You guys asked for it! Justin's POV! I know I said in the last chapter of Forever in Your Arms that their first date was on January 28th. I changed my mind. LOL.
It'll be March 28th, just because he asked her out on June 12th and 6 months is a really long time to be dating and not be official...just saying.
But I really hope you like it and it helps you understand more!
VOTE and ENJOY!
*********************
March 13th
2012
2:01 PM
Are you kidding me. I'm going to be late because of this stupid traffic.
Lauren already hates me enough.
I tapped my fingers impatiently and glanced over at my phone.
Maybe I should just text her.
Nah, she wouldn't care even if I did.
She doesn't like me, and I don't even know why.
Her and Taylor had just broken up, so I should just be nice, after all we had sort of been talking before they dated.
But she totally led me on. I thought maybe she had liked me too.
Well boy was I wrong. Especially when she started dating HIM.
I hate that guy.
I'm just going to be nice. If I'm nice she'll see that I'm not mad anymore and maybe I can at least win her over.
MAYBE.
I ran a hand through my hair and felt my stomach twist.
Pull it together Justin. She's just a girl.
A girl that you've been crushing on since last year.
No, obviously she didn't think I was good enough for her. You're just recording this song and that's that.
I pulled in to the studio and got out of the car quickly seeing Scooter and Kenny.
"I'm sorry. Traffic was horrible. I left an hour ago." I told them.
"It's fine. Let's just get in there."
We walked inside and I opened the door to the room, catching Angie's eye.
"Sorry I'm late. LA traffic was bad." I told her.
Lauren sat on the couch a few feet away, but I couldn't bring myself to look at her. I'm scared I'll blush.
"It's cool. Go ahead in so we can get started." She said back.
"Alright," I turned to Lauren cautiously. "Hey Laur."
I called her Laur. God what an idiot.
Her head shot up, looking at me for the first time since I got here.
"Hi."
It was more of a question hi.
I don't know why she hates me.
I walked inside the booth letting the door shut behind me and slipped on the headphones.
I thought I saw her looking at me, but I could be wrong.
"Alright, you're good to start."
I nodded and the music started.
I listened through her first verse, her voice almost making me blush again.
I joined in on the chorus. It was a good song. She had done a good job writing it.
It just wasn't about me.
'Your touch makes me feel,
alive,
I'm alive with you..."
I sang harmony against her melody.
I could feel her watching me out of the corner of my eye.
She had her earphones in, probably trying to make it look like she wasn't listening.
I did my verse, then the chorus again.
I glanced quickly at her, but she was looking down at her phone.
I'm probably just wasting my breath.
But she's so pretty...
I finished the song, doing some stacking over the bridge, and as I slipped off the headphones she stood up.
I couldn't hear what she said because it was sound proof, but Angie said something to her back, and then she left the room and she glances at me, so I gave her a small smile.
I hadn't even noticed I had been staring.
I opened the door and stepped out, looking over at Scooter.
"It sounds amazing. It'll be great on the album." Angie told me.
"I like the song a lot. It's really well written."
"She worked hard on it. It was right before her and Taylor broke up. It was a little hard for her recording it I think."
I nodded.
"Thanks for asking me to record it. It was nice working with you."
I shook her hand.
"You too. Sorry about her," She motioned to the door. "I think she's having a pretty rough day."
"It's ok. I understand."
"And we'll be in touch about the music video. It shouldn't be long."
"Great, thanks."
"Welcome. Talk to you soon."
"You too."
I opened the door and Kenny and Scooter followed me out.
"She must have had a really bad day." Scooter said. "I know normally she is just smiles and really bubbly."
"Her and her boyfriend just broke up not to long ago. I'm sure she's upset." I shrugged.
Wow. I just defended her.
And the whole point was to get over her.
Scooter nodded and we turned the corner.
I walked outside, my eyes flickering down to the familiar girl who sat a few feet away, her body curled up to herself as she cried against her knees.
Oh no. Lauren...
So this is what it was like for her all the time. I hadn't talked to her.
That was a huge mistake. Now she probably thinks you hate her, which you don't, it's the exact opposite.
But I couldn't be around her while she loved someone else.
It hurt too much.
Now she needs you, and you haven't been there.
"Guys go ahead. Let me talk to her." I whispered to Scooter and Kenny. "Please."
"Alright." Scooter nodded.
I went over, sitting beside her and put my hand on her shoulder.
"Are you ok?" I murmured.
Wow dumb question. Of course she's not ok.
"No." She said, looking up at me, her brown eyes saddened and glistening from tears.
