Bavard Extraordinaire Exclusive: William Dunbar's Championship Victory and Grand Proposal!
By Jacqueline Duval, Editor-in-Chief
In a heartwarming turn of events, local hero William Dunbar, star striker for Kadic Academy's football team and FC Versailles 78, set a new record not only on the field but in the hearts of everyone who witnessed it. With Monod Academy as the backdrop, the championship game became the stage for a story that will undoubtedly be told for generations to come.
The crowd witnessed a breathtaking performance by William as he scored not one, but two goals that left the Monod goalkeeper in disbelief. The second half saw Kadic extending its lead to 5-1, securing their victory and the championship.
But the real magic happened after the final whistle had blown. In a grand, unexpected gesture, William made his way to the center of the field, his adoring girlfriend, Aelita, standing there with tears of joy in her eyes. With his teammates forming a lane for them, and the crowd hushed in anticipation, he took her hand, dropped to one knee, and produced a sparkling diamond engagement ring.
The proposal was met with an enthusiastic "yes" from Aelita, and the newly engaged couple shared an emotional embrace that brought tears to the eyes of onlookers. Their love story, interwoven with the triumphs and challenges of William's football career, had reached a pinnacle of romance.
As we caught up with the elated couple, Aelita gushed, "It's the most incredible day of my life, and I can't believe Will planned such a beautiful surprise. I'm looking forward to forever with him."
And so, in the same place where football dreams are realized and rivalries burn brightly, a new chapter of love and togetherness has begun. William Dunbar's proposal to Aelita Stones serves as a reminder that amidst the competition and the cheers, there's always room for love and romance.
From all of us at The Bavard Extraordinaire, we extend our warmest congratulations to the happy couple and wish them a lifetime of happiness and goals scored both on and off the field.
Anthea flips the magazine to the next page with a heavy sigh. She's happy for Aelita, she really is. But the thought of being unable to be there for her during this next phase of life... it's a thought that hurts Anthea deeply.
She misses her daughter.
She sets the magazine down in her lap and looks at herself in the mirror, watching as her hair stylist works her magic. Gloved hands carefully section off strands of Anthea's hair, brush on the hair dye, and repeat the process until her pink roots are covered.
Anthea closes her eyes and tries to imagine what Aelita is doing right now. Did she enjoy her Christmas break? Has she been keeping up with her studies? Is she happy?
She hopes her daughter is happy.
She opens her eyes, and opens the magazine to the article again. There's a picture of Aelita and William, their foreheads pressed together, their eyes closed, and their lips curled into smiles.
Anthea can't help but smile, too. She's glad her daughter has found someone who makes her happy.
The hair stylist pipes up. "What's that you're reading, Anthea? Looks interesting."
Anthea looks up, meeting the hair stylist's gaze in the mirror. "Oh, just an article about... a friend's son. He's a soccer player up in Paris."
"Oh, that's cool. I love soccer."
"Me, too."
"What's his name?"
"William Dunbar."
"Oh, I've heard of him! He's pretty good, isn't he?"
"He is."
"Well, I'm glad your friend's son is doing well. I'm almost done with your hair. Just a few more minutes."
"Thank you, Emelie."
"You know," Emelie starts as she begins to rinse Anthea's hair, "maybe it's just the angle, but the girl in that picture looks an awful lot like you. Same eyes, same nose, same chin too."
Anthea stiffens. "You don't say..."
"Yeah, definitely. If I didn't know better, I'd swear she was your doppelganger."
"Oh, well, I suppose she does look a bit like me." Anthea examines the picture, twisting and turning the magazine every which way.
Emelie laughs. "You're funny, Anthea. I'm just messing with you."
"Right," Anthea says, forcing a laugh.
"Alright, all done. Take a look."
Anthea leans forward and looks at her reflection. Her hair, though still wet, is back to its falsified glory. As Emelie dries and styles her hair into long, layered, dark brown waves, Anthea struggles to hold back tears. She wishes she could tell Emelie the truth, but it's just too dangerous for anyone else to know the truth about her. With Malachi out there, lurking, waiting, Anthea can't risk exposing herself. Or worse, Aelita. So, she keeps her mouth shut.
She pays and leaves the salon with the magazine in hand, her heart heavy. She hates that she's missed so much of her daughter's life. As she travels home on the railway, her thoughts are consumed by Aelita. Her beautiful, brilliant, brave daughter.
She's proud of her. She's so, so proud. And she can't wait to see her again.
Soon, she tells herself. Soon.
She fumbles with her keys at the front door of her mother's quaint village home, her mood sullied by Emelie's unintentionally hurtful words.
"Anthea?" comes the call from inside.
"Yes, Mother, it's me," she replies, finally unlocking the door and stepping inside.
"How was your appointment, dear?"
"Fine," she says, hanging her coat on the rack and slipping off her shoes.
"Are you alright, dear?"
"I'm fine, Mother."
Antoinette raises an eyebrow. "You don't seem fine."
Anthea sighs. "It's nothing, Mother. Really."
Antoinette frowns. "Please, Anthea. Tell me. Let me help."
Anthea wordlessly hands her the magazine.
Antoinette reads the article, her eyes growing wide. "Oh, Anthea."
