The Guilt Consumes

Chapter 09

"I saw nothing; but neither the sheep nor he would go on so I bid him take the road lower down. He probably raised the phantoms from thinking, as he traversed the moors alone, on the nonsense he had heard his parents and companions repeat. Yet, still, I don't like being out in the dark now; and I don't like being left by myself in this grim house: I cannot help it; I shall be glad when they leave it, and shift to the Grange.
'They are going to the Grange, then?' I said.
'Yes,' answered Mrs. Dean, 'as soon as they are married, and that will be on New Year's Day.'
'And who will live here then?'
'Why, Joseph will take care of the house, and, perhaps, a lad to keep him company. They will live in the kitchen, and the rest will be shut up.'
'For the use of such ghosts as choose to inhabit it?' I observed.
'No, Mr. Lockwood,' said Nelly, shaking her head. 'I believe the dead are at peace: but it is not right to speak of them with levity.'"

"Nice reading" I look up from my book, and meet Liam's eyes. I close it not before leaving my book mark on my page.

"Thanks" I reply back. He takes the seat next to me under the oak tree on the school grounds. I move to the side to put a bit of distance between us. He takes the book from my grasp and while doing so, his fingers brush mine. I retract my hand as subtly as I could.

"Wuthering Heights," he nods in approval. "Really good book" my face turns to shock.

"Y-you've read the book?" I ask him flabbergasted. He nods his head.

"Of course. I've read many books." He hands me the book back, this time I'm cautious for any skin to skin contact.

"Name me some" I tell him. I place the book near my lap and turn to face him.

"Well, let me see. 'Pride and Prejudice', 'Jane Eyre'-great book by the way, 'to kill a mocking bird'- not much of a fan with that one. Then we have 'noughts and crosses', and of course 'Romeo and Juliet' now that's a classic. There are a couple more as well" I nod my head smiling.

"I can't help but observe the fact that they're all romance novels?" I smirk at him. He smiles back shyly and I see a hint of red on his cheeks. I laugh at his reaction. "It's nothing bad, don't worry" I assure him. He nods and licks his lips. My eyes linger there until he speaks.

"I have a liking towards romance novels. But don't tell anyone. It's our secret" He whispers the last bit and I nod my head smiling freakishly wide.

"What's your favourite?" I ask him while crossing my legs. I rest my chin on my palm while I lean on my knees.

"Hmmm, I'd have to say... definitely Romeo and Juliet" he smirks at me and I roll my eyes.

"And why is that?" I ask him amused.

"Their Love story is in fact a fake. It's crazy and so not real" I raise my eyebrows.

"Okay, tell me why" I push further.

"Listen, it's a tragedy because they both die in the end. That's a fact. But what's stupid is the fact that they were never in love. They met at a party and then got married a day later. Their love was non existent, they were so caught up in ecstasy of infatuated love. Symbolically, they both had to die in the end to show, that love is how it's been portrayed in the play. Basically stating that to show how in love you both really are is to not live in a world where the other doesn't exist. That, is not the way love is described and certainly not the way to show you love someone. There's no way two people could be so in love and die three days later for each other, that's just unrealistic and that's not love. Besides, it was an immature love and not true love" He finishes off and I'm in awe.

"Wow" I say, completely speechless. "That was... an amazing argument. But what I don't understand is, why is it your favourite?" he sighs and shakes his head.