All credit goes to LuvCullens.
Justin had to talk himself through each footstep back to his bunk. He was exhausted. They had been doing some trainingall through the night and now the sun was starting to rise and he hadn't slept in over twenty-four hours.
"Bieber, wait up." Justin turned around to see McCarty running towards him.
"What's up, brother?" Jake asked clasping his hand on Justin's shoulder.
"Not much, I'm exhausted. I'm going to sleep as long as they'll let me. Then I'll get up, to do this all over again."
"Wow, you do need to sleep, Grumpy."
"How are you always on, McCarty? Do you live on Red Bull?"
"Don't hate on my awesomeness."
"I'll work on it," Justin laughed. He felt like it was literally impossible to stay in a bad mood when in the presence of this guy.
"I heard you're up for promotion."
"Yeah, I guess they must be pretty hard-up for some sharp shooters if they want me."
Jake blew out an exasperated breath. "Don't play the humble card with me, Bieber. You know you're good, you always have been. I'm surprised it took them this long to realize you're the best of the best."
"Well, it's not a done deal yet. I've got to go through some more training and get in some practice time." Jake nodded in understanding. "Hey, you want to go get some target shooting in with me later?"
"Sure, just come find me. Do you realize that there are only sixty more days until we're back at Pendelton?" Jake said with a glow on his face. Justin nodded and rubbed the back of his neck. "You're not excited to be back in the states?"
"I don't have a beautiful wife waiting at home for me, Jake. So being here really isn't that different than being at home. Well, that's not completely true, the food at home is better."
"That's true, my friend. I need a freakin' cheeseburger and fries like you wouldn't believe. I could also use a little something, something from my wife."
"Not what I need to hear, Jake."
"Justin, you need a woman. That's what will cheer you up," Jake said winking at Justin.
"Nope, that's not what I need."
"Dude, you can't stay celibate forever. I'm not saying you need to get married, you just need a little female companionship."
Justin shook his head and laughed it off. "Aren't you having a baby soon?"
"Yeah, Charlotte is due three weeks after we get back."
Jake's attention was easily distracted and he went into a full blow discussion about his baby girl that was soon arriving.
By the time Justin made it back to his barracks he was too tired to even take off his clothes. He dropped onto the mattress and was asleep within seconds, without a thought crossing his mind.
Voices started to filter into Justin's mind, breaking him from his deep slumber. He rolled over onto his side and heard a crinkle under his shoulder. He let his eyelids slip open long enough to look at the watch on his wrist. Eleven. He'd slept five hours. More than he'd expected. He could hear men outside and a couple of men having a conversation at the other end of the room. His eyes opened wider and he knew he was officially up for the day.
Throwing his legs over the edge of the bed, he pushed up on his elbow, hearing the crinkling sound again. He looked over and saw a envelope crushed underneath him. It must have come yesterday and he didn't notice it because he crashed this morning. Quickly, he sat up and opened his letter.
Dear Justin,
First of all let me thank you for the story. It got me through my day. Someday I will come up with a way of torturing him with that information without disclosing my source. I am now even further indebted to you.
I will tell you about my family as long as you tell me all about yours in return. My parents Naomi and John are great. They have been together since they were in high school and absolutely adore each other. It can be quite disturbing sometimes. You'd think they would get sick of each other after thirty years. I don't think I will ever find love like theirs in a life time. My dad is the chief of police and was in the Air Force before that. My mom is a nurse and has always been a full time mom, even now that we are adults - if you can call Jake an adult. Jake is four years older than me and has tortured me my whole life. I wouldn't trade him in for the world though. Don't ever tell him I said that. Charlotte, his wife, has been my best friend since we were nine years old. When we were twelve she decided that she was in love with my older brother. It was quite nauseating. Most of the time, she kept her thoughts to herself, for my benefit. For some reason, he finally noticed her when we were seventeen, perv. He patiently waited for her to turn eighteen and then he wouldn't leave her alone, perv again.
Justin pictured Jake waiting a year to date Charlotte. He had seen pictures of Charlotte and she was beautiful. Not really Justin's type, but still pretty. He didn't think Jake had it in him to wait that long. He laughed imagining Jake's frustrations.
