Juliet Chapter 5
“Are you going to?”
“I’m unsure as I haven’t played before.”
“What about cricket? It’s small, but we do have a cricket club.”
I first went over the school and its facilities as a whole. Then, I explained each class and club in detail as we went along, even down to the quirks of each teacher and what exactly happened in those classes and clubs. Finally, I had to encourage him to not take the bus. They’d let off a funky smell whenever the A/C would go out.
“Is taking the bus so bad?”
“Don’t get me started. It feels like I’m a frozen sardine when the A/C’s on, And a rotting one when it’s off,”
“I can imagine,” Romeo said with a chuckle.
I shrugged, doubting that someone who wore a Fior shirt could imagine how it feels to be a sardine packed into a bus.
Thankfully, we were able to finish before lunch was over.
“I can’t thank you enough. I understand the school quite well now.”
When was the last time a guy my age was so courteous? I was so caught off guard I barely muttered a response:
“I was asked to, so… I just hope it was helpful.”
“It was. Have a fun rest of your day.”
After parting ways with Romeo, I ran into Mr. Harrison in the hall while I was headed to my afternoon classes. As much as I wish he would, he’d never pretend to not notice me.
“Did you show Romeo around, Juliet?”
“Don’t worry, Mr. Harrison. I showed him around without missing a thing. Ravenwood’s not so complex as Elsinore Castle.”
“Alright. It’s not like Romeo would go off on his own like Hamlet,” Mr. Harrison said with a laugh as he walked by.
I only had two afternoon classes, so l tidied up my locker and was headed to my car before I knew it.
I tossed my bag in the passenger’s seat, got my phone plugged in, and heard a tap on the window as soon as I started the car. I looked to see who it was, and there stood Jasmine in sky blue pleats that looked as if they were dropping pollen from the hem lace whenever she moved. I rolled down the window, wondering what she could be here for.
“Juliet.”
“Uh, hi. What‘s up?” I asked with a befuddled expression.
I’ve never had any classes or talked with her much at all in our time here. That’s not to say I hated her, but we got along in different crowds. She hung out with the quiet church girls who normally wore skirts to school, and her beautifully calm demeanor light years from someone like me.
Jasmine brushed her light, curly hair behind her ear and asked as if she was whispering:
“Are you on your way home?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Luke… could you… give this?”
She sounded like a child, scared out of its wits, that couldn’t get a whole sentence out. It was all Greek to me, so I tried to get her to say it clearer:
“Come again?”
“I want you to deliver this to Luke.”
Luke? I figured she had to mean Lucas Harringer from my journaling class last semester, but I’m not that close with him, so why ask me?
“You’re better off just giving it to him yourself. I haven’t talked with Lucas since Biology.”
“No… Not him. Your neighbour, Luke Theobold…”
That was the last name I expected to hear. How’d she even know him, much less the fact that he lives next to me? She noticed my dumbfounded look as I took the mint-colored paper bag and added:
“Actually, Luke and I, at the Kansas City Cultural Center… volunteer together. I was supposed to give this to him, but I can’t go today, so…”
“Ah, I see.”
“Is it urgent?” I nodded and asked.
“Nothing like that… Just make sure he gets it today.”
“Sure thing, I can drop it off on my way home.”
‘”Thank you…” Jasmine responded and took a step back from the window.
“See you tomorrow, then.”
I inclined my head and said goodbye. Jasmine made a face that was a little more distant than intimate, and as someone would to a same-sex friend, raised and lowered her hand slightly before moving away from the car.
There was a pastel tone box with a ribbon on it inside the clean, mint-colored bag she gave me. I couldn’t know what was in it, but I can just ask Luke later. I didn’t think it was very significant, as I put the bag on the passenger seat and rolled up the window.
As I turned on Spotify and started Discover Weekly, the car speaker started blasting adrenaline-pumping music with drums and bass to match. Like always, Spotify’s on the money when it comes to knowing what I like better than I do!
It felt like cool blood was rushing to my heart and ringing to match the booming bass. I slowly took hold of the wheel, only to get a jolt of electricity run through me, as if to make my peach fuzz rise. I pressed the accelerator in a tad and started on my way. I really ike driving.
