Just as I knew I would, I awoke in the comfort of my bed. My soft sheets were warm around me, begging me to snuggle in for a bit longer. I almost conceded when I remember the question that lingered. Was I in a world where Harris had said goodnight to me hours before or was I in a world where Stina was waking up in the arms of Jay?

I rolled over and clumsily grasped at my phone as I impatiently scrolled through my recent calls. There was no Harris. I flicked opened my contacts and scrolled there; again, no Harris. With a sigh, I opened my messages to Stina.

"Hey, drinks tonight?"

Almost instantly, the text bubbles popped up. "Wow, a lousy day this early? I wish I could, but Jay and I have plans tonight.

I slumped back into my pillows. I was happy for Stina. She and Jay had worked hard at their relationship, and they deserved to be together and happy. But my mind still clung to the ever-fading memories of Harris. As if by some need for sanity, my mind was scrubbing him away. I closed my eyes tightly, willing his face into view, but it was hazy now, and I could only remember the chocolate of his eyes matching the brown of his hair. I tried to recall small things like his job or the first time we met, but he was dissipating like the fog in the sunlight.

By the time I was out of the shower, Harris was gone. He was a shadowy figure from a forgotten dream. I picked up my phone to see another text from Stina.

"Come out with us Friday. It will be fun, I promise! There will be a group of us, not just couples! I miss you!"

I had been blowing Stina off a lot lately to wallow in my singledom. I typed back a half-hearted "maybe," and continued to get ready. Stina wouldn't let it drop. She nagged me multiple times a day to come out, with a fever pitch coming on Friday. By 3 pm, she had given up on texting and resorted to an old-fashion call.

"Sadie, you have to come out tonight," she demanded.

"Actually, I don't have to go out tonight. I will not perish if I were to stay in eating a burrito over my sink and fall asleep to Romeo and Juliet while I sip cheap wine."

"I honestly think you may die if you do that for another weekend. You may grow into your sofa, and people won't find you for days. I'd say that your cat would eat you, and we would never find you, but as I recall, even a cat is too much commitment."

"Real nice, Stina."

"Sadie, honestly, you're never going to meet anyone wallowing on your couch. You have to give love a chance."

"It's not that I don't believe in love; it's that I don't believe in love for me. I don't think there is a Romeo out there for me."

"How would you know? Even Romeo and Juliet had to go to a ball to find each other."

"Oh, are we going to a ball tonight?"

"Well, not a ball; just dinner with friends. Besides, you don't want to follow Romeo and Juliet to a T; otherwise, you'll end up dead."

"What?"

"Romeo and Juliet, they die at the end, of course. It's only the most famous play in the world, and you only watch it once a week."

"They die?"

"Have you lost your mind?"

"No, I'm fine. I just have a headache."

"Ugh, you are saying no, aren't you?"

"I'm saying soon, just not tonight."

"And yet, it still feels like a no. Fine, enjoy your burrito and movie."

There was a bubbling excitement as I settled on my couch and began Romeo and Juliet. Something was pulling me to the movie as though I would be watching it for the first time. From the first fight scene, I was entranced. Two young teens that are just beginning to understand love fall for each other despite the odds against them. They are willing to risk it all to be with each other. I felt the tears pour from my eyes as Juliet plunged the dagger into her heart. He had killed them. William Shakespeare had killed Romeo and Juliet, and yet, somehow, I wanted that. I wanted love at first sight. I wanted to love someone so deeply that I would rather die than take one breath without them.

I picked up my phone and texted Stina. "Do we have any plans tomorrow?"

"We do! But you may not like them..." She texted with a wink emoji.

"Oh dear, what does that mean?" I texted back as a giggle escaped my lips.

"I'll call you in a few; I need to find someplace quiet."

"Okay," I texted back as my mind whirled around what her plans could possibly be.

"Hello," I answered after the first ring.

"Hey there, stranger. Long time no talk."

"Stina, you spoke to me like four hours ago."

"I know. How were the burrito and movie?"

"I love that movie," I sighed.

"I know, sweetie. Someday you'll find your Romeo if I can get you out of that damn apartment."

"Okay, okay, enough berating me on my anti-social behavior. What are these secret plans you have tomorrow?"

"Well, do you remember Matt from college?"

"Your ex? Yeah, he was so boring."

"Tell me about it; breaking up with him was one of the best things I ever did! Anyway," she continued, "he's hosting a giant masquerade ball at Gramercy Tavern, and one of Jay's friends snagged four tickets. We thought it would be fun to crash."

"It's all fun and games until you come face to face with Matt."

"Do you think it would be that bad?"

"Oh, I don't know. You did dump him just before his sister's wedding, where you were supposed to be a bridesmaid. I think he and his family may remember you."

"Ugh, those bridesmaid's dresses! What kind of lunatic chooses puke green and neon pink for their bridesmaid's dresses! I did what I had to do."

"Mmhmm, but Matt may not see it that way."

"Well, that's what makes it fun. Besides, it's a masquerade ball. He won't even know it's me, even if he's staring right at me."

"I don't know; this whole thing seems ripe with failure."

"Oh, come on, maybe your Romeo will be there. You have to admit; it is right out of the play."

I let out a sigh; a masquerade ball was enticing. "Okay fine, I'm in."

"You're in, really? Oh my gosh, I'm so excited. This is going to be so fun! I can't wait to tell Jay. I'll come over to your place at 2 pm tomorrow, and we can get ready together. It's like prom all over again, only this time, I'm definitely getting laid."

"And I'm definitely not," I added.

"Hey, you never know. You could see Romeo across a crowded dance floor. I have to go, though. I'll see you tomorrow at 2 pm!"

"See you tomorrow!"