid him.
He would do it again.
I will counter-attack, and that's all.
You too are very stupid and foolish, yet you allow yourself to underestimate your opponent.
–It's you again, you're the one who dares to advise me
– I remind you that you wisely had a glass of water thrown over your head by the one you call your worst enemy.
That's why you'll always be a little victim.
I frowned slightly.
Speak to me in a different tone
No.
You should be worried about your ass. I hope you know how to fight now.
I slowly turned my eyes towards the window.
– You've been giving me the silent treatment since this morning; you should take a good look at yourself and go back where you came from.
Silent.
Like someone who was waiting.
I lowered my eyes.
– Shall we make peace?
No response.
Obviously.
– You're still mad at me about this morning.
silence.
After what happened with Godwell…
It was impossible for me to believe otherwise.
The problem was that I still didn't remember everything.
A few hours were missing.
And the more I tried to remember...
My head hurt more.
I discreetly placed two fingers against my forehead.
Then I whispered, almost without moving my lips.
– Listen to me.
Nothing.
I looked around me.
No one seemed to have heard me.
– I know you're here, stop giving me the silent treatment, I don't have to apologize for something you deserve.
Still nothing.
I sighed.
– I'm not going to fight without you, we're a team.
A second passed.
Then a strange sensation crossed my mind.
You will fight alone.
she said to me mockingly
I already knew his answer.
She's vicious and, honestly...
I couldn't understand it, I'll never get used to it.
I rested my chin on my hand.
I can manage without you and I will win.
No response.
– you'll see
Still nothing.
She thinks she can get to me with this trick…
I suppressed a smile.
I feel my hair stand on end. An almost imperceptible sensation of being watched.
– Heresy.
I immediately raised my head.
The professor was looking at me.
- Yes ?
– Do you find my course particularly interesting?
I looked at the painting.
Then him.
- Yes.
Not yet, I should have found a place behind.
Some students started laughing, is this really funny?, I feel sorry for these puppets without personality, I think I have seen worse and especially real hatred, these little ones are incompetent.
The professor narrowed his eyes.
– Then repeat what I just said.
Silence.
I looked at the painting.
I had absolutely no idea what he had just said.
Maëva, sitting next to me, sighed.
She discreetly pushed her notebook towards me.
The answer was written.
I looked at her.
Then I looked at Maëva.
She raised an eyebrow and looked away.
letting me whisper the answer
The professor resumed his lecture without dwelling on it too much, thankfully.
And me...
I immediately started thinking about the duel again.
12h17.
The bell rang.
The entire class stood up almost immediately.
Conversations exploded.
And, as expected...
My name comes up again quickly.
— Is he really going to fight Alex?
At 4 p.m.
– Is he serious?
– After what happened to him yesterday?
I put away my things and rested my head on the desk.
They deliberately spoke very loudly as they walked past me.
Maëva stayed near my desk.
-- Are you really going to do it?
I looked at her.
- Yes.
– Why are you wasting your time?
– Because he challenged me.
She crossed her arms.
– for the moment you're just a clown, a clone that amuses, they don't even see you as a problem.
– I didn't ask for all that.
She stared at me for a few seconds.
Then she sighed.
– You're weird, if you want peace, shock them and fight the real fish.
I put my pen back in my pocket.
– you suddenly became nice.
She was about to answer when a noise caught our attention.
A kick.
Someone had just pushed a chair.
I looked up.
Alex.
His face still bore the marks of his previous fight, but he was smiling.
He walked past me without saying a word.
Then he stopped.
– 4 p.m.
It's really annoying.
I looked at him.
– I heard.
– Don't be late.
– I wouldn't be.
He smiled more.
Then he left as if victorious, keeping his eyes fixed on Maëva
It's really strange.