The Romeo Problem

Gossip

"Hey, Ivy," Juliet began as she stood before their usual table. Only Mark, Eric, and Ivy were there already.

"Yeah?" Ivy looked up at her best friend.

"Can you give this to Cameron for me?" Julie asked holding out a note.

"Why can't you do it?" Ivy asked.

"I, uh, don't want to talk about it here." Julie said. Ivy rolled her eyes, stood up, grabbed her best friend's hand, and dragged her away from the table.

"Girl's bathroom now." Ivy said as she dragged her.

"What? Ivy!" Julie objected but she followed the redhead anyway.

The girl's bathroom was well known for being where girls went when they needed to talk in private. Usually the rule was that if someone else accidentally overheard something than they kept the secret too. Most girls respected the rule: What happens in the bathroom, stays in the bathroom, but when someone didn't respect the rule that was when gossip was spread.

The bathroom was nearly empty besides Emily who was checking her hair and a sophomore girl by the name of Zoe who was doing her makeup.

"Okay, spill. You and Cameron nearly kissed. Is that it?" Ivy asked as she crossed her arms sternly. Emily froze. She had heard everything. She walked over to them.

"You and Romeo nearly kissed?" She whispered. Julie nodded.

"Yes, and I would really appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone." Julie whispered. Emily nodded. She wasn't a huge gossip. She pretended to zip her lips.

"Got it. My lips are sealed."

"So what happened, Jules?" Ivy asked. Her and Emily waited patiently to hear what the girl had to say. Julie looked down at her feet.

"We were dancing and I got caught up in the music and I leaned in to kiss him. He lingered, after seeing my scar." She brushed her hair out of her face, making it visible for the others. "I ran out, he followed, and I told him about my dad." Julie sighed. Ivy gaped.

"You really did tell him about your dad? I thought you weren't going to ever do that, Jules?"

"I wasn't planning to! It just sort of... Happened." Julie explained nervously. "And then yesterday he sent me a lily for Valentine's Day! Ugh, he's too sweet." Julie groaned.

"Hunter, what does the note say?" Ivy asked, sternly. Julie handed it over. Ivy and Emily read it silently to themselves.

Romeo,

Thank you for the lily. It is my favorite type of flower. I appreciated it. I'm sorry about the dance. I think I need some time to think things over.

                                         Sincerely,
Juliet

Ivy and Emily both gaped and stared at Juliet.

"You like him, don't you?" The way Ivy said it it sounded almost more like a statement than a question.

"What? Pfft, no!" Julie scoffed. "He's so annoying and childish and sappy." Neither Ivy or Emily believed her. They both raised their eyebrows in disbelief. "Okay I might have some slight feelings toward him, but I'm going to fix it."