In Fair Verona // Modern Romeo and Juliet // Private RP - CLOSED

I nodded slowly. “Yeah. I promise. Joe’s a mom friend, he’ll cool off eventually. He’s just frustrated because he thinks I’m giving you chances you don’t deserve since I…. well. Anyways. How drunk do you feel right now?”

“I er… how drunk I feel?” I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly. “I can’t really tell what’s alcohol and what’s anxiety right now.” I admitted sheepishly.

Sighing, I plopped down on the bed and patted the space beside me. “You’re safe, I promise.”

I cautiously made my way out into the middle of the room, still unsteady on my feet. Eventually I plopped down beside Marina, sticking close to her for comfort.

“I wish you weren’t drunk,” I sighed, “Then we could discuss everything properly, and you’d remember it in the morning.”

“I’m not black out drunk.” I protested lightly. “I’ll remember most of this. Then I’ll probably have a fat anxiety attack.” I sighed, rubbing my temples.

I rubbed at my red-rimmed eyes. “You’re not allowed to drink again. I’m not rescuing from another obscure bar right before sunset. Next time, you follow me off the bus instead of leaving me alone.”

“I didn’t realize how scared I was until you got off that bus. An’ I sorta knew you were gonna make me confess things. I just panicked, Marina. I’m sorry. I won’t drink.” I promised earnestly— something sober me wouldn’t be too happy about.

I turned my head away. “Good. No drinking. For… For more reasons than one.” My shoulders drew taut. I don’t know what you could do to me while drunk. Even this is a risk.

“It always makes me feel worse. I don’t know why I do it. I need something to…” I didn’t know how to say it, so I didn’t. All I could do was put my hand over my heart and apply pressure, like I was trying to tame some kind of monster.

“Forget?” I guessed, raising my eyes to meet his. “I used to do that. Almost every day.”

“How am I supposed to ever want to grow up and have a family if I end up like my family?” I pulled my knees up to my chest. “Even if I don’t. I couldn’t— I can’t make any kid do this. I couldn’t…”

“You won’t end up like your family….” I whispered, leaning my head against his shoulder. “You’re better than all of them.”

“Joe might get mad at you for that.” I breathed softly, not wanting to ruin Marina’s friendship. I blinked tears out of my eyes, a few escaping down my cheeks. “I wanted to be a writer. I hate hurting people. I just want to drink coffee and write in a little sunroom somewhere safe.” I felt my heart rate pick up and my hands begin to grow clammy.

“Joe will be fine,” I murmured, breathing in his strangely unfamiliar scent. “I’m more worried about you. And—being a writer sounds really nice.. I’d like to sing. Or do something with music.”

That brought a smile to my face. “When… When Romeo and I were around ten, Rafael said we had to learn to be charismatic, so he took us on a business trip to Rome. While he was in meetings he gave us the hat and told us to earn money in the streets. We… We had this whole little act.” I shook my head, laughing quietly.

To my disbelief, I found myself chuckling. “And? How much did you earn?”

“With Romeo singing? Seven pity euros.” I felt a weak smile form on my face.

“Aww…” I shook my head, amused. “What a tragedy…”

“Truly was.” My heart rate finally started to quell as I grew content. This right now was perfect despite the shittiness of the overall situation. “So, taking me in after I got drunk and ditched you at a bus stop. Guess I still owe you big time then.” I teased gently, sighing. “Am I doing more than buying you pizzas this time? Or are you just going to rob me blind for food?

“The second one,” I snickered, “Kidding. You’ll actually have to pay me back with——“

The door swung open, and a familiar, burly figure slipped inside. “Water for the lovestruck idiots..” he muttered and handed us our glasses. “Two rules. One, no sex in my house. Two, no sleeping in the same sleeping bag.”

So much for being content. The buzzed pink in my cheeks flared up to an unattractive red out of embarrassment. I tentatively took the water from Joe’s hand, keeping my mouth shut. Lovestruck? Boyfriend? Are we dating? I think I would know if we were, right?

A deep blush bloomed across my cheeks. “Three things, Joe. One, we’re not lovestruck. Two, were not daring. And three, we’re not going to have sex.” Ever.

Joe snorted. “Ha. Sure. Just to clarify, you both know that this is suicide, right?”

“I don’t want to get Marina in any trouble. I just need an hour or two so I can get back on my feet.” I looked up at Joe, hoping he wouldn’t deck me on the spot.

Joe sent a sharp glare Mercutio’s way. “No. You’re drunk as fuck, and you’re not leaving this house until I know you won’t be spilling secrets about Marina left and right. I wasn’t talking about that, anyways.” He gestured to the two of us. “This is suicide. This shit is the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen. No one risks their goddamn life for a high school crush.”

I flinched back, falling silent.

“She’s my friend.” I snarled, feeling an adrenaline rush coming on. “Don’t yell at her like you’re so high and mighty yourself.” I reached for Marina’s hand, gently squeezing it.

Joe’s eyes darkened dangerously. “Watch your mouth, Montague. You’re the one who sent her, crying her fucking heart out, through my window a few hours ago. You’re also the one putting her in danger as we speak.”

I swallowed hard and wrapped my fingers around Mercutio’s wrist. Please don’t get mad at him…

“I know I fucked up. But Marina didn’t do a thing. Stop lecturing her like this is her fault.” I snapped in return feeling my shoulders tense. “I would’ve got my ass beat if I went home anyways. What the fuck’s the difference in location worth then?”

“Once again, Montague, you understand me,” Joe snarled, “You’re putting her in danger by being with her like this.”

I clenched my teeth. “Joe. Stop. Please. I know you just want to protect me but I’m fine like this. I’m not going to get myself killed. Okay? You don’t know the whole story.”

I fell silent as Marina spoke up. She needed to defend herself here. Anything I said would just get me into a fistfight. I focused on her hand wrapped around my wrist, forcing myself to back down.