Chapter 14:

Goodbyes

Cassio led Emma down the winding staircase to the dance floor with Adam following closely behind in a bit of a bad mood. Emma's arm entwined with Cassio's didn't help the fact that he was already upset with the both of them. Even though there was sound all around the group of three still was covered by an awkward silence.

"May I ask you something?" Emma asked looking up at Cassio as they descended the winding staircase to the dance floor.

"I don't see why not," Cassio replied looking nervously back at Emma. He tried to stifle his feelings with a smile but it was still evident that he was indeed nervous.

"What's your name?" She asked laughing when the nervous look melted from his face, "What did you think I was going to ask?"

"My name is Cassio, and I don't know what I thought you where going to ask!" He said laughing whole heartily. Adam rolled his eyes.

After a short distance they had reached the floor and Adam angrily pushed between the two and disappeared into the dance floor. Emma turned to Cassio, more worried than before, "Is Othello in danger?"

Cassio looked down at the brims of his boots, "He might be, the people looking for him are dangerous people… but of coarse you already know that!" He laughed but it quickly faded away into a frown, "He has to be very careful, and needs all the help he can get."

Emma also looked down at the dirt stained border of her dress, "Is there anything I can do?"

"Just keep your eyes open for anything unusual," the words had barley passed his lips when Othello walked up.

"Lieutenant Cassio," he looked at Emma, and then back at Cassio, "May I see you back up on the balcony?"

Cassio bowed to Emma, and took her hand gently kissing it, "I hope we meet again miss Emma," Emma bowed uncertainly and stood in the same part until Cassio and Othello were completely out of sight. Then she went to the dance floor to find Adam.

In the middle of the dance floor Emma was pushed and shoved about. She hit many people but one girl seemed to stand out. Emma had slammed into her but when the girl turned around to apologize she looked strangely familiar. Emma must have looked familiar to her too because she gave the same look that she got.

"I'm sorry but do I know you?" Emma said holding up her hand.

"I believe not, Madame, but thou dost look familiar…" the girl said back giving Emma's hand a strange look. Emma rolled her eyes while putting her hand down, 'it's another one of those 'Old English' crack pots,' she thought to herself.

"Are you sure? My name is Emma, Emma Gurr."

"Juliet Capulet," the girl replied, "Thou dost look remarkably familiar…"

Emma was shocked, "THE Juliet Capulet?" she said with wide eyes. It was one thing hanging out with her favorite hero's from Shakespeare's plays but Juliet was he idol! Well, her idol; in English class at least… which wasn't saying much really.

"Yes…" Juliet replied, "The daughter of the lady of the house."

Suddenly something grabbed Juliet's from behind Emma. Emma turned to see Romeo walking through the crowd; she laughed to herself, "Well miss Juliet, I'll leave you to your business."

Emma couldn't find Adam anywhere, but she was enjoying watching Romeo and Juliet hitting it off. So she was content on sitting and watching the 'play' start. She sat there until she felt someone grab her shoulders behind her.

"Emma!" Adam said scaring her to death and knowing he did so. "Would you like to dance?" he said laughing at the still surprised look on Emma's face.

"You are such a jerk!" Emma yelled, "but sure, I'd love to dance."

As they had just started to dance Emma noticed Othello pulling Romeo away from Juliet. Soon after the two men headed towards Emma, "We have to go now," Othello said to Adam. Then he turned to Emma, "It's been a pleasure knowing you Miss Emma but I'm afraid that we'll have to say our goodbyes here!"

Adam took his hand from Emma's side and walked out f the crowd. As Othello turned Emma jolted in front of him. "What do you mean our goodbyes?" she yelled, "Do you mean to tell me that you're leaving me here?"

"It is with great regret that I-"

"What am I supposed to do?" she yelled cutting him off, "I don't even know where I am! How am I supposed to get back home?"

Othello tried to swerve around her but she grabbed his shirt, putting a few good wrinkles in it, "Where do I go from here?"

"That is one thing I don't know Miss Emma." He jerked away and disappeared into the crowd. Emma did her best to follow but quickly realized it was a lost cause when she didn't see her only friends outside anywhere.

Emma fell to her knees sobbing. She didn't care that the charcoal around her eyes was smearing, or that the few people all around where staring. She just wanted to go home. Back to her friends, her family, she'd even give her life to be in English class.

She sat there for what seemed like forever until the grassy area around her was clear of any person. She sat up and pulled her knees to her chest. The sky seemed so clear compared to home. She could see every star. She wished on everyone that she could be home.

"Emma?" a voice interrupted her wishes, "Emma? Is that you?"

Emma turned to see Bassanio standing nervously behind her. Feeling ashamed of her tears she quickly turned back around and wiped them from her cheek.

"Whatever is wrong, Emma?" Bassanio asked while sitting next to her.

Emma simply looked at him.

"Where are Othello and Adam…" He looked off upon realizing what had happened. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

Emma rested her head on his shoulder, "Why aren't you with them?"

"I have business in Belmont."