As Long As You Love Me | j.d.b (UNDERGOING REVISION)

Chapter {18}: Jan(essa)

   The first chapter almost has 800 views. Honestly, that's amazing. Thank you to everyone who has voted on this story or even glanced at it. (Keeping)

Written: May 16th, 2016

Edited: October 16th, 2016

839 views on the first chapter as of now.

   Van bit her lip nervously as she thought of what to ask her dad. She was still grounded. Two weeks seemed more like a month if anything. Her afternoons weren't dry but there was no excitement in the recent routine she had been undergoing.

Grabbing a snack.

Finishing homework.

Taking a nap in her backyard and eating dinner after hours.

It was sad to say but school was overtaking the feeling she got when she went out and partied. She looked forward to parties and now she simply looked forward to going to school.

How? Please tell me how.

Ignoring her father at the dinner table became part of this routine.

    It was rare for the two to dine together but they did. Her father sat at one end of the table while she sat at the other, with tension thick in the air. The only sound evident was the clacking of silverware against plates. Small glances had been exchanged during the process but even those held an undesirable emotion.

Over the course of a few days, Justin and Vanessa had become fond of each other.

Guitar Dude: "I'll be there."

"You can't come." She sent.

"Well it's a little to late for that, Van." He responded. Almost as if it was on cue, she heard a muffled engine grow louder and then it stopped. Her heart dropped quicker than she anticipated and a drop of sweat played at the brim of her eyebrow. Her hands began to shake around the device that would soon be covered in the substance that was emerging from her palms.

Soon enough, a door bell rung.

Inhaling in and exhaling out she stared in the direction of the door. Gulping she looked around before dropping her phone and propping herself up from the sofa. Stalking into the foyer, she glared at the door only to quickly look at the mirror that was positioned adjacent to the door itself.

Dirty wavy hair went down her back and sighed, scrunching the ends to make it seem as if she hadn't pulled an all nighter re-watching Pretty Little Liars.
Small bags appeared beneath her eyes and the natural glow she seemed to have wasn't evident.

The doorbell rang again.

Sighing she stalked towards the door and opened it.

Guitar Dude's skin was glowing. Silky white skin seemed so unrealistic. The beauty marks scattered around his face and neck. The veins that jumped at Vanessa while his hands were stuffed into his skinny jean pockets that still hung slightly below his butt. The simple black oversized, semi-ripped shirt that he wore screamed at her. Justin's smile faded and was replaced with a smirk when he realized she was simply staring at him. A small cough escaped his lips and a blush crept upon Vanessa's face.

"You know, I don't remember that gate at all." He started, peeping behind him and nodding in the direction of the structure.

"Hmm.."

"I don't recall being invited in either." He cooed. The rosy pink color on her cheeks deepened as she opened the door wider and moved to the side, allowing him entrance.

"I'm sorry, come in."
    A small head shake was his only response as he stepped into the foyer. His eyes roamed the house as Vanessa closed that door, pushing her head up against it, and mumbling a small prayer.

"Nice house, Van."

"Eh..thanks." She smiled slightly, pushing herself off of the door and walking past him.

"What? You don't like it?" He questioned with furrowed eyebrows. His marbled eyes scanned the foyer and ventured off into what appeared to be a study. Piles of papers were scattered along the desk but everything else seemed to have a designated place. The dinning room, the massive den, and a peak of the kitchen could be seen from his position. The interior was ideal although, it complimented the exterior to an extent it was completely unexpected. From the outside it appeared semi-modern but when Van revealed it to him, there was a slight traditional Romanian/European feel to it.

"It's not that," she whispered stopping in her tracks. "this house just comes with a lot." She nodded, turning her head back to view him. A small soft smile was plastered onto her face and her eyes seemed to appear sad. The emotion he noticed was new for him. A hint of sadness or weary emotion was never relevant in her eyes. For a moment, Van noticed a form of curiosity and empathy on Justin's face. Clearing her throat she started, "Anyways, would you like something to drink?"

Justin's face became softer as he noticed a soft crack in her voice. Instead of addressing it he followed behind her.

"Sure, a water is fine."

Vanessa roared, "You're so basic."

Justin gasped before nodding as if he was offended.

"Definitely."

"What have you been up to?" Vanessa laughed as she opened the fridge door and grabbed a bottle of water.

"Nothing much honestly. The usual, I guess." He shrugged, walking further into the kitchen. When he reached the island, he rested his elbows against the marble material. Although, he couldn't see her expression she raised an eyebrow and closed the fridge door. The usual? Nodding she turned around and slid the bottle in Justin's direction.

"Thanks Van."

"No problem, Guitar Dude." She smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Do you want to head out back?" She questioned after a moment. Justin's stared off towards the deck and the bright green grass that peaked through the glass doors and windows that aligned the kitchen.

"Sure."

Van rolled her eyes and giggled as she pushed herself off of the counter.

Justin smirked in response.
   Van sighed and stalked along the length of the cabinets before walking down the stairs that connected to the area with the kitchen table itself. Justin followed closely behind. Vanessa wasn't short but compared to Justin who was towering over her she felt below 5'5.  Reaching for the patio door, she slid it to the side and stepped out onto the deck. Justin stepped out as well and slid the door shut.
"I see you, Van." Justin whispered in awe. A small grin played at Van's lips as she walked off the deck and onto the stone pathway. Justin followed and positioned himself on the right side of her.
"Wanna see something cool?" She asked, glancing up at him for a split second.
As the two continued down the path, the city became visible. Stepping off the stone and onto the endless grass, Van let her feet meet the gravel. The gravel outlined the circular area around the bundle of plants placed in the stone confinement. Vanessa found herself leaning against the edge of the exterior stone, that excluded her from the rest of the world and provided her with safety. As a younger teen, staring out into the world that she felt distant from was more than bliss. It was everything. Now, as she stared further, watching cars that looked like little ants stop at red lights, made feel equally the same.
Justin found himself staring at her for a moment before mimicking her actions and staring out into the city as well.