Butterfly

12. Five Minute Rule.

Chapter Twelve: Five Minute Rule.

♡ Jessica Washington ♡

After a Sunday spent working, Monday arrives. I walk into my literature class and sit down next to River, who arrived before me. I earn a few glances and whispers as I walk into the school, most likely due to my date with Luke.

I ignored them, just sitting down in my usual seat and hoping that it stops. River doesn't really mention it - which is good, because I don't really want to talk about it. I've told him everything anyway, I just don't really want to talk about it with other people around.

"So, today we are going to be starting out English Literature project. It is starting today, and will end on November the 20th, so you have around a month to complete this, and on that date you will present what you find to the class. You will be working with the person sat next to you, and I expect you to do some work outside of school, although we will be spending lesson time on it," Miss Ashworth starts off by explaining. Oh great, a project. I hate doing projects, especially if it's in a pair or group. River probably doesn't even know who Shakespeare is.

"As a lot of you know, we are studying Shakespeare up until Christmas, so this topic will be based around Shakespeare. I'm not going to tell you which play we are going to be studying yet, as I'm going to give each pair a different Shakespeare play, which they will research the context of that play, any key quotes with an explanation of them, and any other points you would like to add," Miss Ashworth continues to explain. Hopefully we'll get a play River had heard of, like Romeo and Juliet, everyone has heard of that.

"You can present this however you like, whether you choose to show a slideshow, or act out scenes with someone narrating it, I don't mind, as long as it works. I'm going to come round the class now and give each pair a play," Miss Ashworth informs the class, before she starts walking round the room.

"God, please give us Romeo and Juliet," River pleads, and I roll my eyes, smiling in amusement.

"Is that the only one you know?" I question, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, it's the only one anyone knows, because Leonardo DiCaprio was in the film," River replies, and I laugh, shaking my head.

"So you've only watched the film? I'm disappointed," I tell him, and River rolls his eyes.

"Let me guess, you've read every single Shakespeare play?" River guesses, and I smile, shaking my head.

"Well, I have read all of his Tragedies and some of his Comedies and Histories, but not all of them," I reply, and River rolls his eyes.

"Well, I'm glad that I'm partnered with you," River grins, before Miss Ashworth reaches us.

"River and Jessica...you can have Macbeth," Miss Ashworth informs us, before moving to the next pair.

"Good, Macbeth is easy," I tell River, who frowns, confused.

"Never heard of it," River shrugs, and I groan, rolling my eyes. We've pretty much failed the project already, because River hasn't even heard of Macbeth. How hasn't he heard of Macbeth?

"How haven't you? It's a play Shakespeare wrote for the king at the time, King James I. He made it to appeal to him by using his interests, for example the witches. Anyway, the story follows Macbeth, who was the Thane of Glamis, who fought in the war against the Norwegians, and won. Macbeth is visited my these three witches, who tell him that he will be Thane of Cawdor, then go on to be King. The first one comes true, and then he tells his wife, Lady Macbeth, before they start to plan on killing the king, King Duncan," I start to explain, and River chuckles, shaking his head in amusement.