"Not a date"

Brooklyn

I’ll be at your house at 4.

I read Justin’s text again and checked the clock hanging on the blue wall of my room. 3 o’clock. Perfect, I have an hour to get ready.

I lazily got up from my comfy bed and went into the bathroom. Stripping off my pj’s I slid in the shower and turned the hot water on, letting it warm me. I washed my hair with my Pantene shampoo and soaped my body while the conditioner was doing its job, untangling the mess my hair was after I fell asleep on my bed without untying the complicated bun I had worn to the theater. After I rinsed my whole body and hair I felt my muscles had relaxed. For some reason I was feeling nervous about this ‘hanging out thing’ with Justin, I don’t know why.

I stepped out the shower and wrapped a soft blue towel around my body and another one around my hair. I applied some lotion on my dry skin and put on my underwear. Unwrapping the towel from my head I instantly felt cold as my wet hair hit my bare back, making me wince. I got a comb and started brushing it through my damp locks. I opted for letting it dry by itself in my natural waves.

Now, the most complicated part of the process: what to wear. First, I don’t know where we are going. Second, this is not a date so I can’t look like I want to impress Justin. Third, I simply don’t know what to wear. I decided I needed help. Reaching for my phone, which was resting on my pillow, I dialed Kelsey’s number. It rang two times before she picked it up.

“B?” Her happy voice echoed through the line.

“Hi Kels.” I greeted.

“How was your date yesterday?” She asked in a mocking tone, knowing I hated those boring plays.

“Perfect.” I exclaimed sarcastically. “He took me to watch The Three Musketeers.” Kelsey sniggered on the other side of the phone. “The only good thing was the dinner after it.” I laughed. “But anyways, that’s not why I’m calling you.”

“Why is it then?” Curiosity was clear in her voice. What can I say, both Kelsey and I are curious people.

“I’m hanging out with Justin later and I don’t know what to wear.” I put more emphasis on the second part of the sentence in hopes that she would ignore the first one.

But I had no such luck. “You’re going out with Justin?” She screamed on the phone.

“Say it louder, I think people in China couldn’t hear you.” I scoffed.

“Are you like dating Nate and Justin at the same time?” She gasped and I heard a slap. She must have hit her head. “How did I not see it?” She mumbled to herself.

“Kelsey stop it! I’m not dating Justin, we’re just going on a friendly date.” I made sure I put a stress on the words ‘not’ and ‘friendly’.

“Maybe for now…” She trailed off, laughing evilly.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I put the hand I wasn’t using to hold the phone on my hip and frowned, even though she couldn’t see me.

“Nothing.” She said innocently. I dropped the subject since it was already 3.30 and I wasn’t dressed.

“Will you help me or not?” I asked getting impatient.

“Jeez, how cold is it?” She said calmly.

I walked to the window and lifted it, sticking my arm out. “It’s kinda warm.” I replied, closing the window again.

“Then go for a simple look, jeans or something. I don’t think Justin likes heels, caked-up faces and Chanel.” She suggested. I don’t think he likes that either. “Although, you don’t really care about what he likes, do you?” Her smirk was noticeable even in her tone.

“Thanks for your help Kelsey. Have a nice Saturday.” I said, ending the conversation so she would stop teasing me about Justin.

“Call me when you’re back from your friendly date!” She shouted before the line went dead, as I pressed the red button on my phone.

Sighing I walked to my closet. I don’t think Justin likes heels, caked-up faces and Chanel. That sentence replayed in my mind as I searched through my hangers. I’m not gonna wear a dress or a skirt so those are ruled out. No high-heels, nothing too fancy, nothing too provocative, nothing too posh…This was gonna be difficult. After around 10 minutes I found a pair of dark denim skinnies that reached just above my ankle, a plain red short-sleeved t-shirt and an off white jumper from Hollister that had a big red H printed on it. I slid on my red Tom’s and went into the bathroom again.

I leaned down to get my makeup bag from a little wardrobe under the sink and applied the basic: foundation, blush, eyeliner, mascara and my favorite red lip-gloss. Once I was done I brushed my hair again and left it loose down my back. I sprayed on some perfume and took one last glance at the full-length mirror of my room. Good I guess. I stuffed my phone on the front pocket of my jeans and some money on the back.

“Mom, dad, I’m going out with some friends!” I yelled from the front door. My mother immediately appeared at the door.

