note: chloé and antoine are speaking french to each other but instead of translating all of it i'm directly putting it into english. when it's in italics it's a flashback.
'go antoine!' i say as he runs to the goal at the 61st minute, 3 minutes after scoring his first goal. giroud headers the ball to antoine, antoine shoots and he scores!
'yes!' i say jumping up and cheering with the other thousands of other french fans wearing the blue jersey. antoine runs towards the crowd and stops dancing what i think is the hotling bling dance. i turn around listening to the crowd shouting 'griezmann' and smile.
the little boy from mâcon with a passion for football is taking on the world.
20 years ago
'chloé, i'm scared.' says antoine as his dad ties his shoelaces.
today is our first day of school, we're going into cp which is the first year of primary school in france.
'don't worry antoine, it'll be a new adventure for both of us.'
'but won't the other kids pick on me because i'm small?' he asks looking at me sadly, standing up.
'antoine, don't worry. i'm your best friend, i'm here for you. if they bully you tell me.' i say.
'time to go kids!' says his dad. we get our shoes on and take our schoolbag and sit in the back of his car. i look at antoine and he looks at me, eyes shiny and he smiles slighly. i take his hand and hold it until we get to school.
--
'look antoine and chloé! you're in the same class.' says antoine's dad.
'we're in the same class, cheer up!' i say squeezing his hand and he smiles slightly.
'i'm going to have to go now.' says his dad kneeling down and looking at us.
'good luck, you'll do great. you watch school can be fun.' he says smiling then giving us a hug.
'chloé can i talk to antoine quickly?' he says and i smile and nod and go into the classroom. i look around the classroom where there's books in the back, paintings around the room and cupboards in the back filled with school supplies. i choose a seat by the window as i watch antoine talk to his father, he hugs antoine and waves at me. and antoine walks in and sits next to me. a few minutes later after the teacher stands in front of the class filled with boys and girls my age.
'hello class! i am mrs louvet and i'm very excited to be your teacher this year! i'm sure some of you are worried about primary school and how different it is than maternelle. but you shouldn't! this year is going to be fun and exciting i promise!' during the teacher's speech explaining about this year, antoine isn't paying any attention. he's looking out the window, looking at the big kids kicking a football around.
'excuse me what's your name?' says the teacher in front of our desk and antoine is still looking out the window not noticing.
'antoine.' i whisper tapping his hand slightly.
'huh what?' he says then noticing the teacher.
'you don't say what, you say pardon. what is your name?' she asks once again with her arms crossed.
'antoine griezmann.'
'well next time antoine, please pay attention.' she says sternly before walking back to the front of the class as antoine looks down disappointed in himself.
