Save Me

3. The Fair

(Justin's POV)

"Thank you so much."

I say to the Lyft driver as she pulls onto the fairgrounds and unlocks the car doors. I step out into the brisk evening air, rubbing my arms to generate warmth. I forgot my jacket in Chaz's car. Great. I try to ignore my discomfort, hoping I'll warm up as I walk around. I love coming to the fair, it's been something I've looked forward to every year since I was a kid. My mom always took me. Too bad we aren't so close anymore. I snap out of my thoughts as a group of teenagers approaches me.

"Hey, you're Justin Bieber, right?"

One of them asks. I nod shyly. I've never been very comfortable receiving attention. Ironic, I know.

"Oh okay, because we were talking over there and wanted to ask you a question."

"Go for it."

I say, smiling softly.

"Is it true that Hailey is spending all of your money and you're like super broke now so none of your friends or family want to be around you anymore since you can't buy them stuff?"

My smile drops, and another one of them chimes in.

"Yeah, is that why you're freezing cold and don't have a jacket? Did you have to sell them all to make rent?"

The teens all burst into laughter and I turn on my heels and walk away quickly, fighting back tears as I weave through the crowd.

"Oh no! We hurt his poor little feelings. Come back! Don't be a baby!"

I glance over my shoulder and see the group following me from a distance; panic sets in and the tears are falling freely now. I quicken my pace, hoping to find a safe place where I can hide out. I accidentally run into a girl, hard, she bounces back.

"Crap! I'm so sorry, did I hurt you?"

The girl rattles out breathlessly.

I look down at her, red-faced with eyes full of tears.

"Oh my goodness, are you alright? Do you need help?"

She says searching my face.

I hesitate, looking over my shoulder anxiously. The teenagers are not too far behind. I turn back around, pointing them out to her.

"Save me. Please. They've been following and harassing me. I just want to go home."

I say softly, stepping closer to the girl. She nods, giving the group a dirty look before pulling me into a nearby shop and behind a clothing rack. The girl grabs a large hoodie and hands it to me.

"Put this on."

She says as she scopes out the area. I fumble with the hoodie, eventually managing to slip it over my head. The girl starts to walk towards one of the shelves and I grab her arm, following close behind, scanning the shop nervously. She reaches up onto the shelf and grabs a baseball cap.

"Here."

She says, handing me the cap. I place it onto my head, pushing the little tufts of blonde hair that peek from underneath it out of my face. I sniffle softly, wiping my eyes. The girl smiles gently.

"It's going to be alright, don't worry. Hood up."

She says softly.

I quickly cover my head and face with the large hood, pulling the cap down further over my eyes.

"Great. You look totally different now."

She says, looking around for something. Probably a path away from me.