Chapter 5: Curiosity

As Spice was walking down the hallway, she was lost in her thoughts, thinking about what the day might bring. Suddenly, she felt a strong force hit her, causing her to stumble backward. She looked up to see who it was, her eyes widening as she gazed up at him. The man towered over her, with broad shoulders and a chiseled jawline. She couldn't help but notice how handsome he was, with emerald green eyes that seemed to sparkle in the light, just like hers. Spice couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity like she had met him before, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

The man looked down at Spice, his gaze intense and piercing, and for a moment, Spice felt like she was being scrutinized. She couldn't help but feel a sense of unease like he knew something about her that she didn't. Despite this, Spice couldn't help but be drawn to his handsome features and the way his eyes seemed to light up when he smiled.

Spice's heart raced as she remembered seeing him before at the food-eating contest where she won a scholarship for the school. She was nervous and unsure of what to say or do. Spice tried to compose myself and apologized to him for bumping into him.

"Are you okay, miss?" he asked, his voice firm but gentle.

Spice nodded, feeling her cheeks turning red. She couldn't help but feel intimidated by his presence. She tried to walk away, but he stopped her with his hand on her shoulder.

"Wait a minute, I think I know you," he said, his eyes scrutinizing Spice's face.

She froze, unsure of what to say. Her mind was racing, trying to remember if she had met him before.

"You were at the food-eating contest, weren't you? The one where you won the scholarship to this school," he said, a smile slowly spreading across his face.

Spice nodded, feeling a sense of relief. At least he recognized her from the contest, and she didn't have to explain who she was.

"I'm Persimmon, the director of this school," he said, extending his hand for her to shake.

Spice took his hand, feeling a sense of awe. He was more impressive up close, and she couldn't help but feel intimidated by him.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," she said, trying to sound confident.

He smiled, and they chatted briefly before parting ways. As Spice walked away, her mind was racing with questions. Why did he seem familiar? Did she know him before? She brushed off her thoughts and continued to her next class, hoping that the day would bring more exciting adventures.

I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as I walked into my classroom, flanked by my new friends, Saffron and Brie. I was eager to learn from Chef Laurent, who was renowned for his expertise in tenderizing meat, but at the same time, I couldn't help but feel intimidated by his reputation.

Chef Laurent was a tall and imposing figure with a bald head and a thick mustache that curled upward at the ends. He stood at the front of the class, his arms crossed over his chest, as he explained the intricacies of meat tenderization.

As the class began, Chef Laurent launched into a detailed discussion of the various techniques used for tenderizing meat. Spice listened attentively, taking mental notes on each method he mentioned.

"Class, there are many different ways to tenderize meat," he began, his deep voice echoing through the room. "You can marinate it in acidic liquids; you can use a meat mallet to pound it; or you can use enzymes to break down the fibers."

As he spoke, Chef Laurent gestured towards a large slab of beef that sat on a wooden cutting board in front of him. He picked up a small knife and began to make precise cuts along the surface of the meat.

"But the most important thing to remember is that you need to treat each cut of meat differently," he continued. "A tough cut like this one needs to be treated differently than a more tender cut like filet mignon."

He went on to explain the different techniques that were appropriate for different types of meat, and the class listened attentively, taking notes and asking questions.

Spice, who was sitting in the front row, leaned forward in her seat, her eyes sparkling with interest. She had always been fascinated by the science of cooking, and she was eager to learn as much as she could.

As Chef Laurent continued his lecture, Spice couldn't help but think of her own techniques for tenderizing meat. She had developed her own unique methods over the years, and she was confident that they were just as effective as the ones the chef was describing.

Finally, Chef Laurent finished his lecture and turned to the class. "Now, let's put what we've learned into practice," he said, gesturing towards the large slab of beef. "I want each of you to come up with a recipe that uses the technique we've discussed today."

The class sprang into action, grabbing ingredients and utensils from the shelves and getting to work. Spice worked quickly, her mind racing with ideas. She knew exactly what she wanted to make, and she set to work with fierce determination. She raised her hand and waited for Chef Laurent to acknowledge her.

