I LOOK IN PEOPLE'S WINDOWS ~ CHARLIE DALTON [ENGLISH VERSION]

II. ¿BIRDIE?

John was in a small room inside the classroom, straightening his blazer and feeling nervous about the responsibility that was coming his way. He was going to assist his dad, a role he proudly embraced that gave him the chance to be close to him in this new setting.

- Don't worry, Dad, you look great - Robin said, moving closer and gently fixing his hair. She knew how important this moment was for him.

- Thanks, Rob - he smirked - I know I'll be good.

- Exactly, now go out there and brighten their minds.

The professor left the room and closed the door behind him so that nobody could see Robin. The entire room fell silent, and the only noise present was John whistling, a nervous gesture that reflected his anxiety and the chill of his class. He left the room, and all the students looked at each other, feeling a mixture of excitement and expectation.

- Is he kidding? He's gotta be - the boys murmured. Robin came out of the back room, and all eyes were on her. They were all shocked. A girl in the classroom? Were they dreaming?

- What? You've never seen a girl before? - she asked. Not a single fly was flying in that room. The confidence she radiated was mesmerizing. - What you waiting for? A fortnight? GO!

It took everyone a while to react, but little by little they left the room. She was the last to leave. When she was approaching the door, she saw that her friend and another boy had not come out yet, so she decided to join them.

- Hey Knox! - Robin whispered, feeling the complicity between them.

- Roxy! This is my friend, Charlie Dalton.

- Enchanted to meet you, Dalton - she extended her hand.

- The pleasure is all mine - he grabbed her hand and gave it a kiss, a gesture that made her smile and blush a little bit. - So, Robin, huh? Like the bird?

- Exactly. Now stop talking, my father will kill us.

She grabbed Knox's arm, and he smiled as she looked at Keating. They loved each other so much; they were like brothers. They had no feelings toward each other, no other but trust.

- "Oh captain, my captain," who knows where that comes from? Anybody? Not a clue? - He walked in front of everyone, seeing how his daughter was standing in the back, looking at him with a smile. She knew perfectly who had written that line and all the ones he was going to recite in class. - It's from a poem by Walt Whitman about Mr. Abraham Lincoln. Now in this class, you can either call me Mr. Keating or, if you're slightly more daring, O captain, my captain.

Robin couldn't help but laugh at the faces her two friends made. They were somewhat confused and couldn't fully understand the dynamics of their class. Keating continued talking, but the girl couldn't help but not pay attention. Not a single word said by John was caught by her; she was very busy looking at the boy she had met two minutes ago.

- Robin! - A shout brought her back to reality.

- Yes, Captain? - she asked.

- Come, be my assistant. - She walked in front of all the boys and stood next to John. - Choose a name from the list.

- Pitts - she said while looking at the list.

- That's a rather unfortunate name. Mr. Pitts, where are you? - He raised his hand. - Mr. Pitts, will you open your hymnal to page 542? Read the first stanza of the poem you find there.

- To the Virgins, to make much of time? - He asked with embarrassment. Everyone in the room laughed at this.

- Yes, that's the one. Somewhat appropriate, isn't it? - Keating said.