They were married two years later. Charlotte is just over two months away from having their first baby and I am so excited to be an aunt. Charlotte is spending the summer with us in Forks, while Jake is gone and so she and I can spend some time together. I think she felt sorry for me after listening to me cry on the phone those first weeks after the incident. I'm the baby and the only girl. My dad hovers over me and is worried every man on earth is out to destroy my virtue. My mom is cool, we talk like we are friends but she also lays down he law when she needs to. She never really had to, I was a good kid. I figured Jake gave them enough grief; I should lighten their load as much as possible. Like you, I never really spent my time partying either. Jake spent his entire life embarrassing me and making fun of me. Sometimes it's really funny and other times it's really annoying. No guy dared to mess with me in fear of my older brother. I am really lucky to have such a great family.
Kate had the picture perfect family. Justin felt envious.
You are quite the modest, smarty pants. Northwestern, done in four years, and then hired by one of the big four accounting firms. Very impressive, my friend, but even more impressive to me is your courage to go after what you wanted. I admired the fact you want to spend your life doing other than something other thank making a buck. You want to contribute to the greater good. You are true to yourself. I have to admit I am thoroughly intimidated by you. I was before but now it's at a whole other level.
Are you happy in the Marines? I don't even know where you are? How long have you been there? What are you plans in terms of a career in the Military? And of course, do you have a tattoo and what is it? I think it's a military requirement. My mom completely lost her cool when Jake came home with his first one.
Just to warn you, if I ever run into Tanya I will be forced to call her crazy and possibly use the right hook that Jake taught me before my first day. Can I count on you to do the same if you ever run into Mike?
Edward laughed out loud causing him to cough the sleep from his throat. He loved that they had written only a few letters and already they were so comfortable with each other and he loved that Kate was already protective of him. What he'd give to see Tanya's reaction if someone like Kate confronted her.
I am a baseball fan, football fan, basketball fan. It's kind of impossible not to be, growing up with Jake and my dad. They are sports junkies. I know sports and I enjoy watching them but I don't play them. I have avoided the admission of my lack of coordination for a while, but now I have to admit that I am probably one of the clumsiest people you will ever meet or write to. I hope you never have to witness it.
Very wise of your to not ask how much I weigh. Your mother raised you well. I was thinking it would be kind of fun if we didn't say what each other looked like. I already have an image of you in my head and I am assuming you do of me, so let's keep it like that. Maybe, someday, if we ever meet, it will be that much more exciting. Although, I am pretty confident you will be disappointed.
He was sure she was crazy. She had to be beautiful. At least that is how he had pictured her, and then he started to picture Jake as a female. This image caused him to shudder and not in a good way. Only a woman would not want to know what the other looked like, but he would go along with it.
You will be proud to know I have taken up running, well, let's call it a brisk jog. I am working my way towards running. My family is in shock over my new routine and they constantly make fun of me - you know the whole coordination thing. I will admit this to you and only you; I have had quite a few falls on my runs. I don't think it is just my lack of coordination, it is that combined with constant wet pavement and mud, and a lack of focus. My mind is always on something else. I imagine you never have this problem though. You could probably run with your eyes closed and still look like an advertisement for Runner's World.
The running is working, you were so right. I can think so logically and make sense of so much when I'm out on the pavement. I have to admit I've been running even more this week. School starts in two weeks and I'm so terrified to run into Jessica or Milk. I've come a long way, there are days that I don't even think of them and I haven't cried in two weeks. I'm so scared that once I see them, my world will come crashing down again and I'll have to start all over. Do you have any words of wisdom for me? Right now, I can honestly say that I hope I never fall in love again.
For some reason the last sentence caused Justin's stomach to turn and he didn't understand it.
He always made me feel good about myself. He was the first adult relationship I had, and it felt good to have a man look at me the way he did. I really miss having someone there all of the time. Looking back now though, I know that the relationship wasn't right. The attraction was there, we had fun, and he understood me, but I realize he wasn't my best friend and I think for a relationship to be successful, you have to be each other's best friend. Is that strange? I think that realization is what made me start to move on from the heartache. Of course, that understand came while I was out running. Was Tanya your best friend? What do you miss about your relationship with her?
School will keep me busy, so I know I will have less time to think of these things. The down side to school keeping me busy, is I won't have time to sit around waiting for your letters like I do now. I hope I will be able to write as frequently as I do now. Never take it personal if there are delays in my letters. Just always keep in mind that you are writing to a complete nerd and I take my studies very seriously. I am thinking of you though... Maybe more than I should.
