I woke up the next morning with a smile on my face. Yes, it was a school day. Yes, it was early. Yes, I was tired. But I was happy.
I danced on my way to the kitchen, determined to not let anything ruin my day. When I had got home yesterday, after being with Justin and his family, I must admit I was a bit worried about him. None of my parents were home to bother me, Tommy was sleeping and Blake was on his computer, completely ignoring me. So I had calmly called Justin, biting my lip in nervousness about how he would feel. After opening to me like he did last afternoon and seeing how he was giving his father another chance, I was really hoping they would have a serious father-son talk.
He had picked up the phone on the first ring, like he was eager to hear from me. And, admittedly, it made my stomach swarm with butterflies and a grin spread across my lips. The first thing he had asked was if I had arrived home safe and sound – always so protective – and after that he had told me about the conversation he had had with his father when I left. My mind suspected he had omitted some details that he would rather keep to himself, but that was okay with me. We all need some privacy. However, I was really glad to hear they had made amends and were on good terms like I had advised him to. Justin sounded genuinely happy himself and actually had to hang up because they were having a family movie night.
I couldn't feel happier for him. He deserved to be happy and not tormented all the time about money, a father that wasn't home, enemies, worrying about his siblings and mother, about not being good enough...
Consequently, I had fallen into a peaceful sleep as soon as my head touched the pillow. I would worry about the upcoming exams, my punishment and my other problems the next day.
"Good morning." I sang, entering the kitchen and walking straight to the fridge.
"Since when are mornings good?" Blake groaned, holding his head in his hand on the counter.
I chuckled while filling a glass from a jar of natural orange juice María must had prepared.
"Let me guess why you're so happy." Blake suddenly stretched his back to an upright position, smirking lazyly.
I rolled my eyes, anticipating a blush creeping up my freshly made up face.
"Does it have to do with the fact that you were with Justin yesterday?" He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, stuffing a piece of toast inside his mouth. He was starting to eat like a total pig.
"I so don't know what you're talking about." I muttered, playing dumb. "I was with Kelsey yesterday." I turned around to put the jar of juice back inside the fridge.
"You may fool mom and dad but you can't fool me." He stated, drinking his glass of milk all at once, leaving a trail up his lip like a mustache. "That look on your face you have after you've seen him is unmistakable."
I scrunched my face up in disgust and ignored him.
"Did I hear my name being mentioned?" Asked a feminine voice entering the kitchen and going straight for the coffee machine.
"I was just asking Blake were you were last night when I came home, mom." My voice came out sweet and innocent but my eyes were the opposite, sending daggers at my brother to keep his mouth shut, while my mother was giving us her back.
"Oh, I was working until 3 am or so. The whole office is crazy busy with the show on Saturday." She rubbed her forehead. I noticed dark circles under her eyes and her hair tied up in an improvised bun. My mother had always looked beautiful to me and I wanted to be like her when I grew up but I had always had my father looks. I didn't have her big green eyes or creamy coffee colored hair or her tiny waist. She didn't even look her age because she was obsessed with keeping in shape and using cosmetics. "And your dad was at work as well, as per usual." She shot me a quick tired smile, bringing the warm cup of brown liquid to her lips once it was filled.
"I'm sure it will be worth it. The show is gonna be a success." I beamed at her. Honestly, I was very excited about it and Justin modeling may or may not be the main reason for it. I knew I would have to deal with other girls staring and trying to flirt with him, but I would also get to see some sexy Justin myself. And if a girl got too close to him for my comfort, I could always fire her. I was the designer's daughter after all.
"I hope so." She ran a hand down her burgundy shirt, straightening it so it would fit well tucked inside her high-waisted jeans. She could make jeans look like Chinese silk with just the right combination of accessories. "What are you wearing, darling?" Her eyes travelled down my clothes to my shoes and back up to my face, horrified. Apparently, I couldn't.
"Clothes?"
"Sneakers for school? Brooklyn, you go to a private school in Manhattan, not a cheap public school in some tacky neighborhood."
I wanted to roll my eyes so badly. Blake snickered in his seat, seemingly enjoying the scene. It was easy for him because mom always made him wear a shirt.
"Mom, they're Converse. Everybody wears them nowadays." I snatched a toast from the plate and started spreading jam on it.
"We buy you all the shoes in the world and you decide to wear those?" Her delicate fingers pointed at my old white Chuck Taylor's like they were dirt. "Next thing you know, you'll be buying things at Target." She shook her head, drinking down the whole mug of coffee as if that would take away the memories of me dressing like a homeless person – in her eyes, obviously.
"Mom is right, Brooklyn, you can't go around dressed like that and smear our family's reputation." My brother cupped his chest with his hand feigning disappointment, which only bothered me further. Were they planning to ruin my day?
"God, I will change my shoes if that makes you feel better, mother." I declared after finishing my toast. Her dirty looks had fed me up enough to respond to her pleas.
Her scowl turned into a big satisfied smile. "Where are those Jimmy Choo I bought to you for your birthday?"
Of course I'm gonna wear 5-inches high-heels to school. The funny thing is I used to do it until I met Justin and started caring less about how I dressed and more about how I acted. But I guess my mother still cared more about appearance.
Blake had got bored of our conversation and was typing away on his phone. "Are you waiting for me to drive you to school or?"
"Obviously." He scoffed.
"You have no idea of how much I want you to be 16 already and get your own license." I said through gritted teeth.
"You love driving me, sis." He teased.
"Your sister is right." My dad intervened, entering the kitchen with Tommy in his arms. He dropped him on the counter and came to kiss my cheek. What can I say, I'm daddy's princess (besides Justin's).
