ACT 2 – EXCHANGING VOWS AND KEEPING SECRETS

Juliet was nervous and anxious second by second that day, dreading the fateful party her father had host on their mansion. It was supposed to be a nice costume party, but just the thought of face the dream all over again, made her shiver.

To make the matters worse, every detail of the day, was happening exactly as before and till now, she couldn´t find out how to make it stop or reverse her own destiny.

'' You are too quiet today, child.'' The Nurse smiled at Juliet as she help the girl get ready for the ball '' What's making you so restless?''

For most of the morning, Juliet was just thoughtful, avoiding talk ''Nurse, tell me…'' she starts ''Do you believe in second chances?''

''I don't know child, why?''

''Just what you would do, if God send you a second chance?'' Juliet asked again.

''Well… I guess i would try and repair all the mistakes I had made in the first one.'' The old woman was confused. ''But why you ask me such question?''

''Nothing Nurse, it was just a thought of my restless heart'' Juliet smiled and the old woman left her alone.

As the party approach and the guests come little by little, Juliet secretly wished that if by chance Romeo came, he would be an old man, ugly and nasty, so she could prevent herself of fall in love with him and thus both would be safe However, to her dismay, as well as in the dream, Romeo Montague was a handsome gentleman, who enchanted her heart and made her fallen in love at the first sight.

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Once the party ended, an excited Romeo rush back to the Capulet´s house, with the only intention to meet the girl that wounded is heart so deeply. It´s doesn´t matter if she was the daughter of the enemy, he wanted to see her again.

The girl was sitting in the bench by the pool as Romeo approach behind. She was sad, but he couldn´t tell why.

''Oh my…'' she breaths looking toward the sky '' Everything is happening just like in the dream and I have not been able to change anything yet. Oh Lord, will it really be that Romeo and I are doomed to such tragedy, or this again will be another dream of which I still have not woken up?'' se sniffed, trying to think ''O Romeo, Romeo! Why are you named Romeo? Disown your family and refuse your name. Or, if you will not, then swear that you love me and I'll stop being a Capulet.''

''Oh God'' Romeo close his eyes ''she speaks like an angel'' he whispered, getting closer ''speak more angel!''

'' It's only your name which is my enemy. You are who you are, even if you weren't a Montague. What is a Montague? It's not a hand, nor a foot, nor an arm, nor a face, nor any other concrete part of the body. Oh, be some other name! What's in a name? A rose would smell just as sweet if we called it by any other name. Romeo, if he had a different name besides "Romeo," would be just as perfect as he is with that name now. Romeo, take off your name, and in exchange for that superficial part of you, take all of me.'' She smiled

''I'll take you at your word. Just call me love, and I'll re-baptize myself with a different name. From now on I won't be Romeo.'' The young man said finally and in response, the girl jump in fright.

''What are you doing in here?'' it was she managed to ask after a few seconds

''Milady I apologize for having frighten you'' Romeo took her hands, but Juliet recoil

''You´re crazy! Romeo, you're so handsome as crazy, please get out of here, if you stay, you'll be killed''

''Sweet Juliet, why are you so afraid? You look scared; please tell me what you're worrying about, so I can defeat it so''

''You scare me Romeo; you scared me, as the future scares me and the dream scares me. Cursed dream, why did it have to be prophesied?''

'' My sweet Juliet do not be martyred because of a simple dream. Tell me about it and I will calm your heart.'' The young man give her a hug and in response, the girl spends the next five minutes, telling him detail by detail of the dream she had the other night.

"Therefore, I ask you to leave, if you stay, the world will end and not only will we both suffer, but my cousin Tybalt and trustful Mercutio will also die. And finally, our families will fall into disgrace.'' She said.

"How sweet would it be to climb to heaven beside you, my dear Juliet'' he said, and Juliet frowned

'' Why do you joke with something so serious? There will be an omen of death and joy will be far away. Romeo, I love you, but it isn´t right and it won't end well''

'' Forgive me for such an unfortunate comment'' Romeo lowered his eyes, avoiding Juliet´s ''But for one thing you´re right, if something happens to you, then I will certainly die''

''During the whole day…'' she said '' I tried to do things different from what the dream had shown me, but it was in vain, everything is happening exactly the same and I don´t know how to change it'' she shocked her head sadly and in response, Romeo took her hands in his and smiled

'' Do not fear, my love, I will take your dream as my own and I will not let anything happen to you'' Romeo said confidently

''JULIET!'' The Nurse called suddenly from the balcony and both jump scaried

''I have to go'' the girl stand up quickly

''Good night my sweet Juliet! Tomorrow I will talk to Father Lawrence and he will know what to do''

' I have no words to thank you, so I give you a kiss, as proof of my love and my thanks''

'' My life has now gained a new meaning, after this sweet kiss'' Romeo whispered and they kissed as it seemed like an eternity

''Good night my handsome crazy gentleman''

''Good night my sweet Juliet, rest now, for tomorrow will be settled, and we shall have nothing to fear'' he said climbing back to the wall and disappearing out of sight. Juliet smiled passionately.

Maybe together they could change they own destiny.