𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚎 𝚋𝚎? {𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚎 𝙳𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚘𝚗}

'sʜᴀᴋᴇsᴘᴇᴀʀᴇ,

The next day went in a haze. I couldn't focus on anything, partly because I didn't catch a wink of sleep and mostly because of the person who caused my insomnia.

I tried my best to at least pretend to be interested in Mr. McAllister's class. The man was kind, but he was bound by rules too. I would hate to jeopardize the relationship we've built. Although I had a sneaking suspicion that he already knew what had commenced.

I had seen him interacting with Mr. Keating from time to time. While it was as curt as every other, their eyes glinted brighter when they talked. Perhaps he was once a dead poet himself until life urged him to change his ways.

On the other hand, during Mr. Hager's class, I found a seat at the far end only to sleep through the nasal lecture. All the while, Charlie found ways to help me - which was strange. He helped me write my Latin notes, and woke me up discreetly when Mr. Hager came on his round.

I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy this new dynamic. It was new but comforting.

"Can I borrow your Trig notes?" I asked Cameron while walking to the next class. "I'm so sorry, I know you hate sharing them, but I was so tired–"

"Sure," He awkwardly cut me off, placing the book in my hand. "I was planning on doing that either way. I saw you doze off."

I laughed, feeling embarrassed. It was a pleasant surprise that Cameron was on my side, instead of being a snitch. Just then, I saw Neil and Todd whispering and grinning at each other. My heart warmed at the sight.

Knox and Charlie were behind us, still discussing Chris. Meeks and Pitts were already in class. Nothing could stop those two from being their most studious selves. I looked back at Cameron, who was struggling to find his English textbook.

"We can share mine," I offered, sitting at a desk closer to the teacher. I knew Cameron would never be convinced to lounge in the back. He sat on my right.

"Thanks," he scratched his ear. "I could've sworn I put it in my bag this morning."

"Or you found another reason to be close to Della," Charlie piped up. He was on my left. I glared at him, hoping he'd take the hint. "I don't blame you."

He laughed after adding the last part, I could tell it was forced. It mattered that he was trying. I gave him a small smile, and he tried to hide his.

Keating entered the classroom. He greeted the students, but his eyes lingered on the dead poets a little too long - he knew. He put his books down and clapped his hands together with a renewed vigor.

"Today, we will jog your brains on how to use the right words," He walked to our desks. "One does not like a person, no, they adore them."

"So Knox adores his new lady, does he?" He looked back and laughed, and so did the rest of the class.

"Shut it, Dalton," Knox blushed.

"Hey, it's all good. I adore..." His eyes met mine. I swallowed. "...this class."

"So do I," Neil and Meeks joined in.

Charlie glanced at me again, and then behind me. He smirked slowly and opened his mouth - probably to pass a snide comment. I knew him well enough by now. But instead, he hesitated, shook his head, and turned back to the professor.

I looked down at the book. I could feel Cameron's eyes on me, he was smart enough to notice the interaction between me and Charlie. He was also smart enough to keep his mouth shut and act like he didn't see it.

"I adore my cat," He spoke loud enough for me to hear over the ongoing chaos. "Remus."

"That's a great name," I smiled. "I'd love to meet Remus."

"You should come to visit us during the holidays, I'm sure mum would be ecstatic." He added, looking back. "The boys visit every year anyway."

I nodded, looking back at Neil. He was always allowed to visit his friends during holidays, while I had to take extra classes to become a proper lady.

Father would never let me out of his sight, especially not to go over to a friend's house if it wasn't for some gain. Then again, he never would've let me attend Welton but here we are.

Mr. Keating continued, "A man is not very tired, he is exhausted."

"Just like you," Cameron teased.

"And don't use very sad, use –" He paused, picking out a student in the back. "Come on, Mr. Overstreet, you twerp."

A few rings of laughter rang out, I turned and saw Knox straighten up and scan his textbook.

"Morose?" He offered.

"Exactly! Morose. Now, language was developed for one endeavor, and that is?" He searched for another student to pick, landing on a very nervous Todd. "Mr. Anderson? Come on! Are you a man or an amoeba?"

He stopped at Todd's desk, his smile fading a little. Todd glanced up, his anxiety clear as day, and I couldn't help but feel an urge to help him. I raised my hand, it would be disrespectful to interrupt when the question wasn't directed at me - but I could at least give him another way out. Mr. Keating paused, studying Todd for a moment.

"Ms. Perry?"

"Um, to communicate?" I answered, shrinking back a little. I may not be as nervous as Todd but I didn't like so many eyes on me either.

"No!" He banged a desk to exaggerate his point. "To woo women."

I snorted, then quickly covered my mouth. The action had already been noticed by Cameron who was now snickering, and Charlie who kept staring with an amused smirk.

"Today, we are going to be talking about William Shakespeare." A loud sigh escaped me, along with a few others. Alright, the man was talented, but he was also everywhere. Nobody is interesting enough to be repeated this many times.

"Oh, God."

"I know, I know. A lot of you look forward to this as much as you look forward to root canal work." Keating continued, "We're going to talk about Shakespeare as someone who writes something very interesting. Now many of you have seen Shakespeare done very much like this."

He paused, then adapted a heavily exaggerated British accent. "'O Titus, bring your friend hither' but if any of you have seen Mr. Marlon Brando, you know that Shakespeare can be different."

"Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears," He flailed his right arm dramatically. "You can also imagine John Wayne as Macbeth going, "Well, is this a dagger I see before me?"

Another chorus of laughter. I sat up a little straighter, a little interested. I could see some other students' head gears turning as well. Mr. Keating always found a way to pique the students' interest even when the topic was as monotonous as Shakespeare and his works.

"I'm sure all of you are familiar with his works," he started. "So for your next class, I want you to write two pages on the work you like - or don't like."

Charlie groaned loudly, "What if we fall asleep writing it because they're all so boring."

"Then, Mr. Dalton, I fully expect you to write about why it bored you. Criticize the man if you want, allow yourself to have an opinion."

"You've been warned," Charlie sat back with a grin and cracked his knuckles.

"Have you ever read Shakespeare?" I asked.

"Of course not," He turned, and I knew what was coming next. "You'll help me get through it."

☾☼☽