Letters to Romeo

Roman laid on the bed. His body stretched on it with his hands placed under his head. The Dormitorium had turned quieter, and so was the university campus, as most of the students had left to visit their family or friends. He was enjoying his early post morning nap when someone knocked on the door.

"Rome?" It was Maximus at the door. He decided not to answer it and act as if he wasn't in the dorm. "I know you are in there," came his friend's sing-song voice from the other side of the door.

With not many students in the Dormitorium and on their floor, Maximus persistently knocked on the door. A sigh escaped from Roman's lips. He felt the urge to snap Maximus' head so that he could get his friend to be quiet. But as Maximus was a vampire, it would be effective only for a few minutes.

Getting up from the bed, he made his way to the door and opened it. Maximus had a wide grin on his face.

"Did I disturb you?" asked Maximus, and this only received a glare from Roman.

"What is it?" questioned Roman, not knowing what Maximus was doing here when he was supposed to be outside with some human. According to their previous discussion, they were leaving Veteris in the evening.

Maximus' eyes lit up, and he said, "Well, the girls said they were bored and wanted to head to the town. So Simon and I thought, why not go and watch a movie. You know, eat some popcorns like the humans and maybe play some arcade—"

"You can go with them. I am going to catch some sleep," responded Roman, and he went to close the door, but Maximus quickly stuck his head in.

"Haven't you been sleeping since last night?" frowned Maximus and said, "We are going to the Greasy Corner, which is nearly two hours from here. They are showing this movie about some sort of zombie apocalypse."

Roman let go of the door and walked back near his bed. He muttered under his breath, "I should have picked a tree to sleep in." Walking to the closet, he pulled open the little fridge and grabbed the blood can. "If you want to see and hear people scream, you can have a five dimension experience by scaring a human before compelling them."

Maximus entered the room, dressed and playing with the piercing in his tongue. A grin broke through his lips, and he said, "You are right about it. But what if I said that Greasy Corner's town is where your penpal is, where the theatre is. Will you refuse that too?"

Roman rolled his eyes, "I am not in love with her, Max." He pulled back the ring on the can and took a sip from it.

"I am aware of it," Maximus nodded his head. "But I sense something stirring here. All the other letters you receive always go straight into the bin. But hers didn't."

"It was because you decided to pick her letter which was written to her uncle," replied Roman, and Maximus looked thoughtful before he started laughing.

"Did I turn into a cupid?!"

Roman had a deadpanned look on his face, glaring at Maximus, who finally decided not to push his luck with Roman. "How do you know where they live? Stalking the friend?" questioned Roman, bringing the can to his lips. He sipped a mouthful of blood before lowering the can and leaning his back against the table.

"It was Simon, the sneaky vampire asked the boy. By the way, you know you will have to stop tutoring the girl when the Elders arrive, don't you?" questioned Maximus, and Roman nodded his head. The Elders were the oldest vampires who thought too highly of themselves because of the strength and powers that they held within themselves.

Though there were towns after Veteris, no arcade games were available, nor nearby theatres showed the new movies. The theatre in the nearest town only showed the older movies in black and white.

Knowing Maximus would probably sit in the room the whole day, Roman finished the can of blood and finally picked up his keys and left the dorm with Maximus.

In the town of Greasy corner, where Melanie and Conner lived, the three had reached the theatre. Conner went to the counter to get the tickets, while Julie and Melanie went to the food counter to drink and eat while watching the movie.

There were still thirty minutes before the movie would start.

Julie looked around the place and saw people, who were currently crowded at the front side of the theatre. She had worn a skirt and a blouse that revealed her collarbones.

Unlike her usual attire, where she wore her sweater and hair tied, Julie had let down her hair. It wasn't just her, but even Melanie had changed her clothing style as now they weren't in the university. It felt like it had been long since the last time she had dressed up for anything.

When the person in front of them stepped away from the counter, Julie stepped forward and said, "Two cheese popcorns, one caramel, two puff pastry and three pepsi."

"Anything else?" asked the man, who was behind the counter, and Melanie, who was still reading the menu, asked,

"Could we get three slices of cake, please?"

"Of course," the man nodded his head, a polite smile on his face and he went to fetch everything that they had ordered.