"Morning, dad." I smiled sweetly like the ass-kisser I can be if I want something.
"Morning, Brooklyn." He smiled back, grabbing his own mug o coffee while mom fed Tommy, who is unusually hungry in the mornings.
"Can I ask you for a favor, daddy?" I kept on my innocent and sweet façade, preparing a toast for my father to add to my plan of winning him over.
"Sure." He nodded warily.
"Could you pick Tommy up from soccer practice today? I have to study for my finals." I bit my lip, awaiting his reply. The actual reason why I didn't want to pick Tommy up today was that Justin would be there and, while that wasn't bad for me at all, it was bad for my intentions of studying. He would persuade me into sneaking out to spend the afternoon with him and I would end up not revising one bit. So the best was staying away from the temptation.
"Oh, sure. Tommy and I will have a men's afternoon, right buddy?" Tommy nodded eagerly at my father's idea, grinning from ear to ear while mom tried to shove a cookie inside his mouth.
"Fantastic." I clapped my hands after handing my dad his toast.
"Do you wanna come too, Blake?" Dad offered, earning a grimace from him.
"No, thanks."
"Are you too cool for that, brother?" It was my turn to tease him.
"Oh, shut up!" He pushed me to the side slightly as he tried to leave the kitchen.
"No, you shut up!" I pushed him back playfully.
"Guys, stop with the bickering and go get ready or you're gonna be late." Mom chipped in, urging Tommy to finish eating too. That woman lives in stress. "And don't forget to change your shoes, Brooklyn." She reminded me as if I could forget it after all her insistence.
"What's wrong with her shoes?" My father furrowed his eyebrows, eyeing my Converse like they were the most normal thing in the world – which they actually were, just not for my fashionista mother.
"Yeah, seriously, what's wrong with my shoes?" I argued back, not really in the mood to choose a pair of expensive heels that matched my jeans and dark blue asymmetric sweater. "Dad does look like a homeless person with that beard and you haven't said anything to him."
"Hey! I thought we were on the same side." He gave me this I'm-pretending-to-be-hurt look, laughing at the end. In all honesty, my dad was a handsome man – and I'm not saying that just because I'm his daughter – and beard looked good on him.
"Actually, Ben... " I drown out their conversation which probably consisted on my mother kindly telling him to shave as I waltzed back to my room to grab my bag.
"Are you ready to go?" I passed by Blake's room with my brown Bimba&Lola purse slung over my shoulder. Mom had brought it for me from her trip to Spain. Apparently, it's a very trendy brand there.
"Yeah." He nodded and followed me out of the house with his own bag.
"Bye family!" I shouted.
"Have a good day, kids!" Mom and dad yelled backs.
Blake scoffed at the word 'kids'. "You didn't change your shoes?"
"Clearly not." I shrugged, pressing on the button to call the elevator.
"Wow, what a badass." He shook his hands in the air in a mocking way.
The elevator rang and the doors opened, letting us inside.
I decided to play mysterious and smirk evilly. "You have no idea, little brother. You have no idea."
Blake snorted. "You're such a nerd."
"Shut up." I rolled my eyes, looking at him sideways cockily like Justin always does. "You wish you were as cool as me."
He gave me the 'really?' look. "By the way, I didn't know that Justin sang."
"And why do you know now?" I frowned, puzzled.
"I saw him busking yesterday, near Times Square." He explained just as the doors opened revealing the basement.
"When was that?" It couldn't be in the afternoon because he had been with me...
"I don't know, around 12 pm?" He shrugged, walking before me to my car.
My hand firmly grasped his shoulder, making him turn around and scowl at my gesture. "You're supposed to be at school at that time, what were you doing in Times Square?" I demanded.
"Relax, mother. I had lunch outside with my friends." He lifted his palms in mocking surrender.
"You'd better not be lying." I pointed a warning finger at him, unlocking the car with the key fob meanwhile.
"You're one to talk." He retorted, catching me off guard because he was right. I had just missed a whole day of school three days ago.
I shut my mouth and climbed inside the passenger's seat.
"He's really good. Why doesn't he post videos on Youtube?" Blake continued, ignoring our little row.
"I guess he doesn't want to get famous." I shrugged, starting the car and driving out of the parking lot.
After a few seconds of some morning program playing on the radio, I opted for keeping the conversation going. My brother and I are never awkward with each other. "So, what was he singing?" I had to drive slowly because the traffic was unbelievable.
"Lil Wayne." Blake replied, looking out of the window at the other cars and yellow taxis crowding the streets.
"Lil what?" I scrunched my face up in confusion. I had never heard that name before, I think.
"Lil Wayne." He emphasized the second name.
"Who's that?" Clearly, his answer didn't get me out of my confusion.
"And you call yourself cool... " He shook his head in a mixture of pity and disappointment.
I breathed through my nose. "Why is he called like that? Is he tiny or?"
"I don't know, many rappers have Lil in their names. Who cares? He's just good." It seemed like he was getting fed up with my zero knowledge of the rapping world.
"Well, sing me one of his songs, maybe I know it." I offered, turning the steering wheel to the right towards the street of our school. I refused to be called uncool by my younger brother.
Blake began humming a song he had said was called How To Love and I surprised myself humming along. "Wait, I know that song. Justin made me listen to it on his phone." I exclaimed, excited that I wasn't an ignorant anymore.
"Oh, how romantic." Blake made the voice of a fangirl. "Keep the cheesy details to yourself, please."
"Since when are you so mean? You really need a girlfriend." I chuckled, pulling inside the school's parking lot while my eyes scanned for an empty spot.
