Sincerely, Romeo

by Amy Sparks

  "Jacob, don't get mad at your mother son. Just calm down." I hate how people are telling me to calm down, yet of course, they can ask stupid questions that can make me even madder. Everything was perfect until I had to kiss Addilyn and tell her that it was just for practice and shit for being the perfect "fake" couple for my parents. I stand up and take a big breath, in and out. I sit back down and smile at Addilyn and she has a confusing look on her face.

  "Anyway Jacob, I just thought that Ryan would look good with Addilyn and you know, you with Veronica. Is it my fault that I just think that's much better?" My mouth is wide opened and Addilyn's is too.

  "Thanks, mom. Just thanks." I get up and walk away from all of this shitty life. I grab my keys and open the door as I hear my whole family call for me. I shut the door behind me and unlock my car and get in it as fast as I can. I put the key in the ignition and as I'm about to back away I can hear Addilyn call out for me. I stop as I see her right on my porch looking so beautiful as always. I want to just drive away but somehow, I can't. Somehow my own heart won't let me drive away from the things I love. The things like Addilyn. She walks up to my car and knocks on the window. I push the button and the window rolls down.

  "What?" My anger right now is making me sound like some jerk but it's not my fault my own mother had to say that that Addilyn somehow looks better with Ryan and me with Veronica? Please, Veronica and Ryan would look way better as a couple than me and Veronica. They basically have everything in common! Addilyn has a shocked face on how I just sounded right now by my tone and my heart just breaks on how I basically scared her.

  "Fine Jacob. Act like this. Act like some little kid who thinks the world is all black and white. Fuck you anyway. Who cares what your mother said! Your seventeen years old and you still think that your mom might be right about this? Like god! You need to calm the hell down and think of why you're acting like this." Addilyn is breathing hard because she's totally mad at me. Somehow though, this is getting me mad too because she doesn't even know why I'm acting like this. I can't just sit and think about why I'm mad at my mom. I know why I'm mad. She doesn't, but I know. I open the car door and slam it shut as I set my back on it.

  "You have no clue why the hell I'm going through okay? If you just listened closely to what my mother just said and how it just hurts me, you could understand. But no, you, unfortunately, don't." I turn around and about to open the car door until Addilyn scoffs. I laugh and think how girls don't understand me. They never did. Not even my own mother understands me.

  "You don't think I don't understand what your mother just said? How I'm supposed to be with Ryan and your supposed to be with Veronica and we're supposed to live happily ever after. Yeah well, you don't think that hit me as well? You think I wanna hear your mom say how I'm supposed to be the king of the dumbasses and you with that classic bitch? Ha, well get this straight Jacob. I don't like Ryan okay? So, don't think I liked it when your mom said I should be with Ryan instead of you. Shit happens okay? But you just gotta move on and flush that shit down the toilet and laugh because of at least you’re not that little piece of shit in the toilet. Also, if you think I'm just some idiot like Veronica, you're wrong okay? I know what to become in the future and I know what to do to succeed. I'm done now. You can leave if you want but just know this. A kiss like that shouldn't be fake, at least I think it shouldn't." She walks away from me and I take all of that piece by piece and try to understand what she means by all of this. She doesn't think the kiss was fake. I don't think the kiss was fake either and this should mean something, right? I turn to see if Addilyn is still outside but she's gone back inside the house. My house. I take my key out and lock the car as I run to my porch and open the door to find Addilyn and actually make this right. I run into the kitchen and I only find my family sitting at the dinner table, eating food and drinking until their wasted.

  "Mom, where's Addilyn?" My mom looks up and she looks concern but has her normal face on.

  "Oh, she's in your room, Jacob. She said she needed to return something to you that you gave her a long time ago." I think for a moment on what I gave her a while back. All I remember was a bracelet that I bought with my own money and I gave it to her after she took her wisdom teeth out. She was in so much pain that it killed me that she didn't have anything pretty to feel happy about. I gave it to her in grade eight and of course, it was the first time I actually got a girl a real present. I say "thanks" to my mom as I leave the kitchen and rush upstairs to my room. The door is half opened and the first thing I see if Addilyn looking at my pictures that are all over my walls. All those pictures are from my life until now. I add any pictures that make me actually happy about life. Just like Addilyn.

