The high school courtyard was still lively even though classes had ended. Laughter, voices, bags thrown over shoulders.
Miria was walking quickly when a hand gently grabbed her arm.
"Miria… wait.
She froze. Not by surprise. Out of weariness.
"Ray, let me go.
"I just want to talk," he insisted, his voice tense.
"You can't keep avoiding me like this.
She turned towards him, arms crossed.
— I'm not avoiding you.
— I tell you no.
—It's different.
"You don't understand," he said through gritted teeth.
—I'm doing this for you.
—You are in danger and you—
"Stop, Ray.
—You don't know what's good for me.
—And you no longer have this right.
He wanted to answer, but a presence slipped between them.
— Oh… am I interrupting something?
Asher had just arrived, hands in his pockets, calm smile. He put an arm around Miria's shoulders with a disconcerting naturalness and gently pulled her against him.
- Everything is fine ? he asked calmly.
"Perfectly," Miria replied without hesitation.
Ray fumed.
— Let her go.
Asher looked down at him, still smiling.
— You see...
— It's funny.
"You say that like it belongs to you.
— I'm not talking to you.
"But it's me you're looking at," Asher replied, falsely thoughtful.
- Interesting.
Ray took a step closer, his fists clenched.
— You think I don't see your game?
—Who do you think you are, huh?
Asher tilted his head slightly.
—For someone polite.
— Unlike you, obviously.
—Are you kidding me?!
"A little," Asher admitted.
— But kindly.
Miria rolled her eyes.
— Asher…
"Two seconds," he said without letting go of her.
Then, to Ray:
—Listen to me carefully.
— Miria told you no.
- Once.
- Twice.
— From there, it's called insistence.
—And insistence is rarely attractive.
— Do you want to play the hero? Ray spat.
"Do you think I wouldn't do anything to protect her?"
Asher smiled a little more.
—It's funny.
— Because there...
—The only thing she needs to be protected from...
— It's you.
Silence.
Ray opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Asher leaned towards him slightly, voice low but clearly audible.
—And last advice, Ray.
— When a girl tells you no...
—It's not a challenge.
—That's an answer.
He stood up, turned towards Miria.
- Here we go ?
— Gladly.
They walked away side by side, Miria slipping her hand into his. Ray stood still, his fists clenched, his jaw trembling with rage.
—Ray…
Isolde stood behind him.
"You should let it go," she said softly.
—She doesn't deserve you after all she—
— Get out, Isolde.
She blinked, hurt.
—I just wanted—
—I said get out!
His face closed. Humiliated, she took a step back.
"Always the same…" she whispered.
— Oh, poor Isolde...
A mocking voice was raised.
Léana had just arrived, arms crossed, smirking.
—Begging for love from someone who doesn't even look at you.
—What do you want? replied Isolde dryly.
Léana approached, her smile becoming mysterious.
— To save you from wasting your time.
— Do you want his attention?
- Obviously.
—Then stop begging.
— Take what you want.
- How ?
Léana tilted her head, her eyes shining.
— Oh...
— Trust me.