*Chapter Four

I heard weeping… constant weeping. An angel’s voice. Why is an angel weeping? Who was making her cry? It wasn’t right, for sure. This was not right. Was I making her cry? I shouldn’t.

My eyes fluttered open. And I was in… heaven. Heaven? I was sure, my heart was still beating… And I sure could hear it — a beeping of the monitor, identical to my heartbeat. I was in the hospital. Heaven, how naïve.

I shook my head and, “Ow…” I groaned.

“Jul!” ”Juliana!” “Julie!” Everyone around jumped and exclaimed.

“What the…” I held my head that shook hard. Pain rushed through it as blood flowed through, imbalance. I sat up, slowly, so that it wouldn’t hurt as much.

“Jul!” The angel’s weeping seized. She gripped me and the weeping continued as she choked hardly comprehendible words, “Jul… you… shouldn’t… it’s… dangerous… why… Jul… safe…? I…”

“Shh… it’s okay, Denia. It’s okay, Denia,” I soothed her and patted against her back. I noticed every inch of my hands were bandaged and I felt so stiff. Besides that, there were IVs connected to the back of my hands and up to my forearms. I wrinkled my nose at the scent of medicine that burnt my nose.

“How could you be so reckless!” Chad growled.

I looked up for once – Chad, Nessa and two other unwanted people. I focused on Chad, since he was going to lecture me. “I was just driving.”

“You were driving over speed limit! I know it’s in your blood to go rebel and race or whatever the hell it is! But still! How could you?! Where’d your sense of responsibility go?!” he growled on, though keeping his voice down.

I looked around the wad. It was empty. I shrugged. Denia let go of me and touched my face; hers was tear streamed and flushed. “How could you?”

I swallowed hard. “I’m sorry. But I’m okay, right?” Denia… how could I have forgotten. Denia was so fragile… and to think… all over again?

Ah, but what was I doing before? I wasn’t thinking of anything. Nothing but… strange questions. I shot a glance at the boy I’d cried over, glad he was staring at something on a clipboard. I let a sigh of frustration and shook my head.

“Not exactly the definition of okay.”

Someone entered. I turned slowly, afraid of more pain.

“I’m your doctor. Dr. Gerald,” he introduced himself with a smile.

I looked at him, bewildered. He was incredibly young, not to mention good-looking. And doctor? Sure, he was wearing a white coat over his hospital uniform.

“You’re Juliana Capulet, I take?” he chuckled when I gave no response. I nodded wordlessly. “Well, Miss Capulet, you’re in terrible condition. You have two fractured ribs, your left wrist and right ankle cracked and your right arm’s broken. Not to mention, you suffered extreme blood loss. Hit your head pretty hard.” He chuckled.

“Ow…” Just hearing about it made me know it hurt.

“‘Ow’ is right, Miss Capulet. You’ve been unconscious for five days.” He busied himself, checking the connections of the IVs and the monitor.

My eyes scanned him. My first thought was that he could be my twin: he had the same shade of pale brown hair — naturally disarrayed, his eyes had the same rare golden tint and his ethereal features were just as pale though just as flushed. He was tall — taller than Chad, who was around five foot ten — so probably around six feet.

He caught my stare and smiled. I looked away innocently. I heard him chuckle under his breath. He pressed his palm on my forehead playfully and pushed me down. I grumbled and slapped against his hand.

He laughed. “You need to sleep, Miss Capulet. At least rest.”

I grunted, obeying but said nothing. He smiled and nodded to the rest of the crowd before leaving.

I felt my face burning. Ridiculous. I looked at the wiped-out Denia. “Denia… you should go home and rest.”

She didn’t refuse. She stood up obediently. “I’ll come and see you soon.”

Chad shook his head with a sigh as he left. “Take care,” he grumbled. Taking Denia’s hand, he strode out.

I grumbled, at least there’s still Nessa. Then she spoke, “Danny, why can’t we leave?”

Oh, the writhing snakes of hatred!

I slumped into my pillow and squeezed my eyes tight. Letting my surroundings melt away — with endless effort.

They rose, wanting to sink their teeth into something… poison and tears and —

“’Cause I can’t. You can go if you want,” he answered quietly.

I grumbled. “Both of you can just get the hell out of here.”

“See?” she crooned. “Can’t we just go now?”

“No.”

“Hmph…” she grunted and walked out. Her heels clomped. “I’m leaving. You better be there at my doorstep tomorrow. Bye, Danny.”

The door swung shut and I refused to open my eyes. Someone took my hand and the familiarity churned my anger. I jerked my hand away without even opening my eyes.

“Jul…” he murmured.

“Leave,” I ordered flatly.

“No, Jul. I promised.” His finger pressed against my crumpled forehead. My forehead smoothed but my emotions did no more.

He did promise. He promised so many things. He promised I would never have to lie alone in a hospital ward and shake in fear of the tearful memories. He promised he would keep no secrets from me. He promised he would always be there for me.

