Chapter 5
Rachel sat in her English classroom, doodling in her "Cedric" book, once again the first one in. She constantly thought about her conversation the previous night with her Romeo, known normally as Cedric. This girl was seriously in love.
In came Ella, giving Rachel a look that said "Tell me everything." Rachel sighed. Everything? Could she explain the way she felt when Cedric talked to her, when they agreed about things, when he made her laugh, even though he wasn't even there? They just . . . connected.
"Now, start from the absolute beginning," Ella whispered urgently, pulling Rachel out of her reverie.
"I can't," replied Rachel.
"Ray! You said you would. You have to!"
"Fine, but I can't explain everything."
"What do you mean?"
"I . . . I don't know. It was weird. Like, he . . . we just talked," Rachel shrugged. "What do you really want to know?"
"Did you tell him that "Juliet" is Rachel?"
"Of course not! Do you think I could do that? Elly, if he knew -" Rachel yelled just as Cedric walked in. She shut up instantly and started stuttering about anything: "A-and then, uh - um, Derek j-just went mad." She continued to stutter stupidly as Cedric walked by, glancing twice her way. As soon as he was gone, Rachel sighed quietly.
"Okay, what was that about?!" Ella questioned. "And where the hell is Diane?"
"Um, the answer to the first one is, if I continued talking, I think he might have known "Juliet" is me," Rachel answered quietly. "Second, Di's sick, I think. Either that or she skipped class to go get Starbucks or something."
"Typical," said Ella.
"What? That I still don't want him to know it's me? Elly, I told you -"
"No, no, that Diane would skip and not tell us. We could have gotten high off that coffee." Ella loved coffee more than anyone Rachel knew, and she was pretty upset. However, she was a goody two-shoes, so she would have never skipped class.
During class, Ella constantly pestered Rachel with little notes asking about every detail. Rachel ignored all of them, but replyong once to tell Ella to "leave me the hell alone!! I'll explain during lunch. God, Elly."
Mr. Browne, their English teacher, began to instruct the class on their next topic: "Okay, class," he said, clapping his hands to get rid of the chalk dust,"next, we will be learning about Shakespeare." Both Rachel's and Cedric's stomach did flips. "And, what better to read than the epic tragedy -"
Rachel began to pray. Please, don't say Romeo and Juliet. Please, don't say Romeo and Juliet, she thought frantically.
Mr. Browne continued: "- the epic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet."
Why? Why, Mr. Browne? Teachers are born to torture kids, Rachel thought. She felt a sharp poke in her back and turned around to see Ella giving her "the look." Cedric caught the motion and looked her way. Rachel looked towards him and he turned away shyly. Rachel smiled softly and turned back towards the front of the class.
"We will also be acting out the play. Roles will be given out at random so no one feels bad about not getting the roles they tried out for, because there will be no try outs."
Ella raised her hand and spoke when Mr. Browne acknowledged the action. "When will we be acting out the play?" she asked him.
"Hmm . . . about a week, maybe a week and a half," he replied. When he directed his attention back to the class as a whole, Ella got Rachel's attention.
"Will that be enough time for you, Juliet?" she asked Rachel.
"Would you leave me alone?" Rachel replied.
"Let me think about that, no."
"You're such a great friend, Elly," Rachel said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Ella patted her back. "Love you, too, Ray."
Lunch. Well, I can't avoid this. Like Elly would ever let this topic drop, Rachel thought sourly while headed towards the lunch room. There was Ella, waiting anxiously. Rachel sighed and headed towards her usual seat by her best friend.
"So," Ella began,"what does he know?"
"What do you mean?" Rachel asked.
"What have you told him about yourself?"
"Well, I told him he does know me; that I have dark hair and dark eyes; that my favorite color is mostly any shade of blue; that white bengal tigers are my favorite animals; that he has a cute smile that you compare to a deformed seal; that some of my friends know about Rachel liking Cedric, but not about the Romeo/Juliet thing; that sarcasm is my second language; how I got his e-mail address in the first place; about my green notebook with his name in it; that no, I'm not Italian; and, uh . . . I think that's about it."