Melanie turned to look at where Conner was, something Julie had started to notice since she had found out yesterday about Melanie's feelings for him. Julie decided to have Melanie sit next to Conner so that there could be some sort of possible development. Everyone needed a little nudge, she thought in her mind, deciding to play cupid.

When another person came to stand at the next counter, Julie turned to look at the people and she turned away before looking again at Simon and Maximus standing there. Feeling Julie's gaze, Simon said, "Fancy seeing you here, Julie. Melanie," he gave a nod to the girls, who were surprised on seeing them here.

"What are you doing here?" asked Melanie, and Julie turned her head, noticing Olivia wave at her and next to her stood a grumpy Victoria.

"We?" asked Simon, looking at the front and with a straight face and said, "We work at the counters over the weekends."

Maximus laughed, and Melanie stared at the two boys without commenting anything on it, not finding Simon's words to be funny.

Simon then said, "We came here to watch the movie. Heard quite some good reviews about it, and the girls were dying to do something different than usual. I mean, who doesn't love a good zombie movie with blood dripping all around and being eaten," the corner of his eyes crinkled, showing the crows feet.

This time both Julie and Melanie were spooked by his words. Simon smiled as if to ease the tension. On time, Conner arrived with the tickets, and he looked at the seniors.

"I didn't know we were all meeting here today," commented Conner, and the two seniors nodded their heads.

"I mentioned to Olivia that you were going to watch this movie and we checked the reviews," answered Simon. How were they able to check the reviews if there was no internet? Questioned Julie in her mind, having a look of suspicion in her eyes. Her eyes turned to where the girls were and then behind them. It seemed like Roman had not joined them, she noted to herself.

"Which seats are you seated in?" asked Maximus, and Conner raised his hand that held the three tickets.

"Twelve E to G," replied Conner.

When the man at the counter returned, he placed the trays and said the amount they had to pay. Julie opened her wallet to pay, but before that, Simon placed his card and said, "It would be rude to not treat the juniors when we have come here together, isn't it?"

"I think it is rude to make you pay for our food," replied Julie, her tone polite. She wasn't comfortable with the idea of someone else paying for her. After all, it wasn't like the seniors were friends with them.

"It is?" questioned Simon, his ginger hair standing out from the rest of the people.

Maximus intervened by saying, "It might be because they don't know us well."

Julie nodded her head because it was true, and their relationship had been nothing but seniors and juniors. Simon gave it a thought while the guy at the counter looked confused if he should take the cash or the card. The red-headed boy stated, "Then we should sit together and watch the movie together. What better way to get to know each other by enjoying horror together."

Until now, she thought Maximus was pushy, but this other senior was manipulatively sketchy with his words. She then realized that the whole group was like that, the boys.

"Thank you," the three of them murmured and stepped away from the counter while holding the trays of food and cold drinks in their hands.

While making their way from the counter towards the seats to sit, Julie caught sight of a person in his ripped jeans, black shirt and black boots. Roman Moltenore was here. People, who had come to watch the movie, took note of him, their eyes lingered on him as he made his way to where Olivia and Victoria stood. He had a disinterested look on his face, a hint of an intimidating look that kept the strangers away.

Melanie hit Conner, and Conner hunched his back, "Why are you hitting me?!"

"Why did you go and tell them that we are going to watch this movie?" questioned Melanie with her lips set in a thin line. "You have a mouth that doesn't know when to keep quiet."

Julie couldn't help but agree with Melanie's words. Conner seemed to be a person who trusted every person openly as if they were harmless. He said, "Huh? But what is wrong with them being here? I mean, I swear I didn't invite them, and he just happened to ask about my weekend plans."

"Who else did you tell?" whispered Melanie, and Conner scratched the tip of his nose as if he was going to get scolded by his best friend even more.

"Well, I think that depends on what telling and explaining about the movie means here," replied Conner, and Julie subtly frowned.

And right on time, Eleanor and her group entered through the entrance, and Julie turned her back to them. "I don't even speak to her, so don't look at me," Conner tried to raise his hands, but instead, he only raised the tray in his hand.

"Let's hope that they aren't sitting close to them," remarked Julie, because that would be a true horror to her.

"I would have never pegged that she was into this type of movie," commented Melanie, looking at Eleanor and her friends who were buying their tickets. "It is hard to predict her."

"I told you, the reviews are amazing. I picked the best movie of the season," replied Conner, sorting out the things in his tray.

