Romeo and Juliet

36 -O-

Rat Girl

"Juli, did you spread those videos across the school?" I ask, incredulous.

Julissa's casual shrug and mischievous laugh make me wonder who she even is now. She's been acting strange lately, and I can't help but think something might've happened at home. It feels like she's become a whole different person.

"Why would you do that?"

Her gaze softens, hinting at vulnerability. "Did you know why Daniel broke up with me?"

I'm at a loss for words.

"You're too caught up in your fantasies to notice," she accuses. I silently plead with her not to reveal my secret yearnings for Romeo. It's a delicate balance I'm struggling to maintain.

"Listen, it's not like that. You've just been distant," I deflect, snatching a cucumber slice to occupy my mouth.

Julissa's dramatic eye roll could be permanent. "She spread vicious rumors about me."

My shock is evident. I usually talk to everyone and hear all the chatter in these halls—but not lately. I must be too caught up in my own problems to notice what's going on with Julissa. "Did you cheat on Daniel?"

Her frustration is palpable.

"Whose side are you on?"

Her question catches me off guard. Cheating isn't in my playbook. If love fades, you part ways; you don't inflict double the pain.

"I'm against all that bullshit, yes," I assert.

"Don't pretend you're above it all, Juliet."

Her words sting. The last thing I need is a public showdown with Julissa. Normally, I'm fiery, but with her, I must be the calming water.

"You pining over Romeo isn't right either while he has Holly and you have Zed," she continues, louder now. 

I cringe as her voice carries, likely reaching the ears of eager eavesdroppers. The last thing I need is to be the center of gossip. The hurt from her betrayal mixes with anger. Chloe's actions were one thing, but Julissa airing our private matters is a stab in the back. At least I was asking her about her being unfaithful, which she clearly didn't deny, in a hush voice.

"Julie, be careful with your words," I warn through clenched teeth, fighting the urge to lash out.

"Or what? You'll stalk me like you did him?" She taunts, feeding the crowd's hunger for scandal.

No, no, no. Besides, that was before Zed and Holly.

Romeo watches with an amused smirk, while Holly's glare could cut glass. He knows this since he saw the cowboy picture as my wallpaper  (which I still have in my phone), but for the school to know, it is not fun anymore. "Or are you using Zed to make Romeo jealous?"

The room erupts, their hoots nearly deafening.

"That's enough," I whisper, my voice a mix of fury more than shame. I won't degrade myself but I won't let her continue her ignominious speech. "I am not using Zed to get to Romeo. I honestly don't know what is worse, Julissa. You spreading videos about a girl who is old enough to decide what she wants or you being a rat." I have a right to feed my eyes just like every other girl in this room.

Gathering my belongings, I make my way out of the room, leaving a hush in my wake. Romeo's furrowed brow betrays his concern, and I can't help but feel a twinge of regret for myself. He's likely to seek me out now, his ego undoubtedly inflated by Julissa's public declaration.

Fighting back tears, I refuse to let them fall. It's a new low for me, and I can't fathom when Julissa transformed into this unrecognizable person.