On she went, and I phased out until I heard her say. “So I’m giving you the rest of the semester to complete it, if you choose to do so.”
Groans filled the room.
“I want you to create a relationship timeline of a couple, as well as an analysis of healthy and dysfunctional relationships, what makes a relationship succeed or fail, and the arguments for being in a relationship versus remaining single. All of this will culminate in a joint presentation at the end of the year with your partner.” Her smile was calculating. At least I thought it was. “Now, you can choose a fictional couple from literature—such as Romeo and Juliet, for example. Or, you can also choose a real-life couple—including yourself if you’re in a relationship of your own.”
Laughter broke out. Some of it had whoops and hollers attached to it, and some of it—like my own—was very nervous.
A hand raised.
“Yes, Nevaeh?” Mrs. Templeton nodded.
“Could we maybe vote as a class to all study the same couple?”
Mrs. Templeton considered this for a second. “So you mean all of you would do the same project about Romeo and Juliet, for example?”
Nevaeh nodded. “Mm, hmm.” She shot a glance my way, her eyes narrowing. “It’d be interesting to see how everyone views the same relationship differently.”
Mrs. Templeton smiled. “That’s an interesting suggestion. Class? What are your thoughts?”
“I think we should choose a couple here at school. Everyone can watch them, write about them, and analyze them.” Nevaeh wasn’t letting up, and it was suddenly as clear as a sunny day what she was up to.
“Nooooo!” Claire interrupted. “That’s an awful idea!”
Mrs. Templeton shook her. “I agree. I don’t think that would be appropriate.”
“Why?” Nevaeh countered.
“Because—” Mrs. Templeton cleared her throat. “It just wouldn’t be.”
Thank you, Mrs. Templeton.
“Ok, but I can still write about a real-life couple?” Nevaeh affirmed.
Mrs. Templeton had an expression that made me think she was regretting her idea. “I think a fictional couple would be better,” she tried to backtrack.
“Mrs. Templeton!” Nevaeh whined.
Mrs. Templeton held up her hands. “All right, all right. Here’s what I’ll allow—now that I’ve proposed it out loud—even though IthoughtI’d prepped well—I see some issues with my idea. Choose a partner to work on the project with. Both of you must agree on afictionalcouple. If you want to write about a real-life couple, fine, but it must be your own personal experience. No one else’s.” I could tell Mrs. Templeton that that would deter people from doing it. “However, if you break up mid-project, keep in mind that you have to revert to a fictional couple. You can’t just decide to quit the project because you aren’t dating anymore. Once you’ve decided on your couple, submit it to me. There is no changing it once you’ve submitted it.”
“Romeo and Juliet it is!” A guy snorted from the back of the room.
“My girlfriend wouldkillme if I used our relationship,” someone joked.
Mrs. Templeton laughed but held up her hands. “Exactly my point. Fictional is a far safer platform to stand on.” She leveled a stern look at Nevaeh. “And writing about others’ real-life relationships is off limits. Class dismissed.” With that announcement, the room exploded as everyone jumped to their feet.
Mrs. Templeton turned to chat with a student who handedher a paper.
Claire tucked her books under her arm and shot me a look. “Thank goodness extra credit gets me nothing. I wouldn’t even want to betemptedto write about my relationship with Hunter. That’d be embarrassing.”
“No kidding.” I thought the entire extra credit option was intriguing. Mr. Darcy and Lizzie were an obvious first choice for a relationship analysis. I could do that or—
“I can’t break up with you,” Brooks muttered in my ear.
“What?” I froze, staring at him as the rest of the classroom cleared out around us.
“Ineedthis extra credit.” There was desperation in his face. In his voice. Goodness, I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen a guy with such anxiety in his eyes.
“What does that have to do with us?” I retorted. “You can write about a fictional couple.”
