And having perhaps the better claim – Robert Frost (The Road Not Taken)
They were in 11th grade now. Andrea had died in her sleep one night during ninth grade. Her husband left to live with his children, and as they didn't have any together, the house (and therefore Ivan's as well) was left to Arthur, Alfred and Matthew. The six were seated on Alfred's porch, comparing schedules.
"I have World History first period. Good, that's my last history credit." Alfred sipped his coffee.
"I have botany, da?" Ivan said.
"That's a seniors only class!"
"I got a note from the principle."
"I have Geometry," Matthew admitted.
"Chemistry," Katyusha said.
"Chemistry," Natalya echoed.
"Bloody American History," Arthur scowled.
"I have Film Appreciation second." Alfred frowned.
"Bloody hell, so do I." At those words from Arthur, Alfred laughed.
"Band," Matthew sounded dreamy.
"American history," Katyusha told them.
"Geometry," Natalya sounded really happy about that.
"American history," Ivan finished.
"Third period, American literature," Alfred said. All had that then.
"Lunch," everybody had that at the same time as Alfred also.
"Choir," a silence fell at his words.
"I kinda have it also," Matthew muttered.
"I do as well," Ivan said softly.
The other three also admitted to having it.
"Isn't choir a co-ed class?" Alfred asked.
"Da."
"Sweet. We all have a class together."
"I go to work right after that," Katyusha said.
"I have a free period," Matthew said.
"Theater Arts," Arthur smiled.
"Algebra II," Ivan sighed.
"Chemistry," Alfred said.
"American History," Natalya sighed.
"Last is Creative Writing," Alfred said.
"I have that also," Arthur said.
"Free period," Ivan said.
"American history," Matthew said.
"German II," Natalya sighed.
Alfred checked his watch. "Ivan, you have that key I gave you?"
"Da."
"Alright, let's go."
The six set off, the four boys in one direction and the two girls in another.
In history, while his teacher wasn't looking, Alfred took the chance to look at what they would be studying for the year. He had a set of two books, both were thick but the first was a whole hell of a lot thicker. World History to 1900 he read. He scanned the table of contents: China, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Prussia (what the hell kind of name is Prussia?) and Russia. Shit. He looked at the other. World History from 1900 to present day. It had the same countries. He was glad when the bell rang. He hurried to Film and sat by Arthur.
"What's wrong, Al?"
"I'll tell you at lunch."
They watched a Japanese film, Spirited Away. Alfred found himself lost in the plot. His worries were forgotten until the bell rang and he went into American Literature. Ivan was already there and smiled when his eyes met Alfred's. Alfred sat down, the matter pressing in on his mind again. He didn't see the smile fade or the worry come across Ivan's face. Both spent the class trying to focus on the teacher, a Chinese man with a ponytail, and not think about each other. When the bell rang, Alfred was the first out the door. Ivan found him huddling in a corner with Arthur and Matthew.
"I don't know what to do," Alfred was crying.
"It's your life," Matthew told him. "You can be friends with whoever you like. Don't let Mum or Dad control your life anymore."
"It's all I have left to remember them."
"You still have Tony and you love them, don't you? Trust me on this; just go with your heart."
"You're right, Mattie. Should I drop the class?"
"No, git, you have to learn history, whether you like it or not."
Ivan wasn't thinking while he ate his lunch. He ate it way too quickly and as a result was finished long before Alfred was. He sighed, cleaning up after himself and made his way to where the choir room was. His sisters were already there. He joined them; they were with Katyusha's friend Elizabeta.
"Oh, great, another European," drawled a voice from nearby. Tina Jones smirked down at them.
Katyusha looked sad, Ivan was confused, Natalya and Elizabeta were angry.
"Shut it, bitch," Elizabeta snarled.
"Ooh, someone's feisty today. Maybe we should send them all home in a box?"
"Go back to Mississippi," Alfred snapped from the doorway.
"Let's send Alfred back with them," she laughed.
Arthur, Matthew and Roderich Edelstein were behind him. "Let's not argue," Roderich said nervously.
"Shut the fuck up."
Elizabeta threw her binder at Tina.
The rest of the class passed eventfully. Natalya was a soprano one, Katyusha an alto two, Alfred a tenor one, Matthew and Arthur tenor twos and to the surprise of all Ivan was the sole bass.
That afternoon found Alfred on the floor and the rest seated on the couch or chairs.
"Who wants to try out for All-Regionals?" Matthew asked.
All said they were but for Ivan. "I do not know."
"Come on, Ivan, you have to go!"
"There are usually fifteen to twenty to try out in your section, you'll make the top ten no problem," Matthew said with a smile.
"You're going," Katyusha decided.
"What about Poetry Out Loud?" Natalya asked.
"That sounds fun," Arthur admitted.
"My poem is Constantly Risking Absurdity (#15) by Lawrence Ferlinghetti." Matthew told them.
"Min e is 'Hope' is the thing with feathers by Emily Dickinson," Katyusha sighed.
"Mine is Fire and Ice by Robert Frost," Ivan said softly.
"Richard Cory by Edwin Arlington Robinson," Alfred said to the ceiling.
"Crossing the Bar by Alfred, Lord Tennyson," Arthur said.
"The Listeners by Walter De La Mare," Natalya mused.
They dropped the subject and told all of their first day of 11th grade as 16, 15, 14 and 12 year olds.
I'm a choir nerd. That was one of my favorite parts of high school, along with Literature, Theater, Film and Poetry Out Loud.
Poetry Out Loud is a real event nation-wide in the US. I competed at my high school for three years. For those who don't know it, all students compete school-wide, the winner goes to State and the State winner goes National. It promotes literacy and all that jazz. Mine were:
1. Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening - Robert Frost (I went to the school competition with this one)
2. Ode to Solitude - Alexander Pope
3. Richard Cory - Edwin Arlington Robinson (I was one point short of the school with this one)
Their poem choices:
Matthew's was originally Ode to Solitude but I came across the one I picked by mistake and fell in love with it.
Arthur's was originally Dulce Et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen but Crossing the Bar seems far better for him.
Katyusha was originally Because I could not stop for Death but they didn't seem to have it.
Ivan's was originally Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Fire and Ice just screams Ivan.
Tina Jones is Mississippi. I'm sorry if that offends anyone.
Alfred's difficulty learning Russian history: let over prejudice from his parents. In the end, that's where we all get them from.
Major Alfred/Ivan bonding coming up as well as choir time.
As for Ivan in Botany, it just fits as he loves sunflowers and they are plants.