One day Maybe

-7-

In front of my eyes

Knees bend facing the tulip tubs, which I previously planted the day before. I finish my last task of the day, before going to dinner. The night is already pointing the tip of its nose, and I the few lampposts that surround the boarding school, it was on recently.

- We'll talk about this again tomorrow, a male voice echoes in the distance.

I raise my head slightly to see, Mr. Ackermann, discussing with an official, under the bridge. Despite the proximity, they don't seem to have noticed me. I take it easy and continue my task in absolute silence as they continue to chat, both with a cigarette in hand.

- I don't want the judges going through my personal affairs, to be clear.

The cold voice, accompanied by the imperturbable face of Mr. Ackermann makes me shiver, all the back. He doesn't talk to me, but his bossy demeanor still warms my stomach, a feeling of almost unhealthy submission.

- We should think about checking the reliability of Mr. Bancourt, with the lawyers, replies the man at his side.

- I don't have time to be the cop, boarding school takes too much of my work.

- I will come and tell you about it after going to his place.

Their conversations are more than boring to me, and I don't even bother to listen anymore. I stand up, bending my knees, and carry the empty watering can to put it in the reserve. Obviously I had to go under the bridge, to get to the garden, and therefore to meet Mr. Ackermann. When I pass them, I give them a simple polite greeting, keeping my eyes on the ground.

I quickly move away from them, with the unpleasant feeling of being deeply watched. Then I left in the reserve, to put away my watering can and my gloves. But as I wash my hands at the small sink, the door creaks. I turn to find Mr. Ackermann, leaning on the entrance step, his arms crossed.

- Can I know what you're still doing here?

He asks me with a cold voice, with a closed face. I look away, to dry my hands with a cloth.

- Nothing more than my daily task sir.

He seems pleased with my answer, since I hear no scathing response from him. For change. I face him a second time, to get out of the reserve. I walk up to him, and stop at a reasonable distance.

- I would like to go out sir, please.

I ask him, keeping a neutral face, even if the urge to seduce him is tempting. His icy green eyes look at me almost contemptuously, and I answer him with an innocent little smile.

- You are very angelic to me today, the man said, raising an eyebrow.

- It must be, from time to time.

I said in a soft and clear voice. Then he stepped out of the hall to let me out. I lock the door to the storeroom, then face the man's cold, serious face a third time.

- Are you supper with us this evening, Mr. Ackermann?

I ask him in a honeyed, almost silly voice. This one almost ticks my employee tone, and snatches the key from my hand.

- No, now by., The man orders me as I leave.

- Always so friendly.

I sigh to myself, then I go to the cafeteria, where the tables are slowly starting to fill up. I sit across from Mina, who is already there. Then I saw Tania walk into the huge room, totally lost.

- See, that's the news, Mini reminds me, stamping his feet.

- Cute eh?

I chuckle, raising my hand to wave Tania over.

- Really cute, Mina repeats, watching the young girl come closer.

The new one, dressed in the same outfit as us, timidly sat next to me, greeting me.

- Hi Tania, I'm Mina.

My friend presents herself immediately, in her hand, as a sign of meeting. Tania gave him a shake of the hand, uncertain, before lowering her head to fix her new shoes.

- Nice to meet you.

The two young girls strike up a conversation, recounting the scene, passing through various anecdotes and other things concerning the boarding school. While I slowly watch the table fill up with students hungry for food.

- Justine, you heard that Fanny will be leaving boarding school soon.

Mina suddenly announces to me, pulling me out of my bubble. I turn my gaze to her, where Maddi joined her on her left a few minutes ago.

- Ah, hold on. The bourgeois girl is going to find her castle.

I say sarcastically, resting my chin on my hand. I flicker my eyes, looking without moving my head, the concerned one. And I find her talking with Dame-Cécile and Dame-Mathilde, with a childish look on their faces.

- Good riddance.

I mumble, watching her act like an altar boy in front of the women who congratulate her on her reintegration.

- I bet you, whatever you want, that she's going to do another d**g addiction…, Maddi says, slipping her braid behind her shoulder.

- Mhm.

I'm not lucky enough to get out of here so easily. Even though I am of age, my parents still have rights, which imprison me here. I know the only way to go is to prove myself. But with a tyrannical mother-in-law, and a dad who gets manipulated right through to the nose, it's not easy. Yet an idea comes to mind, and it does not seem stupid in my mind. I cut off the conversation Maddi is about to tell me, and get up from the table. I walk in the direction of Dame-Louise, who has just arrived in the cafeteria.

- Excuse me ma'am, before we have dinner, I would like to tell you about the start of a project.

I ask him without wasting time. Dame-Louise gives me a sweet smile, and urges me to explain my idea to her. I know if she holds up, but whoever tries nothing has nothing.

- Dame-Catherine, has often shared my writing skills with me during French lessons. I wanted to know, if I could take more in-depth courses, in the field of the novel?

I ask with a brown determination, as she agrees to consider my proposal. Mr. Ackermann intervenes behind her, also coming back into the cafeteria. With his eternal impassive face, he joins our conversation.

- You just need to have one good idea running through your mind. You also need to have the ability and the will to undertake a project like this, especially for you.

Says Mr. Ackermann, with a hint of sarcasm in the tone of his voice. It irritates me a bit, but I try not to take it in force and wait for Dame-Catherine's verdict.