This silence reigns my world.
It's been a while since your voice I have heard.
***
When the sun started to rise and Mr. Gomez's rooster began to wake everyone up, I found myself getting up and walking up to my room. Thankfully no one had woken up yet so I got to my room without any interruptions or questions about what I was doing inside.
My first thought as I went inside was to jump on my bed and close my eyes but it was a school day and I had resolved that I wouldn't let Romeo affect my life more than he already had so reluctantly I freshened up, changed and did my hair.
The mirror reflected back the same image I had been seeing growing up but I couldn't help but notice how the image had changed since the first day of school, going from bright and alive to dull and drained.
The house was alive with its usual morning banter but I took no part in it and quietly seated myself at the kitchen counter, awaiting my mother's sandwich. The room fell quiet when they looked at me but I gave no heed.
Dad combed through my hair and I tried to smile but it wouldn't reach my eyes. When everyone went back to what they were doing, dad leaned in and whispered, "You've spent a night thinking about that guy, Cecy. I think it's time to let go." And he kissed my head and stepped back.
I wasn't surprised that he knew I was outside the whole night. His words caused a pressure I felt in my heart, forcing a revival and I blinked away thoughts of Romeo to pay attention to what was going on around me.
When I got to school I tried my best to avoid him but there he was.
Standing with David, Romeo talked in quiet whispers as I walked by with my head held high and my step not too quick. And that was it. He didn't try to stop me. So I didn't, nor did my step falter.
In time I walked into Miss Jean's class and for the first time this year she didn't give me a weird look. Her eyes zeroed in on my face and I thought I saw them hold regret but she turned away as more students started to walk in.
I took my usual seat and let my head drop on my hands, the exhaustion of last night taking over so much so that I didn't feel it when Freya shook my shoulders and demanded for me to get up. I only did when she did it for the third time.
When I looked up at her she gasped and put her palm flat on my cheek, observing my eyes.
"Why didn't you sleep last night?" She suspiciously asked just as Romeo walked in and my eyes had no choice but to follow him around the room as he sat furthest from me. I didn't look at his face. I couldn't bear to. I only looked at his red leather jacket, finding something to focus on.
Freya noticed my eyes and grabbed my chin, "What did I tell you? He did this to you didn't he?"
"No, he didn't- well technically he didn't. Point is, F, you need to sit down and shut up cause my head is killing me and I can't stand the way you're shouting."
She eyed me saving her lecture on boys, which I was sure she had prepared just now, for later.
"And oh I have a date." I whispered as quietly as I could to her but no matter how quietly I had whispered that, I still saw a flash of red move uncomfortably in a chair from the corner of my eye.
Well at least it affected him.
"A date? With Romeo?"
"No... not really." I slowly managed to say.
"Is it that mystery guy you met on the bell tower. The one Romeo seems to think could be dangerous but we all know he's jealous of?" She said in one breath, her cheeks pulled up in a Cheshire smile.
"Yes. The exact one." I nodded as class started. During the entire class all I could think about was if Romeo could really be jealous of my date with someone else. He had acted in a way that said something else. I took his silence as indifference. Maybe I was missing something?
When I got home that day I found myself rummaging through my closet trying to find the perfect dress. I figured if I couldn't completely be there with Ashton, I, at least, owed him enough to look good while I wallowed in my sorrows.
At least I hadn't lost my dramatic flare.
In the end I settled on a crimson strapless dress that matched the lipstick I had stolen from mom's room just now. I was ready in what could be referred to as record time... in my book. My black stilettos clanked on the staircase as I made my way down and was greeted by a series of gasps from my family.
"What?" I frowned at them as they looked at each other, exchanging confused glances.
"Uh... dad told us about last night." Cathy began, "and now you're going out?"
"I'm not going out with Romeo if that's what you're thinking." I rolled my eyes then waved my hands as they continued to stare at me, "I'm not ten you know. I know what I'm doing. It's fine."
"We really hope that's true, kid." Mom had a somber look on her face, one I was seeing for the first time in a while. Romeo had really done a number on my family.
I nodded at them, grabbed my coat and walked out the door.
I was about to text Ashton when his car pulled up in front of the house, racing its way through the street. He lowered the glass window and smirked, "Get in, crazy."
"That's one way to greet your date." I rolled my eyes.
At least one thing was clear here: we were friends and this wasn't really a date. We were going out because he wanted to avoid, and I had only guessed this reason but couldn't help but think it was true, his friend in his part drunk part high state and I wanted to take my mind off a certain guy.
