Distance Between Us | j.d.b ✔️ (BOOK I X II) THE FANFIC

Chapter 10

December 30th, 2015

December 9th, 2016 (minimal changes, if any)

"I'm just bad for you.
I fumbled your heart.
I'm bad news." - Trey Songz

  His fedora rested low on his head, covering his eyes. Beneath the fedora was his unstyled hair that needed a cut desperately. The band-AIDS that covered many of his fingers breached against the strings of the wooden guitar as he strummed. The notes took over the room. The random melody was so pure and unique. Although, it was unfamiliar it seemed as if he had played it so many times before. The tune brought joy to his heart. It had been a moment since he picked up one of the instruments he cherished the most. He had multiple instruments laying around in his condo that he loved dearly but he kept one of his favorites at Santiago's.
He could hear the soft tunes and could feel the vibrations at the tips of his wrapped fingers. Those vibrations sent volts of electricity through his veins. Images flashed by but they weren't vivid. That only meant his memories were coming back to haunt him. His teeth clenched together as his jaws tightened. Her face held a smile as her image came into a clear view. Abruptly he found his fingers jittering. Noise no longer filled the room and his body wasn't floating. Joy dissolved and he found himself becoming rather more tense. Swallowing the lump in his throat he flicked up his hat, opened his eyes and laid his guitar against the window before sinking into the coziness or the chair, he found himself staring beyond the frame. He took in an average view of the suburban neighborhood and listened to the noises he previously blocked out. Children's laughters echoed from one end of the street to the other. Spouses next door bickered over expenses that had a final deadline. Those deadlines couldn't be negotiated. Hunking of cars; birds chirping, and soft sounds also rang in his ears.

"Santiago." He roared as he saw Swan push through the small crack of the un closed door.

"Yes?" She yells back, her voice muffled in a distance.

"I'm heading out." He said, grabbing Swan Who had jumped into his lap and emerge from the sea. Justin scratched at the cats head and smoothed down the hair that was rising. Justin kissed his soft head and gently set him down.

"Where are you going?" She questioned as she pushed open the door completely. Santiago's wet hair was lose and rested below her shoulders; clinging onto her back and a towel was tightly wrapped around her small frame. Justin lowered his eyes for a split moment before shrugging. His eyes found hers.

"I just need to take a lap." With that he grabbed his jacket and searched the pockets for a smoke and his lighter.

"Do you want me to come with you?" She questioned, licking her lips and leaning against the door frame. Justin smirked, his eyes roaming in her direction once again before removing a cig from the pack. Santiago rolled her eyes when she recognized the glint in his eyes. The glint had disappeared as soon as it had come. A black pool took over.

"Nah." He said, shrugging his coat on. "You can if you feel the need to but honestly, I just need to clear my head." Santiago smirked for a split second but it disappeared as quickly as the glint in his eyes did. Although, she had a joke in mind, now most definitely wasn't the time. He was hurting. It wasn't self evident but the internal vibe he was giving off said other wise.

"I'll leave you to it then." She said before leaving his site. She never questioned if he was coming back. He had the spare keys if he needed to get away from his own place but other than that, he was grown and free to do as he pleased.

The bell of the shop chimed.

  Justin walked into the joint and nodded his head in the direction of a man that had a name tag that read, Bill. He looked like the manager or close enough since he didn't wear the same attire as the rest of the staff. He seemed so professional. Instead of approaching the counter, he took in the scenery, in search of a girl that favored the imagine he saw when he plucked at the strings of his guitar. He was very aware that the girl stopped by the joint every so often. At least when they were together she did. He hoped there was a chance that this was still one of her favorite spots. When he realized she wasn't there, he sighed and headed towards the back wall where names were scattered.

Walking around the noisy streets of his current residence, gave him time to think. His lap turned into a marathon and he was thankful that Santiago didn't question him. His response would've resulted in an earful.

He realized how wrong he did his ex. She only cared for him. Too much at that, which wasn't something he didn't realize until now. However, there had been so much going on. From his relationship with his mother to his internal relationship with himself. Life was charging at him, full speed. Beating the living snot out of him and it happened to be winning.

Justin's orbs scanned the chalky wall in search of her name. When they were together, she'd always resign her name. Sometimes she'd even write her nickname a few times across the wall.
Taking in such a name made him feel hot and bothered. He couldn't breathe and he felt his heart drop. His heart was being squeezed to death and he could hardly take it. His eyes must've been playing tricks with him, but as he continued to blink, he realized otherwise. His eyes were playing no tricks on him. He simply didn't want to believe that the name Leigh-Ann was freshly imprinted along these walls.

W/C: 1,009