Chapter Thirty-Nine
Raven
Girlfriend. Girlfriend.
I’m someone’s girlfriend.
And not just anyone—the guy who meant the world to me for the last year and a half. The guy I thought I lost. The guy who turned out to be even more wonderful than I had originally thought.
We haven’t been able to keep our hands off each other for the past few days. Even though we had to finish our project, we were too distracted. It wasn’t until Beck reminded us that this counts for thirty percent of our grade that we decided to buckle down and concentrate.
And I’m proud to say our project is ready for that A.
We have to get through our morning classes first, but they pass quickly. After every bell, Kylen and I hold hands in the hallway before we’re forced to separate to our classrooms. Wow. To be so connected to someone, to never want to let him out of my sight, to want to touch him as often as I want—it’s incredible.
I really think I’m in love with this guy. Actually, I never stopped loving him. I’m just not sure I’m brave enough to tell him. We all know what happened the last time, and I don’t want to pressure him to say it back if he’s not ready.
Now it’s time for history class. Kylen meets me outside and, holding hands, we walk into the classroom together. Some kids notice, most don’t care. Kylen is semi famous at school because of the band, but because he’s not wealthy, many kids don’t pay attention to him. There are some stray ones who ask for selfies and autographs.
The band performed the love song a few days ago and posted it online. It got quite a few hits. They haven’t gotten more gigs,but hopefully that will change soon. The guys aren’t so worried because none of them really want to make a career out of it. Maybe it’ll be a side job or something they do for fun.
Mr. Lewis enters the classroom and calls on the first group to present their project to the class.
I’m a little nervous, even though I know we did a good job. It’s the public speaking thing. Kylen looks pretty confident, which makes sense because he’s so calm and collected when he performs. I hope some of that confidence will drip into me.
As if he can read my mind, he slips his hand into mine. “We’ve got this.” Quickly, making sure the teacher isn’t looking, he brings my hand to his and kisses the back of it.
It does calm me somewhat, but I’m still a little nervous. Kylen told me he’ll do most of the presenting, but I need to contribute or else I won’t receive credit.
Everyone claps after the team is done.
“Next, we have Kylen Barrett and Raven Mitchell.”
Darn it. I was so not ready to be called second.
Kylen gives me a reassuring smile and nod before taking the box that holds the Globe Theatre and carrying it to the front of the room. I grab the notes we summarized and printed that we pass to the class.
We’re both dressed in our Romeo and Juliet costumes, and I have to say my Romeo looks pretty striking. That time perioddoessuit him.
Once everyone has their papers, we face the students and Kylen begins. “Hello, good people of Verona,” he says in his terrible British accent. “The person we decided to do our report on is none other than William Shakespeare.”
Most kids look bored while some seem intrigued.
“And the play we chose isRomeo and Juliet,” I say. “It’s a play that has inspired romance stories for generations.”
We talk more about the play and the impact it has on our world today. Then we show them the Globe Theatre and talk about its history and facts about it.
Finally, it’s time to present the music video. This is pretty exciting and I can’t wait to see how everyone, including Mr. Lewis, reacts to it.
Once everything is set up, Kylen starts the music video.
As it plays, I watch everyone’s reaction. Most of the students are smiling and they look like they’re really enjoying it. I catch some laughs as well.
Mr. Lewis has his arms crossed and an indifferent look on his face, but his eyes tell me he’s enjoying it, too.
Kylen bends close to whisper, “Totally have this in the bag.”
When the music video is over, the class erupts in cheers. Kylen and I bow in exaggeration, huge smiles on our faces. Kylen even spouts some lines from the balcony scene in his terrible British accent. And I, being confident for the first time today, join him with my lines from Juliet’s parts.
