Das seltsame Buch - Académie de Nancy-Metz

Troisième prix en anglais, catégorie première : Claire Spingardi
The Book
I woke up with the shrill sound of my alarm clock. Ugh, I was tired…I didn't want to go to work that
day. As if I had the choice…I got up, yawning. I put some coffee on the fire and had a shower while it
was heating up. When I left the bathroom the coffee was ready. I slowly drank it. Suddenly I
remembered: I had finished my book the day before. I had nothing to read tonight. Hmm, perhaps I can
ask Christopher if I can borrow something. I’ll tell him about it. I finished getting ready and got out of
my house. I walked into the street in the cold morning, using the same way as usually to the library.
Ah, I was there. I opened the door and entered the small library. Chris was behind his desk, smiling to
me, as he always did.
“Hi, Melody!” Christopher said.
“Hi, Chris. What’s up?” I answered.
“Well, nothing you don’t already know.” He said with a smile.
“What do you mean?” I answered looking annoyed, “Is Marian still angry?”
“Hey, don’t look at me like that! I didn’t do anything!” He said, “I swear, she was angry before I came
here!”
“Right, right.” I said with an amused tone, smiling. “It’s not as if you teased her every morning. You
don't, do you?”
“No!” he said, his cheeks reddening. “I don’t!”
I laughed a bit. Yes, he loved Marian. But when he tried to talk to her, he couldn't help making jokes
about her. And she didn’t like it, actually. He really tried to please her, but I didn’t think he understood
he annoyed her. Poor boy. He didn’t tell me about it, but he was not discreet.
“Whatever.” He finally said.
“Yeah. Hmm tell me, do you have a book to lend me? I've just finished Shinning.” I said.
“Shinning? By Stephen King?” He said.
“Yup. It was awesome.” I said.
“Humm…I can lend you something. But I warn you, you won’t be able to stop reading.” He said, looking
really serious.
“What is it about?” I asked, a bit afraid of what he'll give me.
“It’s by Terry Pratchett. It’s called “Snuff”. It talks about an investigation.” He said.
“That looks great.” I said.
“Wait a minute! I think we have it here.” He said.
He left his desk and disappeared in the corridor. He came back with the book in his hands. He gave it to
me, with his usual big smile.
“Thanks.” I said.
“You’re welcome” He said, “Have a good time reading it.”
I smiled to him and he gave it back to me. Well, time to work. I went to my own desk and sat down,
putting the book he had just given me in my bag.
Nothing special happened that day. I finished working at 7pm and got back home. I put my bag down, sat
down on the couch and watched TV for two hours. Then I ate a pizza before going to bed. I took Chris’
book and looked at it. Snuff. So let’s see if Christopher is right.
Oh my god. This book is just…just…so awesome! I can't stop reading…eh. He warned me about the book
and now it is too late, I guess. What time is it? 1am?! Oh wow, I thought it was something like 11pm…I
had to sleep now.
Aaaaah! Chris was SO right! I can't stop reading…
Melody, you MUST STOP NOW.