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Iris settled in at her desk in her room to do her homework. This weekend she had to finish a Calculus work packet, finish a lab report for Physics, and obviously, met up with Eli to do their English assignment. She didn't even want to think about Eli right now or what he might have thought about what he saw in the cafeteria earlier. Maybe he'll forget about it. It wasn't even that big of a deal, Iris tried to convince herself as she pulled out her Calculus assignment.
Iris had drowned herself into her homework, her attention finally occupied by something other than her English partner. That was until her phone buzzed beside her. She mindlessly picked it up and looked at the screen, seeing Eli's name across it. Once again, her mind was filled with nothing but him.
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From: eli :) :
are you okay?
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Well, I guess he remembers what he saw earlier, Iris thought as she held her hands over her face, her phone sitting in front of her on the desk. The truth was that she was nowhere from okay and she didn't feel like she could lie to him for some reason. She didn't want to lie to him.
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To: eli :) :
no, i'm not. but i will be.
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Iris knew that much had to be true. Someday, she would be okay, she had to be. There had to be a way to escape the hell she has found herself in. If she could get herself into it, then she sure as hell had to be able to get herself out of it.
———
From: eli :) :
well have you read my romeo and juliet yet? you won't be okay after that. that shit is TRAGIC
———
Iris chuckled as she read his message. She appreciated the fact that he was trying to make her laugh, or at least that's what she thought he was trying to do. She was also grateful that he wasn't going to pry her for information. She didn't want to think about Declan or his hatred and Eli was the perfect distraction.
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To: eli :) :
i haven't started it yet but no spoilers. i want the entire dramatic experience. watch out for mine though, it may be even more tragic
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Iris really thought that her version of Romeo and Juliet was the most tragic story of them all. Juliet falls in love with Romeo. He's the perfect guy, respectful, and part of the most prestigious family in the land. Romeo somehow miraculously falls for Juliet even though she is nowhere near good enough for him. However, Romeo isn't as perfect as he seems and Juliet didn't fall in love with the man she thought she did. Romeo is hateful and the words that he speaks to Juliet are poetic malice. Yet, Juliet will do anything for him; anything to keep his hands off of her. When Romeo fakes his own suicide just to hurt Juliet after she had disobeyed his orders, she kills herself out of regret and heartbreak.
It may or may not have been based on her own life but Iris would never admit that. This was her way of telling her own story without actually having to tell her story and deal with the consequences. She just hoped that it wasn't too tragic. She hoped that Eli wouldn't think she was messed up and morbid for writing something like that. Another text pulled her out of her thoughts.
———
From eli :) :
doubtful. when do you want to meet up?
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To eli :) :
how about you come over tomorrow around 1? my parents will be out so my mom won't badger us about study snacks and school gossip
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Iris knew that she couldn't bring Eli around her parents. Not yet, at least. She loved her mom to death but she would embarrass her in less than two seconds if she let her meet Eli. Her parents would be at an event for her dad's job so she and Adam would have the house until late that night. Iris knew that Adam would probably be with his friends so it was her ideal situation. No distractions, no embarrassment; just her and Eli, working on an assignment as English partners.
———
From eli :) :
send me your address and i will be there. starting your romeo and juliet now, i cant wait to read it and hear what you have to say about mine :)
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Iris smiled before sending him her address. She grabbed Eli's version of Romeo and Juliet before climbing into bed so that she could read more comfortably. She was excited to see what he had written; excited to see how his mind worked when he rewrote the famous tale. As she read, she realized just how tragic Eli's version was.
He wrote a version of Romeo who was sporadic and unpredictable. From his actions, Iris could only conclude that he was bipolar, but she didn't really know much about the disorder. It was interesting to see Eli describe what Romeo went through. She had never read something like it. Romeo fell for Juliet and Juliet fell in love with his manic side. The happy-go-lucky side of Romeo that danced with her in a field of flowers and wrote her love letters every day. But Juliet loathed his depressive side. She didn't want to sit with him when he had nightmares or console him when he had a panic attack. She scolded him when he wasn't acting in the way that she liked. She felt obligated to be with him and when she couldn't take it anymore she killed herself. When Romeo found her, he killed himself too out of regret and heartbreak.
When Iris finished reading, Eli's paper was spotted with tear stains. She couldn't believe what she had just read. She was heartbroken by the fact that Juliet wouldn't love Romeo after how much he did for her, all because he wasn't "normal". Iris was impressed with Eli's ability to make something feel so real and hit so hard. Her mind was already racing with thoughts and questions to bring up with Eli the next day. Iris spent the rest of the night letting Eli's words run through her mind.

YOU ARE READING
tragedy
Fanfiction- the version of romeo and juliet that doesn't end in them both killing themselves this story will include characters from degrassi but it doesn't follow the storyline. this is my own universe that includes my own scenarios, relationships, and chara...