Falling for Romeo (18 page)

Jennifer’s clammy hands clutched the unzipped edges of John’s coat. She hadn’t plucked anybody.

And when she saw John zigzagging through the crowd toward the action, she started to sweat.

He was congratulated for something he was clueless about; his face fraught with congenial confusion.

She wanted to run. With her eye on Lacey’s back door, she began a stealthy escape, but the room was so packed she couldn’t move.

“Hey.” It was John. Jennifer pretended she didn’t hear him. He whistled a sharp, ballpark whistle she hadn’t heard since childhood. The sound cut through the noise like a rapier through cloth, leaving the thud of the sound system with Maroon Five asking if there was anyone out there.

“Jenn.”

“I’m going out back for some air.” Jennifer headed for the door.

“Turn on that light,” Ann called. “It’s darker than a bar in broad daylight out there.” Jennifer let out a sigh the minute she was out the door. She would have enjoyed the cool night air, the freedom from the embarrassing moment, but she hadn’t turned on the light and she didn’t know about the two cement steps. She landed on her stomach in a flat thud.

Her arms broke the fall, protecting her face from grinding k 0

Falling for Romeo k J E N N I F E R ll A U R E N S

the rest of her to a stop. She laid in the dark in what looked like a basic yoga position before the light flicked on and John was at her side.

“You okay?”

“Sure. Yeah. I am.”

His hands wrapped around her arms to help her and she scrambled up with as much dignity she could.

Brushing off his jacket kept her face and eyes averted.

Her cheeks heated to fire.

“I’m not sure your jacket is, though.” The leather of the sleeves was scraped. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

“I’ll have it cleaned for you.” She couldn’t brush off the jacket forever, but she was afraid to look at him.

She headed for the door. After that humiliating fall, she was ready to split the party for good. His palm wrapped around her elbow.

“Just a second,” he said. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

When she finally had the courage to meet his gaze, she was surprised that he didn’t look upset.

“Okay.”

He stuffed his hands in the front pockets of his jeans.

“I heard something inside.”

“Oh?” Her heart flickered a little. She reached for the zipper of the coat, fumbled with it.

“Everybody thinks you and I…that you and me—”It was hard to say the words and John stopped because she was grinning, like she was teasing him.

“This is the first time I’ve seen you flustered,” she said.

“I’m not flustered,” he lied. He was so nervous his hands were shaking, had been since he’d escaped to

k

Falling for Romeo k J E N N I F E R ll A U R E N S

the front yard and found her wearing his coat.

It was the last thing he expected to find: Jennifer in his car putting on his coat. The look on her face when she’d slipped on the jacket had stopped him in his tracks.

Something powerful had stirred his system. She looked great in it. The light sleeves played off the pale blonde in her hair, lit now by moonlight. He didn’t think her sea-blue eyes could look any bluer, but they did. Dark and deep, like the mysterious zenith of the sky.

“Inside,” he cleared his throat, trying again.

“Everybody said that you said we were, you know.”

“What?”

“That—”

“You’ll have to say it John. I’m not going to say it for you.”

His toes crinkled in his shoes, his hands twitched in his pockets.
Why did she do this to him? Make him feel like
he wanted to say everything in his heart but at the same
time make it hard?

“I guess everybody thinks,” he gestured to the coat with a nod of his head, “with you wearing my coat and stuff.”

Her teasing smile faded. Slowly, she eased out of the jacket. Then she carefully folded it over her arm and extended it to him. “Sorry. Here.” He took the jacket even though he didn’t want it back. “You can still wear it if you want, if you’re cold.”

“I’m not.” But her arms went around her middle.

“Thanks, though.”

“Jenn.” He almost stopped her. Instead, he watched her go back into the house. How could he be the one to say it? That everybody thought they were k

Falling for Romeo k J E N N I F E R ll A U R E N S

together. Even if he wished it was true, telling her meant letting down his guard first. He was afraid to do that.

She was probably joking when she told everybody about the jacket—making him look like some home-boy, all chivalrous and starry-eyed with the gesture. His fingers squeezed the coat. The fabric was still warm. He brought it to his nose and inhaled. Before the warmth vanished, he slipped it on.