“Which friends?” How typical of parents to want to know everything about our lives.

“Tiara and Lucy. I don’t think you know them.” I said with my best innocent smile. Neither did I, basically because they didn’t exist.

My mom looked unsure but nodded. “Okay, call if you need anything.”

“I will.” I started walking to the elevator. Before the doors closed I heard my mother yelling. “And be back before 10!” I shouted an ‘okay’ back and nervously tapped my foot on the elevator floor.

According to my watch, it was already 4.59. This is a record for me, I’m usually late for everything. What a coincidence you’re not late when the person you’re meeting is Justin…I’m not having a conversation with you now. I shut the voice in the back of my head off and crossed the glass doors that lead outside.

A wave of warm air hit me as soon as I step foot on the busy street. It was surprisingly warm to be October but hey, I’m not complaining.

Justin was nowhere in sight. Guess it’s his turn to be late. I leaned against a streetlamp and nervously bite on my nails. I shouldn’t be this excited about hanging out with Justin. He’s just probably gonna make fun of me, as always.

“Boo.” Someone said in my ear, startling me. I nearly jumped 4 feet forward from the fright.

Then I heard the unmistakable laughter of Justin behind me and turned around annoyed. “You need to stop scaring me all the time.”

“But your reactions are so…priceless.” He said between laughs. I smacked him hard in the arm. “Ow! What was that for?” He screamed, rubbing his arm.

“For always making fun of me.” I spat annoyed with him already. And we haven’t even been 5 minutes together.

“Well, you need to stop doing that because you’re gonna leave a bruise.” He pouted his bottom lip pointing at the spot where I had hit him. He looked so adorable. That’s it.

“Aw Justin, you’re so cute when you do that.” I said in a baby voice and pinched his cheek.

He shot me a glare. “I.am.not.cute.” He paused between every word to make sure I understood him perfectly and folded his strong arms across his chest, but that only made him cuter.

“But you are.” I whined, laughing.

He sighed but ended up cracking a smile. “Let’s go.” He threw his arm around my shoulder like we were the best of friends.

“Erm, what are you exactly doing?” I asked while we began to walk. I had to tilt my head back and to the side to be able to look him in the eyes since he was taller than me.

“I believe we’re walking.” He chuckled looking down at me. For a second our eyes met and I felt an unstoppable impulse to smile so I looked away.

“But we may be seen by someone who knows me.” I glanced around us trying to find a familiar face that could tell Nate I was walking practically hugging another boy.

“That’s good, they’ll be jealous. Don’t you girls like it when you make other girls jealous of you?” He asked confused but amused at the same time.

“I don’t want to make anyone jealous so.” I slowly lifted his arm from my shoulders and made it fell limp by his side while I took a step to the right, leaving some distance between our bodies. “Plus, why do you think they’d be jealous that I’m with you?”

Justin chuckled. “You keep telling yourself you don’t enjoy my company.”

“Whatever, Bieber. Where is your car?” I resisted the urge to slap myself for knowing he was right.

“Car?” He questioned.

“Yeah, that thing with four wheels and seats that you use to drive to places.” I replied smartly.

“I know what a car is, I just don’t own one.” He shrugged.

“Are you se-“ I stopped myself mid-sentence, afraid that I would offend him. “I mean, we can go back and take mine.” I suggested, jabbing my thumb behind my head.

“Nah. We’ll take the subway.” He picked his pace up, making me run a little to catch up with him.

When I was by his side I grabbed his arm, causing him to look down at me. “Missed my arm?” His stupid smirk making its way across his face.

I rolled my eyes an ignored the question. “You said the subway?” I asked, wanting to believe that what I had heard was wrong.

“Hm yeah, why?” His eyebrows pulled together in confusion.

I stayed silent, processing everything in my brain.

“Wait, you’ve never taken the subway?” Realization suddenly kicked him as his mouth opened wide and he stifled a laugh.

I shook my head, looking down at the hard-chewing-gum-covered pavement.

Don’t judge me. My parents never left me and I never had the need to take it since there would always be a car available for me. However I had ridden the bus once. My parents kept telling me the subway was a dangerous place with lots of people and thieves between them. Besides, it is so huge I would easily get lost in the multiple lines.

“There’s a first time for everything, isn’t it?” Justin said encouragingly taking my hand in his and leading me to the nearest station.

