Re-writing Romeo and Juliet

‘WHISTLE’ “c’mon move it, move it, move it” That was Mrs Conjunction- well, that’s what she liked to call herself. The truth is she isn’t married, has no kids and never had a boyfriend. She protests that she is married to her job and physical education is her child- what a wacko! I only like p.e because me and Lucy get to sit there watching ‘cause we’re no good.  Everyday is a special day with Lucy but today was an extra special day- valentine’s day. Every year the school has a card service run by Sasha, only reason being is she hopes that one day Rylan will give her his love.

We got back into class and on my desk were a well decorated pink card, I was really confused, and I had never got a valentine’s card before this was the first time. I didn’t let anyone see it as they would of got suspicious so I threw it I n my bag just as the lesson begun. To my surprise I noticed that Sasha had none- for the first time in 4 years. She went as red as a tomato once every one started asking who was it from? And do you like him? However I thought it was hilarious and got sent out of the classroom 3 times for giggling. Although through the time Mr Harding was talking to me Bob was going through my stuff, I walked back in and he had a devious look on his face with the envelope in his left hand, I ran up to him but he shouted down me ear who is it for? Thinking that I had written it for someone but as he slowly turned it round he seen it was for me. He was shocked. I was embarrassed. Sasha was surprised. Bob muttered “Julie it’s for you” now the whole class was staring. ‘BRING’ I was literally saved by the bell!

At lunch Bob and Rylan came up to me and Lucy, Bob looked less shocked as he asked if we wanted to have lunch with them. I thought to myself us two geeks hanging round with the poplars’ and before I could say anything Lucy jumped in and said “yes” she only said yes because of her massive obsession over Bob. We started walking to the dining room but as soon as we arrived Sasha dragged Bob over and started shouting at him- it sounded like she was expecting a valentine’s day card but I didn’t hear the rest Ryan was whispering in my ear about valentine’s day but I didn’t hear it so at the end of the conversation when he said did you? I replied no. He looked depressed. So I just walked away.

 When it came to the end of the day it was quieter than usual everyone was upset so I got in my mums car and went home. She asked “what do you want for your 15^th love?” I replied “nothing mum I’m fine with what I’ve got now”, Mum was quiet. As soon as I got home I sprinted up to my bedroom and opened the card. It looked kind of familiar, very familiar and almost too familiar. A number of names rushed through my head but they were all too popular for me. But who was it? First the card then lunch with those lads, there must be a connection. Soon enough my phone rang- it was an unknown number so I answered “hello” they hung up! What kind of person does that? Maybe my secret admirer?

That next morning I returned to my usual routine, back to school to the same boring classes. When I sat down in my chair, I kept scanning the room for any clues. No one bothered looking at me; well, except for Bob (the snitch). Oh no, what if he was the one? Is my whole entire life going to end up like this? My mind was blank; all I heard was voices telling me what to do! Suddenly, I could hear footsteps coming from behind me. Probably Bob. What was I going to say to him? Luckily, the bell went off. I ran out of the room to catch up with Lucy. “… So you think Bob sent you that card?” She looked as if she was about to puke. I slowly nodded and backed away for my next class.

The only good news from that day was that we were going to a pantomime about Willy Wonka and a chocolate factory (my favourite characters are the Oompaloompas!) I walked past my favourite confectionary shop on the way home. I found £3.67 in my pocket and entered the candy store. Walking down the aisles, I spotted some of the most famous brands, Cadburys, Mars, Twix, Galaxy….  I was in chocolate heaven! I walked up and down the aisles and spotted Rylan at the counters. “…What do you mean I don’t have enough, I gave you the 50p like it said on the bar?” Rylan stood there arguing at the cashier. The 18 year old cashier replied “It says £1.50.” I walked over and helpfully said “here you go Rylan.” I put £1.00 on the mahogany table. He looked at me and grinned. I smiled and left the store.

When I returned home, I got a text message from school saying ‘the pantomime will be held tomorrow instead, bring a packed lunch and don’t forget its own clothes!’ My mum made my lunch and I went asleep early that night. The next day, I met up with Lucy, only to notice that Sasha was crying in her school uniform. “WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME?” she yelled at her so called friends. I turned away only to find Rylan glaring at me. He jogged over asking if I had a partner. I replied yes and asked the same question, it almost looked as if he frowned. “Yeah, I’m with Bob.” As soon as he walked away, the thought of who was my valentine came back to me. Was it him? No, how stupid am I to think of that? He’s the most known kid in Hull…

I just got on the coach and sat down soon to realise Sasha was mumbling down my ear “Julie, your my partner now”, she still had tears in her eye. I argued “No, I’m with Lucy end of” she was shocked and strutted down the coach. Lucy kept asking why I did that the only answer was revenge. My whole life I have sit and watch her rule me, well, now it’s over. I am my own person. By the time I got that out of me we were at the MEN arena. I wasn’t excited anymore. It was like walking into the doors of hell!

We got to our seats and to my surprise Bob and Rylan came rushing over to sit by me. It was twice the relief I got to sit by Rylan and I found out that Bob still loved Lucy. Through the whole show I was over the moon until the final scene… Rylan being the rebel he is thought it would be funny to switch of the power but in the end got himself expelled for life. The entire class was taken back to school and there waiting for him was his parents who dragged him by his collar into the car and drove at a 70mph pace down the road.

Knowing that your crush is leaving forever is the worst news any girl would want to hear. Throughout the journey home I didn’t think of anything but that anything to do with my upcoming birthday just that. Tomorrow was going to be the last day I would probably ever see Rylan and it being my birthday was heart breaking. Over the last week I have been getting closer and closer to him and it’s ending in 24 hours. That’s the worst news anyone would want to hear but we just need to get on with it.

We got into school the next morning and there was a sudden silence when I walked in, everyone was staring like I had done something wrong. Although it all became clear when Sasha came storming over and starting having a go at me. She roared “Thanks’ a lot Julie I have spent all my life trying to get him but you get him by doing what? Nothing!” she turned and walked away. It played on my mind until I got to the hall. There waiting for me was Rylan with a present, he handed it to me with a giggle. I stood and glared for a while until he encouraged me to open it. In there was a huge teddy bear with a quote on it reading I LOVE YOU. He hugged me then jogged out.

Everything made sense then, the card, the constant questions, and the mysterious phone call. How could I be so blind? Maybe this is why Sasha was angry with me before I left and went looking for him. Whilst I was searching Bob came up to me and said that he was going out with Lucy and that everyone knows about Rylan’s crush on me. 5 minutes later I noticed Rylan sprinting out of the gate I shouted “STOP” he slowly turned around and came towards me he kissed me on the cheek whispered goodbye and ran home.

For the rest of my life I didn’t see him, 20 years have pasted and now I still wonder why he did that. But he still remains in my heart and will never be forgotten!