Page 82 of You + Me – Against the World

The following week, both at school and at home, Basile seems the same as always. And yet, I start looking at him differently. With more interest, more empathy. He’s no longer just my annoying, killjoy older brother, but another collateral victim of the rigid, elitist family we live in.

Vadim, who couldn’t care less about rules or other people’s expectations, skips class today without giving me any explanation. Since this morning, he has only been replying to my texts with short, clipped responses. And as if that weren’t enough, it’s the last day before Christmas break. For two weeks, I won’t even have college as an excuse to see him.

His short film has come to a standstill, and mine is progressing very slowly, like many other students’ projects. Mr. Abrams was forced to extend our first-semester project until the end of the school year. The film presentations won’t take place until May.

At the end of the day, I finally hear from Vadim.

[Some rich kid reported me to the dean

for the homework thing. I had to

give her money back and got a warning.

Apparently, my last one.

And I had to join a community service group

to make up for it. Basically,

they’re making me do grunt work for the college

with other students on their final warning.

I spent the whole day doing it.]

[And now, I have Keith on my back, so I

can’t even call you.]

[I miss you. Don’t be mad at me.]

[You just broke the record

for the longest text in

the history of Vadim Arcadi.]

[:)]

[Stop smiling! I told you something like this would happen.]

[:)]

[I’ll get through it. I always do!]

[Are you planning to see me again,

or are you being held hostage in your

camp for juvenile delinquents?]

[Tomorrow!:) I have a Christmas

present for you.:) Gotta go!:) I love you!;)]

My cheeks ache from smiling so much.

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