The Juliet Dilemma

In the Nurse's Office

"It's just a bit of bruising. You'll be fine." The school's nurse, Ms. Lane stated after observing the blonde's birdie mark. Julie shot a half-glare at her sheepish friend.

"Thanks, Nurse Penny!" Julie said. Romeo stood besides his injured friend. Hey, it had been an accident!

"You're welcome, dear! Let me just go get you some more ice." Ms. Lane stated. Julie's cold pack hadn't been very cold in the first place. Once the adult had disappeared Romeo extended his hand.

"Here let me."

"I can do it myself." Julie shrugged.

"Yeah but you took care of me when I got a black eye. Let me return the favor." Romeo gave her a faint smile. She gave another little shrug before handing over her cold pack. He pressed it to her forehead, right above her right eye. They were closer now.

"I don't remember birdies being that hard." Julie stated.

Romeo grumbled. "I swear it was defective. They don't generally leave a mark like that."

"It's okay." Julie smiled. "I'm okay."

"So... Uh this Saturday is the book signing." Romeo stated.

"Oh yeah! You want to camp out with me? I've been waiting for this forever!" Julie beamed. "I can't wait to get the last book! I hope Jackson survives and defeats Laverna!"

"Don't we all? So wait the author is going to be revealing the final book and signing books?" Romeo wondered.

Julie nodded. "Yep, it's going to be great!"

"Sounds like it. So... do you remember last time this happened?"

"You mean when Troy gave you a black eye?" Julie's laugh was melodious to him. It was small but there.

"Yeah... I totally kicked his butt, by the way." Romeo stated.

Julie smiled and didn't even try to hide her look of disbelief. Troy wasn't the one with the glorious blue bruise under his eye.

Romeo noticed. "What I did! Julie, I did."

"Sure ~" She hummed, sacrasm barely noticeable in her voice. "You know girls dig bruises and scars. They make a boy look strong and courageous." Julie smirked.

Romeo couldn't help but puff out his chest, pridefully. A faint pink stain seemed to cross his face.

"Yep... I'm surprised you don't have girls throwing themselves at you."

Romeo sunk down now. This wasn't necessarily a good thing. Rosie had liked him a lot, even before his bruise. Luckily, he didn't think that there had been any change though.

"So were you and Troy really fighting over a ball?" Julie wondered.

"Er... Yeah." Romeo lied, scratching the back of his head.

"You are so immature. Was it worth it?" Julie wondered.

Romeo had to think about that. Did it get Troy to back off? Maybe just a little, but hardly. Had it impressed Julie at all? No she put herself in harms way to break up the fight! Had it really accomplished anything? No it didn't.

"No it didn't." Romeo admitted. Julie looked smug.

***

"What's taking them so long? It wasn't that bad!" Anna wondered, still back in P.E. "I'm going to check on them. You coming, Rosie?" The blonde turned to the short girl.

"Sure!" Rosie did want to check up on Julie to make sure she was okay and just to see Romeo again.

"Ten bucks says their making out." Anna joked.

Rosie frowned. They weren't into each other were they? Romeo said he wasn't, but the more she observed them together... It had seemed pretty close to flirting when they were playing badminton. Perhaps that was why everyone kept making jokes. Perhaps that was why everyone thought they were a couple. Was she really that oblivious?

Her heart sank. She probably was.

They peered into the nurse's office. The two were sitting close to each other, almost close enough for Julie to be in Romeo's lap. He had an ice pack pressed to her head. They were teasing each other and their energy could be sensed all the way from outside the doorway. It was obvious they weren't just friends.

"Hmm, looks like I owe you ten bucks." Anna commented. "They still are flirting though. I wonder if they'll ever stop." She joked.

Rosie frowned. Anna was right. "You owe me nothing." She mumbled.

Romeo and Julie didn't seem to notice their badminton partners.

Suddenly things were clear to Rosie. And suddenly she had a great idea to make sure things happened the way they were meant to.

Anna had a smirk on her face. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

They both had a good idea.