Shakespeare got it Wrong

Chapter 13- Theo POV

“So what’s her name?” she asks as she smiles and starts washing up her coffee cup.

“Juliet”. I say, and smile at the sound of her sweet name.

My mother’s shoulders tense and she hunches her back. Something I said? Why is she so tense, what’s worrying her?

“Juliet? Who?” she replies, throwing down the washing rag and facing me, she clenches the bench, her old knuckles turning white.

“Juliet Capulet, Why? Do you know her?” I ask, I stop fussing around and stare at her. Something settles in the pit of my stomach. I get the feeling I will not like where this is headed.

“I know her mother, and I know you and I know that you are to never, NEVER see that girl again!” she shouts, her face turning tomato red and her eyes start bulging. I stare.

“Juliet  would never hurt anyone, what’s she ever done to you!” I compete.

“Nothing! But her mother ruined my teenage years, that selfish slutty bitch, she stole the man I loved, she married him and she did it just to get back at me. She was nothing before I met her. Just a useless wannbe that did drugs and beat up half the kids in school.  I supported her and made her my friend and how does she repay me, HOW! She fucking ruined my future!” my mother screams, her anger fizzling out at all her seams. I shrink back. I have never heard of this, what is she going on about, this is not like my mother.

“But that’s her mother! That’s not her! Calm down mum, this isn’t you!” I say as I walk over to her and hug her. I feel the tension slowly seep from her body as she relaxes in my arms.

“ I know what will happen, I don’t want to watch you suffer, leave her and her family alone. They are not good for us…… Not good enough for you” she sniffles. My heart breaks. I can literally feel something snapping inside my chest. I can’t leave Juliet, it would kill me.

I take a step back and take in my mother. I scrutinise her, her skinny hippy like form, covered in colourful clothes and dangly jewellery. “It’s my life” I say as I grab my bag and head for the door, “and I will see who I wanna see”. I slam the door between us and hop into my shit ass car. I shift into gear and leave the house behind. All my troubles will have to wait till later. Right now, I have a façade to put on. Mr Popularity.

------------ After school-----------------

Ben chatters away happily at my side as I walk down the street towards the Girls private school. No matter what I told myself this morning, I have to talk to Juliet, and it has been killing me all day in anticipation.

“So what did Juliet think of Blue Jade and our dedication? She like it? Did she tell you?” Ben asks as he snaps me out of my thinking. I smile, Ben likes the thought that a girl actually came to the show and he likes it even better that she wants to go again.

“She liked it heaps, she really believes you guys can make it big” I answer as I whip out my phone and text Juliet: Meet me outside your school we need to talk J.

“That’s cool. You’re lucky you know, you have a proper girl, one with a personality and a stunning smile. While all I seem able to attract is sluts with their legs so wide open it’s like a subway tunnel.” He laughs. A group of girls dressed in Juliet’s uniform walk by chattering, with their skirts super short and their collars unbuttoned. Ben leans over and gives them his best sexy grin then gives them a wink and they all giggle.

“Yeah, I wonder why” I grunt as I pull out my phone to check if Juliet has answered yet. She is normally super quick to answer, and I usually text her at this time anyways. But there is no reply. I frown and quicken my pace. What’s happening, this isn’t like her.