Work Text:
Act 2, Scene 2 - LIBRAry VERSION
(Juliet (16) is sitting in the back corner of a library with a blanket and a book cracked open in her lap that she’s not really reading. Romeo (16) is standing behind the shelf in front of her. He doesn’t see her.)
ROMEO
(to himself) Is it sad that I already miss her, even though we only last spoke yesterday.
JULIET
(to herself) I truly am too desperate. I do wish that I got his number yesterday though. And I do wish that I had talked to him more, even though I’m totally not allowed to. I hope my mother didn’t realize who I was with.
(Romeo peeks out from behind the shelf)
ROMEO
Oh my god it’s her. Does she know I’m here? No, she wouldn’t be talking like that if she did. I should say hi, right? So she doesn’t think I was standing here stalking her. (To Juliet) Hi!
(Juliet flinches, throwing her book. Romeo hides back behind the shelf)
JULIET
Geez dude! WHaT the hell?!?
ROMEO
Sorry. Totally didn’t mean to freak you out. I was just here and you’re here too, and I just thought that you would… you know… because of what you said. I thought you’d be happier to see me.
JULIET
You what?!? Why are you listening to me?!?
ROMEO
Again, I apologize. I didn’t know you were here. I was just looking for a book on Medieval castles and this just happens to be the shelf. I was excited to see you though, but I wish you remembered who I was. I thought that yesterday had meant something to the both of us, but maybe you met some other guy.
(Juliet hesitantly gets up and walks around the shelf to face Romeo)
JULIET
Of course I remember you, and only you. You cannot expect me to remember you only by your voice, but I promise you I do remember. I remember your laugh, and I see the curve of your smile everytime I close my eyes. And I swear I am more than happy to see you, but how the hell did you get in here? The library closed hours ago.
ROMEO
Probably the same way you did, the librarians always let me in late. I’m happy to see you too. I swear I wasn’t looking for you, but I was hoping that I’d get to see you again. Is it pathetic that I saw you only yesterday, but needed to see you again only hours later?
JULIET
Definitely, but I completely agree. I missed the way your hand fit in mine.
(Juliet grabs Romeo’s hand and pulls him back to where she was sitting earlier. She tossed part of the blanket into his lap)
No one will find us back here.
ROMEO
Are we trying to stay hidden?
JULIET
No, we’re just trying not to get caught. If my parents were to find us – or yours for that matter – we’d be completely screwed. I don’t want to lose you before I even get to know you.
ROMEO
You’re right, they can’t know. But for you to tell me to leave would be worse than them finding out. And you’re right again! I like you too much for how little I know of you. We need to learn more about each other. Start off by telling me about the book you were reading earlier.
JULIET
I wasn’t really reading it. I was actually just thinking about you, but I have read it before. It’s about these sisters falling in love and getting heartbroken and getting married. It’s the kind of book that doesn’t feel like a book at all, more like a window into someone’s life. I wonder what the end would be if it was us in the story.
ROMEO
Well I hope that it would end as it has begun. With you and I catching each other’s eyes, and me wondering why I thought anything was worth looking at before I saw you.
(Juliet leans in to kiss him, and… her phone rings making both of them jump)
JULIET
I’m sorry. I can just let it go to voicemail. It’s my mom but…
ROMEO
It’s okay, you should answer it. She’s probably wondering where you are. She’ll just get more worried if you don’t answer. I’ll wait for you to come back.
JULIET
Thank you.
(Juliet steps out to answer the phone)
ROMEO
(to himself) I swear I’d wait forever. Even if this is only a dream.
(Juliet re-enters)
JULIET
My mom was looking for me, and she said that it’s late and I should come home, but I don’t want to go. You can’t come with me.
ROMEO
I can walk with you half the way, and I can meet you again here tomorrow. I can’t not see you again.
JULIET
I trust you. I don’t know why, but I do.
(Juliet puts her hand out)
Give me your phone.
(Romeo fishes his phone out of his pocket and hands it to her. She types her number into his contacts as ♥️Juliet♥️ and hands him his phone back)
If you’re not going to call me, tell me now. Don’t lead me on anymore. But if my heart must break, at least it will be by you.
ROMEO
I would not dream of ever disappointing you. And though I feel that my heart will be broken by you, I am powerless to stop it. I almost wish for it to happen if I get to be with you at all. I will call you, and I will see you here tomorrow.
(They kiss. Both of them exit their separate ways. Juliet turns back as though she has forgotten to tell him something)
JULIET
Romeo, wait!
ROMEO
Yes
JULIET
What time should we meet back here tomorrow?
ROMEO
Does eight work for you?
JULIET
(Smiling) Yeah it does
ROMEO
Okay
JULIET
Okay, bye
ROMEO
Goodbye