I didn't know if the place Justin was taking me to was fancy ass or casual, so I went safe with my outfit and paired a off the shoulder white top that cuddled my curves with a short light washed denim skirt. I tied up my white superstars and glanced in the mirror.
I wasn't in the best position in my life, but I had people who I loved surrounding me and that's all that ever mattered. I wouldn't say I was lucky, because of what mess I was in but I would say I was definitely grateful for the people who supported me.
The doorbell rang and my mom called me downstairs.
"That's my girl," she smiled before opening the door.
I'm glad I had dressed more on the casual side because Justin was wearing a multi-coloured purple and orange tee with black shorts and his black vans.
"Lunch awaits!" He announced in a posh English accent, reaching out his hand towards me.
I laughed, "it better be im lowkey starving," I accepted his hand and held it by my side.
His Jeep was already on and waiting on the side of the road for us both.
I hopped in the passengers and instantly smelled mixed aromas of cheese.
"Stinky much," I grinned at him as he drove off.
"Tasty much," he simply replied back.
After around 30 minutes I hopped out of the car and my bare ankles brushed strands of tall, untamed grass.
We were at the edge.
Justin set out our picnic of cheese sandwiches, lots of different fruit and wine by the dark, black lake.
"Are you carrying on with architecture and business for senior year?" He questioned, sipping on his rosé.
"Mhm, I really want that to work out, maybe move somewhere to a bigger city so I can get it up and running after I finish it and get a degree in architecture and business," I told him, brushing my hair behind my shoulder and grabbing a handful of grapes.
"So like, you're own architects working for you? How will it work?" He asked, curiously looking into my eyes for my answer.
"My idea is that I'll have architects waiting on my calling, clients will come and talk with one of my architects, they'll obviously create a project, get all the measurements, the usual stuff then forward it to the builders which I'll have waiting on my calling, they'll obviously work with the architect and client to deli ever what the client wanted. So it's like a project and build under one company so it's way easier for people, I think it'll sell," I acknowledged, proud of myself.
"That's kind of amazing, I won't lie, I can see you in smart clothes sitting at a desk and always being busy, making people's dreams come true," he beamed at me.
"Thank you," I laughed, bitting into a sandwich, "how about you? What did you study in America?"
"I kind of got lost, I mean I did science and physical ed, but I guess boxing is really the one,"
"I noticed," I peaked at his muscular arms, "what's up with singing?" I was confused, he always dreamed of becoming an artist, he was a really good drummer too.
"I don't know, I kind of wanted to put myself forward and find a boxing manager to get me into some sort of games so I can compete, that's what I did back in D.C," he shrugged.
"I'm sure Ashton could help you with that, he's taking fitness, he's on the road to become a world-known fitness instructor, he told me about his big plan to train celebrities," I casually said, contacts are everything.
"That's great, I'll remember to ask when we're in New York then, I want to start after we come back,"
"Of course," I nodded.
There was a moment of silence.
"Julia do you think we're going to get married?" I looked up at him in surprise and he bowed his head down, taking my hand.
"Justin I-" he kissed it, "I don't know," I replied truthfully. He brought up his chocolate eyes to mine. "It's too early to say," I admitted.
"What if we last long this time, and we'll be strong and together and so in love," he held my hand a little tighter, "I do love you,"
"I know Justin, I love you too, we'll just have to see, right?" I took my hand from him and took my glass of wine.
"Right," he accepted.
I raised my glass up, "to long ass relationship, careers and grown up shit,".
He laughed, before tapping his glass with mine.
"We've locked it and blessed it, now it has to happen," he said after drinking some of his rosé.
"Yep,"
We only stayed at the edge 3 hrs, talking about things that weren't really important, just a normal conversation.
Once I got home I found my mom in the garden, sitting on a sun bed with a glass of wine in her hand.
"Mom you cheeky bastard, I bought that wine for us both," I laughed.
Mom sniffed and turned to me, revealing a tired, broken face with streams of tears running down her cheeks.
"Mom what's wrong?!" I quickly rushed to her side.
"Oh Hun, nothing I was just thinking about-" she stuttered. I already knew the answer.
"I told you, you think too much," I put my hand around her.
"I can't help it, I miss him so much," she sniffed.
"I know mom, I know, I miss dad too but we have to be strong for him, he's looking down on us and watching you cry and it's breaking his heart that he can't do anything about it, be strong for him mom," I assured her.
"You're right kid, you're smart you know, you're going places," she wiped her cheeks dry.
"Thanks mom, take care of yourself ok, I'm leaving tomorrow and mom,"
She nodded for me to continue.
"Please don't return to your alcoholic stage, you're doing great ok?" I sternly told her, eyeing the glass in her hand.
"I won't honey, I promise you," she finished her glass and got up. "You have your own problems and your own life now, don't worry about me kiddo,"
"Mom I will always worry about you," I laughed and got up with her.
I rested my head on my pillow and within seconds I was sleeping. I needed to get all the rest I could because tomorrow my ass was expected to wake at 7am.
