Romeo And Julian (Part Three)

Final Epilogue

The school year is going to end pretty soon. Chris and I have been working on some soccer maneuvers. Henry has been trying to get me into musicals, but I don't really see the appeal in the same way he does. Sasha punches me. Yeah, that last one don't have a lot more to it, she just punched me whenever I say I'm not gonna talk to Julian.

He made it out ok, and he decided that he doesn't want to be with me. I'm not so much of an idiot that I don't realize why he did what he did. He was protecting me. But he also made his choice.

I got a sports scholarship for some college out west. Somewhere around Portland I think, which is a nice area. It'll be good.

Chris is going with me, and we'll both see how we stand with their soccer team.

Henry and Sasha are both going to Harrison I think. They have full rides there. So does Julian, but it's hard to say where he'll go.

Grace won't stop bugging me about why I didn't go after him. Keeps saying I should... Umm... "Bind his hands and take him right in the hallway".

Yeaaaaaaa, that's not gonna happen.

"Hey, you're on TV." She said as we both sat in the school library.

I looked over to where she was pointing, a computer screen showing pictures of my team on multiple occasions, and me being lifted up as the star player.

"Did you see who's at that computer?" Grace asked simply.

There's nobody there, the seat is empty. "No, I didn't see anyone. Why would I care about who's th~"

The feeling of something getting caught in my throat stopped any words as I watched Julian walk to the chair and settle himself in place.

"He'd probably be more comfortable on your dick."

"Shut up, he'll hear you!"

Grace rolled her eyes. "Why won't you talk to him?"

I'm not ready. I'm scared. I don't want to be rejected by him if I try to be friends.

"I don't feel like it."

Grace rolled her eyes. "You're a bad liar."

"If you really want someone to talk to him, do it yourself." I growled, looking back down at my textbook.

For a moment or two it was silent, then I heard Grace's chair move. Is she really just gonna walk away from me?

"Hey Julian, it's been awhile!"

Oh fuck.

My head whipped up to see Julian looking over at Grace. "Umm... Hey there." He said nervously.

"How are you? We never talk anymore." She asked. "What are you working on?"

"I've been good, not much happening." Julian replied.

Grace nodded. "Aaaaaand?"

The small boy blinked in confusion. "Oh, right, the project. It's for the graduation speech, I'm doing research."

"Sounds like you." My cousin said nonchalantly. "Nerd."

"I need to learn what this school actually does. I don't usually pay attention to it." Julian explained.

The two of them kept talking and I just watch, barely paying attention as Julian's lips moved. The way his head tilts when he thinks. The way his squints when he can't find an answer. That slight blush that comes to his cheeks when someone talks about romance or sexuality. The way his eyes never move shake away once they lock with mine.

Wait...

He's looking at me...

I blinked a few times. "What..?"

"He asked if you were ok." Grace replied, rolling her eyes. "Idiot."

"I just zoned out." I said, glaring at her slightly.

She returned my gaze with quite a bit more sass in her own. "Yeah, while imagining how his ass would feel wrapped around your cock."

Based on Julian's facial expression, and the burning in my face, I'd say we're both pretty damn embarrassed.

"L-let's not talk a-about that..." Julian, red as a tomato, stuttered.

I nodded quickly. "Yeah, let's do that..."

"You're both cowards, you know that?" Grace snapped. "Maybe if you'd just man up and talk about it, we wouldn't be here and you'd be on a date. But whatever, why just be happy about things?"

I shook my head. "Grace, please, I don't want to~"

"Fine! Don't work things out! I don't even care!" She hissed, turning and stomping out. A librarian shushed her, but was met with a silencing death glare.

I glanced over at Julian, sitting and looking down at the floor, his legs crossed and locked. He was thinking, but not about anything that made him happy.

"Sorry things happened they way they did." He said suddenly.

"It's..." Painful. Difficult. Confusing. Heartbreaking. Terrifying. "It's fine."

A humorless laugh escaped his lips. "You really are a terrible liar."

Well... I guess I can't argue with that. "I understand why. That's gonna have to be enough for now..."

"Romeo."

I looked up at him, seeing the boy I love ready to cry right in front of me.

"I'm sorry. I hurt you." Julian said. "I... I hurt both of us. I'm sorry."

"I~"

"You don't have to say anything." He interrupted. "Just... Now we can go back to not talking."

The air was still and cold for a few seconds too long.

"Ok." I replied. "Guess I'll see you on TV or something when you get famous."

"Oh, you'll be a soccer pro, international superstar." Julian joked, laughing lightly (I miss that sound..).

And I started to walk away. This feels like... Almost like the end of TV episode. Everything's wrapped up, but it's not over yet.