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Jack entered the Spoon. He promised his mother to join her for dinner. It was becoming a little tradition they shared together since he moved out a few months ago. He was also still going back to the Roussel apartment to see his whole family, but Audrey liked to have this little moment with her son just for herself and Jack was glad to do it.
When he pushed the door, he saw his mom, still behind the counter, she was talking with Chloé Delcourt.
-Hello Madam Delcourt, he said, hi mom.
Audrey turned around the bar with a huge smile on her face and hugged him like they didn't see each other for ages.
-Hello Jack, we were just talking about you actually, said Chloé.
-About me ?
-Yes, said Audrey, maybe you could help.
-You see, we have a new student at school, said Chloé. She was injured a few weeks ago in a car crash and she lost the use of her legs.
-Uh... Ok... That's terrible, but I don't understand what I can do to help, I'm not a doctor...
-No, she saw the best ones actually, but there's nothing to do sadly except waiting. The problem is mostly that she's completely lost, depressed and angry with the whole world.
-That's understandable... When I lost my sight after the accident I felt the same.
-Indeed. That's where you could maybe help her, you see, talking to her, it might help her a lot.
-Wow uh... But I'm not a psychologist either, surely there are most qualified people to help her...
-Yes but she refuses to see a psychologist for now, she seems to think nobody can understand what she's going through, and honestly I'm a little bit desperate to find someone who could find the right words to help her. Maybe if you tell her about your own experience, she would accept to listen to you ?
-I don't know if I can help... but Ok, I'll try at least !
Audrey smiled at him.
-I'm sure you'll find the right words, she said, don't worry.
-Ok, could you come to the school tomorrow morning to meet her ? Asked Chloé.
She was now ready to leave, taking her handbag and her phone on the counter.
-Uh... Yes, sure, I can arrange that. See you tomorrow then !
-Thank you Jack, see you tomorrow !
*
The next day, Jack arrived in Agnes Varda school quite early. He didn't came back for a long time, so entering the courtyard breng back a lot of memories. Nothing has changed here, he thought. Except all those student who looked astonishingly young to him.
-Jack ! Called a familiar voice behind him.
He turned back and smiled, seeing his little brother arriving.
-Léo !
The young man hugged him. He was becoming so tall now.
-What are you doing here ? Asked Léo.
-Uh... Madam Delcourt asked me to come to maybe have a talk with a new student about... disability...
-Ah you mean Danny...
-You know her ?
-Kind of, she's in my class, but she's not really nice with other people... She seems constantly angry. And sad mostly.
-I see. Well Madam Delcourt seems to think I could maybe help with that, I don't know exactly how, but I can at least try isn't it ?
-Yes sure, I'm sure you can do it !
-Why are you always so confident about me ? Asked Jack amused.
-Because you're not enough yourself, and I'm your brother, I know you.
Jack smiled.
-Since when did you became so wise and old ?
-Probably since I have my own room.
The bell rang.
-I should go, continued Léo, I have history now, then sport...
-Ok, see you little bro !
-See you !
Léo ran towards his first class and Jack walked to the headmistress office.
*
The students were supposed to have two hours of sport now, but Danny decided to spend those hours in a deserted classroom, to study, she told, but she was just scrolling on her phone, bored. Someone knocked on the door and entered the room.
-Hi, he said.
He seemed a bit uncomfortable, like most of the people around her since the accident.
-Who are you ? She asked, frowning. A teacher ?
-No, I used to be sit at your place a few years ago. I'm Jack, he said. Nice to meet you. You're Danny isn't it ?
-You seem to be well aware, no need to ask then. What do you want ?
She looked annoyed and went back to scroll on her phone.
-Just to talk to you...
-I don't want to talk. You will tell me a lot of nonsense things while you have no clue of what it is to be in my situation, or you will call me a poor little broken thing, so spare me please.
-It's true that I don't know what you're living. I don't know you...
-You see, no need to try then, she snapped.
Jack observed her for a moment.
-You're creepy she said while looking up. Don't you want to leave me alone ? I have better things to do.
-Sorry, it's just you remind me of someone.
-I suppose it must not be nice memories then she said with bitterness.
-Actually... Some of my best memories ever. You remind me of someone very dear to me.
She was taken by surprise.
