Nine

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Minutes blend into hours and soon I find myself sitting on my bed at eleven, phone in hand and mind beyond bored. Getting tired of the feeling, I begin a Facetime call with Paislee, she and Dani showing up on the screen within a matter of seconds.

"Hey!" they call out in unison.

"Hey guys. I wanted to talk to you about something." I begin, biting my lip as I don't want a different topic to start. "I've talked to Cami already but I need to talk to someone other than her."

"Is this about that Justin guy?" Paislee asks, smirking and wiggling her brows.

I nod. "Yes. Look, a couple days ago I was baking and he showed up by himself. Apparently he has a key and he watched me for a couple minutes then called me cute. Later, I went up to my room and he had left a note with his number on it on my bed. Then earlier today he was here and I pulled him to my room and asked him why he left the note. He said he wants to get to know me and we didn't have much time to talk after that seeing as Mav walked in and we had to come up with an excuse to explain why we were in my room." I explain, sighing once done.

"Holy shit." Daniella says, being the first of the two to speak.

"Okay, Hadlee, I get it, he has a way with words and he's the forbidden guy. Of course he's going to be tempting. But what you have to remember is your first impression wasn't a good one and first impressions are everything. You can't fall for his tricks, Lee, you've gotta stick to your gut." Paislee explains, giving me a look of seriousness.

Dani nods. "I agree. I don't think you should risk it."

"But what if my gut is telling me that I was wrong?" I whisper, asking myself more than anyone else.

"Are you sure that's your gut?" Paislee asks, her brows now raised.

I lick my lips, taking a moment to think about it before nodding. "Yes. Guys, I know this sounds crazy but something's telling me that my first impression was wrong. I can feel it. There's more to this guy than I originally thought."

The girls stay silent, taking in my statement.

The front door downstairs shuts, giving me a hint that Maverick is home.

Wait, then why hasn't Justin texted me? Maybe he was just tired like Mav always is.

Just then, there's a knock on my door, making my throat clear itself. "Guys, I gotta go." I say quickly, hanging up. "Come in."

The door opens and Maverick peeks around the corner grinning softly. "Hey, can we talk?"

I nod. "Yeah, sure. What's up?" I ask, patting a spot next to me.

He sits, licking his lips. "I wanted to talk about Justin."

"Oh." I sigh, laughing a little. "I know it must've seemed weird earlier. I really was just asking if he knew anyone I could hang out with."

"I believe you." he nods. "But, I just wanted to ask and it may seem weird but... please stay away from him. I know he's my best friend and I love him but I love you more and you're my little sister. He's not someone I want you to be involved with. For your own good. I don't want you to get hurt." he says, seeming to be nervous.

"So, what your saying is he's a fuck and leave type of guy." I state, nodding and giggling afterwards.

He chuckles, snorting. "No. Well, sometimes. But what I'm saying is overall he's not a relationship type of guy. And I don't want you to fall for his charming ways and get hurt so please, Hadlee, if not for yourself... for me. Just stay away."

I nod. "I will. I don't wanna get hurt either."

"Thank you." he says, letting out a sigh of relief. "So, how's life been?"

I grin, laughing lightly. "It's good. I mean, for the most part. Mom and Alejandro miss you but they manage." I shrug. "Other than that I just hang out with the girls."

"Wow, you still only have the same three friends?" he laughs.

I nod. "They're loyal."

He nods. "I get that. But hey, if you don't mind I'm gonna go to bed. I'm exhausted." He says, yawning.

I grin. "Go ahead. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." he says, kissing my forehead and leaving my room.

Almost ten minutes later, my phone vibrates wildly against the soft sheets of my bed, causing my brows to furrow as Justin's name pops up on the screen. I grin, answering the call and putting the phone to my ear.

"Hello?"

"Hello Hadlee." he says, obviously smirking.

"Hello." I grin, laughing lightly. "What can I help you with at eleven thirty at night?"

He chuckles. "Meet me at the corner of your road, to the right, in a half hour." he claims.

"Seriously?" I ask, laughing.

"What? You've never snuck out?" he laughs.

I bite my lip. "No."

"There's a first time for everything." he replies. "So?"

I lick my lips. "I'll be there."

"Good." he says. "See you soon."

With that, he hangs up, making me stare at the phone screen for a good few minutes before rushing up and hearing his voice from the night of the party in my head.

"I like you better this way."

Jumping slightly, my head immediately turns to the side, noticing Justin leaning casually against the wall next to the bedroom door.

