~ Chapter 80: Unforgettable Scent ~
[ Jackie’s POV: ]
A day after talking to Robin about my problem, I sat on the living room couch with my parents in the dark while we watched a scary movie. I was barely paying any attention though. I only noticed things that happened when my mom or dad would point it out and laugh or scream about it. It was mostly my dad who screamed.
Ha, what a loser.
Anyway, you can probably already guess who was invading my mind the entire time.
Justin.
I didn’t want to be pushy or anything, but it’s been too long and I can’t just sit around and wait to see what happens. I have to take matters into my own hands now.
I slowly stood up from my seat beside my mother.
“Mom? Dad?” I called out, holding up my phone. “Robin called and said she needs me ASAP. Is it okay if I’m gone for a bit?”
They looked up at me and my Dad pouted.
“You won’t finish the movie?” he asked. I let out a low sigh. Like I said before, I should be enjoying time with my parents. But I can’t just ignore this right now.
“I won’t be long,” I let out a small smile.
“Well be careful, okay?” Mom piped in. “Take an umbrella too. It might rain.”
“Okay,” I nodded. “Thanks.”
I headed upstairs quickly and changed into something decent before tying my hair into a ponytail and slipping my phone into my purse, grabbing an umbrella like my mother had suggested.
God, I hate that I lied to them. But I can’t tell them what’s actually going on because… Well, I don’t know the answer myself. There’ll be time for honesty later but, right now, this is something I have to do…
—
I parked my car near the hotel I remember Justin was staying in. I quickly walked out into the chilly air, feeling a drop of water land on my nose. I entered the building and sneaked my way into the elevator, remembering the floor and suite number. Once I was there, I knocked on the door and waited.
The more I waited, the more the butterflies began to form inside my stomach.
I began tapping my foot on the floor, biting my lip, playing with my thumbs, looking up at the ceiling and shaking all at once. Until, finally, the door swung open and my heart skipped a beat.
“Oh,” I breathed out shakily. “Hi Alfredo.”
“Hey,” he gave me a small smile. “It’s good to see you, come in.”
“Thanks,” I mumbled, stepping inside the rather dark hotel room.
“I was just on my way out,” Fredo said, sitting on a chair and putting on his left shoe.
“Oh..” I repeated. “Where?”
“Scooter called and said he needed to talk to me,” he shrugged. “Nothing new there, huh?”
I stared at him. The suite was awfully quiet and it had a weird vibe to it. Even Fredo’s smile that usually warmed the hearts of everyone who saw it, seemed as if it was all forced. Something was just.. off.
“Okay..” I whispered. “S-So where’s Justin?”
Alfredo stopped what he was doing and slowly looked up at me.
“Crap,” he muttered. “He wasn’t with you, was he?”
I blinked and shook my head. “I haven’t heard from him in days.”
“And he doesn’t pick up when you call?” he asked.
“N-No..” I said.
Fredo sighed and put on his jacket. “Listen, I have to make it to Scooter, and.. I’m worried too but..” he paused, “Do you mind waiting right here for me? I’ll bring pizza and we can talk.”
I fiddled with my thumbs. “Okay sure.. Be careful out there,” I said.
“Will do,” he shot me a quick smile before waving goodbye.
And then it was just me inside this empty place.
I looked out the window and saw droplets forming on the glass. It looked like it was going to rain pretty hard soon.
I slowly walked towards the hallway, making my way towards Justin’s room. I thought that maybe.. Just maybe… If I knocked and opened the door, he would be sitting there, safe and sound. He’d apologize and say he was doing celebrity business and that his phone was dead and that he’d make it up to me for being unable to contact me. Then he’d smile at me and kiss my cheek. Or my nose. Or my lips. He’d laugh his cute little laugh and my heart would skip a beat because of how incredible he is. And it would all be okay.
But when I knocked twice on his door and opened it, it was empty. His bed was messy. No, scratch that. His whole room was messy. I didn’t bother to turn on the lights or anything. I just stepped inside and laid down on his bed, taking in his scent.
His nostalgic, unforgettable scent.
I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath. And for a second, it felt like he was right here laying beside me. When I opened my eyes, I’d only find empty space next to me, so I’d close my eyes and repeat the process, thinking that if I did it enough times, it would work and he’d be right here with me.
Eventually, I just gave up and my eyes remained closed as I drifted into a light slumber.
—
When I opened my eyes, they felt heavy. At first, I couldn’t remember where I was until my eyes adjusted to the darkness that surrounded me. I lifted myself up and grabbed my phone from my purse, showing my lock screen.
5:34am
My eyes slowly widened.
Holy shit, I fell asleep for too long.
Where’s Fredo?
Before my mind could wander again, I saw that Fredo had left me a quick text message:
From: Alfredo Flores
hey Jackie,
I’m sorry i can’t make it back. business stuff. you understand right? if i see u tomorrow, i’ll get you that pizza i promised.
take care! :)
I rubbed my eyes in an attempt to drive away my drowsiness. I put my phone in my pocket and sat there for a couple of seconds, unsure of what to do.
Then.. I heard a faint sound. A familiar melody.
A wave of deja-vu rushed throughout my veins and I slowly stood up, my heart racing. I quietly opened the door and walked silently down the hall, peeking into the living room.
My heart stopped.
There he was, his back facing me as he stared mindlessly out the window at the pouring rain. He held his guitar close to his chest, strumming out a melody. Yeah, the chords to Yellow Raincoat.
The chords repeated over and over, but he wasn’t singing. Just strumming. He stared intensely at the falling droplets in the sky, his cheeks glistening of both dry and fresh tears.
He was a broken record on loop.
The chords began to tug at my heart and my eyes watered with tears. My feet were shaking. I wanted to step up and call out his name. But my voice wasn’t working.
“What’s heaven like?” I heard him mutter quietly, although the words were loud in my ears. He looked out into the sky and I remembered the last time I watched him pray out loud. It’s as if whenever he was sad, he would sit down, strum a guitar and have conversations with God.
I forced myself to walk forward, bringing myself even closer to him. I didn’t know how to do this without scaring him, but I decided to just speak up.
Come on, voice, work.
“J-Justin?” I called out, my throat dry.
Justin quickly turned around, alarmed at the sound of my voice. His eyes were wide as he looked into mine, and he slowly lowered his guitar.
“Jackie..” he whispered. “What.. are you doing here?”
All of a sudden, all kinds of emotions bubbled up inside of me. Part of me was worried, and glad to know he’s okay. But part of me was angry, hurt that he wouldn’t just talk to me.
“What do you mean?” I crossed my arms. “I was worried about you.. What happened?”
Justin looked away and stared at the floor. A bitter smile formed on his face. “Nothing.”
I glared at him before I smelled a familiar aroma in the air. It was faint, but it was evidently there. My eyes widened as I lowered myself to Justin’s height on the chair he sat in and took in his scent.
Except it wasn’t his scent.
“Justin..” I said in a warning voice, anger pulsing throughout me. He looked up at me slowly, the fake smile on his face fading. “Why’d you smoke weed again?”
*********************************
Dun.. Dun… DuUnNnN!
Uh oh, Justin’s in trouble now..
Big, big trouble..
- Nina xx