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

Started February 05, 2019 by @blue_topaz

tune

A sympathetic frown tugged at my mouth. “I’m sorry to hear that…”

“No big deal.” I shrugged, offering up a shy smile. Please, help me find a way out of this mess.

“Paris,” I said quietly. “You’re the son of the two leaders of the Sicilian mafia. If you get in trouble, it’s a big deal.”

“It’s not as bad as one would expect.” I lied. God willing she would just let this drop, but I was in no position to risk offending her and drop conversation now.

I merely nodded and fell silent, knowing he was lying, but sensing that he didn’t want to talk about this anymore.

“How have you been?” I started up the conversation awkwardly, taking yet another deep breath.

“Good,” I answered automatically, my thoughts immediately going to Romeo. “What about you?”

“Good.” I replied the same way. “I picked a spot for us to go to tonight. It’s pretty casual, but…” I gestured to my collared shirt. “My parents don’t know that.”

“Casual is nice,” I assured him gently, “Great for a change. Where are we going?”

“It’s this pizza place about a half hour from your house. I really like it there.” I smiled, grateful for her reassurance. “I got a us a table on the roof so it’s at least a little special.”

I tensed slightly at the mention of ‘special’; I didn’t want this man to share anything romantic with me. But I mustered a smile, nodding. “Sounds amazing.”

“I’m sure you’ll like it.” I smiled encouragingly, but god was I exhausted. I’d taken one hell of a beating this morning for delaying my second date with Juliet, and that had earned me a hefty burn on the back of my neck that would scar—no doubt. I leaned my head against the window under the pretense of looking outside, feeling my eyelids starting to droop.

After a moment, I placed a hesitant hand on his shoulder. “Hey, don’t fall asleep on me while driving.” It was said in a soft, teasing manner, but I let an undercurrent of reassurance run beneath my voice.

I exhaled slowly. “Sorry, Juliet.” I murmured, forcing my eyes back open. Leave it to me to almost get us killed by passing out.

I pulled my hand back into my lap.

“Don’t worry about it… and, just between us, I won’t mind if you fall asleep at the restaurant. You need sleep.”

“Nonsense, Ill handle my own affairs later. It’s an honor to be with you, and I don’t intend to waste your time.” I shook my head to refocus, biting back a reflexive whimper from my neck injury.

Once again, I stiffened ever so slightly. But in the end, I just nodded a second time and remained silent.

I stayed silent for the rest of the ride— it was probably better that way since every word out of my mouth seemed to only worsen our relationship. I pulled the limousine out back and parked.

I unbuckled my seatbelt as slowly as possible, doing my best to stall until the moment I absolutely had to climb out of the car.

I got out quickly. I needed the night air to wake me up a little. If my parents found out I fell asleep on this date a little burn mark would be the least of my problems.

Finally, I joined Paris outside, forcing bile back down my throat as I linked our fingers together. “Let’s go in?”

“Yeah.” I squeezed her hand, drawing courage from her gentle touch. I don’t know if I could say there were sparks between us, but maybe there would be once our parents stopped breathing down our necks. She was beautiful, mild tempered, and kind, it seemed. She checked off all the boxes. Perfect on paper. But something was missing…

(lmao 'mild tempered'. Just you wait, Paris, just you wait)

We made our way towards the restaurant, and with each step, my anxiety grew. My shoulders pulled back, taught and rigid, but I forced my expression to go completely blank and neutral.

A hasty glance at Juliet had me stopping in the middle of the parking lot. “Juliet, do you… do you want to go somewhere else? I don’t mind at all. We’re only here because I panicked and picked it.”

Anywhere we go would be just as bad. Can't we just pretend with our parents? Be honest with each other, remain friends, but tell the outside world we're lovers? I don't want to fake this… I don't want to marry you… And I definitely never want to bear your children. I'm sorry you got roped into this. I'm sorry, I can't love you.

But instead of voicing my thoughts, I gave a hurried shake of my head. "No, no, this looks great. If you want to go somewhere else, then by all means, but I don't mind this at all."

Liar.