Justin had a reputation, a notorious one at that. He was the charming, handsome, and undeniably charismatic guy who could effortlessly win over any woman with a smirk and a well-timed compliment. He reveled in the attention, the fleeting connections, and the thrill of the chase. It was a game, a lifestyle, and honestly, he didn't see anything wrong with it. He was single, he was free, and he wasn't hurting anyone, right?
He wasn't completely heartless, though. He had a soft spot for his sister, his best friend, and his beloved dog, Sparky. His friends, well, they were a different story entirely. They'd tried to talk sense into him, warned him about the consequences of his actions, but Justin brushed them off, dismissing their concerns as the ramblings of jealous, lonely souls.
Then, one day, his sister, Sarah, arrived with a suitcase and a worried expression. She was moving to the city to pursue a job opportunity, but her apartment fell through last minute. 'Justin,' she pleaded, 'I know I haven't been the best sister lately, what with the whole 'moving out without a word' thing, but please... can I crash with you for a while?'
Justin couldn't resist his sister's puppy-dog eyes. 'Fine,' he grumbled, 'But don't expect any special treatment. You're sleeping in the spare room, and you're making your own coffee.'
Sarah was ecstatic, showering him with gratitude. Little did she know, she was about to bring a whole new dynamic into his life. Along with her, she brought her best friend, Y/N.
Y/N was unlike any girl Justin had ever met. She had a quiet strength about her, a warmth that radiated from her smile, and a laugh that could melt his heart. She was intelligent, witty, and possessed an unyielding passion for her art, which she shared with the same dedication and vulnerability she showed to everyone she met.
As days turned into weeks, Justin found himself drawn to Y/N. He found himself looking for her, listening to her stories, wanting to make her laugh. He enjoyed their conversations, the way she challenged his opinions, and the way she saw him, flaws and all. He found himself wanting to be a better man, not just for the sake of his reputation, but for her.
He started putting more effort into his hygiene, actually cooking dinner instead of ordering takeout, and he even attempted (with varying degrees of success) to clean the apartment. He was changing, and he wasn't quite sure how to feel about it.
One evening, as they were watching a movie, he caught Y/N looking at him, a soft smile playing on her lips. His heart skipped a beat. 'What?' he asked, his voice unexpectedly shaky.
She shook her head, 'Nothing. Just enjoying the movie.'
But he knew she wasn't just talking about the movie. He'd seen the way she looked at him, the warmth in her eyes, the way she held his gaze with a quiet understanding that made his stomach flutter.
His usual bravado faltered. He wasn't used to this, the feeling of being seen, truly seen, beyond the charming facade he had built. He wasn't used to wanting something more, wanting to be someone worthy of her gaze.
'Y/N,' he said, his voice raspy, 'I... I don't know what it is.'
She raised an eyebrow, 'What's what?'
He sighed, feeling a blush creep up his neck. 'This... I can't stop thinking about you. I like... I like you a lot.'
He held his breath, waiting for her reaction. Silence stretched between them, filled only with the sounds of the movie playing in the background.
Y/N tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with a hint of amusement. 'Really? You finally realized?'
He felt a wave of relief wash over him, mixed with a sprinkle of confusion. 'What do you mean?'
She chuckled, 'Justin, honey, I've known you liked me for weeks. You were so obvious.' She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper, 'I just wanted to see how long it would take you to admit it.'
He felt a wave of warmth spread through him, his heart swelling with happiness. 'So, what does this mean?' he asked, his voice low.
She met his gaze, her eyes shimmering with something he couldn't quite decipher. 'It means,' she began, her voice soft, 'that you have the chance to be someone different.'
He leaned closer, his heart pounding. 'Someone better?'
Y/N smiled, a genuine, radiant smile that lit up his whole world. 'Someone better, for you, and for me.'
He didn't need to hear more. He leaned in, his lips brushing against hers, and in that moment, he knew. He was done being a womanizer. He was ready to be something more, something better. He was ready to be hers.
