Runaways: A Romeo & Juliet Story

Chapter 7

"If you go, I'm going too, uh

'Cause it was always you, alright

And if I'm turning blue, please don't save me

Nothing left to lose without my baby"

- Birds Of A Feather by Billie Eilish

ROMEO

I didn't want to leave that blanket lying next to Juliet. But it's better to be on the road early. I'm hoping we can make it to the house by sunset.

We've been on the road for the last hour. Juliet fell asleep five minutes into it. I let her sleep because I don't know what's ahead for us. She should get as much rest as possible.

After a while she wakes up and rubs her eyes looking over at me.

"Where are we now?"

"Not sure exactly but we're going to pass a town soon. We can stop for some food if you want?"

"I'm so hungry." she says, clutching her stomach.

I hand her the rest of my breakfast burrito.

She begins to devour it and then stops herself embarrassed. "Gosh I guess all the mystery does go out the window when you're married." She wipes her mouth but finishes the burrito with enthusiasm.

From the highway, I notice an abandoned mall at the edge of town. I get an idea.

I turn off the highway and she starts looking around. "Where's the town?"

"I have a little detour for us."

"Oh yeah?"

We pull into the parking lot at the back of the mall. No one around for miles.

I park the car in the middle of the lot and turn the engine off.

"What's going on?"

"Driving lesson."

She looks around, uncertain and a bit nervous.

"This lot is empty," I say, taking off my seatbelt, "It's a safe place for you to learn some basics. Come here."

We both get out and she comes around to the driver's side and sits down. She puts her seat belt on.

"Okay," I say standing at the door, "Now look in the rearview mirror and make sure you can see out the back window."

We go over the basics and then I sit in the passenger seat as she slowly makes her way down the parking lot lanes. Slowly but surely she figures it out and for her first lesson she isn't half bad.

"When can I help with the drive?" She asks, excitedly.

"Baby steps, baby. I don't think we need to rush it."

She agrees and gets out of the car.

Once we're both back in our usual spots I look over at her and she's grinning. "What?" I ask.

"It's so fun. I just never thought it would be so fun to drive."

"Oh you have no idea. Buckle up."

I start the engine and then look over at her one more time. Before she knows what's happening I'm doing donuts in the lot, the smoke gathering in huge clouds behind us. I look across at her and Juliet is equal parts scared, shocked and thrilled.

Mercutio, the boys and I would do these all the time. Sometimes we'd get caught and have to out-drive the cops but mostly it was like this. Perfect.

I slow us down and finally come to a stop. I put the car in park. Breathing heavy, I look over at her and she smiles.

"Do it again."

We keep doing donuts and then when I pull over one last time, she reaches across and turns the engine off for me.

I know what she wants and I push the seat back.

She climbs on top of me and we have fast, unabashed sex. It's animalistic. The donuts really got her going.

Afterwards, she looks through the glovebox. The weed we saw earlier is now in my bag. But she finds maps; faded receipts; some sunglasses– she models them for me.

"Stunner." I say.

She digs further and pulls out a chunky, gold bracelet, "Can I have this?"

"Sure. It's not mine."

"It's so pretty. I can't wait to wear anything but my funeral dress."

"We'll be there by tonight. I promise. There might be some old stuff there for you."

We get back on the road.