Romeo and Juliet

11-L-

Come On, Prince Charming

"Are you okay?"

As he steps into my car, his serious expression and the dark circles under his eyes suggest he's had a rough night. The news of his sister's pregnancy, especially by a player who is notorious for his reckless disregard for others, must be devastating.

"Just drive," he mutters, and I comply.

Seeing him upset, his face marred by a frown, fills me with a sense of dread. And what's worse is the intensity of my feelings towards him. What's happening to me?

Instead of probing further, I concentrate on driving us to a coffee shop.

"I am sorry," he breaks the silence.

"It's okay. I understand you need space," I respond with a smile.

Wow! Who would think we had broken hearts to mend?

Truthfully, I don't understand. But I want to. Despite his occasional infuriating comments, I find myself missing his company when he's not around. If I become too possessive over someone who isn't even a friend yet, he might either flee or turn against me. I'm not sure which would be worse.

"My parents don't know—"

"They don't?"

He shakes his head. "And I have no idea how to tell them."

"Isn't she supposed to be the one to tell them?" I ask, curiosity getting the better of me. But his glare stops me from saying more. After all, she's the one who's pregnant.

"My parents aren't the best when it comes to understanding. Maybe that's why we've made so many mistakes."

I hum in agreement. I can relate to that.

After I got home last night, things didn't go well for me. Apparently, I'm grounded. I could have done so many other things instead of having dinner with a guy with Leo's Money, which Romeo doesn't know about yet. Oh! And there's also the matter of throwing away my dad's phone.

"Karina is my sister and if no one stands up for her, I have to be there, even if it disappoints me."

His words surprise me. For a player, he does have a heart. Maybe we aren't so different after all.

"My mother could kick her out of the house for all we know and my dad could beat her within an inch of her life."

He can't be serious. When he doesn't laugh, I feel my stomach turn. I don't like that. Not only do they hurt emotionally, but also physically.

"It doesn't have to be that way."

"The police won't help. And it would become messier."

"If she ever needs a place to stay for a while, she could come over," I offer.

It would be nice to have some company. My parents and I aren't on good terms, and my mother is a bit off with the news of her miscarriage in the air. I'm not sure if I should be all sunshine and rainbows with her, or be upset that she hid something so important from me.

He shakes his head. "I don't want you to get involved in this. It's a family problem. Dragging you into this seems like a terrible idea to me."

Ignoring the pain that appears in my chest, I realize that of course, I'm not family. Not even a friend he could trust that much. Why does it hurt when he says stuff like that? What is this feeling? I hope it is not love because I will throw myself out my car right now.

"Come on. My house could take ten guests. Besides, I'd enjoy some company."

From my peripheral view, I see him staring at me, his lips curving into that sexy smile. I melt. God, he is so sexy and he knows it.

"I will let you know if we need any help," he accepts before turning on the radio to mute the uncomfortable air in the car.

I don't usually take people to school in my car. I prefer driving alone, mentally preparing myself for the day. It's not that I haven't done it before, but it's very rare. If someone asks, I happily help. Well, it depends on who we're talking about. But I normally do. What I don't do is offer. So, bringing Prince Charming because I basically forced him to, surprises me.

Neither of us have classes at eight, so we go for breakfast then head to our first class, which, to my surprise, is the same one he saved me a seat for.