Save Me

1. Lonely

(Justin's POV)

"What if you had it all? Nobody to Call. Maybe then you'd know me."

I sing softly to myself as I try desperately to fix my hair. I hate the way I look. And so does everyone else. I see all of the comments online. I'm trying my best, it's just so hard showing up everyday when your mental health is in the pits.

They think I have this amazing life and that I'm just some spoiled brat who complains constantly. I've been begging for help for years and no one cares. Not even my "friends" or family. They only stick around for the money anyway. Except Ro. I trust her with Jack's life.

I sigh, abandoning my thoughts and giving up on my hair. I grab my phone, shoving it in my pocket as I rush down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Please, don't let Jack out of your sight today, okay? And don't let anyone in my house. No matter who it is. Understand?"

I yell to the nanny as she entertains my baby in the living room. I throw on a jacket, scrambling around desperately for my house keys.

"Looking for these, sir?"

Rosalinda says, entering the kitchen and dangling the keys from one finger with a small smile. I sigh softly, taking them from her hand.

"Thanks, Ro."

I say, offering her a tired smile.

"No problem. And don't worry about Jack. He's in good hands, I promise. We'll be just fine here."

I nod quickly, walking over to the baby bassinet in the living room and crouching down.

"Bye bye cutie. I love you to the moon and back. I'll always protect you, I promise."

I kiss his tiny forehead before standing up again and turning to Rosalinda.

"Listen, Ro..."

I hesitate. She smiles.

"Everything is going to be alright. Go have fun with your friend. That's an order."

She says sternly, wagging a finger at me. I chuckle, putting up my hands in surrender.

"Okay, okay. I'll go have fun. I think I hear Chaz pulling up now."

I say, walking into the kitchen and glancing out of the large window. Chaz parks in the driveway and I hear my phone buzz in my pocket.

"Hey man, I see you. Coming out in a sec. Okay, cool. Bye."

I hang up and turn to Rosalinda who is now holding Jack in her arms.

"Thank you for taking care of him, Ro. You're one of like two people I can actually trust. I can't express how much that means to me."

I say, giving her a tight hug and kissing Jack one more time.

"I'm very happy to help, sir. Now go on! Enjoy the fair."

Rosalinda says, shooing me away. I laugh softly, feeling less on edge than before. I exit the front door, jogging around to the passenger's side of the car.

"Hey, man! It's great to see you. How've you been?"

I ask excitedly.

"Hey, I've been alright. Just life. Money troubles. The usual, you know? Well I mean I guess you wouldn't know about money troubles, but yeah that's what's going on."

Chaz pulls out of the driveway and I can clearly tell he's not in the best mood.

"I'm sorry, man. Do you want to talk about it? Maybe I can help."

Chaz sighs, shaking his head.

"Justin, what you earn in like one minute could pay off every debt I owe and then some. So unless you're going to fund my entire life, there's nothing you can help me with."

Chaz's harsh words shock me. I am not doing as well financially as everyone thinks. In fact, I could lose everything soon. He's clearly going through a lot and I don't want to be insensitive so I choose to stay quiet and keep my problems to myself. We ride in silence for a while until we reach a stoplight. He turns to me.

"Is it okay if I make a quick pit stop before the fair?"

He asks casually. I nod.

"Sure. That's fine. Where are we going?"

"The plaza. I left my jacket there earlier and they're holding it for me."

Chaz says, making a quick left onto the road that leads to the shopping center. I feel myself growing anxious. There are a lot of people at the shopping plaza, even more than there typically are at the local fair.

"Okay, I'll just stay in the car so we don't cause a scene."

I say softly, looking around nervously.

"No man, the last time you stayed in here alone someone recognized you and that crazy mob surrounded my car and scratched it up."

Chaz says angrily.

"Chaz, you know that's not what happened. Hailey called the paps and told them where to find me, remember? She was angry I cut her off from using my credit cards."

Chaz sighs, rolling his eyes.

"Yeah I remember you saying that. But that just doesn't sound like Hailey to me."

I scoff, glaring at him in disbelief.

"Oh, because you know her so well? She's my wife. Look, I paid for the damages then and you know I would pay for them again if anything happened. But she doesn't even know where I am so it's not an issue."

Chaz sighs, pulling into a parking spot near the entrance. He turns to me.

"Honestly, I just don't believe the abuse you say you're experiencing is really happening. I mean, she's hardly threatening."

I sigh, sinking into my seat as I run a hand across my abdomen, picturing the scars underneath my t-shirt. I blink away my tears before turning to him.

"You don't have anything she wants. She has no reason to threaten you, Chaz.

I say, opening my door and exiting the vehicle. He quickly gets out, walking over to my side of the car as I pull out my phone. He studies me carefully.

"What are you doing?"

"Calling a ride. Maybe at the fair, I'll meet some real friends."

I open the Lyft app and book a ride, praying I don't get kidnapped by some crazed fan.

"Perfect. One minute away."

I say, turning on my heels and walking across the parking lot. A car matching the description in the app pulls up beside me. An older woman rolls down her window with a smile.

"Lyft for Justin?"

"That's me."