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

Started February 05, 2019 by @blue_topaz

tune

“Am I freaking you out at all? God—sorry, you probably don’t like to hug much.” I untangled myself from her arms, curling up into a ball instead.

I stared down at my lap. "No—i's not that. I'm fine with contact. I just don't—My neck—"

“It’s s’okay, Marina.” I mumbled, resting my head on my knees. I began taking deep breaths to try and calm myself, but it didn’t seem to be working as well as I’d hoped. “We’re okay.” I added softly, staring blankly at the back of the seat in front of me, desperately trying to convince myself of my own words.

"No, we're not," I whispered, rubbing furiously at my cheeks, which were still covered in the mascara that had run down my cheeks a few hours ago.

“Can… Can you hold my hand?” I asked quietly, my sniffling finally starting to ease in a hiccuping cough.

I paused for a moment, but my hand moved of its own accord and slipped into his. "Like this?"

I felt Marina’s hand slip into mine. Time slowed for a second, and my breathing hitched in my throat. Somehow it meant more than the hug, even though it was an Olive Branch at best. But I craved it. “Like… yeah—Er… yeah. Perfect.” I gently ran my thumb over the palm of her hand, bashfully looking away.

My breath hitched in my throat. "I—Mercutio. Once we get to my friend's, I will be the only one talking. Don't say anything to agitate him. Please."

“I won’t… I’ll do whatever you want me too.” I replied, embarrassed and drunk and… a mess. A complete mess. “I don’t want to get hit again.” I sighed, interlacing my fingers with hers and leaning back against the seat.

"Again?" A frown tugged at my already downturned lips.

I gently squeezed her hand, exhaling through my nose. “Marina, Can I tell you something that I don’t think I’d be saying if I was sober?”

I screwed my eyes shut. Did I really want to hear this?

"You can do whatever you want."

“I’m really afraid… all the time. And I—“ I paused, unsure of how to say this. “I don’t know how to be me anymore.”

I licked my dry lips.

"I know how you feel…. Is there anything I can do?"

“I feel like myself when I’m around you. I did today, at least up until…” I paused, shaking my head and clearing my throat. I took off my glasses with my spare hand, looking at them. “You have no idea how many people thought these were ugly prank glasses.” I smiled sadly, turning the frames over through my fingertips. “And a bunch of my friends asked if I curled my hair as I joke. If I used my sister’s curling iron. I don’t even have a sister.”

A lump formed in my throat. This was my fault—I was the one who had sent him that list. “I’m sorry..” I whispered, and squeezed his hand.

“No, no. I just didn’t realize that… that only Romeo knew what I looked liked for real. And then you asked me to… you know. It’s just… Thank you.” I murmured staring up at the ceiling and blinking tears out of my eyes. I felt her squeeze my hand and released a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

“Well, for the record,” I murmured softly, swaying slightly. “You make an adorable dork.” And before I had fully grasped the situation, I was leaning to the side and resting my head on his shoulder.

“I don’t get it. Anyone else could call me a dork and I’d threaten to fight them. You do it an’ I get a shitload of blood rushing to my face. It isn’t fair, Marina.” I hummed, afraid to move in case I scared her off.

“Well, life’s not fair,” I whispered and shut my eyes. What was I doing?

“Do you want me to move?”

“Please stay.” I didn’t hesitate to ask, too desperate to play hard to get, too drunk too worry about consequences, and too content to be afraid. “Can I rest my head on yours?”

I nodded, about to reply… but just then, the bus came up a grinding half. “This is our stop.. sorry..”

I shook my head, ignoring the slight disappointment stirring in my stomach. “Don’t be sorry.” I squeezed her hand one more time before letting go and standing up, wobbling on my feet.

I led him cautiously through alleys and side streets, my arm around his torso. We didn’t speak, but the silence was nice. Serene. Tranquil.

Eventually, we arrived at Joe’s. I took Mercutio around back until we stopped beneath his window and began throwing stones.

I waited by Marina’s side, silent as a statue. I didn’t dare speak up on the way here, not wanting to lose the protective, guiding arm she had kept around me. I pushed my glasses up onto my nose, watching Marina throw rocks at the windows. “Why don’t you just call him?” I whispered, unwilling to break our silence.