John hung the coat on a knob in his bedroom—the old knob his mom had installed when he’d gone through his baseball phase. The miniature bat and ball were scuffed and worn looking now.

Something heavy clamped over his heart. For a moment he stood in his bedroom, didn’t move, didn’t think. He didn’t want to. Everybody liked the performance, even with the lame first act, his four lost lines, and the accidents in the second half. He’d given his soul to Romeo. And everyone had complimented him.

Except his dad.

A vein of resentment hardened inside. He pulled off his shirt, twisted it and tossed it into his closet—missing the laundry basket. In three strides he picked it up and shoved it deep into the nearly-stuffed container. He had the sudden urge to lift the basket over his head and toss its contents all over his room.

He kicked at it instead, setting his hands on his hips with an exasperated growl.

No matter what he did it was never enough.

He fell on the bed, scrubbing his hands over his

k

Falling for Romeo k J E N N I F E R ll A U R E N S

face, old frustration boiling. Times like this he cocooned his self image with what few memories he had of when he’d made his dad proud. The memories were always right at the edge of his thoughts. He’d used them so many times. Like when he’d mowed the Vienvu’s lawn because Randy had been gone for three weeks. “I’m proud of you.” His dad had looked at him with such pride that John felt security wrap around his bones.

His bones ached tonight. He was ready to dissolve into the mattress. The darkness out his window made him feel empty. He liked it when he saw light in Jennifer’s bedroom.

He’d miss that.

He’d never thought much about possessions. They’d go with him when they moved; it was what he couldn’t take that hollowed his heart. If moving was inevitable, he’d do it and try not to show how hard it was.

“John?” His dad knocked on the door.

John shot up, rubbing away any sign of misery from his face. “Yeah?”

His dad only took one step into the room. John didn’t know if he was showing respect for his space or silently telling him he wasn’t going to stay long.

“How was the party?”

John shrugged. “Okay I guess.”

A moment of silence stretched into two, three. John waited, anxious, not sure what to expect. Disappointment hung in his chest when his dad turned, and went out the door.

The aching in John’s bones intensified, the very marrow burning. After his dad shut the door, he crawled into bed and stared out the window.

k

Falling for Romeo k J E N N I F E R ll A U R E N S

Jennifer walked down the crowded hall to English.

More strangers said hello to her, more boys smiled.

Fame was intoxicating. To be noticed, adored, what girl wouldn’t like it?

Romeo and Juliet played to a packed house every night. Chip was ecstatic. Nightly standing ovations, cheers, screams, were expected. But the most outrageous so far was the bra some girl had thrown up on stage when John was taking his bow. That’ll go down in Pleasant View High School history, Jennifer mused, picturing John’s face when he warily plucked the black, lacey garment off the stage. He’d turned the color of beets.

John’s laugh trickled through the hall now. The luring sound made Jennifer’s head turn as she approached Ms.Tingey’s room. She peeked in the open door. John stood talking to Ms.Tingey like they were old friends, not teacher and student.

When she went in, both of them turned.

“Jenn,” Ms. Tingey smiled. “I was just hearing about the behind-the-scene antics. I can’t believe I haven’t seen the show and tonight’s closing night.” Jennifer set her books on her desk. “Can’t you come?”

“Hey, do you have any tickets left?” John asked.

Obviously, he assumed she’d sold all of hers.
What a joke.

“I do, actually.” Jennifer dug into her backpack.

“Oh, good.” Miss Tingey retrieved her purse. “Do you have more than one?”

k

Falling for Romeo k J E N N I F E R ll A U R E N S

Jennifer wanted to whisper that she had seven, knowing John had sold his, but she just handed the stack to him. “You sell them to her.” He looked at her outstretched hand. “No way, you do it.”

“You’ve already won the contest.” John put his hands up. “They’re yours, you do it.”

“But you’ve already sold more. You do it.” Ms.Tingey laughed. “I heard about the contest. The winner gets what, a day off school? I’ll take them all. I have friends who want to come.” She tucked them into her purse, pulled out her checkbook and began to write.

