Brooklyn
I switched the light of the bathroom off after I had taken a shower and changed into a pair of green sweat shorts and a white t-shirt with ¾ green sleeves. I carried my dirty clothes to the washing machine and said my goodnight’s to everyone in the house before coming back to my room.
“Don’t go to sleep too late!” My mom called from the living room, where she was working on her designs.
“I won’t!” I shouted from my door, closing it afterwards.
I took a glance at my bedside table clock to see it was still 9 pm so I might as well do something until I get sleepy. I searched through my DVD’s, looking for something I felt like watching. The Last Song appeared before my eyes and I smirked stupidly to myself. Why not watch it for the 20th time? I’m always in the mood for some Liam Hemsworth.
I turned the TV on and introduced the DVD in the slot, making the screen go blue. I pressed the ‘play’ button and lay down on my bed, relaxing on top of the soft mattress and adjusting the cushions and pillows behind my back.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
I pressed ‘stop’ on the remote control upon hearing a distracting noise. I frowned when it stopped and I thought it must have been my imagination so I put the movie on ‘play’ again.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Sighing frustrated, I paused the movie for the second time, cursing whatever had interrupted my tranquil night. I glanced around the room for any signs of something that could have fallen or be out of place. Nada. Maybe in the bathroom?
I stood up annoyed and aimed to walk inside when the tapping started once more. It didn’t come from the bathroom, but from my right. I cautiously turned my head and my heart nearly leaped from my mouth when I saw a figure standing outside my window. Scooting closer, I recognized Justin leaning against the glass, holding a hand to his forehead. I quickly lifted the window.
“What the hell are you doing here, Justin?” I whispered/yelled so my family wouldn’t hear.
“It’s nice to see you too, Brooke. Can I come in?” He raised his brows slightly and winced when doing so. That’s when I noticed a red substance pouring from somewhere in his forehead and falling down his hand and onto his white t-shirt. Blood.
I gasped. “Oh my gosh!” Quickly, I stepped aside to let him climb inside my room and closed the window to prevent any more cold air from slipping in.
“What the hell happened to you?” I breathed out, horrified. He didn’t reply. “Sit down.” I ordered and locked my door. He sat on the edge of my bed, dropping his black jacket casually next to him. I started smelling a salty, oxide, metallic substance. I almost gagged. I can’t tolerate blood but I can’t throw up now. Not when there’s someone in my room bleeding to death.
“Wait a second.” I put my index finger up and rushed into the bathroom, nearly shaking. I got some cotton balls, a towel wet with water and alcohol and got out.
Justin hadn’t moved an inch. I tentatively pulled his hand from his forehead only to be met with a gash, at least a couple of inches long that was gushing with blood. “Holy cow.” I mumbled astonished.
Justin chuckled but stopped when I glared at him. How can he be so calm when he’s in this state? How can he turn up at my window, bleeding and not giving me an explanation as to why?
I cleaned the injury with the wet towel, taking away the blood only to have it coming out again seconds later. I can’t believe I’m doing this. Meanwhile, he cleaned his bloody hand in his t-shirt. I rolled my eyes. Once his forehead and face were clear of the red, sticky liquid, I proceeded to dab a cotton ball damp in alcohol across it in order to disinfect it.
“This will hurt.” I murmured. He winced lightly when it touched his flesh but nothing compared to what I would have done. “Are you gonna tell me what happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Oh really?” I laughed. This reminds me of when he got that black eye and he didn’t tell me how. I pressed the cotton deeper in his wound.
“Ow!” He winced and eyed me with a ‘what the hell’ expression.
I smirked. “Did I hurt you? Oh sorry, I thought it was nothing.” I shrugged and kept cleaning the gush more gently this time.
“Fine.’ He dragged the ‘I’ like he always does. “I got into a fight.” He gave in, sighing.
“Why doesn’t it surprise me?” I muttered, rolling my eyes. They just happened to fall in his other hand. Shiny silver brass knuckles were lacing his fingers together. I took a step back and opened my mouth to speak but I realized I had nothing to say.
Sensing my discomfort, Justin stood up. I put my hands up to stop him. “I forgot to took this off.” He said in a soft voice and then discarded it with his jacket. The tips of the thing had blood, which, I’m presuming, wasn’t his.
“Brooklyn, don’t freak out okay? It was just a gangs’ fight. I’m okay.” If he was trying to soothe me, he wasn’t succeeding.
I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. “Who did that to you?”
He hesitated. “Tyler.”
At first, I didn’t know who that was but then it sank in. The boy from the car, the one I saw again when I was in the Bronx with Justin.
