The Tribulations of a Beta Romeo

ber 2

3

he rock where Mona had sulked. He slowly sat on the rock, his elbows resting on his knees, and his head supported by his large palms. Very quickly, he became lost in thoug

un were barely affected. But, the drizzle didn't stop. It slowly wet the ground, the trees, the rocks, and Romeo.

othering the fishes in the river. The raindrops increased in speed, individual s

lying twigs, tree branches, plants, and even some unlucky small animals. He turned around towards the rock downstr

his next line or lines of action. He had been thinking all this while and had decide

n a knee, stroking the rock gently as if it wer

y shared, the stolen glances, the tender touches. He remembered the way she laughed, a sound that could melt the col

es, jumping over large, exposed roots and young trees that blocked his way, weaving through large trees and small spaces without slo

he owner of the house. This night, as the rain fell heavily, the interiors of every house in the Den were brightly lit. Two burly men standing at heights of six feet and six feet five stood

alarm button and activate the emergency barrier at the slig

ould see was a fat blur; the distance, the rain, and the condition of the atmosphere prevented her from

efenders outside the

stop, right in fron

" One of the d

d. He was the shortest of the three, standin

nor did he have time f

time for your nonsense today." He

oved to

Do you think because you are taller

all this. Just let me pass through." Rom

by his shoulder and

ssing here until I say

His right eye began to show sm

ke me beat you up

as five years ago? Take one more st

at the gate. Daryl looked away as if he wa

r reasons most likely known only to the elders. He was one of the most dedicated men to his work and was respected for it. Even Romeo had a little bit of respect for him. After all, not only was

beat yourselves up. Regardless of who wins, you will both learn very valuable lessons. Just

ther, the warmth of her body against his, the softness of her lips, the way her fingers had traced patterns on his skin. Thes

mination in Romeo's eyes, hesitated for a moment. That brief pause was all Romeo needed. W

dn't interfere. He knew that sometimes, matters of the

hey had confessed their love for each other under the stars, the way she had looked at him with such intensity and vulner

f Mona's touch. He could almost hear her voice whispering his name, feel her arm

the weight of their past weighing heavily on his shoulders. But the thought of losing her

nched and shivering. Without a word, she stepped aside, letting him in. The warmth of

her voice trembling. "

r. "I can't stop thinking about you, about us. I know t

hed out to touch his face. "I missed you,"

his lips. "I missed you too," he sai

na into his arms, holding her close as the rain continued to fall outside. Their lips met i

no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.