I'm Happy If You Are |Book Two|

But My Aching Soul

Chapter Song: Young And Beautiful - Lana Del Rey

---------------------------------

Chapter 55:

(Kerri's POV)

"Ready to go?" Justin asks. We had finished our food and he had laid the tip and bill on the table in two separate stacks.

I nod and we both stand up.

"You know, I could've paid…" I said, remembering how he told me no twice.

He shook his head and took my hand in his," I told you twice, I asked you on this date, it's my duty to pay."

"But I could've-"

"Left a tip?" he read my mind," that's my job too."

I sighed and we finished our short walk towards the shiny clear glass doors.

Neither of us had noticed that it had begun to rain. Not just any rain, the rain that pelts your skin and brings on goosebumps. The rain that seeps into your body and makes you shiver.
He looks at me with a concerned face.

Before he could start his sentence I push my sentence first," I have no intention on having you hold your blazer over my head to keep me from getting wet. My hair is not a problem, I'm not a dainty little fragile girl who is afraid to break a nail."

"I was just gonna say, ladies first…" he trails off. I give him a mhm and I take off my heels.

I clutch them in my hands and run with Justin alongside me. My curls bounced in the rain, the longer we ran the less bouncing they did.

Before we got to the car he unlocks it so we'd be able to get in quickly. Instead of running to the drivers side of the car Justin runs to mine. He opens the car door with a smile that diminishes my anger for him opening the car door for me, and goes over to his side.

My body is shivering and my nose is cold. I rub my hands together as he cranks the car and turns up the heat.

"You okay?" he asks with a concerned face. I nod but he doesn't take my word for it.

He reaches into the back seat and grabs a blanket. It's a plain charcoal gray color and feels like clouds would if you could touch them.

He tugs the blanket from its folded position on my lap and lays it over me, tucking it in around my arms and legs.

"Justin."

"Yeah?"

"I'm good."

He sighs and slumps into his seat," I should've brought a umbrella I didn't realize it would rain. I wanted everything to be perfect for you. I got us a window seat. I tried to make it perfect and it didn't work. I'm so-"

I break out of my blanket jail and kiss him firmly, making him shut up.

He is so shocked that he doesn't move, catching me off guard as well and making my cheeks go red.

I pull away at his astonishment," I am so sorry." I run my hands over my face and groan.

Why can't I do anything right?

He gently pulls my hands away from my face and laces them with his, pulling me closer.

He inches closer to me, making my heart race.

This was much easier when I was in charge.

He glides his warm lips across mine and comes up around my cheek and to my ear," don't be sorry."

He quickly presses his lips to mine, making me jump with surprise and then relax into his welcoming kiss.

My thoughts race and suddenly I am thinking about Grey's lips. Grey's touch.

Justin pulls back, noticing my panic. "What's wrong?"

I cover my face and close my eyes. He is staring me, I feel it. I wish the earth would swallow me whole. I shouldn't be thinking about Grey. Not in a situation like this one.

"Kerri."

Should I tell him the truth? Should I tell him I was thinking about Grey?

He leans over the space between the seats and hugs me tightly. "You've been upset all evening. Why?" I can hear the concern in his voice.

I wrap my arms tightly around Justin's large frame and snuggle into his neck.

Tears fall down my face and onto his button up.

"I'm stressed out and a lot happened that I wish didn't. And I cannot stop thinking about all the things I've went and screwed up," I vent.

He sighs and sits back into his seat. His eyes are caring and gentle. Worried.

"There's nothing in this world that I want more than for you to be okay. Everyone makes mistakes and everyone knows that, some are just a bit more afraid to admit it than others. Put the past behind you, and just worry about the present and future. Is it your ex?" he asks softly.

I look over his shoulder and let my tears fall," yeah. I just need to get over it."

He nods.

"Its in the past," I add.

He agrees and tucks the blanket back for me. My shivering has become worse.

"Your lips are blue. Are you sure you're okay?"

I nod and watch him turn up the heat as far as it can go.

"You ready to get back?" he asks and gives my hand a squeeze.

I reply with a yes and we start the 45 minute drive home.

We are about 15 minutes from the dorms when I hear a song I know faintly playing in the background.

I pull the blanket back some and turn up the radio to find it's Justin Bieber.
"Don't tell me you actually-"

I cut him off," just shout whenever and I'll be there!"

He laughs at me. His eyes have lit up with joy.

"You want my love!"

"You want my heart," he butts in.

We state at the same time holding up our fake microphone," and we will never ever ever be apart."

We laugh for the next couple of lines but pick back up at the chorus.

"You really can sing!" he states when the song ends. I roll my eyes.

"Is that surprising to you..?"

He looks at me with a smile," you can sing Kerri. You sound awesome!"

My mom always told me that I could sing fairly decent, Lucas always made fun of my singing. But in the end he always complimented it.

I miss this with Lucas. This is what we did together. Now I hardly even talk to him.

When we arrive to the dorms I am warm and happy. A smile is plastered across my face when we pull into a parking space.

I hope you guys enjoyed the awkwardness between the two…? There is so much going on: Lucas and Kerri are drifting apart, Kerri is confused about what to do with her feelings for Grey, and will Kerri's tiny feelings for Grey break things between her and Justin? Lucas acts like he doesn't know about Grey but he does and secretly it's killing him inside that Kerri didn't tell him. Will Kerri and Lucas drift apart as she makes new friends and starts new relationships or will their bond stay? Will Kerri and Justin move on with their relationship or will Kerri let her feelings for Grey get in the way? I know I really need to get in a Lucas chapter because, well, his feelings are important too but, it's complicated to balance everything. I hope you did enjoy this simple, cliche chapter, who doesn't love to smile goofily at an awkward kissing scene? Comment and vote! Normally nobody really votes or comments except for a couple of you, but if you comment and vote first I will shout you out in the next chapter! Love you guys! -C