"Yes, Miss...?" Chef Laurent asked.

"Spice, Chef," she replied.

"Yes, Spice. Do you have a question?" Chef Laurent said, slightly annoyed

"Not really a question, Chef. I just have an idea for a technique that could be easier than what you just demonstrated," she said confidently.

Chef Laurent raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Oh? Do tell us, Spice," he said, crossing his arms.

Spice thought for a moment before suggesting her technique. "Instead of pounding the meat with a mallet or marinating it for hours, what if we used a simple ingredient that's readily available in our kitchen—baking soda?"

Chef Laurent raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Baking soda? How can that possibly tenderize meat?"

"Baking soda contains a natural tenderizer called sodium bicarbonate. When mixed with water, it raises the pH level of the meat, which in turn helps to break down the proteins and make it more tender."

Brie and Saffron looked surprised by Spice's boldness, but she could see the wheels turning in their heads as they considered her suggestion.

Brie and Saffron watched her and Chef Laurent's heated argument in awe. They couldn't believe that she had the guts to challenge the chef's technique.

"Wow, Spice is really something else," Brie whispered to Saffron.

"I know, right?" Saffron replied, her eyes still fixed on the ongoing discussion.

As the argument between Spice and the chef escalated, Brie and Saffron started to feel nervous. They exchanged worried glances, unsure of what to do.

The other students in the class looked at her in surprise. They had never heard of this technique before, and some of them were skeptical.

Chef Laurent looked taken aback by her boldness, but after a moment, he nodded. "Very well," he said. "Let's put your theory to the test, shall we? You and I will each prepare a dish using our preferred method of tenderizing meat, and we'll see which one comes out better."

They each took a piece of beef and went to their respective stations. Chef Laurent started pounding his meat with a mallet while Spice began preparing her own. Spice felt her heart racing as she gathered her ingredients and started preparing the dish. Spice knew that she was taking a huge risk by going up against a master like Chef Laurent, but at the same time, she was confident in her abilities.

As Chef Laurent continued pounding his meat, Spice quickly got to work, mixing baking soda with water to create a paste and then rubbing it onto her portion of the meat. She let it sit for a few minutes before washing it off thoroughly and seasoning it with her own blend of spices.

As she worked, she could feel the tension building in the room. The other students were watching her and Chef Laurent intently, as though they were watching a high-stakes battle. And in a way, that was exactly what it was.

Finally, both dishes were ready, and Chef Laurent and Spice presented them to the class. The room fell silent as the students sampled each dish, carefully evaluating the taste, texture, and tenderness of the meat.

When he came to her dish, he eyed it warily, his lip curling slightly. "Let's see if this is any good," he muttered under his breath.

As he took a bite, his expression changed. His eyes widened, and a look of surprise and admiration crossed his face. "This is...excellent," he said, his voice softening. Her piece of meat was noticeably more tender and flavorful.

After what felt like an eternity, Chef Laurent spoke up. "I must admit, I am impressed," he said grudgingly. "Your dish is indeed quite good."

Spice felt a surge of pride and relief wash over her. Brie and Saffron stood at the side, their eyes wide with surprise, as they watched her challenge Chef Laurent. She could feel their support radiating toward her as she explained my own technique for tenderizing meat.

Brie looked at Spice with awe, her mouth slightly agape. "Spice, you're amazing!" she whispered. Saffron nodded in agreement, her eyes never leaving Chef Laurent's reaction.

Spice could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she stood up to the challenge. She was nervous, but she knew that she had to show Chef Laurent that there were other ways of doing things. As she demonstrated my technique, she could see the disbelief in Chef Laurent's eyes, and she knew that he was trying to find fault in what she was doing.

But as the dish was presented to him and he took a bite, the look on his face was priceless. Spice could see that he was surprised, even impressed, by the flavor and tenderness of the meat. However, her victory was short-lived. Chef Laurent's face grew red with anger, and without another word, he slammed his fist on the table and stormed out of the room, muttering under his breath.

