Page 57 of You + Me – Against the World

I keep going, reminding everyone there that a girl “like me”—I shoot Vadim a scornful look as I utter these words—has better things to do than go getting herself into trouble. Things like focusing on her studies.

Vadim drives the point home by bringing up the only thing we have in common—our passion for cinema—compared with our thousands of points of disagreement. Then, he steers the conversation toward the possible authors of the graffiti: narrow-minded students, ignorant and racist jocks, disturbed by our mismatched working partnership and incapable of imagining relationships between human beings based on anything other than sex or ball games.

Keith cuts Vadim off once again, my mother snorts at his masterly presented argument, and the dean—probably embarrassed by his remarks—decides to cut the meeting short. We both get away with a warning and strict instructions to stay out of trouble until the end of the school year.

On the way home, I replay our lies in my mind and recall the feeling of getting lost in Vadim’s deep, searching gaze when we parted: a look that was defiant and detestable in the eyes of those who knew nothing of our game, but alluring and loving in mine.

It felt so good to hate him…

My father, who no doubt found the dean too lenient, grounds me for the weekend and forbids me from seeing Arcadi outside class. So, I lock myself away in my room for two days, only coming out to grab a snack from the fridge or exchange a few words with Lily, who is upset by the tense atmosphere in the house. I also plot with Georgia, my lifelong partner in crime, who agrees to help me deliver a gift in total secrecy, without even asking the identity of the recipient. To thank him for saving our skins in that office, I send Vadim a bottle of Ciao Amore by Fendi, my favorite men’s cologne, with its notes of orange blossom, of course, but also fig tree and tonka bean. Scents as wild, delicious, and intoxicating as he is. I can’t wait to smell it on his skin.

Arcadius: Thanks for the gift. Do you think I stink?

The message appears on my screen as I lie under the comforter watching a movie I’ve already seen three times, my laptop resting on my legs.

Alma_from_paris: No, I just miss your smell a bit too much… so I looked for the one that suited you best. Strangely enough, it’s my favorite cologne. What are you doing?

Arcadius: An English assignment.

Alma_from_paris: Who’s it for this time?

Arcadius: You don’t want to know. What are you doing in your cell? Did they at least let you out for yard time?

Alma_from_paris: Not even. But it’s a modern prison, so I get streaming platforms.

Arcadius: Pure luxury! Let me guess… You’re watching The Summer I Turned Pretty again. No, Call Me by Your Name? The Notebook? Maxton Hall? Wait, I know! Beating Hearts!

Alma_from_paris: You sure know a lot about romantic films and series. Are they a secret passion of yours? Anyway, it’s none of those. I’m watching something a little closer to how I’m feeling right now…

Arcadius: Hmm… The Shining? Are you feeling a murderous rage rising inside you that could end in you wiping out your whole family? If you need a hand, I’d be happy to take on your brother…

Alma_from_paris: Basile isn’t home. Obviously, he gets to do whatever he wants, while I spend the weekend atoning for my sins… I should be watching Seven, actually.

Arcadius: How about we do a remake of The Shawshank Redemption and you come see me?

Alma_from_paris: I’d love to. I’m pretty much in the same headspace as the guy in Into the Wild right now. Should we leave for Alaska in search of inner peace?

Arcadius: I’ve got a better idea. I’ll come to your place, and we can reenact a scene from Cruel Intentions in your pool!:)

Alma_from_paris: In your dreams, Arcadi!

Arcadius: You can’t see me, but I’m drowning in my tears. Alright, I give up, what are you watching?

Alma_from_paris: Cast Away. Pathetic, right?

Arcadius: What’s starting to become pathetic is your obsession with Tom Hanks!

Alma_from_paris: Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, Apollo 13, Saving Private Ryan, You’ve Got Mail, The Green Mile, Catch Me If You Can, The Terminal, Captain Phillips, The Post… How can anyone compete with that filmography?

Arcadius: I love it when you get all fired up like this… Damn it, I miss you even more, now!

Alma_from_paris: Sorry.:)

Arcadius: By the way, I was thinking, maybe next time You + Me instead of Vadim + Alma would be a bit more discreet. Just sayin’…

Alma_from_paris: Thanks for the support, really. Remind me not to mention you when I give my acceptance speech for my first Oscar.

Vadim starts to type a reply, but I cut short his three blinking dots.