Chapter Text
First sight
August 22 2014, 15:52
Lucille walked slowly beside her mother. Earlier, both had gone to
Alberto Giacometti Middle School
to formally enrol the teenager. Following the divorce of her parents, Lucille and her little brother had to move into their mother's new apartment, near
Flora Tristan square
in the 14
th
arrondissement of Paris. New place, new neighbors, new school... Lucille didn't like all these changes at all. Arriving in a new school without knowing anyone? What a nightmare!
On the grid of the school, the distributions of the different classes were already displayed. Her mother had taken note on one of her many colorful little notebooks. “3rd B, Principal Professor: Mr. Morel”. Lucille didn't care about this information... It was sure now, she wouldn't like this new school. She already missed her friends.
Head down, her teeth with braces nervously biting her lips, the teenager walked in silence. In front of them, walked a small group of teenagers. The four boys were laughing loudly and one of them seemed to be telling a very funny story, punctuating it with great expressive gestures. They seemed to know each other very well... It wasn't surprising! No doubt they had been friends for years. She would never be able to find a place among them or among others. She would spend the year alone, eat alone at the self, come home alone... The voice of her mother and the arm she laid on her shoulders took her out of her dark thoughts.
"It's gonna be alright, darling.” She tried to reassure her daughter as if she had voiced her doubts aloud. "You'll see, it's scary at first but I'm sure you'll make lots of new friends."
Lucille raised her eyebrows. Not so sure about that...
Having in front of their building, Lucille's mother took the pass from her purse but stopped her gesture before sliding it on the opening post. Her gaze had stopped on the group of teenagers who were now sitting on one of the benches of the small square a few meters away.
"These boys are probably at Giacometti too, you should go introduce yourself, it would be nice to know people even before school!"
A cold sweat ran down Lucille's spine and she looked up sharply at her mother.
"No! No, no, it's ok, I'm fine!
-Oh come on!"
Lucille looked at her mother walking towards the boys. She followed her reluctantly. What a shame... The girl thought.
"Hello young people.” Her mother said as she stood in front of the small group. "We have just moved into the neighborhood and my daughter is going to Alberto Giacometti. She doesn't know anyone and as she's a little shy...
-Mom..."
Ashamed, Lucille didn't know where to put herself, at that moment, if she could have disappeared from the surface of the Earth, she wouldn't hesitate a single second. Blushing with shame and paralyzed by embarrassment, she still picked up her gaze from her feet to see the surprised look of the boys in front of them.
Of course they think I'm ridiculous
, she thought. Still, one of them moved toward her mother and her.
"Well... Welcome then. I'm Ali."
Lucille looked at him discreetly. He was the smallest and he looked smart.
"He's Antoine."
Full of pimples but looks very nice.
"He's Paolo."
Strong guy.
"And This is Eliott."
When he smiles we can't see his eyes anymore... It's cute.
A nudge and a look from her mother drove Lucille back to Earth.
"Ah yes... Uh, I... I'm... Lucille.” She stammered, feeling shame invading all her soul. "Well, mom, can we go?
-Ok, ok. See you!"
Once inside the building, the girl left her frustration exploding.
"Fuck Mom!
-Oh oh, watch your mou...
-Not only I know nobody but in addition, they now think I'm a big jerk!
-Lulu...
-No it's enough! Do not even talk to me!"
With these words, Lucille climbed the stairs at full speed, went back to the apartment that she hated so much and ran to lock herself in her room. Definitely, the upcoming year was looking bad...