Page 6 of You + Me – Against the World

The presentations and the professor’s verdicts follow one after another. I, on the other hand, slowly melt into a puddle, desperately grasping for a brilliant idea—or at the very least, a valid excuse.

No, my grandmother couldn’t have died in the last hour… could she?

When all the other students have had their turn, I hunch in my chair, furious at Vadim, and disillusioned not only by him, but by myself and Tim. I’m also mortified at the idea of disappointing Abrams. But as Clémentine shoots me what is meant to be an encouraging look, the professor skips my turn and moves on to a vibrant monologue about inspiration.

Then I’m saved by the bell. My classmates, struck with admiration, take their sweet time leaving the room, and I grab on the opportunity to slip toward the door. But a gravelly voice stops me dead in my tracks.

“Lancaster, not so fast. I don’t like seeing you turn in a blank page, but I like seeing you sneak away like a thief even less. Be honest! Did Arcadi cause trouble? Is he refusing to work with you?”

“No, no, Professor. We just couldn’t come to an agreement, that’s all. But we’re working on it.”

“Oh, so he sent you to the frontline all alone. What a gentleman!”

“Something came up. He had something important to do.”

“And I also don’t like it when you lie to me. Why are you trying to cover for him? I’ll chalk it up to your upbringing, Lancaster, but you don’t have to defend everyone you meet. You don’t owe him anything. So, stop sacrificing yourself! Step out of the shadows. Believe me, you could be brilliant if you weren’t so dull!”

Ouch. That one cuts deep.

I fight back the tears.

“I’m sorry, Professor.”

“And stop being sorry, for God’s sake! You apologize for merely existing! I assigned you this partner to bring you out of your shell. I know you’re up to the task. You radiate intelligence, creativity, and sensitivity. Your potential is blindingly obvious, yet you’re the only one who doesn’t see it. But if you don’t let it out, it will eat you from the inside out, slowly destroying you. You didn’t end up here because you’re a Lancaster. The film you submitted with your application was incredible.”

“Thank you, Mr. Abrams.”

“Alma! Do you understand what I’m saying? And call me Leonard, by the way. Politeness should be reserved for children and old people. Express yourself! Free yourself! I want you to take up this challenge. You’re going to assert yourself, impose yourself, tame Arcadi. Because he is your greatest challenge. Not this short film. Not this course. Not even your father’s pride. This is about your life!”

“Maybe, but I don’t know how,” I reply, my throat tight and my eyes flooded with tears.

“Let Vadim Arcadi shake you to your core. Knock you off balance. Challenge everything you believe in. And when you don’t know anything anymore, not even your own name, only then will you truly be able to exist. I want you to be as shaken your whole life as you are right now. Shaken, and capable of shaking others.”

“I’ll try, Professor… I want to try.”

“Here’s my phone number. Call me when nothing’s going right. That will be the best time to call. You’ve got no idea what awaits you… when you become who you truly are. Arcadi has already understood that. He’ll go far. And so will you, if you decide to take the right path!”

Suddenly, I no longer know if this man is a raving lunatic or some higher being giving me a glimpse of the truth. I’m not sure if it’s that he has me figured out and believes in me to an astonishing degree or if he’s simply flattering me. I’m also unsure if Vadim Arcadi can change me, or if I even want that to happen.

I like my life the way it is.

I mean, I think I do.

But all these possibilities make me dizzy. I want to leave the room, run, scream with all my might in the middle of the campus, empty my lungs and my head. I want to banish all my doubts. Instead, Mr. Abrams escorts me to the door and, seemingly exhausted by his impromptu little speech, sighs as he shows me out.

Once I’m back in the fresh air, I have a hard time believing what I just heard.

Clémentine pounces on me, bringing me back to earth. “What’s wrong? Did the professor go off on you?”

“Yeah, kind of.”

“Well, who cares? I’ve got something for you!”

“Oh?”

“Don’t you want to know what it is?”

“What is it?”