The Romeo Problem

The Week Goes By

Monday

"So does anyone know what we're doing in English now that we're done with the Romeo and Juliet unit?" Mark asked.

"No clue." Eric replied.

"Uh I think we might be starting our creative writing unit soon, but I might be wrong." Julie stated. "I'm just glad we're done with that unit."

"Creative writing unit sounds like fun." Anthony said.

"Well, if we're doing a creative writing unit than I think I'm going to write a story about a giant monster." Ivy stated.

"Guys, we don't even know if that's what we're going to be doing." Romeo explained.

"Yeah, well still. It would be a fun unit."  Anthony stated.

Monday was pretty uneventful.

Tuesday

"So my Mom's having a party on Friday..." Julie began.

"Yeah you told us." Eric said.

"Anyway I was wondering who was coming." Julie continued.

"I am." Anthony and Eric said in unison.

"I'm coming and so is my dad and Teagan." Ivy stated.

"I think so." Mark said right before Romeo sneezed.

"Bless you." Julie nodded at Romeo.

"I'm definitely coming. And so is Nick." Romeo coughed.

"Romeo, are you okay?" Julie asked, concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just a little cough." Romeo smiled at her. She didn't quite believe him but smiled back.

Tuesday was pretty dull.

Wednesday

A certain boy who always wore a red hoodie was missing from the school.

"Has anyone seen Romeo?" Julie asked, concerned.

"No, I don't think he's here today." Anthony answered honestly.

"I hope he's okay." Julie muttered. Ivy gives Julie a strange look. Julie notices almost immediately.

"What?" The blonde asked.

"Nothing... It's just you're always thinking about him." Ivy stated.

Julie's face grew red. "What? No I'm not."

"I don't know, Jules. You kind of are." Eric agreed.

"I'm just worried about a friend." Julie shrugged.

"Sure you are." Ivy said sarcastically. Julie glared at the redhead, mostly teasing.

Julie logged onto Skype on her phone and sent Romeo a message asking where he was and if he was feeling okay.

"What are you doing?" Mark asked.

"Nothing, nothing..." Julie muttered. Her friends didn't believe her but decided not to bring it up again.

Wednesday felt like it was missing something.

Thursday

There was an extra empty spot at the table again today. Julie frowned when she noticed.

"Romeo's gone again?"

Anthony nodded. "I talked to him on Skype last night. Apparently he's sick. He'll probably be here tomorrow though."

"Oh..." Julie was disappointed that he wasn't there again. She had found herself always looking forward to spending time with the weird, brunette boy.

So after school she found herself at 154 Arden Avenue, knocking on the door to a yellow house.

Nick answered, looking like he had just gotten home.

"Oh hey, Juliet. Romeo's upstairs." Nick didn't even question her. He let her in and the blonde muttered a thank you.

She knocked on a door upstairs, which she assumed was Romeo's as it had a sign that said Caution: Romeo's Room. A familiar voice told her to enter.

Julie looked around the room really quick. It was exactly what she expected his room to look like. There was a computer desk in the far corner, a dresser next to it, and his bed was next to the wall near the door. There were posters that covered the walls: Star Wars, hockey, baseball, and Harry Potter. There were clothes on the floor, but it was cleaner than Julie expected.

A pale Romeo Cameron was laying in his bed, playing a game on his phone. He looked up and was surprised to see that the knocker hadn't been his uncle, but Julie instead.

"Hey," She smiled lightly.

"Oh hey! I wasn't expecting you here." Romeo said.

"Yeah sorry I didn't call or anything. I probably should have gave you a head's up." Julie shrugged, bashful.

Romeo laughed. "It's fine. It's a nice surprise."

Julie grinned. "So how are you doing?" She said as she sat down on his bed.

"I've been better, but I'll definitely be at school tomorrow and your party."

"Great!" Juliet told him. They smiled at each other.

"What's that in your hands?" Romeo asked, pointing to the small container Juliet was holding.

"Oh yeah. We made blondies in culinary arts today. I think there's something going around because Emily was gone too." Julie said.

"So who'd you work with?" Romeo wondered.

"Anthony. We both thought it might be nice to give you some. Here," She handed the container over.

"Thanks! Do you want some?" Romeo asked. Julie shook her head.

"I've saved some at home. Thank you though." Julie smiled sweetly. Her tone changed to curious and worried. "So do you have a cold or something like that?"

Romeo shrugged. "Something like that."

Julie pressed her hand up against Romeo's forehead to see if he was warm. He was. Maybe he had a mild fever. She tried to pull her hand away, but Romeo stopped her.

"Don't. You're nice and cold." Romeo moaned. He seemed tired. Julie obliged and let her hand sit on his forehead for a couple minutes.

"Romeo, I'm going to let you get some sleep." Julie stole her hand back. Romeo nodded, his eyes closed. Julie smiled softly as she left the room.