The Degradation (translation)

Because he is different

132 days earlier

***

At 19, Harry does not spend his free time with friends, does not go to parties every Saturday, like all his peers. No. He's different, he likes to spend time with his philosophy teacher. An old idiot who thinks he knows everything. An old idiot who looks down on everyone. And he is the only person who has understood him all this time. The only one who managed to create a connection with him. Because sometimes, a PhD in philosophy can help. Because he understood his illness. And because Harry loves philosophy. They spend Saturdays together checking out tests. Rarely talking. One sits at a desk, in the center of the audience, and the other on a bench, in the first row.

Only that night, it was different because Harry was sick. He was fidgeting with his pen. He couldn't concentrate.

"What's going on, Harry?"

"Nothing."

And since he didn't need to be pressured, the Professor continued to check the papers. He waited. He waited because he knew Harry would come to him if he wanted to talk. He had learned to understand it. And once again, he was not mistaken.

"Red. His car is red."

Because that night, without even realizing it, Harry needed to talk.

"Whose car is red?"

"Louis Tomlinson."

"And it bothers you that it's red?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because the Lamborghini of his model does not exist in red."

"And it bothers you because it's different?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I don't understand."

"Maybe he just wanted to repaint it."

"But why? If he wanted a red car, why didn't he buy a model that already exists in red?  "

"I don't know. He probably wanted a car that was different from the others."

"Yes, but why?"

"Harry, can you leave this pen alone? She didn't do anything to you."

"I'm sorry."

"That's the second time you've told me about him."

"No."

"Yes. Last week."

"But it was because he picked up a Coke light in the cafeteria."

"And?"

"And he only ever drinks regular Coca-Cola."

"Does it bother you that he decided to change his coke?"

"Yes.

"Why?"

"Because he didn't have to change anything. There was still a classic Coca-Cola in the vending machine."

"Tell me if I'm wrong, but you seem to be watching him very closely."

"Not always. But yes, sometimes."

"Why not?"

"Because I hate everything about it."

"You hate a lot of people, if not all of them. So why him? What was it about him that caught your attention?"

"I don't understand him."

"What don't you understand?" And take it easy with this pen, you'll break it soon."