Chapter 11

Three days later, Jaden was all better. Not one trace of his lonely attitude remained. All was well. Our main characters were currently on a picnic together.

Jaden gave a content sigh. He smiled at his lover as he was pulled into a warm hug. This moment couldn't get any better.

"Every time I look into your eyes

I can feel my pulse speed begin to rise.

I stare at your enthusiastic smile.

I just want to gaze at it for a while.

When I look up at your beautiful face

I get taken to a magical place.

If I was forced to choose between

Talking and loving you

I would use my last words to say

That I love you." Jesse finished.

"That was beautiful, Jess. I loved it."

"Thanks, but it's not as beautiful as you, and I definitely love you more." Jesse laughed.

Jesse had just recited a poem he wrote for Jaden.

"I wrote something for you too, Jesse. I know it's not that great, but I really did try." Jaden pulled out a piece of paper and began to recite it.

"When I was young

I used to dream of someone.

That someone I dreamt of was you.

When I was young

I used to think of someone.

That someone I thought of was you.

You were always by my side.

You were always there to protect me.

Even though I didn't know

Who you were at the time

I still cared a lot about you

And knew that you were mine.

To think that after all these years

I've been hiding from my fears.

You've always been here for me.

Now I want to be there for you.

I want to keep you company.

I want to keep your tears from falling.

But most of all

I want to let you know

That I will always love you so."

Jesse had tears in his eyes; he couldn't believe how deep Jaden could go. It was really a bit of a shock. Jaden was never really into romance and poetry. Yet, here he was, reading a poem to Jesse about how much he loved him.

Jesse was speechless for a few moments before he spoke. "I can't believe you can write that well. It really warms my heart."

Jaden felt proud. He was glad that his hours of sitting in front of a desk with a pen and paper were being appreciated.

"I worked hard on that. What did you think?"

Jesse replied, "Words could never describe how I feel right now."

And it was true. I can't describe how Jesse felt at the time. He was feeling fluttery in his stomach, but in a pleasant way. He felt happiness, warmth, love, care, joy. I couldn't possibly write it all down, but simply put, he was there.

Yes, Jesse Anderson was simply there. He was there to watch over his love. He was there to see that wonderful smile light up his face. He was there to witness the radiance that seemed to come off from every surface of his being. He was there to be there. There to be alive. And there to be in love.

"Let's have a competition! We can write some more stuff and see whose is better! What do you think?" Jaden's voice snapped him out of his contentment.

"Sure, but who would be the judge?"

"Well, we could always ask others to join us or to judge us." A grin and a laugh came from Jesse's heart to his lips. Jaden could make anyone feel like that.

"Alright, let's find everyone!"

They set off to look for their friends. Every now and then, they'd bump into each other and roll around, laughing. When all their friends had been found, they commenced the competition.

The ones who decided to join were Alexis, Chazz, Aster, Bastion, Syrus, Jim, and Atticus. The rest were fine with being judges.

Alexis had joined to make Jaden happy. Chazz had decided to compete because Alexis was. Aster just didn't turn down a challenge of any sort. His pride wouldn't allow that. Bastion wanted to have some fun and loosen up a little. Syrus decided to play when Jaden practically begged him to. Jim was just being Jim and having fun. Atticus, well, he was being himself too. He did enjoy singing, right? So, he tried out poetry too.

"Alright, so we've got 5 minutes to come up with something. When the timer is up, we have to present whatever we've got." Jesse announced.

"Are the contestants ready?" the judges asked.

"Go!" The timer was set and everyone began to scribble on sheets of paper.


(5 minutes later)

"Ready? Now, who's first?"

Bastion went first.

"Ahem, I would like to dedicate this to my mother. She was a very sweet woman who moved on far too soon.

Moment

This is the moment.

I looked down at her.

Her lifeless body

Her pale, pale face

Her smile just content.

I decided at that moment

That I would make her proud.

I set down my rose and gave her a kiss

Whispering how much I loved her.

This is the moment.

I looked up at her.

She flew up into the sky.

I never saw a more wondrous glow.

Oh, how the sorrows flow!

This is the moment.

I looked at myself.

I saw a man

A very brave man.

And not the little boy I used to be.

This is my moment.

The time has finally come.

I have what it takes to make her proud.

My mother

And no other.

Yet another

Chance to let you see

Me!"

Some had started to cry. Others just looked solemn.

"That was really great, Bastion. Wow, I'm really sorry about your mom."

