VIII: Tonight

                                    

                                          
I woke up with the sound of the sizzle coming from the kitchen. I checked my phone to look for new messages and saw Troy's name on my inbox. I opened it, feeling the excitement of having a text from him.
                          
                Hi Jace, just settled in our house, saw the videos from two months ago; I'm so happy for you! Call me when you can"
                          
Reading his text made me realize how much I miss him. It made me rewind the past months, thinking how his departure had been a blessing in disguise for I wouldn't be here, in this very couch, admiring the view of the sexy beast on the other couch if it wasn't for him. I glanced at Justin; he looked so beautiful in every way. Thank You Troy. I silently whispered.
                          
Going back to my reality, I stood up and walked inside the kitchen. Mom's cooking bacon and pancakes, I stride towards her and hugged her from behind.
                          
 "Good Morning Mom" I whispered in her ear.
                          
 "Good Morning Sweetie" I caught the smile on her tone, I loved that about her.
                          
 "Would you set the table?" she added. Without any hesitations, I let go of her and went to the cupboards to get some plates.
                          
"Good Morning" Justin's voice was still a little husky from his sleep. My mom and I turned our heads in sync to look at the new addition to the morning troop.
                          
 "Good Morning Justin" my mom beat me at saying it, so I just smiled at him when he noticed me, he started to walk towards me. I could feel my heart beating ever so loudly. He has that effect on me, heck he has that effect on every belieber! 
                          
"Need some help?" he asked. "Sure, you could set the glasses in the table" I didn't bother to point where the glasses are. Let's just say that he had been here enough times to know where they are. "I'll call your dad and sis" my mom announced. As she walks farther away, Justin looks at me. The color of his eyes was really breath-taking, especially when it's looking at you. I held my breath, surprised at how he doesn't break the gaze between our eyes. His lips forming the most beautiful curve I have ever seen. Finally, he broke our battle of staring.
                          
"Thanks for last night." Now his lips smiled wider.
                          
"Oh, what about it?" I innocently asked. I knew he was going to thank me for listening to him. 
                          
"You know... for being there for me.... For listening..... For being such a great friend.... And for that goodnight gift." Huh? "What gift?" he smiled deviously.
                          
"You know I was just half asleep right?" Oh snap! He felt the kiss on his forehead. Please send me to Saturn right now! I felt heat forming on my cheeks. I looked away as I hear him chuckled. This conversation is so awkward. Yup, pretty damn awkward!!!!
                          
"Please don't be embarrassed. I actually needed that. I felt loved." I looked at him again, feeling sorry as I remember he had just broken up with Selena. "Oh Justin. 1/4 of the whole world population loves you! That includes me, your friends and especially your family! Don't ever think that nobody loves you." He smiled at me. There it is again, the most amazing smile I've ever seen.
                          
"Tell you what; let's spend this day together, you and me, after we eat breakfast." I smiled after my declaration of our day together.
                          
"I like that.. Yeah let's do that.." He said smiling as we sit on the empty chairs beside each other on the dinner table.
                          
---
                          
A Month Later...
                          
Hey, I'm back in LA! Can we hang-out?
                          
I stare at my phone as I repeat every word in his text in my mind. It has been a month since I saw Justin on our doorway, hopeless, depressed and feeling like he had done something to make Selena break up with him. I tapped on his name then his number. I put it on speaker as it started ringing. He answered after two rings.
                          
"Hey" his voice blocked all the silence.
                          
"Hey. Justin!"
                          
"So, are you free today?"
                          
"Yeah, where are we hanging out?"
                          
"A place where you've never been"
                          
"Aw C'mon Justin!" This 'place' intrigues me and it sure as hell isn't funny.
                          
"Just trust me on this; we're leaving at 4 in the afternoon. I'm picking you up. Wear something nice."
                          
"Uhhhh sure" I didn't have so much to say because I trust him well enough.
                          
"Alright, see you then!"
                          
"Yeah, bye"
                          
I stared at the ceiling, thinking of where I have never been in LA.
                          
I've gone to almost all good places around. I turn my gaze to the digital clock on my lamp desk. It read 2:00 p.m., I guess I still have 2 hours to get ready. I stood up, trying to keep my head and body all in one piece.
                          
The thought of seeing Justin again made my heart beat million times faster than normal. I may have developed different kind of feeling for him; it's like still being a belieber, but better. I get to text him, and he replies back, we share secrets, play with each other like homies, but I can't go more than that. I just can't. I love this friendship so much that I can't bare the thought of losing our bond.
                          
*
                          
It is now 3:50 and my body gets instantly nervous. Where is he taking me? I mentally ask myself.
                          
"Mom, Justin and I are just going to catch up" she turned her head to look at me.
                          
"I know dear, he asked permission." She smiled as she stood up, signaling me to twirl for her. 
                          
"You are so beautiful baby; Justin wouldn't know what hit him." I guess my mom knows how I feel.
                          
"Mom, you know he doesn't like me." I looked down, my heart aching at the words that had just left my lips.
                          
"Non-sense Jace! No one could possibly dislike you. You're beautiful, smart, funny, everything we could ask for."
                          
"Thanks mom, but you're actually obliged to say that." She smiled at me.
                          
"I know but I'm really telling the truth." She kissed my forehead and gave me $50 for emergency.
                          
"Thanks mom, see you tonight."
                          
 "Sure baby"
                          
I was putting my doll shoes when the door bell rang.
                          
"I'll get it!" My mom exclaimed. She opened the door; a gorgeous being was standing on our doorway, the sun illuminating around him making it almost impossible to see his face.
                          
"Hello Mrs. Levy, so nice to see you again." He stepped inside as he hugged my mom. Oh Justin, why must you look so gorgeous on every occasion?
                          
"It's so nice to see you too Justin! How is your mom?"
                          
"She is doing great! Busy on the book signing of her new book, which reminds me, she wants you to have this" Justin handed a book wrapped in a white ribbon.
                          
"Thank you dear. Tell her I said hi" Pattie and mom had been close since Justin and I started to hang-out together. 
                          
"I'll make sure to relay it" 
                          
"I'll leave you two now, have fun!" 
                          
"We will, thank you"
                          
Justin switched his gaze towards my awkwardly-standing self.
                          
"Hey Jace" he whispered as he glide across the living room to meet me. 
                          
"It's been a long time Justin!" I shouted enthusiastically. 
                          
Without hesitations, he hugged me and in that instant I melt in his arms. I didn't know that it would be possible to feel so much emotion in one gesture. 
                          
I wrapped his arms around his neck while his arms were around my waist.
                          
"Oh, I've missed you so much!" Oh you have no idea Justin. 
                          
"I've missed you too! Like more than you can imagine!" He looked at me with a smirk.
                          
"Don't quote NSN things to me." I laughed loudly and a few seconds later, he joined me. 
                          
"We're going to get delayed if we roll on the floor laughing here instead of leaving now." I suddenly stop.
                          
"Oh, well then, let's go!"