one
MARIA
For most of my life I was that sheltered girl. I did everything by the rules, and never went to parties. The only alcohol I had ever consumed was during weddings that I went to with my parents, or the dolce de leche's my mom sneaked me on special occasions. My dad was very over protective of me. He was a military sergeant and he always wanted what was best for his little kitten...me. Although, I never understood how my parents got together. My mom was a complete wild child. She was so full of life and don't get me started on how beautiful she was. Everyone said I looked like my mom but I never saw it. She was a goddess and I was just one of those girls you saw in JcPenny catalogs. I wasn't insecure, but I wasn't a Victoria's Secret supermodel either, I knew that for sure. I was ninety-nine percent sure that my sister, Tawny, was the one that got all my moms super-model genes. But anyways, like I was saying; I was a sheltered kid. That was until I got accepted into the University of Santa Barbara six months ago. Everything changed. I got more into doing activities and I've been going to parties. I guess I could owe it all to my roommate Tyarra who dragged me out everywhere she went. The only reason I escaped to the library tonight was because she was on date night with her boyfriend Kris. Kris asked if I wanted to tag along but I've been third wheeling enough to last me a lifetime. I gathered all my books up and pushed my glasses back up my nose before standing up and pushing in my chair getting ready to head back to the dorms. When I saw a curly headed figure standing in the Literature section of the bookshelves. "You know the library is going to close in fifteen minutes right?"
Trenton, one of my best friends, looked at me with a crooked smile. "I made a bet and I need to win."
"Oh god, you and your bets. What did you bet this time?"
"Hamlet was made by that Shakespeare dude right?"
"No, but it was written by him." I laughed.
"You know what I mean!"
"You're the English one, you should know these things."
"Yeah, well Justin made a bet with me and I felt a little doubtful. I've been sleeping in my classes lately."
"Maybe you should stop doing that." I smirked, turning on my heel.
"Wait, where are you going?"
"Back to my dorm?"
"No way, you have to come with me back to my dorm. Well...the common area. You're my living proof that I was right."
"Why don't you just look it up or something? I don't look all that good anyways. I look like I just woke up."
"Nonsense, you're beautiful!" he laughed grabbing my hand and pulling me out of the library.
"Trent, girls aren't allowed in the boys dorms late at night."
"Curfew for the weekends is one AM. I'll have you back safe and sound in no time, I promise."
*
I walked into the common room and set my books on the table as Kyle and Liam played pool. Liam was wearing a plain white tee that showed off every inch of his cut biceps and Kyle wasn't wearing a shirt at all. If I weren't always around these guys, and so used to seeing them with their shirts off I think I would've fainted. Actually...I think I did faint the first time Kyle pulled off his shirt now that I think of it.
"Justin! You owe me fifty bucks!" Trenton shouted stepping over the beanbags. Justin turned around in his spinning chair with wide eyes. Then they landed on me. Then the flashbacks came and I felt like I was back on the Sigma Theta Alpha balcony all over again. That was the night Justin drunkenly kissed me. I was one hundred percent sure he didn't remember a second of it, but I remembered the whole thing. Even up to the part where he pushed me out of the way so he didn't puke on my shoes. I never told anyone about it. For starters, Justin had a girlfriend who was mean as hell and because I didn't like rejection. He was my first kiss and I didn't want him to remember me telling him that. I don't even want to remember the memory myself because if I could forget it believe me, I would in a heart beat. "Maria here told me I was right and you were wrong. Shakespeare did write Hamlet."
"She's not proof." Justin muttered, not taking his eyes off me.
"Maria's grades are better than all of ours put together. She's the only proof Trenton needs." Kyle chuckled.
"Okay now that, that's settled. Trent take me home."
"Come on, stay for a little bit longer." Liam pleaded. "We never see you anymore. You're always wrapped around Trent's finger."
I rolled my eyes. "I have classes to attend and work to do. Unlike you guys, I don't rely on someone else doing my work."
"You should," Kyle chuckled. "It gives you more free time."
"To do what? Party? All that stuff?" I questioned, crossing my arms.
"I bet you couldn't have fun even if fun bit you in the ass." Justin laughed, stretching out in his chair.
"You already lost fifty bucks tonight, I'm sure you should be done making bets Mr. Bieber."
"Mr. Bieber's my father." Justin grimaced. "Anyways, I know this is just an easy one because there's no way Maria Consolez would have fun. You're just not that kind of girl."
"What do you mean?" I was feeling slightly offended. Justin didn't think I was fun? Is that why he didn't like me coming around? "I can have fun. There's just nothing fun to do around here."
"Bullshit Maria, even I know that." Jake laughed from the couch behind me.
"Do all of you think I'm boring?" I asked.
"We've only seen you at like two parties." Kyle pointed out.
"Yeah, and there's a party every night." Trent shrugged.
"Don't tell me you're on their side Trenton!" I smacked his shoulder.
"Hey, I'm just calling out facts." He defended, pushing my shoulder back.
"If you want to prove you really are fun, skip next week with us and go to Vegas."
"Vegas?" I squeaked. "There's no way. I'd miss so many notes and class, and I could get kicked out of school!"
"You only have four classes Mar. Live a little." Justin smirked. "Unless, you just want to back out of this bet before it even begins."
"Looks like I'm just going to have to back away now." I said, sliding closer and closer to the door. "Have fun in Vegas." I turned and rushed out of the dorm into the warm California air.
"Wait," Justin called from behind me.
I stopped immediately in my tracks. "What?"
"I didn't get to tell you the wages."
"I'm not doing the bet."
"If you win, I'll leave you alone for good. No more side remarks or being antagonizing. None of that, I swear. But, if I win, you've got to tell me what happened that night we were alone. I need to know what made you so reserved when it came to me."
"I can tell you what happened right now if that's what you really want to know."
"Oh come on Maria. Live a little damn it."
My eyes traced the tattoo patterns on his arms, all the way up to his biceps. I didn't realize that he was watching me checking him out until a small smirk pulled at his lips. "I am living a little...I'm living a lot actually."
"Keeping your nose buried in a book every waking moment of your life isn't living Maria. It's far from it. It's sad and sickening and you're going to miss out on so goddamn much."
"Why are you so set on me coming? Why don't you ask Bella to go with you? Live a little with her." The words came out sharper than I intended and I prayed that he didn't pick up on it but of course the bastard did. "I'm leaving now." I said, turning before I said something else that was too damn stupid.
"I broke up with Bella, that's why."
I looked back at him. "Why?"
"If you win this bet, I'll tell you. But, that means you have to give up my previous proposition."
I thought about it for a second. "Fine. You win, I'll go with you to Vegas and have fun."
"Alright. I am your fun advisor, meaning that anything I have planned fun wise, you've got to go along with."
"Will you get me locked up?" I asked. He just grinned and turned away from me heading back to the dorm room. "Justin? I'm serious!"
"We leave Saturday at midnight!" He called back at me.
[A/N]
was originally my niall horan story but then i came up with a new plot and thought it would be cuter if it was justin xx
cast is on the side!