“With what?” I asked slowly, even though I didn’t know whether I wanted to hear it.
“Some metal po-.”
I cut him off – a little too late - shaking my head. “Never mind. I don’t wanna know.”
“Don’t stress okay? I’m alright.” He opened his arms showing me he was alive.
“You came to my house bleeding and wearing that thing and you tell me you’re okay?” I pointed my shaky fingers at the brass knuckles and let out a short sarcastic laugh.
“Look, I’m sorry Brooklyn.” He inhaled deeply. “I just didn’t wanna go home, that’s why I came to your house. I wanted to see you.” He came closer to me and as much as I wanted o tell him to stay away, something inside me didn’t let me. Did you hear that? He wanted to see you! My conscience made a happy dance.
“Don’t try that, Bieber.” I stuttered, regaining some of my confidence.
“Try what?” He asked in what to me seemed like the sexiest voice ever.
“Making me forget why I’m upset by seducing me.” I whispered and took a tiny step back.
“Is it working?” He crooked an eyebrow, keeping that sexy, raspy voice and taking a step closer so our bodies were almost touching.
I gulped. I felt like I was wearing a neon sign on my forehead that said kiss me. His face was so close to mine and he was slowly leaning down, making my defenses go weak and nearly succumb to the temptation. Why does he intimidate me so much?
“Y-your t-shirt is bloody.” I stammered and he pulled away, chuckling. “I can’t try to wash it if you want.” I offered feeling a blush creep up my cheeks as I brushed my hair from my flustered face.
“Sure. Thank you.” He pulled the t-shirt over his head, keeping the trace of a smirk on his lips and revealing his toned torso. Oh that’s a fine sight to stare at. “Enjoying the view?” He teased, smirking bigger.
My face heated more while I snatched his t-shirt out of his hold and went into the bathroom. His dog tags jingled as they hit his bare chest and that’s how I knew he was behind me. I put the white cloth under the tap and let the water warm while rubbing on the blood marks with soap. When I glanced up at the mirror I saw Justin looking at me from the door frame.
“What?”
“Nothing. You’d make a great washerwoman.” He snickered.
“Shut up.” I muttered. “I’ve never done this before.” And when our eyes met I couldn’t help but crack a smile. “By the way, how did you manage to climb up 11 floors of stairs in this state?” I furrowed my eyebrows in both surprise and impression.
He walked closer to me until my back was almost touching his chest. Okay that was a bit distracting. “You’d be surprised what I can do, Princess.” He whispered lowly near my ear and I almost shuddered. How can he have this effect on me?
Our eyes were locked through the mirror and I was lost in their goldenness.
“I think that’s already clean.” He pointed to the cloth in my hands that was now white and drenched.
I looked down embarrassed and closed the tap, squeezing the t-shirt tightly and then hanging it from the towel heater so it would dry.
Justin was about to walk out, snickering when I noticed something. “Wait, it’s starting to bleed again.”
I bent down and opened one of the drawers, taking out some invisible band-aids my mom used once to cure a gash in my leg once. I hoped that would do.
“You may need stitches but I guess this will have to do.” I shook the small box in front of him.
I followed him out of the bathroom and he sat on my bed again. He’d better not have stained anything with blood. I cleaned the fresh blood with the towel, by now reluctantly used to the disgusting substance, and then patched the wound up with the strong band-aids.
“Done.” I informed clapping my hands.
“You’re a sexy nurse.” Justin suddenly blurted out, winking and making me flush scarlet. “Can I kiss you now that I’m all clean?” He looked up at me through his long lashes and slipped his arms around my waist. I didn’t have the chance to answer or even blush again before he gently tugged at my hips, making me fall in his lap. I gasped at the gesture but soon my mouth was being closed by his lips.
I rested my hands on his shoulders for support as I got lost in the feeling of his smooth, flawless lips on mine. At that moment, nothing mattered to me. Not the fact that I was kissing a boy in my bed, the fact that he tasted a bit like tobacco – and I found myself not minding it -, the fact that my family was just on the other side of the door, the fact that I should be mad at him for getting into a fight or the fact that I had never been kissed like that. With Justin it felt like I was being kissed for the first time, he took it all to a brand new level.
He trapped my lower lip between his and tugged at it gently with his teeth, slowly pulling away. But I hadn’t had enough, I needed more of him, I could never get tired of this feeling. So I pressed my mouth against his again as I felt his lips twitching up in a smirk. This time he kissed me more passionately – realizing he could go further. My fingers travelled up his neck to his hair, tangling in his soft locks. Meanwhile, he caressed the skin under my t-shirt’s hem with his calloused fingers. Finally, his tongue traced my bottom lip and I gladly opened my mouth to let it explore it. The air was growing hot around us, it felt like flames were burning up inside my stomach and running through my whole body.
