The streets of Neo Verona were buzzing as usual; the adults ambled about, stopping by the corner grocer's to chat, strolling with their dogs, randomly coming across really old friends that they hadn't seen since high school, etc. Both shiny executive and beat-up hobo cars sped through the streets as rush hour ensued; it was nearing seventeen-thirty now, I supposed.

Reaching into my pocket, I dug around through the gum wrappers until I touched plastic. I yanked out my cell phone and flipped it open; indeed, it was 17:34. But what caught my eye was the flashing message on the screen: "You have 1 unread message."

I opened it, and was immediately surprised by lots of capital letters.

"OMG REN CAN U HEAR UR FONE RNGING AT ALL? Y WONT U ANSR ME? IS DTNTION OVR?"

I heaved a sigh. Zita, I thought you would've figured by now that detention is a good place to sleep!

"REN!"

I felt the air leave me as some large projectile slammed into me from behind, knocking me nearly to my knees. It was giggling and panting as I tried to regain my breath.

"My gosh, Ren! Where the heck were you? Did Luca make you swim out to Sicily or something?" Zita giggled again and wrapped her arms tighter around my neck.

I rose and struggled to shove her off. "Zee, school is my sleeping place. Remember?"

Her arms fell back, and, when I turned to her, her head was cocked in confusion. "School? I don't remember it. Oh, right-I do sleep there!" She grinned widely, looking proud of herself.

I shook my head and smiled, turning to walk toward home. "You amaze me sometimes, Zee. Know that?"

Following our normal routine, I could sense Zita curtsying a few feet behind me. "Thank you, thank you! Hold your applause!"

She scurried forward and caught up to me then, hurrying a few steps ahead so she could walk backwards and face me as we walked. "Did you have the dream again?"

I blinked in surprise. "I didn't think you'd remember that."

"Well, it's obviously about Romeo and Juliet," she stated matter-of-factly, putting her hands on her hips. "Haven't you guessed it? The Flower Festival is coming up, so, naturally, it's the talk of the town. No wonder you'd dream about it." She clasped her hands and raised her face to the sky, beginning her favorite part of the infamous saga: "'She ran onward, tearing herself from the one she knew she loved above all-'"

"Okay, okay, I get it! Shut up!" I sighed, rubbing my temples. "I've heard enough of that stupid story. They've been dead for five hundred years, and we all know star-crossed love is fantasy, anyhow."

Zee looked at me in shock, as if I'd just told her that I thought the chocolatey-chocolate death-by-chocolate gelato at Gino's was "okay." "Ren! I'm disappointed in you. They saved Neo Verona! If it weren't for them, you wouldn't be alive."

"So I've heard from every one of the old folks around this stupid city." I shuddered, as if to shake off a chill. "We're too wrapped up in the past here. I've always hated it. You know it!"

Now it was Zee's turn to sigh. She recited, in monotone, my Plan: "And you're going to do it by going to a talent agent in town when you graduate, become a famous singer, travel the world. Paris, London, New York, and you'll take me with you if you go to Tokyo." She brightened, looking at me slyly. "Correct? And you'll buy me all the Pocky I want, with your fabulous wealth?"

I chuckled. "Along with all the manga you can read, Zee."

She squealed and jumped into a forward-facing position, falling back to meet me. "Speaking of fabulous wealth, I just got extra allowance for getting a B plus on the math test. Wanna go to Gino's tomorrow?"

"Huh. I was just thinking about that place." I grinned. "And that certain gelato you love so much."

She squealed again; it sounds like an excited guinea pig mixed with a rubber duck, to give you an idea. "Yay!"

I laughed. "Well, anyway, Al's gonna be home soon-I've gotta get back before that happens. I forgot to lock my bedroom; he might raid the soda stashes and get the bright idea to go slit my plushies' throats."

"Oooh." Zee bit her thumb sympathetically, frowning. "So, your parents are still visiting your grandmother? In Mantua?"

"Yeah." I smiled. "No rules! But Al takes it too far sometimes." I hurried on, turning back to wave goodbye. "See you tomorrow!"

Zee held up two fingers; our version of a thumbs-up, which we'd gained from anime and manga. "Byiiiiie, buddyyyyy!"

I permitted myself a chortle and took off for home.