Chapter 9

"Oh no! I'm sorry but I have to go! Goodbye!" Juliet said as she turned to run.

"No, wait!" Gnomeo said as he quickly pulled her arm back before she could take a further step. She was back in his arms again.

"Do you really have to go?" Gnomeo asked, looking sad. Juliet's heart wrenched at his question.

"I'm sorry but I must," she said. Before Gnomeo could ask her why, the clock went off again which distracted him again. Juliet took the opportunity to slip away from his arms.

"Goodbye!" she said sorrowfully as she turned to run.

"Wait! Stop!" Gnomeo called. "I still don't know your name!" He failed to catch her hand this time so he began to chase her. He just couldn't let go of her! He also didn't know whether she really lived in the Red Garden or not. He had to know! After running and running through the Friar Lawrence garden, Juliet finally made it to the opening hole that led to the alley. As she ran into the alley, she felt something slipping off her foot. Juliet turned to see that her red glass slipper had fallen out of her foot! She ran back to pick it up. But before she could pick it up, Juliet heard footsteps coming from the Blue Garden gate.

"I can't believe you drank so much grape juice! Do you have any idea how embarrassed I am!?" said a very harsh voice.

"Sorry Mother," said a guilty gruff voice.

Juliet gasped! Her family can't see her! Gnomeo was also approaching closer to the opening hole! Panicking, Juliet had no choice but to flee! Her horse carriage had turned back into a lawnmower and the coach gnome and two horses changed back into cockroaches. Juliet had forgotten about the lawnmower, she was too busy running for her life. She had to get home as fast as possible before her family does! As she ran, her lovely dress changed back into her old ugly red rags.

The Blue Garden Gate opened, revealing a very grumpy Aunt Ivy and two guilty cousins.

"And as for you, Rosaline!" Aunt Ivy snarled. "You blew your chance with Gnomeo! What did you have to say for yourself!"

"Sorry," Rosaline mumbled. Never had Aunt Ivy been so angry at her children before! When Lady Blueberry had told her that Gnomeo was dancing with another Red girl, Aunt Ivy was unsatisfied. Sure, she was fine with Gnomeo being with a Red now the feud had to end. But still, she preferred Rosaline to be the one that Gnomeo falls for, not another Red! As they turned to go back to the Red Garden, Aunt Ivy saw a girl from behind, opening the gate door and quickly slamming it behind her. Aunt Ivy frowned. That Red girl looked familiar. She and her children had no idea what was the Red Lawnmower doing out in the alley. (Aunt Ivy thought Tybalt left it out in the alley by accident. Although Tybalt says he didn't do it, Aunt Ivy didn't believe him). They decided to ride it back home anyway because they were too tired to walk.

Gnomeo had reached the alley but could not see which direction Juliet went to. Great. Now what? His spirits were lifted when he looked down and spotted a red glass slipper. He picked it up and observed it. His only key to find her. He didn't almost hear Benny calling his name until Benny came up to him.

"Benny, I can't talk right now. I have something to do!" Gnomeo said as he took off, carrying the red glass slipper.

"Where are you going?" Benny asked, following him.

"To find my princess!" Gnomeo answered. Benny was shocked when he saw where Gnomeo was heading.

"At the Red Garden!?" He asked in shock. "Are you mad!?"

"I am madly in love with a Red Girl. And I won't rest until I find her!" Gnomeo answered, in a determined voice.

After getting inside the Red Garden, Juliet ran and hid inside her late mother's red tulips. As she sat there, Juliet felt a mix of emotions going on. First emotion was anger because she wished that Nanette's magic could last a bit longer than midnight so she and that handsome blue gnome could have more time together. Second emotion was happiness because for once, she had discovered something that she didn't know what was missing. She discovered love. Then, her happiness turned to sadness. Would she ever see that wonderful blue gnome ever again? What if he founds out that she is only a servant girl instead of a princess or a noblewoman? Juliet knew she could never forget about him and what happened tonight.

(Juliet)

I said goodbye.

Away I flew.

For on my lips he left a kiss.

All of my life I'll dream of this.

Lovely. Lovely night.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard her family coming in. Aunty Ivy and her two children sat down by the grass not too far from the door.

"Finally! Now I can get home and rest my feet!" Tybalt exclaimed as he lied down. Five minutes later, there was a knock on the gate door.

"Juliet! Get the door!" Tybalt called. For once, there was no answer. "Where is that girl?"

"Good question, Tybalt. Good question," said Aunt Ivy. She looked over to the pedestal and Juliet wasn't there! When she asked the Reds if they had seen Juliet, the other Reds said that Juliet just came back home. Home from what? Just then, another knock was heard on the door, only louder. Aunt Ivy grumbled and went to get the door.

"All right! All right!" She yelled, irritably. She opened the gate door and was surprised to see who it was!

"What are you doing here, Blue!" she asked in an annoyed voice. Gnomeo ignored her insult.

"I'm looking for a beautiful girl that I met at the ball tonight. Does she live here?" Gnomeo asked.

"Oh what is it to you!" Aunt Ivy asked, suspiciously.

"That is "Gnomeo, son of Lady Blueberry" to you, Madam!" Gnomeo reprimanded. From her hiding spot, Juliet gasped.

"That gnome I danced with is Gnomeo!" Juliet whispered. She heard a bit about Gnomeo. How he was brave and handsome. Sometimes Tybalt complained at how Gnomeo is better at lawnmower-racing than him. She listened to hear what else Gnomeo and her aunt are saying.

"Please tell me. Does she live here? I have this, a red glass slipper," Gnomeo said, as he held it up to prove Lady Ivy.

"What does she look like? I don't know any girl that lives here!" Lady Ivy snapped.

"Brown hair and emerald eyes," Gnomeo answered.

"Whoever the red glass slipper belongs to, Gnomeo will marry her!" Benny added a bit too quickly. Gnomeo gave Benny a glare. Lady Ivy allowed them in.

"I never heard about this girl; she doesn't live here," Lady Ivy denied, again. Then her frown turned into a cruel smile. "But perhaps you like to marry one of the other Red girls?" She motioned Rosaline to come up.

"Why that's my slipper!" Rosaline claimed. Gnomeo frowned, knowing she is lying. Tybalt rolled his eyes at his sister's stupidity.

"No way!" said another Red girl. "It's mine!"

"No mine!" said a third Red girl. Gnomeo sees that all the Red girls were just saying that just so he could marry them. He could tell this was going to be a looooong night.

"You owe me!" Gnomeo growled at Benny. Benny just shrugged and smiled sheepishly.

Well how do you like it? Will Gnomeo find Juliet again? Will Juliet ever come out of her hiding spot? Can Gnomeo and Benny handle the craziness they are about to encounter? Stay tuned!