"You'd do that?" She asked, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
"Of course I would. I'm finished. I don't mind."
Look at her. You don't even know what she's crying about.
Probably Taylor, but it could be you too. You haven't spoken in a year and you've given her no explanation.
You probably really hurt her too.
"Ok." She nodded, standing up with me.
We started walking and she pulled out her phone, sending a text to Angie I assumed.
"What about Kevin and Scooter?" She asked as we walked through the parking lot.
"Kevin?" I let out a small laugh raising my eyebrow.
"Yeah, isn't that your bodyguard?"
"No," I shook my head laughing again. "That's Kenny."
"Oh."
I saw her blush, holding her wrist in her hand.
Cute.
God, cut it out would you.
You're over her. It's been a year.
Are you crazy? Over her? That's the stupidest thing you have ever tried to persuade yourself of.
She was so pretty, she was so sweet, you guys cried laughing so hard together, and your telling yourself you're over her?
You're pathetic.
"They came in a different car then I did, they just waited for me out front." I explained, trying to make a light conversation.
It probably wouldn't help.
I was half tempted to get the door for her when we got in my car, but I didn't.
I didn't want it to make her feel weird or anything.
Being nice.
I can't stay mad at her forever.
Even though I was clearly into her at the time.
But whatever.
I started my car and pulled away.
Oh my god I'm taking her home.
Why don't you talk to her then stupid? You're blowing it. Who knows when you're going to see her again and her and Taylor could get back together any minute.
Say something!
I opened my mouth to speak, but when nothing came out I shut it quickly.
Idiot.
"Why are you being so nice to me? I haven't exactly been all that great to you." She said.
At least something I could answer.
"You were crying and you looked sorta bummed," I glanced at her. "I haven't really been that nice to you either."
"I know." She said quietly, looking away from me.
Ouch.
But I hadn't, because I had been mad that Taylor had gotten her before I did.
No, not before you did. You just never told her you loved her.
You could have kissed her that one day. You could have, but you didn't and look what happened.
That kiss could have changed everything
Everything would be so different.
If only she knew...
"So, what happened with you and Taylor?" I asked, breaking the quietness.
"Honestly I don't know," She shrugged. "He broke up with me and the came to be friends with me today."
"Oh." I pressed my lips into a fine line, naturally becoming angry. He basically picked her up and took her right away from me.
Hate him.
"What about you and Jasmine?" She asked after a moment of silence.
"It's a long story." I said, swallowing a little.
No. You can't tell her that Jasmine dumped you because she figured it out.
Kissing Jasmine, she was never in my mind. It was always Lauren, and that was so unhealthy.
You loved Lauren, you stared too much, you talked about her too much, and that was that. Your secret was out.
Jasmine knew, and you hurt her too.
"I think we have time. My house is still like 10 minutes away."
"Alright," I paused, debating with myself how I was going to explain this. "Let's say that I did like her, trust me I did, but I'm still learning the boyfriend thing, and she wasn't right for me."
"Why? She's pretty."
"Well yeah," She was, but she's not you. "It's just complicated."
"There was someone else," I felt her watching me and I shifted uncomfortabley.
Yes there was someone else. That someone else was you, and I tried to tell you so many times. So many times, but then if she didn't like you your friendship was over. It'd just be awkward.
"Who is she?" She asked after a pause.
"It really doesn't matter. She doesn't have feelings for me. I figured that out a while ago."
You. It's you. It's always been you. Ever since I saw you. Ever since I hearrd you laugh.
It's always been you.
"Oh." She said, and I glanced at her, seeing a small frown on her face. "You sounded good while recording."
So she had been listening.
"You weren't so bad yourself." I turned my head and smiled at her. She smiled back and I turned away quickly again trying to hide my blush.
"You know they want 'Falling For You' to be my first single right?"
"No I didn't." I shook my head honestly.
"Means a new freaking love sappy music video. Joy."
Double Ouch.
I just wanted to kiss her.
"That bad huh?" She was really hurting though, I'm sure.
"Of course it's that bad. I should have seen it coming."
I felt bad. She had really liked him. But I had really liked her - loved her, love her, and yet I feel sorry for her.
"No one ever does." I said.
I hadn't seen it coming either. Any of it.
My luck.
I pulled up to her house and stopped the car.
That ride was too quick. Of course traffic couldn't be bad now when I needed it to be!
Thanks a lot people!
"Well thanks for the ride." She said.
"No problem. I guess I'll see you soon."
"Uh yeah, see you soon."
