Crushing on a Capulet Read Online Free PDF Page B

you!”
    â€œHey, thanks, Jules,” I said. “You are pretty cool.”
    â€œNow, shoo! Shoo! I must get ready.”
    We yanked a couple of masks out of the chest, clambered over the marble balcony, and climbed down the tree that coiled up from the flower garden below.
    Mr. Capulet came storming into Juliet’s room.
    â€œHurry!” said Frankie.
    â€œHey, climbing is not so easy when you’re all twisted up in skintight tights, you know!” I jumped the last few feet to the ground below.
    â€œAs if it’s a picnic wearing a dress longer than a bedsheet,” said Frankie. “This balcony could definitely use a ladder.”
    â€œOr an elevator!” I grunted.
    The sun was going down quickly, casting shadows in the curving streets outside the Capulet house. The party was just getting into full swing. Music was playing. There was the clank and ping of dishes, which meant lots of munchies for me.
    We pulled our masks over our faces. Mine was in the shape of a monkey. Frankie wore a bird’s face.
    â€œGet ready for the big scene,” I said. “Where Romeo and Juliet finally meet!”
    â€œIt’s going to be cool,” said Frankie. “But keep a lookout for Romeo. I hope he doesn’t chicken out and fly away.”
    â€œThis, coming from a person wearing a beak,” I said.
    Then, just as we were about to enter the house, we heard a bunch of young men stumbling along the street behind us. They were all dressed in masks, except one. But we probably would have recognized him just from the noises he was making.
    He was sighing like a leaky balloon.
    â€œOh, dear me! Oh, me, me, me!”
    I laughed. “Here comes Romeo. In a few minutes he’ll meet Juliet and then—fireworks!”
    â€œMaybe those fireworks are going to fizzle out,” said Frankie. “It looks like I was right. Romeo’s trying to get away!”

Chapter 6
    By the time we reached Romeo, he had already started to walk away. His buddies tried to convince him to go to the party, but he was one tough sell.
    â€œI will not go,” said Romeo with a sigh.
    One of his pals removed his mask. He was short and lively, with a big, smiling face. He looked like he just wanted to have a good time.
    â€œBut, Romeo!” he said. “We must have you dance!”
    â€œMercutio,” said Romeo, shaking his head wearily at this new character. “You have dancing shoes with nimble soles. I have a soul of lead. It weighs me to the ground. I cannot move.”
    Mercutio laughed. “But you are in love. Lovers have Cupid’s wings to help them soar above the ground!”
    â€œGood one!” I said.
    I had to admit, I sort of liked this new character.
    The Capulet shindig was getting louder by the minute. We heard even more clinking of silverware and glasses.
    â€œSoon, the dancing will be done,” said Benvolio, peeking into a side window. “Supper is already started! We shall come too late.”
    Romeo peered over Benvolio’s shoulder into the Capulets’ living room. “My mind tells me the stars are not right for a visit to our enemy’s house … but if everyone else is going … then I suppose I will go, too.”
    â€œThat’s the spirit!” cried Mercutio, grabbing Romeo, Frankie, and me by the arm and pushing us to the front door. “Put on your masks, gentlemen, and young lady, and in we go!”
    We all put on our masks—Romeo’s was a tiger—and marched to the front of the Capulets’ house, slipped past all the heavily armed guards as if we were Capulets ourselves, and strode into the front room.
    I tell you, this room was something. It was like an exhibit in an old-house museum, but all aglow with life. Candles blazed everywhere, shedding their light on about a hundred people. In the corner, a small combo was playing strange-shaped instruments. But everyone seemed to think it was good dance