la petite cygne

“Why does there have to be a point to have fun?” 

“Of course I can…what’s up?”

“I kind of met somebody at the party last night.”

Why does this thing last for a week? It only takes an hour to get the point.

“Don’t be such a downer, Tybalt.” She grins and reaches out to scruff his hair up a bit. “Festivals are so much fun!”

“No, that fucker didn’t say anything…for years? An arranged marriage? In the United States of America. In 2015. 

“Can you keep a secret?”

“Well, yeah, of course, but I meant- Ah, never mind. When’s your next recital?”

“A few months, maybe? It could be longer just depending on progress and all.”

“So you’re saying I’m somebody?”

“Is that even a question? You’re an Escalus, of course you’re somebody.”

“Did he say it in a ‘grandpa telling you you’re pretty’ way or a hitting-on-you way? Because he’s too old for you. Like, 49 or something.”

“He’s 25 and he’s always hitting on me. Our marriage has been being arranged for years. My father hasn’t mentioned that to you?”

“I have midterms on Monday! Don’t hate!!

“You’re the biggest nerd, I swear.” She gave a sigh and tried to think of something she could tell her cousin. “Uhm, Paris was there. I think he was talking to my father for a while, but he told me that I looked beautiful.”

“Never do anything for the patriarchy, kid. Good on you.

“Twelve minutes? Rosaline, are you serious?”

“Now that’s an idea that has the chance to top this one. Get glowsticks everywhere.” Even if he hated the idea, he’d support her. “You’re inviting me, right?” He joked. 

“Oh, of course you’re invited. Everybody who’s anybody just has to be there. Otherwise, what’s the point? You can’t have the world’s greatest parties if the world’s wealthiest aren’t talking about how amazing it was months after the fact.”

“Of course I did! Your family throws fantastic parties. I was telling your cousin that it’d be hard to top this one.”

“It was a good one, but they can definitely go more modern than a masquerade. I think that I’m going to pitch a black light party to them next. They always look like so much fun!”

“I’ve had nights like that.” Paris nodded in agreement. “You left the party so early. I hope you had time to have fun. You looked beautiful. Almost unrecognizable.”

“I had a great time, yeah,” she nods. “I hope you had fun too?”

Rosaline took a slice of pizza as well, chewing haphazardly. “You know what, Juliet?” she asked in between bites. “Fuck diets. We should both be done conforming to beauty standards that only serve to strengthen the patriarchal hegemony.”

“I diet for dance, Ros, not for the patriarchy. I need to lose weight. But yes, last night was fun. Did you have a good time too?”

“Thanks.” Paris decided. “Why are you so tired? Didn’t you get any sleep? You were gone earlier than I was. I was hoping we could dance, but you were off to bed.” He asked, concerned. 

“I slept a little,” she nodded quickly, eyes widening slightly. “I just, uhm, had trouble staying asleep. When it was around six or seven, I just kind of gave up and decided to stay awake.”

“You better not be hungover. Underage drinking is wrong, little cuz. Didn’t D.A.R.E teach you anything?

“Not hungover, Rosaline, just very tired.” She reaches out and takes a slice of pizza anyway. “This does look delicious, though, so I guess today will be another cheat day as far as my diet goes.”

“I’ll get someone to get you some. Problem solved.”

“My hero,” she smiles sleepily.