4

In short. The course was tough. Not a move, not a look to my right to spare me the wrath of the fallen angel. Far from being cowardly, I prefer to use the term intelligence. When a guy a head taller, with enough muscle to split my skull in two has a grudge against me, I prefer to keep myself small and discreet. In short, the intelligence of survival.

Thinking about the quickest way to get around the buildings, I wait in the hallway for Gwen to make her way to me. Lack of luck, the angel sticks his head out of the amphitheater before her. My saliva disappears from my throat as I watch him come out and walk in my direction. Impact in three, two, one…

- So, Brand!? Exclaims a voice that I know only too well. Has your boyfriend finally figured out you're not worth it?

Alexis Little. In other words, the handsome kid from high school and now from college, a ladies-killer, and a deep moron. Incidentally, my favorite executioner since I threw away his love letter in 10th grade, stating that so many spelling mistakes in such a short text should be declared a crime against humanity. That's the official story, which makes me look like an arrogant little duchess. The other, unofficial, is that Monsieur, who has always been the darling of the village, did not appreciate being upstaged by my friends. Also, he tried to place me in his nets to show everyone that no one was resisting him. Not even the Russian girlfriend.

Except for that, bad luck, the boys had understood his scheme and warned me. Suddenly, Alexis could not have me and he keeps a rather tenacious resentment. Resentment that he didn't hesitate to transform into hatred and which pushes him to spit in my back at every opportunity that arises.

But obviously, the time for pretense is over. When the cat's away the mice will play. And when my friends are not around to be the muscular support that I would sometimes do without, Alexis shows her true colors. Nothing surprising and I even expected it a little. I'm just surprised he waited until the end of the first class to throw a pike at me.

As curious as it may seem, his intervention cuts Dimitri's progress toward me. His face, unreadable, does not allow me to understand what is going on in his cranial box and I have no time to look. Alexis goes on, in a very loud voice, to be heard in the entire hallway. And of course, since it's the first day, there are enough people for the heartthrob to feel the wings grow and the urge to crash and scurry crosses my mind. However, it only lasts a short time, just what I needed for determination to replace cowardice. I will not flinch before the enemy, as my distant ancestors probably said.

- Admit it, he finally dumped you like shit, huh?! But it had to happen at some point! What will you do now? Take your foot with another?

I turn around and discover Alexis, with his little troop amassed not far behind. The hyena never travels alone.

- Who will it be then? Sevastian? Vadim? Or maybe you've set your sights on the new one? A handsome Russian like that must give you back everything!

His remarks leave me cold but I take a look behind me to see how the demon takes this bullshit. And, surprise! I can't find Dimitri anywhere. He just scampered off, leaving me alone. Hallelujah, there is finally someone up there who wants me well! Finally rid of the fallen angel, all I have to do is send Alexis to hell. And given his level of repartee, it will be child's play.

- It's nice to see that nothing has changed here, I say, finally concentrating on my appointed executioner. Always the same retarded teenager comments, Alexis, do you plan to grow up one day?

- And you, what are you planning to do this year?

Amused, I put a hand on my heart and swooned.

- Are you that interested in my sex life?! I'm touched! If I had known, I would have sent you photos so that we can compare our prowess this summer! But not sure that yours impress me that much! By the way, did you finally see a doctor?

Alexis watches me, with an evil eye, and is now on her guard. He stopped laughing the moment he realized I didn't feel cornered. The rest is too easy.

- Why?

- You know… Your little impotence problem. You know, it affects a lot more men than you think. And it must be believed that it also affects children.8

- Shut up, bitch! They scold Alexis, who has the knack for getting upset over nothing.

- Oops, I also forgot about your visit to the vet! You know, don't confuse a hen like the one holding your arm with the one pecking at your feet. I know that the nuance is less but suddenly it creates some stupid accidents.

He has now blanched, probably with rage because I do not know his schedule this summer. The lie is a scourge but too many rumors turn on my account by his fault. So if I send the ball back to its sender, it would only be fair.

- Watch out anyway, it's full of crap these critters. It would be stupid if you ended up in the hospital, already that you went there recently for your STDs…

The last nail is in and I think I got it right when his current girlfriend turns to him, her complexion pale.

- You told me it was only for a routine exam! She exclaims, bringing the final touch to my sentence.

- But no ! I…

- It's your way out, Gwen whispers to me, coming up to me.

I nod and we slip away quietly up the stairs. I just have time to see the magnificent slap Alexis receives and which fills me with joy. So, I run down the stairs, accompanied by a hilarious Gwen.

- You don't miss one! She exclaims, still laughing. And I can already tell you that your speech will go down in history!1

- I hope so! I don't swing ass at random!

- In any case, it seemed to please a lot of people…

Like all tyrants, Alexis is not liked by everyone and the fact that I rebelled against him will necessarily lower his rating a little. Which is not to displease me.