#softverse

"I think Romeo and Juliet were ridiculous," he announced. He was in his English class, and the teacher, known as Schmitty, had just asked everyone for their opinions.

Edgar's exasperated noise from the other end of the room sent lightning through his veins.

Schmitty sent him an amused look. "Why do you think that?"

JJ tipped back in his chair, smirking as everyone looked at him. "Because for one thing, they were both dumb as shit-"

"Watch your mouth."

He smiled, apologetic. "Sorry. But, I don't understand how they were suddenly sooo in love when they, like, made out once. And why didn't Romeo like.. check to see if she was actually dead before he killed himself for real? Why didn't the priest dude tell them the plan?"

Schmitty was obviously close to laughter as he asked, "Does anyone have a different opinion than JJ?"

Edgar's hand shot up so fast that it scared the girl sitting beside him.

"Edgar?" Schmitty asked.

Edgar turned, locking eyes with JJ. There was a fire in his gaze that sent an excited chrill up JJ's spine. "There's somethin' deeply wrong wit ya," he said, and the class erupted into howls of surprise and laughter.

Schmitty laughed. "Okay, not very nice. Please elaborate."

Edgar nodded, shoulders relaxing ever so slightly. "Firstly, the Friar literally couldn't tell Romeo the plan cause he couldn't send the letter that had the plan on it. Second of all, he didn't think to check that she was actually dead because he was so overcome with grief. And why would he do that in the first place-"

JJ interrupted him. "Because that's the smart thing to do." He dropped his chair back onto the ground, leaning forward in his seat while maintaining their eye contact, just to watch him squirm.

"You're one to talk about smart things to do," Edgar grumbled, under his breath. Schmitty snorted before he could help it. "'N love ain't rational. That's the whole point. They fall in love fast, yeah, but that don't mean it don't mean nothing." His expression softened ever so slightly, and JJ's heart sang. "And they love each other despite their families hatin' each other because love is what brings people together. That's literally the whole point of the story. If their families had just gotten past their stupid feud then nothing bad wouldn'ta happened. Romeo and Juliet aren't ridiculous for fallin' in love."

He paused, obviously thinking over his next words. "And.." he started, quietly, looking up again to meet JJ's eyes, "If you ain't never fell in love after makin' out with someone, y'ain't doin' it right."

The class oohed and ahhed as JJ's blood turned into lava.

Schmitty clapped, shushing the room and corralling them into quiet. "Thank you, Edgar." He turned to gesture to the power point that'd he'd projected onto the whiteboard behind him on. "As you can see, the play is very divisive..."