"You must have guys stumbling when you pass by." He eyed my exposed legs as I settled myself in the front seat.
When I found his eyes trained on my legs for a tad bit too long I snapped my fingers in front of his face, "Hey! Eyes on the road, perv."
He held up his hands in mock surrender, "I don't see why this guy wouldn't want to be with you."
"Yeah well it's a first. I just can't believe Romeo would go from a sweet-"
"Hold up! This guy's name is Romeo?" He carefully asked, his eyes held confusion and worry.
"Yes...?"
He shook his head, deciding the conversation was over and began speeding through the street towards the only five star this town had. He had told me last night that he had some friends who knew some friends who were related to the restaurant's owner so we had managed to get a reservation tonight instead of November 25th, which was around 6 months too far.
Throughout the ride he didn't pick up on the topic of my love interest. Instead he lowered the window, lit a cigarette and started smoking.
I mean... Why does no one take me seriously?
"What did we say about cigarettes?"
"That they're fucking great but the wicked witch of the west wouldn't let me have one. She, in fact, wasted a perfectly good pack because she couldn't stand the smell?" He calmly smiled. My eyes turned steely as I watched him blow out smoke into the car.
"You stop that right now or this date is over." I enunciated each word as clearly as I could, not bothering to keep out the venom that accompanied my voice.
"Alright. Alright! I just had something on my mind. I'm sorry." He threw out the cigarette, littering my beautiful town as the restaurant came into view.
I had never been anywhere near The Golden Palace in all the years I had lived in Williamsdale. It was simply a place for the rich, a special place for the people of the elite neighborhood. Looking at it now it didn't look like an important place. It looked as any other five star would have looked.
"My lady..." Ashton held out his arm for me to take which I did with reluctance. He still had the cigarette smell on him. It made me want to throw up in the middle of the parking lot.
I composed myself though as we made our way inside and to our table. It was right in the middle and surrounding it were occupied tables with people talking in hushed whispers as if exchanging secrets. Of course all of them wore extravagant clothes, ate fancy food which I guess I was here to do as well and smiled that smile that only a rich person could pull off.
I didn't feel out of place though because I didn't let any of it bother it. I took my seat, smiling at Ashton as he ordered something for the both of us, giving me a trust me look that made me want to punch him in the face.
"So... this Romeo guy, what is he like?" He tentatively questioned.
"You're gonna make me talk about another guy on my date with you?" I raised my eyebrows, a ghost of a smile playing on my lips.
"I mean... it's not actually a date. So why not?" He shrugged.
"Well... he's sweet. Or was sweet. I don't know. When I first met him, and I swear if you laugh at me I will kill you, "I deadpanned before continuing. "When I first saw him I felt the world stop. I know it's crazy but I felt it."
"I get it." He stated. This was what I admired about Ashton. When he felt a situation required seriousness and honesty he wasn't afraid to show it. He could be genuinely engaged in a conversation when dire need arrived.
"And the first time I looked into his eyes, I- I saw the ocean."
"Ok...? That's supposed to be important?"
"Ashton!" I whined. "Well, an ocean to me symbolizes freedom and warmth you know. That's what I saw in him."
Seeing the conversation taking a solemn turn Ashton smacked his hand on the table, startling the people around us. "What did you see in my eyes?" He asked with a child-like curiosity. I was having fun discovering all the different layers of this guy.
"You don't wanna know." I recalled the lone tree.
"Oh come on! How bad can it be?"
I scrunched up my nose, "A tree...? Like an empty ground with mist and a lone green tree?"
I hid my face behind my hands as I finished. After a second I peeked through my fingers to find Ashton's head lowered, staring at the empty plate in front of him. I figured it was my time to change the subject.
Now, I admit, I do stupid things. I torture people. But what I did next wasn't a torture to other people. It was a torture to myself.
I went back to talking about Romeo.
"Anyway, as I was saying. I really thought we had something you know but now when I look at him I feel like someone's trying to pull my heart out of my chest."
He laid a hand on mine as I took a deep breath, trying to shake Romeo's thoughts out of my mind.
Something told me I couldn't do that, even if I wanted to.
Because there he was. In the flesh.
Romeo Gibson. Staring daggers at Ashton's back.
***
Exciting things gonna happen soon. I finished writing "that" chapter if you know what I mean.
Also, I have some news. The book is probably gonna end at around chapter 39 or 40 and that will happen soon so continue reading❣️