Rome & Julie

Chapter 14

“Er…,” I managed intelligently after my voice miraculously came to me after about fifteen seconds of my silenced shock and terror.  “Actually, we should probably be getting back to our friends.  Who knows what they could be doing to your house by now,” I said with a nervous laugh, sounding completely pathetic.

“Julie, they’re changing out of their formalwear.  We have plenty of time.  Come on,” He said, gently taking a hold of my upper arm with his large, tender hands, sending clichéd volts of heated shock through my whole body.  I couldn’t fight back, because I knew I would seem scared and child-like.  I took many deep breaths on the voyage to our destination, which ended up being Rome’s office.  When he sat us down on his comfortable maroon couch, I immediately started wringing my hands in my lap out of nervousness.  Surely, I thought, I’d have a conniption fit at this rate.

“Well…?”  I questioned after sitting at least a full minute of nothing but our breathing between us.  I glanced up from my lap, to find Rome once again staring at me, except this time he had a slight smile on his face.  I quickly looked away, towards the door, which Rome had closed and locked behind him when we’d entered.  Rome let out a short, disbelieving laugh, curiosity as to what was funny causing me to look back towards him.

“I had a whole speech planned out in my mind, and now, I can’t remember a word,” Rome said, shaking his head, still staring straight into my eyes.  I gulped loudly, silently praying towards the heavens that he didn’t hear.  “Well, since you’re usually so blunt about things, I guess I’ll be, too.”  He paused, and from the pressure building in my chest, I realized I was holding my breath.  “I realized something tonight, Jules.”  More silence.  Less air circulating through my body.  “After all the years I’ve known you, I can tell when you’ve been crying, no matter how hard you try to hide it.”  Rome’s hand went to my cheek, cupping it with his warm, strong fingers.  I faintly felt my chin tremble, and I realized in horror that I was about to cry.  Again.  “What happened in the ballroom that made you run out crying?”  Rome whispered, his warm, fresh breath fanning down on my face, causing my eyelids to flutter.

“Uh… PMS…?”  I said, realizing how stupid and untrue my excuse sounded, even to my own ears.  Rome gave me a disbelieving look, and I sighed, lowering my eyes to my lap, once again.  Rome’s hand was still on my face, and I was starting to wonder what his obsession was with touching my face.

“Julie.  I realized tonight how much I really like you.  How much I need you in my life to function.  How much just your smile or a small laugh can make my heart beat faster.  And this isn’t about my mom or dad, or your aunt and uncle, or any of your friends.  This is about you and me.  Right now.  With no one else influencing how we feel.  It’s just us, Jules.  It’s always been just us.”

I sat, openmouthed, staring at Rome, waiting for him to laugh and yell ‘Gotcha!’ but the moment never came.  Instead, I felt that sickening feeling of liquid falling down my cheek.  Of myself crying over Rome’s words, of my realizing that I wasn’t overanalyzing Rome’s actions or the meanings to those actions.  To Rome, I wasn’t some naïve little girl.  I was his best friend, whom he liked more than he realized before.

“Rome…,” I breathed, trying to sort through my thoughts before I said something stupid and ruined the moment he’d easily created.

“It’s okay.  I’m not looking for a response, or a declaration of your own feelings, Jules.  You don’t have to say anything,” Rome said, smiling at me as though he’d won the lottery.  “I can’t believe I’ve been so blind, when now, just looking at your face alone makes me know with pure absolution.  We’re not just friends.” Rome gently wiped away a descending tear with his thumb, bringing my head closer, giving me a kiss on the forehead.  Inhaling while my face was close to his, I caught his scent and closed my eyes, trying to calm myself and take in everything that had happened in the past three minutes.  “I don’t want you to act weird when we’re together.  Nothing has changed really.  I don’t like seeing you upset over anything, especially if I’m the cause to your sadness.”  Rome pulled away, taking his hand off my cheek.  I was silent, and I couldn’t change my state, even if I wanted to.  And I didn’t.  “Well, we can go change now.  Your bag should be in the living room.”  Rome’s words made me remember something, and I took up the chance to say something that didn’t have to do with the conversation we’d had a minute ago.