Juliet & Romeo

6. You Belong With Me.

Romeo

Opening the French doors of Juliet’s balcony with the key she gave me, I quietly walked into her room and carefully pulled them shut behind me. It was dark inside, but I stayed in place, not daring turning a light switch before Juliet came in – that might just raise unwelcomed suspicions.

Felling slightly nervous, I leaned back against the wall, waiting. Will she accept my crazy invitation of leaving with me, or will she decline? If she rejects me, what am I going to do without her? No matter how much I feel for her, I’m not going to push her. It wouldn’t be right.

Finally, just after a few minutes of being in her room, I heard light footsteps on the other side of the bedroom door, and a second later came the sound of a key being turned in the lock. A petite figure came in, slammed closed the door and turned on the switch. In the dim light, I saw Juliet lean against the door at her back and slide down onto the floor. With her eyes closed, she exhaled loudly.

“Have you changed your mind about going away with me?” – I tried to sound lightly, but immediately realised that I had failed miserably. Hanging my head downwards, I inhaled deeply and shoved my tightly clenched fists into the pockets of my leather jacket – I have ditched my suit for more comfortable clothes, such as jeans, jacket and joggers, leaving the white shirt on.

Suddenly, sounds of sobbing followed by shallow breathing came from the girl sitting by the door. Raising my head in concern, I hurriedly walked up to Juliet. Pulling her chin up with my finger, I pushed an escaped lock of her silky hair behind her ear. “Are you alright? What happened?” – I breathed out, softly stroking her slender, delicate neck.

It was then, that I saw an angry red imprint of a hand across her velvet right cheek. Shaking with rage, I all but snarled though the stiffness of my jaws “What had he done? Did Paris touch you? I swear I’m going to…” – before I could finish, Juliet interrupted me with her gentle palm across my lips.

“No.” – She whispered. “He didn’t touch me. Besides shoving me into the wall, that is. Then he tried to kiss me” – She grimaced as if the idea of his lips anywhere near her, was just as much disturbing to her as it was to me. “But Rosaline interrupted him.” – She giggled then, the sound almost hysterical. Gathering her closer to me, I pulled her onto my lap and held her tight. “Tell me what happened. Please.”

Juliet hesitated, searching my eyes, then a minute later she laid her head on my shoulder, and, taking a deep breath, she described to me what had happened a mere moments before. I had stiffened at hearing again that Paris had dared to hurt my precious girl, but then relaxed as I felt Juliet snuggle deeper into my arms. As I buried my face in her hair, I deeply inhaled the fragrance of bloomed roses and warm caramel. I never enjoyed the scent of a liquid caramel as much as I did now.

“It was disgusting – seeing the two of them.” – Juliet shivered in my arms, as if relieving it all over again. As she continued telling me about her conversation with her cousin, I became more angry and disgusted with that Rosaline. No one insults people I care about and gets away with it.

Once or twice, during her recall of the events that had upset her, Juliet had tightened her arms around me, and hugged me closer, as if I gave her strength to go on. It was bliss, that feeling of being needed. I know she will never admit it herself, but seeing for myself that, in that moment, she searched for comfort from me, it was enough to warm my blood.

 “Rosaline sounds so pathetic. And mean. I mean she’s your cousin, and she’s planning on sleeping with your future husband? Not that you’re actually going to marry him – I won’t let it happen. But that’s just… awfully disgusting.” – I told her, my voice rough with feelings for Juliet, and also furry towards Paris and Rosaline. Brushing my lips across her cheek, I tried to soothe pain inflicted there. How dare they hurt her?