The Beating of a Metal Heart [On Hold]

Chapter Sixteen: Inferences, suppositions, and surprises

 Lothaire's Point of View

"I asked her to go to the prom." Hilda said.

"You did? And she agreed?" I whispered. That was kind of awkward, since that the person we were talking about was in the same room.

"Yes, she did." her voice rang with unsuppressed merriment. I couldn't doubt that she was speaking  the truth. 

"Well, hats off to you!" I said. Hilda grinned at me. 

Mathilde approached the two of us. She smiled. "Good morning Lothaire." God, she's so cute when she smiles. She'd been pretty as a child.... but now.... She takes my breath away! Beautiful.

"Good morning... er... Mathilde." I smiled. I sure did hope I looked fine. It was sure hard to not tell her, there and then: Oh Lia, you're so pretty.... I like you.

"Tama na kakangiti dyan, mga tao. Nakakahawa." Hilda said, with a mock scowl on her face. 

"Oh, ayaw mo nun, napapangiti ka? hahahaha." I answered.

"Knock it off, guys. Classes are starting." Mathilde whispered. 

Sure enough, the teacher arrived, Miss Reyes. English classes. The three of us all scampered to our seats. I sat behind Hildegarde, Hildegarde sat beside Mathilde.

The lesson that we had were about Shakespeare, his life and his "eternal" works.

Good heavens. If I only I'm allowed to sleep, I could have. I just couldn't stand Shakespeare's poetry.

Mathilde's Point of View

I was elated. Ma'am Reyes was discussing "Romeo and Juliet". That was the first Shakespeare play that I had the pleasure to read. When I was thirteen, my father sent the book to me as a birthday gift. I loved it because it was from him, one of the few things that he gave me. I'd always liked to think that it was his way of saying that he loved me.

Remembering my father, I couldn't help but feel a bit strange. But I hadn't the time to feel strange anymore, as Miss Reyes was already reciting:

"Tis but thy name that is my enemy,

Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.

What's Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot,

Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part belonging to a man.

O, be some other name! What's in a name?

That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet." she recited.

"Can anyone continue that lovely speech? Mister Lothaire Victor, would you kindly finish that for us?"

"Ah.... eh...." he stood up from behind, obviously not relishing the attention that our teacher was lavishing on him. I guess he hadn't read Shakespeare. "I don't know ma'am."

"You do not know of this particular scene, I fancy?" she asked.

"No ma'am, I'm afraid I haven't read Romeo and Juliet just yet." he answered politely. That was nice of him. He smiled at the teacher, and I could not help but smile as well. His smile was contagious!

"Alright then. Miss Linton will finish it for us." she replied.

I stood up. The teacher nodded at me. I turned toward Lothaire.

"So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called, retain that dear perfection which he owes without that title. Romeo, doff thy name, and for that name which is no part of thee, take all myself."

Lothaire smiled, and he mouthed, "Wow." We both sat down.

The teacher went on to discuss the story. I was barely listening; that Lothaire distracted me nicely. I was aware that Hilda beside me was already yawning, and should the teacher catch her she'd surely be in trouble. I went on watching her from the corner of my eyes. 

Hilda dropped her pen, and I didn't pick it up, since it fell closer to Lothaire than to me. He'd pick it up, I thought. He did pick it up, much slower than he should have. I turned a bit to watch them more closely, without them knowing. 

Hilda dropped her pen again, and I saw that a note was wrapped around it. Aha. So that was what it was about. I nearly chuckled, but it would give the two of them away. I smiled instead. Kayo palang dalawa, ha? hahaha.

Hildegarde's Point of View

Hell. I sure do hate Shakespeare. Mathilde didn't seem to share my opinion on that, though.

If I don't do anything, I'd surely fall asleep, so I proceeded to write a note to Lothaire. I rolled it around my pen and dropped both the note and the pen. 

"Ask her to be your date, idiot."

He quickly scribbled this reply and handed the pen to me:

"I'm not sure I can handle that."

I didn't like that, so I wrote:

"You'd be an absolute idiot if you can't do that."

We had to leave the conversation at that; the teacher was looking at us. Oh, I'd have to tell him when lunchtime comes, I thought. I needn't wait long. Soon it was lunchtime.

Lothaire's Point of View

I breathed in relief. Lunch time! 

I can ask her now. 

The three of us were heading to the lunchroom already. I steeled myself. "Mathilde, will you be going to the prom?"

"I haven't yet decided." Really? But, earlier....

"Would you like to come? With me, I mean." I drawled out awkwardly. 

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"Hmm."

"Does that mean a yes?" I asked hopefully.

"I'd like to go....but..." she smiled and winked at Hildegarde.

"But what?" I asked. Please, please, please.... come with me.. Please..

"Hilda won't be happy if I come with you."

That was puzzling.

"I won't be unhappy..." Hilda protested, but Mathilde said:

"I'll come only if the two of you go together."

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WHAT?!