A River In My Memory

Chapter 1: Mia (12 years old)

"For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo" A short man with tights and an outstreched collar retreated into the backstage of the theatre. A storm of praise and applaud raised in the audience. The words The End flashed across the black and white screen. Our living room stood silent as the movie credits appeared.

"Wow," declared Laura who was sitting next tome. Her deep blue eyes had swollen and redened from all the crying. I stared at her with an amused look on my face. My lips slowly curled into an awkward smile as I tried to hold back my laughter. I could feel my face start to redden and I took in a loud breath of air. She turned to face me. Her gold strands or hair had stuck to her moist cheeks and mucus started to stream down her nose.

I couldn't hold it any longer and I let out the louddest laughter known to the history of the world. Which I now believe may have been a little too exaggerated but at that moment...it felt right.

"What!?" She yelled wiping her runny nose with her arm. Her face had turned into a scowl which I found even more amusing. I continued to laugh, placing both my hands on my forehead and rocking back-and-forth like an idiot.

"You're so stupid," she claimed as she reached for the box of tissues sitting on the polished wooden coffee table. My laughter died down and the room remained silent. I sat back up on the couch and lightly pushed my long wavy hair back.

"Ehhh sorry about that."

"I hate you."

"Im sorry Laura, it's just funny."

"How exactly is it funny? It's completely natural and you're just a moron. Everyone cries during beautiful movies like this." Her eyes lit up and I could tell her mind was far away from here. "Two star-crossed lovers. Oh how beautiful! I just hope to one day live a beautiful romance like this."

I rolled my eyes. How stupid. "So you want to be the causer of many deaths as well as your own?"

"Ugh! Don't think like that!" She placed her hands on her hips in protest. "This story is about forbidden love and going through great measures to be with each other!"

"Whatever" I claimed, pushing myself up from the couch. I decided not to pay attention to her any longer. Instead I turned my face in the other direction to check the time.

I looked at the antique and beautifully crafted clock on the wall. It had silver rims twisted into intricate shapes and old roman numerals. This may just be a summer cabin but mom really went all out with the decorations. Brand new couches, polished furniture made from cherry wood, and a beautiful kitchen with stainless steel appliances and glossy granite counters.

"Mia!" I winced and turned around to find my furious mother standing right behind us. Her eyebrows were furrowed and her deep blue eyes stared into my emerald green ones. She had her hands on her hips and she constantly tapped her foot on the hardwood floor.

"Yes mommy?" I said trying to sound as innocent as possible.

"Its 12:30 am! You are only 12 years old and you cannot stay up this late."

I bowed my head down trying to look as ashamed as I could. "Sorry mom."

"Go to your room! Both of you!" She pointed a stern finger towards the narrow hallway where all the rooms were at.

We marched the walk of shame towards our rooms, as mom clicked off the small plasma television. I turned to Laura and whispered "How come she always get angrier at me than you?"

"Its 'cus you're four years younger I guess."

"No talking. To your rooms now." Mom followed behind us with an annoyed look on her face and dark circles under her eyes. Wow that's must have been a very loud laugh. Oops.

We each walked into our own room and quietly shut the door. Without turning on the lights I trudged to my twin sized bed and lied down.

I pulled the soft cover to my neck and neatly place my head on my pillow. The tought of the movie flashed through my mind once more. Romeo & Juliet....how could someone fall in love in just one day? And so young? And to risk your life? I just don't think it's worth it, I mean Romeo was literally crazy about Rosaline and then BOOOM! He's in love with Juliet! How can someone's feelings change with just a look? It's completely unrealistic. I know that I would never be so naive.

I closed my eyes and drifted into immersed sleep.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So I hope you all liked the first chapter! :D For those who may not have realised, this story is wrtten from two prespectives, Mia's & Joseph's. So first chapter is Mia, second chapter is Joseph and so on. 

                         - Romina