Chapter 20

"She's," I took a step back, not being able to believe it. "She's your girlfriend?"

"Justin?" She cuddled into his chest, making me want to throw up. "Who is she?"

"No one." Justin stroked her hair. "She's no one."

I looked at him in complete disbelief, feeling a hot tear roll down my cheek. I quickly wiped it away. "I-" I tried to talk through my tears. "I'm sorry." I whispered before turning on my heels, walking back down the hallway.

"Give me a minute, okay?" I heard Justin say in his sweet voice he used to use with me. I walked faster, not wanting to start bawling here.

"Jess," he said lowly but I didn't turn around. "Jess," he grabbed my arm, spinning me around.

"Don't fucking touch me," I hissed, ripping my arm out of his grasp. He looked at me with big, sad eyes. "Riley? That girl who sent you that letter?"

He didn't say anything.

"You," I paused. "You said she was your ex girlfriend-" I stopped, not knowing what else to say.

He opened his mouth but nothing came out. He was speechless.

"I should've known," I scoffed. "When we were on my balcony, you were talking so highly of her. It was so sweet, and I remember thinking, 'Wow, I wonder what he'd say about me to someone else.'"

He still didn't say anything, just slouched his shoulders.

"Not even to mention how much shit I went through to find you," I choked out. "I cared about you so much."

"You really drove all the way here for me?" He whispered.

"Oh, no. I stayed up all night trying to call you, borrowed Morgan's car, drove all the way here, went to every motel, slept in my car until this one opened, and snuck behind the computer to see if you had a room booked here." I breathed out. "That's what I did for you."

He was speechless; hurt. He knew he messed up. Or maybe he didn't, I didn't know what to think about him anymore.

"I'm sorry for whatever I did," I choked on my sobs, a shaky hand coming up to wipe my face. "I'm so sorry."

He still didn't say anything, which confirmed my answer. I gave him a nod before heading towards the stairs. Opening the door, I turned back to see if he'd say anything. When he didn't, I shook my head sadly, letting the door slam behind me. Jogging down a flight of stairs, I stopped once I reached the landing, and slid down the wall, bringing my knees to my chest. I sobbed into my knees, realization dawning on me that my life really did suck. I just wanted to die. I didn't want to be here any longer.

After several minutes of letting my emotions out, I brought myself to my feet, trying to pull myself together. I pushed open the door at the bottom of the stairs, heading towards the front door of the lobby.

"Find who you were looking for?" The receptionist smiled.

I turned around, her face dropping once she saw my expression. "Yeah," I sighed. "I did."

"Is everything okay?" Concern laced her words.

I smiled faintly. "Yeah."

Realizing I should probably say something further, I couldn't help but appreciate how she helped me.

"Thank you," my voice cracked. "For everything."

"No problem," she flashed her beautiful smile. I was almost to the door when she spoke up again. "Hey," she said softly. "Um, if you need anything," she scribbled down on a sticky note. "Here's my number. I know I shouldn't give this out to strangers, but I'm a rule breaker." She giggled.

Her laugh made me smile with teeth, almost as if it were contagious.

"Thank you," I whispered, taking it from her hands.

She nodded eagerly, like she was the happiest person alive. It made me jealous.

"How do you get your eyeliner so perfect?" She gawked.

I laughed in her face. "It's anything from perfect at the moment."

She frowned, knowing I had been crying. "Well even if you decide not to call me, at least hit me up so you can give me a lesson." She winked.

I laughed for the first time in ages. It was silent for a few moments while I was deep in thought. "I'll be right back," I said abruptly.

Without hearing an answer, I pushed the front door open, finding Morgan's car. I opened the middle counsel once I was inside, and grabbed a pouch with flowers on it.

I brought it back inside, her eyes lighting up once she saw it. "Are you busy?" I smiled.

She laughed. "It's 5:30 in the morning. I'm far from busy."

I walked behind the counter and unzipped the bag,

She sat on the counter while I took out the eyeliner, putting it on her like I would to myself. I put more makeup on her, just because I was feeling extra generous.

"What's your name?" I whispered, completely concentrated.

"Whitney," her eyes were closed. "I just finished my junior year."

"Wow," I said quietly. "You look older than a junior."

She laughed. "Thanks, I think."

I chuckled lightly. "You go to school in Holly Ridge?"

"Yeah," she sighed. "I have my whole life."

I smiled. "How's being a receptionist?"

