Disclaimer: As unfortunate as it is, alas I don't own Merlin...
A/N: This is re-edited but I didn't really change some of it, the changes are mostly grammar and/or spelling of the names or terms etc. The plot is still the same, but I haven't finished editing the other chapters so yeah.. The other chapters would be deleted until I posted their re-edited version. Sorry guys!
Arthur yawned as he tried his best to look like he's still awake and interested to what Professor was talking about. 'This is so boring! The guy's what? Dead for hundreds of years already! I'd rather hear Morgana's nagging than this!' he paused his mental ranting.
'On second thought, I'd rather not. Can the bell would just ring already! This is torture! Who the hell would listen to this crap?!' he looked around the classroom and saw that almost everyone is either silently snoozing off (i.e. Gwaine and Percy) or a few blinks away from sleeping (i.e. Leon and Lancelot). Well, with the exception of Merlin and a girl with curly brown hair. He just can't remember her name. Morgana not included, because she's already dozing off.
Their teacher, Prof. Monmouth, kept on droning on and on about Shakespeare this and Shakespeare that. He already zoned out on him. It's so boring anyway.
"And so, he is called the 'Bard of Avon' due to his string of successful and most well-loved plays and sonnets. One such play is…" their teacher droned on.
Arthur is now a few blinks away from sleeping. For the life of him, he doesn't know if Geoffrey is aware that almost all his student is already in LaLa Land, and that there are only two students that's willingly attentive (and wide awake, mind you.) to listen to his lectures, or he just ignored that fact and continues on. Poor sap. But Arthur couldn't really care less. He just wanted this all to be over and practice soccer with his team right now.
'Now that I think about it, the nationals are getting closer. I really need to talk to Leon about the strategies for the team. God, please make the bell ring already!' he silently plead in his mind. Not that he'd say it aloud, he could get into real trouble with his aging professor and Gwaine, enough said.
The school bell then rang, answering his prayers. The students both groaned and moaned in confusion or in Gwaine and Percy's case, they just woke up. Before any one of them got out of class, Geoffrey stopped them.
"Before you all go home, I want you all to be reminded that you'll be writing a report about Shakespeare's works. You may choose any play to your liking but remember, it has to be 40 pages minimum and you have to have a partner. I'll be choosing which is which so that it will be fair, so there won't be a repeat on last time. And yes, I'm talking about you Mr. Lot." Gwaine winced at the memory. Geoffrey sighed. "I'll be announcing your partners now. Keep in mind that the paring are not necessarily is of the opposite sex. After this, you may get out."
Everyone groaned in dismay. For once, Gwaine is speechless. Mentally though, he's already kicking and screaming in panic. Arthur face palmed and scowled. Merlin had the gall to laugh at his predicament, discretely so that he won't get caught by their professor. He shot him a dirty look but his childhood friend, (although he would rather die than admit it out loud) his best mate, wouldn't even budge nor is he affected. But since Merlin grew up with him, he's already used to Arthur's ever temperamental moods. He is, by far, immune to him now.
Morgana on the other hand, is surprisingly attentive. Or is she? Knowing his twin, she's already thinking of how to manipulate her to-be partner to do all the dirty work for her, he already feels sorry for the poor chap.
Merlin, for the most part, is actually excited and wary. Excited, because he's a fan of Shakespeare's works and wary because he doesn't really want to be partnered with any of his friends. But with the exception of sweet Gwen, Percy or the 'Dependable Double L', Leon and Lancelot, the two don't like the nickname though.
It was Gwaine's idea to name them like that. He exclaimed that since their names started with an 'L' AND they're dependable as always, they should be named that. And so, the name was stuck ever since their year four. The name became some sort of an inside joke between them. Those two didn't like it. Moving on, Gwaine, well…. the reason should be obvious.
The incident that their professor was talking about was their supposed book essay about the book "A Count of Monte Cristo". Gwaine was already watching the anime version. He is addicted to anime along with Merlin and Morgana, and the trio always makes it a point to talk to about it whenever Arthur is near because it annoys him.
Moving on, he thought that, since usually they summarize it all up in shows, that he should just write the report about the aforementioned show. And so, he wrote about the Count being a vampire-like being that fed on people's selfish desires. His partner just so happens to be Morgana. Suffice to say, he failed and mentally kicked himself for his stupidity and literally have his arse kicked by Morgana herself. He shuddered at the memory. Morgana is really scary when angry.
And while Gwaine is having his trip down to Horror-Ville, let's move on to Percival du Lac or Percy as his friends call him. To him, everyone's ok to be partnered with, but the ones he really doesn't want to be partnered with are either Pendragon twins. Morgana is bossy and Arthur is lazy. Enough said.
Lancelot or Lance, as everyone generally calls him, is praying that whoever is partnered to him would at least be a little bit cooperative to him. He knows that he is bound to be partnered to any one of his friends so he prayed that they should cooperate with him a little.
Leon just wants to get it over and be done with it.
The curly brown-haired girl that Arthur mentioned earlier is Guinevere 'Gwen' Leodegrance. She doesn't really care who she would be partnered with, but she's looking forward to have Morgana as her partner. She already thought of a play she would like to write about, "Taming of the Shrew". She really loves that play.
And lastly, Morgana; Contrary to popular belief, she is rather looking forward to their assignment. She already thought on who she wants to be partnered with, her best girl friend, Gwen. She already knew what play Gwen wants to report, "The Taming of the Shrew". They both liked the story, so they'll get along just fine.
"Ok so the first one would be, Gwaine Lot." Gwaine sucked his breath. Everyone else murmured in anticipation.
"He would be partnered with, Anastasia Braginsky."
Everyone in class went silent, so silent that it's getting creepy. Arthur gaped like a fish. But then again, so does anyone else. Poor Gwaine, he's actually partnered with the creepiest and scariest girl in school, Anastasia Braginsky. Gwaine, being Gwaine, dared to look at his partner's seat. She still had her everyday expression, an indifferent and solemn face. Like someone died.
'At least I'm not partnered with Morgana again.' He thought. He watched her that she stood up, picked up her bag and walks towards his seat.
"You're my partner da?"
"Yeah, mate."
"Let's go"
She suddenly pulled Gwaine on the collar by surprise, and walks out of the room with him. Everybody was speechless as they saw her drag Gwaine with her by the door. As soon as they got out, their professor coughed a little to catch their attention.
"The next partners would be, Guilietta Cavallone and Leon Williams."
Both Jules and Leon walked out of the classroom without a word.
"Percival du Lac and Lancelot du Lac"
Percy and Lance inwardly sighed in relief. At least they are partnered with each other.
After a few more names, Arthur was called and his partner is Guinevere Leodegrance. 'Guinevere, nice name'
"And lastly, Merlin McCoy and Morgana Pendragon"