My Modern Day Romeo: Chapter Three

“But my true love is grown to such excess; I cannot sum up sum of half my wealth.”

- Juliet, Act two scene six Romeo & Juliet

March 23rd

It had been a week since the blackout and pancake incident and Joyce has been nastier the usual to me. I’ve craftily been avoiding Raoul all week at school – 0nce even ducking into the boy’s bathroom to avoid him.

Leon had decided to take me out tonight to try and cheer me up. He clued in that something was up when I walked away from him mid-conversation for the fifth time in an hour. That or the fact that out of the blue Joyce tipped the whole bottle of ketchup on my head and I didn’t react.

I think that what has been annoying Joyce the most – the fact that I’m not fighting back. She wants us to fight, to make a scene but I just can’t; because I know whatever she does can’t top what I did to her.

Leon said to wear something nice. I chose a simple white summer dress due to the warm summer night. I slipped on some silver heels and minimal makeup. I took one last look in the bathroom mirror and knew I didn’t want to go out – but knew I would as Leon was being really sweet and it might do me some good.

I slowly walked down the stair and saw Joyce sitting on the sofa watching a music television programme. I tried to slip out quietly without making a scene but alas, my heels had to clack on the polished hardwood floor.

I took a deep breath knowing a comment was coming.

“Oh, I see your going out – who are you going with? Your little toy boy?” she smirked

“I’m going out with Leon. I’ll be back not too late” I was really getting sick of her attitude.

“I don’t know why he dates you – he could do so much better”

I felt a sudden rage swell up inside of me and I could handle Joyce’s bitchiness anymore. I tried to walk away. Really I did.

“Joyce, does your face hurt? Because it’s killing me. Really, I have seen thing smarter than you on the bottom of a pond. Go back to listening to whiny boys with high voices because they are wearing girl jeans”

I could feel my face turning red and I knew I had to get out of there. Luckily the doorbell rang and I rushed over to answer it as fast as possible. It was amazing how much better I felt after insulting Joyce – it was like therapy. I unlatched the door with a huge grin on my face.

“Hey Leon!”

I pulled him in for a massive kiss – I knew he was surprised at my mood swing, but he got over the surprise pretty quickly. After a few seconds I heard over exaggerated gagging noises from behind us and I broke away. The first thing I noticed was Leon was in a suit – I knew I had under- dressed. Then I turned around and noticed Joyce pretending to heave over the back of the sofa – lovely.

And joining the puerile activities was Raoul. I froze up.

“Uh… Leon I’m just going to get changed to go out… sorry I’ve just got back from shopping – back in a jiffy”

I proceeded to race up the stairs as fast as my heels would let me. I stumbled a few times and left Leon to the mercy of my sister and… Raoul. I fumbled with dresses in my wardrobe until I found the perfect dress.

It ended at the middle of my thigh and was dark purple in colour. It had a cowled front and bunched at the sides. I slipped off my silver heels in favour of some black stiletto pumps. Redid my makeup darker and sprayed myself with perfume.

I felt like myself again, it was amazing. I stood at the top of the stairs watching poor, awkward Leon standing in the door way being stared at by the two figures clad in tight black pants and too-big jumpers. I had to go and save my poor boyfriend.

“Leon! Sorry I took so long – these shoes are a bugger to walk in.”

I tried to gracefully descend the stairs but was failing miserably. Thankfully Leon came rushing up the stairs to my aid – I have trained him well. I made it to the door without incident – but typically I just had to look back at Raoul.

“What are you staring at? Huh Juliette?” Joyce’s nasal voice croaked.

“Argh! Earth is full – go home freak”

And with that final statement I closed the door with a decisive slam.

I was staring out of the window at the restaurant after both Leon and I had ordered. It was a very nice Italian restaurant with a long Italian name. Our table was right near the restaurant’s garden, full of blooming flowers and a lake upon which the large moon glowed yellow. The whole scene was very romantic – they had a band playing in the corner and full of forty plus couples: most of which were personal friends of my parents who were gushing over how cute Leon and I are. Gag.

“I’ve missed you” Leon said in an adorable voice

“I haven’t gone anywhere though”

His statement had drawn me away from gazing at the magnificent garden.

“Yeah but… you’ve just been really distant lately”

I must admit I was surprised, it was very observant of him.

“I’m sorry, just with planning my birthday it’s been hectic!” I giggled.

Our food arrived and I realised how hungry I was. My stomach rumbled loudly and I let out another giggle. Under the table I subtly slipped off my shoes as my feet were beginning to ache.

“What are you doing for you birthday babe?”

I slurped up some more linguine and wiped my chin on my serviette.

“It’s going to be a masquerade: black and gold theme. You have to wear a mask!”

