𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚎 𝚋𝚎? {𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚎 𝙳𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚘𝚗}

'ᴛᴏᴅᴅ,

I entered the library and saw the boys huddled up near the back. So much for being discreet.

I joined Todd, who was sitting a little further away. He was reading the book I gave him, immersed to the point where he didn't feel my presence.

"You like it?" I bumped his shoulder lightly.

He looked up, the boy looked scared as ever to be approached. He smiled at me, "Y- yes, it's great."

His stutter was less prominent around me and almost disappeared near Neil. It warmed me to my toes that he was getting just a tad more comfortable with us.

"So you're coming tonight, right?" I stated. "Why not sit with them?"

"I- I'm not going," He looked back at the book. "They're so loud- not in a bad way, I just-"

I rubbed his shoulder to offer comfort, sensing he was getting nervous. 

"I understand, they can be a lot," I opened my book. "But you'll like them. If you don't, this could still be a great chance to foster your love for poetry. Just think about it?"

He nodded, keeping his eyes on the book. I didn't want to push it, so I started my studies.

The boys were getting louder by the second, I could hear the conversation clearly from two tables ahead.

"I don't know, it's starting to sound dangerous," Cameron said.

"Well, why don't you stay home?" Charlie remarked, agitated. I wished he could try to be a touch more sensitive to other people's feelings.

I touched the crumpled paper he left at my desk, which was now sitting inside my backpack. Should I read it? I had no intention of listening to what he had to say back then, but things had changed now. Or at least, I thought so.

Mr. McAllister thumped the desk, "For God's sake, stop chattering and sit down."

Neil slipped in from Todd's left, "Todd, are you coming tonight?"

"No."

I stood up to give them privacy. Neil was the most determined person I know, if anyone could convince Todd - it was him. I joined the boys.

"Della!" Knox turned to me. "Tell me why women swoon?"

I sighed, glaring at Charlie for putting me in a sticky situation once again. He feigned an innocent smile and gestured at me to answer.

"Well, you could've asked me before," I replied, and Knox looked bashful. "All women swoon for different reasons, there is no rule book. I've met some who seldom swoon."

His face fell.

"I'm sure Chris does though!" I perked up, "You don't have to change yourself to meet Chris' standards, just weed out some of that roguish charm and you'll be golden. We don't want a hunk who fights for our honor. We just want a man who'll love us unconditionally without absolutely smothering us."

The boys looked confused, I sighed. 

"You don't need to bring her stars and the moon," I tapped my pen. "You just need to be with her when it rains. It's all about the little things."

He made a sound of understanding, but I knew he was still clueless.

"You'll be okay."

Neil joined the boys again.

"Can Todd come if he doesn't read?"

"Of course."

"He's your boyfriend so obviously, yes."