Miria entered class and was about to sit down when Isabella called out to her.
Isabella — Miria, wait…
She turned around, tired.
Miria – What do you want?
Isabella took a deep breath.
Isabella — I wanted to apologize… for everything. And… telling you that you should fight for both of you—
A laugh cut her short.
The two turned around.
Isolde stood there, arms crossed, smiling mockingly.
"You have some nerve, Isabella. You ? Trying to fix their relationship?
Isabella turned pale.
— Isolde, what do you still want? And don't forget that it's because of you that everything is going wrong!
"Oh, I only told the truth. Isolde replied nonchalantly.
A voice snapped:
—What's going on again?
Everyone turned around: Ray had just arrived, accompanied by Marlie and others.
Part of the class had stopped in their tracks to listen.
Isolde smiled.
— Well, well… Ray the heartbreaker.
"That's enough," Marlie groaned.
Isolde shrugged her shoulders.
—I'm just asking how long Isabella plans to act like a hypocrite.
Diana frowned.
— What are you talking about?
Isolde looked innocent.
—I'm talking about the little knife she stuck in Miria's back.
She pointed at Isabella.
— I'm talking about the little kiss exchanged between Ray and Isabella.
An icy silence fell.
Miria widened her eyes slightly.
Ray froze completely.
Isabella turned white.
Isolde smiled.
Miria took a deep breath, slowly running a hand through her hair.
— Okay...
Isolde sat up, surprised.
"Is that all you have to say?"
—What more do you want me to do? To yell ? Cry ? Roll around on the ground?
- You're supposed to react! Unless… you don't believe me?
"Oh yes," Miria replied calmly.
— I believe you. And that doesn't even surprise me.
— So you're neither hot nor cold?
She was going to answer...
But the professor entered.
— Sit down. Class begins.
The class began.
Miria took her seat and opened her notebook and began to calmly take her notes, as if nothing had happened.
While the others watched him, shocked by his calm.
In the hallway, as Miria walked alone, Ray called to her:
—Miria!
—Miria! Wait!
She continued without looking back.
—Miria!
He grabbed her wrist.
She pulled away abruptly.
Miria — Don't touch me. What do you want?
Ray swallowed.
Ray — I'm sorry… I wanted to explain…
Miria — Explain to you? Explain what, Ray?
He lowered his head.
Ray — I know you're angry but—
Miria — I'm not angry.
(Pause.)
—I might have been if I wasn't expecting it. But I already knew that.
Ray stood frozen.
Miria — For the kiss… it doesn't matter to me.
What I don't understand is why you're trying to fix something... that's not working.
Ray — Miria, listen —
— I'm tired. This can't continue. I'm suffocating. I need some air.
Ray attempted an awkward smile.
Ray — Well… there is air conditioning at my house, if you want to come…
This time the cup overflowed.
Miria — I'M TALKING TO YOU SERIOUSLY AND YOU ARE JOKING???
Ray – No! I just wanted—
Miria — WHAT??? EH ??? RAY, WHAT DID YOU WANT??
He opened his mouth but no sound came out.
Miria — You know what?
It's over between us.
Ray looked like he had been hit with a club.
Ray — …Do you really think so?
Miria did not answer.
Ray — Miria… tell me. Do you really think so?
She looked at him.
Miria — Yes.
We didn't get together out of love.
You wanted to forget Isabella.
I wanted to discover what love was.
But in the end… it doesn't lead anywhere.
Something reignited within him, an acidic memory.
"...No... I remember that her boyfriend had broader shoulders than yours... long, black, slicked back hair... and black eyes. The opposite of you, really..."
Ray gritted his teeth.
— But… why? Because of the secret with Isabella? Or… because of your new boyfriend?
Miria's eyes widened.
Ray — So it's because of your "new boyfriend" Huh? Are you leaving me for this guy with black hair?
Miria remained silent.
Ray felt his heart tear.
"Are you leaving me for this idiot? This scoundrel?
The slap was gone before she even thought.
Ray reeled, his head spinning from the impact.
— You can't accept the separation, so you attack him?
You know NOTHING about him. Nothing !
And you judge him?
Miria was trembling with anger.
Miria — I didn't know you could be so full of yourself.
I regret having wasted my time.
She turned on her heel.
Ray stood frozen, his cheek red, his eyes vacant.