I tilted my head to guarantee him better access to my mouth as our tongues battled for dominance and the passion of the kiss made us fall down on the mattress, me on top of him. I moaned and a groan came from the back of his throat. We pulled away for air after a few more seconds, panting heavily. I gazed into his eyes, so many emotions swirling inside those pools of caramel…Some of them I could recognize, like lust and gratitude but others remained secret to me. With all the commotion I hadn’t noticed his hands had travelled down to my butt. No guy has ever touched my butt. I blushed.
“What’s up?” Justin asked, amused.
“Nothing.” I leaned down to steal another kiss. Although my intention wasn’t to start another make-out session, I didn’t complain when he turned us over so he was hovering over me.
“Did you like that?” He whispered leaving a trail of open-mouthed kisses along my jaw to my earlobe. The dog tags hanging from his neck fell on the skin just above the collar of my tee, cold steel against burning flesh. I think they were the only thing that remained cool in the room.
“Hmm.” Was all that came out of my mouth as my front teeth were chewing on my bottom lip to prevent me from moaning. Justin continued his kisses down my neck, licking with his hot tongue, sucking and grazing gently when he found my soft spot. This time I couldn’t suppress my moan. I’m pretty sure he left a mark but at this point, who cares? I was enjoying myself too much to think about the negative side. He planted a final chaste kiss on my now swollen lips, before falling by my side on the bed.
“That was…” He trailed off.
“Intense.” I finished for him, still trying to even my breath.
“Yeah.” He agreed, clearing his throat. Why were we being so awkward? We both smiled a little before a rumbling sound interrupted us.
“Way to ruin the moment, Bieber.” I teased. “You hungry?”
“Yeah, I guess you left me pretty hungry.” He replied, smiling cheekily at me.
“I’ll go get something to eat.” I sat up on my bed, concealing my blush with my hair.
The whole way to the kitchen I was thinking about how far I had let myself go. I had never done anything like that with a boy. So, at the same time that I was feeling kind of bad for it, I couldn’t wipe the smile that was plastered on my face. Stop overthinking, you enjoyed it. I listened to the voice in my head and simply grabbed a packet of cookies from the kitchen.
“What are you doing?” My mother’s voice startled me, turning the lights on.
“I-I just got hungry.” I showed her the cookies. “I’m going to bed now so good night.” I swiftly kissed her cheek and run back to my room.
I barely heard her mutter an “Okay, goodnight” after my door was already closed and locked.
“There you go.” I threw the packet to Justin. “I couldn’t find anything else.” Shrugging, I lay down on my bed next to him. He immediately opened the packet and dug in.
“I love these. Thanks.” He said with his mouth full and I responded giggling like an idiot.
Taking the remote control, I pressed the play button to start my film again.
“What are you doing?” He asked, spitting bits of cookies.
“I was watching a movie before you rudely broke in and I intend on continuing to do it.” I informed, focusing on the screen.
“First, I didn’t break in.” He retorted in his amused voice. “You let me in.”
“Would you rather I had left you out there?” I crooked an eyebrow at him.
“Not at all. Actually, I’m thinking about getting hurt more often.” He winked.
I rolled my eyes and turned back to the movie.
“What movie is it?” Justin interrupted again, adjusting to a more comfortable position on the mattress.
“The Last Song.”
“Oh no.” He groaned. “Another one of those stupid chick flicks.”
“Well, it’s my favorite movie so you’re gonna watch it like it or not.” I folded my arms across my chest as he snorted.
We managed to spend a few minutes in silence until Justin spoke again.
“Do you want?” He offered me the only cookie that was left.
“And you ask now?” I let out a soft snort. “But I‘m not hungry, thanks.”
He shrugged and ate the remaining cookie in one bite.
“You eat like a pig, you know?” I looked at him from the corner of my eye.
“Would you rather I’d be like that guy in the movie? I didn’t think you were so corny.” He chuckled, brushing his fingers across his mouth to clean it from food traces.
“He’s not corny, he’s romantic.” I stated, narrowing my eyes at him. “And you don’t have to be like him with me because you’re not my boyfriend.” It all slipped out of my mouth too quickly, leaving a weird silence afterwards.
“What do they say?” I asked referring to his dog tags, trying to ease the tension.
“Not much.” He lifted one of them and I leaned in to examine it. He turned his eyes away like he wasn’t comfortable with me seeing them. Oh, too bad I’m a curious girl.
