Sorry this took a while. I wrote this chapter on Saturday (2 days ago) and when I went to upload it yesterday I found out that we had run out of broadband so it wouldn't load. But here it is sooo enjoy. :)
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“Hey buddy! How’s it goin’? … It’s not that early, what have you got planned for today? … Okay, don’t make any plans. … ‘Cause Bridget got discharged so I’m gonna bring her over so you and the boys can meet her. … Nah, I haven’t talked to any of them yet, we got in quite late last night so I figured I’d wait till morning to call one of you. Don’t you feel special that you were the first person I called? … Pfft, that is totally not the reason why I called you first. … When I want to call one of my mates I don’t just go to the first person on my contact list. … No I don’t. … Nah uh, do not.” I sat up in the bed and rubbed my eyes. Justin looked up at me from his conversation with whoever was on the other end of the phone.
“What? Oh, sorry, yeah, I’m here. … Bridget’s up now so we’ll get ready then come over. Do you wanna ring the others and tell them to meet us at yours? … Okay, we’ll be over in about an hour. … Yeah, okay, see ya later.” Justin hung up his phone and sat down next to me.
“Come on, you have to go get ready so we can go over to Chaz’s house.” He urged. I got up and walked over to my suitcase, pulling out an outfit before walking into the bathroom and closing the door behind me. I placed my clothes on the bench next to the sink and turned the shower on. The hot water woke me up and too soon I was getting back out and drying myself. I squeezed into my cream coloured skinny jeans then pulled the singlet on over my head and did the tie at the front. I pulled my hair to the side and put it into a messy plait, strands of hair lining the sides of my face. I walked back out into the empty bedroom where I found some sandals and some bracelets to put on. (A/N: link to outfit in comments :)
Walking out into the kitchen I found Justin cooking us breakfast. He looked up when he heard me enter the room and smiled.
“Hey babe, we’ll have this then go okay? I told mom where we’re going today so we’re just gonna drop her off at the hospital then go over to Chaz’s. I nodded then took a seat at one of the tall chairs sitting at the opposite side of the bench to Justin.
“Smells good.” I told him.
“Secret family recipe scrambled eggs.” I raised my eyebrows at him.
“Judging by the ingredients sitting next to the bowl I think it’d be safe to say that your secret family recipe isn’t so secret anymore.” Justin’s eyes widened as he realised that everything that he had used was left untouched since he had used it. He began putting things away, frantically trying to hide everything.
“It’s okay Justin, I’m not going to tell anyone.” Justin sighed in relief and got on with his cooking.
“That was really good!” I said as I finished what was on my plate and sat back.
“Thanks.” Justin said, covering the pan that had the leftover eggs for Pattie and Kenny in it. Grabbing his keys he walked towards the front door,
“Are you ready?” I jumped up from the table and ran into the room, quickly finding my sunglasses and running back out to meet Justin.
“I am now.” He opened the door for me then led me down to the car park since I had no idea of where I was going. Once we got down to the car he opened the door for me again.
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“Juuussstttttiiiiiiiiinnnnn!!!” A group of boys ran up to us and jumped on Justin, yelling and screaming.
“Hey guys! Chill, I only saw you the other day!”
“Yeah but before that we hadn’t seen you in ages!”
“I know, I know, but I have someone I want you to meet.” The boys kept speaking over him about how excited they were to see him again.
“Guys!!” Justin yelled over them. They shut up immediately.
“Thank you, now, as I said, I have someone I want you to meet.” He gestured over to me before taking my hand and introducing me,
“This is Bridget. My girlfriend.” I smiled nervously at them before they all charged in my direction. I let out a small yelp as they picked me up in a group hug.
“Guys, careful, jeez, she isn’t a toy that you can just throw around.” Justin tried to get them off me as their words continued to blend together. I laughed, giving him a reassuring look, telling him I was okay.
“Okay guys, you can put me down now.” I told them, they backed off straight away, coming back to me separately for a hug to introduce themselves.
“Hey, I’m Mitch Reed.” The first boy said as he gave me a small hug. The next was a little more boisterous, he gave me a tight hug, saying his name was Nolan Murray before he went over to talk to Mitch.
“This is my buddy Ryan Butler.” Justin spoke.
