Eleven

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I wish I could say I've seen Justin a lot. But unfortunately over the past two weeks since I snuck out we've only been texting. Well, aside from the three times he's snuck upstairs to see me before Maverick has arrived home. We seems to be getting closer and I have to admit I believe I was correct... the second time. Justin's not who I thought he was at first. Granted, even Maverick had said he's not the relationship type of guy. But there's something about the Justin that I know now that wasn't there when I first met him. Yes, I know it sounds sappy but it's somehow true. Justin is sweeter than I thought. Although when Maverick's around there's a tough aspect to him that I can't quite understand. As if he has some sort of power. I have spent the past two weeks watching new series on Netflix considering there's nothing else for me to do. Camila and the girls have been too busy spending time with one another to Facetime me as our original plans stay in place. Only now it's without me. Not that I blame them, just because I won't have a good summer doesn't mean they shouldn't.

I have, although, considered sneaking out to be with Justin again... or just to get out of the house. But a part of me doesn't feel like arguing with my brother. That part of me being the majority of my mind. I like Justin. More than I'd like to admit and because of that, I can't bring myself to risk us getting caught together. Justin would be disowned as Maverick's friend and I'd be shunned from ever speaking to him again. I'd possibly be shipped back to Texas and although as of now I wouldn't be completely opposed, something here is making me want to stay. And I'm starting to think that it might just be because of Justin. Then again, I don't want Maverick to control my life. If I allow Maverick to tell me what I can do then who will I become. The little girl that was found herself doing whatever she could to try to prove herself worthy to her father. Only now it would be for my brother instead. Not that I know why. I don't know why it would be so important. Which is why I don't want to be that person. I refuse to be that person.

"Lost in thought, princess?"

My head immediately turns up, allowing my sight to set on Justin leaning against my door frame.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, a smile appearing across my lips as soon as my eyes meet his before I frown. "Wait, aren't you supposed to be with Maverick?"

He chuckles, shrugging. "He's being overly hysteric about some stuff and it's boring. So," he pauses, "I decided to give you a visit in your own personal hell."

I laugh lightly, sitting up. "You can come sit with me if you want."

He grins, shutting the door and flicking the lock before walking over and sitting at the end of the bed. "How's school work going?" he asks, gesturing to the computer sitting near me.

I shrug. "Not doing anything today. But in general, good. I'm getting a lot done. What's Mav all hysteric about?" I ask.

I'll make this clear. I like Justin. A lot. Nevertheless I'm still overly confused... and curious as to where he goes all the time and what he does.

Justin shrugs. "Stupid shut. Believe me, if it was entertaining I'd invite you to watch."

I laugh a little before my teeth clench my bottom lip, making me quiet once again.

"Don't you usually have friends you're talking to? From back home I mean." he says after a moments. "I mean I could've sworn that I heard you talking to someone on the phone sometimes."

"Oh, yeah." I nod. "I have a few but they're all busy doing the stuff we had planned to all do together. The only difference is they're doing it without me." I sigh. "I miss them."

"I'm sure." he nods. "You were forced to give them up and come to Canada for the summer."

I nod, laughing lightly. "Yeah. How unfair."

I feel him watch me as I play with a tag on one of my blankets, biting the inside of my cheek... a habit I can't seem to rid.

"Meet me again tonight."

I look up immediately, shocked by his words. "That didn't end well last time." I shake my head.

He chuckles, shaking his head too. "We won't get caught this time. We'll meet about a half hour later. That way it's more believable that you're going to sleep. Make a fake you in the bed. That way if someone peeks into the room it looks like you're there. And don't leave a light on. I don't know if you did or not. But that's important. And leave your door unlocked."

"You seem to know a lot about this." I tell him, giving him a suspicious look.

He smirks, shrugging. "I used to have to do it before my parents started letting me go out whenever."

I nod. "Where are we going to go? Are we gonna-"

"If you want to." he interrupts, nodding. "Yeah."

I nod again. "Yes."

"Alright." he sighs, standing. "I've gotta go. I told them I had to run to my place for something. That means I should be returning any time. I'll see you at twelve thirty."

I smile. "I'll see you then."

Sending me one last smile, Justin leaves the room, going back downstairs and leaving the house as I grin to myself and lay back down.

Later, as the clock strikes 12:30am, I find myself sliding on my second shoe and turning all the lights off in my room. I then slip out of my window and to the ground before jogging to the end of the road and slipping into the passenger seat of Justin's car at 12:33am.

"You're late." he jokes, turning to me.

I smirk at him before laughing and shaking my head. "Just drive."

He listens for once, putting the car in drive and starting away towards what I'd like to call our spot.

Once arriving, we both immediately get out of the car and start climbing upward, soon making it to the top.

