As Renesmee and I made our way along the leaf scattered path that snaked its way through the forest, I could feel Renesmee's mind burning with unuttered questions. I could see curiosity dancing in her eyes like eager flames.
"I know you have a lot of questions," I said, hastily interrupting Renesmee's racing thoughts. "I'll ease your mind and answer them all when we get home."
Later on, we settled ourselves contentedly on our favourite comfy couch in the living room. Upon our laps sat an artfully faded lavender blanket and the furry shape of Bruce.
"I have three questions, sister," Renesmee said purposefully. "Who is he, how do you know him and is he your boyfriend?" She fired these questions at me like gunfire.
"One - his name is Felix Bramwell. Two - I met him at the library. And three - No!"
"Deets," insisted Renesmee excitedly. "I need deets."
With patience, I took Renesmee through the whole story. From meeting Felix at the library, to his rude demeanour to his apparent change of heart at the lunch table.
"That was so kind of you to sit with him today, Ella. He must have been surprised considering how rude he had been before."
"Maybe he isn't rude at all," I wondered aloud. "Maybe I mistook his rudeness for something else. Maybe he's defensive or shy. He's certainly a mystery, that's for sure."
"A mystery that you want to solve," said Renesmee slyly.
"Sisters..." I said, raising an eyebrow.
The next day, our first class was English. As Renesmee and I made our way into Mrs Greenwood's room, I noticed a familiar boy sitting at one of the desks. It was Felix. As I passed, we shared a smile.
"Today we are learning about literary devices. Ella, can you please read this excerpt from Romeo and Juliet?" Miss Greenwood asked, gesturing to the board.
“But all so soon as the all-cheering sun, should in the farthest east begin to draw. The shady curtains from Aurora’s bed, away from light steals home my heavy son,” I recited.
"Class, what literary device is Shakespeare using in this example?"
"Allusion," said Renesmee. "He's using allusion."
"Great work, Renesmee. Allusion is a reference to a person, place, event, usually without explicit identification. Now a harder question. Who can tell me who Shakespeare alludes to in this example?"
Renesmee and I looked at each other blankly. Neither of us knew this answer. The hush that had fallen over the classroom suggested that our classmates didn't know either. The hush deepened and took on a tangible air as Miss Greenwood waited patiently for an answer.
Tentatively, Felix raised his hand.
"Felix," Miss Greenwood smiled. "Can you tell us who Shakespeare refers to here?"
Felix took out a notebook and pen and wrote purposefully.
He then raised the notebook. Written in neat script was: Shakespeare refers to Aurora - the Roman goddess of dawn.
"Well done Felix. You are correct. How did you know that answer?"
Again, he turned to his notebook and wrote. After a time, he raised the book again.
He had written: I'm interested in ancient Roman history, especially their deities.
Thank you for sharing your insights with us, Felix," Miss Greenwood smiled.
All of a sudden, I had a realisation. I had never heard Felix talk. He didn't talk at the library, he didn't talk at lunch and he wrote his answers down instead of saying them.
Maybe Felix isn't rude at all, I realised with a start. Maybe the reason he won't talk to me is that he isn't able to...
Soundtrack
While I was writing this chapter, I was listening to:
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