Nasser replied with an awkward expression:
— E… Élisa, you're kind of suffocating me!
Élisa abruptly let go of him and jumped back three steps, completely flustered and embarrassed by the situation. She started speaking while stammering and stuttering:
— Na… na… Nasser, I… I'm really sorry! I didn't… I didn't even notice you were there. I just wanted to walk toward Ino and then… and then suddenly, I was on you! I'm so sorry, sorry, sorry!
Ino watched the scene, then began running around frantically, exclaiming:
— Oh no, oh no! She hugged him! And not just any hug… A super hug! A premium-quality hug! The Big Hug of the Year, with extra compliments! Oh, she's really in trouble!
Nasser looked at Élisa and calmly said:
— It's fine… but it was strange seeing you so calm.
Élisa stared at him without saying a word. Then, Nasser took on a teasing tone:
— Honestly, though, that cover-up was pathetic. Seriously, are you really that sentimental?
— Huh?! Not at all! she protested.
Still mocking, he added:
— And according to what you just said, I have flawless muscles while being super soft.
Embarrassed, Élisa snapped back:
— I never said that! And your hug was weird… You're as hard as a rock!
— Oh really? Isn't it that same rock you held in your arms for so long? Nasser replied, slightly annoyed.
Equally irritated, Élisa retorted:
— That's because I mistook you for Ino, that's all!
Nasser glanced at her, then shrugged and walked away:
— Alright, I'm leaving, little rat. If I stay here, I might accidentally crush you.
— Little?! Élisa choked.
Her face turned red with anger, and she shouted:
— Fine, go ahead, you big turtle with a shell as hard as concrete!
Ino walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder:
— Let it go, he's already far away…
— Ugh, he's so annoying! He drives me crazy! Élisa grumbled.
— Hey, Élisa… That's the first time you've ever insulted someone like that! Ino said, surprised.
Élisa suddenly panicked:
— Oh no! I insulted him right in the middle of school and everyone is staring at us! I have to go apologize right away!
She rushed off to find Nasser, but before she could reach him, the principal climbed onto the podium. The crowd fell into instant silence. Élisa stepped back and returned to her place next to Ino.
She whispered to her friend:
— Hey, Ino… What's he doing here?
— Well, he summoned us all here… Ino replied. And besides, we're in the general assembly hall. This is where he gives new announcements.
— What's he going to talk about? Élisa asked, curious.
Ino sighed, exasperated:
— Pff… The Atlas Academy.
— Oh yeah, the cultural day and all that, I know… Élisa responded.
The principal stepped onto the stage with an imposing man by his side, then began to speak:
— Good morning, everyone! We've gathered you here today to talk about the cultural day happening this Saturday.
A roar of cheers erupted in the hall. The students screamed and danced with joy… except for the third-year commercial class, who looked miserable.
The principal then added:
— This cultural day won't just be a simple event. We'll be organizing games against another school.
A perplexed silence filled the room. Murmurs began to rise among the crowd. Then, the prefect dropped a bombshell:
— We will be facing Atlas Academy in a series of ten challenges on various themes! And to show you just how prepared their students are for this competition, their general delegate will now speak.
He gestured toward the guest beside him:
— Let's give a warm welcome to Amir, the general delegate of Atlas!
A young man stepped onto the stage. He was tall and imposing, with long black dreadlocks and the Atlas Academy uniform.
He addressed the crowd with a deep, confident voice:
— Good afternoon, everyone. I am Amir, the general delegate of Atlas. Here, you may call me that, but in my academy, my title is "Marshal."
A shiver ran through the room.
— To give you an idea of my authority, know that I have the power to expel a student if I so choose.
A heavy silence fell over the assembly.
— I sincerely hope that this competition, which will last three days, will be an unforgettable experience. We look forward to facing you!
He paused for a moment, scanning the audience, then concluded:
— Thank you for your patience.
The students began to applaud, but Nasser's eyes met Amir's. An odd tension sparked between them.
In his head, Nasser thought:
I don't trust this guy…
The principal then took the floor again:
— Now, you may all head home. Use these few days to prepare yourselves well. The competition begins on Saturday, and we're counting on you to give it your all. Have a safe trip home and be punctual tomorrow!
The students started to leave the hall, each one pondering what lay ahead.
Élisa glanced at Amir and murmured:
— Wow… That guy looks seriously intimidating!
Ino, with a sly smile, replied sincerely:
— Oh, I find him interesting! That guy seems like a really good person. I'd love to have him all to myself… Mmmh, it's for men like him that I love living in Africa!
Élisa, surprised, stared at her:
— You and your thing for guys, seriously!
While Amir was talking with the principal, his gaze fell on Élisa. He stared at her intensely for a long moment. Élisa, curious, glanced toward the stage… and locked eyes with his piercing stare.
