Just Friends

Same old Justin, Same old Brooke

     I got to school that morning groggy and ready to go home as usual. My eyes were crusty, my stomach was empty and my social battery drained with every 'hi' I said to my classmates. I dragged my lifeless body into my first period class; Math.

"You're late young lady," Mr. Wilson pointed out.

"Sorry," I mumbled and made it to my desk.

     Thanks to Mr. Wilson's wack ass seating plan, Hailey, my best friend, sat on the other side of the room so I had only my thoughts of sleep to distract me. Just as I closed my eyes a familiar figure dragged itself into the classroom in the same sluggish manner I had walked in a few seconds before.

"Mr. Yoon, welcome back," Mr. Wilson called out. I immediately knew who just walked in...

"Thanks," Justin mumbled back to him and slouched over to the seat next to mine.

     He flashed me a smile and I rolled my eyes. I couldn't help but crack a smile. Same old Justin; all smiles and jokes. I hadn't seen him all summer; except when we facetimed. His jet black hair was longer than his mom would be happy with. His naturally pretty lashes and Hazel eyes sparkled every time he blinked. He'd grown at least 3 inches taller, or maybe it was the Jordans. Rings on his long fingers, veins running down his hands and arms, and a chain on his neck. His soft plump lips shimmered as his tongue glided over them. His nose and cheeks red from his stuffy nose. He always got a stuffy nose when he didn't sleep enough. But then again that was every day so it really wouldn't affect him that much...

"Sleep well?" He whispered snapping me out of my train of thought when I realised he was sitting right next to me. "Seems like ur dream never ended."

"Stayed up all night talking to a certain someone and got no sleep," I replied keeping my attention on the board.

"Hey don't blame me," he said and turned his head to the board. "It's not my fault you picked up."

I rolled my eyes and we both chuckled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

School ended and after a 15 minute lecture from Mr. Wilson on punctuality I walked out of the classroom, Justin following close behind me.

"How are you though," I said trying to strike a conversation.

"Same old Justin," he sighed. "Grew out my hair though."

"Yeah I can see that," I replied and ran my fingers through it. Soft, silky, he washed it yesterday. He blushed and we walked in silence.

     As we passed by a water fountain I stopped to fill my bottle. He found a nearby locker and leaned up against it, waiting for me.

"Don't you have basketball practice," I asked as I watch the other members of the team running on the track in their NWB (Northwest Bryson) jerseys. "Don't wanna be late on your first day."

"Don't worry about that," he said and moved closer to me. My heart skipped a beat. "Coach knows I'll make it."

     I shrugged and leaned up against the wall and took a sip of my fresh cold water. He leaned his shoulder against the wall, facing me.

"Admit it," he said smirking.

"What?" I asked between sips of water.

"You missed me didn't you?" He smirked and leaned in a little closer to me.

"Maybe," I smirked and pressed my water bottle back onto my lips.

Just as I tilted my head back to take another swing, he tapped the bottle with his fingers and the water went up my nose.

"Justinnnn!" I groaned and pulled up my shirt to wipe the water off my face. "What was that for?"

"Admit it," he said laughing.

I lifted my water bottle and splashed the rest of my water on him.

"Ughhhh," he groaned, wiping water off of his face. It was all over his shirt. "You're gonna pay for that."

"You'll never catch me alive."

     As I tried to run away I felt his wet shirt press against my back and his arms wrap around me. I gulped trying not to blush St how close we were to each other. He leaned into my ear.

"I already have," he said, his words fluttering into my stomach like butterflies, and picked me up. I tried to shake from his grasp but my useless efforts only got him to hold me tighter.

"Ugh how do you get me every time," I sighed and chuckled.

"Admit it," he and put me down, his arms still wrapped around my stomach. He leaned into my ear and whispered, "You know you did."

"Fine," I gave in and pressed my head on his shoulder and smiled. "I missed you."

      He smirked and let go of me. I smiled and turned to face him. Just as I did he pulled his shirt off revealing his muscular upper body. I gulped watching the water droplets drip down his pecks and abs, shining like sweat. He turned to look at me and I quickly turned away. What was I doing?

"I knew it," he said looking proud of himself. He squeezed the water out of  his shirt, his veins popping through his skin, and tossed it over his shoulder.

"Same old Justin," I said rolling my eyes, trying my best to look away from him. "Get to practice dumbass."

"Way ahead of you," he said and started walking away. I felt his hand slap my butt as he left. I giggled and I could practically hear him smirk. "Same old Brooke too," he called as he jogged off to the court.

     But I lied. He wasn't the same old Justin that I'd known for two years. He was different. Something changed in him and in me too. I knew that he felt it too. We grew up. What we did everyday just didn't feel the same anymore. It felt new, and tingly, and...

"Spark," I heard someone call out as I picked up my water bottle. I turned around to see Hailey standing where Justin had just ran.

"You're being ridiculous," I said screwing the cap back on and walking towards her. "How long were you even standing there?"

"Long enough to know you feel it too," she said grabbing my water bottle to stop me fidgeting with it.

"You're funny," I said and started walking towards the gate again. She followed close behind me.

"B look," she said as we got to the gate. "I know you won't admit that you see what I see between you two-"

"Which is nothing," I quickly interrupted.

"But," she said sounding frustrated. "I know you do. I can see it in your eyes and his. Just think about it. K?"

"There's nothing to think about Hailey," I said rolling my eyes.

"I don't think so," she said as she walked out of the gate and into the bus.

     Maybe Hailey had a point. But I knew and everyone else knew. Justin and I were just friends and nothing more. Nothing more... but today felt... different.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~