Runaways: A Romeo & Juliet Story

Chapter 20

"I'd give up my sight just to see you

I'd beg, I would borrow and steal

I'd cut off my hands just to touch you

And tear out my heart so you'd know how I feel"

- If I Didn't Have You by Amanda Marshall

JULIET

Romeo basically stopped coming to class after that. Evana has been by everyday since and she leaves some lessons for him and I don't know if he's even checking them out. I don't care.

It's Friday now.

I feel really glad to have someone else to talk to. Another woman. Someone older and wiser and maybe someone with advice. I don't plan to ask her anything now but just getting to know her is good. It's something. Plus I love her whole vibe and look. Everything she wears is cool and unique looking. She's got a certain style. I don't know what my style is. It used to be whatever my mother wanted. Now it's vintage gowns and men's shirts.

Romeo and I are sleeping in the same bed but nothing's been happening. Although without fail, I wake up every morning with his arm draped over me, his hand holding one of mine. And each morning I wake up first and I carefully unlock our fingers and slip out of his arms. It doesn't feel right being so distant, but until we have that conversation about Tybalt we can't do anything else. My mind can't get there.

He's still having trouble falling asleep at night. I feel him tossing and turning. Sometimes he mumbles in his sleep. I think he keeps reliving that day in Verona over and over. But whenever he's moving around I snuggle closer to him and whisper, "You're okay, you're okay" until he settles down. Usually by the morning he's getting some good sleep. But I can tell everyday how tired he is.

During our lesson Evana notices I'm distracted.

"How's it going out here for you?" she asks.

"Me? It's an adjustment."

"Sure." She doesn't seem convinced.

"When we came through the town I had this...well these guys grabbed me and it was the scariest thing I've ever experienced."

"Oh Juliet, I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. But I just feel safer here in the house."

"But it must be isolating."

"It is."

"And you and Romeo seem to be...never mind."

"What?"

"You don't seem like newlyweds. I sensed some tension."

"You sensed right. But it's nothing we won't figure out. We love each other. We're married and that's not changing."

"Of course not. Maybe you just need a normal night."

"How so?"

"Here." she reaches into her purse and pulls out an invitation. "This is mine but I can get another from my friend."

She hands me this invite with an address and today's date. It's black with red ink.

"What is this?"

"Private party that my friend's organizing. Cool crowd, you wouldn't have to worry. This great DJ I know is playing tonight." she says, "What?"