Rome & Julie

Chapter 26

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I was sitting in my room, staring straight ahead at the off-white color of my walls, looking but not seeing.  The impossibly heavy sensation in my chest wouldn’t let up, no matter how clear I had forced my mind to be.  The feeling was always lurking, always pushing down on my lungs, always making me remember what day it was.

It had been a week.

It had been a week since Rome and I got back from our escapade in Indianapolis, a week since we’d laughed together, a week since I’d discovered Mrs. Madden’s new intentions, and a week since I’d seen Rome.

Rome hadn’t talked to me in a week.

I had gotten a few texts declining my invitations for him to come over, with the excuse of having a ton of work to do, but that was the only explanation I was given.  After the first few days of being ignored and abandoned, I didn’t even bother trying to call or contact him anymore.  I tried to not believe the thoughts that were working their way to the front of my mind, but I couldn’t deny it any longer.

Rome was having second thoughts.

I’d been reassured when we were in Indianapolis by his words, his actions, his kisses, but I figured that was all a cover up for avoiding awkwardness.  Now I was left, alone in my room, wondering where I’d gone wrong.  Allowing myself to become romantically involved was clearly my biggest offense.  I should’ve known that letting myself develop feelings towards him would only end in my downfall.  Romeo and Juliet taught me that.

When he hadn’t shown up for New Year’s Eve, that’s when I realized just how hurt I was.  I had tried to hide it after Maggie and Robert questioned me, for their sakes more than my own, but after having a glass of grape juice and pretend laughing with my aunt and uncle, I’d made my way to my room and cried like a little baby.  My pride was wounded, I felt like an idiot, and most of all, my feelings were hurt.  Clearly, I’d been more invested in mine and Rome’s relationship than he was.  And the fact that he looked at me right in the eyes and lied to me about wanting to stay with me cut deep in places I’d never been hurt before.  And it was the absolute worst.

I tried telling myself it didn’t matter; that it wasn’t the worst thing in the world to not have Rome stay by my side through everything, and that he being with Cecilia wouldn’t affect me.  But of course, it was all a lie.  He was one of the most important people in my life, but it didn’t seem like that mattered.  Why didn’t he care that he was tearing me apart from the inside out?  Why didn’t he see a problem in just ignoring me?  I wasn’t just going to disappear.  I wouldn’t let him off that easy.

Feeling a renewed anger heat my face, I clenched my jaw shut and reached for my cell phone, laying at the edge of my bed.  Before I could stop myself, I was dialing Rome’s number, ready to start yelling at him for being such a complete asshole.  As it rang, my breathing became heavy, and my fist clenched, and when the thought posed my mind that I was acting on impulse and being rash, I shrugged it away.

“Hello?”  I pulled away from the phone, staring at it as though it would give me the reason for why a young girl was answering Rome’s cell phone.  Before I let myself come to horrible, terrible conclusions, I decided to investigate further.

“Who is this?”  I couldn’t keep the contempt out of my tone if I’d tried—and I didn’t.  The person on the other line waited a few beats before answering, and spoke up right as I was about to start yelling.