________________________________
"This will be on the exam tomorrow." Mr. Smith gave a stern look around the class, as if daring us to groan, complain or so much as move an eyelash.
"This man needs to fuck. He's as bitter as a lemon." Kelsey muttered by my side, making sure her voice didn't rise over a whisper.
"Lemons aren't bitter, Kelsey. They're acid." I chuckled lowly, covering my mouth to muffle the sound.
"Whatever, you got it." She rolled her eyes, cracking a smile at the end.
Right on cue, the bell rang signaling the end of the period and the beginning of all the moaning and curse words from the students to the teacher. "Have you started studying?" I asked Kelsey as I started gathering my stuff together to leave for my next class.
"You know I hate History so the answer is no." She mimicked my movements, keeping the 'o' shape on her lips for a second.
"Kelsey! You can't fail. We'll have tons of parties during Christmas' break and you're gonna be grounded if you don't pass all your subjects." I felt like a mother telling off her little child but Kelsey was getting on my nerves.
"Chill, B. Tyson taught me how to use cheat sheets." A tight-lipped smirk etched across her lips as she finished packing her things.
"What if you get caught?" I tried to be the realistic one since she was being so overly optimistic. Mr. Smith may be old but he certainly could see and hear like an eagle. It wouldn't be the first time he caught people cheating on an exam and failed them straight away.
"I won't. Stop worrying. I'm the one who's gonna do it, not you." She let out a laugh as we walked down the hallways to the science building.
I took a deep breath before asking a very indirect question that had been bugging me for two days and I figured Kelsey was my bestfriend and the one that could help me with it. "Tyson has taught you a lot of things, hasn't he?"
Kelsey stopped dead in her tracks and turned to face me. "Tell me you didn't mean for that to sound so wrong."
"No, I didn't." I bit my lip, urging her to continue moving. "It's just that I'm, well, curious."
"Can you be more precise? Because I'm not following you." Her brows knitted together slightly.
"I... " How could I tell her what I really meant when I didn't know it myself?
"Okay, I get it." She sighed, opening the door of the Science building and letting a couple of hot boys hold it for us.
"Do you?" That surprised me, to be honest. I sent them a quick appreciative smile before returning to the topic in hand.
"Yeah, you're getting all awkward all of a sudden because you want to ask me about sex but you're so damn shy you don't know how to." She stated, her facial expression not changing one bit.
My mouth opened agape at her mind-reading qualities. "I guess?"
"Oh my God, Brooklyn! Just ask!" She exclaimed.
A teacher that passed by sent us a murder look as if ordering us to lower the tone.
"Okay, I'm just nervous because I know that Justin wants to have sex. "I corrected myself. "More like needs to have sex and I am just so indecisive and insecure. I don't know if I'm ready, I don't wanna mess up and I don't want it to hurt." My hands flew up in the air in strange movements because I got nervous just by thinking of it, yet there was a part of me that wanted to take the next step.
Kelsey rolled her eyes as if I was the most gullible person in the world and she was the sex expert. "If you want my honest opinion, you are more than ready and I know it from the way you look at him. So stop worrying so much about insecurities and shit and just do it. Justin loves you. It's not like he's going to be rough or unromantic. I think you've already proved that your boyfriend is the definition of every girl's dream so just enjoy it and stop being a coward."
When she finished her rant, I was speechless. She was right about everything. He loved me, I loved him. People who love each other make love.
"Brooklyn, it's not just about having sex. It's a way to show how much you love and trust him. But if you think you're not ready, I'm sure Justin is gonna wait as long as you need." Kelsey placed a hand on my shoulder comfortingly.
I nodded, weighing everything in my head.
"Now, if you excuse me, dead animals are waiting for me at the lab." She grimaced at the thought. That's why I didn't sign up for Zoology this semester.
"Thank you, Kelsey." I said sincerely, giving her a brief hug.
"I'm always here for you, B. But if you do it, I want to be first one to know." She smiled before we parted ways and I got mentally prepared to face another Chemistry lesson with my dear Nate.
Justin
I checked that the building in front of me was the one whose address Brooklyn had sent me earlier before hopping off my car and locking it. Of course they had valets to pick the cars since the place screamed 'wealthy'. I reluctantly handed the keys of my baby to a young boy with acne and red hair that stared at it like it was from another planet. I think he restrained himself from freaking out in front of me. What can I say, my car is swaggy.
The building in front of me looked like a hotel of some sort. It was sky-high and had brown brick walls with lots of windows, most of them lit up. I could already hear some noise from inside as I approached the revolving doors of the entrance. A strange sensation started creeping in my stomach. I was never nervous. Not when I had to sing in public, or deliver some drugs or go to see Anthony or even when I stole something from a shop. However, I was starting to feel tense about this modeling shit. I should have never agreed to it and, with every step I took towards the entrance, I regretted even more.
Taking a deep breath, I walked inside of the lobby, successfully passing the glass doors – which I have had problems with in the past. As we had agreed previously, Brooklyn was standing next to the silver elevator, looking everywhere around her and biting her nails. I chuckled at the sight of her trying to cover herself with that little hot pink robe she was wearing that looked like the ones from Victoria's Secret. The few employees that were scattered around the huge lobby stole glances at her now and then. Greedy douches. I would be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying the view, though. Brooklyn's legs were on display and the robe left some of her cleavage exposed too. I licked my lips involuntarily, making her smirk but cover further.
"You're finally here. Let's go." She grabbed my hand and dragged me to the elevator, not even giving me a chance to say hi. "Oh my god, that was so embarrassing. Everyone was looking at me." She muttered to herself as if she had committed a sin, punching a button on the elevator pad.
