Students were standing on tables. Teachers were ignoring the "No Standing on Tables" rule.
Alex sat in the middle. He was not eating. His stomach felt like it was full of butterflies. Angry butterflies.
"Eat your apple," Maya said. She was checking her watch. "Gareth Southgate is due to speak in two minutes. Your blood sugar is low."
"I cannot eat," Alex said. "What if he does not say my name? What if he thinks I am too young?"
"You won the Champions League," Maya stated calmly. "You beat Real Madrid. You beat Bayern Munich. Statistically, leaving you out would be a mathematical error. Gareth Southgate likes waistcoats, but he does not like errors."
Mark sat next to Alex. He was wearing a beret and a striped shirt. He was holding a baguette.
"I am ready for the French squad," Mark announced. "I am channeling my inner Napoleon. I am ready to conquer!"
"Mark," Alex said. "You look like a tourist."
"I am a patriot!" Mark yelled. "Vive la France!"
The screen flickered.
