Romeo Hates Juliette

Chapter Four

"Honey?" I slightly felt someone shake my entire body.

"Wha- what?" I quickly sprung forward, and rubbed the fatigue out of my eyes. I saw my mother sitting on the edge of my twin bed, her hand on my hip. "You've been asleep for hours!" She whisper-yelled. "It's 3'o clock, are you sick? Should I check your temperature? Or, maybe a hot chicken noodle soup?" My mother has always been a pack of nerves.

"No mom, I'm fine." I said while brushing the hair out of my eyes.

"What's wrong, then? You haven't been yourself lately." She seemed concerned, and I couldn't take it any longer. I clearly, wasn't myself, I was being controlled by her. I couldn't be myself even if I tried.

"Can't you see?!" I shouted. "I don't have a life! I'm forced to date the horrid guy who doesn't give a damn about me! I don't like him, mom. I really, really don't." I instantly bursted into tears.

She leaned in to give me a warm hug but I declined it. "Please mother, please go away."

And she left.

I took out my phone and noticed a text from my best friend Emma.

' heey gurll! long time no chat! sleepover at my house?? imy ! ' A sleepover sounded nice. Spending time with my friend and most importantly forgetting Keaton is something I didn't only want, but I needed.

' sounds good, ill b there soon' I quickly texted back.

I headed to my dresser and grabbed an old pair of faded shorts, and my white lace shirt. I added in some cute pj's and all the essentials to a sleepover.

I headed down to the main floor where I reached my mother knitting some mittens, even though it was still summer.

"Baby! You finally got out of the room!" She hugged me tight but I quickly squirmed out.

"Emma invited me over to spend the night." I gave her those puppy dog eyes that I'm an expert at. I mean, come on, who couldn't resist them.

"Fine."

I jumped of excitement.

"Thank you!" I gave her a kiss on the cheek and ran for the door. "I'll be back tomorrow afternoon!" I managed to yell before I slammed the door shut and the heavy wood blocked any sound I made.

Emma's house was only 3 blocks away, which was great. Every summer we had pool parties and went camping and basically had the time of our lives. But lately, I wasn't feeling that great and I had to spend more than enough time with Keaton.

I finally got to her house and knocked on the yellow door. Emma's mom was an artist. Their house was so funky, modern, but sometimes even weird. Some unusual paintings were hung on practically every single wall, she had some cool statues, rugs, and colours everywhere.

"Ellie!" Emma reached over and hugged me warmly. Emma's household liked to call me 'Ellie', and I didn't mind at all, it was different.

We went to her room and chatted about the last few weeks where we hadn't seen each other.

"I wen't to that new water park with my sister and her friends." Emma mentioned. She went to her grandparents cottage in Rhode Island, a few shopping trips and a visit to the local zoo. "What have you been up to?" Emma gave me a smile, you know that smile your friends give you when they mention your crush, and then they kind of hit you with their elbow and raise their eyebrows. Well that's what she was doing, but in this case, it wasn't my crush we were talking about.

I simply said "Hanging out with Keaton." and gave her a sarcastic smile.

"Ellie! Why aren't you happy with him?!" She asked.