Excitement poured through Justin's veins. He had been feeling an irrational pleasure from his correspondence with Kate and it made him feel a great deal of relief to know that it wasn't one sided. He began to wonder if she too reread letter, thought of him often, and wondered if they would ever meet. Justin, suddenly felt scared by the unusually fast attachment he was developing for this girl he barely knew.
I hope you have a great week and you are able to avoid Jake as much as possible.
Your friend,
Kate McCarty
P.S. Since you were so gentlemanly to still write and not ask how much I weigh, I will tell you I weigh 122 pounds. You can breathe again.
Justin laughed as he folded the letter. She only weighed 122 pounds. She was lighter than he though she would be. How could someone the size of Jake have such a tiny sister?
Jake's sister was quickly becoming one of his favourite people and he couldn't wait for another letter from her.
"To Kate," Four lovely girls raised their glasses in a toast to their friend.
"Stop you guys. I'll be back at Thanksgiving." Kate blushed.
"This is your last year of school. You are going to be one of our friends to graduate from college." Charlotte declared, taking a drink of water.
"We are so proud of you," Beamed Katie.
"Plus we'll miss you like crazy," Chimed in Hayley.
"You guys are the best friends a girl could ask for. I wish I could take you all with me." Kate reached next to her and squeezed Hayley's hand. "Going back would be so much easier if I had you guys with me."
"Kate, the base is not far from school. If either of them gives you any crap call me and I will come and kick some cheating-ass." Charlotte promised with a wicked grin.
"Charlotte, can't you just cross your legs and keep that baby in there until I can visit for Thanksgiving? I can't stand the thought of you having her while I'm gone." Charlotte rolled her eyes and laughed at Kate's unreasonable plea. "I'm serious. She will be almost a month old by the time I see her."
"Again we aren't that far away." Charlotte let out a sigh, knowing how obsessive Kate was with her school work she could almost guarantee she wouldn't take a weekend off. "We'll send you pictures. We could even Skype and I'll let you watch her throw up or watch me change her diaper."
"Gross! I can't believe I am going to miss my niece being born. What if Jake isn't back from his deployment and you are all alone? I could just defer a quarter and go stay with you at the base."
"Jake will be there in plenty of time, if not I have Naomi. Don't even think about deferring school before of me or this baby and don't try to act like wanting to skip a quarter has anything to do with this baby either." Kate's eyes immediately dropped to the ground avoiding the gazes of her friends and the sudden seriousness of the group. "You have come such a long way these last few weeks. You are going to be fine."
Katie wrapped an arm around Kate's shoulder. "Charlotte is right you aren't even the same person you were at the beginning of summer. I don't know anyone as strong and determined as you."
"You guys are right. I have felt better. But... What if I see one of them and it all comes back. I don't know if I am ready for it. I feel like I finally got put back together, but if I see them again I am going to break into a million pieces once more."
As gracefully as her rounded belly would let her, Charlotte rose out of her chair and came to kneel down besides her sister-in-low and best friend. "It will probably be hard the first time you see them. It'll make you feel broken and insecure, but you will feel much stronger when it's over. Seeing them is inevitable, Kate. You need to just get it over with. It will actually help you to move one. Its like ripping off a band-aid, you know it's going to hurt but you do it real fast to get it over with."
"I don't know," Kate sighed as she shook her dropped head from side to side.
"Remember when we were thirteen and I was in love with Jake and he was dating that slut, Alexis?" A small smile started to tug at Kate's lips. "I didn't want to hang out there anymore because I wanted to cry every time I saw there together. You wouldn't let me. You said I couldn't let your jackass of a brother ruin our fun."
The entire group laughed remembering the extremes Charlotte had taken to get Jake's attention in their younger years.
Kate looked at Charlotte, "I was going to murder him in his sleep if he drove my best friend away. I never would have thought you two would have ended up together."
"We may not have if you hadn't forced me to get over my insecurities. Without you I wouldn't have been parading my sixteen year old body in front of him before he left to go back to college and gotten his attention."
Katie jumped into the conversation, "Charlotte, that was your sexy figure looking like a twenty-one year old super-model, you know, the kind of models that actually eat and have curves. Any man would have been blind not to see you."
