×× Skylar ××
After a long day of classes, Skylar was physically drained and also tired of Romeo avoiding her. She wanted answers and she wanted them now.
She waited anxiously for Romeo to show up at the coffee shop. She hadn't even touched her ice tea or the cookies she always spoke so highly about.
When Romeo finally walked into the coffee shop, she didn't look happy. Romeo knew what Skylar wanted and she realised there was no point trying to avoid the topic any further. It was emotionally tiring trying to duck and dive each time she saw Skylar and she realised she owed her an explanation. Especially since Skylar hadn't really pushed for answers.
"I was about to leave." Skylar said.
"Sorry. I had to speak with my lecturer about this new assignment." Romeo pulled out a chair and sat down.
Skylar nodded.
"How are you feeling?" She asked Romeo and offered her a cookie.
Romeo gladly took it.
"Well, school's taking its toll on me. I need to start working my butt off."
"You know I wasn't talking about school, Romeo."
Romeo blushed.
"You wanna know about me and Za." She nodded slowly.
"I've been dying to know. And I was worried sick about you vanishing like that when we went to Justin's and Alfredo's apartment."
"Sorry I didn't return your calls or texts. I was... busy."
"Doing what?"
"Being... with Za." Romeo shoved the cookie in her mouth to avoid having to explain anything any further.
"Being with Za?" Skylar knew what Romeo meant but she was in denial. There was no way Justin could've been right.
Romeo nodded and a grin formed on her face.
"You and him?" Skylar asked.
Romeo nodded again.
"How?"
Romeo shrugged.
"It just happened, I guess." She said, "One minute we were being awkward then he started talking then I started talking then it escalated to an argument then we... went to his place to... work it out."
"And you spent the night!"
"He was really sweet about it, okay? He's actually a nice guy."
"When he's working on getting in your pants."
"No," Romeo blushed. "He's generally nice. He's just usually an ass to be funny but, behind that, he's... he's nice."
"I'm sure his D game was on point. Look at you." Skylar teased.
Romeo laughed.
"Girl!" She said.
Skylar giggled.
"So are you two a thing now?"
"No." Romeo was quick to say, "He hasn't asked me out yet."
"You're so high maintenance." Skylar shook her head. "You already gave the booty up."
"He needs to ask me. Just because we got it on, doesn't mean he's my boyfriend."
"Well I hope you say yes when he asks."
"I'll think about it." Romeo flipped her hair.
"Think about that night." Skylar smirked.
Romeo blushed.
The girls were so into their conversation that they hadn't noticed Justin approach them. He kissed Skylar's cheek.
"Oh my gosh!" Skylar nearly jumped out of her seat from being startled.
"I'm not that bad of a kisser." Justin smiled.
"You're not a bad kisser at all. You just caught me off guard."
"Hi, Justin." Romeo said.
"Hi, Romeo." Justin said. "Are you two busy? I need five minutes with Skylar."
"Oh, no. We were done talking. I need to run off and get my school work started." Romeo smiled and got up.
"I'll talk to you tonight, Romeo." Skylar smiled.
"Alright. See you later, love birds."
"Tell Xavier I said hi." Skylar teased.
Romeo blushed and hurried out of the coffee shop.
Justin took a seat in Romeo's chair.
"What happened between them?" He asked.
"You should wait for Xavier to tell you. I am not snitching on my friend."
"Not even to your boyfriend?" Justin smiled.
"Funny you should say that, Bieber. You took me on one date and never asked me to be your girlfriend."
"Funny YOU should say that, Miller." He got Elizabeth's invitation out of his jacket's pocket. "I'd like to officially ask you to come with me to Elizabeth's birthday celebration and to be my girlfriend."
Skylar smiled and took the invitation to read.
"1950s." She said. "According to this, you and I can't be a thing. We'll get in trouble with the law." She joked. "I might get burned to death and you might get fined."
"I'll make sure they don't find out then." Justin played along. "And if they do, I'll come up with a good lie to keep you safe."
"Aren't you sweet."
"I know, I know."
"I'll go with you to the party... but you gotta be slicker to get me to be your girlfriend."
"I'll give you 'slick', Skylar. You just wait."
"I'm waiting."
"I thought you liked me though." Justin pouted.
