Thomas and Alicia left the math class, a little hungry, and made their way to the dining hall. Arrived in the main hall, Thomas only had to follow Alicia to find his way. They both took a staircase, and found themselves in the middle of tables and chairs. Thomas took a quick glance at the railing where he had been a few hours before. From where he was now, he could better appreciate the decoration, those hanging pennants and that large red stripe on the ground that stretched out to the outside.

— What do you want to eat, asked Alicia. Hamburger? Pizza?

— Go for a pizza, Thomas replied.

After taking their tray, a bottle of water, a big slice of pizza, and a cookie each, Thomas and Alicia set out to find a free table. They alighted at one of them, located in a nook away from the surrounding noise. So they could chat without being disturbed.

— So tell me about your morning, Alicia said once she was settled in.

— I really liked the optional courses, it is a real change from those I was used to in France. I pretty much got it all, but I don't feel like participating yet, Thomas replied.

— Good, she mumbled, biting into her large slice of pizza. I mean, good that you have more or less understood everything.

— And you ? It went well ?

— Not too bad. I met up with some pretty cool teachers that I had last year.

—Cool, Thomas answered politely, before being quickly interrupted by Alicia.

— But let's talk about you instead, she exclaimed. Do you know what activity you are going to take?

Alicia's last words echoed in Thomas' head now. He had no idea what cultural or sporting activity he was going to choose. Besides, he hadn't thought about it since the headmaster mentioned it in the auditorium. He had tried to educate himself, but it all seemed so abstract to him that he hadn't been able to take a concentrated look. Seeing his hesitation visible at the stillness of his facial expression, Alicia resumed the conversation.

— Otherwise you can come and join the photo club with me.

— And what do you do at the photo club? Thomas asked.

— Well, you learn a few techniques for taking great photos, the history of photography too, even if I admit that I go there mainly because it's quite peaceful. And then it makes it easy to get points.

— Yeah, it can be okay, I'm not very athletic anyway so it will probably suit me better than basketball or football.

— Besides the teacher, Mr. Spillman, he's nice. Well, he's not the most energetic teacher in high school, but he was cool with us last year.

— Mr. Spillman? Thomas wondered, visibly surprised to hear the name. She's my Communication Art teacher.

— Funny coincidence, Alicia said as she finished the crust on her pizza. So how is it going?

— Not very energetic indeed, rather wise, but he has this habit of trampling in the room while teaching us ...

— Exactly what I said to myself the first time I saw him, said Alicia

Thomas was delighted to learn that Mr. Spillman was running the photo club. He wasn't particularly fond of this particular practice, but knowing that Alicia was a part of it, and that Mr Spillman was mentoring him, made him feel good in advance. Besides, if this was the opportunity to have points easily, he was not going to miss it.

— How do we register? Thomas asked.

— Finish your pizza and come with me.

Alicia took her cookie between her teeth, picked up her backpack, and set her tray on top of a dedicated cabinet. Seeing her activate, Thomas hurriedly finished his slice of pizza, then took his cookie in one hand, his tray in the other, and slipped his right shoulder into the padded strap of his backpack. With his tray set down, he followed Alicia, who made her way outside the dining hall.

Arrived at the level of the large glass doors leading to the outside, Thomas heard a noise coming from the back of the refectory, he turned and saw a small crowd of students, but did not pay more attention.

Outside, Thomas felt a strong heat that he hadn't quite got used to. Even though he had been in Florida for a few days already, the temperature contrast with France had got the better of his […]. The sun was shining its rays on a freshly mown lawn, where the rare shady spaces came from tall palm trees. Forgetting the surroundings he was in, and looking at the tops of these trees and the blue sky that stretched out before his eyes, Thomas could easily have believed he was on the beach. Only the absence of the sand around these feet, the chirping of birds and the sound of the sea betrayed that the place where he was now had nothing of an idyllic vacation.

As Thomas and Alicia walked along the asphalt path, it watched carefully outside the campus. He first noticed the forest near one of the buildings, as well as the adjoining lake, then his gaze fell in front of him, below. A towering building that looked like two drops of water like a gymnasium stood next to a baseball field. They went down a few steps and quickly found themselves in an alley where many small arbors were attached to the sides.

— This is the main alley that leads to the gymnasium, Alicia explained. Today, all the clubs have each set up a registration booth, and it happens that the teachers pass a head to see how it goes.

Walking down this market-like alley, Thomas's gaze was drawn from all sides. Each small arbor was decorated according to the club's theme, recalled by a hanging sign, in case it was not highlighted enough. The chess club sported a minimalist decoration made of white and black squares, the music club had glued golden notes to the four feet of its arbor, while a queue stretched for several meters, sometimes preventing the 'access to certain stands. Walking next to it and arriving at the end, Thomas saw orange balls and sleeveless jerseys that left no doubt about the nature of the coveted club. Jim Bucks' message had obviously been heard a lot because many students were waiting to be able to write their name on a sheet in order to participate in the selections. Thomas smiled, thinking that he couldn't have competed with this super-motivated competition for a place in the team anyway, and that he had certainly made the right choice to turn to the photo club, where he will find a semblance of comfort with Alicia's presence and the prospect of easily acquired points, according to the young girl.

— Here we are, Alicia exclaimed, stopped in front of one of the last arbors in the driveway.

In front of Thomas was an arbor decorated with dozens of hanging and hanging photos. Color and black-and-white photos showing sunny Florida beaches or the cold atmosphere of a snowstorm. One student sat silently behind a table, and like many other booths, he was alone.

Arrived at the level of the large glass doors leading to the outside, Thomas heard a noise coming from the back of the refectory, he turned and saw a small crowd of students, but did not pay more attention.

— Hi, I'm Mike, the young man announced.

— Hi, my name is Thomas, he replied shyly, trying to hide his accent as best he could. Pleased to meet you.

Suddenly, a man came to stand next to Mike, and glanced at the sheet on the table.

— How many registered? he asked.

— 12 at the moment, Mike replied.

— That's good, it's still two more than last year.

Thomas looked up from the sheet, which he was trying to read the different names written on it, and noticed that the man was none other than Mr. Spillman. When their eyes met, he started the conversation.

— Hello, are you coming to register?

— Yes absolutely, answered Thomas.

— You're a foreign student, aren't you? Mr. Spillman asked instigently.

— Yes, said Thomas, visibly surprised by this question. But how do you know that?

— I recognized a slight accent, which you're obviously trying to hide, Mr. Spillman laughed.

Troubled by this remark, Thomas tried to hide his shyness and his stress with a slight smile.

— Nice to see you again, he added, addressing Alicia. I'll leave you, I have to go to the teachers' room. See you next week.

Mr. Spillman waved his hand at Thomas, Alicia and Mike, then walked up the aisle to the building near the forest. Alicia took the pen from the registration sheet and wrote her name, then handed it to Thomas who did the same. Now there was no longer any shadow in his schedule.