Romeo and Julian: The Modern Love Story

Act II

"Romeo! R! Romeo Montague!" The tall boy barely made an effort to turn his head, as he unwillingly welcomed Ben into his range of sight.

"Benvolio Montague." He murmured in greeting as the young man came bounding onto the creaking wooden bridge.

"Hey R! You promised not to call me that!" Ben pouted, hanging off of Romeo's slouched shoulders, and making the dark-haired boy grip onto the bridge railing. "Well, you're the one who called me by my full name. It's only fair." He mumbled, shrugging the other young man's arms off of his shoulders and resting his cheek on the back of his outstretched hand. "Oh, come on! Are you still not over that guy... what's his name? Tim? Tom?"

"Tyler."

"Right, right. Tyler." The blonde chuckled, mimicking Romeo's actions, and resting his cheek on the back of his hand, trying to catch the boy's eyes.

"Go away. Why do you think I'm taking a walk in the woods? For fun?" Romeo pushed himself away from the rusty railing, moping away as his shoes clunked loudly against the wood beneath him. Benvolio let out a huff as he jogged after his love-sick cousin, feet crunching on the gold and red carpet of leaves.

"Hey, listen. Come on R. You gotta move on! Go check out some other hot guys! There's plenty of 'em out there!" The boy's hand was spread out wide, scanning the horizon like a radar.

"I'm never going to find someone like Tyler though. I'll never love again." Romeo sighed, head hanging like a flower with a snapped stem.

"Stop being so dramatic."

"I'm not being dramatic."

"Listen, if it'll help, you can come to dinner with my family and I. The place we're going to is known for their hot waiters!" Ben wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, impish smirk overtaking his features.

"No thanks. You go. It's your family dinner."

"R, we're related. This is your family dinner too." Romeo huffed, moving a pile of leaves away to uncover the still green grass, and rolling himself onto it.

"When did you become such a party pooper?" The blonde boy groaned, kicking at his best friend's shoes.

"When my love died!" The dark-haired boy whined, bringing a leather jacket covered arm over his eyes.

"Please, R. It's a good idea, trust me!" Benvolio tried to desperately drag his friend out of the dark ocean of lovesickness. But alas, the taller boy did not comply.

"Please? R? Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

"You just go. There's no point in me being there."

"Romeo Montague!"

"What!?" Romeo sat up abruptly, scowl evident on his thin lips.

"Come to dinner."

"Fine." Was the mumbled reply. At this, Ben jumped for joy, fist-pumping enthusiastically into the crisp autumn air.