Beauty and the Jock

Unsolicited aid

Jennifer.

I finally got my period today and honestly, I've never been more relieved. After the pregnancy test, which I'd taken a week ago, I'd decided to face my fears and get tested at a free clinic. I didn't tell the doctor who tended to me that I was raped, but I did mention that I'd had unprotected sex. I did everything I could to appear untroubled. She said the pill that I'd taken had messed with my hormonal cycle and that was the reason why my period was late. She tested me for STDs and by some miracle, I didn't have any. I'd gotten my period which meant I was safe and that's all that mattered. To think of that despicable man's child growing inside me was nothing short of a nightmare.

Pulling out a red binder from my book bag, I set it on my desk. Turning a few pages, I acknowledged the utter confusion within me.

For my English extra credit, I had to rewrite Romeo and Juliet to feature a happy ending and I had absolutely NO clue where to begin. Because when it comes to love stories, I tend to...well, blank out.

"Amelia, what are your thoughts on love?" I asked her, hoping she'd be of some help.

She looked up from her notebook, brows furrowed. "I have no idea Jennifer. I've never been in love. But my mom says it's the most amazing feeling in the word and I guess you have to feel it to know what it really is." She paused to look at me. "Why Jenny? Do you need help with your essay or are you asking because you...like somebody?"

I just shook my head, "No...I was just asking for my essay. It's due after lunch and I haven't even started yet."

"Well, I'm sure you'll do fine. Just cook up a story where Romeo and Juliet find themselves in an alternate universe with unicorns and magic wands and sparkles and make them live happily ever after."

I chuckled.

"Some help you are."

"Shut up. I'm not the literature geek here! Now tell me Jen, are you sure you don't like anyone?" she asked, narrowing her eyes playfully.

"Um, yeah. I'm not really into love. It's over-rated."

"What? That is not true!" Amelia looked horrified. "Love is one hundred percent real Jen. My parents have it. It'll happen to you someday. You'll see." She stated.

I sighed. How could I tell her that I wasn't good enough? How could I forget how it felt to be emotionally and physically wounded? How could I erase the memory of being raped? How could I ever get physically involved with someone again? How could I?

I couldn't.

So, instead of arguing with her, I just shook my head and faked a smile.

I've found that smiling is the best way to deal with situations. Even if it's a fake one, if used properly, you can fool anyone with them. Because it's always easier to stay silent and smile than explain what you really feel...

Lunch break ended and the pages in my binder were still blank. Grudgingly, I dragged my feet towards class, thinking of a reason to give Miss Sanders, as to why I hadn't done the essay.

When I got to my desk, I spotted a sheet with a tiny handwritten note beside it.

"I over-heard you talking about your essay and I know I didn't have to do this, but I wanted to. I hope this ending will suffice."

Frowning, I picked up the sheet and began to read...

Romeo walked towards Juliet's casket. Her skin was pale and her face was cloaked in a mask of quiet slumber. Taking a deep breath, he opened his vial of poison.

His fingers trembled, his heart was heavy and his tears fell onto Juliet's golden robe.

A quick death and then he would be reunited with his love.

Taking a shuddering breath, he lifted the vial to his lips.

Just then, he heard a soft voice.
"Romeo..."
He must be hallucinating to be hearing Juliet's beautiful voice. A few more seconds and he would be with her...
"Romeo!"
The voice called again.

He cast his eyes towards Juliet's face, and what he saw shocked him to his core.

It was her gentle eyes looking up at him with love.

"How can this be?" he whispered.

She smiled a broken smile and lifted her hand up to him.

The fragmented pieces of Romeo's heart slowly began piecing themselves together as he took her hand.

"Am I dreaming?" he asked again, gently pressing his lips to her open palm.

The feel of Juliet's pulse resonated beneath his fingers.

"No, my love, you're not," She said, getting out of her casket. He shook his head, not trusting himself to speak.

Juliet gently took the vial of poison from his hands and tossed it away.
"I took a potion to fake my own death. It weakens the heartbeat and slows down the pulse so that it is almost imperceptible. It was a temporary sleep of sorts, my Romeo. I was hoping to wake up to you."

Romeo pressed his lips to her forehead and thanked the Gods over and over again that he was reunited with the other half of his heart.

"We have to leave now," Juliet told him gently. "We have to find somewhere safe to live in, far away from here."

Romeo took her hand and led her out of the tomb. He swore to himself that he would protect her till his last breath. Because life held no meaning without his sweet Juliet.

Nothing mattered as long as they had each other.

The End.

I gulped. It was perfect.