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

Started February 05, 2019 by @blue_topaz

tune

"If you'd like," I murmured in response, careful to show none of the relief I felt. "Are you sure you're alright? You look like you want to say something."

“I’m quite alright.” I assured her, rubbing at the tender patch of discolored skin on the back of my neck. “I’m just tired.”

He kept rubbing at that spot… Vaguely, I wondered why. Giving him a slight nod, I turned back to my menu, humming softly.

I would have to go home late tonight, I realized, staring at my menu. My parents would be furious if they found out I ended the date early. I shut the menubas the waiter came over, ordering a glass of water and the pizza.

I ordered a glass of sparkling water, relieved that Paris hadn't ordered any alcohol. "So, Paris. Tell me a bit more about yourself?"

It was a miracle that my internal panic had not yet seeped back into my expression.

“I had another boxing match last weekend.” I told her, forcing myself to look somewhat happy.

"That's nice," I hummed, clenching my hands into fists beneath the table in order to vent off a bit of my mountainous anxiety. "Did you win?"

“Yeah, it was a bit of a close call. Thought I lost a tooth at one point.” I attempted to joke lightly.?

"Ouch." I played along, allowing myself a joking wince. "But you're alright?"

“Always am.” I forced a smile onto my face before looking back down at the table. “How have you been?”

Awful.

"Good enough, I suppose," I replied instead, pushing a hand through my hair. "Things are hectic with school, but that's just the usual. No fights lately."

“Good to hear.” I replied politely. “Is Angelo allowing you to go to college?”

"I……." Biting my lip, I tipped my head in his direction. "He says that's up to you, not him. But I wouldn't be able to go next year, anyways, there's not enough time."

“Well, if you’d like to, I think you should. It’s good to be well rounded, even when you’re in a business like ours.” I looked up at her, suddenly feeling bad for her too. “It would give you some time to adjust and take expectations off us to… you know… until we’re botj older.”

I think my palms were bleeding from how hard my nails were digging into them beneath the table.

But, strangely, I felt a surge of gratitude at his offer. "Thank you…" I murmured, forcing my lips to curve upwards. "That means a lot to me."

“It’s human decency.” I shrugged. “Though I guess neither of us get ahold of that too often.” I sighed, subconsciously pawing at my neck again.

"I suppose…." My eyes went to his hand again—why did he keep rubbing the back of his neck?

“Is there anything else you’d like to ask me?” I looked up at her again, feeling my nerves start to settle.

“Is there anything else you’d like to tell me?” I answered easily, biting my lip.

“That’s cheating…” A small, but eased smile found its way onto my lips. “I don’t think so, not much has happened.”

“Do you have any siblings?” I asked, “I just realized that I don’t know.”

“Siblings? No. I spent a lot of time with my cousins before all the fighting started. My family’s been split in two since.” I shrugged and sighed. “I do miss them though…”

"That's.. awful," I murmured simply, suddenly feeling a twinge of sympathy, "I'm sorry."

“You… You might know one of them, I believe he’s around your age. Have you ever met a Mercutio Escalus before?” I scratched at my arm, a little weirded out by the idea that my wife-to-be is the same age as my little cousin.

My eyes widened, and for a solid ten seconds, I just stared at him. "You mean…. the Montague?" I said finally, struggling to wrap my head around this concept. "The best friend of the son of Rafael Montague?"

My boyfriend?

“Ah, he’s still close with Romeo then?” I shook my head, stifling a laugh. “They got into constant trouble together. I… I guess I really do miss him sometimes. Even though he’s always been er— brash.”

This was… risky of him. Admitting move for one of my sworn enemies, right in front of me? Of course, I didn’t care, but there was no way for him to know that…

“I’m sorry you’ve been estranged from him..”

I sighed, but managed a weak smile. “It’s the way of the world. I doubt he’d even recognize me anymore. I don’t suppose you had any connections to the other side?”

“You mean the Montagues?” I clarified, preparing for yet another low.

“Yeah.” I responded back. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. I wouldn’t be saying it if my parents didn’t already know.” I chuckled softly. “They weren’t too happy about it, but they didn’t kill me, so I guess that’s a bonus.”