letters to the boy who never cared

f i v e {edited}

There was a teacher's workshop on Friday, so we had the day off. As was tradition at our school, there would be parties in spades on Thursday night, one of which my friends and I were invited to. The three of them were all for a night of revelry. I, however, took a bit more convincing.

"Alexa, please! It won't be any fun without you," Summer pleaded.

"Oh, gee, a party without Debbie Downer the man-girl," I said sarcastically. Grace snorted. "I'm not going. I've had enough socializing."

"Come on," Jen whined. "Live a little, you turtle-person." This earned another snort from Grace.

I was saved by the bell, and off to English. I slid into the seat next to Reed and smiled at him, still blushing a bit, reveling in the magic of our date. He smiled back, cute as ever.

Our teacher, Mr. Hall, liked to have us read aloud when we worked as a class. Our first book was Romeo and Juliet. I know, how cliche. But honestly, I loved the story, even though we'd already went over it freshman year.

Reed and I were the only ones not waving our hands in the air to read parts, so of course, Reed was Romeo. I wasn't really sure whether I should've tried really hard not to be Juliet, or jumped at the chance. As it turned out, I didn't have much say.

"I think Lexi would love to read for Juliet," Reed called out, oozing faux-innocence. I sent him a cutting glare as Mr. Hall gave me Juliet's lines.

"Act one, scene five, ladies and gentlemen," Mr. Hall announced. "The masque at the Capulets' home."

Class readings like this made me cringe, and wonder how some people made it to senior year. They read like they were illiterate, and I found myself near nodding off as we began. Monotone voices are beyond depressing.

Then, Reed started to speak.

At first, you could tell he was trying to pretend he wasn't into it. But there was something about the way he read, something amazing and beautiful and charming. Without even trying, he read better than anyone in the class. Why was he still using the bad boy thing to get girls, when every female in the room was swooning just listening to him reading words out loud?

"Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night." he read. Suddenly, I could feel his eyes on me. Even with someone else's words, Reed was giving me goosebumps. I ignored everyone else talking; just feeling the warmth of his gaze sent my mind reeling.

"If I profane with my unworthiest hand this holy shrine, the gentle fine is this: my lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand to smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss." I found the courage to look at him, and I was trapped in his stare. I felt his hand go around mine.

"Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, which mannerly devotion shows in this; for saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch, and palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss." I struggled to make my voice even, but I had no idea what I was saying. My cheeks reddened as the words came out haltingly, nowhere near as smooth as Reed's. No one seemed to notice.

As we went through the lines, I could feel everyone's eyes on us. I dared to look around during one of Reed's lines, and there was Marin Daley. She and Ava were the only ones not swooning over the intensity of Reed's performance. Instead, they were staring daggers at me. Again.

The scene ended as I was asking the Nurse who Romeo was, when the bell rang. Reed was still holding my hand, and continued to as he led me out of class. I was walking on air, no matter how hard Marin Daley wanted to stare at me. I was almost sure Reed was mine.