(Viewpoint: Herese)
The last thing I saw was the greyish ceiling of the old building.
Then everything disappeared.
I didn't know how much time had passed when I felt something pull me by the shoulder.
Hey! Wake up!
A voice echoed above me, distant and annoying.
I opened my eyes with difficulty.
The first thing I noticed was the dust stuck to my sleeve. The second was the pain that shot through my head when I tried to stand up, even though the support was quite comfortable.
– Ouch...
I put a hand to my forehead.
Faces formed a circle around me.
I recognized some students; they were all looking at me as if I were some kind of newly discovered species.
It relieves me.
– Why are you looking at me like that?
No one answered, then a familiar voice rang behind my ear, sarcastic and full of barbs.
– Maybe because you just won, genius.
Maëva.
I slowly turned my head towards her.
She stood behind me with her arms crossed, her face closed off. She still had my bag over her shoulder.
- ha
I looked around me, I feel like I'm forgetting something.
The arena was unrecognizable. The sand had been stirred up in every direction, several bags used as boundaries had been moved, and the referees' table was almost overturned.
Alex was sitting against the wall with two students around him. He was still unconscious.
I sat up slowly.
– my bag
Maëva looked at me with a raised eyebrow.
– Are you leaving?
I pretended to be seriously considering the question.
– it's not obvious
She threw the bag away.
– Oops, he slipped.
- tiresome
I murmured under my breath.
"I heard you," replied Maëva, looking up at the sky.
- So much the better.
A few students stifled a laugh.
My legs went numb. I dusted off my uniform and went to get my bag.
Maëva noticed my movement and almost followed me.
- What ?
she asked
– What? What? You're the one following me!
I quickened my pace and took the stairs two at a time, but she was still behind me.
– Do you want anything?
Without a word, she stared at me and put her arm around mine before taking the lead; she became faster and faster, running almost as if we were being chased.
I don't understand the problem that's going through his head.
- gently
She simply shrugged.
– move
It was at that moment that I noticed something.
The stares that followed us were not filled with curiosity, they were insistent and piercing; their hostility was not concealed.
We were clearly in enemy territory.
Maëva got me out at top speed.
– Is that what worries you?
– What are you talking about?
She pretended not to be following the situation.
I could almost hear his brain searching for a logical excuse for his pride moving.
– You should avoid loitering around here.
she warned me as if I had come of my own free will
– hein?.
I'm not likely to see you again.
I turned around and left.
– What time is it?
My steps quickened as I searched for my watch.
It's not on my wrist, where are you? I slipped my hand into all my pockets without any result. The time has certainly already passed, but what's more, I couldn't find my connected watch.
François
- Shit.
I immediately started walking even faster.
– Hey!
Maëva was following me.
I barely glanced at her and ran away from her.
– HE
She was persistent and chased after me.
No joke.
I was starting to lose patience and took the first turn, cut through the streets and did my best to lose her.
I stopped and looked behind me.
She also stopped.
– That's not possible
I immediately resumed my walk.
She followed me a little longer before finally saying:
– IDIOT
I turned my head towards her.
She had resumed her usual expression, the one that always seemed ready to provoke me.
Completely crazy.
What a pain.
I had no idea why she kept pursuing me despite everything she had just said.
We were simply two people who couldn't stand each other.
And that suited me perfectly.