One of them had his name carved on the front and then a list of personal information about him like his blood type – which was AB - or things I was guessing he was allergic to. The information continued on the back with more medical words I wasn’t familiar with and numbers. I frowned. He shifted and I glanced at him. “What’s this?”
“It’s nothing.” His tone was so cold that I knew better than to keep pushing.
“What about the other?” I tantalized, hopping he wouldn’t snap at me.
“You ask a lot of questions, you know?” He creased one of his brows, eyeing me from the corner of his eye but his forming smile gave him away.
I shrugged innocently and took it between my fingers. It had more things written, among them something about the army of the United States of America and then the name ‘Jeremy Bieber’. I had no idea of who he could be. As far as I know, Justin only has a sister and a brother and that’s Jaxon. Maybe a cousin?
“The army?” I questioned dropping the dog tag and looking up at him. His expression had hardened.
He simply nodded and then I knew I shouldn’t push it further so I left all my questions hanging there unanswered.
When the movie finished it was already 12.47 am. I switched the TV off and turned to check on Justin. He was lying on his back on top of the duvet, breathing softly. His eyelids were closed, signaling he was fast asleep and, in that state, he looked like an angel, like an innocent, defenseless kid. His torso was still uncovered and little goose bumps trailed down his arms so I stood up to see if his t-shirt was already dry. It wasn’t.
When I got back in the room, I stood there staring at him. He had a few tattoos adorning his body: one on his hip, another under his collarbone, one on his ribs and one on his arm. I bet he has more, though. I got a blanket and covered Justin with it. I couldn’t help but smile upon seeing how adorable he looked while sleeping.
I got under the covers of the bed next to him. Brooklyn, you’re about to sleep in the same bed as him. Are you sure about this? I shut the voice off and turned the light of my nightstand off as well, leaving the room in darkness, except for the lines of light coming through the curtains. I’m not even touching him and he’s not gonna try anything, he’s asleep. I reassured myself. Suddenly Justin made a sound and I froze, afraid that I had woke him up but he kept snoring quietly, turning on his side and consequently bringing and arm around my waist over the duvet.
Oh well, I’m not gonna complain. So, snuggling up under the sheets, I let myself fall into a deep slumber, knowing I’d probably dream about the boy lying next to me.
________________________________
Bee-dee-dee-deep. Bee-dee-dee-deep. Bee-dee-
I hit the snooze button of the alarm clock that sounded annoyingly early today. I opened just one eye because the other one was pressed against my now-too-comfortable-to-leave pillow. I nearly jumped at the sight. Crap, how many times have I stopped the alarm? I got up the bed like a ray, already running towards the bathroom when I took in someone’s presence in my bed. I retraced my steps slowly and blinked a few times. Justin lay on my bed, shirtless and still asleep, looking gorgeous as ever. That’s when images from the night before came flooding to my mind. Unconsciously, I went red as a tomato.
“Brooklyn! Are you almost ready?” My mom’s voice echoed through the house, getting dangerously close to my room.
Double crap.“Yes mom! I’ll be out in five.” I shouted back, glancing hysterically between the door and the boy sleeping in my bed.
Justin stirred and turned to lie on his tummy but he didn’t wake up. I decided to take advantage of that to use the bathroom, plus I can’t let him see my hey-I-just-woke-up face. No way.
I closed the bathroom’s door and splashed cold water on my face, rubbing the sleepiness away. Then I brushed my hair – that had lost its natural waves during the night and was now cascading down my back, almost straight – and applied some much needed makeup. I brought all my hair to one side to discover a purplish bruise on the left side of my neck. Damn Justin. When I reached to touch it, it hurt a bit. I worked my magic with the concealer and soon there was no trace of the mark. After I was done I came out. Justin was still in the position I had left him before so, sighing, I leaned over him and started shaking his shoulders.
He groaned. “Justin, I don’t have time for this, just wake up.” I kept nudging him.
“5 more minutes.” He slurred groggily.
“No, Justin, wake up now or I’ll throw a glass of cold water on your precious hair.” I ordered in my best commanding voice.
This seemed to be enough for him to jump out the bed and almost fall to the floor.
I couldn’t stifle a laugh. “I didn’t know you loved your hair so much.” He glared at me. “You can use the bathroom now if you want. I guess your t-shirt is already dry.”
He didn’t mutter a word but narrowed his eyes at me, rubbing them with his fists as he walked to the en suite. How does he manage to look so good even when he’s still groggy?
I sighed and opened my closet, searching for a quick outfit. I put on a pair of brown tights, a just-over-the-knee creamy evasé skirt and a loose pale pink woolen jumper. I tucked my bangs behind my ears before slipping on my Jeffrey Campbell brown Lita boots and grabbing my golden hoop earrings. Yeah, I like this look. By the time I was done, Justin was back and – to my dismay – his upper half was covered again. I almost pouted.
