chapter 20: it's been awhile

[ i apologize if there would be any errors ( grammars, spellings and such more ). ]

LAUREN'S POINT OF VIEW

I saw Juliet talking to Travis and Romeo then as she saw me, she went directly to me with a huge smile on her face.

"What's with the huge smile, Juliet?" I asked as I smirked at her.

"Oh it's nothing at all, Lauren." Juliet chuckled as I continued to smirk at her.

"Come on, you don't have to lie to me." I said as we started walking to class.

"Don't tell me, this is about Romeo? D-Did you tell him about how you feel about him? D-Does he like you back?" I panickedly asked.

"Lauren, Lauren, calm down. It's not about Romeo, besides even if it was about him, I would ask for your consent before doing anything, right?" She said as she calmed me down.

"Why would you ask for my consent, Juliet? Romeo and I broke up literally weeks ago, it's not a big deal to me anymore. Besides, you even told me that you like h-" I said then she cutted me off.

"Shh, lower your voice down. No one should knows about that except you." She said as she put her finger infront of her lips.

"Right, my apologies." I said as she puts down her finger down.

"And about your question, I thought that it would be mean and disrespectful of me if I wouldn't tell you if I did told Romeo about how I feel." She said as she sighed.

"You're so kind Juliet, and thank you for thinking of that. But personally, I wouldn't mind at all because you are my bestfriend, and Romeo is just my ex boyfriend, nothing more. I learned to forget the past and move forward to the future, and if one day you'd actually confess to him, I will be there for you." I said as she smiled.

"I love your consideration Lauren, it means alot to me. Besides, I already somehow made my decision and give chance to another guy who loves me for me." She said then my eyes immediately wide open.

"Wh-What do you mean? Who? Where? How? Why? What? Tell me the details, my ears are ready to listen." I asked as I squealed then Juliet chuckled.

As Juliet was supposed to speak, the bell suddenly rang and I groaned.

"Ugh, as you were supposed to tell me all the details." I groaned then she chuckled.

"Don't worry, we could grab coffee later after school. I would love to talk to you during lunch, but it wouldn't be surprising, so I will tell you at the cafe." She said as she chuckled then she smirked.

"Alright, my ears can't wait later after school." I said then the both of us laughed.

"Let's go to class together." I said then she nodded and we went to our class.

Later after school, I waited for Juliet infront of her locker so that we could go to the cafe together. Five minutes passed by and she hasn't arrived yet, until I bumped into someone unexpected.

"Oh I'm really sorry I didn't mean to-" I said then I stopped talking as I looked to his face.

"Romeo." I said as I gulped.

"Lauren. It's been awhile since the two of us talked.. face to face." Romeo said as I slowly nodded.

"It's been awhile for sure." I nervously said.

"H-How are you?" He asked as I looked around.

"I'm good, but more like better. What about you?" I asked as I awkwardly smile.

"Likewise." He said as he awkwardly smiled back.

"Look Lauren, I just want to say that I am deeply apologize. I know I shouldn't be bringing up our breakup but I kept thinking about it and I-" He said then I cutted him off.

"No Romeo, it's completely fine. Besides, I am starting to move on from the both of us and our past as well." I said.

"Oh, well that is very good of you. If you'd ask me, my feelings for you never changed. I still want to be with you, Lauren." He said then I sighed.

"You will soon fall for someone else Romeo, someone who really cares and loves you more than I do. You deserve someone better, you never know that the 'someone' may be someone you know or we know." I said then he did his confused face.

"What are you talking about, Lauren? I would never find someone, I want you because I still love you. Remember that I told you that I will be here waiting for you, no matter what happens." He said as he slowly went closer to me.

"I, for sure, know that you will end up with the right person, Romeo. One day, you will even realize that all of your waiting for me is not worth it, trust me." I said as I looked at him.

"What happened, Lauren? As far as I can remember, you are the person who is or was heartbroken after what I did. You loved me so much, and you wanted me to love someone else?" He said in confusion as he took a step backwards.

"I know I was the one who was heartbroken after our break up, I know I loved you so much, I wish I could tell you why, but one day you will understand and realize everything." I sighed then as I was supposed to leave, Romeo grabbed my arm and pulled me closer to him.

"I understand you dearly Lauren because I love you, but can I please feel your lips before I let you go?" He asked then I sighed.

"R-Romeo, I don't know if we should-" I said then he cutted me off.

"Please, I promise I will let you go after this and might not be waiting for you to come back into my arms." He said as we stared at each others' eyes.

I could see the pain and sincerity in his eyes, I really feel bad for him especially for Juliet. I witnessed on how she is a very good and considerate bestfriend to me, and I couldn't do this to her. I also cherish our friendship so much, and she would be miserable if she knows about this.

"I-I'm sorry Romeo, I can't do this. Especially to someone who I cherish the most with." I said as I let go of my arm from his hand.

"L-Lauren.." He said as he started to walk away and I walked away from him.

I know Romeo very well, we have been friends since middle school, especially because of his friendship with Travis. I know whenever he means something or not. I started finding for Juliet then I saw her walking from the west side of the campus.

"Juliet! I've looked everywhere for you, where have you been?" I asked as we walked to each other.

"Oh I was supposed to go to my locker, but I met up with Travis, so we had a little talk." Juliet replied then I did a confused face.

"You and Travis? Alright, am I missing something?" I asked as I crossed my arms.

"That's what are we gonna talk at the cafe." She said as she put her arm around my neck and we walked towards the exit of our campus.

As we went out the exit door, we saw Romeo, crying as he walked to the parking area.

"Is that Romeo?" Juliet asked as she pointed at Romeo.

"Yes, it is him." I replied as I sighed.

"Wh-What happened to him?" She asked as she looked at me.

"Well, before I found you a couple minutes ago, I was waiting infront of your locker, but then I bumped into Romeo and we had a little talk." I replied as I looked at him.

"Th-Then why is he crying?" She asked.

"He sort of want to kiss me before he lets me go, and I feel bad if you would find out and we will no longer be friends anymore. I even cherish our friendship so much, even though he is in pain." I said as I sighed as I looked at her.

"O-Oh, you did that for me?" She asked as she released her arm from my shoulders.

"Of course, I thought of what you said to me before class this morning, and I didn't want to do the exact opposite to you." I said as I smiled.

"I couldn't be more grateful of you Lauren, thank you." She said as she smiled back.

"You're welcome, Juliet. Come on let's just go the cafe already and talk about what you were supposed to say this morning." I said as I smirked.

"Alright, alright, let's go." She chuckled then we went to the cafe.

~ mj <3