Letters to Romeo

Julie's hands turned cold, and her lips parted, but no words came out of it. She was too stunned. It was because she hadn't expected this.

Aunt Sarah's eyes had narrowed, her face filled with shock. But the worst thing for Julie was the person who stood next to her. Julie's uncle stood there, staring at her in disappointment in his eyes, and shifted to look at Roman, the boy who was going to kiss his niece before his eyes went back to look at her.

Both her uncle and aunt looked at Roman as if he was someone alien to them, noticing the chain around his neck and ripped jeans and the cuff rings on his ear.

Julie released her clenched hands, deciding to speak rather than increase her nervousness of being caught. She started to walk, making her way where her relatives stood. Coming to stand in front of them, she awkwardly smiled and opened her mouth to speak.

"Good evening Uncle Thomas and Aunt Sarah," Julie greeted them, trying to hide the nervousness that coursed through her body. "I didn't know you were visiting me today." If she knew beforehand, she would have never left Veteris today, even if the Corvin would come to haunt her in the class.

Uncle Thomas stared at Julie as if tongue-tied after nearly witnessing Julie being kissed. Gathering himself, he said, "Ah, we came here to meet you. There was something I wanted to speak to you about—"

"Your uncle and I came here to see our beloved niece, who is studying in an esteemed university. Your uncle was telling how proud he was of you, that you got admitted here, that you have been concentrating on your studies, and working hard to get good grades. But looks like your uncle was wrong," said Aunt Sarah, her voice hard and briefly looking at Roman. "Not only are you skipping classes, but you have been getting into multiple detentions."

Julie turned red, "It is true, but the detention wasn't intentional. I received it out of misunderstandings and I can tell you how," she tried to explain.

But Aunt Sarah seemed to have found a reason to make Julie guilty. In a low voice, which only Julie and her husband could hear, the woman said, "We don't need you to be explaining about anything, when we went to look for you, one of your teachers showed us about the number of times you got into trouble. Breaking the rules and for what? To go out with a delinquent like that?" she had an appalled expression on her face.

Before more words could be shared, Mr. Borrell appeared at the place, "Mr. and Mrs. Winters, a word in the office room. You too Ms. Winters," he said, giving Julie a look.

Why?! Asked Julie, alarmed by the current situation.

When Julie turned to look at Roman, another student came to call him and informed, "Moltenore, Ms. Dante would like to have a word with you. She's in the second office room."

Great, thought Julie in her mind. It seemed like they both were getting punished for skipping class? Roman gave Julie an assuring smile as if telling her not to worry, and he left the place first to meet the headmistress.

"Julianne?" Julie heard Aunt Sarah's voice call her.

Julie followed Mr. Borrell along with her uncle and aunt, making their way to the main office. On the way, the anxiety in her chest increased. She knew one or the other day, her relatives would find out about the number of rules she had broken, so maybe this was the time to take the blow and get over with it.

Taking a deep breath, she continued to walk. They reached the main building, and then the office room, Mr. Borrell entered it first, and then her aunt and uncle, to be lastly followed by Julie to step inside the room.

"Please take a seat," said Mr. Borrell, walking around the table, sitting on the lone chair behind it.

Julie waited for her uncle and aunt to sit down before she sat with them.

Aunt Sarah was the first one to speak, "I hope you don't punish Julianne for skipping today's classes. Her uncle and I will make sure that she follows the rules of the university."

Julie didn't like that her aunt was treating her like a child when she was way past that age and could decide things by herself. If she were in another university, this wouldn't have been a problem when it came to skipping classes. It was only that Veteris had absurd rules.

"That isn't the reason why I called you to the office, Mrs. Winters," spoke Mr. Borrell, placing both his hands at the table and holding them together. "Earlier, when you were speaking, you said something about not receiving the letters of Ms. Winter's reports."

Before Aunt Sarah could say something, Julie noticed Uncle Thomas place his hand on his wife's hand as if telling her to keep quiet. He then said,

"My wife wasn't aware of it. I must have missed reading it, because Julie has previously informed me that Veteris University would be sending letters to the house." And it was true, Julie had asked him not to open the letters. Only that, this time, the letter didn't reach the house as Roman had taken the letter from the lot before it was sent to the truck. Aunt Sarah turned to look at her husband. Uncle Thomas then continued, "I hope you won't expel my niece, young children do things in their youth, I am sure you understand it."