Spice was thrilled to have won the battle, but she could also see the frustration in Chef Laurent's eyes as he stormed out of the room. Brie and Saffron congratulated Spice on her victory, and they continued with their cooking class, but Spice couldn't help but feel a little uneasy about what might happen next.

****

Ms. Babineaux had just settled down in the faculty room, her arms loaded with papers to grade and lesson plans to revise. She let out a long sigh as she took a sip of her coffee, feeling the warmth spread through her body. Just then, the door opened, and in walked Chef Laurent, a fellow teacher at the Marguerite Fournier School of Culinary Arts. He strode over to her with a stern look on his face.

"Good morning, Chef Laurent," Ms. Babineaux greeted him, putting on her best professional smile.

But Chef Laurent was not there for pleasantries. "I need to speak with you about the new student, Spice," he said, his voice low and serious.

Ms. Babineaux furrowed her brow. "What about her?"

"I think she's a fraud," Chef Laurent said, crossing his arms over his chest. "She claims to have never been to culinary school before, but the way she handles herself in the kitchen is far too advanced for a beginner. I think she's lying about her experience."

Ms. Babineaux leaned back in her chair, considering Chef Laurent's words. She had noticed that Spice was exceptionally talented, with a natural gift for cooking that surpassed many of her peers. But Ms. Babineaux had assumed that Spice was simply a prodigy, not someone with hidden experience.

"Do you have any proof of this?" Ms. Babineaux asked.

Chef Laurent shook his head. "Not yet. But I intend to find out. We can't have someone here pretending to be something they're not. It's not fair to the other students, and it's not fair to us as teachers."

Ms. Babineaux nodded slowly, her mind racing. She couldn't deny that Chef Laurent had a point, but at the same time, she didn't want to jump to conclusions about Spice without any evidence.

"I understand your concerns, Chef Laurent," she said finally. "But let's not make any accusations until we have solid proof. In the meantime, let's just keep an eye on her and see how things develop."

Chef Laurent grunted, clearly unhappy with this response, but he didn't press the issue any further. He simply nodded, turned on his heel, and left the room. Ms. Babineaux sat there for a moment, lost in thought. She had a feeling that this was only the beginning of the drama that would unfold around Spice. But for now, she would try to keep the peace and focus on teaching her students the best she could.

****

Spice was walking with Saffron and Brie when suddenly, she felt someone bump her from behind. She turned around to see Blanche, Peach, and Cherry—the three most popular girls in school. They were known as the school's mean girls, and Blanche was the queen bee. She always got what she wanted, and she didn't care who she had to step on to get it.

"What's your problem?" Spice asked Blanche, sounding so annoyed.

"My problem is you," she sneered, her perfectly manicured nails tapping impatiently against her designer purse. "You're always getting in the way, and you don't even realize it."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"Save it," she interrupted, rolling her eyes. "I don't have time for your excuses. Just stay out of my way from now on."

Spice could feel Saffron and Brie tense up beside her, but she put her hand on their arms, silently telling them not to do anything. She knew it would only make things worse.

Blanche continued to stare down at Spice, her eyes filled with contempt. Spice tried to ignore her and began to walk away, but she grabbed Spice's arm roughly, pulling her back.

"Listen to me," she said through gritted teeth. "Stay away from Kale. He's mine."

Spice was taken aback. Kale was one of the most popular boys in school, and I had no interest in him whatsoever; I hated him. But apparently, Blanche had her sights set on him.

"I don't have any interest in Kale," Spice said firmly, trying to pull her arm away from Blanche's grip.

But Blanche wouldn't let go. "You better stay away from him," she hissed. "Or else."

Suddenly, Spice felt a sharp pain in her arm and realized Blanche had dug her nails into her skin. Spice winced in pain and tried to pull away, but Blanche held on tight.

That's when they saw Kale walking towards them. He must have seen the commotion and come to investigate. As soon as Blanche saw him, she released Spice's arm and put on a fake smile.

"Hey, Kale," she said sweetly, batting her eyelashes. "What brings you here?"

"I heard some shouting," he said, looking at us quizzically. "Is everything okay?"

Blanche nodded quickly, shooting Spice a dirty look before turning back to Kale. "Yeah, everything's fine. We were just having a little chat."

