The Romeo Problem

For Never was a Story of More Woe

"So, Jules," Eric said grinning mischievously. "Are you excited for English?"

"Am I ever excited for English lately?" Julie asked sighing.

"I know you don't like it but we're finishing it today." Eric said.

"We are? Sweet!" Julie beamed, ready to be done with that sappy story. Until she realized what part they would be reading. "Oh no... That means..."

Ivy, Mark, and Eric grinned evilly. Julie groaned.

"The famous death scene." She mumbled. At least she wouldn't have to do it with Romeo, or with Romeo in the room. She probably didn't have to be Juliet at all! Well, she had to be Juliet because she was Juliet but she didn't have to be Juliet the Capulet.

"Yeah good luck with that." Eric grinned.

Eventually fourth period rolled around. Julie was all too relieved that a certain hoodie wearing brunette wasn't in the class at the moment.

The bell rang as Julie took her seat on the Capulet side. Mr. Harvey began to speak.

"Today we are finally finishing Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I'm sure you are all glad to move on and start a new unit." The class laughed. Most of them thought that this was the best unit yet. It was easy and fun. "So I'm just going to start. We'll need a Paris, of course." Mr. Harvey stated.

When nobody raised their hand Mr. Harvey decided to call on a certain friend of Julie.

"Eric Jackson, you haven't read. Why don't you read as Paris?" Mr. Harvey suggested. Eric scowled.

"Alright..." He mumbled.

"We also need a-" Mr. Harvey never finished his sentence. The classroom door had been flung open.

A huffing, red faced Romeo Cameron had just gotten here. Julie's eyes went wide.

"Sorry I'm late! I overslept." Romeo said, embarrassed.

"Romeo, it's already fourth period! You're four periods late and have just interrupted me while I was giving out the part." Mr. Harvey seemed annoyed until his face lit up with an idea. "You have just volunteered yourself to be the Romeo for this last scene."

Romeo seemed confused at first until realization donned on his face. His mouth formed an 'O'. He took his seat on the Montague's side.

"Which means I think we've also found our Juliet too." Mr. Harvey said. Some people, including Julie, gave each other confused glances. What did Mr. Harvey mean by that? "If Romeo Cameron is our Romeo then it's only fitting that," Julie gulped, knowing what he was going to say. "Our Juliet is Juliet Hunter. The two of you did such a good job together last time. Let's end on a strong note!" Mr. Harvey gave a smile fist pump of encouragement.

Julie sighed. She hadn't dodged that bullet. Oh well, fate was cruel. Mr. Harvey went on to assign the other roles.

The last part eventually started.

"Give me thy torch, boy: hence, and stand aloof:
Yet put it out, for I would not be seen.
Under yond yew-trees lay thee all along,
Holding thine ear close to the hollow ground;
So shall no foot upon the churchyard tread,
Being loose, unfirm, with digging up of graves,
But thou shalt hear it: whistle then to me,
As signal that thou hear'st something approach.
Give me those flowers. Do as I bid thee, go." Eric read for the part of Paris, try his best to read it with a straight face. His friend's rolled their eyes at the face he was making as he tried his best to control himself. The story went by quite fast once Eric got ahold of his sense.

Soon enough Paris was slain by Romeo in the story.

"How oft when men are at the point of death
Have they been merry! which their keepers call
A lightning before death: O, how may I
Call this a lightning? O my love! my wife!
Death, that hath suck'd the honey of thy breath,
Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty:
Thou art not conquer'd; beauty's ensign yet
Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks,
And death's pale flag is not advanced there." Romeo spoke as the character saw Juliet in the tomb. The real Romeo couldn't take his eyes off the girl just like during the balcony scene.

Julie was glad that they weren't acting this scene out. She shivered in embarrassment at the thought.

Her eyes were interlocked with Romeo's. He smiled at her. She blushed and looked away. The entire class was watching their every move. Soon it was Julie's turn to speak.

"What's here? a cup, closed in my true love's hand?
Poison, I see, hath been his timeless end:
O churl! drunk all, and left no friendly drop
To help me after? I will kiss thy lips;
Haply some poison yet doth hang on them,
To make die with a restorative." Julie almost couldn't get the words out. Her face was beat red now.

The class period seemed to drone on and on. Julie wasn't sure how much more of it she could take. She just wanted to finish the story.

Her heart was beating quite fast and she wasn't sure what the reason was.

Nearly everyone in the class knew the gossip that had spread. Julie couldn't bare it. She didn't want it to spread any further. Everyone whispering behind her back, laughing, talking about her, she wanted none of it.

As soon as the last word was spoken the bell rang just on time. Julie was the first one out of the class.

She was overwhelmed with emotions. She felt something for Romeo, she was annoyed by the gossip, she was upset with herself for having a crush, and she was relieved that they were finally done reading the play.

Julie pressed her back up to the wall and slid to the floor. She was confused about everything. She groaned.

"Julie, are you okay?" A familiar voice said. She looked up. It was Romeo. He looked rather concerned for her.

"I'm fine." Julie lied. Romeo raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure?" He asked. Julie shrugged.

"I don't know. I'm just a little confused." A little was an understatement.

"About what?" Romeo questioned curiously.

"I... I don't want to talk about it." Julie sighed. Romeo shrugged and extended his hand. Julie took it and stood up.

"If you're sure." Romeo smiled at the blonde. She felt her heart skip a beat and she unknowingly smiled. Then her smile faded when she realized that she had and she mentally slapped herself. She had to snap out of it.

"So what did I miss?" Romeo asked as they started walking to their usual lunch table together.

"Oh not much." Julie said as she thought about the gossip that had spread like wildfire. She hope he wouldn't hear it.