"I do like you. I just realised today after talking to Romeo that you never asked me to be your girl." Skylar pinched Justin's cheeks.
"Romeo's a bad influence. I thought I had it easy."
Skylar scoffed.
"You're lucky I'm one of the sensible black girls. You picked up some black girl name Shaniqua, you'd be dying from being abused."
"That's a real name?"
Skylar laughed and shook her head.
"You're so clueless, it's cute." She said.
Justin chuckled.
"Justin, are you sure you can take me? You said your dad already got you a date." Skylar looked at the invitation again.
She really wanted to go. She'd never been to a themed party before and the theme was quite exciting. She could already imagine how the venue would be set up, especially since Justin's family was financially on track.
"My step mom said I could take you. Doesn't matter what my dad said. I want you to be my partner, Sky." Justin said.
"Well... it IS a pretty invitation." Skylar tried not to smile, "And it's a themed party. I like themed parties."
"So... is that a yes?" Justin smiled.
"When I find something to wear, I'll let you know." She put the invitation in her backpack.
"I could help you?" Justin offered.
Skylar scoffed.
"You could find me something vintage to wear? Really?"
"You don't believe me? I know some stores."
"I'm not letting you buy me an outfit, Justin. I'm sure my mom has something for me, or Romeo. I'll find something, don't worry."
"I might need you to help me find something then cause I'm clueless about 1950s fashion." Justin smiled shyly.
"I might know a thing or two about the 50s. I got your back."
"I'm a lucky guy."
"Never forget that."
Justin leaned in to kiss Skylar's lips.
She blushed, obviously taken by surprise.
"What was that about?" She asked.
"Well, I didn't get a hello kiss and you look real cute today so..."
Skylar smiled.
"Would you like a ride home? I could drop you off." Justin said.
"Can't I chill with you for a little bit? I don't wanna have to do my assignments just yet." Skylar pouted.
"I like having you around, babe, but I don't want your mom calling me a distraction if your grades drop."
"My grades won't drop." Skylar rolled her eyes and picked up her backpack.
"So I'm not a distraction?"
"Not even a tiny bit."
"Damn." Justin scrunched up his face.
Skylar laughed.
"Fine. I'll be a good girl and go do my school work." She said.
"And I'll make it up for you some time for your good behaviour." Justin held Skylar's hand.
They left the coffee shop for the parking lot and Justin opened the passenger door of his car for Skylar.
"How did it go with your stepmother when you went to see her?" Skylar asked as they travelled.
"It went well. She's not so bad." Justin managed a small smile. "She's excited to meet you."
"Oh."
"Yeah."
"Does she always throw big parties on her birthday?"
"Yup. All the time." Justin rolled his eyes. "Sometimes I think it's too much. All that money spent could go to better use."
"Don't you like costume parties?"
"Not when they're at my family's expense."
"Oh-kaaay."
"I probably sound mean."
"Yeah. Considering the fact that she actually likes you."
"I just hate how superficial her guests are. Everyone has something to prove; asses to kiss just so they're on the guest list the next year."
"You're quite different to what I thought a rich kid would be like." Skylar said softly.
"How so?" Justin glanced at her.
"You're rebellious and actually care where your money goes."
"Rebellious." He chuckled.
"Yeah. With your tattoos and defying your dad."
"That's how a lot of rich kids are, Sky. I'm pretty decent, actually."
"I'll never understand it. If I were rich, I'd be so grateful and happy."
"Money doesn't buy happiness."
"You have a BMW and a sick apartment!"
"I know but... I'm not happy. Families with money always want to prove something or be perfect to the world. I... I don't want to live like that."
Skylar looked at Justin as he drove.
His knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel.
"It's that bad?" She asked.
"When it comes to my dad? Yeah. He's never satisfied with anything I do and I'm sure he won't be happy with me showing up to Elizabeth's party with you."
She frowned.
"You're taking me with you to piss your dad off?"
"No. I'm taking you with me because that's what I want. I want you as my date."
"Your dad--"
"It doesn't matter what he thinks, Skylar. I want you." Justin placed his hand on Skylar's knee.
She smiled to herself and looked out her window.
She was nervous and she knew very well that this party was going to be dramatic. She didn't fit in with those people and she knew it. But what was comforting to know was that Justin didn't fit in either and that made her feel a bit of excitement in the pit of her stomach.