"Wait, 'you're not Italian'? What's that about? And what's this about a green notebook with his name in it, Rachel?" Ella questioned.
"Oh, crap," Rachel replied, smacking her forehead.
"Let me see it," Ella demanded holding out her hand.
"See what?" Rachel was playing dumb.
"Oh, come on! The notebook, Ray. Where is it?"
"I - I don't know what you're talking about."
"Rachel!"
"Fine! But you have to swear on your life that no one, no one, finds out about it. Okay?"
"Deal."
"Say it."
"Gosh! I swear. Happy?"
"No." Rachel handed Ella the green notebook.
"My God, woman. You are in love!" Ella noted while flipping through the pages.
"Keep it down, would you? Now, give it back."
"Not after taking digital pictures and putting them up on the Internet."
"Ella! Don't even joke like that!" Rachel made a grab for the book. "No one finds out about this."
"Whatever. So, what have you found out about him?"
"First off, you're making me sound like a stalker."
"You are. Now, continue."
Rachel scoffed. "Ugh. Well, his fave color's blue, too; he loves lions; that he hasn't told anyone about the Romeo/Juliet thing either; that he's not himself in front of his friends 'cause they'd make fun of him, but he's totally himself around me. Well, I mean, around 'Juliet.' Um, this one's the only one that bothers me: he has a crush."
Ella gasped loudly. "Who?!" she yelled.
"I don't know. He wouldn't tell me 'cause he was afraid it wasn't me."
"Huh?"
"I mean, he wouldn't tell Juliet who he has a crush on because Juliet might not have been the person he likes, and he said he didn't want to hurt me, or Juliet, and I thought that was sweet, but I literally lost sleep over it."
"Aaw. Poor you."
"Yeah. Well, I have a date with him today."
"What?!"
"Yep. The Internet, four o' clock."
Four o' clock. Here I am, Rachel thought. She sat in front of her computer in her room at home, waiting for the "online" icon next to Cedric's name to light up. Two seconds later, it lit up.
rh_darkprincess94 says: ur right on time, romeo.
cl_hotlion93 says: here i am.
rh_darkprincess94 says: there u are.
cl_hotlion93 says: hey, juliet.
rh_darkprincess94 says: hi, romeo. =) ironic, isn't it?
cl_hotlion93 says: what is?
rh_darkprincess94 says: in english. romeo and juliet
cl_hotlion93 says: oh, yeah. definetely. wait, ur in my english class, then!
rh_darkprincess94 says: am i?
cl_hotlion93 says: yeah, how else could u know about that?
rh_darkprincess94 says: hmm . . . maybe i'm in one of mr. browne's other classes, cedric. thought of that?
cl_hotlion93 says: no, damn, i didn't.
rh_darkprincess94 says: =P
cl_hotlion93 says: but r u?
rh_darkprincess94 says: am i what?
cl_hotlion93 says: in my english class.
rh_darkprincess94 says: maybe. maybe not.
cl_hotlion93 says: u r so unfair. do u know that i actually lost sleep last night trying to figure out who u r?
rh_darkprincess94 says: really? aaw.
cl_hotlion93 says: yes. it's killing me.
rh_darkprincess94 says: don't die. i'd hate to have to kill myself. anyway, i lost sleep trying to find out who that girl is u like.
cl_hotlion93 says: well, continue to stay awake, cuz i'm not telling u.
rh_darkprincess94 says: and u'll never find out who i am, if that's the way u wanna play.
cl_hotlion93 says: does it have to be that way?
rh_darkprincess94 says: absolutely. do you think fate will be on our side when the roles for the play will be chosen?
cl_hotlion93 says: hmm . . . i don't know. i hope so. i'd love that.
rh_darkprincess94 says: r u that concerned with who i am?
cl_hotlion93 says: r u kidding? would i lose sleep if i wasn't?
rh_darkprincess94 says: no, i guess not.
cl_hotlion93 says: exactly. r u sure you don't want to tell me who u r?
rh_darkprincess94 says: as sure as u r about not telling me who that girl is u have a crush on. how about a hint?
cl_hotlion93 says: only if i get one, too.
rh_darkprincess94 says: deal.