Anthea's eyes fill with tears. "I just miss her so much, Mother. I hate having to hide from her. I hate not being able to be there for her. I hate not being able to tell her the truth."
Antoinette pulls her daughter into a tight embrace. "I know, dear. I know. I miss her, too. And I know it's hard. But we have to stay away. For her sake." She looses a heavy sigh as she prepares to say her next words. "Besides, I've been thinking about something lately."
Anthea pulls away slightly to look into her mother's green eyes.
Antoinette continues her thought. "I've been thinking lately, maybe this girl isn't our Aelita. I know it sounds ridiculous, but consider this: Aelita Schaeffer would be somewhere around thirty years old if she were alive today."
Anthea immediately blanches. "That's her, Mother. I know it. She is alive."
"You don't know that, dear. The cabin was ransacked and abandoned when you went to it after escaping your captors."
"Why is this girl's hair pink, then?"
"You said it yourself the other day. Maybe she dyed it that way."
"Mother, please. Don't do this. She's our Aelita. My daughter, your granddaughter." Anthea points at one of the pictures in the magazine. "How many young women with pink hair do you know that look exactly like me? I know that's her."
Antoinette sighs. "I'm sorry, dear. I just want you to be prepared for the possibility that this girl isn't our Aelita. They say her surname is Stones, for Christ's sake."
Anthea's shoulders slump. "I can't lose hope, Mother. I can't. I have to believe that she's alive. I have to."
"I understand, dear. I'm sorry."
"It's okay, Mother. I'm sorry, too. I didn't mean to yell."
"Come, let's have some tea."
"That sounds lovely." The two women sit down at the kitchen table, the magazine between them. Anthea traces her finger over the photo of Aelita and William. "She looks so happy," she says, her voice barely above a whisper.
"She does," Antoinette agrees.
"I'm glad she's happy."
"Me, too." Antoinette pours Anthea a cup of tea and slides it towards her.
"Thank you, Mother."
"Of course, dear."
William walks with a pep in his step, hand-in-hand with his fiancée as they walk across campus to the cafeteria.
Beside him, Aelita struggles to keep up with his gait. "What's got you so excited?"
William grins. "I'm just happy, Lita. It's my last semester ever in this wretched place."
Aelita groans. "Ugh. Don't remind me. I don't know what I'm going to do without you here with me."
William laughs. "You'll be fine, Lita. Besides, you'll have everyone else to keep you company. Besides Yumi, of course."
"I know, but it won't be the same without you."
"You act like I'm leaving Paris and not like I'm just going to move into the Hermitage with you."
Aelita blinks for a second, having apparently forgotten that detail. "Oh, right."
William laughs. "You're so cute, Lita."
Aelita sticks her tongue out. "Shut up."
The two of them continue their walk to the cafeteria, their spirits high. The second they walk in, heads swivel in their direction and whispers erupt.
Aelita can't help but blush.
William, however, is unfazed. He simply leads Aelita to grab some food on the way to their usual table, empty because the rest of the gang is not yet back from the break.
"Will," Aelita whispers, "why are people staring?"
William shrugs. "Probably because of the article."
"What article?"
"The Bavard Extraordinaire did an article about our engagement. I'm sure the whole school has seen it by now."
Aelita's eyes grow wide. "Oh." She slinks down in her chair a little bit.
"Don't worry, Lita. I'm sure the attention will die down soon."
"I hope so." She watches as one girl across the room, a resigned expression on her face, slaps a wad of cash into another girl's hand. "Why the hell do so many people bet on us?"
William chuckles. "Nobody believes in love anymore. Remember, these are the same people who were betting on our demise after Pelletier pulled that social media stunt of his."
Aelita rolls her eyes. "People are ridiculous."
"They are. I'm just glad I'm graduating soon. I can't wait to get out of here."
The two finish their lunch and get up to leave when Jim bursts into the cafeteria.
He walks up to a table of students and asks, "I heard William and Aelita just came in. Where are they?" One student shyly points in the couple's direction.
"Oh, boy. Here we go. Quick, let's get out of here before we're roped into one of his stories," William says as he tries to usher Aelita out.
"Too late," Aelita says, wide-eyed as their old PE teacher lumbers up to them.
"Dunbar! Stones!" He shouts with his normal jolly but gruff tone.
"Hey, Jim," the couple responds in unison.
Jim starts gushing, pulling them both into a bear hug. "I saw the article and all the pictures, you two! Congratulations!"
"Thanks, Jim. Can't breathe. Please let go," William strains against his captor.
"Oh, whoops, sorry," Jim says, putting William and Aelita down.
Aelita takes a deep breath, trying to restore what was crushed out of her. "Thanks, Jim. That really means a lot," she says smiling up at him.
"Of course! Now," he says proudly, wagging a finger in the air. "Don't waste this, you two. You know, I once had been engaged, but—"
"Sorry, Jim. As much as we would love to hear your stories, we, uh, have to practice!" William interrupts, pushing Aelita away from Jim.
"Yeah. Practice for the, uh, the wedding!" Aelita says, playing along as the couple runs out of the cafeteria.
"Oh. Alright. Good luck!" Jim shouts after them as the cafeteria door closes. "Enjoy this time together, you deserve it," he says to himself.