“Leave,” I retorted, my eyes snapping open and glaring at him.

He looked taken aback and he sulked. “No, Jul. I promised I’ll be here for you.”

He looked tired, sleepless. There were shadows under his eyes, his hair was chaotic, his features pale. I tried not to think how many nights he worried over me sleeplessly.

“Just… leave, okay? I don’t want you here,” I mumbled flatly, avoiding his eyes.

“No.” This time he sounded firm.

Nessa cleared her throat. I was appreciative. I looked at her immediately. She looked just as strained — though less. “It’s your fault, Dan. I’m leaving.” She shot me an apologetic look while I glared back. Then she leapt out awkwardly.

There was nothing but silence as I stared out the window. His finger played through my hair and just this once, I didn’t protest. It felt like he cared, he did. Just… didn’t trust me enough. I let it excuse me through pain, shoving it aside.

“Sorry, Danny…” I mumbled.

I felt the bewilderedness spreading. “Huh? You sorry? Jul! This is my fault. Why are you apologizing?”

“You just didn’t trust me. I’m sorry for making you worried,” I murmured, looking at him tenderly and I took his hand gently.

He looked flabbergasted. “You… forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive,” I whispered. I forced the flow of tears back. It burnt my eyes.

“But! There is! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you!” he protested.

“Stop. You didn’t hurt me. I was just stupid. You just didn’t trust me. I was just reckless. You just didn’t tell me. I just ran right into… was it a car I wrecked?” I asked curiously.

He seemed to miss my question. His brows pulled together. “You… were only upset because I didn’t tell you?”

I inhaled deeply. “What else is there?”

“Nothing… I suppose…” he mumbled. “And you banged into another car… drunkard. Your brother sure fixed the dude.”

I looked up at him in horror. “What?”

“You brother beat the dude up. Twenty-something, I think. Too bad I wasn’t there,” he grumbled darkly and looked as if he meant it.

I snorted. “What’d you do?”

“I’d hamstring ’im and throw him down a river,” he growled sharply.

I rolled my eyes. “Right… What happened to my car?”

“It’s fine. Your bro got it fixed too,” he answered.

“Sure… You said Chad fixed the guy… didn’t he get hurt?” I asked warily.

He snorted. “No. He almost banged into you, you swerved and hit the rail instead.”

“Oh. But you know… it’s technically my fault. I went over… two hundred, I think…” I mused.

“Two hundred?!” he shrieked.

A nurse came bustling in and shushing us. Danny apologized and turned back to me, livid. I gulped and smiled guiltily.

“Two hundred?” he hissed. “Have you lost your mind?”

“Practically, yeah. I’ve always wanted to try it. The gas pedal was flat on the floor —”

“What?!” he hissed poisonously. “Flat?!”

I backpedaled. “I wasn’t really thinking —”

“You’re an idiot!” he growled.

I flared up and shot back, “Whose fault do you think this is?”

He fell silent immediately and sulked. I glared at him until the anger melted. I sighed. “Sorry, Dan.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Shut it…” I grumbled. “Apologize and I’ll have you kicked out.”

He grimaced. “I have to go anyway.”

Something boiled inside of me. “Go then,” I snapped.

He smiled half-heartedly. “Bye… I’ll be back tomorrow morning.”

“Don’t you need to go to school? And… Danielle?” I grumbled unwillingly.

“I figure… I can skip one day of school for my Juliet, right?” he grinned.

That wasn’t the point. “Danielle?” I repeated, impatient.

“She can live one day without me.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Watch it before you lose her.”

“My pleasure,” he mumbled darkly.

“Then what’s the point?” I asked, confused.

“I don’t really… like her that much,” he grumbled.

“Then why?” My eyebrows puckered.

“Er… let’s just say… I couldn’t turn her down…” he mumbled awkwardly.

“Bribe? Or… lust?” I murmured sheepishly and wearily at the same time.

He looked shock at me. And then turned sheepish. “Just can’t turn her down.”

I crinkled my nose. “Too adorable?”

“Not as adorable as you,” he teased. He bent down and kissed my forehead softly. The beeping of the monitor leapt unstably. We stared at it in silence. “Huh,” he chuckled.

I looked away innocently, pretending as if nothing happened. He bent down again. This time, his lips were at my ear. He whispered, his tone mocking, “Is this lust too? Or covetousness, preferably.”

I shivered. He chuckled and his breath tickled upon my skin. “I think it’s more than that.” His lips left my ear and landed on my cheek.

“Well, I’ll be going now.” He straightened up, glancing at the erratic beeping of the monitor. He sighed, somewhat satisfyingly and left with a wink.

I lay in my bed, waiting for my heartbeat to slow. Then there was a knock on the door that made me jump and my heart to race twice its original speed.

“Don’t strain yourself, Miss Capulet.” It was Dr. Gerald. He was holding a tray of food. I eyed it warily and back at him.