"It's quite alright. So, how did I do?"

The numbers went up and he got an average score of 8 out of 10.

"On to Atticus, then."

Atticus stood up and started.

The Flying Mouse

"Woot! Woot!

Let's all shout!

For none other than

The flying mouse!

He floats through the air

With the greatest of ease.

The daring young mouse

On the flying trapeze.

His movements are graceful.

All the girls he does please.

But his love I have stolen away!"

Atticus went on like that for some time. At the end, he was told that it was plagiarism to use a modified version of a children's song as his poem. He was given 4 out of 10.

Next came Alexis. She began with a deep breath.

My Idiot Brother

"I have an older brother.

He's two years older than me.

But even though he's older

I swear his brain's a boulder!

He's not as smart as I am.

He sings really off-key.

If I wanted to

I bet I could

Sing way better than he!

I have an older brother.

He's unlike any other.

He's popular

He's handsome

But he's still an idiot!

Now you can call me crazy

You can say I'm mean.

But it's true!

I swear!

He's an idiot beyond belief!"

There was awkward clapping, except for Chazz's. She was given 5 out of 10 because of her attitude towards her brother.

"Next up, we have Jim!"

The Night of Hope

"It was dark.

I was scared.

I was all alone.

There was nowhere, nothing

That I could call home.

I was cold.

I was senseless.

I couldn't feel my body.

I was no longer aware of what was going on.

Then I saw it

And I knew it.

It was finally here!

All my worries

All my troubles

Could just disappear!

I looked for the light of the shining white moon.

It was bright.

It was hopeful.

It was very, very soon.

That was my night of hope."

For the deep meaning, Jim was given 8 out of 10. He seemed pretty pleased.

"So, we've got Aster up next!"

Justice Will Be Served

"It's only fair.

It's for the best.

That justice should be served.

It helps me better to get to rest

Knowing justice is served.

But it isn't.

It's not.

Justice isn't served.

Not always.

No, not always.

Justice isn't served.

I try hard to make things right.

I work hard to be polite.

I want nothing

But justice to be served.

I'll grow up to be a policeman.

I'll study the concepts of law.

Whatever it takes

I will become

A bringer of justice to all."

Aster finished up and received 7 out of 10. He wasn't too happy about getting lower than Jim and Bastion, bet he let it slide.

"So, how about we have Chazz next?" Chazz stepped forward, determined to impress everyone.

My Dedication to What I Want

"If I put my mind to it

I know I will succeed.

And everything I do

Is all that I'll ever need.

I have a lot of dreams.

They're hard to reach it seems.

But I will never give up

And I will never give in

Because I know that deep inside I'm very strong within.

I will try my hardest.

I will do my best

To become the greatest at Duel Academy, yes!"

Chazz was given 8 out of 10 for determination and positive influence. Syrus was up next.

My Older Brother

"I have a brother named Zane.

I think he went insane.

It drives me crazy just thinking

About how he shocks his brain.

I can't say that he's lazy.

It wouldn't really be true.

But just know that my brother Zane is crazy

He'll turn you crazy too!

I have an older brother.

He's really just another

Distraction from my action

To make him good again.

He makes me feel really bad.

He makes me miserable.

His emotions now are difficult.

It's hard to tell what he's thinking.

My older brother Zane

Is really hard to deal with.

Every time we try to help

His condition simply worsens.

Though he claims to be much better off

I'll never believe what he says

Because I know that deep inside

He's lonely and upset."

Syrus got 9 out of 10 for his insight and feelings being mixed into the poem.

Finally, we have our main characters. They did it together. (Jaden's lines are italic and Jesse's are bold. Together, it would be both.)

My Love for You

"My love for you is indescribable.

I feel alive and well.

When you are by my side at night

I feel an emotion I can't tell.

I don't know how to say this to you

So I'll just come right out.

You are the love of my life

From when you smile to when you pout.

I care a lot about you.

I don't know what I'd do.

If anything were to happen

To my love, my life, that's you.

And all the moments we spent together

Hugging and cuddling so

Shows me how much you return the feelings

It's really how I know.

You are my life.

You are my love.

Without you I'd be nothing.

Because you are the very air I breathe.

And you are the very water I need.

You are the very substance that keeps me alive."

"Brilliant! Wonderful! A perfect 10 out of 10! I'm so touched!"

And, that's how the day ended, with happy laughter and pure joy radiating from every soul. Jaden and Jesse's souls radiated warmth for each other most of all.