Chapter Text

Prologue

Gently, she nudged him awake.
“Felix, I have a gift for you.” her voice was hushed.
“In the middle of the night, Mum?” Felix’s voice was weary, he rubbed his eyes.
“Just listen carefully,” she pulled out a box that fit in her palm, minuscule engravings decorated every side, she pulled off the lid just enough to reveal a minimalist silver ring.
“Keep this safe with you. Don’t tell anyone else about it – even your father– don’t show anyone, and don’t wear it just yet.” her voice was always soft, no matter how heavy the words.
“What? Why? When can I wear it?”
“You’ll know when the time is right,” she pressed the box into his palm and lightly coughed before continuing, “Goodnight, Felix.”
That night Emily passed in her sleep.

6 months later…

"Bridgette, if you don't get down here this second you'll be late on your first day!"
"IM COMIIING!!" Bridgette ran down the stairs, two at a time, “I’m ready, Mum” as she put both hands on her knees and panted. Her mum gave her breakfast and sighed, “Be careful out there, the school’s a few streets away.”
“I’ll sure try.” Bridgette said, her words muffled with a mouth full of cereal.
“Bye, Mum.” she left after hearing a quick reply from her mother. Stepping out the door, she realised her idea of Françoise Dupont’s location was still vague, It’s close, right? she thought, I’ll get there eventually… Bridgette started her curious but unsure walk between intimidating, towering buildings all a dull beige. But today they seemed strangely protective.

She panned through her bookbag with one hand while listing off all her school supplies in her head, still running.
Pencilcase, check. Lunch, check. Science, History, and Literature books, check- What’s this round thing?
Her run slowed to a jog.
She pulled out a hexagonal box with finely engraved patterns covering it. Inside a simple pair of red studs with 5 black dots to make a ladybug pattern.
I don’t remember bringing this, maybe it’s Mum’s? She shoved it back into her bookbag and goes as fast as she can, despite running out of breath, until she reached concrete stairs.

Bridgette felt an abrupt strong force bump into her left shoulder. The next moment, she was on the ground. Looking up to see a boy with blonde hair, deep green eyes in a black tuxedo. She thought he looked familiar. “Get up,” the boy suddenly said.
“What?” Bridgette questioned in disbelief, “Aren’t you going to help me up?”
“You should’ve looked where you were going,” he frowned looking down on her.
“What do you mean!? You were the one who bumped into me, and- You know what. I don’t have time for this.” Bridgette snapped, brushing the dust off her leggings and avoiding his eyes. The boy looked stunned, and before he could reply Bridgette was walking up the stairs to school.

Bridgette took a deep breath as she entered. She looked around for a few moments in search of her classroom, it was of no use. She then looked around for someone to ask. Her eyes moved throughout the courtyard, with an indoor basketball court at the centre. The cafeteria was behind the steel stairs, filled with bustling chatter between students and teachers. Some of the senior students and second years had already started off their days with studying on the benches at the side of the court. Bridgette spotted a girl with brown and highlighted ends hair, she had caramel skin and wore an orange plaid shirt.

Bridgette tapped the girl on the back of her shoulder,
“Hey, sorry, do you know where this class is?” she asked, pointing at her timetable.
“Oh, we’re in the same class. Here, you can follow me,” the girl replied.
“Thank you. My name’s Bridgette by the way. You?.” She hadn’t even planned to ask but she was somewhat desperate for a friend.
“Alya.”
The two of them walked up some stairs and entered an energetic classroom.

Bridgette took a moment to digest this new environment. Rows of seats opposite to the teacher’s table, each higher than the one in front, like in an amphitheatre. She walked up and through the rows, seeing many different faces, most not paying attention to her presence. She noticed the same boy she had encountered on the stairs, ‘Great. Same class as him.’ The thought flashed in her head before being replaced with the realisation that there were no other seats left except for one besides Alya. Bridgette didn’t want any more awkward moments however this time was inevitable, she took a quick breath in and asked, “Could I sit here?” Alya looked up suddenly, zoning back in after getting caught up in her thoughts. She held her breath for a few moments while looking at the empty spot next to her and finally spoke, “Yeah.”

Bridgette could feel that Alya didn’t really want her to sit there, so she tried to continue the conversation, “What’s it like at this school?”
Alya stayed silent, as if thinking about her response, or whether she should give one at all, slightly frowning. She seemed to push away whatever that thought was and began, “Well, there are a few things to look out for- if Kim asks you to do a dare, say no. Juleka will hunt you down if you upset Rose, and Chloé, well.. There’s a lot to look out for with that girl.” Alya smiled at the recounts of these characters until she mentioned Chloé. This had cheered up Bridgette, but she couldn’t think long before hearing the commotion in the row below them.

“FEEEELIX! It’s been so, so, so long. I know you’ve missed me and I’ve missed you too!” The girl proclaimed loudly, dressed in mostly yellow with intricate, sparkling pieces as accents, as well as wearing a high ponytail. The loud girl was giving a very one-sided hug to the boy Bridgette had met on the stairs. He was looking at her distastefully but clearly had a little pity for her. This quickly vanished when she started mentioning the other students, “You’re clearly much, much better than these buffoons. Much richer too,” she smiled with a hint of malice, “I mean look there at four-eyes sitting with some new girl after she lost all her friends! Two loners, I guess opposites don’t attract.” Her tone changed abruptly to a scowl and she stopped hugging Felix, “Well, either way you two are taking up the seats for me and Felix,” the obnoxious girl was very clearly addressing both Bridgette and Alya. Alya gritted her teeth and stood up, but before she could rebel against the idea of moving seats, the girl which Bridgette had assumed was Chloé spoke, “Unless you’d like me to call the principal to have you expelled?”
Alya’s eyes opened wide, her face carved with solemn. She sat back down and started to pick up her books from under her desk.

Bridgette couldn’t believe this. How one student had the power to expel another, she didn’t know but it seemed like no exaggeration. She grew upset seeing Alya getting walked all over on; upset enough to speak out, “What do you even think you’re doing? You don’t have any right to 'reserve’ seats.”
“Bridgette, please, it's not worth it.” Alya tried reasoning, looking worried as to what might happen next.
“Yes it is. We, and I especially, are not supportive of being pushed around by some snob.”
“Looks like the new girl thinks she’s brave. Well, my daddy, THE mayor can sort you out and-”
“Chloé, stop. What do you think you’re doing? Is this funny to you?” Felix interrupted her irritated, sitting down in the row below them. All Bridgette could focus on was the sheer shock on Chloé’s face.
Completely stunned by his response, she stormed to the right row of seats, on the other side, and sat down, immediately and harshly speaking to the timid girl next to her. Bridgette was pleasantly surprised by what Felix did. She sat down too and turned to face Alya, “I think I get why you told me to keep my distance from Chloé.”
“Well thanks for that. But don’t try it again, her new crush won’t always be there to stop the bullet train.”
Felix turned in Chloé’s direction, but after a moment of silence he turned back.
Bridgette zoned out, the only sound in her head was the ticking clock
I can’t help but feel that from here on everything will be different. Maybe I’m overreacting.