Jennifer looked at John. “So, how does it feel to be getting a day off? Congratulations.” John shifted, plunging his hands into his front pockets. “I’m not much for contests.” Jennifer laughed. “Since when?” The door opened and a few students filed in. “Or have you forgotten that you used to trip me when we raced?” He turned away, pretending, she thought, to look at who had just come in because his face was red. Cute.

“Dude, that’s like, bad to trip a girl.” Freddy overheard Jennifer’s comment as he plunked himself into his seat.

“We were kids.” John went to his desk and sat, but his eyes held Jennifer’s, and behind them something mischievous glinted.

“Here you go, Jenn.” Miss Tingey handed Jennifer the check. “I can’t wait to see it. And John, I guess you’ll have to share the sale with Jennifer.”

“You rock, dude.” Freddy slapped John’s palm.

“I didn’t win,” John said again as the class filled, k

Falling for Romeo k J E N N I F E R ll A U R E N S

each student anxious for the buzz of what was going on.

Jennifer wasn’t mad that he won. That was like being mad at Robin Hood for giving to the poor.

“Okay.” Miss Tingey took the attention of the class with one clap of her hands. “Today’s journal entry is coming to terms with denial and acceptance. I want real thought put into this one everyone. Be ready for a deep discussion.”

The class fell quiet. Jennifer looked at her blank paper. A trickling discomfort began to spread through her. This was not one of her strengths, denial and acceptance.

“Like, denying what?” Freddy asked, stumped.

Behind him, Jessica raised her hand, fingernails painted black. “Like self denial. As in, I want another tattoo on my rear and I know I can’t afford it. That’s self denial.”

The class murmured. Jessica shrugged and Freddy muttered, “Good thing she ran outta money.”

“You seen my butt lately?” Jessica asked, throwing the class into jests.

“I’m talking about denial in the sense that Elizabeth denied she had any feelings for Mr. Darcy other than contempt and visa versa,” Miss Tingey explained.

“Until they both accepted their true feelings they both experienced a form of denial. What are you in denial about? What do you need to accept? That’s what this journal entry is about. Write, write.”
Should I just write John’s name on the paper and
be done with it?
That would just about say it all, Jennifer thought. He was writing so intensely.
What could he be in
denial about? The move?
That idea didn’t settle well in

k

Falling for Romeo k J E N N I F E R ll A U R E N S

her heart.

How about that the play will be over tonight?

No, that sounds more like me. No more fans, no more
compliments. Forever gone will be the fun backstage, the
hours of tiring, yet satisfying and challenging rehearsals.

Lines, once impossible to secure in the brain will begin to
fade.

That sounds more like me.

She so wanted to read his journal entries, really see inside his head. Thievery was not her career of choice however. She had other ways.

She raised her hand, waiting for Ms.Tingey to notice.

The teacher had her back to the class, and Jennifer almost lost her nerve, but Freddy cleared his throat, bringing Ms. Tingey around.

“Jenn?”

“How about we all share something?” Bodies shifted in seats, some sat perfectly still at the suggestion. Ms.Tingey glowed. Score. Jennifer hoped she’d lit the flame of competition in John so he’d unwittingly share something he’d written down.

“Excellent, daring suggestion, Jennifer. Excellent.

Why don’t you start?”

I’m an actress, Jennifer reminded herself. “Sure,” she said confidently. “I’ve been in denial about the play ending. It’s been so great. I’ve made so many friends. I keep thinking it can’t end.”

“Or what?” Ms. Tingey asked.

“Or I’ll be depressed, sad.” Jennifer sat back, pleased with her delivery. It wasn’t what was deeply hidden in her heart, but it was truth.

“Why?” John asked out of nowhere.

k

Falling for Romeo k J E N N I F E R ll A U R E N S

Jennifer’s heart skipped. “I just said why, because I’ll miss everyone. I’ve made a lot of friends.”

“But you had all of those friends to begin with,” he pointed out. “There’s another reason.” She froze. Her heart thudded heavily. “If there is, then you tell me.”

The room grew still. Heads turned first to Jennifer, then to John. His expression shifted from skepticism to determination.

“You wanted something from it,” he began.

“Something you’re still not sure you’re going to get.” Her thrumming heart beat in her throat. “I did?” He nodded. “That’s what you’re in denial about.”