Opposites

2.9

officially off hiatus hey

"Hey, how'd it go?" Mary asked. Mary and Jake were laying on the couch together, watching a movie.

"Dumped him," I kicked my shoes off and headed upstairs and into my room.

I plopped down onto my bed and ran my hands through my hair. Hearing everything you're the most scared of about yourself from someone you're supposed to trust is not exactly fun. I may not have liked Nate too much romantically, but he still mattered a lot to me. Everyone did. I got up from my bed and walked across the hall to the bathroom. I turned the shower on and quickly stripped down to wash away the memories of tonight.

***

I was still awake around three in the morning. Insomnia kept me up most nights anyways, so this was nothing new. I considered getting up and doing something, but I was too lazy and kept telling myself to wait five more minutes. A light emitted from my phone and a buzzing noise followed. I didn't bother to check the ID. I had no hope of sleeping any time soon, so the call wasn't really a bother.

"Hello?"

"Cali? Is this you?" Justin's voice answered.

"Yeah, of course it's me. Why would it be anyone else?"

"I have no clue," Justin chuckled.

"Justin, why are you calling me? And why at three a.m?" I rubbed my forehead.

"Cali, I...just...miss...you," Justin said in between slurs.

"Justin, I'm not gonna deal with more than one guy crying over me in the past twenty-four hours."

"What? You are just so...amazing. I-I miss how you bite your lip throughout our conversations. I miss that feeling of excitement whenever I see you. I miss your beautiful smile; I admit I'm drunk as hell right now, but I'm not calling because I'm like only into you in that way," Justin began, "I...just...really miss you, Cali. I'm drunk!"

"I don't understand. You told me the whole idea of us was my problem now." I sat up as my pulse began to race.

"I just want to see you. I don't wanna see you in that way, I just have this overwhelming desire to talk with you and just know you're my friend..." His voice was suddenly deep and collected.

"Where even are you?" I ignored all of his statements.

"I'm at Emilia's."

"I'll think about getting you," I hung up the phone only to have it ring a few seconds later,"What now?" I irritatedly asked.

"It's Emilia. Please come pick up Justin. He's been here for about two hours. I had to take him upstairs and I've had no time to check on him since about forty minutes ago. Three beers and that kid was all over the place." She hung up the phone.

I quickly got out of my bed and put a bra on. I decided to keep on my pajamas instead of trying to change into something presentable. I threw my hair up into a bun and made my way quietly down the stairs. I was surprised to not find Jake sleeping on the couch. I grabbed the keys and quickly made my way outside.

***

"Where is he?" I sat down at the bar in front of Emilia. The crowd wasn't too big considering it was Tuesday .

"Still upstairs. Could you get him out quickly? I'm about to close up and I just wanna have the apartment to myself.

"Gotcha." She handed me the keys to the upstairs and I quickly made my way up.

As soon as I opened the door, I saw Justin sitting on the couch in complete silence. His face was in his hands. He didn't even bother to look up at me as I closed the door. I set my stuff down onto Emilia's kitchen table. I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. I kicked my shoes off and walked over to the couch. Justin turned his head away from me. I sat down next to him and scooted over until our hips were touching. I put a hand on his knee.

"I miss you too." I said softly.

"Can we stop pretending to hate each other?" He sat up straighter and took his face away from his hands.

"Deal," I bit down hard on my lip as I thought about what to say next, "I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that this whole break down thing recently hasn't just been about me. I wouldn't expect it to be either." I stared down at the aged carpet.

"You might be on to something." Justin stretched and lay his arms across the top of the couch.

"Is there anything I can do to help you right now?" I raised my eyebrows as I watched him ponder on the thought.

"Just be my friend, I guess. It's not exactly something you openly talk about. I'm not that drunk." He chuckled. I stood up.

"Well, it's probably time for me to get you home..." I stood up and offered my hands. He took them and stood up. He continued to hold my hands for a moment before dropping them awkwardly.

"There's no way I'm going home. I can't be there alone with my dad." Justin rubbed the bridge of his nose and staggered towards the door.

"What if I came with you?" I opened the door and motioned for Justin to start down the stairs.

"That'd be nice," he slurred, "Can you help me down the stairs?"

He draped an arm over my shoulders and grabbed the railing as we slowly descended the stairs.

"I thought you weren't that drunk?" I laughed at him.

"I'm not. I just can't see all that well when I'm buzzed or drunk." We staggered down the last few steps.

"Oh my god," I chuckled. Justin frowned.

"In my opinion, I'm not drunk enough." Justin concentrated on his footing.

I frowned, "Hold on." Emilia was in the back taking a customer's last call order. I walked behind the bar and quickly got an unopened bottle of vodka and shoved it into my purse. Justin smirked at me as I walked out from behind the bar towards him.

"You're the best." Justin laughed as we walked out of the bar and into my tiny car.

"I know it. Now, we're going back to your place?" I backed out of the parking lot and drove towards the highway.

"Yeah," he struggled to put his seatbelt on. I giggled.

"Isn't your dad home?" I tucked some stray hairs behind my ears.

"I don't care." Justin rolled down his window and stuck his head out.

"To your place we go, then."