Julie gripped her sweater with both her hands, seeing Uncle Thomas was trying to steer the matter, unlike Aunt Sarah.

It didn't matter what Aunt Sarah thought about her, but Julie cared about what her uncle would think of her.

Mr. Borrell stared at her uncle. He said,

"No, I don't. Veteris is not just a name of the university, here we expect students to follow rules. And as Ms. Winters went as far as to break many rules, she will be punished in the detention room, with proper disciplinary actions. We aren't petty to expel students thoughtlessly." Julie's eyes shifted to look at the teacher in doubt. Did he forget that he caught students only to put them in detention?

"That is very kind of you, Mr…." Aunt Sarah seemed to have forgotten the man's name.

"Mr Borrell," came the curt answer from the teacher. "Another thing. I would like you to make Ms. Winters understand the choice of her company. As you know, this is a significant time for a student, and staying in bad company will only bring down her grades."

"Of course, we understand that and will make sure to speak to her on it," laughed Aunt Sarah. "Julie knows how important it is to study, and how fortunate she is to be admitted to such a prestigious university."

"That's good," said Mr. Borrell, moving his eyes to stare at Julie. "I look forward to seeing you correct your errors. So that you can have a better future."

Julie didn't nod her head, nor did she utter a word. She stared at the teacher as he had a few more words with her uncle and aunt before they stepped out of the room.

Once Julie and her relatives stepped out of the room and walked to the end of the corridor that was near the entrance of the building, Aunt Sarah spoke to Uncle Thomas in a low voice,

"You knew about the letters?" her aunt then turned to look at Julie. "Your mother had such dreams for you, and this is how you repay her?"

Julie didn't understand why her aunt had decided to take a sudden interest in what she did, where in the last two months, she hadn't bothered with it. She said, "The detentions I received was not because I did something bad. It was just bad timing and I was caught at the wrong times."

"Like now? With that rowdy looking boy?" Aunt Sarah raised her eyebrows.

A sigh escaped from the woman's lips as if she was tired. "Your parents raised you better than this, Julianne. Do you think your mother would be happy if she knew what you have been doing here? What were you even doing with him outside, when you have classes going on?"

"We were studying," replied Julie, "It's not that bad, and he's a good person. He has been helping me in improving my grades and I didn't do anything bad," her aunt was making it look like she had committed an awful crime.

"Do you think we didn't see what was going to happen back there? And what was with that attire? Boy's like that will treat you nice before they ruin your life, Julianne—"

"That's enough Sarah," said Uncle Thomas, stopping his wife from questioning Julie anymore.

Aunt Sarah sighed one more time and then said, "I am going to the restroom," and she turned her back and walked away from there.

Uncle Thomas then said, "News has reached me that your father escaped the prison and is on the run. That's why we came here, to inform you about it. I didn't know how to contact you, as there's no network here and thought to let you know as you seemed worried last time we spoke on the phone."

"I see… I am sorry I wasn't here to receive you," apologised Julie, meeting her uncle's eyes and her uncle gave her a nod.

"You don't have to worry about your father finding you here. I won't tell him anything about it and neither will your aunt. I will make sure you are safe," stated Uncle Thomas, making Julie feel guilty that she had somehow let him down. "Aren't the teachers here good enough to teach you?"

"They are… but he is a better teacher. He has been helping me with another subject. Roman is not bad, Uncle Thomas," Julie took Roman's side, not wanting her uncle to misunderstand him.

"I heard from that teacher of yours that he is a violent boy. Who gets into fights very often and beats them to the point where they need to visit the infirmary," though it wasn't a question, her uncle's eyes held a questioning look in them. "Even the teacher thinks it would be wise for you to stay away from his company. I think it would be best if you keep your distance from a boy like that."

At the thought of it, Julie's heart squeezed.

"Roman isn't how the teacher said. He has been there when I needed support, please. Give a chance in getting to know him," Julie tried to convince him, wanting both of them to get along.

"Your father… he used to get into many fights too, and look what happened… I don't want you to get into trouble," he placed his hand on her shoulder and offered her a smile. "Unfortunately, your aunt had planned for a trip with Joel and me and we won't be in town during the time of the annual day here. I wish I knew beforehand, I would have postponed the trip."

Julie shook her head, "That's fine, Uncle Thomas," she offered him a smile. The last time when she had visited them, she had heard Aunt Sarah mention the plans of the trip. "What time did you arrive here?"

