The Juliet Dilemma

Walking Her Home

"Romeo, didn't we just pass your house?" Julie wondered. So they had passed 154 Arden Avenue.

"Yep," Romeo said, walking besides her. He tucked his hands in his pants pockets.

"Aren't you going to go?" Julie questioned.

"No, not yet."

"Well, why not?" Julie's brow furrowed.

"Because I'm walking with you." Romeo stated smiling.

"You don't have to." Julie blushed.

"But I want to." Romeo smiled. "You are my friend after all. It's nice hanging out with friends."

"Yeah... It is." Julie sighed, frowning slightly. Friends...

"What's wrong?" Romeo looked concerned.

"Nothing, I'm fine." Julie lied.

"Are you sure?" Romeo asked.

"Yes I'm fine." Julie repeated. She clutched her jacket.

"Are you cold?" Romeo wondered, still concerned.

"No, I'm fine." Juliet snapped. She relaxed at Romeo's shocked expression. "Sorry I shouldn't have snapped."

"It's cool. I'm sorry I persisted." Romeo stated.

The old slush splashed under their feet. Julie peered up at the navy sky only to see that the stars were incredibly bright that night as was the moon.

"So got any plans for tomorrow?" Julie wondered, as a patch of clean snow crutched under her feet.

"I might... I was thinking about- never mind."

"What? You can tell me." Julie stared at the hoodie wearing teen with curiosity.

Romeo shrugged and kicked a pile of slushy snow, splattering it farther. "I don't know... I was thinking about asking Rosie Owens out on a date."

Julie's heart sank. This was not what she wanted to hear. These words were like knives to her. She gulped. Suddenly her mouth was very dry.

"Oh?" Was all she could muster squeaking out.

"Yeah, well since I kind of moved on I thought I should take a girl out and Rosie seems to really like me and I think she's cool so I might do that tomorrow." Romeo explained.

Julie's shoulders slumped. She couldn't help herself as another question slipped out. She was terrified of the answer.

"Do you- do you like her?"

Romeo shrugged. "She's cool. She's nice at least, but I guess I'm not exactly attracted to her. She's cute, I guess, and sweet but I don't have a crush on her anyway. I just have to see. If it goes well... My opinion could change. Maybe she actually is the one, or at least she could be my first real girlfriend."

Juliet scoffed. "The one? I can't believe you still are such a sap." She teased.

"And I can't believe that your still such a love cynic." Romeo laughed.

"Well, actually... I've opened up about it a bit. But do you really think Rosie's the one you might end up with someday?" Julie wondered, stopping the sidewalk to look Romeo in the eyes.

He felt his breath halt for a moment as he peered into her gorgeous, ocean blue eyes. He wanted to tell her no, that he didn't think that for even a second, that there was only one girl who had ruled his heart for years, but of course he didn't. She wasn't interested in him and he was moving on.

He shrugged and kept walking, turning away from the blonde. "I don't know... It's possible." He stated.

"Oh..." Julie's face fell.

They were there. 37 Vienna Drive, Juliet's house. Julie sighed and turned away, stepping towards her house

"This is my st-" She slid on a patch of ice.

Romeo caught her, gently by the arms. She blushed. He did too, but he didn't let go.

It was another moment of being so close. They glazed into the other person's eyes: green meeting blue. It was hypnotizing.

"Are you okay?" Romeo wondered.

"Yeah," Julie breathed.

It took a moment for Julie to look away. She had to stop this. He was moving on and if he was so would she. But then again they had never dated so what was there to move on from... Right?

"Um thanks for walking me home..." Julie looked away, not wanting him to see her blush.

"You're welcome." Romeo said.

Julie thought about giving him a kiss on the cheek as a thank you, but she didn't dare. Instead she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him.

"Good night!" She said, running inside her house.

"Good night." He sighed.

There was one thought lingering on their minds as the said goodbye.

She should have kissed him.

He wished he had kissed her. Moving on was going to be harder than he thought...