  "You're on them you know." She turns around and nods as she looks at the pictures that I took of her when we were kids. I walk close to Addilyn, but not to close. She still hates me and of course, I hate myself even more because of it.

  "So, you have pictures of me huh? Not creepy at all." I laugh as she turns around and crosses her arms. She still has a serious face on and I feel sad that she doesn't laugh. Not even a smile and it's all because of my stupid mind.

  "I'm sorry you know. I just thought you--"

  "What liked Ryan? Oh god no. You think I'm that sad that I would actually go out with him? By the way, I returned the bracelet you gave mister Romeo." I turn around to see the gold butterfly bracelet that I bought for her. I pick the bracelet up and I honestly feel my heart breaking into pieces because of one little bracelet.

  "I don't want it back Jacob. Just give it to Veronica. Maybe she'll love it even more than I do." She walks away and I'm getting mad that she could just say that to me.

  "Bullshit and you know it Addilyn. I don't like Veronica. I never do. I only dated her to get a girl off my mind okay?" Addilyn walks up to me and looks at me with eyes that can make me fall in love with her even more.

  "Who's the girl Jacob? Do I know her or is she some made up character?" I laugh as I think I would actually make up some stupid character and date Veronica so I can get my mind off of. I walk up to her close and I could just bend down and kiss her so easily, it wouldn't be any problem.

  "I'm looking right at her. It's funny, I never thought I could ever like her since I know for sure that she doesn't even like me." Her jaw falls as she looks at me and wonders on what I actually just said.

  "How do you know she doesn't like you as much as you like her?" I open my hand and give her the bracelet back where it actually belongs. I watch her put it on and hear the clip as I know that she's never gonna take it off now. I smile as I put my hand on her back and pull her close to me. She puts her hands on my chest and looks up at my face.

  "Well if she doesn't like me then she should've have kissed me back." She rolls her eyes and that's when I know I've won her.

  "That's a bit stupid if you think about it." I lower my head down and rest it on top of hers.

  "Just shut up and let me kiss you." My lips go straight to her and I kiss her. She kisses me back and the feeling is the best feeling in the world. I'm walking back and I land on the bed with her on top of me. We're still kissing and I'm wondering if my damn door is locked. I don't want any of my parents to come in and see us kissing and ruin the whole damn moment.

  "Sorry it's just that, can I lock the door first?" She laughs and rolls off of me as I get up quickly and rush to close the door shut and lock it. Addilyn is looking at me with a mischievous smile and I wonder what's on her mind. She's sitting on my bed looking innocent as always but I know for sure her mind is not.

  "What?" I say and she looks at me and crosses her arms.

  "Can you take your shirt off?" I'm a bit surprised that Addilyn would actually tell me to take my shirt off, but I know for sure it's gonna come off anyway so why not now? I take my shirt off and throw it on the floor. Addilyn's eyes are wide and bright, which makes me happy that I've amazed her with my body.

  "Nice six pack Jacob. Has Veronica seen it?" I roll my eyes and thi
nk how my girl is so jealous that it's just funny to think of how jealous she really is.

  "Never. You really think I would do this with Veronica? I like you more Addilyn. Really more." She stands up and nods as she walks up to me and kisses my neck.

  "Good. Now, kiss me?" I laugh as I lift her up so I can face her close to me as if she's actually my height.

  "What do you think?" I kiss her back as she kisses me and that's when everything turns as sweet as sugar. Not to sound corny or anything, but I guess that's what happens when you're with someone you actually love. I love Addilyn, and I know for sure that she finally loves me. Fuck fake love, real love is better than that shit.

  "Also, um, make love to me?" I'm kissing her and stop as I hear those words tumble out of her mouth. What. The. Fuck?

  "Your lying. Don't do that Addilyn. I thought you were being serious for a second." She bites her lip and I'm about to explode.

