A new week was beginning for Thomas, and for the first time since the Walkers' house he arrived on a Monday in a place he already knew. Over the past few days he had started to pick up his habits, to discover the campus, and he was delighted to start a routine today that would be his for a few months. After his math class, Thomas headed with Alicia to the dining hall. He got a plate from the "Cuisines du monde" stand, along with cutlery, a bottle of water and a pastry, as he was starting to get used to. The heat outside being pleasant on this September day, Thomas decided to go put his tray outside, on one of the wooden tables. Alicia, visibly resistant to this idea, allowed herself to be convinced by the imploring gaze of Thomas, who did not understand why she always insisted on eating in one of the corners of the refectory, away from the atmosphere. general.

Once she joined him at the table, Thomas gave her a smile, then plunged his fork into his dish. The sun was shining brightly as the few parasols outside tried to shade the wooden tables as best they could. Thomas had now got used to the heat around him, and now he was enjoying going outside.

Once again there was a commotion inside the dining hall. A mixture of chair and tray noise very distinctive from the sounds of surrounding conversations, which ceased a few tens of seconds after starting.

— Can't wait to start the photo club? Alicia asked

— Yes, in addition it is very different from what we do in France. We're more used to continuing classes in the afternoon instead of doing an activity like this, Thomas replied.

— I hope that ...

Alicia was interrupted by a group of young people coming to meet them. Without asking, one of them with curly hair came and sat down next to Alicia.

Alicia was interrupted by a group of young people coming to meet them. Without asking, one of them with curly hair came and sat down next to Alicia.

— Well then Ali honey, I didn't see you last week. I miss you, you know.

— Get over it, Alicia cut in.

Taken aback, Thomas was present without anything to say at the scene which unfolded before his eyes. The boy had a skewer of students by his side, of which he probably must have been the gang leader. He stood relaxed on the table bench and began to set his sights on Alicia's plate of fries.

— Drop my fries, she insisted.

— Come on, don't be selfish.

Thomas came to his senses and remembered the words James had had when he arrived at the family home. “So I ask you to watch over her. Like a big brother.". "I hate boys who hover around my daughter." He glanced at Alicia, and saw that her facial expression had changed, with a mixture of fear and anger in her eyes.

— Leave us alone, Thomas exclaimed, immediately interrupting yet another attempt to steal French fries.

The boy then turned to him, visibly surprised by this resistance he was not expecting.

— What's the matter with you? Besides, who are you by the way?

— Leave us alone, repeated Thomas, getting up, in a more serious tone. Get out.

He was filled with fear, but wanted to look good on Alicia.

— You're not from here, are you? Are you a new kid?

The boy was silent for a few moments, intrigued as much as he was amused by the fact that Thomas stood up to him. He approached him then, and Thomas did the same. He was discovering a courage he would never have detected, adrenaline had now taken precedence over the fear that was still very present.

— Get out, Thomas said emphatically, eye to eye with the teenager, who was slightly shorter than him.

Standing face to face with each other just inches away, a game of gazing unfolded for a few seconds, before the eyes of a completely silent audience. Around, all the conversations had ceased, and no one dared to resume the course of their meal, for fear of losing a crumb of the spectacle.

— I'm not done with you new one. See you soon, so I welcome you as it should.

The teenager stepped aside and joined his gang, and they all set off towards the gym. Thomas watched them for a few yards, and saw another boy of the gang waltz a young girl's cap with the back of his hand. He sat down in front of his tray, and looked at Alicia.

— Thank you, she said in a shy voice.

— Who is that? You know him ? Thomas asked.

— Peter Johnson, a jerk. He likes to piss off people, it's his hobby and his gang.

— But nobody complains?

— It has already been done, but he knows how to put the right people in his pocket, and then he's doing well in school apparently, so it's a waste of time.

— Is that why you don't want to eat for everyone to see?

— I don't care, I'm used to it now. But I didn't want him to come after you. You've barely arrived and that's the kind of thing that gives high school a very bad reputation.

Alicia then reached into her fries.

— He saw that you're hanging out with me, and besides that you're new, he's not going to let go before he gets what he wants.

— And what do you think he wants?

— Take revenge, you insulted him by interposing yourself. He has the cowardice to pick on weaker, more timid than him, and he certainly didn't expect you to come back.