Chapter 4
The closer Anne got to the ballroom, the more her frustration with William seemed to fade away, though his words still lingered in her mind. Juliet has a crush on you. On her. Of all people.
“Damnit,” she murmured softly, the sound of her voice the only thing breaking the quiet of the hallway.
This was certainly not how she had wanted things to go. Anne had never imagined she’d be in a situation like this, especially not with someone like Juliet. The thought of Juliet harbouring feelings for her was unexpected, confusing, and yet... she couldn’t quite push it away. What was she supposed to do now? Pretend she hadn’t heard? Ignore it and go about things as usual? But how could she when the idea of it swirled in her thoughts, making it hard to focus on anything else?
Anne took a deep breath, leaning against the cool wall of the hallway. It wasn’t that she didn’t care about Juliet—she did. But this? It was hard to make sense of, and the thought kept lingering, even though she didn’t quite know what to do with it. Juliet had a way about her—smart, confident, always so sure of herself—and Anne had always admired that. But this? It was unexpected. She hadn’t seen it coming, especially not from someone like Juliet. This wasn’t how she’d planned for things to unfold, but that was okay. Anne had handled plenty of unexpected situations before and now it was time for April to do the same. So, this? This was nothing she couldn’t manage.
She took another deep breath, trying to shake off the unease that had settled in her chest. The tension was still there, but the more she thought about it, the less it felt like something to be afraid of. The truth was, Juliet was… charming. And bright. And, she had a way of making everything feel just a little more interesting. Anne didn’t exactly mind it.
What now? She tilted her head, her thoughts finally falling into place. Keep it simple. There was no need to make this more complicated than it was. She’d talk to Juliet, see where things stood, and go from there. It wasn’t the end of the world. It was just… new.
A soft smile tugged at her. Sure, this whole situation was unexpected. But maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing.
She pushed herself off the wall, straightening up. Alright, she thought, let’s see what happens next. There was no reason to overthink it right now. She’d deal with whatever came her way—and Anne was sure that April certainly wouldn’t mind some dramatic love story of her own.
--
The ballroom was humming with life, a mixture of chatter, music, and laughter, creating a gleeful and relaxed atmosphere. Juliet let her gaze roam over the small crowd, scanning it for familiar faces.
She finally spotted Frankie, standing alone in a corner. He looked out of place, his shoulders slightly hunched and his eyes darting aimlessly around the room as he fidgeted with his fingers.
Juliet turned to May and tilted her head toward Frankie. “Come on,” she said briskly and took May’s hand. May nodded and followed as Juliet made her way across the room, careful not to accidentally run into someone she knew.
“Frankie,” Juliet called softly as they reached him, her voice cutting through the noise just enough for him to be able to hear.
Startled, Frankie looked up from his fidgeting hands. Relief flickered across his face. “Finally, you’re here,” he sounded relieved and relaxed his shoulders a little bit.
“We need to talk,” Juliet said, her expression a careful balance of warmth and insistence. She gestured toward an empty spot nearby, away from the prying eyes and ears of the crowd. “Come with me.”
He hesitated for a moment, glancing at May, who offered a reassuring smile. Then, with a reluctant nod, he followed Juliet into the quieter corner, curious to hear what she had to say.
“That is your plan? How on earth is that going to work? It’s not even a plan, really!” Frankie raised a sceptical eyebrow at Juliet, not quite convinced that her plan was going to work. Juliet however, smiled at him and waved it off.
“Get out of your head and trust me! You’ll see, everything is going to be just fine.” She tried to hide her own anxiety with a soft laugh.
Frankie gave her a small smile, not thoroughly convinced it would work, but eager to find out whether he might be wrong.
“Well let’s not waste any more time, time to get this party going!” Jumping from her chair, Juliet clapped her hands in excitement and skipped away, leaving May and Frankie behind. As she reached the door that led into a small side room, she heard a familiar voice call her name.
“Juliet! There you are, I have been looking everywhere for you.” She stopped dead in her tracks and flinched upon hearing her mother’s voice. The accusatory undertone was clear and sharp, and Juliet did her best to avoid direct eye contact as her mother approached her.
“You are late. Do you have any idea how important this day is for our family?” Lady Capulet stood before her and crossed her arms as she awaited her daughter’s response.
