Disheveled

TWO

\\ MELODY \\

I wake up the next morning, Justin's arm clamped tight around my waist. I try to release his grip without waking him up.
"Go back to sleep, Mel," he mumbles.
"I'll make us breakfast," I say, trying to free myself from his grasp.
Justin sits up, leaning his elbow against his pillow and staring me down.
"I can make breakfast," he smiles, his pearly white teeth shining.
How does he look beautiful just seconds after waking up?

As he looks down at me, he lets his hand fall from my waist and I take this as an opportunity to roll out of bed. I crash onto the floor and burst out laughing. Justin leans over the bed and stares at me, confusion written all over his face.
"The things I do to get away from you," I mutter.
"Excuse me?" Justin jumps on top of me, clearly butt hurt.
"Why would you wanna leave your best friend?"
I roll my eyes. "Get off," I laugh, trying my hardest to shove him off. I try my best not to look at his toned abs, exposed from the lack of material on his chest.
"What if I don't want to?" He grins.
I bite my lip. "C'mon Dates,"
"Now you wanna go on a date with me. Oh, Mel," he shakes his head.
I wouldn't mind...
"Shut up," I insist. "Why are you so heavy anyways?"
"That's it. Tickle monster's coming to town," he says, in dinosaur voice.
"I'm not ticklish," I defend, crossing my arms over my chest.
"I know," he grins. He slides himself off of me and sits by my feet. "Here we go," he says, and I immediately start laughing.
"O...okay. Stop," I manage to get out.
"What's the magic word?"
"PANCAKES!"

With that, he stops, stands up and dusts himself off. "Was that so hard?" He grins down at me.
Ignoring him, I stand up and make my way downstairs. Justin follows.
"So, what are you making for breakfast?" He asks me.
"I'm not making breakfast," I grin, shoving the apron in his hands. "You are."
"Okay," he grins and ties the apron against his bare chest. "Watch the master at work,"
I sit on the bar stool next to the counter and observe. I watch as he flips something, his back muscles flexing.

"Here you go " he smiles, placing French toast in front of me. "Thanks," I say, digging in.
After a few minutes, he comes to sit next to me.
"Enjoying your meal?" He asks. I nod, placing my knife and fork down on the plate.
"What are you gonna eat?" I ask, glancing at the empty space in front of him.
"Me? I'm getting McDonald's," he grins.
"What?" I ask. "I want McD's,"
"Then let's go," he says, pulling a red hoodie over his head and grabbing his car keys. I tie my hair into a messy bun and grab the apartment keys.

Justin opens the car door to his black Lexus and I climb in. He then walks around to the drivers side and starts the car.
The drive is quiet and peaceful.
As we pull up to the little black box, Justin orders him a McMuffin and me fries. As well as two coffees.
"Thanks, J," I say, grabbing the fries out the bag and eating.
Justin chuckles at me and I feel a light blush work it's way up my cheeks.
I reach over and carefully switch the radio on.
"Tricky" by Run D.M.C. bursts out the speakers.
Immediately, I grab my shades out the glove box and start dancing.
As I dance, my hair comes loose and falls into my face.
By the time the song has finished we arrive back at the apartment.
As we enter, I finish my fries and Justin heads upstairs.

"Hey, Mel? I'm going out quickly, but I'll be back soon," I hear Justin say, walking down the stairs. He's wearing brown cargo shorts and a black t-shirt.
"Okay," I nod. "Be careful,"
My mind doesn't fully comprehend what he's doing, but as he leaves, I go upstairs.

I take a hot shower and get changed into black leggings and a maroon jersey. I add some vans and walk back downstairs.

The sight before me causes me to gasp. I run to Justin, lying on the floor in front of the door.
"What happened?" I ask him, touching his face, gently. He winces and I run to the freezer to get an ice pack. This isn't the first time Justin's come home with bruises, but never this bad.
"I have a feeling this has something to do with Trae," I say, placing the ice pack on his cheek.
He takes a sharp intake of breathe and nods slowly.
"I...I-" he coughs in the middle of his sentence.
"Shhh," I say. "Calm down. Talk later,"
I put another ice pack on his ribs and leave him on the floor.
Silently, I fume. Not only at Trae Livingston and his goons, but at Justin too.
Didn't I tell him to be careful?!
I rest my head in my hands.
What exactly is going on?

==

Later, when Justin has recovered a bit and lies in bed, I enter his room.
"Can you explain to me what happened, please," I sit down on his bed.
He closes his eyes. "I tried to come to an understanding with Trae, but he had other plans,"
"So he beat you up?" I ask.
Justin nods. "All eight of his goons got a turn,"
I wince, feeling the urge to comfort him.
"I'm sorry," I say, head low.
"It's not your fault, Mel. Look at me," he orders.
I do as he says. "Are you okay?" I ask.
That's a stupid question, Melody.
"I will be," he grins.
"Justin, you still haven't told me why you beat up Trae," I say, thinking about it.
At that, he lowers his head. I get a sinking feeling in my stomach.
"Justin?" I ask, nervously.
"He...he wanted you," he says, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Wanted me?" I ask, confused.
Justin nods. "Your parents were close friends with Trae,"
"My parents are dead," I say, becoming even more confused. My parents died 3 years ago. What do they have to do with Trae?
"Before they died, they were good friends with Trae. He told me wants you, Mel."
I'm quiet. I need to process all this.
Justin continues, "I can't let him have you. I know what he'll do to you, with you. That can't happen,"

"So, you beat up Trae for me?" I ask.
He nods.
"Then what did you do today?"
"I told him that he could have me instead of you. To which he laughed in my face and well, you know the rest,"

"Thanks, J. I'm sorry you got dragged into this," I apologize.
"Mel, don't -"
I zone out.
Justin's one sentence plays over and over again in my head.

"He wanted you."

=•=•=•=

Okay, so the story took a not so unexpected turn.

Justin is such a good friend! *swoon*

Look out for the next chapter, it gets more interesting.

Hope you liked it.

SONG: RUN DMC - Tricky