~ Chapter 55: You And Me ~
[ Justin’s POV: ]
When Jackie and I arrived at her house, it was exactly how I remembered it. Everything was neat and polished and the sunlight was seeping clearly through the windows.
“Are your parents home?” I asked, watching as she locked the door.
Jackie slowly shook her head. “They’re on a trip.” I was gonna ask her another question about that but she quickly added, “You want a drink?”
“Uh, yeah, that’d be nice,” I said.
“Alright, I’ll be back. You can sit anywhere you want,” she smiled, before disappearing into the kitchen.
I let out a long sigh and plopped myself down on the couch. I couldn’t help but notice that Jackie never talks about her parents much and I began wondering why.
Maybe that Tyler guy knows. Him and Jackie seem so close and, I hate to admit it, but I envy him. He knows the things about Jackie I wish I knew myself. He’s had long conversations with her. He’s had multiple dates with her. I don’t even want to think about the times he’s kissed her. And I know I can’t really break up their relationship, but I’ll definitely regret it later if I were to leave without telling her how I felt. And now that I have, there’s been so much weight lifted from my shoulders.
I began drifting into thoughts until I heard Jackie’s footsteps coming back from the kitchen. I looked up to see she held two glasses of lemonade, and she sat down next to me, handing me a glass.
“Thanks,” I said, taking the cup and swallowing a gulp of it.
Jackie let out a small giggle before taking a sip from hers. “You’re welcome.” It was silent for a few seconds before she spoke up again. “So how was the tour?”
I held the glass of lemonade carefully with both hands as I stared at the ground.
How was the tour? Well, you weren’t by my side.
That’s what I felt like saying. But I knew I was the only one to blame for that.
“It was nice,” I spoke softly. “It was a relief to be in front of my beliebers again.”
“You really love us, don’t you?” Jackie asked. I looked up to see her holding back a smile.
“What kind of question is that?” I scoffed playfully. “That’s like asking you guys if you love me. Which I hope the answer is yes.”
Jackie laughed and nodded. “It is, don’t worry.”
We continued to have small conversations like that, until we both finished our drinks and Jackie offered to return the glasses to the kitchen.
“You want help with that?” I asked.
“Nah, it’s just two empty glasses,” she waved it off. “I’ll be fine.”
And with that, she took both our cups and stood up, walking back towards the kitchen. I decided to follow after her but, before I knew it, she was already returning.
It didn’t take long for her to trip and, in the blink of an eye, she came crashing down with me as her cushion. We both hit the ground with a thud and my eyes widened when I realized how close to me she was. I could feel her body heat radiating from her skin and I couldn’t help but notice how cutely warm she felt.
“I-I’m so sorry!” she blurted out, her cheeks turning red. I lightly grabbed her wrist and kissed her hand.
“That’s okay,” I whispered, my tone calm and happy. We were face to face as silence seeped in once again and I stared at her lipgloss, wondering how they’d taste.
If I could just kiss her one more time.
Wait.. Why can’t I?
I wanna kiss her, right? Then why don’t I? What’s stopping me?
I slowly tucked in a loose strand of hair behind her ear and my hands traveled to her chin. Bringing her face closer and closer, I tilted my head slightly, desperately wanting her lips to mold perfectly together with mine.
I want her. I want her so bad.
“No..” Jackie whispered, hesitantly pulling away. “I c-can’t.”
I felt a piece of my heart break.
W-What?
“You can’t?” I asked for reassurance. “What do you mean?” There was disappointment in my voice.
I caught Jackie’s lips quivering as she looked at anything but me. “Trust me… I want to. I really, really want to, but..” she trailed off. “I’ve never cheated once in my life and I don’t ever want to be that kind of person. I’m technically with Tyler right now and I just can’t do this to him. After how nice and considerate he’s been with me the entire time.”
“Oh..” I bit my lip. “I understand.”
“It’s not like I don’t want you, Justin, I just… My conscience is telling me to…”
“It’s fine, Jackie,” I forced a smile, caressing her hair. “I told you I understand.”
Jackie let out a sigh and bowed her head. “I told him I want him to come over sometime so I can explain things…” she said. “What I really intend to do is break up with him. But that’s if you.. If you really..”
“I love you, Jackie,” I cut her off. “Nothing could ever change that. You do what you have to do, okay?”
Before Jackie could reply, my phone vibrated in my pocket. Jackie slowly got off of me and we both stood up.
“That was Scooter,” I ran a hand through my hair. “Looks like I have to go.”
“Already?” Jackie pouted.
“Sadly,” I sighed. “But I’ll be coming back, alright?”
She nodded and pulled me towards her, embracing me in a tight hug. I was a bit shocked at first but I eventually hugged back, resting my chin on the top of her head.
“By the way,” her voice came out muffled. “I love you too.”
I felt my cheeks burning and I immediately knew it was obvious that I was blushing. I tried to hold back smiling like an idiot but it wasn’t working the way I was hoping it would.
“I love you too.”
The words sound so warm and peaceful coming from her mouth. Nothing like how Alicia used to say it at all.
When we pulled away from our hug, Jackie escorted me to the exit. As much as I wanted to wrap my arms around her body and kiss her like my life depended on it, I knew I had to refrain.
But I’ll be patient. ‘Cause when it comes to Jackie, I’d do anything she wants me to.
—
When I got back to my hotel room, it was dark and quiet. My feet mindlessly began moving towards the bedroom and I went straight to my bag, opening it and unraveling the familiar black bag that had the blunts inside them.
I let out a long sigh and picked it up, throwing it in the trash can.
No more, I thought, retrieving to my bed and laying down.
I couldn’t help but wonder if I’ll ever see Katie again. I mean, it’s not like I like her that way, but… What if she was telling the truth? What if Scooter was really lying to me? What if I’m just being an ass to her?
If she really is as innocent as I once thought she was, I don’t want people treating her this way anymore. I may want Jackie, but it’s not like I mean Katie harm because of it.
I just… want her to be okay.
I want her to find happiness and peace with herself. She’s pretty vague about her past, but it already seems quite bad just with the explanations she delivers. I don’t want her to keep going through that.
I continued to drift into other mindless thoughts as I, slowly but surely, fell asleep.
**************************
*sigh*
So guys…
I don’t know how to tell you this, but…
This book is almost over :(
I can’t really calculate how many chapters are left but there will be an epilogue, so it won’t be over until you see an extra chapter called “Epilogue”.
This book is also my baby and I can’t believe it’s almost done , agh :’(
And sorry for the late update, if you checked my twitter you’d know I was having some lil technical difficulties.
But aaaanyway… What’d you guys think of this chapter? :)
And also, I’ll be updating #IGHL this weekend so next chapter for this is coming next week!
Luv you guyz ❤
- Nina xx