Digital Strings Attached

Chapter 16

Justin shook his head in disapproval and mouthed, "No. You'll like it for sure.", chasing Georgia as the latter started running away from him towards the group who were swimming at the beach. 

Justin scurried towards her yelling, "That's not fair! You owe me for putting sunscreen!" 

Georgia was guffawing when Justin caught her at the seashore. The waves splashed on them as Justin held her on her waist. "Now, I'm gonna collect my payment.", Justin whispered and kissed her, then bit her lower lip as he stopped. 

"Aww!" Georgia cried. "What the-!" Justin cracked up, seeing Georgia's reaction. Georgia splashed water and sand at him in revenge, but Justin was quick to hug her, making her unable to move. 

"I'm sorry. You can bite me too." Justin half closed his eyes and puckered up his lips at Georgia, and so she did. 

One night.. 

The band was staying at the girls' apartment one Saturday night, cooking food and baking for their Star Wars Marathon. Justin was busy whisking the ingredients for the cookie batter when his phone rang.  "HI, B! What's up?" he greeted the caller casually.

Georgia turned her head towards Jovie when she heard the name B, her eyebrows furrowed. "Britney??" Jovie mouthed, wide-eyed. 

Georgia moved closer to Justin, pretending to be scouring for something inside the fridge. 

"Hmmm, yup, so I heard." 

"We haven't spoken about it yet."

"Alrighty then, see you!"  With that, he put his phone back on the counter and returned to prepping the cookie batter when he noticed Georgia was giving him side glances. 

He walked up to her and stared at her questioningly, observing her reaction. 

"What?" Georgia asked him, trying to sound nonchalantly. 

"What, what?" Justin replied, still studying Georgia. 

"Move," Georgia ordered coldly as she tried to walk past Justin, but he kept on blocking her way. 

"That's Britney." He finally fessed up. 

"So I heard," Georgia said, imitating Justin, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Come on," Justin begged and hugged her. even without Georgia hugging him back, he planted kisses on her head. 

"She said, we might be having a project together, which is known to me, but I am not sure yet. Johnny and I haven't talked to us about it just yet,"  he explained.

Looking up at him, and staring at each other, Georgia asked, "So since when did you start talking to her?" She was not sure of the relevance of her question but she just wanted to know. 

"Since like a week after the party?" he answered. "She called me first and I did not bother to ask how she got my number, okay? We just talked a little." 

Georgia felt a stab of pain, They had been talking and I was not aware. Oh wow! she thought. 

She raised an eyebrow and started to break free from Justin's hug. "Oh, so when do you plan on telling me that you've been calling each other?"  she said, trying to avoid eye contact. 

Justin searched for her face but Georgia wasn't looking and busied herself preparing the oven. "Come on, Georgie, we're not talking. She only called me twice. You know, I'm busy. I rather call you in my free time than speak to her." 

"But why did you keep it from me?" she asked, crestfallen, looking at him directly in his eyes.

Justin leaned on the counter beside the fridge, looking plagued. "Cause I know you'll not like it," he said, looking down. "I was planning on telling you though, I just didn't know how. We only have a month's vacation, Georgia. I love spending it with you. Every day feels reviving and restful for me to be with you, away from the limelight, from the rattle of the concerts that we had for years. We'll be back to the noise of the crowds, the tiring rehearsals in a week." 

He heaved a heavy sigh and added. "You? You'll start college next week, too. This is the only time for now that we get to have a lovely time and create memories. Do you think I wanna risk that over some B's call?" 

Georgia felt a pang of guilt as she listened to Justin's words. She hates to admit it but he's right. Her jealousy just won over her tonight. 

"I'm sorry. You're right. I don't want to ruin our time just because of her too. I just couldn't help it, I guess"

Justin pulled her for another hug and she hugged him back. Justin started swaying her as if they were dancing and whispered. "I'm sorry too. I hate the thought of even hurting you." He pulled back and gazed at her, leaning forward as he spoke closely at her face, their nose almost rubbing each other. "Remember what I wrote on my card for you? You are my peace in this crazy world I'm in. I don't want to lose it because of losing you." 

Georgia pulled back and chuckled, "Stop with your flowery words, Justin Randall Timberlake!" 

"But it's true." he objected and kissed Georgia on her forehead, cheeks, nose, and lastly on her pinkish lips. 

Oh, how can I stay mad at this guy when I'm madly in love with him? , Georgia pondered as she melted in Justin's arms.