“Wow Justin, I didn’t know that I had the inability to speak.” The boy said, punching Justin lightly on the arm.
“Stop showing off with your big words Ryan.” Justin joked. Ryan shook his head at him, chuckling. He gathered me up in a big hug, enveloping me in his warmth.
“It’s nice to meet you Bridget, I’ve heard quite a lot about you.” He chuckled again.
“All good I hope?” I asked.
“Of course.” Ryan replied as he went over to join Mitch and Nolan.
“Saving the best for last I see.” The last boy said, puffing out his chest as he stood in front of me.
“No, not at all.” Justin said with a straight face. I hit him on the chest lightly, he feigned hurt, turning away from me. I rolled my eyes and turned back to the boy who must be Chaz.
“Did it hurt?” He asked. A confused look covered my face, I began to worry that he knew everything about me, about all the surgeries and everything. I didn’t mind them knowing I was sick but some things are better left unsaid.
“Did what hurt?” I asked cautiously.
“Falling from heaven, ‘cause baby, you look like an angel that fell from the clouds above.” I laughed at his failed attempt at a pick up line. Chaz pulled me into a hug, his arms resting just above my bum.
“Chaz! If those hands go any longer you won’t be able to have children!” Justin scolded. Chaz immediately backed off, putting up his hands in self-defence.
“Chill bro, it’s all good.” He looked back at me and winked,
“Welcome to my humble abode.” He put his arm out and gestured me forward through his open front door. I heard a hand collide with someone’s head and Justin growling at Chaz to stop flirting. I giggled at him and turned around, stopping at the bottom of the steps leading up to the front door.
“Chill bro, it’s all good.” I mocked Chaz, winking at him this time. Chaz laughed but stopped immediately when Justin’s sent him a glare.
“You guys coming inside?” Ryan asked as he stepped past me and walked through the front door into the house. I nodded and followed him straight through to the backyard. A rectangular swimming pool sat in the middle of the huge yard, the clear blue water looked so enticing, the temptation to just jump right in was high.
“Do iiiiitt.” A voice said right next to my ear.
“Do what?” I asked.
“Jump in the pool.”
“I’m dressed.”
“Undreessss…” He dragged on.
“No.” I laughed. I turned my head to the side to see Chaz grinning widely at me.
“Go on, I know you want to. We don’t mind if you don’t wear anything in the pool, you can be the exception to the no skinny dipping rule.” He whispered. My mouth dropped open.
“Chaz!” An innocent look covered his face, as he walked away backwards.
“On behalf of all of us I would like to apologise in advance of what Chaz is bound to do today… And what he’s already done and/or said.” Ryan spoke. I laughed at what sounded like a very prepared speech.
“He’s harmless.” I said.
“Psshhh. Yeah, for now. He’s only just getting started.” Ryan said seriously. I took note of what he said, telling myself to not let Chaz go too far. Ryan walked back inside to do who knows what so I stood awkwardly by myself.
“Hey babe, how’s it going?” It was Justin this time, I don’t know what I would have done if it had been Chaz..
“Bridget?” I looked up, realising that I had zoned out for a few seconds.
“Yeah, sorry, yeah, it’s good, your friends are great.” I smiled.
“Sorry about Chaz, he’s a bit of a flirt.”
“Ryan beat you to it already.” I told him. Justin looked confused so I explained,
“Ryan came over to me before and apologised for anything Chaz had said or done and for anything he may or may not do today.”
“Okay, well I’ll try and get him to lay off a bit.”
“It’s alright, I’m sure he’s harmless.”
“Just don’t let him do anything, okay?” I nodded at him before he pulled me over to the chairs and sat me down on his lap.
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“Foods up!!” Chaz yelled to us. We had been chilling in his back yard for a few hours now, about 20 minutes ago he had started the barbeque, sizzling sausages, onion, and all the other normal bbq foods. I grabbed a paper plate and put a few things on it, sitting down and waiting as the boys all piled their own plates high with food.
By the time I had finished, the boys were only halfway through their mountains of food. Justin saw that I was finished and swallowed before speaking to me,
“Do you want any more to eat?” I shook my head, these days it didn’t take much to fill me up, most likely because I had gotten so used to eating so little when I was going through treatment and only being able to keep down small amounts of anything at a time.
