IF IT IS MEANT TO BE

Abigail

"According to recent studies, the golden age of literature was during the Shakespearean Era, a plethora of genres right from the romantic drama between Romeo and Juliet, to the blood and gore of politics in Hamlet. Through his work Shakespeare took us on a fantasized yet concrete journey to relive the past and instill in our minds the harsh truth about life." Elizabeth Warren, the headteacher of literature expressed herself while introducing the subject to the students in class. 

She was an old aged, white caucasian lady probably in her early 60’s, who had short straight blonde hair that curled up by the time they reached her neck. She had bright blue eyes and a round face that acted, complimenting her rather round nose. During the orientation at the start of the week, the principal had warned everyone about Mrs.Elizabeth Warren, that she could be your best friend or your worst nightmare, but that only made Tyler more curious.

There was something about Elizabeth that Tyler found welcoming, which increased his urge to ask her a question, "Yes, what's your doubt?" Elizabeth asked with a frown on her face when she saw a young white boy raising his hand confidently, because nobody in her 20 years of her teaching experience had interrupted her lecture.

"Sorry to interrupt professor, but according to some of my research most of Shakespeare's plays were not actually written by him? Is that true?" Tyler asked and the whole class went silent. 

Mrs. Warren was always ready for criticism but that wasn't the same when it came to Shakespeare. She had this unconditional love for his work and praised it whenever she got the chance. 

"What's your name child?" Mrs.Warren asked and then slammed her hand on the desk.

Tyler was startled by the suddenness of her reaction. "Tyler, Tyler Dorian." He fumbled.

"So, Mr. Dorian! Did you know that the subject you are studying right now, and the degree that you are craving so badly, is majorly based on the work and success of the greatest playwright that walked the earth?!" Warren screamed. "History might be ignoring his achievements and claim that he never gives credit to anybody, but that's just how it is when it comes to famous personalities that have talent which was incomparable." She added.

The class was silent.

“I’m sorry…” Tyler replied and sat down for the rest of the class.

He wondered why would anyone in their right mind say that their up for criticism, but even then there are exceptions...maybe it was just Mrs.Warren, who knows?

“Mr.Dorian, come here at once.” Mrs.Warren shouted from her desk while the rest of the students were leaving the class. “Yes ma’am.” Tyler’s head jolted up to acknowledge her as he dragged his bag along with him.

“I have a task for you to redeem yourself for what you did today in my class, are you up for it?” she asked while unpacking the notes for her next class. “But...What’s wrong in…” Tyler was cut off mid sentence by Mrs.Warren’s intense glare as she handed over a spiral bound book to Tyler.

“You seem to have in-depth knowledge about Shakespeare regardless of the accusations that you made this morning about him, because of which I would like you to tutor another student on the same.” she added and started walking towards the door. “But...wait, why should I tutor someone just because…” Tyler was again cut off mid sentence. “And she should be right outside...there she is!”, there was a sudden spark in Mrs.Warren’s voice after she walked out of the classroom. 

“Hi Mrs.Warren!” a familiar voice from outside. 

“Hello there dear, meet your new tutor for this semester for literature, Tyler Dorian!” Mrs.Warren said and turned towards Tyler as she reached towards him to pat him on his back. That’s when he got a glance of the student Mrs.Warren was talking about, she had black hair tied up in a ponytail, hazel brown eyes, and was in her trainers, she seemed to have just arrived from the track and field. The girl Tyler was supposed to tutor was none other than Abigail Stone. 

“So Tyler, I hope you will help Abigail in securing good grades this semester? She is a very smart girl but tends to always find the easy way out for many things..” Mrs.Warren was said, that’s when Tyler made eye contact with Abigail and whispered, “This explains why you prefer crashing in boy’s hostel rooms instead of your own!” 

Abigail still had her pleasant smile that she had since the start of the conversation, which was made Tyler uneasy. “This time if you don't perform well, then I wouldn't hesitate to give you an F, is it clear?” Mrs.Warren calmly addressed her.

“Yes Ma’am!” Abigail replied in a confident yet polite manner.

Tyler was still shocked as to why was he stuck in this situation, and out of al the people he had to teach, it is the girl that happened to know a lot about him. 

“I will see you both tomorrow in class, better start teaching her Dorian, the semester exams are only 5 months away.” Mrs. Warren smiled and walked away.

Abigail then turns back round to face Tyler and suddenly her face drops back down, “Oh god! What is up with these teachers, and why are they behind my life?!” 

Tyler just handed the notes over to Abigail thinking that she will carry it back to her room and bring it back whenever it was necessary. “What are you doing?” she asked and walked past Tyler.

“Don’t you want the notes?” Tyler asked.

“Pftt! Then what’s the point of having you noob?! Keep the notes, I’ll crash at your place anytime and we can start things from there. Works for you? Perfect, bye!” Abigail rushed through the sentence and left Tyler with a bunch of new questions. 

“Why me?” Tyler asked, but there was nobody present to reply. Abigail was long gone, the corridor was empty and both of Tyler’s hands were full.