"I can see why." I whispered seductively, cornering her against the mirrored wall. She looked up at me with her big innocent eyes, trying to suppress a smile. I leaned down to kiss her lips but she didn't let me go much further before pushing my chest away.
"Are you excited?" She asked, now showing off a wide grin.
"Not as much as you." I noted. Just seeing the twinkle in her eyes and the bouncing of her leg, I knew she really enjoyed doing this. I brushed a few strands of her blonde hair from her face to put it back but she squealed.
"Don't mess it up! I just spent a whole hour sitting in front of a mirror having people do my hair and makeup."
I couldn't help but laugh loudly. "Well, you definitely look gorgeous." I complimented, ignoring her complaints and brushing her bangs out of her face again to cup her cheeks.
She gave me a lopsided smile. "We're here." The elevator doors opened but I pressed the button to close them again. "What are yr13;"
I cut her off with another kiss, but this time she gave in and kissed me back, holding herself on the lapels of my denim-hoodie jacket. I got a bit lost in the kiss as my hand started travelling down her side to the hem of her robe. "I missed you." I whispered against her lips, caressing the soft skin of her thigh.
"I missed you too." We hadn't seen each other in 3 days so call me whipped if you want to, but I had missed her like hell. My life was boring when I had nothing to do besides hanging out with my friends. However, I had taken advantage of the alone time to bond with my father.
The doors of the elevator opened for the second time and Brooklyn gently pulled away from me. "We really have to go now."
I gave her my best puppy face but she jumped out of the elevator as soon as she saw my intentions. "Don't try that." A finger was pointed at me menacingly. "We need to get you ready. C'mon, you don't wanna be late with the stylist." She took both my hands as I groaned.
"Stylist?" I furrowed my eyebrows. "I'm not wearing makeup." I stopped abruptly , ready to catch the elevator again before the doors closed.
"Of course you aren't. This isn't a drag queen show." She cracked up, tugging at me to get going. "Justin." She moaned my name tiredly. "She'll just style your hair."
"My hair already looks good." I replied, stubbornly folding my arms.
Brooklyn sighed. "It's not exactly the theme look for my mom's collection."
I don't know why but that scared me. What were they going to do to my hair?!
"Can't I pretend I got sick or something? They won't even miss me."
She narrowed her eyes at me suspiciously, making the dark makeup around them accentuate. "Why do I have the impression that you're nervous?"
"I am not." Scoffing, I rolled my eyes, letting her finally drag me down a long corridor at whose end you could see flashing lights and hear noises and shouts. Very inviting.
"Justin Bieber is nervous." She sang while smirking, enjoying every second of my anxiety.
I stepped in front of her, stopping both of us in the middle of the narrow hallway with yellow walls. "Justin Bieber doesn't do nervous." I pronounced confidently boring my eyes into her as she just giggled.
Eventually, she shut her mouth and her expression turned to one of almost annoyance. "Stop doing that." She muttered.
"Doing what? Rocking your world with just my beautiful eyes?" I winked cockily, still staring down at her shorter frame.
"I know what you're doing, Justin Drew, and it's not gonna work." She tapped my chin, before sneaking out of my arms and walking forward.
"Did you just call me Justin Drew?" I inquired in utter astonishment, spinning on my heels to follow her. Was she purposely swaying her hips like that?
"I've heard your mom use it when she wants you to do something." She shrugged. "And it seems to work."
"Don't do it again." I warned playfully, hooking my arms around her waist from behind and momentarily lifting her light body in the air.
She squealed. "Justin, put me down!"
"Do you promise not to say it again? It sounds like I'm a 5-year-old nerd." I still held her in the air, tickling her neck with my breath.
"You make the weirdest comparisons." She shook her head, laughing. "But I will try not to."
"Hmm, do it or face the consequences, baby." I laughed evilly in her ear, putting her back on her feet. She giggled, smacking my chest with her mosquito strength.
I took a deep breath as we reached the big doors that led to where all the models were getting ready.
"You'll be fine, Justin. I can promise you that." She said sincerely, standing up on her tip toes to kiss my cheek.
"You owe me one for doing this for your mother." I sighed, running a hand through my hair as she pushed the doors open and ushered me inside.
"Don't worry, you'll get your reward." She said in what to me sounded like a suggestive tone. "Now, go to the room on the left and I'll go see you as soon as I'm dressed." With one last smile, she rushed inside the room on the right, where girls in similar pink robes were coming in and out from, sharing giggles and snobby Manhattan riches comments.
Nonetheless, I couldn't focus on anything else but Brooklyn's last words. You'll get your reward. I didn't want to get my hopes up imagining it was what it sounded like – and I wanted it to be – but what else could it be? I guess she could have been talking about the money but the way she said it suggested other... stuff.
I cautiously made my way to the men's room, eyeing everyone warily. They all looked like Abercrombie models, showing off their six packs and grinning like they were the hottest motherfuckers on earth. I lost count of how many times I rolled my eyes at them. Luckily, I didn't have to deal with pricks like these in a daily basis. I don't even know how Brooke can put up with such stupid people every single day.
I got a few dirty glances because of my clothes – excuse me for not wearing Ralph Lauren shirts and suit pants, I'd much rather be true to my jeans and hoodies. Of course, I returned the cold stares and, let's face it, I can be much more intimidating. If only they knew where I live and what I can do, they would think twice before doing as much as looking my way.
"Excuse me, can you please tell me your name?" A high-pitched voice that belonged to a red-haired girl interrupted my train of thoughts. She was wearing a black blazer and a white skirt, paired with high-heels that didn't make her too tall. She had a polite smile plastered on her overly happy face and carried a notepad and a pen in her hands.