Juliet swallowed hard, her eyes darting nervously around the room before returning to her mother. “Yes, of course. My apologies. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must prepare for the wedding,” she said, her voice tight as she attempted to excuse herself from the uncomfortable situation.
Her mother’s hand shot out, gripping her arm firmly.
“Not so fast,” she said, her gaze cold and stern. “I’ll be accompanying you. I think it’s best if I keep an eye on you.”
“Lady Capulet, I am sure you have far more important business to attend. If you don’t mind me interfering, I could accompany Juliet and make sure everything goes as planned.” April emerged from the crowd, a friendly but formal smile on her face.
Juliet’s heart skipped with joy at the sight of the redhead, and she felt her shoulders relax as April effortlessly stepped into the conversation, her presence confident as always. Had she been here the whole time? She hadn’t noticed her when she’d entered the room with May.
Lady Capulet raised a finely arched brow, clearly weighing the offer. After a brief pause, she nodded curtly.
“Very well. I trust you will handle this appropriately,” Lady Capulet said, her tone cold but approving, nonetheless. With that, she hurried away into the crowd.
April turned to Juliet, the formal expression softening into a warm and genuine smile. “Are you alright?” she asked, her voice quieter now, meant just for Juliet.
“Well, I am now,” Juliet replied, her lips curving into a grateful smile. She could feel the tension that had built in her chest beginning to loosen.
April offered her arm with a touch of playful formality, and Juliet hesitated for a brief moment before taking it. She could feel her cheeks blushing slightly from the touch and was thankful that April didn’t seem to notice.
As they entered the small side room, the noise of the ballroom faded into the background, and the air seemed to thicken with the sudden shift in atmosphere. The room was quiet, dimly lit, and filled with the scent of roses from the arrangement on a nearby table. Juliet found herself more at ease now that her mother was no longer following her every steps.
When she felt that her cheeks had returned to a normal colour, she turned to April and gave her a soft smile. “Thank you, that was very kind of you.”
April gave her a small, reassuring smile. "You don't have to thank me," she replied, her tone light but sincere. "I'm just glad I can help." Her gaze softened, and she stepped a little closer to Juliet, her presence comforting and warm.
Juliet couldn’t help but feel herself drawn to April, her presence both calming and unexpectedly captivating at the same time. She glanced up at April, their eyes meeting for a brief moment before she quickly darted her eyes away, already feeling a new wave of blood rushing into her cheeks. You better get yourself together and you better do it fast, she mentally scolded herself.
The air between them felt light, but Juliet could not deny the connection she felt, even if she couldn’t fully explain it. It was subtle, yet undeniable, just beneath the surface. April’s gaze was still on her, and though she tried to steady herself, Juliet found herself wanting to linger in the quiet moment between them.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” April’s voice was soft, like a gentle nudge, drawing Juliet’s attention away from her thoughts and back to reality.
Juliet nodded, managing a small smile. “Yeah, just… a lot going on.” She took a deep breath and steadied herself before continuing. “But we should really hurry, there is a crowd waiting and even worse, my mother,” she frowned at the thought.
April chuckled, the sound light and warm. “I’m sure she’s got everything planned, just how it would suit her.” Her gaze lingered on Juliet for a brief moment, a playful spark in her eyes. “But you’re right. Let’s get this over with.”
April extended her arm again, this time with a touch of exaggerated formality, and Juliet rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped. She slipped her hand into April’s offered arm, and they headed toward the door, the muted hum of the ballroom slowly growing louder as they approached.
As they walked, April leaned slightly closer, her voice low enough that it felt like a secret. “You know, you’re handling all of this better than most would.”
Juliet raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at her lips. “Oh, really? You think trying to keep my mother off my back and failing miserably doing so, counts as ‘handling it’?”
“Well, considering the circumstances? Absolutely,” April teased, her grin widening. “Besides, I’ve seen people crumble under far less pressure. You’re holding up well.”
Juliet felt her cheeks warm again but disguised it with a light laugh. “Flattery will get you nowhere, you know.”
“Who said I was trying to get anywhere?” April shot back, the faintest edge of mischief in her tone.
Juliet glanced at her, momentarily caught off guard by the ease of their banter. Despite the whirlwind of expectations and obligations surrounding her, being with April felt… easy. Natural. She’d noticed it before, but the feeling seemed to grow with each conversation, with each smile April gave her.
