I heard it all from where I was slumped against a wall. Mercutio and Marina yelling. The door slamming. Then there was my father and mother yelling. It caught on to Benvolio. And suddenly I was alone with my mother. She didn’t even look at me, but it was better than getting beaten up. So I kept quiet, holding back the cry of pain building int he back of my throat.
We didn't dare speak to each other until the bus had left the spot.
"Oh my god….." Marina breathed, turning to me and placing her hands on my shoulders. "Are you okay?? Did they do anything to you??"
I filled her in on everything that had happened, and her eyes darkened in rage. "Mercutio dragged you in there? That son of a—"
(is it bad that I sort of ship Mercutio and Marina?)
(Oml I do too😂)
I didn’t dare speak until Mercutio entered the room, speaking in low tones with my mother. She didn’t leave, but she did back off a bit. “Romeo, you conscious?” He kneeled down next to me.
“Yeah.” I lifted my head, groaning quietly. “Everything hurts. My arm…” I bit my lip to prevent myself from whimpering.
“Alright, I got it.” Mercutio sighed, sitting down next to him. The two boys sat in silence, both suffering from mild shock.
(yass)
(Skip soon?)
“It’s fine,” I cut in, “You don’t have to worry about him. Are you okay??”
Marina waved the question off. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
(Sounds good! Where should we skip to?)
“I’m so screwed when I get home.” I whispered softly, hanging my head again. Mercutio didn’t respond at first.
“I’m sorry. I thought I was helping. But, I don’t know. Everything went too far too fast.” He sighed, accompanied by the sound of his head thumping softly against the wall.
(Let’s plan in PM’s?)
👍))
Night had fallen hours ago, bringing a cool breeze and the soothing sound of crickets chirping through my open window. I leaned back against the headboard of my bed, running a finger along the edge of the glass as I listened to the nocturnal music of my neighbourhood, something which had always calmed me. That wasn’t the only reason I kept my window open, however… it had always been some sort of a twisted reassurance to know that there was an exit close by, in case my father came in through my bedroom door.
Now, however, I was anything but calm. I’d spent the last hour or so texting Romeo, something which had become a common occurrence for me after the sun had dipped below the horizon, but after confessing that I wasn’t feeling all that great, he’d left me on read. It had been over twenty minutes since then, and no message had come my way, which left me in much more distress than I would have liked.
Two days ago, when we’d last held a proper conversation, we’d been working on our project in the library, editing the rough draft of our script. He’d leaned in close to scratch out something on my page, and our hands had brushed. Then, without thinking… I’d laced my fingers through his.
And I hadn’t let go until it wasn’t time for him to leave.
I couldn’t stop thinking about the way his palm had felt against mine, soft and warm… inviting… In summary, I was an idiot and an awful person, and I needed to sort out my feelings before either one of us was hurt by them.
Okay, yes, this wasn’t my smartest idea. But I knew it was going to be worth it. The clock crept its way towards midnight as I slipped out of my house and made haste for the very heart of Capulet territory. Juliet wasn’t feeling well, and I was sick of playing this game. We’re both always hurting, and texting could only do so much. Touch was needed too.
The problem is that I didn’t quite think this through. Sneaking last security cameras with one arm in a cast made things… complicated, but I was making it! Slowly, but surely. There was only one open window in the house. Juliet’s room. She had told me she always kept it open. Hence me, slinking around directly below it, just out of the sight of a camera. I took my phone out of my pocket.
ROMEO: *Look outside.
My screen lit up, and my eyes immediately sped towards it, the vibrations jolting me out of my reverie. I stared at his message for a full twenty seconds, reading it over and over again.
You absolute idiot.
But for some stupid reason, I was grinning as I poked my head out of my window, searching the ground below for the boy who was seemingly making off with my heart.
I crept out from my hiding spot as I heard Juliet’s light footsteps above my head. I checked around a few more times, making sure no cameras were directed on me before stepping fully into the moonlight with a grin. “A little bird told me you needed company.”
“You,” I told him in a hushed whisper, “Are an absolute idiot.” Shooting an anxious glance towards my bedroom door, I withdrew my head from the window and slipped from my bed, approaching the glass door that lead to my balcony. It took a few minutes, but I finally managed to slide it open without making significant noise, and crept out into the cool air after doing so.
“Up here!” I called down softly to him, gesturing to the large, very climb-able tree that lead up to where I was currently situated.
I nodded, creeping through the shadows over to the tree. I folded my injured arms behind my back to keep it out of the way. Very slowly I climbed. Throwing my weight from side to side, and holding back yelps of pain when I used my injured arm to keep my grip. I practically collapsed once I reached the safety of the branch, inching my way across it in an army crawl. I tounched down on the balcony and immediately sunk to my knees out of sheer pain and exhaustion.
“H-Hi…” I heaved, trying to catch my breath.
“Shit,” I cursed quietly, dropping to my knees in front of Romeo and placing both hands on the side of each shoulder. “I shouldn’t have—Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
I was much too close to him, especially considering the fact that my traitorous, godforsaken heart was hammering wildly in my chest, but in that moment, I couldn’t have cared less. “Sorry…”
“Just my arm. Don’t be sorry. I would’ve climbed up here anyways. You know that.” I smiled weakly, feeling warmth stir in my chest. Juliet was right in front of me. Holding me steady and still. Grounding me. “There’s no where else I’d rather be.” I exhaled softly.
A soft smile tugged at my lips. “You’re such an idiot…” Shaking my head in amusement, I let go of him and leaned back against the balcony railing. “I’d invite you inside if my psycho dad wasn’t sleeping just down the hallway.. sorry.”
“I made you sleep on my roof. Don’t apologize.” I reciprocated her gentle smile. “Besides you said you weren’t feeling well. Was I supposed to let you suffer alone? I’d be a shitty friend if I did.”
Friend. My smile only grew after that. “Well, I’m apologizing anyways. And there’s such a thing as asking me to sneak out and meet you halfway. Or, you know, texting me like a normal person instead of sneaking past my front gate and security cameras.”
“Blame it on the little bird, not me.” I whispered, finding the strength to stand up. “Besides, I missed you. I needed to see you.”
I rose to my feet as well and sat back on the balcony railing, the faintest of blushes rising to my cheeks. Grateful for the darkness, I mentally chided myself, shyly averting my eyes. I needed to get over this stupid schoolgirl crush as soon as possible…
“I missed you too..”
I gave her my usual lovesick grin, opening my arms wide. “Don’t I get a hug for the journey?” I teased, my heart already warm and full from Juliet saying she missed me.
I rolled my eyes, unable to smooth the ridiculous grin from my face as I leaned forward to envelope him in a warm hug. “You’re still an idiot, though,” I whispered in his ear, though it was more affectionate, rather than teasing.
I wrapped my arm around her, my face turning a dark shade of red. “Yeah, I know.” I breathed back softly. “Don’t yell at me for this, but you look really pretty tonight.”
I swallowed hard, taking a moment to collect my scattered thoughts. “Romeo, I’m wearing a sweater and pyjama pants. My hair’s unbrushed. I look like a raccoon.”
“I still think you’re beautiful, even though I’m pretty sure you just admitted to being a furry.” I jested playfully.