Kale looked at Spice and she could see the confusion in his eyes. But she just shook her head and walked away, feeling humiliated and angry. Spice couldn't believe Blanche had treated her that way, all because of some stupid crush on a boy.

Brie and Saffron were both fuming as they ranted about Blanche's rudeness. "Can you believe her?" Brie exclaimed. "Who does she think she is, bumping into us like that and then starting an argument?" Saffron added, "She's just jealous that Spice is getting so much attention and she's not."

Spice listened to their rants, but she didn't really feel angry or upset. She knew that Blanche was just trying to get something out of her, and she didn't want to give her the satisfaction of knowing that she succeeded. Instead, she tried to calm down her friends. "Hey, guys, it's okay," Spice said. "Blanche is just trying to get under our skin. Let's not give her the satisfaction of getting a reaction out of us. Let's just move on and enjoy our day with satisfaction."

Brie and Saffron eventually calmed down, but they still seemed annoyed about the whole situation. "I just don't understand why she had to be so rude," Brie muttered. Saffron nodded in agreement. "Yeah, she's always been like that. She thinks she's better than everyone else just because of her family's wealth and status."

Spice sighed. She didn't really know Blanche very well, but she could tell that the other girl was used to getting her way. It was clear that Blanche had some issues, but she didn't want to judge her too harshly without knowing more about her. Instead, she decided to focus on her own goals and try not to let Blanche's negativity get in the way.

Brie huffed in frustration. "I just can't stand how Blanche acts like she owns the whole school. It's like she thinks she's better than everyone else just because she's related to the director."

Saffron nodded in agreement. "And did you see the way she bumped into Spice? It was so intentional! She's just trying to cause drama."

Spice rolled my eyes. She was used to Blanche's antics and didn't want to waste her energy on her. "Guys, just let it go. Blanche isn't worth our time or attention."

Brie and Saffron exchanged a glance but eventually nodded in agreement. "You're right," Saffron said. "Let's just forget about her."

But she couldn't shake off the feeling of annoyance towards Blanche. She knew that Blanche was just using her position and family connections to get what she wanted, and it didn't sit well with her. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to confront Blanche and put her in her place. But she knew it wouldn't be worth it, especially if it meant causing more drama in the school.

As they walked towards the school lobby, Spice tried to push the encounter with Blanche out of my mind. But Brie suddenly spoke up. "Hey, did you know that Blanche is actually Persimmon's cousin?"

Spice raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Really? I had no idea."

Brie nodded. "Yeah, she's the daughter of Persimmon's uncle, Alfredo Fournier. That's why she thinks she's so important around here."

Spice listened intently as Brie explained who Alfredo Fournier was and his role in the Fournier Empire. He was the twin brother of Persimmon's father, making him Persimmon's uncle. She had never heard of him before, but Brie made it seem like he was a big deal.

"Alfredo Fournier is one of the top executives of the Fournier Empire," Brie said, her voice tinged with admiration. "He's responsible for their international operations and has helped expand the business globally. It's no wonder why Blanche acts like she's the queen of the school."

Saffron rolled her eyes at the mention of Blanche, but Brie continued talking. "Alfredo Fournier is also known for his philanthropic work. He has a foundation that provides scholarships for underprivileged students."

Spice couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the thought of someone having that much influence and power. And to think that Persimmon was related to him—it was hard to believe.

"Wow," Spice said, finally breaking her silence. "That's really impressive. No wonder Blanche thinks she's above everyone else."

Brie nodded in agreement. "Yeah, but it's not like she earned any of that on her own. She's just riding on her family's coattails."

Saffron chimed in, "And so did you, Spice. You won that scholarship fair and square."

Spice smiled at Saffron's words. It was a reminder that she had earned my place in the culinary school, despite Blanche's attempts to belittle her. And even though she didn't have the same connections or resources as Blanche or Persimmon, she had her own talents and skills to rely on. As they walked through the school hallway, she felt a sense of determination wash over her. She wasn't going to let Blanche or anyone else make her feel inferior. Spice then felt a pang of confusion. She couldn't understand why someone who was related to such a kind and humble person as Persimmon would act so entitled and rude. But she shrugged it off and decided to focus on more important things.

