Romeo and Juliet

53- F

Not with that face

I can't concentrate for anything during practice. I miss the tennis ball like five times and nearly get hit by that rat of a friend I have. Frank punishes me twice and scolds me all within the first hour.

"Go home. You are not doing anything today."

I look up at him with wide eyes, hoping to see some kind of pity. I don't do something good once in my lifetime and he punishes me for it? Is he crazy? He knows I'm the one carrying the championship on my back like the bitch I am, and he repays me this way? He can shove the trophy up his... well, you get the idea. Jeez! What is wrong with me?

"I am fine. I got it." I get ready with my racket, but he blows the whistle for Julissa to hold the ball and walks over to me. "I said leave. Unless you want to go to the nationals, you will get your shit together. Now leave my court and don't come back until you are ready."

I look at Melissa and Julissa, who are holding back their laughter. Snakes.

Coach walks over to them and hollers at Melissa. "Judging by reality, you might want to start taking this seriously."

My ass! Over my dead body will she take my place. I am the best of the best and I do not plan on just giving it up. Especially to those witches.

With a loud huff, I walk out. I am not going to give my place to any mediocre little bitch and ruin my reputation. No such thing will happen under my watch. My lack of concentration today has nothing to do with my skills. Not even with concentration can they top me, and Frank knows that. He must be bluffing because he wouldn't dare exchange his best player.

As I turn the corner, I remember Romeo's request. It's because of him that I can't concentrate. I'm not thinking about anything in particular, just his presence fazes me out and confuses me. What does he want? I take a deep breath and realize I'm panting. Is this normal?

I halt behind a wall and peep to see if he's there, but to my luckiest unluck, he isn't. It takes me a while to fix my breathing, and then I walk to my car.

Stupid Romeo! So much for wanting me to go. Is this his way of making it up? What are his plans? What does he truly want? He doesn't talk to me for days, then he appears and disappears. Just wait until I get my hands around his neck; I'll choke him until he comes to his senses.

I drive home slowly, thinking of ways to get back at Julissa and Melissa. They will pay for it.

As I get around the corner of my house, I see a leather silhouette mounting his cycle. He's looking across the street at the dark car that's starting to move. As I get closer, it accelerates and disappears around the other curve.

My heart beats faster at the sight of Romeo. I'm positively surprised by his presence, and I automatically grin. He waves at me and follows me inside the yard when I open the gate.

He knocks on my window, and I grin as I look up at him. He's smiling down at me as well.

My heart swells, and I hate it, but I scold it. I don't understand what he's trying to do. He doesn't like me but refuses to leave me alone. Am I dreaming, or is he truly here?

"You aren't used to the word no, right?"

His eyes brighten. Or am I imagining all of this?

"Hello, Love. Why are you home so early?"

Well, Frank chased me, but I'm not going to tell him that because that opens portals to his pushy questions, and I don't think I can handle that.

"Just because. Why haven't you gone home?"

"Just because," he shrugs.

We make eye contact for what feels like eternity until I decide to break it. My heart is about to burst; I feel agitated.

"We have a date," he points out.

I laugh. "One I haven't agreed to. Besides, I don't think they're going to let me go out at this time."

He laughs. "If that's a problem for you, not for me. I can go in and ask for permission if you want." He starts towards the door, and I run behind him.

"Stop! Not with that face."

"I am sorry, Love. I cannot change it," he grins.

I slap his arm and stop him again by holding his hand. "You are all bruised up. Don't you have a mirror?"

He touches it and laughs. "That is not a problem, and them not allowing you isn't one either, right? If you don't come, I'm going to go in there and talk to your mom."

"No! Alright! I'll go. But I need to know where."

"That is a surprise," he says and picks me up over his shoulder as I try my best not to scream for my mother or kick him somewhere down there.