“Okay, do you wanna go for a swim?” I frowned,
“Chaz asked me that before... I don’t have any swim wear.”
“Why did he ask you?” I shrugged my shoulders, Justin doing the same moments later.
“Well anyway, being the amazing boyfriend that I am, I grabbed some swim stuff while you were in the shower, it’s in the car. Take my keys from off the bench inside and have a look in the boot.” I nodded and got up, following his orders and getting his keys off the bench. When I got to the car I opened the boot to find one of my beach bags, peeking inside I found a couple of towels and mine and Justin’s togs.
Walking back inside I located the first bathroom I could find and went inside. Pulling out my swimming stuff and leaving Justin’s and the towels in the bag, I proceeded to change into the black and pink bikini Justin had chosen to bring, I looked at the shorts, seeing that they were denim shorts instead of board shorts or something. I rolled my eyes and pulled them on anyway then pulled my hair into a ponytail and put my sunglasses on. I slipped my feet into some slip-on shoes that I had found in the bag then left the bathroom, heading outside. I dropped the bag at the door and took my feet out of the shoes even though I had only just put them on. I felt Chaz’s eyes on me but ignored him, Justin hadn’t noticed me as he was facing away from me by the pool. I ran straight past him and jumped into the pool, turning around in mid-air and waving at him cheekily.
When I emerged from the water I saw Chaz smirking at me from behind Justin who was just standing there with no expression on his face what-so-ever. Slowly he turned around and walked over to the bag and pulled his board shorts out then walked inside to change, I assume. I smiled then dove under the water, looking at all the effects that the sun made on the ripples when it hit the water. Seconds later I pushed back towards the surface to see Chaz at the ladder, ready to get in the pool. He was wearing board shorts, no shirt. I smiled nervously at him when he got in, swimming slowly towards the edge to wait for Justin to come out. I heard a slight splash which must’ve been Chaz getting in the water. I ignored it and rested my head on my arms which were on the side of the pool as I watched the door, waiting for Justin to emerge.
“Hey.” I heard a voice from behind me, I turned around and saw Chaz uncomfortably close.
“Hi.” I replied as I moved away from him slightly.
“Are you having a good time?” He asked, moving closer to me. I heard he was quite a flirt but I assumed that because he and Justin were such good friends he wouldn’t try anything. I nodded before I went under the water and pushed off from the wall, swimming over to the other side. I turned around while underwater and saw Chaz following me, he looked up and saw me looking at him, he waved and smiled at me. I waved back, going back up to catch my breath, I looked around the patio for any sign of one of the boys. None of them were outside for me to be able to get away from Chaz by talking to them instead.
“They all went inside to change.” A voice knocked me out of my thoughts, making me jump. I nodded again, heading towards the ladder, keen to get away from Chaz. All of a sudden he appeared in front of me, stopping me from getting out of the pool. I backed away from him slightly. Before he could say anything all four of the boys came running out, screaming as they did so, and jumped into the pool. I breathed a sigh of relief but got caught in my throat when I felt arms wrap around my waist and a head rest on my shoulder. I turned my head slightly to see Justin grinning at me. I relaxed into him, feeling safe straight away.
Chaz swam away towards the other boys and the muscles that I had no idea were tensed, un-tensed.
“Are you okay shawty?” Justin asked me. I giggled slightly at him.
“What?” He asked, confused.
“You’re never gonna let go of your signature saying are you?”
“Which one?”
“Shawty.” I smiled.
“How could I? If I didn’t say it all the time I just wouldn’t be me anymore. I would just be another hot guy with too much swag.”
“Woah there Jay, get anymore self-confidence and your head will explode.” Justin tutted at me,
“You can never get too much self-confidence.” He said seriously but with a smile on his face.
“Yes you can, it’s called being big-headed. That’s you.” I laughed.
“Excuse me?” He asked, a smirk emerging on his face.
“It’s true. You think too much of yourself and your non-existent swag.” I joked. Justin fake-gasped, turning away and pretending to sniffle. He pulled his arms from around me and sulked. I threw my head back and let out a laugh.