She hopped out of the car and walked quickly up to her house.
"Stupid." I muttered resting my head on the steering wheel.
I pulled away, not wanting her to see me and started back for the hotel.
Somehow I'd win her over. I had come so close before.
*****************
"Hey Miley." I smiled at her, stepping inside her house.
"Hey Justin!"
I looked around and saw Taylor talking to some chic a few feet away.
Well he was quick. He didn't just break Lauren's heart or anything.
Scumbag.
I walked around the corner and said Hi to Jaden.
"How'd it go today?" He asked me.
"A lot better then I thought it would." I nodded once.
"Wait, she talked to you?"
"Yeah, I gave her a ride home."
"Dude!" He smile punching my shoulder.
"She was upset. Apparently Taylor had just stopped by. He wanted to get back together with her, and now he's in the corner with some chic."
"And?"
"I don't know. I didn't ask a lot. Don't want to overstep my boundaries. I'm trying to get close again, not make her dislike me anymore than she does."
He nodded.
"Speaking of which."
He pointed to the door and I saw her step inside, her curly hair catching the moonlight.
"Go talk to her." He told me.
"I can't just go talk to her. It's been a day. I mean we were nice in the car, but not all buddy buddy."
"Oh sure you can!"
"No way dude."
I turned, feeling a pair of hands crash into me and I instantly found their waist, steadying them for a moment.
Lauren...
Jayden slipped away, leaving me to fend for myself.
Lovely.
"Do you always do that?" I asked her, recalling to the first time we met.
"No. I'm sorry. I just- Sorry." She spoke quickly.
"It's cool. Don't worry about it." I shrugged. She glanced over my shoulder, but I looked at her.
"Put your arm around me." I heard her say.
"Huh?" I asked.
"Put your arm around me or something." She said again.
"Why?"
God you are an idiot! She just told you to put your arm around her and you're asking why?!
"Just do it." She said quickly again.
I slipped my arm around her waist and saw Jaden looking at me, giving me a thumbs up.
I widened my eyes, telling him to hit the road, before she saw.
Taylor walked by and I suddenly understood.
But oddly enough I didn't care.
"Oh I see." I nodded once.
"Yeah." She scooted a little closer, but I couldn't tell if it's because she wanted to or I just made her uncomfortable.
Taylor walked away and I dropped my hand from her waist, as much as I didn't want to.
I need to get on her good side again.
"Thanks."
"Yup," I thought for a second, and then the words spilled out of my mouth before I even realized what I was saying. "Do you want to dance?"
"Ok." She smiled and I almost took her hand to lead her behind me, but decided against it.
Yeah 3x was on by Chris Brown and she put her hands on my shoulders. I rested my hands on her waist again and caught Jayden giving me another thumbs up.
I'm going to kill him.
"I didn't even know you were coming tonight." She said over the music.
"Neither did I. It was a last minute thing."
"Good thing."
I felt myself blushing again and looked down at my shoes.
Maybe she didn't hate me anymore.
She wouldn't be dancing with you if she hated you.
Yeah 3x turned into Teach Me How to Dougie. Oh god.
I laughed a little and she looked at me.
"Can't you do this really well?" She asked.
"Um, I mean I guess I'm ok at it." I shrugged. I'm not gonna brag...
"Oh come on. Do it."
Her hands fell from my shoulders and I let go of her waist.
"Um.."
"Please? Do it! I can't."
"Oh come on it's not that hard."
"I look like an idiot."
"Fine then you do it."
"You have to do it first."
I sighed, but saw her smiling. I did it through once and she laughed.
"See, I can't do that."
"Sure you can." I reached for her hands taking them in mine. "Ok look, it's alternating hands twice, then you do the hair thing, and that's pretty much it. Except for the hips and side steps. You gotta get into it."
She laughed again, and I smiled.
"I have friends at my old school who did it, and their version was way dirtier."
I laughed this time.
"It can be. I guess it's all in how you do it."
I hadn't let go of her hands yet, but she didn't really seem to mind.
"So the hands, hair, and getting into it?"
"Yeah." I nodded, fighting the urge to laugh again.
"What are you talking about hips?"
"You dance too! Do I really have to show you?"
"I told you I look like an idiot!" She smiled again.
"Ok, ok. Here. Turn around. I'll show you."
She raised an eyebrow, still smiling, but did as I said. I put my hands on her hips and leaned forward into her ear.
"You have to listen to the music." I said.
She nodded.
"Left first."
I waited for the beat again and moved to the left first.
Don't screw up. You screw up, you'll blush again.