“Good morning.” He yawned. His hair was all messy but, how not, it looked good on him.
“Good morning.” I smiled.
“Um, I’ll be waiting in the car.” He scratched his neck awkwardly.
“You’re gonna take me to school?” I raised my eyebrows in disbelief.
“Only if you want.” He smiled stupidly and winked.
“Sure.” I smiled back. “I’ll just go grab us something for breakfast and be down in five.” I informed and, nodding, he opened the window and jumped outside before disappearing from my sight.
I giggled foolishly to myself, then, realized I was late.
“About time.” My mom scolded when I showed at the kitchen. I smiled apologetically. “But I like how you look, honey.” She grinned, her whole aura changing just because of some clothes.
“Thanks.” That comment coming from my mother means something. “I thought you may like it.” I said while preparing a couple of bagels with cheese and two paper cups of coffee.
“What are you doing?” She furrowed her eyebrows, standing in front of me.
“Err, Kelsey is here to pick me up and I thought I would get her something to eat.” I lied.
She nodded. “Okay, have a good day. I’ll be back late tonight and so will your dad. Tommy’s sleeping at his friend’s house but Blake will be here.” She rambled. “Oh and that doesn’t mean you can come home later than your usual curfew.” She finished before leaving the kitchen with a coffee herself.
I rolled my eyes. “Great. Have a nice day you too.”
________________________________
“There you go.” I said handing Justin a bagel and a coffee after I settled myself inside his car.
“Thank you.”
We started eating in silence. It was being unusually awkward. I wondered if it had something to do with the last topic of our conversation last night.
“You look cute while you’re sleeping.” I mouthed the words absentmindedly. Will you ever think before you speak, Brooklyn?
Justin chuckled. “So do you.” He admitted, leaving his empty paper cup on top of the dashboard and dusting any rest of bagel off his lap.
“How’d you know?” I arched an eyebrow in surprise.
“I woke up around 3 am and you were sleeping next to me. I was quite surprised to tell the truth.” He explained.
“Did you expect me to kick you out or?” I questioned, finishing my own bagel.
“To be honest?” He waited for my nod. “Yes. If I had known you didn’t mind sleeping with me, I would have taken you to my bed the night of the party.”
I opened my mouth wide, letting out a gasp. “That sounded so wrong. I just felt bad because you were injured and, as it was shown this morning, it’s not really easy to wake you up.”
Justin started the car chuckling, his eyes leaving mine as he concentrated on the traffic of the city.
“Plus we weren’t really sleeping together because you weren’t under the sheets with me so technically –“ I was cut off.
“God, stop rambling. It’s okay Brooklyn, I was just messing with you.” Justin’s laughter filled the car.
“There you are, laughing at me again.” I folded my arms across my chest in annoyance. “You’re a meanie.”
“You’re right. After you covered me with a blankie and all.” He shook his head as if he was disappointed with his own behavior and quickly glanced at me, watching as I tried hard not to laugh.
“Shut up. You had goose bumps.” I muttered but amusement was tinting my words.
“I bet you undressed me with your eyes…Taking advantage of a poor, defenseless guy? I never took you for one to do that Brooke.”
“For God’s sake, Justin stop it, you’re so stupid.” I clapped my hands on my thighs, giggling uncontrollably. This guy really makes me laugh (in a good way).
Justin sent me one of his sweet smiles, one of those that make you melt right there and then.
“Thanks for, um, helping me last night.” He grated, even though it sounded a little like a question.
“No problem. How’s your gash by the way?”
“I’ve had worse.” He said plainly and I cringed thinking about more blood coming out of his smooth, slightly tanned, perfect skin. You’re delirious, girl.
“You seem quite experienced in the world of fighting and wounds.” I replied, combing my hair with my fingers and looking at my lap.
When Justin didn’t respond, I immediately regretted opening my mouth. The air grew thick with silence but, fortunately, we were close to my school.
He came to a halt, parking just a block away from the main entrance, which was already packed with students probably talking about their plans for the weekend.
So, when am I going to see you again? That’s what I wanted to ask him but deciding it would sound rather desperate I went for another thing.
“So, I guess I’ll see you soon.” I whispered, unsure of how he would react. He could still be mad/upset/whatever.
“Yeah, soon.” He answered with no emotion.
I acknowledged his response with a nod and opened the door to get out. When I had one foot outside he spoke.
“Wait, you haven’t given me a morning kiss.” My mood instantly lit up as I heard his tone of voice was back to nice and turned back around smiling shyly.