Chapter 33: Verses

Apparently, Mr. Hawkes heard us say we finished (we're like, fifteen minutes into class. We're not the only people who have chosen our poems anymore, but we're probably the only people who worked on the assignment).

Anyways, Mr. Hawkes comes over to our desks. "Did you both say you finished?"

Noah taps a few words into his phone. "And... now I am."

He blinks at him for a moment, then turns to me. "Todd, may I speak to you for a moment?"

I immediately start panicking, but nod. I follow him out of the classroom, scared that he thinks I'm letting Noah cheat off me again, and that's why he finished so quickly. He closes the door a little, then turns to me.

"You've finished the entire assignment?"

"Yes...?" It's not unusual for me to finish an assignment that quickly. I just wait to hand it in so I don't look like I rushed through it.

"Alright, well, the reason I ask is because this is a two-part assignment. I was going to introduce the next part tomorrow, but if you've finished, then I might as well tell you. The second part is to get into partners and compare the poems that each of you chose. And if... that other boy has finished as well, then you could start on that with him."

Ah. I see. It's a relief that I'm not in trouble. But why did he want to speak to me outside? So that other students wouldn't hear and let it impact their choice of poem? "Alright," I say, trying not to let my confusion show on my face.

"Is that something you would be interested in? I ask because I know there was that issue recently, when he read off your notes in class. I don't want to put you in a situation where you'd be doing all the work."

"I mean, it hasn't been a problem since. And he actually seems pretty smart, so I think it'd be fine."

"Alright. I noticed you came into class together, too- the first time he's showed up early to class possibly in his entire high school career. So I'm sure you're a good influence on him. I'll print off the assignment for you, and you two can work on that out here in the hallway."

"Okay. Thank you, Mr. Hawkes."

"Of course, Todd." He opens the door again, and we go back in. I go straight to Noah, who's raising his eyebrows at me.

"Did you actually get in trouble for being associated with me?"

"No. He asked if I wanted to start on part two of the assignment, which involves partners. He was just concerned about the two of us working together because you read off my notes in class recently."

He rolls his eyes. "I was bored. I was mostly doing it to get on your nerves."

"I know. I told him it'd be fine, and he said I must be a good influence on you because you actually came to class early today."

"See? I told you I'd protect your reputation with the teachers."

I give him a small smile. "Thank you."

He smirks a little. "I know, I'm the best."

I don't respond, because my mind is creating questions again. He came to class for me? Does that make me his friend of the day (again)? Is this more proof that he wants something from me, or that he likes me, or that he really finds me interesting enough to keep hanging out with?

"Here's the assignment," Mr. Hawkes says, interrupting my thoughts as he approaches our desks. "You can work outside, if it's too loud in here."

"Thank you," I say, taking the piece of paper. Mr. Hawkes nods and goes back to his desk, and Noah gestures to the door.

"Hallway?"

"Yeah." I grab my notebook, and we leave the classroom. He basically sits down the second we get outside the door, leaning against the wall. I eye the couches a metre or two away, then decide not to bother and sit down next to him.

"So, how do you want to do this comparison? We could start with a Venn diagram, just to get some basic notes."

"Sure."

I draw out the two overlapping circles, and label the left one '18' and the right one '73'. "Alright. Similarities first?"

"They're both by Shakespeare. They're both written about the unnamed 'fair youth'. And they both have comparisons to seasons."

I do a search for Sonnet 73, since I'm not as familiar with it, and quickly read through it. "The same sort of imagery, too. With the trees, and the mention of Death."

He nods as I write that down, too. "They both mention aging as well. In Sonnet 18, he talks about how the fair youth will be made eternal through the poem. And then in Sonnet 73, he's talking about how he- the speaker will die soon and the youth- who he clearly doesn't think will die before him- must let the fact that the speaker will soon be gone strengthen his love in the time that remains."

I focus on writing notes rather than looking at him, because I can almost guarantee that he's smirking. He nudges my shoulder a moment later, and I look up to see that I was right in predicting his smirk.

"Is that why you chose that poem?" I ask. "Because it's all about how you have to live in the moment because you're going to end up dying and losing everything anyways?"

"That's why Jackie thought I'd like it."

"Of course."

"It's not as dark as you make it sound, though. I think it would be worse if you didn't live in the moment and instead focused on how it could get taken away, rather than accepting the fact that it will and enjoying it while you actually have it."

"But if you enjoy something while you actually have it, you'll miss it more when it's gone," I point out.

"Or would you regret not taking advantage of the situation while it was available, more?"

"At least you wouldn't have to deal with the heartbreak of losing it after experiencing the enjoyment you had from it."

"But you'd have to deal with the lifelong regret, in addition to the anxiety during the time you had it. If there's something good in your life, you should get something good out of it at some point, right? Rather than trying to minimize the pain you could feel, by putting yourself through extra pain while you have the good thing, you could let your life be good and happy, even just for a little bit."

"Is it worth being happy for a short, undefined period of time if it'll cause you a longer period of sadness?"

"In comparison to being scared for a short, undefined period of time, followed by a longer period of sadness?"

I sigh. "I think we've gotten off topic."

"Not necessarily. I think Shakespeare was agreeing with me, in that rhyming couplet at the end of Sonnet 73."

"You mean you were agreeing with Shakespeare. You came after that poem was written."

"But I discovered it recently."

"That doesn't make any difference."

"I'd say it does."

"You're impossible. Can we move onto the differences between the poems?"

He smirks. "Why? What's the rush?"

"Well, if we have the chance to get work done, we should take it."

"We're ahead of the entire class."

"We don't know when the assignment is due. We could be wasting crucial minutes."

He scans the assignment sheet. "Due Friday. We're fine. Worst case scenario, we can work after school Thursday."

Shoot. Thursday? "I- I can't."

"Why? That would count as homework, right?"

"Yeah, but... I'm busy after school on Thursday."

His eyes light up. "Busy? Have you made plans for once?"

I blush a little, trying to avoid the real reason. "Um- yes?"

"Liar. Tell me."

I sigh. "It's... a thing. With my mom and dad."

"Aren't they super into the idea of you doing homework constantly?"

I shoot him a look. "Usually. But..."

"I thought they didn't let you do anything else. What, is it like your birthday or..." he turns to me, eyes wide. "Is it your birthday?!"

I blush and hug my legs to my chest, dropping my forehead onto my knees. "No. Definitely not."

"You're such a liar. And I can't believe you didn't tell me! You're horrible. Now I only have what, like three days to get you a present?"

"No, please... no presents..."

"You're out of your mind if you think I'm not giving you a present. And if your parents have booked you Thursday night, can I have you Friday?"

I sigh. "Alright. But no presents. And don't try to do something big and extravagant."

"You're getting a present. And have you met me?"

"How about one or the other?"

"Fine. But cooking doesn't count."

"Anything you cooked would be more than enough."

"Shh. No."

I sigh. "Fine."

Thoughts on the chapter? What did you think of Todd and the millionaire comparing the two sonnets (and the resulting debate)? Which side do you agree with? Any predictions for Todd's birthday? Let me know!

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