My Friend Justin

Chapter Eight

CHAPTER EIGHT <3

My message tone woke me up the next morning.

"So. About that date...(;"

My heart fluttered slightly, hands trembling as I reply back.

"What about it?:)"

I press the enter key, and within seconds I have a reply.

"I was thinking we could have it Saturday? Sound good? x"

"Sounds good, can't wait:)"

I roll out of bed, dressing up for school. Lucky charms pour into my bowl, along with a splatter of milk. Mom rushes into the room to grab an apple, before frantically pulling on her coat.

"Hey honey, I've just got you money today, I haven't had time to make you lunch. I'm late for work! Bye!" she babbled, slamming the door closed.

I sit at the table, waiting for the favourite girl lyrics to filter through my postbox. But it doesn't happen. Instead, a firm knocking attracts my attention. It's Justin, looking very tired, slumped lazily against the door.

"Hey." he murmurs.  I stay at the door. 

"Are you coming?"

I frown at him. "Are you okay? You look really tired."

He then looks at me. After rubbing his eyes, he realisation hit him. 

"Oh shiz sorry, I'm really off the ball today. I didn't get much sleep last night, I was working on putting the album cover together using your idea." he smiles weakly. "And. You're my favourite favourite favourite girl." The awfulness of the not-even-trying singing just made me laugh.

Justin throws his arm around me, using me as support as we stagger towards school together. 

The teachers all seem to nod approvingly at Justin as we walk along the corridor.

"They must've seen your videos." I whispered. 

"That's kind of embarrassing." he whispers back.

He walks me to my homeroom, where Ben, as always, is waiting outside. Justin guides me straight past him, his hand lightly on my elbow. They then move to my shoulders to push me down into a chair. He takes a chair from another table, placing it beside me and he sits down.

“Well thanks for that Justin, i obviously needed help in trying to find someplace to sit.” I say sarcastically, flicking his nose.

“I just wanted to make sure that you didn’t speak to that dude. He seems really...” He starts, poking my cheek in response.

“Thanks, i guess. It’s nice to see you being a bit protective.” I grin at him. “But it really wont be necessary, i have a date with Austin on saturday, which I'm way more interested in than the creepy conversations with Ben. I would of avoided him without you being there. ANYWAYS. Want to hang out after school?”

Justin’s eyes bug out. “Wait what? You’re going out with Austin?”

“Yeah, after he walked me home, he asked me out.” My mind drifts back to that moment. The butterflies i felt as he asked me. The cute smile he gave me after i said yes. The kiss on the cheek. The..

“EARTH TO ASHLEIGH? Geez. You’re always blanking out on me lately.” Justin waves a hand in front of my face.

“Sorry Justin, what were you saying?”

“I said that we’re leaving at noon on Saturday to go to Stratford, remember?” 

DAMN. I completely forgot that break was next week! I’ve been too busy thinking about other stuff.