cl_hotlion93 says: well, she is in my english class.
rh_darkprincess94 says: interesting.
cl_hotlion93 says: r u?
rh_darkprincess94 says: i don't know.
cl_hotlion93 says: this is so frustrating, juliet.
rh_darkprincess94 says: i'm sorry, cedric.
cl_hotlion93 says: sure u r.
rh_darkprincess94 says: i really am. i would like u to know who i am, i just . . . don't have the courage.
cl_hotlion93 says: well, if it was me that was the mystery person and u were on my end of the line, would u like it so much?
rh_darkprincess94 says: i don't know. i'm not u, am i?
cl_hotlion93 says: no. now, what's my hint?
rh_darkprincess94 says: don't u think i've given u enough hints?
cl_hotlion93 says: not at all.
rh_darkprincess94 says: *sigh* okay, then. ask me a question.
cl_hotlion93 says: ur name?
rh_darkprincess94 says: not that.
cl_hotlion93 says: well, i don't know what to ask u.
rh_darkprincess94 says: well, i can't give u a good hint without giving myself away.
cl_hotlion93 says: tell me anything.
rh_darkprincess94 says: uhhh . . . my shoe size is 5?
cl_hotlion93 says: lovely, but that doesn't help me.
rh_darkprincess94 says: like i said, i cant give u a good hint without giving myself away.
cl_hotlion93 says: i don't mind if u give urself away.
rh_darkprincess94 says: nice try, romeo.
cl_hotlion93 says: i had to give it a shot. ;)
rh_darkprincess94 says: i know. this isn't fair to u, and i'm sorry for that.
cl_hotlion93 says: u won't have to be if u told me who u were.
rh_darkprincess94 says: right now?
cl_hotlion93 says: yeah, the pressure would be off.
rh_darkprincess94 says: r u sure u want to know?
cl_hotlion93 says: positive.
rh_darkprincess94 says: well, ur gonna have to wait. u didn't actually think i would tell u right then, did u?
cl_hotlion93 says: hey, a guy can dream, can't he?
rh_darkprincess94 says: yeah, unless he's not sleeping.
cl_hotlion93 says: can i have my hint now? please?
rh_darkprincess94 says: fine. i am.
cl_hotlion93 says: u r . . . ?
rh_darkprincess94 says: i am.
cl_hotlion93 says: u r what?
rh_darkprincess94 says: u guess that.
cl_hotlion93 says: ur not serious?
rh_darkprincess94 says: no, i'm kidding.
cl_hotlion93 says: well, stop that! it's not funny.
rh_darkprincess94 says: not to u. to me, it's hilarious.
cl_hotlion93 says: i wish i knew ur name so i could yell at u properly, instead of saying,"juliet, please!"
rh_darkprincess94 says: ok, ok. i am in ur english class.
cl_hotlion93 says: alright. now, was that so hard?
rh_darkprincess94 says: very, painfully hard.
cl_hotlion93 says: oh well for u. ;)
rh_darkprincess94 says: =P
cl_hotlion93 says: however, there are about 20 girls in our english class.
rh_darkprincess94 says: so? narrow it down.
cl_hotlion93 says: yeah, i could do that.
rh_darkprincess94 says: and i could be lying about being in ur english class.
cl_hotlion93 says: r u?
rh_darkprincess94 says: *smirks* i don't know.
cl_hotlion93 says: i can't believe u.
rh_darkprincess94 says: would i lie to u?
cl_hotlion93 says: i don't know.
rh_darkprincess94 says: i'm not lying to u.
cl_hotlion93 says: r u sure?
rh_darkprincess94 says: yes.
cl_hotlion93 says: thanx.
rh_darkprincess94 says: =D no problem.
cl_hotlion93 says: so, what were we talking about yesterday?
rh_darkprincess94 says: each other.
cl_hotlion93 says: =) tomorrow, in school, whoever u r, u have to talk to me more. if ur as shy as u say u r in person, it's harder for me to guess who u r. if we talked, it would at least make it a little easier on me.
rh_darkprincess94 says: sure. but i won't be as open as i am now.
