My Heart Turned Red

Chapter 8: Preparation

Author's note:

MY HUGE THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT READ THE LAST CHAPTER!

I'm so so so so sorry that this is so late! I know you're all very angry and you have every right to be. No excuse is really proper except that I have been really busy with school and homework and all that jazz that I have been too exhausted for writing. Luckily I have break, and I promise, I will never leave you again. I am alive and well and I will never be this long again! I PROMISE!

I've decided I'm one of Gnomeo and Juliet's biggest supporters! I just love the movie so much and more than that!

I want to thank everyone for their feedback on the next story! I'm kind of leaning towards writing the tragic side, and having their relationship go on longer before Tybalt ruins everything!

Not sure about this chapter. I've been away so long, I've lost my convidence. Please go easy on me since I've been gone for so long. I promise that the next chapter will be better than this one!

To answer a reviewer's question from last time: Shroom communicates almost through sign language. Know how he jumps? That's the way he talks in my mind.

We got 16 reviews! OH MY GOD THAT'S WONDERFUL! Also, for those of you that don't know, I need at least 6 reviews before starting another chapter alright? Seems fair? Good, very good.

I want to dedicate this chapter to Hiyakitty, who recently got her fanfiction account! Lets give a warm welcome!

Disclaimer: I own Gnomeo and Juliet on DVD proudly! I wish that owned more than that but... oh, well.


I woke up really early, for the first time in awhile, I actually got a good night's sleep. And even if I didn't, I wouldn't have had a choice. All Gnomes have to get up really early so that they can be back in their original spots before their owners wake up. There wasn't really a choice. We all had to get up really early so that our owners would never really suspect a thing. Humans could never ever know of our existence. It was forbidden. The Blue Garden knew that as well as the Red Garden. And no matter how much we really hated the other, we would keep the other's secret. The question that I asked myself now was, did I really hate the Reds anymore? It's like ever since I first saw her for the first time, all the hate and anger had evaporated from my entire body and had been replaced by something even better. What surprised me though, was how fast I adapted to these feelings. I had forbidden myself to feel anything but hate and anger. It seemed to me now like I was a dead shell and now, I was a man in love with the most beautiful girl in the entire universe. I bet you're wondering how exactly does love change a person. Well, I guess I now know, because she'd given me these feelings that I had for her. They were extremely strong as well, and I never wanted them to ever go away. These feelings I had made me feel amazing and the scary part right now was that I never wanted to return to my old self.

I wondered so many things, did she actually know how much I actually loved her? Was she alright with this, did she think her life was completely ruined by me? Was she alright with me loving her? During the hours that we were apart, did she ever think about me? One of most important things that I wondered was if she ever thought about me. I know for a fact that I couldn't get her out of my mind for one second. Everything I looked at reminded me of her, and I would smile. I guess what I wondered the most was if she loved me back? I didn't doubt it, I was just worried is all. I mean our love is forbidden, and if anyone were to find out, who knows what could happen? I know that I loved her and I was willing to take that risk, but was she? Again, I didn't doubt it, but what if?

I really wanted to get this morning over with so I could have my day with the girl I loved, Juliet. I was very excited, and I was really hoping that I wouldn't become all silent and not even have the guts to talk to her like I did last night. I wanted to know everything about her, and make sure that this day is really special for both of us. After all, we did just defy the rules to be together, and we have to make sure that no one ever finds out. I was thinking about what Shroom said last night, and he was right. I was insane and out of my mind, but I couldn't help it. I love Juliet and I don't think that anyone has the power to change that, not Shroom, not my Mum, and not anyone. I had to be with her, and that's why I wanted this morning to go by really quickly so I can get out of here and go see her. Honestly, these last few hours without her have been torture. I don't know how I managed to get to sleep knowing that she wasn't with me. It wasn't easy, let me tell you. I hope that finally these few hours without Juliet would go by really quickly and I didn't have to keep reminding myself how slowly the hours were going by. I looked out the window of the shed, and felt like I was forgetting something really important that I should've done last night but forget to do. What exactly it is, I really can't remember. The only thing I was really thinking about was my date with Juliet, and how much I really wanted Ms. Montague and Mr. Capulet to leave for a very long time so that I can spend the day with the girl I love so dearly. I wasn't sure how much time had passed, but I knew one thing, it was going by too slowly and it was really starting to irritate me.

I stretched and once I saw a few signs that the sun was coming up, I knew that it was time to get back into position and act like I didn't even exist. I walked over to Shroom and shook him awake. It would take him a few minutes to wake up, so I let him be for at least a few minutes before he would really have to wake up. I had to lean on him on the windmill near the shed when Ms. Montague came around. I slowly opened the door to the Blue Garden. When I looked around, I automatically thought of Juliet, because the thought of being away from her was just too much. I looked up at the sun, still trying to find its way back into the sky, and I thought of her again. I must be in love. I can't even look at anything without thinking about her. The sun was so warm, bright, and loving. In every way possible, Juliet was the sun. I smiled, and let my mind completely get lost in thoughts of her, and every little moment that I had with her. I even forget the very important thing that I was really supposed to be remembering right now.