  "I'm uh, kind of being serious about it." My jaw drops as I stare into her eyes and try to see if she's lying or not. She seems so goddamn serious that I can't take it seriously. I take a step back and try to think about how I should handle this shit. Handle this problem that I really want to say yes to but I know for sure that I can't. She'll regret it. And when she does, that's when I might just actually break down and cry because of it.

  "Addilyn. Stop. You'll regret it the moment you say it. Don't mess with me and this topic." She crosses her arms and scoffs.

  "Why would I regret it? It's a topic that is normal at this age Jacob. We're seventeen years old. What's the problem?" I shake my head and scoff as she has no clue about my problem.

  "You don't actually know how it feels when a girl says that she regrets it Addilyn," Addilyn swears under her breath and walks up to me and sits beside me. It's not fun when a girl regrets having sex with you after it's all done. It's the worst feeling in the world. It's like telling someone you hate them for saying "I love you" to them. If Addilyn said that she regrets it too, I might just stay single for the rest of my life.

  "Who?"

  "Who what Addilyn? Who said the whole "regret" thing at me?" She nods and I put my fingers through my hair and pull at the ends.

  "It wasn't Veronica if that's what you think. I don't even think Veronica and I went close to this topic before when we were together so it's not her."

  "So who was it then, Jacob? Come on, you can tell me." I sigh and turn around to look at her.

  "Emily Lorre. Grade ten. Yeah, young I know. But I was stupid and all I wanted was sex. I thought it would be awesome but after it was all done, she told me that she regretted it. I hated her at that moment and I still do now. I didn't really want another relationship, but of course, Ryan kept on yelling at me on why I'm such a chicken shit around girls. I met Veronica and I dated her for only for a month or two. Nothing really happened because I didn't want anything to happen. So yeah. I don't like this topic and I don't want to hurt you." Addilyn holds my hand and I'm about to pass out.

  "Jake Russel. Grade eleven. First. I hate him because well, he kind of used me for it." I turn my head and I can't believe she just said that. Jake Russell? That shit head? He fucked Addilyn and he didn't even say shit about it.

  "Jake Russel Addilyn? Seriously? It's too bad he left the school or else I could've killed that motherfucker." Addilyn laughs and I laugh as well. I guess we're both crazy and done for this topic anyway.

  "I'm sorry she regretted it, Ryan." I nod and think about how now that I have Addilyn, I don't really give a shit about Emily anymore.

  "If we're going to have sex, you have to trust me." Trying to figure out why those words came out my mouth scare me, but I know for sure that I love Addilyn, and I know for sure that she won't break my already broken heart from before.

  "I already trust you. Don't worry. It's just sad that your first time was shit." I laugh and think about how Ryan said the exact same thing to me too.

  "It's also sad that your first time was shit too Addilyn. Too bad you weren't my first though."

  "Ditto. We could start though." I look at her and nod as I think of how a good idea this is and by how her parents might just kill me.

  "You won't regret it?"

  "Why would I?" She smiles at me and I smile at her. Addilyn and I, well we're compatible, and I love it.

  Addilyn

  My alarm dings and it wakes me up right away. I shut it off and check my phone to see if I have any texts from Jacob. He texted about ten times and it's all about how he's been missing me and how he wants me all to himself. I smile as I read the texts and reply with a "xoxo" and I click send right away so I don't regret it and stop myself from sending it. I get out from the bed and then stop as I hear something hit my window. Weird... I walk to my window and open my blinds, only to see Jacob's window opened and him throwing rocks at my window. I roll my eyes and slide open my window, which takes a bit of a strength since the stupid door is frozen shut because of the cold.

  "Do you need to borrow some cream or something?" He smiles as he looks at me and now I kind of wish I kind of wore something on top since I have no bra underneath my tank top.

  "Nah, I just wanted to bug you in the morning. Also, I kind of wanted to see your pretty face. How's that?

  "Eh, somewhat better. I gotta go, Jacob. I need to change. You need to also. See you outside." I'm about to close my window until I hear Jacob call my name.

  "So, um, what are we?" I raise my eyebrow at him and try to understand what he's actually saying. I first think about what guys actually mean when they say that and that's when I hear a "ding!" in my brain.

