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

Chapter {34}: "You gotta keep a smile on your face.."

  Justin jogged to his car and hoped in. It was chilly, too chilly and his windows were slightly fogged. He shoved his keys into the engnition and waited for the car to heat up. Glancing at his phone that lay in the console he thought about Vanessa's messages and then all at once, what happened this morning when he entered the house as late as he did. His mother sat up worried in the living room and eventually found her way onto the bottom of the first set of stairs. She jumped up quickly and brought him into s bear hug, causing Justin to chuckle slightly before his eyes widened; he quickly apologized. She questioned him for a long while before nodding after Justin had told her what happened and how he had to help Vanessa. She understood. There was no lie in anything he said and all Pattie asked was that he'd make sure to let her know next time. Why she was up at the hour was beyond Justin, but he didn't question it. She was the one paying the bills after all.

   Justin parked closer to Vanessa's house. Closer than he usually did anyways and quickly jogged to the front gate. He removed his hands from his pockets and pressed the voice box ringer and let his finger sit for a while, not knowing what was going on.

"Oh my gosh, Justin." Vanessa breathed out, her voice more awake than before. "Remove your finger from the button!" She laughed, causing Justin to do the same and remove his finger.

"Sorry, I wasn't sure what was going on."

"It's fine. Come on in." She chriped, before the melt gates broke away from each other.

    When Justin reached the stairs, Vanessa already hand the door open; the porch light was still on and the house itself looked somewhat vacant. Vanessa was fully dressed, as it was about 7:10 am now. She wore a casual pair of thermal back leggings with polo boots hiding the hem. On her upper half she wore a black long sleeve scoop neck with a North Face jacket placed on time. Her hair was still up in its messy bun, however it had be altered slightly. Anyone who saw her wouldn't have been able to tell that the other night was one of the worst for her, her face was clean and flawless, no tears, no make up stains or anything of that sort. Just her pure beauty. Her eyes weren't even puffy which surprised Justin slightly.

"Hey, love." He greeted, kissing her on the forehead lightly before walking in. He noticed she still looked like she was going through the motions, regardless if anyone was capable of telling she had one of the worst nights- he wasn't simply anyone and seeing her like this made his heart throb. Simply knowing she was hurting made him feel just as bad.

"Good morning, goof ball." She cooed, closing the door and locking it behind them. She took him in for a moment, his cologne engulfing her and his settle outfit causing her mind to go elsewhere. Places she wasn't ready for her mind to go.

"What's that smell?" He questioned, his eyes invaded the foyer and daring to peek beyond that. Her house was still amazing to him. It was like a little palace. His question snapped her out of her thoughts.

"French toast, eggs, bacon, and more. Do you want some?" She stated, restlessly as she pointed towards the living room as she came to the front of him.

"You don't ever have to ask me do I want some food." Justin stated.

"You're right, Chubstin." She joked, as they headed towards the kitchen.

"Chubstin?" Justin questioned with furrowed eyes as the sole of his shoes greeted the last steep step that welcomed him into the living room. He then followed Vanessa into the kitchen; the same kitchen that was all too familiar to him now.