And then all of a sudden, something whammed right into me from behind so hard that I fell right on the ground.

"Hey lover boy! Get your head out of the clouds and wake up! Ms. Montague's going to be up any minute now," Shroom said impatiently.

"Did you have to push me into the ground?" I demanded.

He started jumping up and down again impatiently.

"Why didn't you wake me up? You know how important today is! Today is your date remember?"

OK, now I was annoyed. That's why I tried waking him up in the first place, but he begged me for five more minutes.

"Says the one who lounges in cement and spare parts in the shed!"

"Why couldn't I have a friend that was more reliable on waking me up? I want to help him get ready for his date after the humans finally get out of here!"

"Next time, remind me to have a best friend that doesn't take me out of a moment of complete happiness to knock me facefirst into the ground!" I hissed really silently.

"Very funny," Shroom said. "Now come on, everyone's up, and you know what that means."

"Yes," I said. "Another World War III between Mr. Capulet and Ms. Montague. Why do these hours seem like minutes?"

"It's because you're in love," Shroom said. "But don't worry. Remember that they never stay long after fighting. You'll be with your Red Girl soon enough."

And with that, he starting walking to our place before Ms. Montague came out and saw us. I sighed in annoyance, even if he was on my side, he still at least show her some sort of respect.

"Her name is Juliet," I said under my breath.

Suddenly as I was grabbing my shovel and trying to get into position, I watched as the Red and Blue lookouts turned the other way, which meant that it was time to hide our existence from the entire world. I got into position, and waited for the door to shut behind my owner. I froze as soon as I heard the door shut and started to wait impatiently for this fight to be over so I could get ready for my day with the girl I loved. The trouble was that I was trying so hard to remember something that had happened the previous night that I didn't want Ms. Montague to find out, but I couldn't remember what it was or the level of its importance.

Too bad that I didn't remember it in time.

Ms. Montague came out into the yard and was humming the song "Don't Cha" while she was walking through the garden. Now, I have heard many horrible singers. I hear them all the time on the radio, some stars that I have no idea who they are and quite frankly I don't care. My point is, of all bad singers, my owner Ms. Montague is probably the worst one of them all. I know I shouldn't be judging her because she's my owner, but seriously? Someone should know that they do not have singing capibilites. It's just that simple a fact, but I'm not going to let that ruin my day. It's going to be one of the greatest days of my life, and I'm going to try my hardest not to cover my ears this time even though it's going to be very very difficult for me. Gnomeo, get ahold of yourself!

Ms. Montague then walked past where Shroom and I were and then entered the shed. And then as if in a flash, I remembered what I was supposed to remember and remembered that it was very important! The bloody broken lawnmower! What the bloody hell was I thinking? I practically slept next to it the entire night and I didn't even remember that it was broken and that it might cause a problem? Ugh, Gnomeo, you never think ahead do you? And now, because of my idiocy, the time that stood between me and seeing Juliet may now be extended to be much longer than planned. I cringed as my owner opened the shed door and took out the lawnmower. Because of me, World War III was about to start and I won't see Juliet for possibly an hour or so. Ms. Montague pulled it out and it broke into pieces and she screamed.

And then as if as planned, Mr. Capulet screamed out as well.

Here it comes, might as well get it over with, not like you have a choice.

"OUTRAGE! INFAMY!" he yelled. I knew that he probably found the state of Tybalt's wishing well. "The gardening gloves are off, are they?"

I watched as Ms. Montague stormed over and started her retaliation.

"YOU! WRECKING MY MOWER!"

Well, the only good thing and only good thing is that she didn't think that it was us that broke the mower.

"Dear lady!" Mr. Capulet replied. "YOU ARE INSANE IN THE BRAIN!"

I just knew that at this point, someone particular in the Red Garden would've sneered at this comment, and I think you all know who he is.

"I never thought you'd stoop to such levels!" Ms. Montague yelled back.

I watched as my mother grinned at that comment, and I knew why. Because he wouldn't but someone particular would.

"Oh, and by the way, kindly stop stealing my underwear!" Mr. Capulet yelled to make her even more mad.

Oh, yeah, sorry about that. I wonder what actually happened to them.

"IN YOUR DREAMS YOU DAFT OLD CABBAGE!" Ms. Montague shot out the last of her ammo of her words, and the conversation ended.

But Mr. Capulet still spoke to himself.

"Oh, how could she do this to Tybalt's wishing well?"

I was trying so hard to hold that hate and disgust that I had had towards Tybalt all of these years. I couldn't hate him anymore, he was a family member of Juliet and I felt that I disrespected him, I would be disrespecting the girl I loved. I didn't want that to happen.

"Oh, my sweet flower boy, why would anyone ever pick on you?"

I tried to hold in my laughter of that comment. Get ahold of yourself, you know who that is. I had to keep it in, it didn't matter to me that he and I were rivals for forever and to eternity. Juliet was more important than all of that.

"Ugh! Who thinks I should order the best new lawnmower money can buy?" Ms. Montague said as she went back into the house.