He followed my eyes and chuckled. “This? It’s supposed to be the nurse’s job, naturally. But I wanted to talk to you.”

I shrugged and cringed. “Ow…”

He laughed. He set the tray on the table and pulled a chair next to my bed. “Is it me or is ‘ow’ all you say?”

I wanted to shrug but stopped before I did, reminding myself about the pain. “I dunno.”

“Ah, much better. Your voice is quite unique, I hear,” he complimented. “You sing, I suppose?” Gee, I suppose he knew about Mom and Dad.

I nodded. “A bit. More than my sis. Though she’s… more of a musician.”

“You?” he asked curiously. He pulled the table infront of me and gestured for me to eat.

“I’m allergic to hospital food.” I poked the fork against the gooey, sticky lump that was supposed to noodles.

He laughed. “I apologize. Would Lady Capulet want something else? More… tasteful, perhaps?”

I frowned at him and stuck the fork through the lump. “It’s overcooked.”

“I can see that. I avoid eating in the hospital myself,” he chuckled.

I pushed the plate away, disgusted. I picked up the only edible thing — a store-bought cup of pudding. I peeled off the plastic and stabbed the plastic spoon in. I finished it in thirds. Setting it back on the tray, I saw him studying my expression. “What?”

“You were saying about your sister being a musician. You?” he repeated.

“More of a tomboy,” I grumbled under my breath.

“Really?” he laughed.

I scowled. “Yes. Really.”

“But you sing?” he repeated.

I nodded. “Yeah. Not much. It’s… something I prefer to keep for myself.”

“Can’t you sing for me?” he asked half-amused, half-serious.

“Sure… I guess.” I hesitated. Then sang some song I sang to myself as a lullaby. It was slow… and sad. But the vocals usually brought out the extra raspy and husky edge in my voice. For most points, my voice was strong but soft, clear and sweet.

“Beautiful…” he mused as I finished quietly.

“Thanks…” I mumbled just as absentminded. I’ve only ever sang to my family, Irina and the Hales. How come I could sing for a Doc I just met? He saved your life, you idiot. I grinned sheepishly to myself.

“Well, I’ll get you something to eat.” He got up. “My treat, if you don’t mind.”

I blinked blankly. “You sure?”

“Yeah. I’ll go across the street. Pack you something. I really shouldn’t be doing this… You’re a healing patient. And I’m the doctor who saved your life. You should be recovering… but… hey, I’ll make an exception, kid,” he grinned.

“How old are you?” I asked curiously.

He laughed. “Older than you.”

My heart drummed. Did he see past my childish little crush so easily? But I suppose I shouldn’t worry. It was just attraction, a silly little crush that didn’t matter much.

He didn’t seem to notice the increased tempo of my heartbeat.

I rolled my eyes. “I know that. How old?”

“Twenty-three. The youngest surgeon in the hospital,” he proclaimed proudly.

“Wow…” I groaned. “Talk about a genius. I can’t even get my Bio straight.”

He laughed. “I could tutor you while you’re here… Which would be a pretty long time.”

“I don’t fail. I just don’t get an A. I’m an almost-A student. There’s just my Bio… my Chem.…” I grumbled. Thinking about school hurts.

“Well… that’s all Science. And that’s what I’m good at.” He flashed a dazzling grin. “I’m not busy these days. I’ll tutor when I have time.”

“Sure…” I mumbled.

“See you in a few.” And he disappeared out the door.

I sat quietly, gazing out the window and watching the city lights flicker. Who knows when, Dr. Gerald came back with bagsful of fast food.

I grinned. “Are you sure I can eat that?”

“Hey, I’m your doc. I bring you the stuff, you can eat it.” He shrugged and set the paper bags on the table.

“If you say so.” I grabbed a bag.

“Whoa, girl. That’s yours.” He pointed at the other smaller bag. “Mine is beef. None of that for you yet” – he gave a grin – “though it actually doesn’t matter.”

I gave him a sarcastic smile. Then I dropped the other bag in his hands and took mine. I pulled out a burger wrapped in paper. “Fish?” I grumbled.

“Yup.”

I shrugged and ate without complain. After dinner with the doc, I suddenly remember that I didn’t even know his name. “Your name?”

He hesitated. “Don’t laugh.”

“Okay, I won’t,” I promised.

“It’s… Um… Romero.”

I chortled anyway. “Sorry!” And burst out laughing.

“I knew you’d laugh. Romero Gerald… Romeo.”

I grinned. “Romeo… Well, I’m Juliana Capulet. Also known as Juliet Capulet.”

He laughed. “Yeah… well, Juliet. Time for bed.”

He stood up, bade goodnight and left, leaving me wondering idly what kind of relationship this was going to end up as.

Oh, well. Curling up in my bed, I braced myself for a series of Danielle nightmares. I chuckled darkly and wondered if Daniel was right that there was something more to ‘us’. Oh, well.