"I know it sounds crazy," I said breathlessly, "and you have no reason to trust me, but I just… I really need your help. Please."

Ben looked at me for a long time. We had been sitting in the coffee shop for an hour, during which I had told him every detail of Romeo's and my relationship. He hadn't touched his coffee since I started, but now, he took a long, pensive sip, his eyes never leaving mine.

When I first called him, I knew it was a long shot, but I needed to call someone. I couldn't keep living like this. It had been a week since I'd seen Romeo, a week since… everything. The flowers from Tyler's funeral still filled the house, and I felt like I was suffocating just being there. I needed to get out. And Ben was the only person who might be able to help me.

Finally, he sighed. "You really love him, huh?"

I nodded, hopeful.

"Then I'll help. Because I know he loves you. He's been miserable all week," he said, running his hand along the rim of his cup. "I haven't seen him, only talked on the phone, but I can tell. Now it makes sense."

"Thank you, Ben. Really." I was trying not to look too eager, but the prospect of being with Romeo had greatly lifted my spirits. It was like life was worth living again.

"How do you think you're gonna get away with this, though?" he asked, looking genuinely concerned. "You'd have to fake your own death to get away from that family."

I knew he wasn't serious, that it was just an expression, but in that sentence I saw a way out. A path to happiness. A path to Romeo. Yes, it was crazy, but right now, I needed crazy. I knew it was the only way to be free.

"Alright, let's fake my death." I said it lightly, like this decision didn't decide the rest of my life.

"You're not serious, are you?" Ben stared at me like I had six eyes and a tail.

I just nodded, my mind made up. No matter what it took, I would find a way to be with Romeo. I guess Ben saw this, because after a few seconds, he nodded, too.

"Ok," he said with only slight reluctance, "let's figure out how to kill you."

After extensive research on the coffee shop's resident computer, we had a plan. Sort of. We at least had the name of the nearest exotic plant supplier.

"You know that if we don't get this right, this stuff could kill you?" Ben said after I had printed out directions.

I sighed. "Death couldn't keep us apart."

I can't do everything but I'd do anything for you…

The greenhouse was a few towns over, about 20 minutes from Verona. Ben drove me; he waited in the car while I went inside. Exotic smells assaulted my nose as soon as I stepped through the door, but what really struck me was the view. Flowers of every size, shape, and color burst from all directions, popping out from a backdrop of green. I was so overwhelmed by the array of plants that it took me a moment to notice the small man at the back of the room, tending to a bush covered in round, black berries, separated from the rest.

"Uh, excuse me?" I called, approaching the man hesitantly. "Do you work here?"

"Hm? Oh, yes!" He looked up and smiled broadly. His voice was soft and warm. "I am the caretaker of this wonderful oasis. You may call me Lawrence. How may I help you, young woman?"

Well, here goes nothing. "I was wondering if any of your plants were for sale? One in particular, actually… The Atropa belladonna?"

He looked at me thoughtfully. "And why on earth would you want that?"

I had a feeling he knew exactly why I wanted it, but still, I found myself telling him the entire story, right up to the plan Ben and I had concocted. It sounded ridiculous, even to me, but something about him told me I could trust him. Like Ben, he never said a word; he only stroked the leaves of the bush absentmindedly. I could only hope that he was sympathetic to young love.

I finished with a sigh. "So please, can you help me? Help us?"

His gaze pierced right through to my soul, and it was a long time before he spoke.

"You really do love this boy?"

"Yes. With all my heart, I do."

"I think I have what you need, dear one." He plucked a branch from the bush and held it up; the three little black berries on it shook. "Atropa belladonna. Deadly nightshade."

Can't do anything except be in love with you…

Juliet was one crazy chick, Ben thought as he drove up the I-55 to Chicago. If this didn't work out, if she got the dosage wrong… He pushed the thought aside. All he had to do was get to Chicago, find Romeo, and tell him the plan. Then Ro could bust his girl out of wherever her parents were keeping her and they'd all live happily ever after. Yeah. Everything was going to work out.

Unfortunately, fate had another idea. Only two hours after Ben had left Juliet, he heard a loud bang!, and his car ceased its motion. Shit. Halfway to Chicago, and his freaking transmission had blown. Things were not going as planned. He had his car towed to the nearest mechanic, but Big John was already closing up and wouldn't be able to fix anything until the next morning. He offered Ben a ride to a nearby motel, but Ben was already on his phone, trying desperately to call Romeo and tell him not to do anything stupid.

"C'mon, pick up pick up pick up…"

"Romeo! Romeo, open the door!"

Bal was banging frantically on the door to room 23, but I was too hungover to care. I groaned, burying my face in the pillow to block out the light filtering in. I was vaguely aware of my phone ringing from somewhere under the bed. "Go away," I moaned, to both Bal and the anonymous caller. I was barely able to say the words without puking.

"It's about Juliet! Something's happened!" Bal shouted, panting.

I bolted upright, and regretted it immediately. My head swam, but I forced my mind to focus, for Juliet. I stumbled over to the door and yanked it open, searching Bal's face for a hint of the news.

"I'm so sorry, Ro," he whispered.

What? Sorry about what? I thought we were talking about Juliet…

"She's… she's dead." The look in his eyes was miserable and terrified. "They think it was a suicide. Poisoned herself or something. Her mom found the body. The funeral's in two days…"

But I had stopped listening. The world around me had ground to a halt; I couldn't breathe, couldn't think… My Juliet. My fiancé, my one true love… Gone. It couldn't be true, could it? How could my heart still be beating when its match had ceased to? I collapsed onto the floor in slow motion, my head falling into my hands. No no no no no no—

"NO!" I screamed, sobs wracking my body in waves. Bal was shaking me, pulling me to the bed; I struck out at him with my hands, feet, everything—him, the bearer of the worst news in history. How could this have happened? Would Juliet, beautiful Juliet, really take her own precious life? I wouldn't believe it…

"I have to see her," I muttered, pulling myself back to Earth. "I have to touch her… kiss her goodbye…"

"Ok," Bal sighed, falling away from me back onto the floor. "Ok. Let's go."

"I just have to make one stop."

Well, you can fall for chains of silver, you can fall for chains of gold…

The alley was empty aside from an overflowing dumpster and a darkly tanned man in a wife-beater and too-big jeans. Apollo looked up from the joint he was rolling and smiled at me.

"Romeo, my man! Come to get some more dope? I got a fresh supply…"

"No." My voice was raw and raspy. "I need… I need that stuff you were telling me about. The poison."

Apollo whistled. "That's some heavy stuff, man. It'll cost a pretty penny… Hey, what are you planning?"

"Nothing, I just need it!" I barked, but the dealer looked unconvinced.

"Here," I said quietly, pulling a wad of cash out of my pocket. "It's all I've got. Should be a couple thousand."

Apollo took the money suspiciously and counted it. Finally, apparently satisfied, he pulled out a small vial of black liquid.

"Just be careful, Romeo," he said, and I could tell he was sincere. "Don't do anything stupid, and don't get caught."

I nodded and walked away, back to Bal's waiting car.

"Let's go."

You can fall for pretty strangers and the promises they hold…