The Boy Next Door > jariana (ON HOLD)

fifteen

Justin came through the door at 5:55 pm, weary-eyed. He'd been with Dump and Notting all day. I hoped he was hungry, because I'd prepared dinner. He took a whiff, closing his eyes and smiled.

"Mmm. How did you know? I'm starving." He looked drained, but wore a happy-to-be-home grin as he removed his coat. "What did you make?"

"Emily brought over a stuffed chicken dish, and I went to the market and grabbed some green beans and bread," I said proudly with my hands on my hips. "The meal would be nothing without the green beans."

I held my head high, pleased with myself like I'd slaved all day. He eyeballed me and his lips curled upward. "Come here." He strode over, taking me snug against his chest, and breathed me in. Goosebumps instantly sprouted over my skin. "I missed you."

I nuzzled his chest. "Ditto." I ran my hand over his cheek. He was stubbly from not shaving. "I love you."

His fingers combed through my hair. "I'm still not used to you saying that. You have to tell me more often."

"Deal. I love you, I love you, I love you!" I chirped and kissed him.

I spun away and dimmed the lights. I placed Justin's plate in front of him and tried not to blurt out what my day had included. As we quietly sat eating, I kept stealing glances at him, taking in every handsome, beautiful feature; his long eyelashes, his perfect jawline, his strong hands. I only had about twelve hours left with him and I felt paralyzed at the thought. While he kept stabbing at his food, one, two, three times before taking a bite, I hung on to the hope of our future. When my eyes went to him again, he was staring at me.

"Why are you so quiet?" He bumped my knee with his. "I know you're dying to tell me about your day with my mom."

"How do you know?" I challenged through a mouthful and swallowed.

"Seriously, how did it go?" Stab. Stab. Bite. My easy mood waned at his solemn tone.

I sat up taller. "Um. She came here to talk to you about something important. She didn't tell me what it was, though, other than her admitting to making mistakes, like big, life-changing ones. That was my impression. She was dead serious, too."

He shook his head with disgust. "Typically cryptic. I seriously think she pulls this shit for attention."

"Justin, you haven't seen her in over a year," I pointed out. "Why are you so angry?"

His ridged mood stalled and he shook his head. "I'm sorry." He placed his fork down and rubbed my back, chewing. "The food's really good," he said, swallowing, giving me a Cheshire cat grin.

I leered at him.

"What? It is. The green beans and bread...the best! I swear." He held up his hand for effect, wide-eyed.

I guffawed, but wanted to be mad and I shoved him. "Shut up!"

We laughed quietly a moment longer, but the weight of Pattie's mysterious visit and Dump's situation pushed our amusement into the floor. I played with the food on my plate, thinking of where to take the conversation, but there wasn't really anywhere to take it; Pattie didn't tell me anything. I could feel Justin's eyes on me.

"How's Dump?" I croaked out as I swallowed.

Justin sighed loudly and pushed away from the counter. He'd only eaten half his food. He reached over, uncorking a bottle of wine, and filled two glasses. "He looks fine, but feels like shit. He says he's got no energy and's sleeping all the time. Sienna's worried about him and wants to go home." He shrugged and guzzled the entire glass of wine.

"You're supposed to sip that," I said, stunned.

"I should be doing a lot of things." His bitter tone poked me. He was being an asshole.

I grabbed my glass of wine and my plate and walked to the sink, turning on the water. Sip. Gulp. I watched the sink fill because the drain was clogged with all my bean sheerings. I glanced over my shoulder, and Justin had moved to the sofa and was drinking another glass of wine. Seeing him upset made me feel bad for being mad.

I tried to understand his situation, but it was tough. It was so simple to me. All he had to do was talk to his mom and find a fill-in drummer. I mean how hard is that? Bands do that shit all the time, I know this because I read about it.

As I rinsed my plate, I felt compelled to say something. "I don't understand why you're upset...I mean mad. I understand about being upset about Dump, but you're like pissed off."

The seconds ticked by. Crickets. – My blood started to boil. Was he ignoring me? I turned to get a look at him and grabbed his half eaten plate off the counter. Now I was angry, because he was just staring at me, disregarding my comment, wearing a peeved expression. He gulped down another glass of wine, just like that. I don't think he even took a breath.

"Can you grab me a beer?"

Really? I blinked. I didn't think he needed anything else to drink.

"Are you sure?" I asked apprehensively.

His mouth pressed shut and his jaw clenched. He tilted his head back, covering his eyes with his hands. His arms moved swiftly from his face and thudded against the cushion, making me jump.

"I wouldn't ask you if I wasn't sure." He practically spat his words at me.

A bit of fear filled me. I turned and did what I was asked, wondering why I felt afraid. I certainly didn't think he'd hurt me. As I handed the bottle to him, he grabbed my wrist and stared at the ring on my finger. He removed the bottle from my hand and laid it down next to him. His demeanor relaxed. It seemed as if time had slowed to a near stand-still. Justin leaned forward, taking my hand in the both of his, and pressed his lips to the ring, resting his forehead against the back of my hand. Instantly, my insides went to mush. I cradled his head against my hip, and he ran hands up and down the back of my thighs.

"I'm sorry, Aricat." His voice was a whisper. "I just don't feel like dealing with any of this. It's all a hassle. I don't do well with hassles, you know that."

"Mhmm," I murmured, nodding to no one.

We sat on the sofa and shared the beer, passing it back and forth after each mouthful. Justin turned on the TV and searched for a movie. I watched with disinterest, only thinking about how I didn't want to pack to leave the next day. My stomach tumbled around, thinking about what my life would be like the next four months. I thought of Nathan and seeing him at school. I thought of what Justin had to deal with when he got back to New York. He had to deal with Sophia, and I wondered how that would all unfold. I told myself not to worry about it, and tried to get excited about officially moving in with him. At that moment I wanted to go to NYU; the doubt I had earlier was gone. That's where I needed to be, I told myself, going to school at NYU and living with Justin.

"Hey..." He interrupted me.

"I wish you could stay." He leaned into my neck and his lips played with my earlobe, making me squirm.

"I'll be in New York before you know it. I'll leave that very day I graduate."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

A/N:

damn, will Ariana regret that promise?? let me know!

thanks for reading :)

love ya <3