Fire With Fire

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen

Justin's P.O.V.

Lexie had fallen asleep in my arms while I carried her. She seriously weighed nothing, I could carry her around all day and not get tired. I knocked on the door seeing a concerned Troy as he let me pass in.

I had gone through the living room, down the hall, and finally into the room I was staying in. Gently I laid her on my bed kneeling down watching her sleep. She still didn't tell me why her parents treated her like this, there had to be a deeper reason.

Deciding to let her sleep I left with a quick kiss on her forehead. I really hoped she felt exactly what I was feeling, I couldn't see my life without her now. I plopped on the couch next to dad pulling out my phone.

"Is she alright honey?" mom asked seeing the look on my face. I could seriously tell her parents off right now.

"She got into another fight with her dad" I shrugged still paying attention to my phone, I knew I'd snap at any second so it was distracting me.

She nodded still wearing that concerned expression. "What about?"

"It's absolutely ridiculous! They leave her for a week by herself and she gets in trouble for having me stay with her! I don't think they even care something could have happened to her! I was there to protect her! They are seriously a poor excuse for parents! I have got to get her out of there and fast!"

"Now you listen to me young man, if Lexie doesn't ask for your help do not meddle in her personal affairs you got that?" she snapped causing me to shrink back, I knew not to mess with her. "Understand?"

"Yes ma'am" I replied, "I just want to fix this for her, she deserves to be happy"

"I know love but it's Lexie's life and it's her choice whether to include you in it or not"

I sighed, why was this so difficult? All she wanted was to feel loved and protected, none of which she was getting. "Justin, I think she's up" Troy walked into the room plopping next to grandpa.

Mom gave me a smile as I headed back to my room. I could tell mom already loved her, she was like the daughter mom never had. It puzzled me, Lexie's mom had a daughter but she never seemed grateful to have her. I really did not like her parents.

Lexie stretched out taking in her surroundings as she laid eyes on me. "Hey" she smiled, I wonder if sleep was an escape for her. "Um where am I?"

I chuckled kneeling down next to her, "You are in my room love"

"Oh" she laughed sitting up. "I'm sorry about earlier"

"Do not apologize" I pressed my lips against hers feeling her respond immediately. "Love, why do you let them talk to you like that?"

My question must have caught her off guard since she looked at me puzzled. Shrugging she sighed, "They're my parents, I love them"

I shook my head, no excuse could be good enough for this. She couldn't keep hiding with reasons. "Lexie, I have never known parents to fight with their daughter as much as they do with you. Parents who love their children do not do that"

She shot up from the bed pushing me against the wall. This girl could fight when she wanted to. "They love me! Don't you dare say they don't!"

"How can they talk to you like that if they unconditionally love you!" I yelled back, now I was fired up.

"You don't know anything! I've put them through hell and back and now I'm getting exactly what I deserve!"

"There's nothing that you could have done that gives them permission to treat you like this Lexie!"

"Oh no?" she screamed taking a step towards me, she was not backing down I could see the rage flashing through her eyes. "You want to know why I deserve this Justin? I did the most selfish, dumbest thing any human being could do! I'm not-"

"Nothing is going to change the fact you are their daughter! Your parents don't care!"

"I tried committing suicide!" she screamed as the tears welled up in her eyes. I was speechless, that was the last thing I expected her to say. "Not once, not twice but four times which landed me in the hospital each time! The bills added up and my parents worked their butts off trying to pay them off! I deserve every single thing they put me through"

"No, you don't deserve any of this" I pulled her into a hug after our heated argument, I had never actually done this with a girl before. "You listen to me and listen to me closely. You are beautiful, intelligent, caring, loving, and compassionate, do not let anyone tell you otherwise"

"But Justin what I did was unforgivable. I made their lives miserable each and every day, I'm getting pay back for what I damaged"

"Quit telling yourself that, you deserve every ounce of happiness in this world" and I'm going to make sure that happens.

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

Lexie's P.O.V.

Justin walked me back home as I cautiously entered the house. Dad was still probably angry I just ran out on him. I was going to apologize, after my little argument with Justin I realized my parents meant more to me then I thought.

At times I did feel that they didn't love me but deep down I knew they did. My parents always had trouble showing affection which is probably why I had such a big issue with it, PDA was hard for me to do and see.

I did want to be hugged and kissed and have someone hold my hand which is exactly what Justin was doing. He seemed to be perfect for me, just when I give up the perfect guy falls right into my lap. He always knew exactly what to do and say to make me feel better, as lovesick as that sounds.

With a huge smile on my face I hesitantly knocked on my dad's office. "Dad? Can I come in?" I asked hoping my plan of being completely honest with him would break down some walls. He acknowledged me with a nod as I stepped in. "I'm sorry" I said as his eyes whipped up to meet mine, I hardly ever apologized.

"You're apologizing?" his gaze was mixed with confusion and admiration as he looked at me. I nodded folding my hands neatly in my lap, be confident. "Well thank you Lexie" he smiled at me. My dad actually just smiled and it was directed at me. "So who was that boy you were staying with?"

I sighed trying not to let my anger rise up. I already told him four times. "Justin, you remember my friend from third grade that moved? Him and his family are taking a vacation out here"

He nodded, "Cool, are you interested in him?"

"Yeah I am" I nervously chuckled, dating and me did not mix neither did dad and I talking about dating.

The corners of his lips twitched up into a smile, it really freaked me out. Dad actually seemed happy for me. "Before you get too ahead of yourself I want to formally meet this boy. Invite him and his family over for dinner one night"

I nodded letting my smile take over my face. He liked him. "I love you dad" I said getting up to wrap my arms around him.

He stiffened up from the surprise of me hugging me, again horrible with affection. "I love you too Lexie" he hugged me back planting a kiss on the top of my head.

I pulled away heading upstairs to my room to ask Justin about dinner. A quick text and two minutes later he responded saying they'd love to. I couldn't help but smile, all this happened because of a boy who lived right down the street.

A few hours of smiling like an idiot to myself I knew in my heart that Justin was for me. I wanted to make him mine before any other girl could, he could seriously have any girl he wanted and yet he chose me. For old times sake I logged on to my Facebook account and sent Justin a simple message.

'I want to make things official'