"Well, I guess that explains a lot. But let's not worry about it too much. We have more important things to think about."

Saffron chimed in, "And the nerve of her to bring up Kale's name like that. It's not like he's her property or anything."

Brie nodded in agreement, "Exactly! And did you see the way she looked at us? Like we were beneath her or something."

Spice let out a deep sigh. "I know, it's frustrating. But let's not give her the satisfaction of getting to us. We can't control her actions, but we can control our reactions."

Saffron nodded in agreement, saying, "You're right, Spice. We shouldn't let her get to us. But it's just so hard when she's constantly acting like she's better than everyone else."

Brie added, "And to think she's Persimmon's cousin... I wonder if he knows about her behavior."

Spice's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Persimmon's name, but she tried her best to hide her reaction. I didn't want to draw any attention to herself or make it seem like I was too curious about him.

"I'm sure he knows," Spice replied nonchalantly. "But let's not make assumptions. We don't know what their relationship is like."

Brie and Saffron nodded in agreement, and the three of them continued walking towards the lobby, trying to shake off the negative energy from their encounter with Blanche. Spice was walking alongside Brie and Saffron on their way back to the dorms when we were approached by a student named Cassis. She seemed familiar with Brie and Saffron, but she couldn't recall ever seeing her before.

"Excuse me, Brie and Saffron," Cassis said, catching their attention. "I was hoping to speak with you both regarding the upcoming Dix Celestes meeting."

Brie and Saffron exchanged a look of surprise before Brie spoke up. "Of course, Cassis. What's the matter?"

Cassis hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Well, we've had a change in the schedule, and I was hoping to discuss the new arrangements with you both. Would you be available to meet with us later today?"

Brie nodded in agreement. "We'll be there. What time and where is the meeting?"

Cassis smiled. "It's at the usual time and place. Thank you for your time, and I hope to see you both soon." With that, Cassis walked away, leaving us standing in the hallway.

Spice looked at Brie, and she hesitated for a moment before nodding. Her eyes widened in surprise as she asked, "You're also a member of the Dix Celestes?"

Brie looked a bit uneasy as she replied, "Yeah, I am. I meant to tell you earlier, but I didn't get the chance."

Spice couldn't believe it. She has known Brie for a while now, and she never mentioned anything about being part of the Dix Celestes. She wasn't disappointed or hurt; she was just simply shocked. She had always thought of Brie as someone who wouldn't be interested in joining a group like that.

Spice couldn't help but chuckle. "And here I thought you were just a nerdy bookworm," she teased.

Brie playfully punched Spice's arm. "Hey, being a member of the Dix Celestes doesn't mean I can't also be a bookworm!"

As Brie began to explain how she became a member of Dix Celestes, Spice couldn't help but feel curious. She knew that Saffron was already a member, but she had no idea that Brie was part of the elite group as well.

"Brie, how did you become a member of Dix Celestes?" Spice asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Brie grinned and started telling her story. "Well, Spice, I've always been passionate about cooking. I love experimenting with different ingredients and techniques, especially when it comes to meat dishes. One day, I was cooking a prime rib roast for my family's dinner, and my neighbor happened to smell the delicious aroma wafting from our house. She asked me to cook for her daughter's birthday party, and I agreed. It was a huge hit, and soon enough, I had requests pouring in from other families in our neighborhood. Word got around, and before I knew it, I catered for different events in our town."

Spice listened in amazement as Brie continued her story. She explained that her reputation as a meat master chef reached the ears of the Dix Celestes members. They were intrigued and invited her to audition. Brie prepared her signature dish, a perfectly cooked rack of lamb, and presented it to the group. They were impressed by her skills and decided to make her a member of Dix Celestes.

"I was so happy and honored to be part of the group," Brie said, her eyes shining with excitement. "And the best part is, I get to share my love for cooking with people who are just as passionate as I am."

Spice couldn't help but smile at Brie's enthusiasm. Her talent and passion for cooking were truly admirable.