2 ans plus tôt
It was the last year of secondary school for Maddy, Stacy, and Emilie. The three of them were inseparable. They had known each other since kindergarten, and their bond was as strong as a rope, a rope made of three vines that only grew stronger with the passing years. Not once had they excluded one of them. Each was equal to the other.
Moreover, that year, they were all in the same class. The desks were arranged in pairs, but they had joined two tables to be exclusively together. The teachers scolded them, but they didn't care and did things as they pleased.
Maddy was strong in sports, mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Stacy excelled in English, French, and biology, while Emilie was the best in history and geography. They spent time together, either at one another's houses, to study and help the one who didn't understand her field of expertise.
— So tomorrow, it's history, Emilie, your turn, said Maddy, amused.
Emilie was of German origin and was the same age as Stacy and Maddy (so she was 18 at the moment).
She was as radiant as the North Star. Her golden blonde hair, which became even lighter in the sunlight, resembled the flame of a candle. It was slightly wavy and cut just above her shoulders, with some strands shorter than others. This was because Maddy had cut it herself, and not being a professional, her hair was unevenly distributed. Her complexion, pale with a slight rosy hue, made her look like someone who had never had a sunburn. Maybe she was one of those rare aliens, from the farthest reaches of the universe, sent to invade Earth to capture and immortalize the body of perfect looking girls ?
Her eyes were large and had a beautiful amber colour, which amplified the mystery of her beauty. Her lashes, almost invisible, were one of her little sources of frustration. Every morning, with care, she would redraw them using eyeliner, drawing precise lines to give them more depth. She didn't want to change their shape, but rather to highlight their natural beauty, accentuating what, for her, was already a distinctive feature.
Though she had a slender and healthy body, she didn't appreciate overly revealing outfits. For the top, she always opted for oversized, comfortable, and loose sweaters. However, when it was hot, she had no choice but to settle for a simple t-shirt. Pants and skirts didn't appeal to her, so she owned an impressive number of shorts, always long enough to reach her ankles.
Once, Stacy had pushed her to buy a shorter model, but she only wore it in her room with her friends. Although her wardrobe typically consisted of a mix of shorts and sweaters, that didn't mean she lacked style.
Moreover, it was common for them to swap clothes, which gave her look a more versatile and less fixed side than it might have seemed. Because she couldn't refuse her friends' request, she would wear anything they gave her, and she often let herself be dragged into their bolder clothing choices.
She was wearing a tie and had a fake mustache above her lips, with a pillow under her belly to make herself look fat. She cleared her throat before doing an imitation of the history teacher.
— So, my little ones, do you want a private history lesson ? Open your eyes wide !
Maddy and Stacy stifled amused laughs.
— He really uses that expression all the time, whispered Maddy.
— This lesson has to be taken seriously, no kidding. Primary school is long over. So, where was I… (The pillow slipped and fell from her belly). Oh my God ! I… I…
Stacy knocked on the floor to grab their attention.
— You've been pregnant all this time, mister ?! she signed.
This time, the three of them couldn't help but burst into laughter. Their laughter echoed in the room, making it sound like a comedy show was taking place. After this wave of amusement, Emilie returned to her normal voice.
— No, but seriously, we need to focus. We only have two hours to study fifty pages of syllabus.
— No way ! I didn't know there was that much !
— Hmm. You forget who's sitting in front of you ? I'll explain all of this in less than an hour !
— Oh ho, are you sure you can handle it ? Maddy teased.
— You dare doubt me ? Well, that's a challenge then!
— Start !
Stacy started the timer.
Emilie rushed to the whiteboard and began writing with a black marker, her mind already going through the information. Stacy and Maddy, meanwhile, didn't need to take notes : they already had Emilie's notes in hand, ready to follow each explanation and memorize the key points. Though they made it seem like a game, all three were determined to succeed together.
— The Cold War lasted from 1947 to 1991. What caused it ? It was the tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, after World War II. What motivated the two global powers were their differing ideologies. The United States defended capitalism, while the USSR advocated for communism. That's the visible part of the iceberg, but you also need to know that…
— And top !
Emilie let out a deep breath.
— Phew. So, how long ?
Stacy grimaced.
— One hour and five minutes.
— What? That's almost the same, it's fine.
— Oh no, that's not happening ! replied Maddy with a mischievous smile. Come here, it's punishment time.
— Stacy ? You're on my side, right ?
— I'm sorry, but you didn't show mercy to me last time, so…
She tried to run away, but Stacy wrapped her arms around her waist.
— No, that's not fair !
Stacy stomped her foot to signal Maddy.
— Count on me.
Stacy pinned Emilie to the floor, and Maddy took care of tickling her neck, under her arms, and feet.
— No, haha, not there, haha, haha. Tears were welling up in her eyes. This is toreeeent!
The next day.
— Look, Emilie. 19/20 ! And you, Maddy ?
— Even better ! 19,5/20!
— You beat me, Stacy pouted.
They both looked at Emilie's sheet, eager to see her result.
— Well, then ?
Emilie slowly turned the sheet over, nervous. And a 20/20 proudly appeared. She let out a sigh of relief. Maddy, unable to contain her joy, jumped into her arms.
— Well done ! You're so smart !
— Yeah, you totally rock !
Emilie smiled, a bit embarrassed.
— There are only two subjects I'm good at, she laughed. If I hadn't succeeded there, it would have been so embarrassing. I'm not as exceptional as you two.
— What are you talking about ? Without you, we would've failed miserably today.
Emilie gave a small, grateful smile.
— Haha, thanks.