After The Night, no one is allowed to go out after dark. What that means, is that you're allowed to be out before 9 after Spring Equinox, and 6 after Winter Equinox. The town after Lights Out hour is freaky. People rush to their homes, my father locks up the clinic, and we both embrace the warm atmosphere of our bedrooms, located right upstairs in the church. I feel calm in here; crosses hanging around, candles on my drawer, a bookshelf of all the books I love, and of course, my father next door. He's not too old just yet; young enough to still have the ability to do 60 push ups ( I cannot even do one). From what I've heard, he doesn't fit the Priest stereotype at all. He's not old with a white beard and a bible tucked underneath his arm and a pair of glasses. He's respectable with dark hair, only few gray ones, fierce blue eyes that I've inherited, and sharp cheekbones that I, unfortunately, didn't inherit. I've gotten my mother's smooth complexion and, at the same time, her round face. I still have my father's fierce jaw, though, which is a weird combination to tell you the truth. I've been told that it plays nicely, though, so I'm alright with it.
So as I lay down in my nightgown, reading an all time favourite, my candle lingering beside me. Electricity was too overrated, I swear. We can do everything without it just as well. Well, we can. Not sure about the other regions. Rumor has it that 16 already has computers running. Imagine that. I've never seen one in my life, but I've been told that they're like humans, only made of plastic. Not sure what that means. Do they talk? Do they walk? Think? Read? Um.
"Psst."
I shoot straight up, pulling down my dress to cover my thigh. Who the hell?
"Penelop," someone hisses. I stare at the window in horror and disbelief as a head pops in, eyebrows pushed up, staring at me.
Oh god. Jake.
I feel instantly hot and breathless as he crawls through the window to my room. I can just feel my pulse through my wrist. God, forgive me for this. Forgive me so much.
"What in the underground world are you doing here?!" I exclaim in a whisper, knowing that if my dad was to barge in here at this moment, I would so get disowned.
He wipes his palms off on his jeans' knees, dark blonde waves getting in his eyes.
"No one would let me in and I have literally no place to go."
I sit back down on the bed, my heart about to hop out of my chest.
"You can't be here," I finally decide, whispering harshly.
"If my father finds out, he'll kill us both."
He gives me a long look, looking like he's trying really hard not to smirk.
"Who said we're an item?"
An item?
"What?"
"Oh, sorry, I forgot. You guys speak ancient in here. What I meant is; who says you're my Juliet and I'm your Romeo?"
This, I get.
I feel my cheeks getting hot with rage as I cross my arms, stuttering.
"Who- who? What? Oh, please. I'd rather lay in a grave filled with poisonous snakes!"
He huffs, crossing his arms. I think that's an impression of me.
Times like this I'd love to swear. Out loud. Scream it.
"Yeah, you're right. You'd rather lay in a grave filled with poisonous snakes than to not be my Juliet. I totally get what you mean, don't worry baby," he smirks, dimples appearing again. Shnizlesticks.