"Justin Bieber." I replied, licking my lips. This was so awkward I just wanted to run away while I still could.
The woman read down the list of names on the notepad until she found mine. "There it is." Her tone was somewhat flirty but then again, there were only like ten women in this room and they were all trying to impress these douches.
I gave her a quick smile, hoping to leave her creepy face behind already and for someone to tell me what to wear quickly. "Follow me, Shana is waiting for you." However, fate had other things planned for me since she talked to me again.
I gave her a questioning look. Who the hell is Shana?
"Shana will be your stylist." She explained, seeming to read my confusion.
"Oh." I mumbled, trying to sounds the merest bit excited.
"You don't seem too happy about being here." The red-haired girl commented, giggling again.
I'm pretty sure my expression changed to one of fear. The woman was really creepy.
"It was my girlfriend's idea." I cleared up, making her expression drop.
She let out one last uncomfortable laugh before introducing me to Shana and leaving to flirt with some other, possibly single, guy.
"Ignore Valeria, she's a weirdo." Those were the first words of Shana as she made me sit on a chair in front of a mirror.
"Yeah, I noticed that." I chuckled, nervously tapping my foot on the floor.
"No offense but I haven't seen you here before and you look nothing like those other guys." Her direct tone surprised me. I usually liked people who weren't afraid to be honest and straight forward.
"It's no offense, trust me." I replied truthfully. "It's my first time. But you look nothing like the other stylists." I pointed at the tattoos covering her arms and the piercings in her face through the mirror. Her hair was platinum blonde and longer on one side.
Shana laughed knowingly. "I am nothing like them, but I'm good at my job so the boss keeps me." She shrugged like it was no big deal. Shana opened a drawer revealing some tools like combs and products like gel but then closed it again. "You know what, I like your hair like this. Do you use gel?" She looked full on concentration examining the spiked up part of my hair.
"Yeah." I nodded, uncomfortable with her touching my hair. I hated when people did that, except if those people went by the name of Brooklyn Reed.
"Let's leave it then." Her eyes drifted back to mine through the mirror. I let out a sigh of relief when I realized I wouldn't have to wear my hair combed back old style. I would rather shave my head than look like a fucking geek.
"Okay." I was already bored of being here.
"And your skin is pretty smooth and spotless. Any specific creams or lotions?" She asked again, running a finger down my cheek. And I thought this chick was normal. No, all of them are weirdos.
"Not really." I'm a guy, I couldn't care less about cosmetic products. God just blessed me with flawless skin, what can I say.
"Hmm, interesting." With one final look at my hair, she suddenly stood up straight, causing me to jump slightly. Now I was thinking she was probably the weirdest one of them all. "You can get dressed now, the clothes are inside that changing room." She smiled, gesturing at a small cabin with the door open.
"Thanks." I said hesitantly, giving her a wary smile back.
I locked the door of the tiny room and leaned against it, exhaling and inhaling deeply a few times. What had I gotten myself into? Observing the clothes hanging from the racks, I realized my biggest fear had been confirmed. I was gonna look like a nerd. Undoing the buttons of my denim jacket with grey hoodie sleeves, I hung it from a hook, proceeding to take off my white v-neck. Those guys had nothing to do with my toned eight-pack. I smirked at the thought and stripped of my jeans after stepping out of my Supras.
Dressing in the clothes Brooklyn's mother had designed was one of the hardest tasks I've completed in my life. Not because physically putting on them was difficult – I learnt how to dress myself when I was five – but because everything was being displayed before my very eyes thanks to the mirrored walls.
I shuddered when I saw the whole look. A fucking faggot. That's what I looked like.
Beige pants with pleats, brown Oxford shoes and a white button-down. There was a stripped throw still hanging from the rack but I couldn't see myself wearing that. I was already ashamed, feeling like those kids in Gossip Girl that weren't too far from the kids outside this changing room. Like Nate, which by the way I hadn't seen yet but I was sure he would be here. I grabbed the throw and left the little room with it in my hand, cursing under my breath.
When I came out, the big room was emptier and the stylists were giving the final touches to the other boys. Unfortunately, Shana found me and came running towards me.
"You look great." She emphasized, upon what I scowled. "But let me put this on you. It's the highlight of the look." She snatched the strange scarf from my hold and started wrapping it around my neck loosely.
I tried to protest but she hushed me. "Now you're ready to rock the runway." Her enthusiasm wasn't contagious and I found myself growing impatient. I just wanted today to be over. The only thing that made me feel better was that some guys looked even worse than me. "You can really pull off any look, eh?" Was she flirting with me too?
I sent her a fake smile, praying she would finally leave me alone until Brooke appeared.
"Valeria, Lucy, Shana!" A woman's powerful voice called, making all the stylists and some guys shut up immediately. Whoever it was, it must have been someone important. "Come here and deliver glasses for everyone." She ordered and the girls rushed to her, taking pairs and pairs of nerdy glasses from a cardboard box.
The important woman was dressed in a purple silky dress that reached her knees but was tight around her body, matching heels and a pearl necklace. Her brown hair was tied up someway – I don't know much about women hairstyles – and her green eyes displayed stress behind loads of makeup. "Hot mamma, huh?" I felt an elbow nudge my ribs, making me turn my head to the left, where a boy about my age was smiling like a moron.
I restrained from replying. His face looked way too stupid for him to be worthy of my words. However, he didn't seem to mind my rudeness as he kept staring at the woman in purple. I rolled my eyes in disgust. Old women weren't my thing, even though this one could be just in her forties.