"Hey, and none of you forget my boobs are real too." Laughter erupted again as Charlotte pushed out her enormous pregnant chest for everyone to see. That was one of the things Kate loved about her friends,no matter how dire the circumstances they could always make her laugh. Charlotte's face sobered and she looked Kate straight in the eye. "You can do this, Kate. I know you can. You are stronger than you think. You are going to face them and move on. I know that there is someone else out there for you. You're going to look back on this time and wonder why the hell you were crying over Mike Newton."
"Charlotte is right, Kate. I have total confidence in you." Hayley cooed in Kate's ear.
"Plus you're going to get up to school and find the hottest guy on campus, make him fall in love with you, and then flaunt it in that jack-asses face," Katie threw in.
Kate's thoughts immediately turn to Justin Bieber and she couldn't help the flutter in her stomach. She didn't need the hottest guy on campus. She was content with Justin's friendship and letters of reassurance. "I don't need a guy. I think I'm done or a while."
Charlotte rolled her eyes and headed back to her seat. With her back turned to Kate she said. "What about your pen pal?" When Charlotte turned around she had a knowing look on her face.
Kate's face immediately turned a shade of crimson and she wondered if Charlotte knew about her letters from Justin. "Oh, that's just a friend from school. Nobody I would be interested in romantically."
"Maybe it's someone you should be interested in romantically. I noticed you started feeling better as soon as the letters started coming around. I don't think that's a coincidence."
"What letters?" Hayley leaned in curiously.
Kate swallowed hard. "Just, some letters from a friend at school. Just being supportive, giving me some advice." Kate knew her voice sounded unsure and nervous, but she couldn't talk to her friends about Justin. There were no secrets between Charlotte and Jake and she and Justin agreed not to tell her over-bearing brother. It sucked keeping something so great from your best friends.
Her friends all sat eyeing her. Not one believing a word coming out of her mouth. But, thy knew how fragile Kate was and they didn't want t push her. Besides if there was something to say, Kate would eventually tell them.
The next afternoon Kate was ready to head out for her daily run/therapy session. AS she bounded down the stairs she saw Charlotte sitting on the couch.
"I'm going running Charlotte, do you want to come?"
"You know I don't do sweaty, unless it's with your brother."
Making a gagging noise, Kate turned to leave.
As Kate jogged down the street on an unusually sunny day, her thoughts were only on the quickly approaching return to school. She knew Charlotte was right, it was better to just get it over with, but it was a lot easier said than done. It was inevitable that she would see Jessica; they were in the same major and had a lot of classes together through the last three years. Luckily, she had been able to sell her apartment and contract to someone else. She made sure to do that as soon as the whole blow up had happened. There was no way she would room with Jessica the next quarter. Instead, Kate would be living in a different apartment with some girl she'd briefly met last quarter.
Mike would be a little easier to avoid. They were both in their last year of school and because of their difference in majors none of their classes should be in the same buildings. She'd also avoided the library as much as possible since Mike spent a lot of time there.
They could have broken up for all she knew. Hell, they may never have actually gotten together. That would solve half of her problem. The thought of seeing either of hem made her blood boil, but the thought of seeing them together turned her stomach, and made her sick.
As she approached the driveway, Kate slowed her jog to a walk and tried to recover her breath. Once inside, enjoying bottle of water she leaned against the tile counter, she noticed a pile of mail on the table. She went to the stack and leafed through it, disappointed there was no letter for her. She'd been expecting a letter from Justin as his last two letters had arrived on Thursday and she didn't get one last Thursday. Defeated, she headed for her bedroom and stripped out of her sweaty clothes and then threw on her robe before heading into the bathroom. On her way out of her room, something caught her eye. Lying on the middle of her bed was an envelope.
It took all her strength to muffle the squeal that threatened to escape her throat. She tore into the letter, not even reading the envelope.
Dear Kate,
You are not indebted to me. You're letter are what I look forward to and that is enough payment for anything I could possibly do for you.
