High School Love Story

Chapter Twenty: Juliet

You didn't see what I had seen.

John was a great guy, but what he did to that guy was terrifying. When I was younger, I witnessed my father beat my older brother a couple of days before he split. I remember how afraid I was, that he would come for me next.

I realized that John wasn't the evil man who was technically my father. He still scared me nonetheless. I understood that he wanted to protect his cousin, but the boy was about to walk away, and John beat him the point of hospitalization and then left him there.

Another girl might have found that sexy, I didn't. I'll give him props, he was a good fighter, and if he was to jump to MY defense, I wouldn't be very much afraid. However, he had serious anger issues which needed to be worked out. Like, immediately

Oh, who am I kidding? To be honest, I just wanted an excuse not to be with him. Quite frankly, I was still in love with my ex. My ex wasn't always the best guy, he would leave me for long periods of time without any contact, but then come back and say he loved me. And I wanted it to be true, and I honestly believed it was, but like any sane person, I had my doubts. I also doubted John's sanity, but I guess that wasn't very fair.

I stepped out of my house and into the front yard. It was fairly cold outside, but I didn't care, I wanted fresh air. I walked around the yard, looking at trees. I looked across the road and saw John. He was jogging. He had in earbuds so it would be frivolous to yell at him. I instead watched. He wasn't husky, but at the same time he was built around his chest, something I noticed for the first time right now. He actually wasn't very unattractive, like he thought he was. I saw an old woman walking near him. She dropped her purse. John changed directions, picked up the woman's purse and handed it to her. She smiled to him, and he smiled back. He then turned and continued jogging, still a smile on his face.

This is the guy with anger issues?

Monday

I sat in rehearsals, and I saw John walk in. I decided I was going to talk to him. He deserved it. I looked his way and waved him to me. He looked, almost shocked, and walked my way.

"Hey, Jules" he said. He handed me a pack of Sour Patch Kids, which he knew I loved. Wow, do I feel like crap.

"Listen" he said, "I'm so sorry I frightened you. Perhaps you'd like me to explain myself?"

I nodded.

"Well" he continued, "The girl that I was defending was my cousin. This may sound weird, but I love her, like, a lot. Not in like an incest way, but like, she's the best friend I've ever had. She's helped me through, so much, Juliet." I could tell this was getting difficult for him "She, well, she's always been there for me. I tried to kill myself the other day. She stopped me." Woah. Didn't know that. "Listen, when I saw that guy stalking her, I just lost it. I have Bipolar medicine, but I didn't take it, because it makes me irritable, and I didn't want to snap at you. I'm so sorry. I would've never done that to someone in front of you, unless I had to. And, I seriously felt like I had to. I'll work on it. I'll work, so hard. I just want a second chance from you, Juliet. Please. I love you."

Did he just say the L word.

He said it. He loves me? What? I thought he was crushing, but love? Anyone else, I would've dismissed this as just a trick, but John wasn't the type of guy who threw that word around, he had been hurt before. What happened next surprised me. He started crying.

John, did NOT look like the type of guy who would cry. He was huge. He was built like a defensive lineman, and was every bit as large as one. He was almost a foot taller than me, and much wider. He bore facial hair, that had been growing for months. If anything, he looked like he would fight you, not cry. This was also the first time I'd seen him weak like this. The last guy that had insulted him heavily was the guy from Great Falls, and it didn't look like he was going to be doing that again. The only time I'd ever saw him show any type of sad emotion was when he was on stage, acting. If anything, I didn't think he was capable of sadness. Yet here he was, trying to wipe his tears. He really does love me.

I leaned my head on his shoulder. I felt bad for him. Loving me was a complex feat, that very few guys dared try. The poor guy would likely end up really hurt, which I didn't want, but it was destined to happen. If he could make me love him the way I still loved my ex, then he was some kind of superhuman. I looked at him. He had his arm around me. When we made eye contact, he smiled. Oh my God, he's going to try. And he won't stop until he succeeds or I hurt him past any recognition. "John, you should know. I still love my ex." I wanted to like John back, I really did.

"I know, Juliet. But I'm going to wait for you. Even if you never get over him, I'll be here."

"Why, why would you be here if you know we aren't going to be together?"

"Well, somebody has to bring you candy."

He smiled at me, squeezed my hand, and left. I was left in my seat. With more to think about than ever before.