I entertained myself with my phone while I saw people flying by trying to comply with the woman's requests. I hoped to go unnoticed and escape from having to wear the thick-rimmed brown glasses that would make me look even more stupid than I already did.
"Here." Someone shoved something on my eyes and I instantly realized it was a pair of the infamous glasses. I went to protest but, when I looked up from the screen of my phone, I saw Important Woman standing in front of me. "Oh you're one of the new guys Brooklyn brought?" Her face was both curious and surprised but her lips looked familiar.
"I guess you could say that." I stared at her through the invisible crystals of the glasses. At least they didn't make you see things distorted.
Brooklyn
"Oh my god, I just saw the cutest guy ever walking inside the other room." A girl gushed, running to her friend with an excited look on her face.
I had just left Justin on his own to go get dressed and was now looking through the racks of clothes for something I liked. Being the daughter of the designer had its advantages and I got to chose what to wear.
"He didn't look like he was from here, though. He dressed pretty strange, as if he was poor or something." The girl continued, capturing all my attention. A cute guy that dressed different from the other ones. It was as clear as day that she was talking about Justin. Although that comment about his clothes sort of annoyed me. "But he was so hot." That girl was beginning to piss me off.
"Hey girls, if you're already dressed, you should get out." I used the kindest tone I could muster, earning scowls from the two losers but getting my way.
"My mom always says money is more important than looks in a man, anyways." They walked away but I still could hear their stupid obnoxious giggles. They would get very far with that mindset, please note my sarcasm.
Sighing in annoyance, I picked a random dress from the rack and walked inside a changing room. I let the pink robe slide down my arms to a pile on the carpeted floor and shook my flip-flops off. The dress I had chosen was yellow and had frills all the way down from the waist, while the upper body was fitted and had very short sleeves. I got out to find a pair of shoes and touch my makeup a bit when I heard the same girls back in the room, still talking about that boy like they had just sneaked into the other room and had been caught. What are they, five? I found a pair of black pumps with a bow on the back and thin heels and put them on, trying to block their annoying-as-hell voices.
"I can't believe you're so silly, Mary!" The brunette from before scolded her blonde friend. I couldn't block them. "He totally saw you checking him out and I didn't have time to see how he looked in the new clothes." She stomped her foot on the floor like the brat she was and crossed her arms.
I kept applying the powder on my face like I wasn't listening into their conversation but my eyes were spying them through the mirror. Putting the brush down, I used my hands to give volume to my hair before bringing it to one side and showing the oval-shaped opening the dress had on the back.
"I couldn't help it, he looked like a god." Mary argued back, mimicking her friend's position.
"Of course he did!" The unknown girl yelled back, stomping her food again.
They were riling me. "Girls, that boy's got a girlfriend so back off." I approached them with the intentions of leaving the room to search for Justin.
"And how would you know?" Mary crooked an eyebrow at me, eyeing me as if she was superior.
"Because I know her. And trust me, you don't wanna mess with her." With a confident flick of my hair, I swayed my way out of the ladies' room, making sure I slammed the door behind me.
The central square was full of people who were already ready since the show would start in over 10 minutes. My stomach was in knots, but they were good knots – like the ones you get when the guy you like is gonna kiss you – because I loved doing this.
I sneaked inside the other room, greeting some people on my way over to where I spotted Justin. But he wasn't alone.
Crap.
I rushed towards where he stood, trying not to trip on my shoes. "Mom." I exclaimed, keeping a straight face so she wouldn't start thinking things. Justin's eyes widened noticeably and I sent him a don't-say-a-word look.
"Darling, you look stunning." She beamed at me, contemplating my choice of dress and accessories.
"Thank you." I smiled back, trying to keep it cool. "So you met Justin?"
"Actually, he was just telling me you convinced him to come." My mother seemed content and I couldn't spot any dislike towards Justin yet. But I couldn't risk it, she was hard to please.
"Yeah, I believe he's got potential." My eyes focused everywhere but in Justin but I still could sense this was being as awkward for him as it was being for me.
"Well, I'm positive he does. He looks fantastic." She nodded approvingly, eyeing him from head to toe for probably the tenth time.
I laughed uncomfortably and Justin actually blushed. Justin Bieber blushed. I took a second to pay attention to what he was wearing. Let's say he didn't look like himself – they had left his hair untouched, though, which I'm sure he was thankful for – but he looked hot nevertheless. Those girls were right, I'll give it to them.
"So how do you know each other? I thought I knew all of your friends." There it was. My mom and her tricky questions.
I gave Justin a sideways look, letting him know I'd take care of it. "He's a friend of Kelsey's actually. She introduced us and we just got along. Nice guy." I know, I couldn't be more stupid even if I tried to. Justin held back a snicker at my lame alibi but I could see a pang of something else flash past his eyes.
"So you and Kelsey are just friends?" My mother asked interestedly and I could see Justin's eyes popping out again in surprise but he nodded quickly.
"Mom." I hissed in embarrassment.
"Aw, you would look cute together. Brooklyn's off the market apparently but I think she's just with this boy to forget about her ex." She continued like I wasn't there and I didn't know what to do to stop Hurricane Kate Reed at this point.
"Mom, seriously. That's enough. You're gonna scare Justin." I said through gritted teeth, uncomfortable as ever.
"It's okay." He gave her his charming smile and I actually saw my mother blushing. Please, tell me I'm dreaming.
"Mrs. Reed, we need you on stage in 3 minutes!" Valeria shouted from the door of the room. We were almost alone now, since everyone was getting ready to model.
"Wish me luck. I'll see you guys later." She smiled briefly before strutting away in her heels.
"You won't need it, Mrs. Reed." Justin called, making my mom wave her hand at him dismissively like a school girl.