They reached the ballroom, pausing just before the grand doors. Juliet let out a small sigh, her hand still resting on April’s arm. “Ready to face the crowd?” she asked, trying to look as confident and composed as possible.
April tilted her head, her eyes warm as they met Juliet’s. “Only if you are.”
For a brief moment, Juliet forgot about the waiting crowd, her mother’s sharp gaze, and the weight of everything that was waiting for her. There was something about the way April looked at her. Her eyes were reassuring, kind and…There was something else in April’s eyes, but Juliet could not quite put her finger on it. She dismissed the thought almost instantly; the nerves were probably getting to her. Yes, that had to be it. Just the nerves.
Taking a deep breath, Juliet nodded. “Alright. Let’s do this.”
With that, they stepped through the doors, the ballroom's light and sound surrounding them. Yet even amidst all the noise and chaos of the crowd, Juliet felt a quiet steadiness within her—a steadiness she couldn’t help but think had something to do with the redhead at her side.
--
The grand ballroom seemed to be buzzing in anticipation, the guests engaged in lively conversations. Candles and chandeliers cast a warm glow over the elegantly dressed people, a soft, faint music completing the warm and familial atmosphere. Juliet stood at the centre of it all, her dress immaculate, her posture poised—but inside, she was anything but calm.
She knew that what was to come was about to be everything but easy, but it was necessary. Taking a deep breath, she shot April one last glance, seeking some kind of reassurance. April squeezed her arm kindly, before softly pushing her forward.
She felt relieved when she saw Frankie slowly approaching her. His expression mirrored her own feelings, his shoulders slouched and his eyes darting nervously around the room. He looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here. Juliet reached out, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
“It’s going to be okay. Trust me,” she said softly, offering him a small, encouraging smile.
Frankie hesitated, then managed a faint smile in return. “Okay,” he murmured, his voice quiet and unsure.
Taking his hand, Juliet led him toward the altar where they were supposed to be married. The weight of dozens of eyes shifted onto them, and the room fell silent, the low hum of chatter slowly fading into nothing. Juliet could feel her mother’s icy gaze from across the ballroom, sharp and commanding, pulling her back to a version of herself she no longer wanted to be.
Her grip on Frankie’s hand tightened. It was grounding—for both of them, she hoped. She took a moment to steady herself, her eyes searching the crowd for April, hoping to get a glance of that warm, calming smile of hers. She found her standing only a couple metres away from her, giving her a small nod that made her feel more confident about herself instantly.
Juliet let go of Frankie’s hand, taking a firm step forward. She tried her best to avoid her mother’s gaze, only focusing on April and her comforting presence. She took a deep breath, silently counting to ten as she tried to gather her thoughts. Once she felt somewhat calm, Juliet cleared her throat, the sound sharp in the quiet room, and began to speak.
“Thank you all for coming. Truly, we appreciate your presence,” she began, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. A pause hung in the air as she chose her next words carefully. “But we have an important announcement to make—there will be no wedding today.”
A collective gasp went through the room, followed by an uneasy murmur. Juliet could feel her mother’s piercing glare even without looking. But she didn’t falter. She couldn’t—not now.
“It’s very simple, really,” Juliet continued, her voice steady despite the nerves threatening to surface. “Frankie and I care for each other deeply, but only as friends. That’s all it’s ever been, and that’s all it ever will be.”
She risked a glance at Frankie, who gave her a small, encouraging smile, and she felt the weight of the moment lessen slightly. Movement from the corner of her eye caught her attention—her mother, storming toward her with fury in each of her steps. Juliet braced herself for whatever would come next.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Juliet said, her tone calm, “there’s something I need to attend to.”
She stepped away from the centre of attention, slipping behind a grand column, shielded from the countless prying eyes, and allowed herself a moment to breathe.
“What on earth do you think you’re doing?” Lady Capulet’s voice rang out, sharp and furious, as she stormed across the ballroom, her heels clicking loudly against the polished floor. But before Lady Capulet could close the distance, April stepped smoothly into her path, her expression calm but unwavering.
“I’m sorry, Lady Capulet,” she said, her tone polite yet firm, “but I think Juliet deserves a moment to collect herself.”