On the other hand, Julie's eyes were more focused on the popcorn that shone in front of her eyes. Bending her head, she caught hold of the popcorns in her mouth without making use of her hands. At the same time, Roman had turned to look at her. He had a bored expression on his face as if he didn't want to be here.

Julie wondered if perhaps Roman was interested in gardening. Because he had mentioned catching bugs twice in the letter.

Though she listened to her friends speak, her eyes wandered to where Roman stood. Without his jacket, he looked less bulky and tall. The tattoos on his arm were exposed as he didn't cover it with his jacket.

"Dennis?"

Julie heard Melanie mention the name, and she turned her head to catch sight of the senior, who entered the theatre with another boy, whom she guessed to be his friend. When Melanie turned to look at Conner with a questioning look, he said, "This is a popular movie."

"Conner!" Dennis raised his hand to wave at them, and he walked to where they were. "I was worried that the show must have already started and we would miss the beginning and also miss each other. It is good to see you, Julie and Melanie."

"Same here," replied Julie.

"You should go and buy the tickets if you don't want to sit in the front," advised Conner, and Dennis nodded his head.

"We'll be back soon," said Conner and left their side.

"I wouldn't be surprised if every student came to watch here through Conner's word," said Melanie, letting her head rest on Julie's shoulder.

The truth was that, though Simon had taken the information from Conner and Dennis had heard it from Conner too, Eleanor and her friends had heard someone speak about the popular clique heading to watch the movie and the girls quickly changed their plans.

Dennis and his friend appeared again, and he finally introduced the boy next to him, "This is Emanuel. My childhood friend. This is Conner, Melanie and Julie."

The boy named Emanuel nodded his head, his eyes settling on Julie, and he said, "I have heard about you from Dennis."

Julie's eyes shifted to Dennis, who smiled at her and then returned to look at Emanuel, "You have?"

"Yes," Emanuel nodded his head and then said, "You seem even prettier in person."

Julie could only assume what Dennis might have told his friend about her, and both Melanie and her eyes met. She gave an awkward smile to the boy.

To keep herself busy, Julie took hold of the straw and sipped her cold drink without letting it go. Her eyes wandered around and fell on Roman, who was looking at her. His eyes held her gaze for three seconds before he looked back to reply to Maximus.

With only two more minutes left for the movie to start, everyone started to head towards 'screen 2' doors.

"Looks like many students from Veteris are here today," Julie heard Olivia's comment when they got closer.

"True. Looks like a mini trip," murmured Simon, his eyes looking at the girl's group and then at Julie's friends, who were now being accompanied by Dennis and his friend. The doors opened, and everyone started to walk inside.

Somehow Roman's group and Julie's group had come to walk close to each other. When Julie came close to Roman, she whispered, "I didn't know you were also going to watch this movie. What happened to catching bugs?"

Roman's lips twitched, and he said, "It is still going on. You seem excited about the movie," he added."

Julie nodded her head, her brown eyes sparkling under the dim blue light of the path. She said, "It has been a long time since I watched a movie in the theatre."

"Hm," he responded, noticing how the girl looked different than usual. She looked soft to one's eyes, a smile on her lips, and somewhere she seemed to be in a good mood. Even though she wore her glasses, he noticed she looked lovely today.

Roman's eyes unconsciously fell on her lips, when her tongue peeked out and ran on her bottom lip as if to remove the last residue of the cheese popcorn that she had earlier eaten.

Making their way to check where their seats were, Julie and her friends realized they were sharing the same row with Roman's friends as one of them had bought the tickets right after the other. Dennis and his friends were sitting two rows in front of their seat, while Eleanor and her friends sat on the other side.

Maximus, who was playing with the pin in his mouth, said, "Ladies first." Victoria and Olivia were the first ones to get in. Maximus then got in.

"Why don't you go in, it is always wonderful to mix and sit," said Simon looking at Conner. Conner started to walk in to be followed by Melanie. Before Julie could follow them, Simon politely smiled at her and asked Julie, "You wouldn't mind if I sit next, do you? I get a headache if I sit too far from the screen."

Huh?

Julie saw Simon walk and take a seat next to Melanie, getting comfortable there. With only two more seats at the corner, Roman went ahead and sat next to his friend, leaving Julie to sit next to Roman.