Wandering

10|

Chloe had mentioned Romeo's instagram and this caught my attention immediately.
"What?" My head snaps towards her.
"Look." She hands me her phone.

Romeo's instagram profile. He had posted while I have been sulking here in Louisiana. He had posted a photo of me and him watching a film together in his room. We had a bowl of popcorn between us. I remember the day like it was yesterday. I was tired and Romeo suggested we watch a film. I had rested my head on hiss lap as his fingers combed through my brown mane of hair. He had tagged me and captioned it with a red heart.

He hasn't given up on me!

I feel a smile tug at my lips and tears pool in my eyes. I scroll a little and find myself staring at his posts from while we were together. The comments I would leave on his posts were still there. It made me glad that he hadn't moved on like I told him too. It's like he knew that he would see me again. I lied when I left, I didn't want him to move on but I didn't want him to be sad and wait for me when there was a chance I wouldn't come back.

"How'd you find him?" I ask Chloe, still looking at his profile.
"Well I searched you up, saw him on your posts... did a little stalking." She giggles. I laugh at her too. I know she looked at his profile for me, not because she's after him.
"Message him." Chloe states. My face drops. I didn't know what to do because I had told him to move on although I can tell he didn't.
"I don't have instagram." I shrug it off.
"Log in on my phone if you have to. Message him from my account." She urges me.

I bite my bottom lip, thinking about messaging him. I wanted to. But if someone found out, especially my mother, I would be dead. She hates him. I don't know why, she's barley spoke to him.
"I'll do it." I whisper. Chloe squeals and goes to DM's. I hover over Romeo's name and sigh.

'Romeo it's Chi'

Delete. I don't know what to say. I haven't spoke to him in 2 weeks. It's not long but it's the longest I've been without him. I take a deep breath and type again.

ME: Romeo?

Before I know it, Chloe's sent the message for me. I stare at her, blankly.
"You would overthink it!" She holds up her hands in defense. She has a point, it's better that she sent it for me.

I pace around her room. What if he doesn't speak back because he won't know who Chloe is? What if he blocks her?

"Chiara! Calm down. It will work out. This is for the best, yeah?" She comforts, pulling me into a hug. Her hands run down my arms soothing me. I sniffle a little trying to stop the tears. She pulls back and examines my face. Her phone pings and my eyes widen.

ROMEO: Who's this?

No. No no no. Like I thought. He'll get confused and avoid the conversation.
"Chiara come here. Wipe your tears and pose for a picture!" She pulls me to the bed.
"I don't want a picture. I look awful." I sob.
"Just promise me?" She looks into my eyes. I nod and wipe my eyes.

She takes a photo of us together. My eyes a little puffy still but I try my hardest to look 'happy'. Once she's taken a few photos, I close my eyes and hide my face with my hands. She messes on her phone a little but I don't think anything of it, until her phone blows up. I snatch her phone and there are multiple messages from him.

ROMEO: Chiara?

ROMEO: Are you safe?

ROMEO: How come you haven't messaged Rose or Leo?

ROMEO: Chiaraaaaa

ROMEO: Please message me

ROMEO: Chiara please. I'll do anything

I reply back instantly. I feel my body falling apart but also my life being pulled back together.

ME: Romeo! Hi! I love you too. I'm sorry

I send all in one text and begin to type again.

ME: I'm safe. Mom took my phone. Harry made her. A lot happened. I'm so sorry. I do. I love you

My tears finally fall and Chloe wraps her arms around me. I rest my forehead on her shoulder and she strokes my hair. I was crying a mixture of happy and sad tears. I was happy because I finally told Romeo I loved him, but sad that I couldn't tell him it in person.

ROMEO: I love you Chiara! So much. I'm sorry about your mom. Leo is doing the best he can. Video call me? x

An video call comes in and I look at Chloe for reassurance. She nods and I accept the call.

The call seems to take ages to connect but when it does his face lights up the screen. He smiles so big and I beam at his face. He's sat on his bed and it's dark in his room.

"Hi! I love you!" My mouth speaks before I can process what I'm saying. "I'm sorry Romeo. I'm sorry this all happened. But I need to tell you everything that's happened."

"CHIARA!" He shouts. "Calm down. But speak. I'm listening." He breaths out.

"Well... god where do I even start! When I got to Louisiana, mom was bitchy as ever and well Harry's Dad took us home."

"Harry? As in Harry Hunt?" He interupts.

"Yes. Just listen." I continue before he interupts again. "Harry persuaded mom to take my phone away, so I had no contact with any of you. You especially Romeo. She made me message Dad to tell me I got here safe then she took it. The next day I left, trying to find a hotel because I didn't want to be near here. I didn't find it and ended up falling asleep at the lake. I left trying to find the hotel again but I find Chris and Ben. They said they had something to tell me.

I left them and found the Hotel but they insisted I knew. They told me Harry was planning this for a while. Since we came here for my school grades. They also told me how Harry's Dad, Tom, and my mom are together. But they said they would help me. Chris got me a phone. Oh and I met Chloe at the store."

Chloe got into frame and waved. Romeo thanked her quickly for getting us in touch.
"She could tell I was upset and helped me take my shopping home. I told her everything. About you. About mom and dad. Oh then I had dinner at Harry's and it was weird. He apologised. I guess we're on good terms now. He offered to help me too. But I said no since Dad's doing it all. I guess that's it." I let out a deep sigh.

"Chiara... just make sure he is not manipulating you. Any of them. Okay?" He gives me a knowing look.

"I'll look out for her." Chloe chimes in.

"Romeo what did she do for you to know it's me?" I change the conversation.
"Posted a picture with you." He smirks.
"After I'd been crying!" I gasp at Chloe.

We talk for over an hour and I give Romeo my new number so he can text me when he wants. I tell him to facetime me with Rose tomorrow and he nods. I wish him goodnight since he was falling asleep.

I've not felt this happy since my time with Romeo.