Romeo and Juliet

40 -E-

You Are My Nightmare

"Expecting another guest, Julie?" She arches an eyebrow, the familial resemblance to my father strikingly evident.

I swing the door open to reveal Romeo, balancing a black plastic bag in one hand and his school bag slung over his shoulder.

"Good heavens! Is that your boyfriend, darling? He's quite the looker."

"Grandma!" I can't suppress an eye roll. She's quite the character. A flush of embarrassment warms my cheeks. What must Karina be thinking? "Actually, he's Romeo, Karina's brother."

"Oh!" Grandma claps a hand over her mouth, then turns to Karina. "But he is rather dashing, my dear. You can't deny that," she titters, and I brace myself for another wave of blushing.

Romeo's chuckle resonates, a dimple mirroring his sister's as he catches Lily's last remark. His ego will surely feast on this.

"Do I overhear correctly?" he murmurs, leaning in as he saunters past. A shiver races up my spine, but he doesn't pause. Instead, he heads straight for her.

"Good afternoon..." His greeting trails as he takes Lily's hand, bowing slightly to kiss it.

"Lily," she interjects, her laughter tinkling like chimes.

"Good afternoon, Lily. How do you fare?"

"And such a gentleman he is," she exclaims, casting a glance our way.

Karina's laughter joins the chorus while I can't help but roll my eyes. Again. His charm could disarm any woman at will.

Karina and I linger to the side, feeling like outsiders as we wait for their exchange to conclude. It's painfully awkward. Lily's offer to Romeo, "I'll fetch you some," signals my chance to usher Karina upstairs and make my escape to see Mom.

"I'll be here," he assures with a grin, turning to us as Lily departs, her face alight with mirth.

His smile vanishes, replaced by a stern frown that belies his earlier charm. "I've brought you something, Kar. They might be melting," he says, handing her a black bag, followed by her phone, which she accepts without delay. Karina opens a bag with an ice cream container.

"Was she there?"

He gives a slight shake of his head before his gaze shifts to me, his trademark smile stealing my breath away. Romeo leaves me reeling, unable to decipher his current mood amidst his mercurial swings.

I guide Karina to her room, leaving Lily to entertain Romeo with lemonade and a house tour. Once Karina is settled and familiar with her surroundings—with my dog trailing behind—I make for my car.

"Helena, where to?" Romeo calls out.

Counting the steps and noting Lily's presence beside him, I muster my brightest smile. "Hey, I thought you'd already left."

His smirk and the skeptical arch of his brow tell me he's not buying it. "Really?"

I nod, sticking to my story.

"And where might you be headed, Dear? Weren't you grounded?"

Dad.

"That was ages ago, Grandma," I fib.

"As I recall, it was for a full month, and if you keep up this defiance like your father, I'll see to it that two more are tacked on."

I exhale in frustration, arms crossed. She can't be serious. 

Romeo's amusement is evident as he laughs openly, my irritation mounting. I shoot him a glare, but he's unfazed. I'm left wondering what he finds so humorous about me.

"I'm off to Mom's workplace for a bit."

She shakes her head, and I brace for the inevitable rundown of my restrictions—no sugarcoating, no mercy. Romeo's laughter rings out again. Why is he still here?

"Juliet, rules are rules. No exceptions. No cards, no shopping, no parties, no coming and going as you please. And consider yourself fortunate to still have a car—I'd have you on the bus if it were up to me."

"But I'm just—"

"No 'buts.' To your room, now."

With a groan, I cast my eyes skyward and trudge towards my room. "Thanks a bunch, Romeo," I mutter under my breath. If not for his interruption, I'd be halfway there by now.

Romeo's voice floats to my ears. "What if I escort her and ensure her swift return post-errand? That way, I can vouch for her actions."

The thought of riding on his noisy motorcycle sends a shiver down my spine, not to mention the proximity—I'm not sure I can endure it.

Lily's gaze ping-pongs between us, and I brace for her verdict, half-expecting some outlandish decree. Her eyes gleam with mischief.

"That seems reasonable. But Juliet, you're granted leave for this task alone. Should your mother discover your truancy, she'd be livid. No internet, no car."

Romeo's chuckle is a low hum. "Don't worry Lily. She will be back in no time. I'll see to it."

I shift my weight onto one leg, arms folded defiantly. "Who said anything about leaving with you, Romeo?"

Grandma's head shake is final. "Take it or leave it, Juliet. Those are your only choices."

This has to be a joke. I could call Mom, but she despises phone calls—hence her secretary. Yet, this situation demands direct communication, not through a phone I no longer possess.

"Fine. I'll go. Expect me back within the hour, perhaps sooner," I declare, tugging Romeo out of the room before Grandma reconsiders. As we approach his motorcycle, Romeo's frame quivers with silent laughter.

I bury my face in the helmet he hands me, grumbling to myself, "Oh, Romeo. You are my nightmare."

*****