Left, Right, Left, Left, Right, Left, Right, Right.
I repeated the pattern in my head and heard her laugh.
"See, you're doing it." I told her smiling. My cheeks actually hurt.
"I know, I'm shocked."
"It's not hard!"
"Easy for you to say." She turned her head smiling.
I couldn't tell if it was working or not, but I was having fun. A lot of fun. More than I thought I would be.
She took a step back into me, putting her hands on top of mine and slipping her fingers through.
Oh my god. It was working.
I'm good. I'm really good.
I let out a small laugh and the song changed again.
Dammit.
But then the bass kicked up, and I was smiling again.
I recognized the song instantly.
DJ's Got Us Fallin' In Love Again.
Oh lovely. How ironic.
I guess.
She turned her head and laughed again.
"Look." She pointed to Jayden, doing some funky stuff a little away from us.
"He's such a dork." I let out another laugh and glanced at her.
She was so pretty, and her hair smelled really good.
I wanted to kiss her, but I didn't. She just got out of the relationship, and I wasn't going to set up a bad name for myself or her.
She laughed again shaking her head and let her eyes linger on me. I felt my heart pounding, but I smiled at her again.
She turned her head back and slowly let go of my hands, but left mine on her hips and laughed again. She ran a hand through her hair leaving it there for a minute as we danced, then took my hands again leaning back into me.
Ok so what now? We were on speaking terms again?
Obviously she was pretty comfortable, and I wasn't complaining. She kept smiling at me and laughing, almost how it used to be.
Like we were dating now.
But we weren't.
Maybe I should just ask her out.
But it might seem a little too soon.
BUT BUT BUT.
I bet she doesn't even remember how it used to be.
I remember the first day we met. I was such a flirt.
Flashback:
"I'm Justin." I shook her hand and smiled at her.
"Lauren." She said.
"Oh yeah. Lauren McCain right?"
"The one and only."
I didn't let go of her hand right away, but then I pulled back as she did.
"I've heard a lot about you. Didn't your album just come out?"
"Yeah, it's just an EP, but it's something. Didn't yours?"
"Yeah, a few weeks ago." I nodded.
I still felt the touch on my hand from her's. I smiled at her, rubbing the back of my neck with my hand nervously.
"It's good. I really like it."
"Thanks. I really like yours too."
"Thanks." I saw a blush form on her cheeks, and she rocked on her heels holding her wrist in her other hand.
"Welcome," I laughed at the blush. She had pretty eyes, a deep light brown almost, definitely darker than mine. I noticed she was one of those girls who didn't wear a lot of make up, she let her own beauty show.
Did you just call her beautiful?
I think you did.
"Want me to show you around?" I asked her. "LA isn't a town you want to get lost in."
"Yeah, that'd be cool." She nodded.
"Come on, let's start down the street."
I took her hand gently pulling her out of the studio.
"Alright." She laughed. "But you better not lose me."
"I won't." I laughed. "If anything I'll run. You're just one of the few girls that get to be up close and personal with mwah."
"Oh really? Aren't I special."
"Yes, yes you are."
She blushed again and I smiled.
I showed her around town, a few people stopping us here and there for autographs and pictures.
"Why haven't we met before?" I asked her.
"I don't know. Busy schedules I guess."
"Well we should definitely hang out more often. I need something to do in my spare time besides sleeping." I pulled out my phone and handed it to her. "Here, give me your number."
"Alright, you too." She handed me her phone and I put my name and number in.
"There. You'll never forget me." We switched phones again and she laughed at me.
"I thought I was the special one."
"Ok, fair enough."
End of Flashback:
Yeah, she probably didn't even remember. That was almost a year and a half ago now.
The song changed again, and I thought she was going to pull away because it was a slow song, but she didn't.
She just turned around and put her arms around my neck. My arms were still around her waist, so I pulled her a little closer.
I wanted to kiss her. I wanted to kiss her so bad.
"What made you come?" She asked.
"Miley texted me about it. I just didn't know if I really wanted to, but some of my friends were going to be here so I figured why not. Why'd you come?"
"To get my mind off things. It helped. A lot. I've had a bad day."
"I'm sorry. Was it him?" I motioned away from us.
"Yeah, pretty much, but I'm fine now. I'm better off, especially after why we broke up."
"I thought you didn't really know?"
"I do. It's complicated, and kind of a long story. I just didn't want to get into it in the car, plus I didn't really know what was going on. You were being nice and I was a little surprised."
"I'm not that mean."
"You stopped talking to me for a while." She looked down.