"It sucks ass," she said, then widened her eyes, realizing what she just said. "I'm sorry-"

I laughed wholeheartedly. "I don't care if you swear."

"Good," she said while giggling. "I hate it here. I really want to have a job that involves beauty."

"Really?" I smiled widely.

"Yeah," she sighed. "That would be so fun."

"It is."

She opened her eyes. "What's your job?"

"I own a clothing store," I smiled, still focused on her makeup. "You should stop by sometime."

She nodded eagerly while I finished up the final touches, giving her a tiny mirror I always kept.

"Oh my god," she said, astonished. "I look like a different person!"

"Good thing or bad thing?" I laughed.

"Amazing thing," she took one last look at herself before handing me my mirror. "Thank you."

I nodded, packing everything up. "Thanks for letting me sneak in."

"Thanks for giving me a makeover," she laughed.

I smiled. "Good luck on senior year."

I headed for the door, my mood being a little brighter.

"Wait!" She called. " I didn't get your name."

I laughed lightly. "Jess."

She smiled, sitting down behind the counter. "Bye Jess."

I gave one nod and walked out the door, thinking I was going to fall asleep standing up. Once I got in the car, I groaned realizing it was 7:00 in the morning. I had about an hour and a half of sleep, not to mention I had to work in 2 hours.

I drove out of the parking lot, leaning my head against the headrest. Calling Morgan, I figured she'd want to know what happened.

She answered in a heartbeat. "Where the hell are you?" She hissed. "I need my car."

"Calm down," I laughed. "I'll be home in an hour."

"Where are you though? You were seriously out all night?"

"It's a long story-" I stopped talking, thinking back to what Justin had said.

She was quiet for a minute. "Do you need to talk?"

"No," I smiled despite what I was feeling. "I do need a favor though."

She didn't say anything which cued me to continue.

"Could you please take my shift today?"

"Hell no," she spat.

"Please, I'm so tired."

"You owe me." She said, irritated.

"Big time," I sighed. "I'll see you later."

She hung up, and I focused on the road ahead.

Justin kept popping into my mind, making my headache ten times worse.

I stood at the counter where the cash register was, folding some shorts.

"Is she always like this?" He said as I jumped a little, not expecting him to talk.

"Well if you mean hyper and eager, then yes." I said.

He laughed now, "She means well."

Now this made me laugh, probably harder than I should've.

"You got that right."

"So, how long have you worked here?" He said, making his way over to me.

"As long as I can remember." I said, still folding the shorts.

"So you're from here?"

"Born and raised," I said with a nod.

"You're lucky. I just moved here yesterday, living in a place like this has always been a dream of mine."

"You moved here alone?" I asked.

"Yeah, just thought it would be nice. I've only been here a day and I already love it."

Maybe it was the way he talked, or how he looked down when he was nervous. That first day he came into the shop changed my life in Hampstead.

Our first official date was perfect. It was something I'll never forget. He was so genuine, so sweet. Not to mention how we had to hide from Morgan, and how he took me back to his place that night.

He stuck out his elbow, offering for me to take it.

"Shall we?" He nudged me with his elbow.

I slowly hooked my arm in his. "We shall." I smiled.

He laughed a little and led me down the porch steps.

"Carolina Cafe huh?" He spoke up. "You better be right considering you said it was the best place here."

"Trust me," I said. "I would know."

The way his smile could light up a room; the way he licked his lips or played with his hair when he was nervous. His presence changed me. I don't know if I'll ever see him again, or even talk to him for that matter. But I really do want to thank him, for making me the person I am today.

I don't think I realized how much I liked him however, until my first guitar lesson.

He made his way over to me, sitting down on the ground in front of the fireplace. He slowly reached over, and I heard him unlatching something. We were both sitting side by side in front of the fire. I looked over to find him slowly pull out a guitar.

"Oh my god," I slapped my hand to my forehead laughing.

"I keep my promises," he said smiling.

I suddenly became nervous considering I've never even picked up a guitar. He'll probably think I'm stupid.

He looked at me for a second, making my stomach flop.

That was it, the feeling he always gave me. The clenching in my stomach; the way my heart beat ten times faster. They were all things only he could make me feel, and I was afraid I wouldn't feel them ever again.___________________________

NOTE:

okay, short chapter. i'm sorry! i'm being honest when i tell you so much very intense stuff is about to happen. i hope you're excited!

twitter: @avonsshawtyy

next update: monday, the 14th.