We chatted a bit longer about my party and I was starting to get really excited. Everyone was coming who had been invited, unfortunately this includes my sister and her friends, and I had everything organised.

I couldn’t believe my party that I had been organising for around two weeks was only twenty-four hours away. We ate our dinner with comfortable conversation. Without knowing why I looked around the restaurant. I suddenly I felt like Leon and I were miniature versions of the couples surrounding us. I don’t know why but my stomach began to churn and I felt nauseous. I suddenly felt old; that I would be in the same position in thirty years and that my life won’t have gone anywhere.

“Um… I have to go to the bathroom” I announced and go up from the table.

I quickly slipped my shoes back on and headed to the bathroom. I slowly walked down the corridor that led to the kitchens and the bathrooms; I slipped into the ladies room. I splashed my face with water and took a few deep breaths. After a few moments I fixed my make up and left the bathroom.

I peeked into the kitchens for no real reason and watched the chefs madly rushing around. I then noticed at the end of the hall there was a discrete door. I walked over to it and opened it, revealing a small lane way. I realised that it was the chef’s entrance. I stepped out into the warm summer air and took a deep breath, instantly feeling better.

I lent against the wall with one foot against the wall as my feet were hurting due to the height of the shoes. I looked up at the sky and let all the thoughts flee from my mind. It felt nice, there was a light breeze tunnelling though the lane and I could hear the rustle of tree leaves.

“What are you doing out here?”

The voice cut like a dagger thought my tranquillity and caused me to choke on the air I rapidly breathed in from shock. It was Raoul. How the hell does he keep popping up in random places? So I asked him

“Well, it’s the start of my shift. I work the eight til twelve shift.” He looked at me like I was stupid.

“Oh.” I really couldn’t think up a better response.

What ensued was a silence so awkward I was tempted to cough just to make a noise to ease the air between us. He shuffled his feet and scratched the back of his neck.

“What are you doing out here? Shouldn’t you be inside with Leon?”

It was a simple enough question but for some reason I just couldn’t answer it. My mouth opened and closed like a goldfish.

“What are you doing out here? Shouldn’t you be at work?”

“Well I would be if you weren’t leaning on the door blocking me”

I blushed bright red as I realised I wasn’t leaning against the wall, but rather the door that I had exited from.

“Oh. Well I was just about to go inside to my loving boyfriend. As if I’d rather stay out here with you!” I retorted intelligently.

“Well… I don’t recall asking you to say outside with me. In fact, I want to be inside not outside…”

I don’t think I had ever felt so angry and stupid. I was about to lower my foot in order to make a dramatic exit – but fate had other ideas. The door opened inwards causing me to fall over, upon a boy around my age who was holding a bag of trash – obviously a kitchen help.

Flustered, I began to push myself off the floor when I saw Raoul with his mobile phone out. I couldn’t believe he was recording this mortifying embarrassing moment! I felt acute rage and snatched his phone out of his hands.

“I can’t believe you were videoing me!” I scream and threw his phone on the floor – driving my stiletto through the screen.

I stalked back into the restaurant, leaving Raoul starring open-mouthed at his ruined phone. I walked back over to Leon, who looked alarmed at my stony face.

“Can we go? I need to get home”

We walked to Leon’s car without a word. I felt sorry for the poor guy; I was having more mood swings then a cat on heat. The first few minutes of the drive home were silent.

“What happened?” he asked tentatively.

“My stupid sisters friend showed up and he videoed me falling over; it is all the stupid kitchen hands fault I fell in the first place!”

“What was his name?” Leon pressed

“Argh, Raoul. He’s like my sister’s non-official boyfriend. He’s so annoying – he keeps popping up and bothering me”

I stared out the window. I think Leon knew better then to keep talking to me as my gaze was so intense I looked like I was killing ants. Fifteen minutes later we pulled up to my driveway.

“I’m sorry about tonight and the past few days. I feel terrible that you have had to deal with my mood swings.” I said to Leon.

He grabbed my hand and reassured me that it was okay, that he understood that the party had put pressure on me and that Raoul had been bothering me.

I gave him a goodnight kiss that soon escalated to me making out in his lap. There was a knock at the window of the car but both Leon and I ignored it – Joyce can be so annoying. She knocked two more times before we final broke away so I could scream at her.

And boy did I scream.

A/N:

I LIVE! I’m sorry about the… seven month delay. My life has been unbelievably crazy and writing has just become so low on the list of priorities (pathetic I know) and so I am so sorry. Also my life has become harder as my laptop doesn’t pick up my house’s wireless so it’s like a 50-step process to upload a chapter.

Also this chapter was a bit of a filler. I’m sorry.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed, messaged and stuck by this story during its seven-month vacation – something I wish I could have right now!

Love you all,