Stay With Me § BWWM JB

41 • Where Are Ü Now

"So hard pullin' out
when I'm in that sticky glue."

Aaliyah's POV

I seriously cannot wrap my head around how easily Justin believed Sam's act and thought it would be best to take her back on tour. Am I pissed? Of course, but I can't tell Justin what to do. If he wants to help her then fine. I just don't want him to come back to me looking defeated and expect me to feel for him.

"Mama, I'm off to class!" I yell as I grab a banana from the fruit basket on the center of the kitchen counter.

My beautiful mother appears from the hall and smiles, "Have a great morning and learn something."

"Thank you and always," I chuckle, grabbing my Fiji water and putting it in my oversized Marc Jacobs purse, a gift from Justin because he thought I would like it and I do.

"What am I supposed to do with this pig of yours?" she asks, eyeing Pippin in his bed next to the couch.

"You don't have to do anything. I already fed him and took him out. I'll be back before he needs to go out again. He sleeps most of the time so he shouldn't be a bother," I say as I walk to the door, reaching for the handle. "If you know, he does cause a problem then call me."

"Alright, I love you," she blows me a kiss and I smile in return before leaving out the door.

On my walk to the elevator I reply to Justin's text from last night. I figured I'd give him a short silent treatment to let him know that I'm still not okay with him taking his ex-girlfriend under his wing.

Hey. I'm leaving to go to class now so I'll call later or something. Love you...sometimes. Read 10:04 AM

I hit the down arrow on the control panel and wait patiently for the elevator. My phone vibrates in my hand and I laugh out loud.

Just sometimes? Sent 10:05 AM

I start to reply, but Justin's picture pops up on the screen and I slide the answer bar, "I said I'd call you later."

"Good morning, babe. Morning, Justin. How was your sleep? Oh, it was great. What abo-"

"Shut up," I roll my eyes and a light laugh fills my ear. "Anyway, since you called uh what's up?"

He sighs, "Are you still mad?"

The elevator dings as the doors open and I walk in, pressing my finger against the G. "Nope," I lean against the metal bar lining the elevator, peeling my banana as I try to hold my phone between my ear and shoulder.

"You sound so convincing," he says with sarcasm. I can't stand it when he does that. "I need to do this, okay?"

"You really don't," I mumble with my mouth full. "But I can't stop you so." Taking another bite, I hurry and chew before continuing, "Look, I'm not going to be the one to say I told you so when she shows her true colors."

"I'm going to prove you wrong," he replies in an annoyed tone. Of course. The elevator halts and the doors open. I walk out as I remain silent, not knowing what to say. "Look, I didn't call to talk about her and I can hear that you're mad at me. I just want you to understand that you have nothing to worry about, this is all on me."

"Yeah it is," I huff before taking a huge bite of my banana and walk up to the driver's side of my car, pressing the button on the handle. "I'm not worried about you, it's her."

He sighs again as I get in and settle my bag in the passenger's seat before pressing the start engine button. "Aaliyah, please. She isn't going to try anything. I already made it very clear that helping is all that I'm going to do for her."