"Oh my god." I breathed out once we were alone. My hands were beginning to sweat from all the tension.
"So I'm Kelsey's friend, huh?" Justin spoke in a harsh tone, something I wasn't expecting at all.
"I'm sorry it was lame. I couldn't think of anything else to say in that moment." I apologized, waiting for his smile or a hug to came but it never did.
"Because you couldn't say the truth." He retorted, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"It wasn't the right time to drop the bomb on my mother. She's stressed about the show and you just saw how many questions she asks. She would have made you feel even more uncomfortable." I added, praying he hadn't got mad, but judging by the expression on his face, he had.
"And you assume that I would have fucked up, don't you?" His eyes were turned into slits now, visible behind those glasses my mom had made him wear.
I took a calming breath. "She would want to know about your family and your past and your career and ask if you have a job or are at college and I don't want you to have to invent a new life just for her to accept you." I explained, getting my point across. I was doing this for him. Why couldn't he see it?
He let out a humorless laugh. "Because my real life is not good enough? You can't expect your mother to accept me if you're ashamed of me yourself." And with those harsh words that cut through my heart like a broken glass, he left.
I stood there in the middle of the room for a minute, totally puzzled. A tear managed to leave the safe fort of my lids and I quickly wiped it away in fear that my mascara would get smeared.
I never meant for him to get that idea. I would never feel ashamed of Justin. I loved him just the way he was. But my mother wouldn't and I didn't want to put him through that, at least not yet. I needed time to make her see that Justin was a good guy with a golden heart and that he was good for me. But it wasn't gonna be a piece of cake.
So now, because of my mother, my boyfriend hated me. Suddenly, I didn't feel like going out there anymore. But I had to. So I put my act together and, straightening my dress, left the room to follow the rest of the girls. I got to the back part of the stage in time to see the first group of girls walking along the runway. The groups were organized depending on seasons and collections.
Justin had to go out next and there was nothing I wanted more than to give him and hug and assure him that everything was gonna be okay. However, he didn't even look at me for more than a second, choosing to chat with some other boys from my school instead, seeming indifferent.
I sucked it up and decided to act like I was fine too. If he could do it, I wouldn't be less.
When his turn came, I could make out he was nervous by how he was biting on his bottom lip, but he did great. The serious look I had drawn on his face helped the whole model act and he smoothly swaggered down the lit up runway, not minding all the eyes on him. Of course he loved attention and was never embarrassed when he had to perform in public.
But he thought I was embarrassed of him.
By the time my turn came, all that was on my mind was focusing on trying not to trip on my heels. I smiled at the audience when I got to the end of the runway but that was it. I usually couldn't contain my excitement when I was modeling, but today all emotion was drained from me due to my own stupidity.
I had to wait until the whole show ended and the cocktail started to search for Justin. Opting for staying on the last dress I had modeled with – a light pink one with heart-shaped cleavage and a skirt that resembled a ballerina's – I started searching. I had changed the black shoes to golden sandals that were much more comfortable but still kept me tall enough to see over some heads. I wanted to call Kelsey and tell her to come and help me but his father was undergoing surgery and I couldn't bother her with my love problems. Jazmyn had been invited to a party and I guess it outweighed seeing his brother modeling. The rest of my friends here either didn't know about Justin or weren't reliable enough to be told. So I was alone in the face of danger.
Waving my way across the crowded hall where rows of tables with food and drinks were exposed, I received hugs, handshakes, congratulations messages and such for the show. Everybody knew who my mother was. And speaking of the devil...
"Mom, have you seen Justin?" I sent the people she was talking with an apologetic smile before asking her directly.
"He's probably somewhere being harassed by half of the girls here. They have been devouring him with their eyes for the whole show." She chuckled as if it was funny. Of course I had noticed, it just wasn't a reason to laugh for me. It had gotten on my nerves, sometimes making me even huff when I saw how they scanned every inch of my boyfriend's body and he enjoyed every bit of it just to get me jealous.
Well, he was doing a good job because I was nearly fuming when I made out a girl throwing her head back in laughter at something he had said. They were standing in a corner of the room, the girl giving me her back. I could read Justin's face like a book: he wasn't interested in her to the slightest but he wanted to bother me.
I fastened my pace and hid behind a marble column where I could hear their conversation while pretending to eat.
"So you're old enough to drink?"
That voice. I couldn't believe Justin was actually talking with that idiot from earlier. A look over my shoulder confirmed my suspicions. It was her, the stupid brunette that cared more about money than looks but had the hots for my boyfriend.
Justin lifted his glass of Martini in the air as if saying "duh, what do you think?". Liar. The girl's obnoxious giggle filled the air again, making me grab a coke from a waiter passing by in order to keep my hands from strangling her.
"So, Justin, do you have a girlfriend?" I could see her twirling her curly hair between her fingers trying to be seductive. I clutched my glass harder in anticipation to his answer.
"Why do you wanna know?" He skillfully dodged the question, making me glad he hadn't erased me out of the picture just like that at least.
"This girl before, Brooklyn, I don't know if you know her, told me that you did." She sucked on her straw, looking up at him.
"Did she now?" Justin chuckled bitterly.
"You know her then?" Brunette Bimbo – new nickname – raised her eyebrows at him and I made the mistake of shrieking when someone stepped their foot on mine.
Justin noticed me eavesdropping and smirked. Damn it. There was no point in trying to pretend I wasn't listening but I could still have my revenge.
I came out of my hiding and grabbed a bit to eat – modeling starves you – walking straight to the back of Brunette Bimbo. I "unintentionally" bumped into her, making her drink spill all over Justin's white shirt. "Ups." Pouting, I shrugged before strutting away, making sure to sway my hips to the sides sexily.
