This is part 4 of Liminal, a short story in serial form. If you haven’t already, start with Part 1 here.
So you already know Florent didn’t show up. He was supposed to meet me after school. In the bosquet, by the oak tree. But I waited like an hour and he never came. Simone was super excited this morning to hear how it went. When I told her between periods she got super mad. She marched off to find Florent or maybe Hugo because Hugo was supposed to tell Florent to meet me.
Then before géométrie she found me in the hallway and she told me that Hugo never told Florent. See? I knew it wasn’t his fault.
Even though I didn’t spend a bunch of time picking out my clothes like I did yesterday, I decided to try to meet him again after school today. I wrote a note and gave it to Simone to give to Florent — NOT Hugo this time, because he’ll mess it up. Only to Florent.
The note said “Hello Florent. Simone said you like me. I like you too. We can meet after school on the path by the gigantic oak tree. Before the stone bridge. I’ll wait for you. I have something to show you. I hope you’ll bring me something too so I know you’re serious. Mathilde.”
I folded the note in the special way for secret notes, with the corners tucked under. Then I pressed my lips against it softly like I was kissing Florent. Simone laughed and rolled her eyes. I told her to make sure Florent gets it and make sure he reads it this time.
At lunch I found Léo and asked him if I could borrow his knife and bring it back tomorrow. He seemed suspicious but I gave him my best look and he said okay. He really is a sweet boy. Too bad we didn’t fall in love.
I need the knife because I have a plan for Florent.
Oh my god I just realized that I’m wearing the same sweater. The one that Florent touched. With the tiny hole in the shoulder seam. Maybe that’s a good sign. Or one of those things we studied in litté, a metaphor or symbol or something. I can’t remember. Anyway, it’s super cute and Florent touched it. I wonder if he’ll remember that when I see him.
After school I hurried so fast to the bosquet that I tripped on a root and I almost fell. Can you imagine if that happened? And Florent got there and I was all covered in dirt and probably blood?
But I didn’t. I got to the oak tree and I called his name. In case he was there already and he was hiding. No answer. So I practiced what I want to say to him. I felt stupid saying it out loud, but nobody could hear me. I walked back and forth in the tree shade saying my lines. I felt like I was in a play, and I tried to sound very dramatic and meaningful.
After I practiced it I got out the knife. Léo showed it to me last spring that night when we kissed under the lilac bush. He said it was his grandfather’s. The handle is black and shimmery like some kind of black crystal rock if that’s a thing. It only has one blade but it’s big.
I open it up and push the point into my palm. Not too hard but hard enough to test it. It’s really sharp. I poke it into the tree bark and chip away a little piece. This will work perfect for my plan.
Florent will not be expecting this.