  "Girlfriend and boyfriend, I think. That is if you want us to be like that." I try to hide the smile that I'm about to make and I wait for Jacob's response. He looks up and smiles at me which honestly, of course, makes me instantly smile back.

  "Yeah, I'd like that."

  "Great. Bye Jacob." I shut my window and then close the blinds and take a breather. I shake my head and walk out of my room and to the bathroom. I do my regular morning routine and I curl my hair, just because. I make way to my bedroom again and find a big black hoodie dress which I wear since I'm kind of lazy to wear pants. I guess today are just one of those days. I wear my Adidas Superstar shoes and I also put on the bracelet that Jacob gave me a long time ago. I can't believe I was about to give this back. I love this bracelet so much that it just aches if I just gave it away. I grab my phone and make way downstairs to see my parents.

  "Hey, mom. Dad." My mom kisses my cheek and my dad waves at me. Classic parents. I grab an apple and my mother sighs.

  "Why don't you have some eggs darling?" I roll my eyes and think about how I don't really eat that much in the morning. It normally messes up my stomach so I mostly eat a fruit or maybe just drink some coffee but that's it.

  "Mom, I'm fine." I take a bite of my apple and grab my bag from the chair. I'm about to open the door until my mom says something that catches my ear.

  "Don't forget to say hi to Jacob Addilyn. He is your boyfriend of course." I turn around and my mom smiles as she looks at my dad.

  "You. What?" My mom laughs as she walks up to me and hugs me hard.

  "Nothing. Have fun sweetheart." She lets go and I nod slowly, trying to understand what actually happened here. I open the door and shake my head trying to understand how she actually knows this. About me and Jacob. Like how??? I shut the door and I walk to my car and unlock it as I approach it. I open the door and as I'm putting my bag in there I'm being pulled by the hip and turned right away. Jacob smiles as he looks at me. I stand on my tippy-toes and kiss him for just a second since I don't really wanna get carried away filled with his kisses on my driveway, where my parents can actually see us kissing.

  "Ready to go to school?" He smiles and walks to the other side of the car and gets in and sits down in the passenger's seat. I get in also and start backing out of the driveway and to the school. I'm driving and I can feel Jacob's eyes on me.

  "Stop looking at me. It's making
me nervous." He laughs and I concentrate on driving and not actually crashing into a tree.

  "Fine sorry. It's just that you're really pretty." I roll my eyes and wonder how he lives his life, just complimenting girls whenever and wherever he wants. Creepy as fuck and weird also.

  "Jacob, really? You don't have to compliment me every time you see me. Stop trying to win me over. You already have anyway..." My voice whispers at the ending of that sentence and I suddenly sound like a mouse.

  "Huh, I won you over, didn't I?" Ugh, did I really have to say that to him? I probably made his day just by saying that. We make it to the school and I park fast and perfectly.

  "Calm down Romeo. Don't let it go over your head." I pull my key out and grab my bag from the back and open the door.

  "It already did Addilyn. Plus, why do you keep calling me Romeo?" I lock my car and walk to Jacob and shrug.

  "I don't know. Maybe it's because you try too hard to get something you really want. So, I call you Romeo. Big deal." Jacob brings me closer to him and I'm now scared of who's gonna see us and find out that we're now somewhat a "thing."

  "It's not a big deal. It's just that Romeo was some poet guy. I don't really write poetry."

  "Uh huh. So you say. Can we go now?" He nods and kisses me which was beginning to just be a small kiss turned into an aggressive and wanting kiss. Jacob lifts me up and I keep forgetting that I'm wearing a damn hoodie dress. It's still a dress so my butt could still look if it wants too.

  "No PDA children. You know the rules around here." I stop kissing Jacob and turn around to not see a teacher, but to see, of course, Ryan. Jacob lets me down on the ground and flips the middle finger at Ryan. Ryan laughs and gives Jacob one of those manly guy hugs or some shit. He then gives me a hug and I can see that Jacob has now turned into some possessive boyfriend type.

  "So, I guess you finally stopped being a little chicken shit huh Jacob?" I laugh and Jacob swears at him.