"W-what?" I stutter, letting my nervousness get the best of me.

"Pajamas, no makeup... it suits you better than before." he shrugs.

I lick my lips, letting my teeth attach themselves to the bottom one before getting up and going over to the closet. Once settling on jeans and a tee, I slip out of my pajamas and into the outfit, putting on concealer and mascara before nodding at the natural look. I then slip on my shoes and look at the clock.

Only eleven forty five. Dammit. Ten minutes to waste. Who would've thought doing something so wrong would feel so right? I mean, I've never done this before but it feels like I should. Like I need to.

I plop into a beanbag chair, putting my shoes on and sighing as I look at my phone, scrolling through things and waiting until the clock strikes eleven fifty five to get back up. I turn all but one lamp by my bed off and open my window, climbing out. Nearing the bottom, I lose my balance, falling and landing straight on my back.

I groan, sitting up.

Thank god I wasn't all the way up there.

Forcing myself off the ground, I stretch a little before walking out of our yard and down the street to the right, finding Justin at the end of the road leaning against his car near the sidewalk.

"You made it..." he starts, checking the time. "And on time."

I roll my eyes. "Yeah, you're lucky you texted when you did, Mav had just left my room."

He chuckles. "Lucky is right. Did he warn you about me?"

I nod. "That he did."

He nods hesitantly. "Get in."

"I don't know you." I tell him, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Yet you met me here." he chuckles. "Come on, don't be stubborn. Plus, if Mav trusts me why wouldn't you?"

"Where are we going, exactly?" I ask, narrowing my eyes.

He chuckles. "It's a surprise. Now get in the car. I promise I won't kill or rape you. Not my style."

I laugh at his joke a little, walking forward and getting into the car as he climbs in on his side. "As long as you don't kill me."

He smirks, starting the car and starting to drive away in silence.

Once a few moments have passed, I bite my lip, hesitantly leaning forward and turning on the radio.

He chuckles softly as I turn it up a little, not liking the silence.

Soon, Justin parks in a vacant parking lot at the bottom of a hill, causing me to furrow my brows as he gets out, forcing me to do the same although I stand by the car.

"Where are we?" I ask, confused.

"Follow me." he says, starting up the hill.

I do as I'm told, following him until we get to the top. I see his smile, a real smile, as he looks out in front of him, causing a gasp to escape my lips without permission as I turn to do the same.

He chuckles, turning his head to look at me while I can't take my eyes off the view.

"How'd you find this place?" I ask, gaping at the gorgeous overlook of Stratford.

He grins, not taking his eyes off me. "I found it one day when I got into an argument with my parents."

I look over to him now, catching his stare causing him to lick his lips and look away.

"Why'd you bring me here?" I ask, furrowing my eyebrows while keeping my gaze on his side profile.

"I don't know." He replies, looking back to me with a grin again.

I raise my brows. "What?"

"I don't know." he says, shrugging as he speaks the truth. "I guess I figured no one could find us here. Plus I wanted you to have somewhere to go when you're tired of being at home. You're always there."

"I don't really have friends here." I say honestly, biting the inside of my cheek and looking down, kicking the rocks below my feet gently.

"I know." he frowns. "But you've got me now."

I look up to him, smiling. "Thank you."

"Anytime." he smiles. Another real smile.

After a few moments, he speaks up, interrupting the peaceful silence.

"Why'd you come visit your dad?" he asks, probably after debating the question. "Mav said you haven't talked to him since you were like, eleven."

I sigh. "My mom forced me to come. She said it would be good for my relationship with him. Which I don't get. He's the one who wanted our relationship to stop before. When I was eleven, he started his new family and said he needed time away from us. So, we stopped talking." I shrug. "I still don't know how Mav got in contact with him to come live here."

My phone vibrates in my pocket, making me pull it out to see a text from Maverick.

Where are you? Why aren't you home? Are you okay?

"What's wrong?" Justin asks.

"Mav. He knows I'm gone. I guess he got into my room. I'll just ignore him. Say my phone died." I shrug.

He nods, chuckling. "Yeah, it won't hurt him to lose sight of you for a bit."

I nod, looking out at the scene in front of me again as Justin's gaze stays on me.

I wonder what he's thinking.

***

Thank you so much for reading!

Here's this weeks chapter!

have a wonderful week!

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much love,

shan:)

QUESTIONS:

1. What do you think will happen next?

2. What was your favorite part? Least favorite

3. What do you think Justin's thinking?