Runaways: A Romeo & Juliet Story

Chapter 12

"And so I put this on my life

Nobody or nothing will ever come between us

And I promise I'll give my life

My love and my trust if you was my boyfriend (one more time)"

- '03 Bonnie & Clyde - Jay Z feat. Beyoncé

JULIET

We pull up to these super high gates that surround the Montague estate and I'm immediately relieved. We're still going to need Hammer. But for now being inside this fortress is the only thing I can focus on.

Romeo pulls up to a keypad. He types in a code.

"It's 0904." He says.

I nod.

"My birthday." He reveals.

We don't even know each other's birthdays.

The gates open and Romeo drives through on to a long path– lights automatically turn on anticipating us. Sitting at the top of this road is a giant house. I count at least six huge windows in front. It's two storeys high. We reach the end of the path and he drives onto a circular driveway. I take in everything. I need to know how to get out of here. I need to know how to get out of any situation. I never want to feel the way I did stuck in that trunk, maniacally collecting items to use as weapons. I'm glad it worked but I really don't want to think of what my fate would have been had I not managed to surprise them like that.

I know Romeo feels awful for letting it happen but he couldn't have guessed we were surrounded by that kind of danger. I think we have both been pretty naive. Being two 17-year-olds became really clear at that moment. I don't know if we should do this. I'm afraid to share that with him.

He turns the engine off and looks back at me.

"Hi." He smiles.

"Hi."

He climbs from his seats into the back and sits next to me.

"I'm so sorry, Juliet. I don't even know–" He tries to hug me but I back up.

"I don't want to think about it. I want to take a bath and forget this day ever happened." I open the door and step out. I breathe in the fresh air. Surrounded by all these trees the air is amazing especially compared to the dusty roads we've been on. I stretch and take in another deep breath.

Romeo unlocks the front door with the same code.

We walk inside with our things. It's a beautifully decorated mansion.

"This is my home. It's my inheritance from my grandfather. My dad will expect me to be here but he hates this property. Thinks it's too old. So he won't come back here."

"Are you sure? Even to settle things with us?"

"If I'm honest, I'm not sure but this is what we have." Romeo shrugs.

I look around at this amazing place. It's not that we don't have properties this size but my father never let me leave Verona. So I've never seen a home like this or an estate like this...or a forest like this.

"There's a bedroom upstairs to the right that has a bathroom." He says. "There might be some clothes up there. Take whatever you want."

"Thank you." I say and as I pass him I do want to just wrap my arms around him but I can't do it. I don't know why. I can tell he wants to help but I'm stuck. I linger beside him for a second and he starts to say something but I'm up the stairs before he can find the courage.