“Justin?” No response. “Justin?” No response. “Jay?” No response. “Come on Jay, you know I was only joking.” No response. “Justin? Don’t ignore me.” No response. “Jay! Come ooooon. We both know that I know you have swag… Tonnes of it.” Justin slowly turned towards me but kept his head down. I took a step to him.
“Do you mean it?”
“What?” I asked.
“Do you really mean that you know that I have tonnes of swag?” He replied innocently, I rolled my eyes before I replied,
“Of course I know you have tonnes of swag Jay.”
“Good!” He looked up at me grinning.
“I knew you were faking being upset.” I chuckled.
“Oh no, I wasn’t joking, that hurt. But I got you to admit that you think I have swag so I’m fine now.” I shook my head at him then looked up at the sky, seeing the starts beginning to emerge from the curtain of darkness.
“We should get back to the hotel before it gets too late.” I nodded at what Justin had said. He lifted me up in the water and walked towards the ladder while I watched the sky continue to light up.
“Bridg, up the ladder.” Justin told me. I saw that we had already made it from the other end of the pool to the ladder so I pulled myself out of the water. Justin appeared at my side seconds later, pulling me over to my bag where he grabbed the two towels and gave me one.
“We’re gonna head off.” Justin told the others as he pulled his shirt over my head. I smiled at him then followed him inside after he had said his goodbyes. We walked straight through the house and out the front door, closing it behind us. Justin opened my door for me then closed it once I was in.
I was fiddling with the stereo while we were stopped at the intersection just down the road from Chaz’s house when Justin spoke,
“So, what did Chaz do?” I looked up at him, shocked at what he had said.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“You know what I mean.” He said, “I know what Chaz is like, I’ve been best friends with him for years, I know that when he sees a pretty girl and they ignore him or don’t show any signs of interest, he pesters. So I’ll ask again, what did he do?”
“Oh,” I said, “Well nothing really, I just felt kind of uncomfortable around him ‘cause he was getting a bit close for comfort.”
“Okay…” Justin replied.
“But anyway, if you knew what Chaz was like, why the heck would you take your girlfriend to meet him?”
“Because I thought he didn’t really do it anymore, I’ll talk to him later and tell him to back off.” I nodded as we pulled into the hotel, hordes of girls covered the ground outside with security guards struggling to hold them back.
“Come on, they look like they’re struggling, if we go in quickly maybe they’ll leave or something.” Justin said, I nodded once again and followed what he did, getting out of the car and grabbing my stuff from the back then walking straight inside without stopping for anything that the fans had to say. Just as I was about to walk through the double doors I heard my name being called by a voice that was becoming way too familiar. I scanned the crowd while Justin tried to pull me inside but I told him to wait. My eyes finally settled on the voice. She screamed once I had finally noticed her, her blonde hair bounced around her shoulders as she jumped up and down, waving at me.
“Bridget! Hey! How are you?! Come over and talk to me!” She yelled. I took slow steps backwards until I felt my back hit Justin.
“Come on, we need to go inside.” Justin said in my ear. I nodded eagerly, letting him pull me into the hotel’s lobby. We went up to the room, as soon as Justin opened the door I headed into the bedroom and grabbed some pyjamas (A/N: link in comments) then locked myself in the bathroom. Turning the shower on, I stripped down and stepped under the hot water. The steam opened up my pores and I felt myself relax. About ten minutes later I emerged from the shower and wrapped a towel around my body. I wiped some of the steam away on the mirror and grabbed a makeup remover towelette then began to take off the makeup that was left on my face. I put my pyjamas on and threw my clothes in the laundry basket. I opened the door and dragged my feet through the lounge, waving good night to everyone, and into mine and Justin’s bedroom.
Pulling up the covers, I jumped onto the bed and pulled them back over my body. I curled up into a ball and closed my eyes.
“You tired babe?” Justin asked from the direction of the door way. I nodded slightly.
“Okay, well I’ll go have a shower then I’ll be in ‘kay?” I nodded again and waited for the sound of the door to close before I sat up. My iPhone sat on the bed side table so I grabbed up and went into my desired app: Facebook. When it loaded I went onto the search bar and typed in the name of the person I saw today. I went onto her profile, I felt the colour drain from my face as I saw her latest status:
‘Saw Bridget today. It was so good to see her. I’ve missed her so much. Love you bestie!’