Juliet

Juliet wasn't meant to die first

I held the bouquet of roses close to my chest, inhaling the sweet scent of the flowers you loved.

My hand ran over the cold marble stone covered in a layer of dust.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” I spoke with a tremble in my voice, smiling sadly.

—- —- —-

“Romeo and Juliet?” I asked. Coach Nanami nodded.

“It’s a good program for you. It suits you.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I nodded as I flipped through the notes she penned down, playing the soundtrack.

I replayed the song over and over again as I laid on my bedroom floor, fiddling with the bracelet you made for me.

“How ironic…” I laughed bitterly, as tears slowly formed in my eyes.

That’s us, Romeo and Juliet. Right?

—- —- —-

The tremors, the collapsing ice rink, the debris… I survived it. I had crawled out into safety. I still remembered the feeling till this day.

But something haunted me more.

The image of your lifeless body. The cold touch of your skin. Your unresponsiveness when I cried out for you, begging for you to return.

The earthquake took you away from me.

—- —- —-

“Yuzu, you’re not feeling it. Don’t just focus on the steps. Bring your emotions out.”

“…How?”

“Romeo and Juliet is a romantic tragedy. Think of something, think of Sendai. Think of something or someone you love. Maybe an unrequited love in school?” Coach Nanami said, making encouraging hand gestures.

I recalled the day I ran to your house after classes when you called in sick to school. I asked the teachers for your set of notes, so I had an excuse to go visit you.

“You shouldn’t have come… I might pass the flu to you.” You were wrapped in bed like a burrito, sulking at me.

“A flu won’t kill me! And I missed you.” I plopped beside you, stroking your head.

“Back in Romeo’s time, a flu would have killed you!” You retorted as your cheeks heated up.

“But this isn’t Verona, and I’m not Romeo!” I laughed, picking up the book beside your pillow.

“How many times have you read this book already? It’s not even in our exam, you know…” I sighed at your obsession over Romeo and Juliet.

“It’s a classic. And it feels different every time you read it! I mean…” You rambled on excitedly about the book, as I sat beside you, pretending to listen to you while I braided your hair.

I wish I had listened more to you now that I could never have the chance to again.

“…Yes. That’s how it should feel like. Keep it at that and your program will be perfect.” Coach Nanami nodded in approval as I glided over, trembling as my tears threatened to spill, my memories of you still painfully throbbing in my mind.

—- —- —-

“Don’t you think the story of Jack and Rose kind of resemble Romeo and Juliet?”

“What? Who’s Jack and Rose?”

“Titanic! How could you not know?”

A memory surfaced as I glided across the ice in front of the audience of the Nice Acropolis Convention Hall. I pushed away the thought, staring at the ice.

Focus, I thought. I steeled my gaze, as the music started.

“Titanic’s a stupid story!”

“How dare you!” You pinched my arm as I chuckled at your horrified expression.

My thoughts flowed uncontrollably as I skated to your favourite story.

“But it IS ridiculous. The Titanic was one of the best vessels around but it sunk. And all they do is talk about the love- no, infatuatous story of John and Rose.”

“It’s JACK. And it’s a tragedy!” You made a face at me and stormed off.

I sighed, catching your hand. “You and your obsession with tragedies…”

You stayed silent, sulking. I ran my hand across your hair as I stood before you.

“I don’t like tragedies, you know. Because I don’t want us to end like them.”

You looked up. “We won’t.” You gave me a smile, squeezing my hand.

My heart cringed as your words resounded in my head.

“How do you know? You’re so obsessed with them. What if-”

You silenced me with a kiss, taking me by surprise.

“Even if there’s a thousand of the best vessels for me to choose from and you’re a broken ship, I’ll still choose you because I know you’ll keep me safe. We won’t end in tragedy. Not like the other stories.”

“Is that a reference?” I chuckled, wrapping my arms around you. “You and your obsessions.”

I clenched my fist, my heart wrenching.

You were wrong. I couldn’t protect you. I shouted in anguish, letting my grief and desperation take over.

The audience was engulfed in cheers and excitement as I struck my finishing pose.

—- —- —-

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” I smiled sadly, taking out a napkin out of my Poohbox, dusting the marble stone.

“I’m sorry I haven’t visited you for so long.” I placed the roses on the ground, pouring fresh water into the vase. One by one, I arranged the roses, sprinkling the excess water on the petals.

“You loved roses just like Juliet, hm.” I sat down beside the vase, leaning against the stone.

“I won the Olympics. Must’ve come as a surprise, right?” I chuckled.

A breeze passed by, breaking the silence as the dead leaves rustled.

I got up and laid my hands on the stone.

“I’ll be performing Romeo and Juliet. One last time.”

—- —- —-

I breathed slowly, steadying myself.

Our last performance.

As the running notes grew louder, your voice thinned out.

I pushed on until the audience cheered as I laid my arms out, gasping for air.

I looked up. “It’s over.” I gazed upon the roaring audience, giving them a bright smile.

It’s time to let go of Juliet.