I'm Only Human (Justin Bieber Fanfic)

Ch. 30 - You Just Don't Give Up

 ~ Chapter 30: You Just Don’t Give Up  ~

[ Justin’s POV: ]

I didn’t know what came over me.

When Za accused Jackie of being a bitch earlier, I just… snapped. I haven’t felt so much anger before and I didn’t know what to do with it. Hearing someone insult her like that out loud, even though I knew Za must’ve confused her with someone else at the time, it made me want to drown a kitten.

I couldn’t stand it. And quite frankly, I’m not that stupid. I know what kind of things go on around here. I know Za must’ve been rude to her upon showing up at the door. And I bet it hurt Jackie’s feelings. Just the thought of her being upset… It made me remember how she had locked herself up in her room for days and wouldn’t come out.

It made me worry about her.

“You okay, man?” Za’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked up to see both him and Jackie staring straight at me, their utensils in their hands and their pancakes half eaten.

“I’m fine,” I muttered, grabbing the bottle of syrup and opening the cap.

“Really? ‘Cause Jackie and I started eating ages ago and you haven’t even poured syrup on the pancakes you made yourself,” he raised an eyebrow.

I ignored him, turning the bottle upside down and waving it as the syrup swiveled its way across the pancakes. I caught Za and Jackie exchanging glances before I lowered my head again, focusing on the plate in front of me.

“Well,” Za cleared his throat, “There’s something I wanted to tell you. It’s actually the reason I came out here.”

I turned the bottle upright and closed the cap, placing it on top of the table. A small amount of syrup had gotten on my hand and I raised it to my lips and licked it off. “What’s wrong?”

Za shifted in his seat. “Twist wanted me to ask you… Well, he and Jama are throwing a party for Khalil and we all wanted to invite you.”

I picked up my fork and knife, stabbing the pancakes with the fork and positioning it as I sliced a piece off with the knife. “What’s the occasion?” I calmly asked.

“He just got his driver’s license. He’s had a permit this entire time,” Za answered, tapping his fingers lightly on the wooden table.

“Oh, Twist,” I chuckled, rather bitterly. “He always needs an excuse to party.” Za sucked on his bottom lip, awkwardly waiting for me to speak once more. “When’s the party?”

“Tomorrow night.”

“Tomorrow?” I asked, and Za nodded in confirmation. “Shit, bro.”

“Is that not a good time?”

“Uh…” I trailed off, stuffing my mouth with a piece of a pancake. “Nah, I might be able to go.”