Chapter 38: Jeanne

Gabriel sits down in his seat and begins his usual routine of sitting in the back of the class and not talking. He hears little murmurs from the students on why he was "in a coma". From being hit on the head with a bat to getting hit with a car, he heard it all. The one he particularly liked and chose in case anyone asked was he was infected by a deadly virus that put him in a coma. The lie should also keep people away so he can enjoy his much needed alone time. That being said, his alone time is interrupted by a girl walking up to his desk.

Girl: You're Gabriel right?

Gabriel: Yeah.

Girl: I'm Jeanne, nice to meet you. I don't really see you around much, how long have you been going to Saint-Charlie?

Gabriel: I've been here since last year but I don't really go out of my way to meet new people.

Jeanne: Really? Do you not have a lot of friends?

Gabriel: I made a couple new friends recently but they're mostly older than me. The two that were the same age as me are gone now.

Jeanne: Oh, well guess what? Now you have one more friend, one that's the same age as you.

She goes back to sit down, leaving Gabriel confused at this recent encounter. For the following week, Jeanne would come up to Gabriel's desk everyday to find something to talk about. Even outside of class, if she would see him, she would always stop to talk with him. One day, after Gabriel is leaving the school, Jeanne stops him.

Jeanne: Hey Gabriel, me and some friends are going to a theme park this Saturday, wanna come along?

Gabriel: I'll think about it, let me just ask my mom first.

Jeanne: Sure. Here's my number for when you make your decision. Bye-bye.

Gabriel gets home and asks his mom if he can go.

Elise: Look at you, how come now you want to go out? You barely even leave your room for food.

Gabriel: Just a friend is all.

Elise: Sure then, go have fun. I'll give you some money for tomorrow.

She hand him the money and he heads to his room to text Jeanne.

Jeanne: Awesome! We can come pick u up tmrw then.

Gabriel: K.

Gabriel goes to sleep, excited for the day ahead of him tomorrow.

27 days before the decision.