cl_hotlion93 says: that's useless for me, then.
rh_darkprincess94 says: fine, if that's how u want it, i'll talk to u more. at least, i'll try to.
cl_hotlion93 says: and i'll talk more to girls instead of whistling at them with eli and neil.
rh_darkprincess94 says: u do that?
cl_hotlion93 says: no. they think i do, though.
rh_darkprincess94 says: well, don't talk too much to girls. juliet would get jealous.
cl_hotlion93 says: ok. should i wait for u to come to me?
rh_darkprincess94 says: yeah, i'll do that.
cl_hotlion93 says: um, juliet, i gotta confess.
rh_darkprincess94 says: oh, no. what?
cl_hotlion93 says: it's nothing too bad.
rh_darkprincess94 says: what is it?
cl_hotlion93 says: i kinda . . .
rh_darkprincess94 says: u kinda . . . ?
cl_hotlion93 says: well, i told someone about our romeo/juliet thing.
rh_darkprincess94 says: oh, u scared the crap out of me!
cl_hotlion93 says: so . . . ur not mad?
rh_darkprincess94 says: no, not at all. but who'd u tell?
cl_hotlion93 says: natalie. is that ok?
rh_darkprincess94 says: totally. natalie's awesome, i can trust her.
cl_hotlion93 says: that's great. she's helping me with all this.
rh_darkprincess94 says: that's cheating!
cl_hotlion93 says: no way!
rh_darkprincess94 says: yes! way! ur supposed to be finding out on ur own.
cl_hotlion93 says: u never said that.
rh_darkprincess94 says: well, if u can do that, i can ask her about this girl u like.
cl_hotlion93 says: haha good luck. she doesn't know.
rh_darkprincess94 says: damn.
cl_hotlion93 says: haha.
rh_darkprincess94 says: woops.
cl_hotlion93 says: =)
rh_darkprincess94 says: =)
cl_hotlion93 says: ur a really cool person, juliet.
rh_darkprincess94 says: thanx. ur not so bad urself, romeo.
cl_hotlion93 says: gratzi.
rh_darkprincess94 says: ur italian?
cl_hotlion93 says: yep.
rh_darkprincess94 says: lol.
cl_hotlion93 says: that's killing me, too. i just need to hear ur laugh.
rh_darkprincess94 says: urs is adorable. it's one of those things that just make me smile.
cl_hotlion93 says: what else makes u smile?
rh_darkprincess94 says: ur smile.
cl_hotlion93 says: =)
rh_darkprincess94 says: =)
cl_hotlion93 says: hey, u left me another hint.
rh_darkprincess94 says: what's that, romeo?
cl_hotlion93 says: ur initials.
rh_darkprincess94 says: i never told u my initials.
cl_hotlion93 says: ur e-mail address.
rh_darkprincess94 says: ah, right. well, that stands for something.
cl_hotlion93 says: like what?
rh_darkprincess94 says: inside joke.
cl_hotlion93 says: sure it does.
rh_darkprincess94 says: it does!
cl_hotlion93 says: right. and "cl" stands for "cold liar."
rh_darkprincess94 says: no, it doesn't.
cl_hotlion93 says: how do u know?
rh_darkprincess94 says: because ur initials are c.l. so, it would only make sense for ur e-mail address to have ur initials if it had only two letters, right?
cl_hotlion93 says: ur a smart one.
rh_darkprincess94 says: thank u.
cl_hotlion93 says: oh, guess what's on?
rh_darkprincess94 says: love story, by taylor swift, if ur listening to z100.
cl_hotlion93 says: amazing, u r.
rh_darkprincess94 says: i know =)
cl_hotlion93 says: but isn't it ironic?
rh_darkprincess94 says: definetely. fate is on our side. like, destiny is trying to pull us together or something.
cl_hotlion93 says: uh-huh. tell me something, juliet.
rh_darkprincess94 says: anything.
cl_hotlion93 says: that's a lie. if u would tell me anything, i'd know who u were.
rh_darkprincess94 says: true. ok, what is it that u want me to tell u?
cl_hotlion93 says: do u believe in love at first sight?
rh_darkprincess94 says: i used to.