That would be nice, for someone who cared. Not me, the only thing I want is my day with Juliet, and thankfully now that the fight is over. I can get started on getting ready for it.


Now, I have been with girls before, but none of them I really loved. Juliet was that one girl who was different than all the other girls. I loved her, and that's why I wanted to look my best for this first date with her. I wanted to impress her, not seem like I was a hopeless man who couldn't say anything whenever I was around her. I know it seemed foolish for me to feel these things, but I really wanted to seem like I was the one for her, and that she would never regret saying that to herself. She certainly was the only girl for me, and the only girl I wanted more than anything. OK, OK, I'll admit it, I was very nervous for this date with Juliet. I wanted it to be one of the best days of her life, like I was sure that it was going to be one of mine. And that meant that I didn't want anything to go wrong.

I got off from my place and made sure that no one knew what I was doing. I needed this to be completely secret. But I didn't know I was going to cover up my getting ready I wanted to look perfect for her. I don't want to look like a dork. I looked around for something that I could see myself in, and then I noticed that there was a shovel leaning up against the shed. Since the sun was shining on it, it made a perfect mirror for me. Shroom showed up right next to me as I looked it in and nervously inspected myself, and when I did, I wasn't sure about how I looked. All I know is that I looked the way that I looked everyday. The same old Gnomeo everyday, and I wasn't sure about it. I shroaked my beard and my teeth in the reflection of the shovel. I looked over to Shroom for approval. And he shook his head.

"Uh, yeah, absolutely not!" he said. "Hey, you wanted me to be honest. Now let's get you cleaned up."

And he then began to push me in the other direction, and I knew that this was where the healing was supposed to start. I was not used to this, I know that as a Gnome I was supposed to keep myself in the best order possible, but I was a little nervous to see what Shroom thought that was. We were best friends, but that didn't mean we saw eye to eye on things. We walked over to Ophelia, the water sprinker, and Shroom got her to clean me up, without saying what for. It takes a lot to get Ophelia to do a favor for anybody, so I'm going to be very grateful to both of them. One is doing a fine job keeping my secret, and the other is going to do a fine job cleaning me up at least very quietly so that no one will notice. Then the water started to come out and it was warm and refreshing. I got in it and I have to say that it felt really good. I was handed a toothbrush covered in soap to wash off everything that was needed to be washed off, and I do mean everything. I didn't miss anywhere, not a spot. I wanted to look perfect for her, and that's what she was going to get from me. I flipped my head back in the water knowing that I felt a million times better than I had before, and had a huge smile on my face for it. We thanked Ophelia for her kindness and then walked away.

Shroom then lay me on the ground and covered my face with some sort of cream. It tasted awful so I spit it out the minute it got in my mouth. To make matters worse, Shroom then put a cucumber on my face and then vanished for a few moments. I took off the thing on my face to see exactly what he was planning on doing to me. Shroom attacked him with a polisher, to which he told me later afterwards that it was for smoothing out my face, in the most painful fashion and it took everything in me to make sure that I didn't attack him because he was helping me out here but it really was the most uncomfortable experience of my entire life. After that polisher finally went back in the toolshed, we went back to the shovel. He handed me some smite-out, and I knew what it was for, and I thought it was a great idea. I carefully touched up my beard with it and it looked better than it had looked in years. Fuller and much whiter than it had ever been. I was happy that it looked so nice. When I was finished, I looked at my boots which looked horrible, and I knew that they needed to be polished. So Shroom offered to be a stand as I polished my boots, and afterwards, again, they looked better than they had looked in years. I looked at them in delight. I then walked away from Shroom and to the flowers. I smelled one, and it smelled amazing, and I knew that I had to use it. I put it all over myself. Then finally Shroom pulled me back and handed me a spray bottle of cologne. I then sprayed it onto myself and hoped that it would be alright for when she saw me. Then I was handed a towel and I rubbed myself with it, until I was completely dry and threw it away and it landed on Shroom.

I then stood proudly, knowing that I was going to dazzle her the moment she saw me.

Shroom then nodded proudly at his work.

"Perfect!"

I think that I have been away from her for as long as I can take. It has been too long, and I needed to see her before I exploded. It had been more than enough time keeping us apart, and now that time is going to end so that I can finally see the girl I loved. I rushed to the gate, and I looked back at Shroom for approval. He nodded his head, and gestured for me to go which I did happily.

So I shut the gate, and with a huge smile on my face, I ran to the Lawrence Garden, awaiting the magical day ahead of me with Juliet.


That's it! Hope you enjoyed it! I'm again really sorry for the wait! But thank you for your patience and I promise to update again very soon.

mizarandalcor, i know how much you wanted this scene, so here it is.

Next Chapter: I think you all know it! That's right! We're going to meet Featherstone!

Thank you all for your advice for the stories after this! I'm planning on doing the Tragic Side of the story. Is that cool with everyone? If you have a request of something you'd like me to do, by all means. Tell me!

Please REVIEW! 6 reviews or more! You know the drill!

Until Next time!

Signed

kagomehater4ever