Justin wanted to make me jealous? Two could play this game.
I spotted my perfect victim as I was going to the restroom. "Nate!" I motioned him over with a finger, ensuring we stood somewhere Justin would be able to see us. Brunette Bimbo was using napkins to clean up the mess she had caused while Justin hadn't seen me and Nate yet.
"Are you drunk or you're really calling me?" Nate took very short steps in my direction, keeping a cautious distance between us.
I waved a hand in the air while laughing, like he had said something funny. "Oh, Nate. I had forgotten how funny you were."
"Are you okay, Bella?" His confusion didn't fade away.
"Of course, I just wanted to talk, erm, about, um, Chemistry." I snapped my fingers when the word came to me. It was the perfect topic. I didn't like doing this but I was so over Nate and so jealous of Brunette Bimbo, I would do anything to get Justin to feel the same.
"What about it?" He dared to stand close enough for me to place a hand on his forearm.
I was spying Justin from the corner of my eye the whole time, seeing as his eyes darkened and his jaw clenched. This was working correctly.
"Do you want to still be partners next semester?" I suggested, dreading it would actually have to happen.
"Are you for real, Bella?"
"God, stop calling me Bella." I muttered, immediately changing my tone back to nice when I noticed my harshness. "I am for real. I just want to put our differences aside and focus on work." I smiled. "I mean, it's senior year.
We didn't have time to hear Nate's reaction before a blow came straight to his right cheek, making him stumble over. I gasped. "Justin, what are you doing?"
"No, what are you doing?" He screamed back. Thank god the music and chatting was loud and we were in a corner, because if someone had seen the scene... Well, it wouldn't have been pretty.
"You're talking with girls, I'm talking with boys." I explained, determined to keep my composure and not crumble down into his arms without a fight.
"This is not any boy," He pointed to an astonished-looking Nate, who was holding his jaw in his hand. "this is your fucking ex boyfriend."
"So? Your point?"
"Your mother just told me you still haven't forgotten him completely. Is that a good enough point for you?" The shouts were little by little increasing in volume and some people were staring.
"And what about that bitch?" Brunette Bimbo had run away once she saw what was about to take place. I had tried my best to ignore Nate's look of hope and surprise after Justin had said I still felt something for him. He was the least of my worries right now.
"She's just that." He spat. And the poor girl thought she stood a chance...
"Were you trying to make me jealous?" I rebated with a question, feeling how my walls started to fall down when his expression softened.
"Oh, so it worked?" Out of the blue, he smirked. Very like him.
"What do you think, Justin?" I asked like it was obvious. Nate was still there, staring at the both of us arguing. "I'm sorry, Nate but... Bye."
Grabbing Justin's hand in mine, I dragged him out of the room, avoiding any more unwanted attention.
"Where are we going?" He sighed, following me down one of the yellow corridors that led to the changing rooms.
"Somewhere private." I said simply. We clearly needed to talk.
Neither o us spoke again until we reached the room where the men changed. It was deserted since everyone was out having fun so, plopping down on a sofa, I waited for Justin to join me. His shirt was still stained and sticking to his torso, showing off his abs.
"Are you done staring?" His voice broke me out of my thoughts and I'm certain my face heated up like a tomato in embarrassment. Justin chuckled, pacing around the room. "You're so predictable."
"What do you mean?" I kicked my shoes off, getting more comfy on the red sofa.
"I was making you jealous so you used the same thing against me, only with your prick of an ex."
"Well, did it work?" At least, I hoped my efforts hadn't been in vain.
"Wasn't that punch enough proof?" I felt the weight of his body sink the sofa and our knees touch. At first, I thought he would move further from me but he didn't, which was a good sign, I guess.
"That was totally uncalled for. You're lucky he didn't hit you back." I needed to tell him off or otherwise, he'd think it was right to go around punching your girlfriend's exes.
Justin laughed amusedly. "He's a pussy. He wouldn't be able to take me even if he wanted to."
A silence fell upon us, giving me the need to fill it. "I'm sorry, Justin."
His eyes darted back up from his lap to look at me so I took that as my cue to continue.
"I'm not ashamed of you, I'm proud to call you my boyfriend. But my parents are different and they won't see you with my eyes. They're judgmental and sometimes shallow so I need to prepare them for this before I properly introduce you. Today wasn't a good day for that." I explained, scooting an inch closer to him until our thighs touched.
"Why did your mom say you still hadn't forgotten Nate?" Justin kept an emotionless tone of voice but I wanted to believe he was understanding what I meant.
"I don't know, she has Nate on a pedestal, thinks he's the best boy ever, even after knowing what he did to me. I think she wants to believe that one day we'll get back together." Justin's expression fell. "But that's not gonna happen, because I changed snobby pricks for bad boys, Mozart for Drake and studying for sneaking out to meet the guy I love." I smiled towards the end, interlocking my fingers with Justin's as my other hand tucked my bangs behind my ear.
"I like that change." He murmured, eventually cracking a smile himself.
"Good, because it's here to stay." I strained my neck up to kiss him, feeling how his soft lips returned the kiss, making me feel safe. His free hand cupped my cheek, cocking my head to the side to deepen the kiss.
"I'm sorry for overreacting." Justin pulled away momentarily to speak. "Again."
I giggled against his lips. "We need to get rid of this dirty and wet shirt. Don't want you to get a cold now, do we?" I whispered, trying to be seductive.
Justin shook his head no and returned to kiss me while he hoisted my legs up to straddle him and my fingers skimmed the cloth of the shirt, undoing the buttons one by one.