“This is none of your business!” Lady Capulet snapped; her anger growing as she glared at April. “Let me speak to my daughter—alone!”
April didn’t flinch, meeting Lady Capulet’s furious gaze with quiet strength. “With all due respect, Lady Capulet, Juliet has made her point very clear. Perhaps it’s time to listen.”
The room seemed to hold its breath, the tension between them as thick as the silence that followed. Behind April, Juliet watched, a mixture of awe and gratitude swelling in her chest.
“April is right mum, you should finally listen to me. I am not a kid anymore, I am capable of making my own choices.”
Her mother wanted already opened her mouth to snap back at her, but Juliet held up her hand to cut her off.
“Let me finish. I am not going to marry someone, just for the point of marrying. If I marry someday, it will be for love and not social status. Now do as you like, entertain the guests, or cancel the party, I really don’t care. I’m leaving.”
With one final glance at her mother, whose face was a mixture of shock and anger, Juliet turned on her heel. Without waiting for a response, she strode purposefully toward the grand doors, her heart racing but her resolve steady. She pushed them open, stepping into the hallway and letting its calm silence offer her a much-needed breath of freedom.
--
The ballroom’s laughter and music faded into the distance, leaving only the pounding of her own heart and the echo of her mother’s angry words. Juliet wandered through the empty halls, her feet moving on their own as her mind raced. She could still hear her mother’s angry voice in her head, could still feel the weight of the ballroom’s stares. She had done it. But was it the right decision? What would happen next?
Without thinking, she found herself outside in the courtyard. The night air was cool against her skin, and the stillness of the space wrapped around her like a blanket. She walked to the stone wall she’d sat on the day before, her hands restless in her lap. She wasn’t sure if she was more relieved or anxious.
She let out a soft sigh, tilting her head back to stare at the sky. Her thoughts swirled endlessly, each one tumbling into the next without resolution. She had no idea what was going to happen now, or what her future would look like after everything that had just unfolded.
Then, she heard footsteps. She didn’t need to glance up to know who it was. April’s presence was unmistakable.
“So don’t you think it was a bit rude to just run off without me?” Juliet could hear the smirk in April’s voice as she came to sit beside Juliet on the wall.
Juliet smiled weakly but didn’t look at her. “I didn’t mean to. I just… I don’t know. I’m not sure what I’ve done.”
April didn’t say anything at first. She just stayed quiet, sitting beside Juliet, waiting. Then, after a moment, she spoke again, her voice low but sure. “You did the right thing. You can’t marry someone you don’t love. You’ve got to follow your heart.” April soft took Juliet’s hand in hers and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
“What if I don’t know what I want?” Juliet whispered, her voice tinged with doubt. “What if I’m just... lost?”
April’s hand tightened around hers, the gesture simple but grounding. She didn’t speak immediately, just looked at Juliet with a calm, steady gaze. “You’re not lost, Juliet. You’re just figuring it out. And that’s okay.”
The words settled into Juliet’s chest, the weight there lightening just a little. She turned to look at April, and in her eyes, she found something that made the storm in her heart quiet for a moment. There was no judgment there—only understanding. April wasn’t rushing her, wasn’t pushing her to have it all figured out. She was just... there.
“I think…” Juliet started, her voice a bit higher than she had intended it to be. She bit her lip, unsure of how to say what had been building inside her for so long. Her heart beat faster now, each thud louder in her chest. She met April’s gaze. “I think I may actually be in love with someone.”
April raised an eyebrow, a slight grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Is this someone I should be worried about?” she teased, her thumb tracing the back of Juliet’s hand lightly.
Juliet looked at her, feeling a mixture of nerves and relief. “I don’t know. Should you?” she shot back, trying to sound more confident than she felt.
April gave her a knowing look. “Well, I can’t say I’m too concerned. You’ve been looking pretty lost in love for the past few days.”
Juliet’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly looked away, not sure if she was more embarrassed by how obvious it had been or by the fact that April had noticed. “Okay, maybe I’m not so subtle,” she admitted, glancing back at April. “But it’s... complicated.”
April leaned in a little, her voice softening, but her eyes still holding a playful glint. “Complicated how? You’ve got this whole ‘tragic lover’ thing going on, don’t you? Sighing dramatically in the corner of the room, lost in thought?”
