Chapter 2 - The Return

                                    

                                          
The first day of school arrived, bringing with it that mix of excitement and apprehension that characterized every return to class. The September sun still bathed the city in a gentle warmth, but the morning air carried with it a subtle coolness, heralding the arrival of autumn. In front of Jeanne’s house, like every school year, the small group had reformed, ready to embark on this new academic year together.
Jeanne looked at her friends with a tender smile, her hands shoved deep into her jacket pockets. It was always the same scene, but today, she felt a twinge in her heart. There was something nostalgic about this reunion, a realization that this comforting routine wouldn’t last forever.
Lynne, her bag carelessly slung over her shoulder, sighed as she gazed at the empty street. “I feel like we never left,” she said softly, her eyes lost in the blue sky. “This summer, we stayed too close to home. I wish we had gone away, seen some new places.”
Mattheo, ever pragmatic, shrugged with a teasing smile. “Yeah, you would have preferred a world tour, huh?”
Lynne shot him a mischievous glance, a spark of challenge in her eyes. “Maybe I would, yeah. You’re never up for an adventure, Mattheo.”
Jeanne couldn’t help but smile as she watched them. They were always like this, Lynne dreaming of grand escapades, distant travels, while Mattheo gently brought her back to reality, striking that perfect balance between tenderness and humor. Thomas, true to form, added a constant lightness to the dynamic, turning every serious moment into an opportunity for jokes.
He moved closer, a playful smile on his lips. “Seriously, Lynne, would you have taken Mattheo with you on a world tour? He would have complained about everything! ‘Too hot, too cold, too far from home…’”
Mattheo rolled his eyes, but his smile betrayed his amusement. “Oh, shut up, will you?”
“I admit I wouldn’t have said no to a little getaway,” Jeanne added dreamily. “But hey, we made do with what we had. It wasn’t so bad, right?”
They continued walking together, savoring this last carefree morning before the school routine caught up with them. Each step brought them closer to high school, and though the atmosphere was light, Jeanne felt a certain underlying tension, like a shadow hovering above them. Perhaps it was simply the change of season, or that natural apprehension about the unknown of the new year.
As they passed through the school gates, the silence became almost palpable. They were no longer in their summer bubble; the studious atmosphere of the hallways, with students bustling about, served as a reminder that the lightness of vacation had given way to a more serious reality.
Thomas checked the schedule posted and announced with a satisfied air, “We’re in the same class for most of the subjects.”
The collective sigh of relief that followed eased the atmosphere. “Phew, at least that,” Jeanne murmured. A year without them seemed unthinkable. They were the constants in her life, her anchor in this sometimes chaotic world.
They settled into their usual seats at the back of the classroom, near the windows. Jeanne chose her favorite spot, the one that allowed her to see the sea in the distance. It was her little paradise, her mental refuge when classes became too long. As she set her bag down at her feet, she glanced at her friends. Thomas had taken his seat to her left, as always, with Lynne and Mattheo just behind them. Their faces were calm, ready for this new year, but Jeanne couldn’t shake a twinge of nostalgia, as if this return marked the end of an era.
Their teacher entered and, seeing them all gathered, couldn’t help but let out a slight exasperated sigh. Yet, Jeanne knew she liked them well enough, despite their reputation as somewhat unruly students. They always brought a certain vibrancy to the class, a light and joyful atmosphere. No bad students, just free spirits, slightly at odds with conventions.
The day unfolded without a hitch. Between reunions with other students, shared knowing glances, and discreet jokes during lessons, the group managed to maintain that feeling of unity. Every moment spent together was precious. There was always that little gesture, that shared look that reinforced their bond.
During lunch break, they gathered under their usual tree in the courtyard. It was their ritual, that little shady corner where they could escape the rigor of classes. Jeanne, sitting cross-legged, watched her friends with a fond eye. Mattheo, sprawled out on the grass, pretended to sleep while Lynne, leaning over him, gently tapped his cheek.
“Come on, lazybones, are you planning to sleep the whole year away or what?” she said, laughing softly.
Mattheo opened one eye, feigning exasperation, before sitting up with a sly smile. “I’m just trying to enjoy my last hour of freedom before the teachers drown us in homework.”
Thomas, always ready to lighten the mood, chimed in with a laugh, “Mattheo, you sleep in class anyway, so what difference does it make?”
The group burst into laughter, and in that simple moment, Jeanne felt that comforting familiarity. They were together, and as long as they were, the rest mattered little. A moment later, Lynne plopped down next to Jeanne. “We’re going to survive this year,” she murmured, shooting her a knowing look. Jeanne smiled back, warmth spreading in her chest.
In a sudden surge of tenderness, Thomas draped an arm around Jeanne’s shoulders and pulled her close. “I can see you’re worried about this year. We’re together, that’s the main thing, right?”
Jeanne laughed, pretending to pull away, but in reality, she leaned against him, savoring this moment of closeness. “As long as you don’t drag us into your crazy plans, maybe.”
He feigned injury. “My brilliant plans, you mean!”
This lightness, this palpable tenderness, these little gestures of affection all contributed to creating this bubble of sweetness. No matter what the new year had in store for them, they knew they could count on one another.