Romeo and Juliet

10-U-

Our Game, First Move

"You're such a clown," I manage to choke out after biting into my burger and pushing a fry with it.

"I know," he chuckles.

Our laughter harmonizes in the car, creating a melodious sound.

"And you won't believe what she said."

"What?"

He mimics one of his exes' voices along with the actions, making it sound and look hilarious. "I hate you, Ricardo. You're such a cheater."

I can't help but laugh, fearing I might pee myself.

"And my name isn't even Ricardo," he defends himself while pinching his burger. "She probably confused me with one of the other guys she was cheating on me with."

I slap his arm playfully, unable to contain my laughter. What if I choke on this food?

"Please stop," I beg.

A snort escapes my lips, and I pause. I think I'm definitely about to pee myself. His eyes blink several times, and we burst out laughing together. This is so embarrassing. But who would have thought this?

Romeo and Helena having a moment. No, wait! Romeo and Juliet sounds better.

After I manage to stop laughing, I peer out the window and notice that the moon is out.

I stare at the house down the street and see a girl with a bag of groceries walking in. She looks a lot like Romeo, except a smaller and female version.

"Thanks for tonight," Romeo interrupts my thoughts.

"It's nothing, really. I should thank you. You saved me from my solitude. God knows what I could have done." I confess, looking down at my lap stained with ketchup.

"Something really happened, right?" He pinches my chin, and my eyes meet his.

I feel so vulnerable, I hate that he makes me feel like this. When did I become this weak? I hate me. I snort-laughed in front of you today, that's what happened. Please, don't sell me out.

"I know I'm not the person you wish I was. But you can trust me. I'm a player, I don't gossip," he grins ignoring my comment.

I join him and shake my head. "I know."

He's very right. I just wish he was different. I wish this version was the right person for me and not the real Romeo. Surprisingly, I trust him. It's me I don't trust. I'm afraid to break down here all over again, and the feeling that consumes me, I don't want to deal with it alone. Because he will have to leave any moment, and I'm not ready for that either.

"I'm glad you picked me up. I didn't want to come home," he confesses.

I look at him and wait for him to continue.

Intrigued, I ask, "Why?"

I don't push for further information because he has said enough with those words. I want to think he has family problems that could be resolved. If not for me, I hope his can.

My eyes land on his lips, and I can't help but imagine them on me. No, Helena. You two are going to kill each other if it ever happens, I tell myself.

He touches his bruised lip when he catches me staring.

"Michael and I fought today."

"Over a girl, I imagine."

Knowing that Michael hits whatever walks if he ever pleases is no surprise. And Romeo dates whoever he wishes. All I have to do is put two and two together.

"Over my sister." He points out the girl who walks out with a bag of trash in one hand.

"Your sister?"

"She's pregnant...and it's his," he says, disappointed.

I feel all my food churn in my stomach.

"How do you know it's his?"

"She told me this morning. And I don't know how to deal with it. She's only sixteen for Christ's sake. Why didn't she use a condom if she was in such a hurry to have sex?"

They are both underage, so it must be scary to know what the future holds. Teenage pregnancy, huh? Uncle Romeo.

He looks so angry, I'm afraid the vein in his neck will pop.

"Michael," I repeat, sitting up straight this time and be serious. "I'm sorry to hear that news. It must be shocking."

"It's fucking terrifying! And I'm not even the one who's pregnant," he mimics my posture. All jokes and happy moments are thrown out the window.

"Yeah."

After a while of processing that information and realizing that he actually trusts me, I start to feel a lot better. But it doesn't go both ways, and I am pretty sure he isn't waiting for me to spill the beans either. Again, I try to help him get his motorcycle down but fail miserably when it almost falls on me, twice. Instead, I just stand on the sidewalk and wait for him to bring it down himself.

"Thanks again, Lena. Good night," he mutters and starts walking towards his house with his cycle next to him.

"Good night, Romeo."

I feel terrible for everything happening to us. For how life is playing a twisted game. And what he did for me today, he deserves a prize. He saw me falling and made me laugh. I feel terrible I couldn't do the same for him.

"Hey!"

"What now, Helena?" He asks with a bored expression.

I look at him, confused. I hate that he has such mood swings. He notices my confusion and grins.

He's a dork! He's messing with me.

"Do you have a ride tomorrow?"

"I'll take the bus until I fix this...monster," he adds the last word mischievously.

"I'll pick you up at eight."

"I have classes until ten."

"It doesn't matter. Be ready by eight."

He simply stares at me as I hop into the driver's side and drive away.

*****