"Around four o clock. We decided to wait for a while until the classes would get over. To inquire, we went to Mr. Borrell's office, which was when I found out you hadn't attended the class since this morning," explained Uncle Thomas, and she nodded her head.

"I see," murmured Julie under her breath, and she then asked, "Does the police know where he is?"

"No," answered Uncle Thomas. "They are actively searching for him, and a team had been sent to your house, but they didn't find him there."

But her father had visited the house, thought Julie in her mind. It was why he had asked her why she wasn't there. On the other hand, Julie's uncle noticed how she took in the information without being too shocked, not knowing she already had heard the news.

When Aunt Sarah showed up at the end of the corridor, making her way towards them, Uncle Thomas said, "I know right now, you are at that age where people fall in love. But try to find someone who is more suitable to you," Julie nodded her head, and her uncle offered her a smile.

She let him know, "I was thinking of visiting you once the Fall Annual is over."

"I will always welcome you to my home. Despite how your aunt feels," said her uncle, and stopped speaking further on it when Aunt Sarah came to stand next to them.

"I hope your uncle has advised you well, hoping you won't repeat something like this," and to Julie's surprise, Aunt Sarah placed her hand around her shoulder, something the woman hadn't done in a long while. "We want you to graduate and lead a better life. And when it is time, take a good man as your husband, and not someone who looks like a gangster. This is a good place to study, don't waste it."

Did the sight of Veteris' infrastructure sway her aunt? Wondered Julie to herself.

Julie looked at her uncle, who stared back at her, silently sharing a look.

"Anyways, it is late and we should get going now as Joel's alone in the house with the babysitter. Let us drop you at the Dorm," decided her aunt, and Julie didn't refuse the offer. Once she was dropped in front of the Dormitorium in the car, her aunt sitting in the car, said, "Don't forget my words, Julianne. Don't get yourself involved with messy one's."

Julie nodded her head, offering a forced smile at her aunt. When her eyes fell on her uncle, he offered her a smile, "Take care, Julie."

"You too, Uncle Thomas," said Julie, and she saw the car leave the front of the girl's Dormitorium.

Julie turned her head back in the direction where Roman had gone to visit Ms. Dante. She wondered if she should wait for him here. When she became more aware of her surroundings, she noticed some of the students around look at her while whispering and giggling about something.

Deciding to wait for Roman in her dorm, Julie walked inside the building. While walking through the corridor, she heard one of the girls make fun of her,

"This is why you don't get involved in a relationship with Roman. At least not when you aren't a good fit for him."

"Do you think her parents are going to take her back from here. Wouldn't that be a good idea?"

"Julie!" Melanie greeted her in the corridor, quickly making her way to where Julie was and started walking along with her. "Did you meet your aunt? She had come here to see if you were here. Are you okay?"

Julie nodded her head, "I met them a while ago and they just left a minute ago. We went to Mr. Borrell's office."

"That doesn't sound good. Did he say something?" asked Melanie. Julie pulled out her key from her bag, opening the door and pushing it open.

"Let's say they didn't look impressed by Mr. Borrell's information about my detention," Julie exhaled, dropping her bag and her sweater on the chair. "I have to attend detention tomorrow, but nothing more than that I think."

"Did your family receive a letter, which is why they were here today?" inquired Melanie, and Julie shook her head.

"No, it wasn't that. My uncle wanted to speak about something important with me, which is why they were here. There's something you need to know, Mel," said Julie, her face turning serious and not wanting to hide a part of where she came from with her close friend. She then told Melanie about her father killing her mother and her father, who had escaped from the prison. "After my mother died, my father was dead to me."

"That must have been truly hard. I don't know what to say… If I found out that one of my family members had killed a family member or anyone, it would put me in shock too," Melanie offered Julie an encouraging smile.

Sitting there in silence for a few seconds, Melanie asked, "Was it worth it? Getting caught today?"

Julie thought about it, recollecting the day's events, and she then nodded her head with a smile. "It was… I got tutored."

"Are you serious?" Melanie was baffled, and Julie nodded her head with a smile. "That's so weird. I don't think anyone can figure out Roman Moltenore. Who even takes a girl out to only make her study on their first date?"

A chuckle escaped from Julie's lips. Taking a deep breath, she exhaled. She wondered what Roman was doing right now.

