Runaways: A Romeo & Juliet Story

Chapter 30

"Wherever you go, that's where I'll follow

Nobody's promised tomorrow

So I'ma love you every night like it's the last night

Like it's the last night"

- Die with a Smile by Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars

JULIET

It's been one week since we returned to Verona.

The drive away from Romeo was one of the most confusing experiences of my life. My anger towards him...I felt like I could hate him. I could hate him like the Montague he was. The betrayer. But then it's like my body and mind are missing parts of it that are crucial to it running. I missed him that entire drive. My chest felt tight. Why wouldn't he just talk to me first? Anything, even death is better than living with my dad again. My head felt heavy. I could barely hear my dad talking next to me.

"Juliet? What do you think?" He asked.

"What?" I wasn't listening. I couldn't believe that I was in the car with him.

How could I have been on a private jet with Romeo and then an hour later be sitting with my father who hates me?

"What do you think about doing your final year at the high school with everyone else?"

I think he expected me to jump into his lap with glee but everything he was saying meant nothing. A small consolation prize for losing my husband and being betrayed. So sure, fantastic, let's spend my last year of pointless education with all the other people in Verona.

"Why the change of heart?" I ask.

"Clearly you were craving some freedom. I don't want us in a cycle of you lying and me punishing you for the rest of the year– I don't have time for that. You've been in the outside world so I believe you can handle Verona Academy. And during the school year we'll see if any of the eligible men in Verona will take you. The last one who tried is still recovering from stab wounds in hospital. As you can imagine Paris is no longer interested. But there are others who could be useful to us..."

"Of course." I say shaking my head, "Not worried about Romeo being at school?"

"Something tells me you're the last person who wants to see him." he laughs, "From what I hear he's not much of a student anyway. He'll go back to his usual playboy lifestyle."

He's right.

Romeo hasn't tried to get in touch all week or if he has the messages are being intercepted.

Just like love was a surprise, feeling this level of hatred for someone you love... feeling like you kill them just to be wailing at their funeral. Why do people fall in love? It's so messy. It's so...painful. And embarrassing.

My mother is avoiding me with a shopping trip up north, so I haven't seen her yet. And it's really fine because one cold and detached parent at a time is fine with me.

Nurse was so happy to see me. She filled me in on all the important gossip from around town. Nothing is quite as interesting as Romeo and I escaping town after I faked my death.

My dad is behaving strangely and I don't know if he's saving his wrath for when my mom is present or if this is some weird new leaf he's turning. But we're both walking on eggshells around each other– which to be honest is a nice change of pace, usually it's just me that's uncomfortable in this house.