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“What do you do all day with Clement?” Jolie questioned as I took a long, refreshing sip.

“You’ve been watching us?”

“No.”

“You’re lying.”

“What do you do, Fabien?”

I shrugged.

“Work hard. Study. Play ball.”

Jolie snorted.

“Boys don’t like to study. They like video games more.”

“Clement and Baptiste and I like to study.”

“Why?”

“Because we’re going to rule the world one day,” I said sincerely.

And that really made Jolie laugh. She held her hand up to her face and chortled until she was red in the cheeks.

“I can’t believe you just said that.”

“I’m serious,” I said. “I’m being serious.”

“I knew Clement was bad, but you guys have egos bigger than the freaking moon.”

I took a seat opposite Jolie. I placed my glass on the table between us and looked at her.

Sitting there, the ache I had been feeling in my heart for weeks was suddenly quiet, and I was determined to keep it that way. Besides, Jolie didn’t move away. She was determined to stay there, with me, as well.

But we both knew we were breaking a rule. Clement’s rule.

“What do you want to be?” I asked her.

“After high school?”

“Yeah.”

Jolie pursed her lips.

“I dunno. I’m good with numbers. I also like to read. I’ll figure something out, I guess. What about you, other than ruling the world?”

“I’m interested in art,” I said. “Father bought me artwork. I liked it.”

“Maybe you’d be ruler of the art world,” she replied.

“Maybe.”

She stared at me for a while.

“I like talking to you,” she finally muttered.

“You do?”