Valentine's Day

Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE:

  "You never know," Wes persisted as I expertly dodged him and chucked my stuff on his backseat.

  "What would I never know? It's my mind. I should know if I'm in the midst of falling in love." I emphasized the last word for his benefit.

  "Well, half the time, most people don't. Juliet, don't run away from something just because you're afraid of something." He said warningly and as i ducked into his passenger seat.

  I cringed as he said my name. I never did like my name. If you didn't know, Juliet is the name of one of the most famous star-crossed lovers in the literal world of romance. She plays a girl who is in love with a boy called Romeo so much that in the end, they both die together because society does not allow them to be together. People, like my mom, loved the story for their beautiful love but look where that got her. And now, I have to bear the same remarks over and over again as people realize that i don't believe in all those fairy tales.

  'You don't believe? But you're named after one of the most loveliest characters ever! That is impossible!" and comments like this just seem to fly from people's mouths like you wouldn't believe.

  "Well, its something that's well deserved to be feared." I muttered, determined not to look at him.  

  "It's not! There are people who end up happy in love till they're old and unable to move. If love did not exist, what is making those people happy?" Wes demanded.

  "They're just lucky that they have found someone who loves them back as much as they do. Other than that, most people just get their hearts broken along the way." I checked my watch. "Wes, we're going to be late for dinner if you don't start driving. You know your mom hates it when people come late for dinner." I reminded him.

  Wes started the engine and began cruising down the lane, turning onto the road easily while keeping up the conversation with perfect ease.

  "Having your heart broken is part of growing up. It just makes falling in love more precious." He pointed out.

  I rolled my eyes and ignored him. I'm not going to waste my time and start another argument with him again. We've been at this since i was eleven and it gets tiring after awhile. I managed to artfully steer the conversation away from that unpleasant topic and let it remain that way until it was time for me to go home.

  My house was nothing great, compared to many people's. We didn't have sky high attics, or indoor swimming pools and emerald green lawns. My home was a simple cottage lookalike, with a roof consisting of brown tiles and pale beige walls. Our garden was tiny, but well taken care of and flourishing under my mom's care. I didn't have a humongous bedroom like the girls my age do, but instead, i had a tiny room at the western side of the house so i get a splendid view of the sunset each day. My mom usually came home around  at night, around ten plus so i had the whole house to myself everyday. Today was basically the same as any other day. After dinner, i came back to clean up the house a little before going up to my room to grab my shower things.

  I was in the midst of turning my wardrobe upside down in search for my comfortable pair of shorts when i caught the sight of myself in the mirror opposite. The sun's rays managed to peek through my blinds and it gave my face a rather different texture. I was really unlike any other girls of my age. I wasn't as beautiful, or talented, or even gifted with the ability to walk without falling. But the greatest difference between me and normal girls was still the same as it had been ten years ago. I still hated wearing dresses and trying to beautify myself in any way. It was totally ridiculous and a waste of time. I still loved the freedom of running, climbing trees and just having something to occupy myself with. Contrastingly, I was born with blond hair and blue eyes and a fragile appearance that made me look as if i was going to fall any moment(okay, maybe that was true) and that i couldn't do anything active. I looked like a doll even though i behaved the total opposite of one. I shivered a little and turned myself away from the mirror. If you ask me, mirrors are infuriating things that make you think of weird stuff. 

  Just then, the door slammed downstairs, and i heard the usual clicking of heels against the wooden floor that is only heard at night. I grabbed my clothes and peeked downstairs.

  "Oh, there you are Juliet. I was wondering where you were." My mother smiled and placed the groceries on the table.

  "Mom? Why are you home early today?" I asked, astonished.

  "Why can't i be? Is there anything going on around here that i shouldn't know?" Her eyes narrowed a little. I knew that look. She was suspecting guys.

  "Don't be silly. It's great that you're home." I eyed the shopping bags on the dining table. "And i see you've stocked up the fridge for the rest of the week."

  Mom laughed.

  "I had to feel less guilty for leaving you alone for so many nights." She smiled.

  I loved it when my mom smiled. She had this natural beauty thing, this aura around her that made you feel happier when she was around. She had chestnut locks and my blue eyes, and i could actually see why my father had fallen for her so many years ago, even if he was just fooling around. My mom had to be pretty enough to have caught his attention, and she was sweet enough to fall for his flattering comments. She hasn't gone out with any guy for over sixteen years, and though i didn't want to see her get her heart broken again, i couldn't help but feel that she needed someone to love her, to take care of her after she has slogged so much of her life for me. But she was scarred to much by my dad. Like me, she was afraid of a heartbreak too.

  "You know i don't mind, mom." I said, leaning down over the bannister of the staircase.

  "Don't lean over. You might fall down." Mom nagged, making me straighten immediately.

  I nodded and checked the clock. It was nearly seven. I was expecting a call from my friend at seven thirty about something.

  "I presume you've eaten?" Mom called. She had disappeared into the kitchen, rummaging through the fridge to create space for the new groceries. 

  "Yep. Over at Wes' place." I told her.

  "Alright then, go get on with your things." This was one of the reasons why i adored mom. She never did ask so many questions that would suffocate a teenager, and demand to pry and poke into every single minute of her life. She let me have my own space, and once in a while, she'll just drop in to check if I'm doing fine.

  Just exactly as i entered the room, my phone rang immediately. I had to run all the way across to grab it while my long long long hair swung around my face, sprinkling droplets of water all around my bed.

  "Hello?" I said breathlessly as i caught my golden mane and twisted it to let the water drip onto the towel. 

  "Juliet!" The voice on the other line exclaimed loudly, as if i was some life buoy that could save her lfie. "Thank goodness!"

  "I'm here, Sophie. What's wrong?"

  I knew the answer before she could reply me. Sophie was this hyperactive friend of mine that i've known since third grade. She had freckles and long black hair that was outstanding against her blue eyes. She was a sensible girl half the time, and the other half was spent worrying on guys. She loved to wear dresses, heels, necklaces and this musty perfume called "Forest" that claimed to induce a connection between the person wearing it, and nature, though all i could smell everyday was leaves. She was talkative, and one of the few friends who loved me for who i am. 

  "Its Jacob! I have no idea what he meant when he replied my sms, and oh my gosh, i'm practically wilting inside because i don't know what to do!" She said, still in her shrill voice.

  "Alright," I said quickly. "Calm down! Start from the very beginning, and tell me what happened, okay?"

  So basically, this is what i spend doing at night. I try to prevent heartbreaks from happening.