— What's with that creepy way of sneaking up behind people?! I almost had a heart attack! — Ino screamed, completely panicked and a little annoyed.
Émilie, still in shock, murmured in a trembling voice:
— H-he had a demon's aura…
Lusia, just as shaken, declared dramatically:
— I'm traumatized… I have a phobia of men now!
Élisa, frowning, stared at Nasser and asked:
— Why were you two looking at each other like that? You looked like sworn enemies facing off… Huh, the wolf?
Nasser shrugged with fake innocence.
— Huh? Me? I didn't do anything! I just showed up and politely greeted you…
Ino pointed an accusing finger at him.
— With a criminal's aura and stare!
Nasser sighed and crossed his arms.
— Why are you blaming me?! And you, little mouse, why do you call me the wolf?
Élisa smirked and replied:
— Because you scare people away, that's why!
Nasser, feigning shock, retorted:
— And who did I scare off? That arrogant guy who looks like a criminal?
Élisa rolled her eyes.
— You're the one who looks like a criminal, with your braids and gangster look…
The girls nodded in unison:
— Yeah, yeah!
Lusia added with a dreamy look:
— Besides, at least he looks and talks like a prince…
Nasser raised an eyebrow and sneered mockingly:
— Ah… so you're upset I kept you from talking to your prince, huh?
Élisa stammered immediately.
— What?! Me?! No, not at all! He came to talk to Ino, not me… Right, Ino?
Ino, despite her forced smile, felt a pang of bitterness.
— Yeah, yeah… he came for me…
As she said that, a tear discreetly rolled down her cheek.
Why does Élisa get all the cute guys at school, huh? Why not me…?
Nasser observed the scene, raised an eyebrow, then shrugged.
— Yeah, sure, if you say so. I don't have much time, so I'm out. See you later, girls.
— Yeah, later! — they replied in unison.
As he walked away, he suddenly turned around, as if he had forgotten something.
— Oh, by the way, Élisa… I almost forgot to tell you. Your dad couldn't make it, so he asked me to let you know: there's a party at our place tonight at 7 PM. I should've told you earlier, but I completely forgot… So don't miss it.
Élisa, surprised, blinked.
— Uh… yeah… I'll be there.
Élisa noticed the gloomy look on Ino's face as she stared at her silently.
— You do realize you're going to his place, right? — Ino said hesitantly.
Élisa raised an eyebrow.
— Uh, yeah, so?
Ino crossed her arms and added:
— At a party where you'll be around him a lot…
— Uh, yeah, so what…?
Suddenly, a vivid image flashed through Élisa's mind. Her heart pounded, and without warning, she curled up into herself, whimpering:
— Oh no, no, no! I don't want to spend a day with him… Otherwise, my feelings will get worse, and he'll figure it out! And then… I don't know what he'll do!
In her imagination, she saw Nasser glaring at her with disdain, saying:
— You're just a foolish girl. I never want to see you again…
She shook her head, terrified.
— No… I don't want him to hate me!
Ino sighed and placed a hand on her shoulder.
— You've got no choice, girl. You have to go… But avoid him as much as possible.
Lusia added seriously:
— Don't look him in the eyes.
— And definitely don't talk to him! — Ino chimed in.
She then placed a hand on Élisa's forehead like an officer giving orders.
— Follow these rules, and you'll survive, got it, soldier?
Élisa raised her hand in a mock military salute and replied in a small, childlike voice:
— Yes, ma'am…