Tangled in Red Threads

The Spark That Doesn't Die

Chapter 15: The Spark That Doesn't Die

Juliet

[six days later]

She hadn't planned on going.

The summer festival was always a blur of string lights, grilled street food, and old neighbors pretending nothing had changed since high school. But her grandma had practically pushed her out the door.

"You've been sulking," she said bluntly, shoving a paper fan into Juliet's hand. "Go. Be young. Eat something deep fried."

So, Juliet went.

And almost immediately regretted it.

Because he was there.

Romeo.

Wearing a navy button-up rolled to the elbows and that quiet expression that made her stomach twist, calm on the outside, storm beneath.

Worse?

He wasn't alone.

Evelyn stood beside him, laughing at something he said, her hand brushing his arm like it belonged there.

Juliet looked away fast, heart skittering.

And then—

"Juliet?"

She turned.

Charlie.

Of course.

"You came," he grinned, handing her a lemonade like it was normal. Like the tension in her chest wasn't climbing.

"I did," she said, trying to smile.

The festival buzzed with music and fireworks prep. People milled around the booths, ring tosses, candied fruit, popcorn bags with too much butter. It should've felt warm, nostalgic.

But all Juliet could feel was Romeo's presence, like gravity pulled a little harder when he was nearby.

Then the bonfire games began.

And somehow, some cruel twist of fate paired them all together.

Game 1: Firelight Trivia (Team Round)

Two teams. Charlie and Juliet vs. Evelyn and Romeo.

Romeo didn't even look at Juliet. Not once. But she felt his silence like a slap.

She knew he remembered this game. They used to crush it together in high school. She even mouthed one of the answers across the fire.

He ignored her.

Charlie leaned closer. "Okay, so this is war," he joked, elbowing her gently.

Juliet laughed, but her eyes drifted back to Romeo, just in time to see him glance at her, jaw tense.

Game 2: Memory Match (Paired Walk Challenge)

A ridiculous tradition. Each pair gets a card with a secret item or symbol and has to find its match on a trail lit with tiny torches.

Of course, Charlie grabs her hand. "Let's go win this."

And of course, Evelyn slides her arm into Romeo's and they disappear into the path ahead.

It's dark and quiet on the trail.

Charlie talks.

Juliet pretends to listen.

But her mind is already three steps ahead, wondering if Romeo remembers walking this same path with her years ago, barefoot, laughing, holding melting popsicles.

Back at the Fire

Everyone gathers as the flame roars up and the final round ends. Evelyn high-fives Romeo, laughing too loud.

Juliet sits down on a log, her lemonade forgotten. Her chest aches. She shouldn't care. She doesn't want to care.

Romeo's eyes meet hers across the fire.

He looks away first.

Something inside her breaks.

Later, when most people have drifted off and the fire is lower, she finds him by the snack booth leaning on the edge of a food truck grabbing a drink, alone for once.

"I didn't know you'd be here," she says softly.

Romeo doesn't look at her. "Yeah. Funny how we keep showing up to the same places."

Juliet swallows. "I didn't come with Charlie to prove anything."

"Didn't say you did."

"But you think it."

He finally looks at her. There's heat in his eyes, not anger. Hurt.

"You stopped showing up, Juliet."

"You shut me out."

They both go silent.

Then, quietly, he adds, "I thought maybe we were starting over."

Her heart cracks.

"We could still," she whispers.

But before he can answer, Evelyn calls his name across the fire pit.

And Charlie shows up at Juliet's side again.

Romeo turns.

Walks away.

Juliet watches him disappear into the crowd, again.

End of Chapter 15