Romeo and Juliet

15-S-

That's My Hideout

I arrive two minutes late for my practice and get two laps added to my accumulated exercise. I am practically dying of exhaustion when it's over. Julissa walks over to where I stand to get her water. We have barely seen each other today, I can sense her eyes on me all day. I know she is itching to hear the gossip.

"So is the Romeo thing serious?" She quirks her brow before she gulps down the liquid.

"It's Romeo's idea. It's like he is connected to you."

Her laughter fills the court, Melissa turns to look at us. She rolls her eyes at me and I want to punch her to fix her eyes.

I laugh at myself.

"So it's not serious?"

"We are giving it a shot. But I haven't agreed to anything. I am thinking it through."

"What's there to think? It's Prince Charming and everyone wants an opportunity. He basically gave you one."

"I don't want anything from him. I have my own reputation. I don't need to go asking. They throw themselves at me."

"True, but none of them is Romeo. Go on girl. Just try it. If you get bored, which I know both of you will, just walk out. At least you will get to kiss him. Please let me know how good it is."

"It's a game," I point out. "And I am pretty sure, I will be the one teaching him a thing or two. His brain doesn't have enough space to store all the shit he has learnt."

That's what we do. A game. Julissa has a point, though. I will kiss him and I have been meaning to do that every now and then. Nothing serious.

"Exactly. You could enjoy it or kill each other."

I nod. She is right. What's there to lose? I have never lost anything. In fact, I am gaining something. A chance with the heartbreaker. My resume upgrades again. I should write a line over his name in my list already.

"I will miss talking to other boys," I say out of the blue while we walk back to change.

"You never stop talking to others while dating. Why does it have to be different?"

"Cause'," I shrug.

"Just do it. I don't know why you are overthinking this. You never do and it's weird."

Julie knows me so well I am afraid she will see through. Instead, I laugh to cover up my embarrassed face and stop when I see Michael by the door. I forgot.

"Got time now?"

"Sure." I give Julissa a discrete glance which she reads well. She heads inside while I pause near him.

"Sup?"

"I need your cabin for a few days," he whispers.

My eyes blink several times as I hold back a laughter. I look around and wait for cameras to appear out of hiding places, but when nothing of that sort happens, I snort.

"What for?"

"Mom and dad are divorcing," he blurts out.

Is every parent divorcing now?

"I am sorry for you Mike, but I still don't understand what my cabin has to do here."

"I need an escape. I am going insane in that house."

Dating Michael for a week makes me realize many things. He is such a dickhead sometimes and not to justify his doings, but all that roots from the shitty family he lives with. But he can be a sensitive boy, you won't believe he is the school's troublemaker. He cried twice that week we dated it confused me in all ways.

"For how long?"

"I have no idea. A week at most while I get somewhere to stay."

"Are you sure? You won't go making a mess over my place?"

"Do I look like I have time for shit like that now?"

I just stare at him.

"Look, Lena. I really need your help. If I had somewhere else to go, I wouldn't come to you. But right now, I need it. So will you help?"

Should I? I don't trust Mike alone in my cabin. It's a special place I don't want anyone to know about.

"Don't bring anyone there. It's my hideout," I threaten as I remove the cabin key from the rest of my keys.

"I swear I won't."

When I hand him the key, he grins. "Thanks, Lena. I owe you one."

"Anytime."

I ponder whether I should trust him. It's a risk, but maybe it's one worth taking. After all, everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves, right? Even Mike.