When The Snow Settles - Justin Bieber Fanfiction

Under the Snow

I woke up with everything that occurred the previous night overwhelming my thoughts. I almost couldn't sleep. The kiss, the argument, Justin walking out, it all replayed in my mind, haunting me. I groaned, not wanting to face it, wishing more than anything that this wasn't my reality. I wished I could close the book and start over again, but life wasn't that simple.

Dragging myself out of bed, I moved sluggishly into the kitchen, not really ready to function but needing to. My body needed the comfort of my usual routine that Justin had come to ruin, so I made a cup of Cuban coffee, the familiar bitterness making me feel somewhat normal. Yesterday, I had felt so different; confident, even daring. But that version of me felt like a dream. Now, it was just me again. Just me, heartbroken.

I scooped some oatmeal into a bowl, tossed a few strawberries on top, and sat at the counter to eat, but my mind was elsewhere. I couldn't escape it. No matter how hard I tried to distract myself.

When I finished eating, I forced myself to get dressed.

I stood in front of the mirror, trying to piece myself back together, but everything felt wrong. I slipped into a brown plaid skirt that rested just above my knees. The warmth of the oversized brown cardigan I pulled over my crop top should've been comforting, but today it felt heavy. The crop top, a simple ribbed white sweater revealed just a hint of skin above the waistband of my skirt. The long sleeves hung loosely past my wrists, adding to the oversized, cozy look, but I didn't feel cozy at all.

I pulled on a pair of thick, white socks, letting them scrunch slightly over my ankles, before stepping into my brown ankle boots. I tied the laces perfectly. 

As I looked at my reflection again, I curled my hair loosely, securing half of it with a large white bow that dangled and leaving two strands to frame my face. I slid my glasses onto my face, the final touch that made me feel like myself again, the version of me that existed before everything with Justin spiraled out of control.

I threw my worn-out book bag over my shoulder. I forced a small smile onto my face as I stepped outside, hoping it would keep people from looking too closely. But I knew it didn't matter. Every pair of eyes would be on me, just like they had been last night. Practically the whole town, and visitors from nearby cities, had watched as Justin and I skated and danced together. And then, we kissed. In front of everyone. And I had feared if maybe tabloids got word of it and this information would extend beyond the comfort of Stratford.

I still couldn't believe I'd let that happen. I hated the spotlight. I had always been the quiet one, the girl in the background, reserved and content with it. And now, in one reckless moment, my life had been thrown into chaos.

I had kissed Justin Bieber, in front of everyone, and then bolted. Everything had changed in an instant, and I only had myself to blame.

I swallowed hard, trying to shake off the shame. My life felt like a book where the story had suddenly taken a sharp turn, and I had no idea how to write the next chapter or how fucked up it would be.

I walked into Tony's café, and immediately, the place fell silent. Every eye turned toward me, the whispers starting immediately. I took a deep breath, straightened my back, and walked up to the counter, pretending not to notice the stares.

Tony, as always, was quick to intervene. "Alright, alright, folks," he called out, waving his hand dismissively at the customers. "Get back to your coffee." Slowly, the murmur of conversations resumed, though I could still feel the weight of their glances.

Tony turned back to me, his face softening as he looked me over. "You okay, kid?" he asked, his voice low, as if not to pry too much. "Heard what happened."