*Art room… Eloise…* Clemence repeated the words in his head as he searched for the room. It didn't take long for him to find it, but it was so quiet that the creak of the door echoed through the space. The sound didn't seem to bother the student inside. She remained focused on her painting, not even glancing his way.
"So she is Eloise," the boy mumbled.
"Excuse me," Clemence called out, but there was no response.
"Mr. Edouard is looking for you," the girl didn't bat an eye, as if Clemence were talking to a wall.
He then approached the girl to talk to her up close, but when he saw her painting, he suddenly got distracted and forgot what he was going to say.
He stood there, unsure whether to speak or stay silent. Her brush moved with precise grace, not rushed, not hesitant. He didn't understand art, but somehow, he couldn't look away.
"Is that a self-portrait?" he asked curiously.
"Does it not look like me?" she finally replied, keeping her focus on the painting.
"It definitely looks like you— it feels like a mirror," he said, complimenting her with genuine excitement.
The painting perfectly reflected the artist, with every detail carefully and intricately rendered. He wondered how she was able to draw herself so accurately when there were no photos or mirrors in sight.
As if Eloise could read his mind, she answered his unspoken question. "I memorized my appearance from head to toe."
Her response knocked the breath out of him, though he wasn't sure why. Who even says that out loud?
*That sounds kinda… narcissistic? Or maybe just self-aware?* Either way, she said it like she was stating a fact, not bragging.
"I see… By the way, is that for a school project?" he asked, tilting his head.
"No. Just a hobby… I only paint beautiful things," she said bluntly.
Clemence was left speechless by her comment. *It's my first time hearing a beautiful person call herself beautiful*, he thought.
She then turned her gaze towards Clemence, and suddenly her eyes grew wide. He could feel the weight of her gaze, his heart ticking a bit faster, but he didn't know why. Clemence felt uncomfortable under her intense stare , so he asked, "Is there something on my face?"
She looked at him for a long moment— too long. Her turquoise eyes studied him like he was another canvas.
"Hey. Can I paint you?"
Clemence blinked, his mind scrambling. Did he hear that right? He froze, unsure of what to do next.
"Me?" he stammered, turning flustered.
*Was she serious? Why was she staring at me like that? Am I supposed to say yes?*
It felt like an indirect compliment, but his instinct was to dodge it.
"Umm… ah, right!" he quickly blurted out. "Mr. Edouard was looking for you. He told me to tell you to come to his office," he added, forcing a smile to mask his unease.
But Eloise never broke her gaze, making Clemence feel overwhelmed.
"Alright," she said, standing up. She cleaned up her things, and without another word, left Clemence alone in the art room and headed toward the office.
Clemence stood there, dumbfounded by her unhinged personality, staring blankly at the door. He lingered for a long moment, unsure if he'd ever make sense of that conversation. The unsettling feeling hung in the air. Yet, despite the confusion, he couldn't help but acknowledge her beauty as his eyes drifted back to the painting.
*What was that about?*
…
In the teachers' office, the atmosphere was tense between Mr. Edouard and Eloise.
"I can't believe you forgot to come here just because of a painting," Mr. Edouard groaned, clearly frustrated.
"It happens to anyone," Eloise replied shamelessly.
The teacher sighed. "If this happens again, you'll have to return the art room key."
Eloise ignored the warning and shifted the conversation. "Mr. Edouard, may I ask why you called me here?"
He stared at her for a moment before exhaling. "Your parents contacted me. They requested a three-day leave of absence for you next week for a family reunion."
*That means I absolutely have to go if they already contacted the teacher*, Eloise thought to herself.
"I'll give you the activities that need to be completed during those three days next Monday. Make sure you come back here, and don't forget," he said, locking eyes with her.
…
Later that night, in a spacious room bathed in bold colors, Eloise sat on a chair in her nightgown, elbows resting on her knees, chin propped on her hands. Her gaze was fixed on the cuckoo clock, but her mind was elsewhere.
*Will I see him again tomorrow? Is he a student at our school? I really want to paint him. I've never seen anyone who could rival my beauty*, Eloise wondered, lost in her thoughts when suddenly she receives a phone call. It was her mom.
…
"...yes mom. I'll attend the reunion"
…
The next morning at school, Eloise sat in her seat and sipped the milk that had been left on her desk for her. She glanced over at Claude, who was casually playing on his console. She already knew the milk was from him. As usual, a few classmates considered gathering around her but quickly gave up on the idea. Beatrice's presence alone was enough to keep them away.
Not long after, Mr. Edouard entered the classroom with a student no one had seen since the beginning of the school year, except for Eloise. It was Clemence, now wearing the school uniform with his hair neatly tied back.
"This is Clemence de la Esiole, your classmate," Mr. Edouard announced.
The entire class fell silent, stunned not only by his otherworldly beauty but also by the realization that he was not a girl.
*So Clemence is a boy?* the students all thought at once.