Nothing Like Us [1D/JB Fan Fiction] (Under Editing)

Chapter Twenty-Six: Water Buckets, Girly Things, and "Is he crazy or isn't he?"

I couldn’t sleep that night. I couldn’t believe that he would keep that locked up inside for so long. Why hadn’t he told me before? Justin had been abused as a kid and I, his biggest fan, didn’t even know. It did make sense, though. Why would he want to come off as weak? That, he wouldn’t allow. He didn’t want a pity party. He wanted to move on. But the thing was, you can’t ever move on from something like that. You never forget it. Ever.

I sighed and shifted y body to face him. He looked so at peace when he was sleeping. I wondered if I looked peaceful when I was sleeping. I took my hand and ran my fingers through his hair. I made a note to ask what shampoo he uses. I kissed him on the forehead before finally falling asleep.

***

“GOOD MORNING, STARSHINE! THE EARTH SAYS, ‘HELLO’!” Justin was in too good of a mood. I tried to pull up the covers over my head, but he just ripped them off of me, causing me to curl up into a cold ball. I heard the splashing of water and I immediately sat up. I was right—he was holding up a bucket of water over my head.

“I’M UP!” I shoved his bucket away, “I’m up.” I rolled my eyes at his disappointed expression. He seemed happier today. That was good.

“You’re safe from my waking up strategy,” he smirked, “for now.” I pulled on my t-shirt. I would just go to rehearsals in sweats. I turned to meet him.

“If you ever dump water on me,” I snatched the bucket away, “you’ll be out the door, screaming for you mommy.” It was my turn to smirk. I laughed and walked out the door, to bump into Chase. He mustve been about to knock.

“You must be in a good mood,” he said, as we walked down the hallway.

“Why?” I asked as we stood in the elevator.

“You’re smiling,” he pointed out, “I haven’t seen that in a while.”

“Sure you have…” I trailed off. I had to have smiled at least one time since he’d come back, right? I wasn’t happy to see him in the first place, that was for sure. Or, come to think of it, maybe I was just…scared. Of what exactly, now that was something I’d find out at a later date.

“You’re thinking about something,” Chase implied. He knew me too well. He knew all of my expressions. I sighed and avoided eye contact. I stared at the worn-out carpet on the lobby floor.

“How can you tell?” I stopped at the door of the hotel. Chase tipped my chin up to look into my eyes. He was better at reading expressions than I was.

“I just can.” His hand left my chin and he walked over to the breakfast area. I felt a hand grab my shoulder and I spun around to meet Leah. I could see Jake coming up behind her. I smiled. They were the cutest couple.

“Who was that?” Leah questioned. That was right. I hadn’t introduced her.

“A friend.” So much more than that. She nodded her head.

“A friend with benefits or…?” She giggled. I shoved her slightly and gaped at her.

“No!” My cheeks got hot. “This Pringle is not single and ready to mingle.” I hopped into Leah’s car. Jake was driving. Leah laughed.

“I never thought I’d hear that the other way around.”

“I never thought it would be me who’d say it the other way around.” I looked out the window. The snow was melting to the point you could see the grass poking its way through the white fluff. Then I realized something. I had spent Christmas day trying to solve a murder case. Huh, good for you, Glenn Coco.