forum In Fair Verona // Modern Romeo and Juliet // Private RP - CLOSED

Started February 05, 2019 by @blue_topaz

tune

I blinked, sniffling in surprise as Marina nudged my missing glasses back onto my nose. I reached for her waist to steady myself, but froze halfway and retracted my hand, using the counter instead as I slowly got to my feet.

I swallowed hard as heads began to turn, eyes landing on the two unlikely figures at the back of the bar—the pretty blonde girl and the devastated teenage boy. My heart began to pound. When was the last time I'd allowed myself to be this near to so many drunk males? And Mercutio….. What if he tried something? He was heavily intoxicated… anything could happen.

“Where’re you gonna take me?” I mumbled, trying to rub my eyes, but hitting my glasses instead. I was completely oblivious to the eyes on us as I stumbled forward a few steps, assuring myself that I could walk.

His question made me pause. Where was I going to take him? If we went to his house, his parents would beat him for coming home drunk, and I couldn't sneak him through his window in the state he was in. I couldn't take him to my house, either… Which left only one option.

Joe.

"I–I have a friend," I stammered, taking hold of his arm in an attempt to hurry him up.

My face turned red as she grabbed ahold of my arm. “Alright…” I murmured in reply, allowing her to guide me out of the bar.

A chair leg screeched as it was pushed across the floor. Someone behind us stood from their seat.

I panicked.

Within seconds, I was tearing out of the bar with Mercutio in tow, sprinting out onto the street.

“Pazza? Pazza! Slow down… please.” I groaned, blinded by the sunlight as I was suddenly dragged at top speed out of the bar. I stumbled blinding afternoon her, hoping she wouldn’t let go of me and abandon me somewhere in the street.

I came to a stumbling halt beside a corner store, dripping his arm as I pressed my forehead against the cool brick in front of me. "I–Sorry. I panicked. We're going to get on a bus, okay? And we're going to go to my friend's house. He won't tell anyone. Just… try not to throw up before then?"

‘I won’t throw up, I can hold my liquor. I promise, Marina.” I closed my eyes to avoid the blazing sunlight. “Thanks… for coming to get me, I… I didn’t think you’d even pick up…”

(blazing sunlight?)

I didn't respond, unable to even look him in the eye. Why did this have to hurt so much?

Eventually, an eastbound bus pulled into a nearby stop, and I pulled Mercutio on with me. "Just… stay quiet while I make this call. Please."

(He just hid in a dark bar for a couple hours, it could be midnight and he’d be like oml too bright)

I slumped down in the seat next to Marina, nodding submissively as she took out her phone. For the moment I was content. This felt right, resting on smell public transit next to Marina. I could sit here for hours and be completely at ease.

(oh lol)

"Marina?"

Joe picked up almost immediately, worry drenching his voice. "What's wrong?

I bit my lip. "I–I have a problem. I found who I was looking for. But I can't take him home, he's way too drunk. I need a favour…."

"You want him to stay….. here? With you, I'm guessing?" he answered after a moment. "Yes. Please. I–I really need this, Joe." My friend sighed slowly. "Who is it?"

"That's…. oh, god. You're going to be really mad at me. Please don't be mad. I'll bring him over and you can see."

"…Marina…? What did you do this time?"

"Please. Joe. Don't be mad."

Marina sounded distressed as she talked to her friend. I leaned over, living up to my promise not to speak. Instead I gave her a reassuring nudge with my elbow, added in a goofy smile to hopefully cheer her up.

His stupid, dorky smile made my heart jolt. I angled my face away.

"Fine," Joe sighed eventually, "But you'd better have a good explanation for this. Get your mystery boy through my bedroom window." And with that, our conversation was over.

“Are you okay, Pazza?” I asked gently, pulling my lower lip between my teeth.

"No," I said honestly, shutting my eyes. "Are you, Mercutio? Why were you in there? Why are you drunk?"

“I…” I focused my gaze on the floor of the bus, taking a deep breath. “I— I got scared… I didn’t understand I—“ I shook my head, falling silent.

"So.…" I sighed. "You just got wasted. Drank to forget."

I took my glasses off, cleaning them with my shirt to distract myself. “It isn’t the first time… I used to do it when I got anxious— my parents wouldn’t give me medication but… but they left alcohol lying around—“ my voice broke, effectively cutting me off from speaking as a few tears slipped out of my eyes.

I swallowed hard, instinctively reaching for him. But I flinched back—he wouldn't appreciate the embrace. Would he?

"Mercutio? Do you–Do you want a hug?"

“Y-Yeah…” My voice cracked loudly as the waterworks started up again, my glasses falling into my lap as I turned towards Marina.

With extreme care, I lifted his glasses from his and placed them back over his eys. After a moment's hesitation, I leaned in and wrapped my arms around him.

I wrapped my arms loosely around Marina’s shoulders, hiding my face in the crook of her neck. “I’m sorry— I shouldn’t have let myself like you.” I croaked, letting out a soft whine as my bulky glasses got in the way of my hiding.

His nose pressed against my neck, and my body went rigid. Fear shot through me, raw, instinctive, and unwanted. No, I tried to tell myself, You're fine, it's a hug. He's not going to hurt you.

"You–You can't really control that. It's fine."