A chill ran down her spine. She froze, shocked, before abruptly looking away. Her heart pounded in her chest, and without thinking, she rushed out of the hall, as if she were being chased.
When she reached the school's entrance, Élisa spotted a black car parked out front. Inside, a man dressed in black seemed to be waiting for someone. Before she could pay more attention, a familiar voice called out behind her.
— Hey, Élisa!
She turned around and saw Émilie waving enthusiastically. Beside her, Lusia crossed her arms and added in an irritated tone:
— Where were you? We were about to leave without you!
Élisa quickly walked over and apologized:
— Sorry, I forgot my bag in the classroom. Thanks for waiting for me. We can go now.
Ino clapped her hands excitedly:
— Alright, let's go!
But Émilie suddenly stopped them:
— No, wait! I want to buy some chocolate before we leave.
The girls let out a collective sigh and responded in unison:
— Ugh, hurry up!
— Okay, okay! Émilie replied with a big grin before dashing toward the shop.
Meanwhile, a movement caught their attention. A man was walking out of the main entrance of the school, heading straight toward the black car.
— Look, girls… he's back! Ino exclaimed, starting to fantasize again. Isn't he gorgeous?
Lusia, unimpressed, shrugged:
— Yeah, he's handsome, but he'd look even better with curly hair.
— I guess it depends on personal taste… Élisa replied cautiously, then added in a more worried tone:
— I don't know about you, but he scares me.
Amir turned and noticed Élisa with her friends. His gaze locked onto her, and without hesitation, he walked in their direction.
Élisa instantly panicked.
— Aaah, girls! Did he hear me or what?! He's coming this way… I'm dead!
Ino, full of confidence, replied with a smug smile:
— He's coming for me, obviously.
Élisa sighed in relief.
— Oh yeah, you're probably right. That must be it…
But Lusia, squinting her eyes with an amused smile, teased:
— Oh no, he's not coming for you… This smells like trouble!
Amir reached them and greeted them with a charming smile.
— Hello, ladies. How are you?
Ino immediately responded, a little too enthusiastically:
— Yes, yes, we're doing great! And you, handsome… I mean, my friend?
Amir smiled before replying:
— Likewise. May I know your names, please?
Ino, quick as ever, eagerly answered:
— I'm Ino, she's Lusia, the girl coming over is Émilie, and the one hiding behind me is Élisa.
Élisa, still hiding behind Ino, timidly murmured:
— Uh… hi.
Amir turned his gaze toward her and flashed a dazzling smile.
— Oh, I see… So, your name is Élisa?
She stared at him, slightly uncomfortable, and replied:
— Uh… yes.
In her head, she was in full-blown panic mode.
Why is he talking to me? Wasn't he coming for Ino… or…?!
Her face tensed as she suddenly realized:
Did he hear what I said?!
Amir broke the silence:
— I came here to talk to you.
Élisa flinched and began to stammer, terrified:
— T… talk to me? D… did I… d-did I do something?
Amir burst into laughter and reassured her:
— Don't worry, you didn't offend me. I just wanted to chat with you.
Élisa stared at him, perplexed.
Why does he talk like a prince?
Next to her, Ino, clearly irritated, muttered:
— Why her and not me, huh?
Élisa continued:
— Okay… but talk about what?
But before Amir could answer, a heavy silence fell over the group. A dark, piercing gaze had just settled on them.
Behind Élisa, Nasser had approached, his eyes cold and unyielding.
The girls turned around and shivered when they saw his expression.
— Hey, Ino, he greeted neutrally, without taking his eyes off Amir.
Ino felt the crushing tension between the two boys.
— Uh… yeah, I'm good, she replied timidly.
Amir finally turned away and gave the group a polite smile.
— Well, my dear friends, I must be off. My driver is waiting. We'll meet again on Saturday, for the first part of the cultural event.
Then, looking at Élisa one last time, he added:
— See you on Saturday, Élisa.
Élisa, unsettled, stammered:
— Uh… yeah… see you Saturday…
As he walked away, she muttered to herself:
— What does he want from me…?
Once inside the car, Amir shut the door and let out a long sigh.
His driver, intrigued, asked:
— Sir, if I may… Why did you spend so much time talking to those schoolgirls?
Amir lowered his eyes to the car's floor mat and, with a calm smile, replied:
— No… you're mistaken. I didn't go there to talk to them. Not at all.
The driver furrowed his brows.
— Then why did you stay?
Amir stared at the horizon through the tinted window.
— I was there to talk to the girl named Élisa.
— And why didn't you?
Amir gave a darker smile.
— There was a man behind her… And I don't trust him.
A silence settled in the car, then Amir added in a near-obsessive whisper:
— But that Élisa… I must have her. I want her all to myself.