cl_hotlion93 says: what do u mean?
rh_darkprincess94 says: well, it's never worked out for me before. guys suck.
cl_hotlion93 says: gee, thanks.
rh_darkprincess94 says: i'm sorry. u know i didn't mean u.
cl_hotlion93 says: i know. sorry it's never worked out for u.
rh_darkprincess94 says: anyways, maybe now it'll change for me.
cl_hotlion93 says: i hope so.
rh_darkprincess94 says: do u? belive in love at first sight, i mean.
cl_hotlion93 says: does ur first e-mail to me count as "first sight?"
rh_darkprincess94 says: . . . yes.
cl_hotlion93 says: then yes.
rh_darkprincess94 says: u know what i really like about u?
cl_hotlion93 says: my devilishly good looks?
rh_darkprincess94 says: lol.
cl_hotlion93 says: there it is again, that urge to hear u. but what is it u like so much?
rh_darkprincess94 says: well, firstly, ur very easy to talk to. ur a very good listener.
cl_hotlion93 says: back at u.
rh_darkprincess94 says: =)
cl_hotlion93 says: hey, there's a dance coming up. will u be there?
rh_darkprincess94 says: i don't have a date.
cl_hotlion93 says: i'll be ur date.
rh_darkprincess94 says: u don't know who i am.
cl_hotlion93 says: u think i'll find out in 2 days?
rh_darkprincess94 says: uh . . . nope.
cl_hotlion93 says: haha. what r u thinking?
rh_darkprincess94 says: i'm thinking . . . since it is a sort ball, i can come. i'll be under a mask, of course, and if u can guess who i am, i'll take my mask off. if not, then u'll have to keep guessing.
cl_hotlion93 says: i guess that's the best i can get, right?
rh_darkprincess94 says: yep.
cl_hotlion93 says: it's good enough.
rh_darkprincess94 says: so, the dance is on friday. today is tuesday. two days, u have. u better get to work.
cl_hotlion93 says: i stay awake all night because of u. i'd like to get my dreams back as soon as possible. of course i'm going to try and figure u out.
rh_darkprincess94 says: that's not the only reason ur going to try, r u? =)
cl_hotlion93 says: not at all.
rh_darkprincess94 says: u know, i hear i big snowstorm is coming up. there might not be any school until friday.
cl_hotlion93 says: i hope we do have school. u promised u'd talk to me.
rh_darkprincess94 says: right. well, i gotta get going. my homework isn't going to get itself done. plus, we still have to read romeo and juliet.
cl_hotlion93 says: right. but so soon?
rh_darkprincess94 says: that's the problem. time seems to zoom by without notice when i'm talking to u. that's another thing i really like about u. everything else just disappears and it's like we're the only two people that exist. plus, u always make me smile. even without knowing it.
cl_hotlion93 says: same here. ur the only thing that matters to me when i'm talking to u.
rh_darkprincess94 says: =) there u go again.
cl_hotlion93 says: what?
rh_darkprincess94 says: ur making me smile.
cl_hotlion93 says: should i not be?
rh_darkprincess94 says: no, continue.
cl_hotlion93 says: sure.
rh_darkprincess94 says: =)
cl_hotlion93 says: =)
rh_darkprincess94 says: wait, that's right. i do have to go. sorry, romeo.
cl_hotlion93 says: no problem, lori.
rh_darkprincess94 says: lori? lol! who told u i was lori?
cl_hotlion93 says: damn, so ur not lori. jessica? kristi? Ella? rachel?
rh_darkprincess94 says: ur not gonna get an answer out of me that way. nice try, though.
cl_hotlion93 says: hey, i had to give it a shot, didn't i? ;)
rh_darkprincess94 says: =) what is that, our slogan? i'll see u tomorrow, cedric.
cl_hotlion93 says: bye, diane?
rh_darkprincess94 says: lol! nope.
cl_hotlion93 says: damn.
rh_darkprincess94 says: goodbye, now, cedric.
cl_hotlion93 says: wait, what time tomorrow?
rh_darkprincess94 says: 4:00 pm?
cl_hotlion93 says: it's a date =)