The sun had just risen, and light was gently entering Élisa's room. That morning, she woke up with a huge smile, reminiscing about the night before. Nasser's words still echoed in her head: "If I had to do it again, I would."
She remembered their climb to the top of the Golden Night Hotel, the breathtaking view of the illuminated city. A shiver of happiness ran through her. "The best night of my life!" she thought before stretching and jumping out of bed.
— Good morning, sun! she shouted, throwing her window wide open.
She twirled around, overwhelmed with excitement.
— Good morning, house! Good morning, bed! Good morning, kitchen!
She dashed into the bathroom.
— Good morning, toothbrush! Good morning, sink!
Coming out of the bathroom, still filled with joy, she jumped on her father and hugged him tightly.
— Good morning, Dad!
— Well, my daughter, you seem to be in a very good mood today!
— Yes! Yesterday was magical!
Her father smiled.
— So, Nasser really showed you around the city?
— Yes, and it had been so long! But the best part was the end...
— Oh? And what did you do?
— We climbed a tall building and… Wah! I saw the whole city! The houses, the buildings, the lights shining everywhere… It was incredible!
Her father nodded.
— I see.
— By the way, when are they coming back? she asked.
— Next week, I think.
— Awesome! I'll be here waiting for them!
She suddenly stood up.
— Alright, Dad, I have to go to school!
Her father looked at her, amused.
— So, you're planning to go in your pajamas, with messy hair?
She froze, glanced at her reflection, and screamed.
— Aah! Thanks, Dad!
She rushed to get ready, had a quick breakfast, then ran to the door.
— See you tonight, Dad!
— See you tonight, my daughter.
Everything seemed wonderful that day. The sun, the people arguing in the street, even the market on the way to school. Nothing could ruin her good mood.
When she arrived, she spotted her friends and called out enthusiastically:
— Émilie! Ino! Lusia!
The girls turned around and shouted in unison:
— Élisa!
They ran toward each other and embraced in a group hug.
— So, how was the test for you guys? asked Élisa.
Ino sighed.
— A total nightmare! My mom was watching me like a hawk.
Lusia laughed.
— Yeah, it looked like you were trying to cheat, but she was staring straight into your soul. It was hilarious.
— Were there a lot of students? asked Élisa.
— Yes, tons of them online, confirmed Émilie.
She gave her a curious look.
— But wait… Why do you look so happy?
Élisa blinked.
— Me? Happy?
— Yeah, it's like you had the best day of your life.
Her smile widened as she remembered the night before.
— It's true… It was just magical!
— Tell us everything! the girls begged.
Élisa recounted her evening in detail.
Ino's eyes widened.
— Wait… You spent the whole night together?
Élisa nodded excitedly.
— Yes, it was incredible!
Ino frowned.
— But… he's your brother!
Lusia and Émilie nodded.
— Yeah, Élisa, stop talking like it's a romance!
Élisa blushed slightly.
— But… I didn't say anything bad…
The girls exchanged a worried look.
— Yes, you did…
At the same time, Nasser was walking nervously toward school, completely panicked. He was muttering to himself while holding his head:
— No, no, no… I didn't sleep all night! I couldn't stop thinking about her and her last words…
"Goodbye, big brother..."
He stopped for a moment and shook his head in frustration.
— Aaaah, this isn't possible! Why is she stuck in my head?! Get out of there, Élisa!
He let out a deep sigh.
— Alright… I just hope I don't run into her today. I just need to forget about her, that's all… It's simple, right?
He took a deep breath and kept walking, trying to ignore what had happened the night before.
At school
The school was as lively as ever. Students were bickering, chatting, studying… But in the middle of the commotion, Élisa was lost in her thoughts, her eyes fixed on her textbook.
"If I had to do it again, I would."
Nasser's words echoed in her head. Her face flushed, and her heart raced.
— No, no, no…! she murmured, shaking her head.
She tried to reason with herself:
— I shouldn't be thinking about this… He's my future brother, after all! He just showed me around the city to make me happy, that's all…
Meanwhile, in another classroom…
Nasser was also trying to ignore what was troubling him. He crossed his arms and lowered his head, looking determined.
— If she smiled at me, it's just because she enjoyed the tour. Plus, she called me big brother…
But despite himself, a doubt crept into his mind.
Élisa:
"It's normal to show someone around when they're about to join the family..."
Nasser:
"She's my future sister, it's normal..."
But then…
Both of them suddenly raised their heads, eyes wide.
— Why am I thinking about her so much?!
— Why am I thinking about him so much?!
Suddenly, Ino burst into the classroom, sprinting down the hallway before yelling:
— Guys! Guys! This is bad!
The whole class turned toward her, intrigued and a bit confused.
Émilie, worried, asked:
— What's bad?
Ino, out of breath and visibly panicked, replied:
— Tomorrow… No, next Saturday is Culture Day!
At this announcement, the class erupted in cheers. Everyone started dancing and celebrating.
(Note: Culture Days are the equivalent of school festivals.)
The class representative, puzzled, asked:
— But why are you freaking out? It's a fun event.
Ino caught her breath before dropping the bombshell:
— Because we're going up against Atlas Academy!
A chilling silence fell over the classroom.
— What?!
Worried whispers spread everywhere:
— "No… Atlas, the biggest school in the country!"
— "Who challenged them?"
— "It must have been the principal…"
— "We're doomed…"
Élisa frowned and asked:
— Wait, why are they coming here? What's going on?
Ino sighed before explaining:
— It's the principal… He became best buddies with their headmaster, they're always hanging out together. So, being the gossip queen I am, I eavesdropped on their conversation… And I heard that we'll have to compete against them in multiple challenges!
The class representative stood up abruptly and shouted:
— Alright, everyone, I think now is the right time to panic!
Immediately, chaos broke out in the classroom.
Élisa sighed, holding her head.
— More insane problems…
The whole class dragged themselves toward the general assembly with zero motivation.
Élisa walked slowly through the crowd, completely drained.
— What's the principal's problem? Does he just want to see us humiliated or what?! … And on top of that, I'm starving. I didn't eat anything during break…
She lowered her head, sighing, before spotting Ino a little further away in the schoolyard. She called out in a tired voice:
— Ino!
Ino turned around, and Élisa added:
— I need a hug…
Ino, looking just as exhausted, replied:
— Me too… Come on, let's hug!
Without thinking, Élisa closed her eyes and walked forward with her arms wide open. When she felt someone in front of her, she hugged them tightly.
— Thanks… I really needed a hug…
She tightened her embrace and sighed happily.
— Mmh… This is weird… Ino, since when do you have abs?
She tapped the person's stomach curiously.
Then a terrifying realization hit her.
She slowly lifted her gaze…
And locked eyes with Nasser, who was staring at her, frozen and awkward.
— Na… Nasser…?!