Nobility of the 21st century

Chapter XII: Troublemaker

—Let's see, let's see, backtrack, Lucien said, his hands gesturing in the air as if trying to fit the pieces of a puzzle together. Benjamin fell silent immediately, his eyes fixed on the concentrated face of the Frenchman. I'm lost. How the hell did you end up in that state?

Benjamin sighed, trying to gather his thoughts as he leaned back in the chair. He turned to Lucien and began to recount his confusing odyssey from the previous night. His words carried a hint of exaggeration, as if he were dramatizing the events.

— I told you I don't know. It's just that I drank too much, and my memories are confused. I know that, at some point, I met Frank, and we argued about the same thing. He yelled a bunch of nonsense at me, I yelled back, and then Vasiliev showed up. From that point on, I don't remember anything, he explained, his expression conveying frustration as he fumbled with his words.

Erika, sitting beside him, stopped eating her fries and watched Benjamin with interest as she listened attentively to his story. Lucien furrowed his brow, trying to understand the whole plot of events as he continued to make exaggerated hand gestures. The atmosphere at the table was filled with an entertaining and curious air, as if they were solving a mystery as the words flowed.

Lucien let out a resigned sigh as he slid the fries from his girlfriend's plate with an almost playful gesture, earning him a glare from her. Lucien's eyes reflected a mixture of complicity and mischief as he brought one of the fries to his mouth, as if he were slightly challenging his partner's authority.

—Uh-huh... yeah, sure, Lucien muttered disinterestedly, his eyes narrowed in a mix of confusion and skepticism. He shook his head as if trying to clear the clouds in his mind. On top of bringing incomplete gossip, you tell it wrong! What's wrong with you? Do you want to kill me? the Count dramatized, one hand on his chest as he squirmed in his seat with a theatrical expression. Without warning, Erika reached out and snatched the fries from his hand. Hey! exclaimed Lucien, his tone now blending surprise and annoyance as he tried to retrieve his beloved fries.

—You're more drama than person, Lu, said Erika, and everyone started laughing because, lie, he totally was.

—Person? A god like me? Please... exclaimed Lucien, tossing his hair elegantly. Benjamin raised an eyebrow incredulously.

The clear and piercing sound of the bell, echoing through the halls and classrooms of the school, shattered the bubble of chatter and laughter in which the three friends had been immersed. It was like a sudden reminder that time continued its inexorable march and that academic responsibilities awaited around the corner. The faces of Benjamin, Lucien, and Erika reflected a mixture of surprise and resignation, their smiles momentarily replaced by an expression of concentration and determination.

—What's next? asked Erika, tossing her lunch wrapper into the trash bin.

—Physical Education, grumbled Lucien. He didn't love that subject; he just got through it because it was necessary. The teacher will bully us as always, he added, fake crying.

The three friends walked with a tranquility that only mutual trust could provide. Benjamin led the small group with his confident and determined demeanor, his dark brown hair gently swaying with each movement. Beside him, Lucien added his touch of style and eccentricity, his sparkling gaze revealing his sharp sense of humor. Erika completed the trio with her serene and friendly presence, radiating warmth with her smile and friendly gestures. (...) The class had smoothly transitioned to the spacious central court of the Gold and Silver Crowns, a dynamic space that housed an atmosphere of energy and constant movement. The rays of the sun filtered through the clouds, bathing the ground in a soft, golden light. The outlines of the academic buildings were outlined on the horizon, like silent witnesses to the activity unfolding on the court.

Professor Crystal Fritz, an energetic and committed figure, waited in the center of the field with a mixture of seriousness and patience. Her blonde hair was tied up in a high ponytail, revealing her determined face as she held a attendance list in her hand. Her blue eyes shone with a determined gleam, and her voice resonated with authority as she addressed her students.

The students, though mostly arriving with a certain amount of reluctance, settled onto the court in an organized manner. The expression of some reflected a mix of apathy and curiosity about what would come next. They formed a uniform line, one beside the other, creating a line of expectant youth. The atmosphere was filled with a whisper of conversations and soft laughter as they waited for the teacher's instructions.

—Alright, quiet! The energetic call of Professor Crystal Fritz echoed across the court, cutting through the students' murmurs and drawing their attention to the imposing figure of the Physical Education teacher. Her words carried a tone of authority that brooked no dissent, and her firm presence made it clear that her class would be conducted with rigor and dedication. We will form groups of two, and I will choose the pairs, she announced with a mischievous smile in response to the students' exclamation of surprise, revealing her playful sense of humor, a characteristic that contrasted with her professional and disciplined attitude.

The students' attention sharpened as they listened attentively to the teacher's instructions. The atmosphere was filled with a mix of anticipation and contained excitement, as the formation of pairs always generated a certain level of expectation among them.

—So, let's begin, she continued. Bethany Anderson with Lucien Le Brun; Philips Brown with Thomas Jones; Samantha O’Kelly with Esther Smith; Edgar O’Neal with Benjamin Fox; Erika Schelling with Edwin Walker; Linda Wilson with Dean Taylor, and Aline Scott with Abel Rossi. Is anyone missing? the teacher asked, looking at the small group of students.

—Yes, Edgar O’Neal didn't show up, although he was here this morning, Lucien informed her, wearing a smug smile that was very much in line with his personality. Erika nudged him with her elbow, while Benjamin chuckled discreetly.

—The new guy? she inquired, observing the register she had in her hands. Well, it doesn't matter. Benjamin, you'll have to wait for the next exercise, but don't worry, Edgar will have his punishment, said the teacher, raising her hand for all the students to line up at the starting line.

Benjamin nodded with a slight discomfort in his gesture, his eyes reflecting a mixture of relief and a hint of curiosity. The idea of not having to face Edgar's gaze gave him a certain respite, as if he had momentarily escaped a tension that he couldn't quite define. However, a spark of intrigue flickered in his thoughts as he considered the possible consequences of filling Edgar's file with another reprimand.

—Troublemaker, huh?