You family sound idyllic. I won't have much to tell you about mine. I think I told you before that my father was a military man. What I didn't mention was that I have never met him. My mom and he met one night at a bar where the men from the navy frequented while they were ported.They had a one night stand and my mom ended up pregnant. I knew about his career in the navy, I saw his picture, and some simple facts and history about him that I fund in the military archives. He died before I was able to locate him. My mom was a great mother when I was young. She was attentive, she read to me all of the time, she was at every one of my games, and there for every award I received. But once I was an adult, I guess she became hungry for companionship. She is now constantly transitioning from man-to-man. She moves constantly, and has become somewhat dependent on me financially. I heard from her frequently when she is without a boyfriend, but when she has one, I can go months without even a word from her. She is a grown woman so I can't get mad at her for how she chooses to live her life, but I worry about her all the time. I wish she could just find someone to make her happy. I am an only child, so that about wraps it up.
Kate's heart clenched for this man and she suddenly felt like the most selfish human being on the earth. Here she was whining to him about a boyfriend problem and telling him how wonderful her family was and Justin was basically alone. How could a mother be so selfish and how could a son be so understanding?
I am extremely happy in the Marines. I think it was a good choice for me. I am currently in Afghanistan, but I am sure you got that from my letters. I can't be more specific, but I will say I have a great view of the desert. I came in the same deployment as your brother, so as he informed me the other day we are down to less than sixty days until we return. I' stationing at Camp Pendleton and I love the weather there. I have two more years with the Marines before I decide whether I want to re-up. I guess I will cross that bridge when I get there. As of right now, being single, the economy in the toilet, and not much family, I will probably re-enlist. I do have a tattoo. Two, actually. I have some tribal art on my left shoulder and a small Marine Corps symbol on my back over my right shoulder blade. I'm sure that one day I'm going to completely regret them, but what's done is done. What do you think of tattoos? Sexy or hideous?
Kate thought, on the right body, definitely sexy. She knew in her gut Justin would have the right body.
I might pay for a ticket to see your right hook getting used. I will warn you that Tanya does have a mouth on her when she's mad.
She laughed knowing Jake would probably say the same thing. Jake always tried to get her and Charlotte to fist fight when they were arguing as young girls. Who was she kidding; he'd encourage it now if Charlotte wouldn't turn around and hit him instead.
I would definitely knock the ex out for you. I might expect some payment in return though. We could discuss that when we meet.
"Was he flirting?" Kate wondering as a grin covered her face.
I am going to admit to being slightly disappointed that you aren't going to tell me what you look like or send me a picture. I might have to snoop around in Jake's bunk. I'm only kidding, I can respect you trying to keep it mysterious for whatever your reasons. Although, I was quite relieved you don't weigh five hundred pounds.
Nerves ran through her. What if they did meet one day and he was disappointed? What if he thought she was going to be pretty? Kate had always thought of herself as plain, would he be let down?
I have to say, Kate, you are becoming one of the most interesting and appealing women I have ever known. I love the fact you can enjoy sports. Sports are a big part of my past time,whether watching or playing.
I wouldn't laugh at your lack of coordination, I find the flaw slightly endearing. I haven't witnessed it yet, so I can't say for sure what my reaction will be. I guess we'll only know when we get to take a run together someday.
I am proud of you for running and starting to see things more clearly. I can't imagine your fear of running into your ex. I never had to experience that and probably never will. Just keep doing what you're doing and remember that you have me in your corner, no matter how far away I am. I know you will do fine, just go home and run as soon as it's over and do what you're doing because it's working for you.
I have never thought of the whole best friend thing in a relationship before and I think you're right. You need to be best friends along with an undying attraction for each other. My relationship with Tanya could have been so much better had was been best friends. Thanks to you, I now know that this is something that will be important to me if I ever decide to put myself back out there again. I've had two years to get over Tanya and I can say that the only thing I miss about our relationship is the companionship. I miss having someone to hug, kiss, hold, eat with, talk to, and receive letter from. It sucks being alone sometimes.
For some reason, Kate suddenly had a desperate desire to meet Justin and touch him. She wished they could have this conversation in person so she could hug him.
Wow, I really tuned into a downer there for a minute. I am sure you will be leaving for school shortly and I hope you have fun. Good luck with everything with Mike, I'll be thinking about you. Stay focused and remember, I think you are too good for him. Don't forget to send me your school address in your next letter.
Your friend,
Justin
P.S. I think about you more than I should.
Kate reread the last part of the letter at least three times before she put it down. Her stomach was in a flurry and she was sure she was looking way more into it that she should. Did he really think that about her? Did he really think she could be too good for a man? These thoughts would plague her for days.