Without thinking again, I look over the town and sit on the ground, grinning to myself.

Justin chuckles, sitting next to me and looking over the town as I do.

After a moment, he speaks up, I suppose after getting tired of the silence. "Let's talk."

I giggle, turning to him. "About what?"

"What's your favorite color?" he asks chuckling.

"Red. What's yours?" I ask, laughing.

"Blue." he grins.

I nod, biting my lip.

"What's your favorite movie?" he asks.

"Step brothers. Hands down." I answer. "I watched it when I was like, thirteen. Since then nothing's been able to top it. For some reason."

He laughs. "I don't have a bunch of time to watch movies. You should show me that one sometime."

I nod. "Favorite artist?"

"Eminem." he answers immediately.

"Eminem?" I ask, surprise laced in my tone.

"He raps about real shit Hads." he answers, chuckling.

I laugh. "Okay. Mine's Mayday Parade."

He raises his brows, also somewhat shocked. "Really?"

I nod, grinning as I look over Stratford yet again. "Yeah. I love them."

I see as he nods out of the corner of my eye. "Alright more series question."

I look over, letting him know he has my full attention.

"What was that argument with Maverick really about?" he asks, licking his lips as he watches me.

I find myself doing the opposite, avoiding his gaze. "Um." I start. "My brother and I had always been close when we were little. He was the big brother who would always tease me but wouldn't allow anyone else do it. I loved it. Then, after our parents split it all changed. He became really distant and would leave before I went to school and came home after I went to bed. I never saw him and it put a dent in our relationship. Then, when I confronted him about it things started to get better. We'd spend a day together here and there. It was feeling like we were becoming the old us again. But he came home a week after turning eighteen and told us he was moving to Canada. He said he didn't have a choice and had his own reasons why. He explained he would be staying with our dad and from that point on I held a grudge." I sigh, taking in a breath. "I didn't say bye to him when he left. I locked myself in my room and put music on blast in my ears until my ears were about to bleed. The only person who had never feared would leave left and I couldn't do anything about it."

I notice from the corner of my eye as his facial expression turns to a look of sympathy although he says nothing.

"I just... a while for that fight we had started to get along again. Then he went and yelled at me. He was treating me like I was eight years old and I didn't have my own life. So, I guess everything I was holding in made it's way to the surface and made sure it came out of my mouth without my mind giving it permission to." I shrug, looking over at him with glazed eyes.

"Wow." he says, not knowing what else to say. "He never told me any of that."

I nod. "Yeah. I mean, why would he?"

"He hurt you." he states, more to himself than me I'm sure.

I nod. "Yeah. He did."

"Wow." he breathes, shaking his head.

I look ahead again, allowing myself to once again drown in my own thoughts.

Should I have told him that? I'm not sure. But I have to say he asked the question I had been waiting for him to ask for quite some time now. Ever since the night we hung out two weeks ago. I had assumed he let it go but then again, I also knew that it would've been way too good to be true. I knew he'd be curious. Who wouldn't be when someone freaks out on their brother just because he was worried about her being out late at night in a town she knew nothing about. Maybe if he had known that I was with Justin he would've been calmer. Although that's definitely not possible. Maverick would freak out if he knew I was with Justin. He already warned me about him. That being said, I'm starting to not believe a word he had said about Justin. He's proving what I've been told wrong. I don't think he was lying. But I think there's somehow something in me that's bringing out the better side of him. Not to mention we're nothing romantic anyway. Will we ever be? That's not something I can decide at this moment. I'd be lying if I said I haven't thought about giving it a chance. But you need two people to feel the same way to start a relationship.

"What are you thinking about?"

I look to my left, making eye contact with him. "Just... things."

"What type of things?" he asks, giving me a taunted look.

I laugh lightly. "I was trying to figure out why I explained it in so much detail. You just asked why. You didn't want our history."

"I'm not upset that you opened up to me, Hadlee." he tells me. "I'm glad you did. It helps me understand the relationship between you two more."

I nod.

"I want you to know that I think you have every right to feel the way you do about your brother. It was wrong for him to do what he did." he shrugs.

"I think he had a reason. I think he did what he did because he was hurt by my dad leaving. I think that's why he came here. To be with my dad. He always looked up to him." I tell him sighing.

He nods. "I can see that. Whenever we're at dinner I feel like he's trying to make him proud."

I laugh lightly, nodding. "Yeah, it does feel like that."

For a moment, we find ourselves gazing into each others eyes, and then he leans closer... and I find myself doing the same.

Our lips touch for the first time... before the universe can stop us.

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I TOTALLY forget to post earlier today at the regular schedule time but hey better late than never!!!

Anywayssss,

thank you so much for reading and for all the support!

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much love, 

shan:)