“I’d rather go back and take my car. My parents wouldn’t approve of me going in there.” I pointed to the entrance of the station.

“But your parents aren’t here to see you, are they?” Justin raised an eyebrow daringly. I hesitated. “C’mon Brooke, I’ll be there with you, nothing will happen.” He assured and the worry I had once felt started fading away. I knew I could rely on Justin to save me from some thief or rapist at least.

“O-okay.” I stammered, letting him lead me down the stone stairs and into the hall of the station. When I saw the amount of people that walked in every direction I kind of panicked. Maybe I have claustrophobia? I felt Justin squeeze my hand and send me a small reassuring smile.

“I hate this station.” He muttered. “Just because this is the rich part of the city there has to be guards and we can’t just sneak in without paying.” He groaned. He has to be joking.

“If the problem is paying I’ll pay.” How much can this cost? I handed him a $5 bill and he hesitantly took it. In any other case I would understand that the guy wants to pay but since Justin doesn’t precisely have money to burn it’s okay if we skip this gentleman cliché thing.

“Okay but I’ll pay the food.” Justin said dragging me to some machines that, I supposed, sold the tickets.

“Oh so you’re buying me food?” I crooked a brow and smiled.

Justin nodded. “What kind of date would this be without food?”

“And where are we going to? McDonalds?” I asked, amusement dancing in my words. “Oh and this is not a date.”

“You wish.” He chuckled, typing something on the touchable screen of the machine. “Oh and I know, I was just fucking with you.”

“Something worse than MacDonalds? Are you serious?” I gaped, leaning against the machine next to the one Justin was using.  “Oh and don’t swear in front of me. It’s not polite.”

“Yes.” Justin nodded seriously and I just swallowed hard, expecting the worst. I just hope it’s not a strip club or something like that. “Oh and what? You’ve never cursed?”

“It’s not lady-like.” I replied, tossing my hair back and holding my head high.

Then Justin started kicking the machine with his foot. “Fucking machine. Give me my fucking tickets.” He kept hitting it angrily.

I flinched at his choice of words. After a few seconds he stopped kicking the thing and got the two tickets from the slot. I took some time to check his outfit. He was wearing black Chuck Taylor’s, red skinnies that were sagging way too much (not that I’m complaining), a white v-neck (I’ve found that he loves those) and a denim jacket on top. The sleeves were rolled up, giving me a glimpse of his toned arms and a couple of chains hung from his neck. His hair was spiked up, as always, in that messy sexy way of his. Yeah, he looked hot but don’t he always? Brooklyn stop daydreaming.

“Are you checking me out?” It was Justin’s amused voice rather than the one in the back of my head that snapped me from my intense staring. I jumped, causing me to stumble a little.

“Of course I wasn’t.” I didn’t sound convincing at all. Well, I guess I just got caught, whoops.

“You sure? Is that dribble coming out of your mouth?” He gasped and I quickly touched my lips. They were dry.

“You stupid idiot.” I smacked his chest this time but I bet I hurt my fist more than him. “Ow.” I mumbled.

Justin was laughing so hard that people were looking at him like he was crazy and I was feeling ashamed in consequence. When he noticed, he stopped being so loud but kept snickering while he led us to the ticket-checking machines. I sighed at his childishness.

“You have to-“ I cut him off rudely.

“I know how this works. I’ve watched movies. Duh.” I said in a matter-of-factly tone, snatching the ticket from his hand and sliding it into the small slot.

We successfully crossed to the other side and Justin was red from all the laughing. I groaned and looked at him expectantly.

He jabbed his finger to the right and we started walking down a corridor until we reached the mechanical stairs that dug deep under the street level. What if the ceiling falls down on us? I began to panic again. Then I felt a hand stroking my back. The only reason why I didn’t glare at Justin was because his actions were somewhat calming.

When we finally reached the bottom level, a little screen announced that the next train would be there in 4 minutes. I stood there, arms crossed, staring ahead.

“Aren’t you gonna talk to me anymore?” A sigh escaped Justin’s lips.

I narrowed my eyes at Justin and remained silent.

“Is this because I laughed at you before? You were drooling! And it was funny seeing your deer-caught-in-the-dead-lights face.” He lifted his arms in defense. “C’mon.” He nudged me with his arm. “It’s normal, every girl drools over this.” He said cockily.

I opened my mouth but took my time to talk. “I hate it so much when you’re so vain.”

