An unexpected friend

The old clock ticked softly in the quiet room. A single beam of moonlight stretched across the dusty floor, illuminating forgotten trinkets. Outside, a gentle wind rustled through the tall grass, a lonely whisper in the stillness of the night. It felt as if time had paused.

A figure glided past the window, briefly blocking the moonlight from entering. Then the front door creaked open and a soft voice spoke. "Hello? Am I in the right place? I'm looking for something... old. Perhaps forgotten?"

I sighed, squinting my eyes to try and make out the face of the customer who had just entered Luna’s Book Emporium. It had been a long day, and I wasn’t in the mood for cryptic riddles. “Look, I’m about to close up. Can you…” My words dried up as the figure stepped into the light

“Hello…. I’m William Shakespeare.” The man said. I stared at him, shocked, how was he still alive after over 300 years? “‘Tis not possible!” I said. Wait… did I just say ‘tis’? “What doth transpire?!” I said. Shakespeare laughed and replied. “Mayhap thou dost already know.”

"Thou speak'st in error, honored dead playwright guy," I said flatly, crossing my arms. Shakespeare laughed. "Surely thou dost jest, for thou didst summon me," he said, pointing at my desk. I glanced down at my homework. Romeo and Juliet. Of course.

I looked up. Shakespeare is gone. Clutching the homework in my hands, I flipped it back and forth, shaking so Overanalyzed Romeo and Misinterpreted Juliet might fall out and run to nowhere. They did not reappear. “Fare thee well, William”, I muttered.

“Maybe the real homework… was the friends we made along the way.” I turn around and there’s Shakespeare! Tears well into my eyes, and I embrace him. “William, I knew you’d come back. Thank you for everything. Thank you for being my friend.” Romeo and Juliet dance. Curtains close.