"I got busy, you got busy. I had issues and a lot on my mind too. Plus you didn't really talk to me either, so I figured it was best to just leave you alone." I told her honestly.
"I'm sorry. I did get busy. Things got big real fast in my life."
"I know what you mean."
"You could have talked to me about it though. I would have tried to understand."
"No I couldn't have," I shook my head. "Trust me. As much as I wanted too... I thought you knew."
"Knew what?"
"Just girl issues." I shrugged.
Maybe she'd take the hint.
"With Jasmine?"
Before I could answer a girl with blonde hair walked over to her. I didn't recognize her.
"Lauren!"
"Hey Payton." She said looking quickly at her, and then back at me.
"I've been looking for you everywhere! But it seems as though you've been with Justin the whole time."
"It's cool." I said and dropped my hands from Lauren's waist. "I had fun."
I reached for her hand as they fell from my neck and gave it a light squeeze, smiled at her, and then walked away.
She thought I was talking about Jasmine. No. She was clueless. I had been talking about her. She was my 'girl issues.' I had dated Jasmine afterwards, I did like her, I just couldn't bring myself to get over Lauren.
So Jasmine dumped me, because I stared to much.
And not at her.
And yet I wasn't bothered by it at all.
"Dude! I told you to talk to her!" Jayden came up to me.
"Well she bumped into me and I guess I took it from there."
"Did you ask her out?"
"Nope."
"Kiss her?"
"Nope." I repeated.
"Really?!"
"Yes really. She just broke up with Taylor. We were dancing! People dance all the time."
"Oh I know you were dancing. Smooth move trying to show her how to Dougie."
"It worked didn't it? I thought after the song she would have pulled away, but she put her hands on top of mine and slipped her fingers through."
"Aw, were there sparks?"
I hit his shoulder lightly.
"Shut up."
"You're blushing."
"I am not. It's just the lights."
"Please. You should have made a move."
"I did."
"You know what I mean."
"At least you could have said 'we should hang out soon' or something!"
"I tried that last time Jayden."
"And you were so close!"
"Not close enough. Someone else got closer, and then broke her heart."
"Then put it back together. Don't you have her number?"
"Yeah, I'll wait a little though. I don't want to seem like an obsessive freak."
"Don't wait to long. Taylor might come back."
"I doubt it. She said she was 'better off. Especially after why they broke up.'"
"You got details?"
"No. I tried in the car too, but she told me just now that she didn't want to get into it then. She was surprised I was being nice to her."
"I thought she hated YOU?"
"Me too."
"Well it certainly didn't look like it. I'd say she was almost flirting."
I shrugged again.
"It was hard to tell."
I turned my head and looked over at her dancing with Payton on the dance floor, her arms moving and her eyes shut, dancing like she didn't have a care in the world.
"You'll get there."
He put his hand on my shoulder.
"I hope so."
****************
12:43 AM
I kept checking my phone in the hotel room.
Nothing.
Maybe she hadn't left yet.
I hadn't even seen her the rest of the night.
I crawled into bed and kept my phone in the side table.
I closed my eyes, burying my face in the pillow and replayed the night over and over again.
I should have kissed her. I could have at least asked her out.
I didn't even know when I'd see her again.
The music video! Thank god.
I had an excuse to talk to her again.
I'll ask her out then. Slowly but surely I'll win her over.
Especially after tonight.
Maybe she would explain what happened with her and Taylor.
I just want to get it right. Ever since I laid eyes on her I wanted to call her mine.
I got closer and closer, and then boom. He took her away just like that, and almost 9 months after he took her, we're talking again.
I should have just told her when I had the chance. Maybe I would be with her today.
Maybe things would be different.
But tonight was amazing. I hadn't had that much fun in a long time. She actually danced with me. She laughed with me.
If only I could make her that happy everyday. If I could just kiss her like I had wanted to, treat her like she should have been treated in the first place, I'd have gotten her then.
It's funny how I even found out about her and Taylor.
I was at the Breaking Dawn: Part 1 premiere and if I saw her I was going to ask her out. I knew that I actually had a chance, and then well...
He kissed her as they walked in.
I left early. Obviously.
Things would be different now. I'd have my turn.
And I'd do whatever I could to make sure that happened.
I'd be the one to put her heart back together, and I swear if he tries to steal her back away from me- it'd be bad.
I already wanted to kill him now for hurting her as bad as he did.
But it was my turn to love her.
I knew I did, I think I do.
Especially since I've never felt this way before about anyone.
Just to call her mine.
********************