“Okay, I’m sorry. I promise I won’t make fun of you anymore, okay?” He rolled his eyes playfully and waited for me to talk.

“Don’t make promises you’re not gonna keep.” I muttered bitterly, turning so I wasn’t facing him anymore.

Justin sighed and I caught him rubbing his face with his hands from the corner of my eye.

Suddenly he grabbed my shoulders and turned me so I was again looking at him. He started tugging at my arms to unfold them and since he was pretty much stronger than me, he managed to do it. “Good, he mumbled.” Then he put his fingers at both sides of my lips and pulled the flesh up trying to make me smile. “Do I have to do all the job?” He sighed, tugging harder and making weird faces until a giggle escaped my lips. “There it is.” He smiled, making a smile appear on my lips as well. Why does he have this effect on me?

“How do you do it?” I questioned, amazed.

“Do what?” He said right as the train parked next to the platform. He hugged my body to him again and pushed between the amounts of people going in and out of the car. We finally made it inside but there were no free seats so we stood there hanging to a bar.

“What you just did.” I clarified once our position was stable.

“It’s my charm, Princess.” He winked cockily causing me roll my eyes playfully.

“How can you seriously be so cocky?” I asked chuckling.

“It’s called confidence shawty.” He winked yet again.

“Is it nicknames hour?” I questioned, holding to the bar tighter because the driver was making abrupt turns.

All of a sudden there was an even more abrupt stop and the whole car shook making people stumble. Me, being my clumsy self, almost fell. In fact, if it wasn’t for the pair of arms that wrapped around my waist I would have fallen face on the floor.

“You have to be more careful, I’m not always gonna be here to save you.” Justin said in a superhero voice while I giggled.

“Thank you Superman.” I mocked him.

“I’m just gonna leave this hand here in case you decide to fall again.” My eyes moved down to my waist where his arm was gripping softly but firmly. Even though my skin was covered by two coats of fabric, I still got a tingly sensation from his closeness. “I know you’re doing it purposely anyway.” He waved his hand like I was the one who had desperately asked him to hold me.

I rolled my eyes but although I should have told him to back off I couldn’t find the will to do it. I was way too comfortable this way and that shouldn’t be happening.

The car got emptier and emptier as we got away from the city center and approached the Bronx. Justin and I made little talk and eventually found a pair of empty seats, which meant him retiring his arm from around me.

“So it’s not being that bad in the end, is it?” Justin asked after a few moments of silence.

I looked around me. I had seen some weird people. I was positive there was a pedo staring at me from the other side of the car and I had seen someone sniffing a white substance from his pocket. So if we don’t count those, the Mexican guy playing the accordion and singing in Spanish and the gothic girl with piercings in her cheeks, brows, mouth, nose and basically everywhere; it had been a pretty normal ride.

“I guess…” I trailed off. “But I’m not going here again if I can avoid it.” I jabbed my finger warningly at him.

He chuckled. “Okay.” I realized that when he showed his whole white teeth, a dimple formed on the left side of his mouth. “Is there something in my face?” He asked, touching the spot I had been looking at.

“Yeah. A dimple.” I confesed.

“Better a dimple than a pimple, eh?” He wiggled his eyebrows like he had made the best joke ever and began to laugh.

“Oh Lord.” I covered my eyes with my hand. “It’s cuter at least.” I emphasized the word ‘cuter’.

He sent me a glare full of hatred and I pouted giggling.

“You’re lucky you’re cute or else I would have kicked your ass by now.” He said half-jokingly.

“I thought you didn’t use the world cute.” I said confused, so it came out more as a question.

“It’s alright for girls, because girls can be cute. But boys are not cute, they’re sexy.” He actually said it sexily.

“But some boys aren’t sexy.” I argued propping my head on my hand and my elbow on my thigh.

“Not my case.” He whispered coming closer. “Right?” He whispered, this time in my ear so his hot breath was hitting my skin.

Damn, why does he always have to make me nervous?

“Yes.” I reunited all the confidence I could and just said it. Not like my voice could crack in a one-word sentence.

He pulled away when something was announced through the speakers.

“This is the station.” He informed, standing up and taking my hand in his, gently pulling me up with him.

When I had recovered from my little melt-down I clarified my answer. “By the way, I meant that it is your case. You’re not sexy.”

He raised his eyebrows quizzically at me.

“At all.” I finished, smirking.