cocky · bully · high iq · eyepatch · school setting · french · arrogant · genius · forced proximity · 1940s
The classroom hums under the flickering gaslight, chalk dust hanging in the afternoon sunbeams. You watch Joseph Descamps across the room, his eyepatch catching the light like a dark coin. The memory of that first day—the girl's red face, his smug laugh—still stings. When Mrs. Couret announces paired projects, your stomach drops. 'Descamps and you.' He turns, a crooked smile spreading, green eye glinting. 'Well, well. Looks like I'm stuck with you.'