Far away from the girl's Dormitorium, in another building, Dante sat behind a table. She stared at Roman, who sat in front of her in the chair, staring right back at her with an unwavering gaze. Several minutes had passed since Dante had summoned him to the head office.

Dante said, "You should already know why I called you. For what you have been doing, Roman." She had her back leaned against the chair she sat in.

"There are a lot of things. You should be more specific than that," Roman tested the vampiress who sat in front of him. His whole demeanour had changed since he had left Julie's side. The look in his eyes had turned back to his usual cold and aloof self, an unbothered expression taking over his face.

The headmistress knew that Roman was aware of what she was speaking. Word had reached the vampiress' ear on how Roman had taken a human girl out of Veteris University, and the girl's family had suddenly come to visit the girl. Not that she cared what the girl did, but she had heard of how Roman had been spending more time with the human, which was very strange.

Not that Dante was against vampires spending time with humans, as the university had come into existence to maintain harmony between the vampires and humans, but Roman's case was different.

"Don't get attached to things that can be easily damaged," Dante advised him, and Roman's lips curled, a crooked smile appearing on his face, and her eyes subtly narrowed at this.

"You don't have to worry about that," remarked Roman.

Dante had known Roman since he had been turned into a vampire. She had noticed the subtle effect the human girl had on him. It was the first time that he had willingly decided to take part in the play that would be showcased at one of the Annual day's celebrations.

"Was that all you wanted to speak about?" he tilted his head to the side.

"No, I have an errand for you. I need you to go with Borrell and Evans to visit Greasy Corner's town. Track the hunters, so that we know how many are there, so that we can acquire full information about them. I have already picked three more people who will join you, just so the Hunters don't take you by surprise if they are already anticipating any other vampires," explained Dante, and she leaned forward, placing both her hands to rest on the table.

"Consider it to be done," agreed Roman.

The door was knocked, and Dante said, "Come in." Mr. Borrell stepped into the room with a serious expression on his face. "You are late."

"I was dealing with one of the student's guardians," replied Mr. Borrell, "It seems the mail man had a little mishap, he didn't deliver the letter to Julianne Winters house."

Dante's eyes shifted to look at Roman for a brief second, who wore a passive expression on his face as if he had no clue what Mr. Borrell was talking about.

"What time are we supposed to head out?" inquired Mr. Borrell.

"Now. It is better to run with the crowd, instead of going there when the town is quiet," stated Dante, and Roman stood up from the seat. Mr. Borrell stepped out of the room, and when Roman reached the door, Dante called, "Roman."

He turned to look at her.

The vampiress said, "I hope she's only a prey for blood."

Roman stared at her for a second longer before smiling and said, "Sure."

Once Dante was alone in the room, she rubbed her forehead. She had warned him for his benefit, and maybe others too. Roman was different compared to the other vampires in Veteris. Not just because Azazel Donovan had turned him, but his transformation had stopped midway, and it had left him with a beating heart, unlike her and the rest of the vampires whose heartbeat had stopped. And if there were other vampires who had a beating heart, it was only the Elders.

Roman's temper was nothing less to an inferno, and after so many years, it had tamed down, thought Dante. Losing a person again would unleash rage and cause serious damage, which she didn't want to happen.

In the lunchroom, Julie was at the counter while her friends were at the table. She turned behind her, looking at the entrance and hoping to see Roman, but it seemed like he was still with the headmistress. It somewhere worried her if he had gotten into serious trouble.

"You seem distracted," she heard Simon say to her, who now stood next to her. Julie's eyes moved to look at him, noticing a smile on his face, "I heard your uncle and aunt were here to visit you. Must have been an eventful visit?"

Did everyone already hear about it? Julie asked herself. She gave him a small nod, "Kind off. Did you see Roman?"

Simon shook his head, "Nope. Not since I heard that he was called by the headmistress for breaking so many rules."

But it was more than two hours since she had last seen him. What was Ms. Dante talking to him about?

The smile on Simon's lips widened. He stirred the straw that was in his soft drink and said, "I think Ms. Dante must be very upset by his behaviour. He has broken so many rules since the last few years, I wouldn't be surprised if he has been expelled from Veteris tonight."

Hearing this, Julie's eyes widened. She then said, "But he's the top student."

"You know how strict Veteris is, when it comes to the rules and how we are supposed to follow it. Earlier this month, Rome had been warned to follow the rules. I am sure he's packing his things now," said Simon with a straight face, continuing to stir the straw.