-What's her name ? She asked.
Danny bit her lips, cursing herslf mentally for encouraging this weirdo to continue to talk.
-His name, actually, is Rayane.
She was obviously curious enough now, so she stoped resisting.
-And what about him ?
-Well, it's a long story, he said while taking a seat on the table next to hers.
-Go on then, I only have two hours.
He smiled.
-It all started for me when I was about your age, and a plane crashed on the beach....
-Wow, weren't you supposed to tell me something believable ?
-Shut up and listen ! He said with a smile.
She did.
*
While Jack was telling his story, Danny found herself captivated and she actually listened and asked a lot of questions, she even laughed and joked a few times, and Jack knew it was actually working, even before he finished to talk. He told her about his anger and sadness, how he wanted to die for a while, then he found this guy, Rayane, who gave him the will to live again whatever would happen. He told her about him recovering his sight and how he started to date Rayane and all the things they went through after that, everything until the last few months.
-So, that's it, that was my story, he concluded.
-Ok, I must confess that you're good at inventing stories.
He looked puzzled.
-Inventing ? I didn't made off anything, it's all real.
-Come on, a plane crashed on you ? And you found that perfect guy while being blind and it changed your life... Really that's unbelievable.
-And yet you listened to it all.
-I was curious yes. I understand why you told me that, but at least you didn't try to moralize me or talked to me like I'm a poor victim, it's a change for once... Kind of refreshing.
-Rayane teached me that actually.
-Ah yes that famous Rayane, the perfect man...
-Oh no, not perfect.
-I thought you loved him ?
-True, but you can love somebody and aknowledge his imperfections.
-I suppose it's true yes...
Jack smiled at her.
-You're actually a nice girl when you're not trying to bite everybody.
She sighed deeply.
-I heard your message. Don't worry. Even though I'm still not convinced anything you told me was true.
-You can look on your phone, I'm sure you'll find a lot of articles about that plane crash.
-I will. In the meantime, could you please help me go to the courtyard, there are a few tricky passages and I'm still not that good with this thing, she said showing her chair.
-Of course.
He stood up and pushed her chair outside of the room, into the narrow corridor and then in the courtyard.
-You'll be ok from here I guess ?
-Yes, thanks. For that, and for your story... It made me think... A lot.
-I'm glad then. If you want to talk, someday, you can call me. Don't hesitate.
-I don't have your number.
-You can ask Léo, he's my little brother.
-Léo Roussel ? That cute guy... She bit her lips once more.
Jack laughed.
-Yes, that Léo. He's nice as well, if you prefer a friend your age.
Danny smiled shyly and nodded.
She looked up and spotted something behind Jack.
-Who's this again ? She asked.
Jack turned back and smiled brightly at the sight of the young man dressed with a leather jacket and black pants, a motorbike helmet hanging from his hand.
-That, he said, looking at the man approaching, is Rayane.
Danny let out an appreciative whistle, which made Jack laugh.
-You didn't tell he was that handsome.
Jack rolled his eyes.
Rayane reached them and greeted Jack with a small kiss on his lips and a beautiful smile. Putting his hand on Jack's shoulder.
-Hi, he said, turning towards the girl in a wheelchair. You must be Danny ?
-I suppose you recognized me because of my haircut ? She asked.
-Oooh I like a good sarcasm, he said.
-So... It's real ? She asked Jack.
Jack passed his arm around Rayane's waist and looked at him.
-Of course, I told you so. Even in the darkest time you can find the brightest stars to follow. You never know what will happen tomorrow, life is full of surprises, sometimes bad, sometimes wonderful.
She smiled to them.
-You're too cute together, you know that ? So much love, it almost makes me sick.
-I really like this girl, said Rayane.
The bell rang and soon the courtyard was full of students.
-Ok, I need to go to the French class now, said Danny. But thank you for the story.
She gave them a little shy smile then pushed her wheelchair further towards the next building. Jack spotted his brother going in the same direction and when Léo passed next to her they exchanged a word and continued together.
-So, asked Rayane, how was it ? You were so stressed about it this morning, I thought I would come to pick you up and invite my sweet husband to dinner.
Jack smiled at him.
-It was good actually. She reminded me of you a little bit. And yes, for the dinner, with pleasure.
They walked together towards the entrance.