The instant I turned 16, there was no stopping me from getting my license. Unfortunately, inexperienced minors get higher insurance, so I can only drive the car when my mom allows it. I had permission today due to me being able to take Abigail to her fashion lectures at Glenfield.
While mom allowed me to drive, it was also on the condition that I don’t cause trouble or it was back to the bus. She knew just how much I hated being stuck at the house.
Upon leaving school, I passed the familiar stores that lined Maple Street, as well as Heathdale State Park. There are lower speed limits on side roads, but I still made good time.
I heard someone call me just as I got out of the car.
“Jules!”
Izzy poked her head out from the window and waved from next door. As I waved back, she yelled from the window.
“Why haven’t you checked your Facebook messages?”
Ah, I don’t tend to check Facebook very often. I quickly took out my phone and checked the Facebook app only to see a mountain of missed messages from Izzy.
[Jules!]
[Hey, Jules!]
[Why don’t you come over anymore?]
[Is it because Luke’s not here?]
[I was just over last week,] I replied with a laugh.
I heard a loud yell as soon as I sent the message.
“Yeah, once! You used to come over everyday!”
She sounded so sad that I was guilt-tripped into going to Luke’s instead. It wasn’t like I had anything to do otherwise, so I may as well play with her.
Not being so disrespectful as to yell like the 9 year old Izzy, I replied on Facebook:
[Sorry. I’ll make sure to come more often!」
I passed the well-kept garden and approached the oak door, just to have it swing open. From inside, a pretty girl with both dark hair dark and eyes peeked from around the corner.
“Boo!”
Izzy, or Isabella, is Luke’s little sister by eight years. She was born after I moved here, and we’ve become so close we may as well be sisters. She often cries whenever I go to leave, so I end up staying the night. Whenever we were in bed, she’d whisper how she liked me more than her brother. I have no idea why she likes me so much. If I’m being honest, she feels more like a sibling than my own little brother, Eddy.
“Why’re you done up so pretty today?”
Her hair was done up with black dress shoes and a chiffon dress she doesn’t wear often.
“I have a performance to go to!”
I entered the house, with Izzy half dangling from my waist, when Mrs. Theobold emerged from the kitchen in high heels.
“Is that Juliet?” She asked with a surprised look.
“Izzy! You’re too big to drag her down like that anymore!”
“Hello.”
I brought Izzy closer with both hands.
“It’s okay, she’s light.”
Izzy triumphantly glomped even tighter as Mrs. Theobold let out a sigh.
“Just don’t be too much of a bother.”
With her black dress and high heels, Mrs. Theobold might be going as well. Wow, seeing her better up close, she looked absolutely radiant. I stared at her glowing skin as if in a daze.
Luke’s mother, Mrs. Theobold, was Korean. I’ve never seen someone as beautiful as her. The first time I ever came to visit, back before we started school, the first thing I mentioned was how pretty she was. She’s prettier than anyone in school, even Veronica, who appears on local broadcasts.
Ah, I’ve been calling Luke’s mom Mrs. Theobold, but that’s not right. Despite having raised Luke and Izzy alone after her previous husband died eight years ago, she kept the Theobold name, so I was accustomed to calling her Mrs. Theobold. However, since she’s married Mr. Morris and became Jane Morris, I should be calling her Miss Jane.
“You promised to only use your phone for one hour a day, right Izzy?” Miss Jane scolded Izzy, using me as an excuse.
“I know, mama. But I still have 30 minutes left.”
Izzy pouted as she sat on the couch. She had some shiny ornaments in her hair, they were popular with kids these days. While I brushed her hair, I asked Miss Jane a question.
“Are you heading out now?”
“Not for another 20 minutes.”
“Since this is Izzy’s performance, is it okay for me to be there?”
“Don’t worry, she’s not the one performing today. It’s her friends performing this time.”
“Sofia will be in Swan Lake today, I even have flowers ready for her.”
Izzy showed me a bouquet made of assorted candies on the table.
“Anyway… Jules, come here. There’s something I need to ask.”
Izzy put down the bouquet and had me sit on the couch.
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