Juliet laughed, despite the flutter of nerves in her stomach. “I do not sigh dramatically. I’m not that bad.”
April smirked, clearly unconvinced. “You totally are. I’ve seen it.”
Juliet rolled her eyes but couldn’t help but smile. “Okay, fine, maybe there’s some dramatic sighing. But it’s different. It’s just... I don’t know what to do about it.”
April squeezed her hand again, her expression softening. “You just need to figure out if you’re ready to do something about it.”
Juliet hesitated, looking down at their hands. “And what if I’m not sure if I’m ready for that?”
“Then don’t do anything and regret it for the rest of your life,” April said with a shrug and grinned at her.
Juliet’s heart skipped a beat at April’s words, the playful grin on April’s face only making the tension between them stronger. “Gee, thanks for the encouragement,” Juliet said, trying to sound light-hearted, though she could feel the weight of her thoughts. “Really helping me work through my commitment issues here.”
April chuckled, her thumb continuing its gentle movement on Juliet’s hand. “Hey, just saying, it’s a lot harder to regret something you did than something you didn’t.”
Juliet exhaled slowly, letting the tension in her chest ease just a bit. She turned to look at April, her eyes searching, though she still didn’t quite know what she was looking for. “And if I’m scared?”
“Then we’ll be scared together,” April replied, her voice soft but unwavering. “You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.”
Juliet felt her pulse quicken at the simplicity of April’s words. She opened her mouth to say something—anything—but the words got stuck. It felt like she had a million things to say, but they all felt too big, too messy. Instead, she found herself leaning in closer to April, drawn by some magnetic pull she couldn’t explain.
April seemed to notice the shift. Her teasing smile softened, her eyes locking onto Juliet’s with an intensity that made Juliet’s heart race. “You’re thinking about it, aren’t you?”
“How are you always so calm about everything?”
April gave a slow, teasing grin. “You think you’re the only one who’s nervous? I’ve been trying to figure out if you were ever going to do something about it.”
Juliet blinked, caught off guard. “What do you mean?” Could it really be that she felt the same way?
April leaned in just a little, her voice playful but warm. “Oh, I don’t know. All those looks, the sighs.” She smirked. “I’ve seen you staring at me across the room more times than I care to admit. I was just wondering when you’d finally say something.”
Juliet’s cheeks went bright red as she glanced away. “Okay, maybe I’ve been a little obvious,” she admitted, her heart racing. “But I don’t know what to do.”
April’s grin softened, and she leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling. “Then let me make it easier for you.”
Before Juliet could process, April’s lips were on hers. It wasn’t a hesitant kiss—it was confident, soft, and sure. Like April was saying, I’m here, and I feel the same way.
And then, without thinking, she kissed her back, her heart hammering in her chest. All the confusion, all the hesitation, melted away in the heat of April’s touch.
When they pulled apart, both a little breathless, Juliet blinked a few times like she was trying to recalibrate. “Well, I guess that’s one way to do it.”
April laughed softly, her fingers still brushing against the back of Juliet’s hand. “Yeah, I figured you needed a little push.”
Juliet smirked, still a little dazed. “And here I thought I was the one who was supposed to be doing all the grand gestures.”
April shrugged playfully, her eyes sparkling. “I’m just making sure you don’t have any regrets.”
Juliet grinned. “I can’t say I’m complaining.” She shifted closer, her voice teasing. “You really think we’re done here? I mean, I’m pretty sure we’re still working on this whole not being ridiculously nervous thing.”
April chuckled, raising an eyebrow. “Oh, we’ll keep working on it. But right now, I’m just enjoying not waiting around anymore.”
Juliet’s heart fluttered again, and she leaned in this time, kissing April softly, lingering for just a moment before pulling away. “I’m glad you did that,” she whispered, her smile wide and warm. “I was starting to think I might never get it right.”
April chuckled softly, her lips brushing against Juliet’s cheek. “I don’t think anyone’s keeping score. But maybe next time, you can make the first move.”
Juliet laughed, a little breathless. “Oh, so now we’re making it a competition?”
April grinned. “Hey, I’m just here for the fun of it.”
With that, Juliet couldn’t help but laugh again, the nervous tension finally gone.
Whatever came next, she knew that, for once, she wasn’t facing it alone.