Been You

Chapter 20: Be Real With Me

JUSTIN'S POV:

I've been running around all day, trying to pull everything together for tonight's Grand Gesture, but I think everything is finally together. Shit, I forgot to take the tag off of the dress I bought her. Tags on gifts are tacky right? I remember my mom saying something like that. I run back to her closet where I'd hidden the dress for her to find once she goes to change. Attached to the garment bag, is an embossed invitation I personally typed, asking if she would accompany me to the homecoming ball. Then at her vanity, when she goes to do that twirly thing with her curls, she'll find this tiara I bought for her to wear for the night, so she'll know all night long that she's my princess. And that's all just phase one. I'm so excited. I check my phone for the time. 6:04. Where is she? Suddenly, I hear her key in the door. I straighten my posture.

"Sorry, I'm late, babe. Time got away from me," Ely says, walking over and hugging me. This is different. Why didn't she kiss me?

"It's okay, babe. It's not like I was dying to see you all day," I say, smiling and full of sarcasm. "I missed you," I whisper, honestly, into her hair, not letting her out of the hug.

"Well, then why didn't you?" She asks seriously, almost sadly, pulling away to look up at me with large, glistening, chocolate brown eyes. Her perfect lips are pouting, and I feel terrible for ever making her feel unwanted, when that is completely not the case. I frown at the thought.

"I just had a lot of things to get together, and I knew that if you were there, I'd never get them done, what with you being so beautiful and all," I embellish. It's not exactly a lie right? I just don't want to spoil the surprise. I thought the compliment would cheer her up, but she still has this worrisome expression. I open my mouth to ask her what she's thinking, but she speaks before I can.

"Were you with her?" Ely asks, her voice shaking by the last word.

"What? Who?" I ask, completely caught off guard. She honestly thinks I would spend time with another girl... instead of her? It hurts me to know that's what she thought I spent all day doing; to know that she thinks I could hurt her that way.

"Selena," she answers, after clearing her throat. "I ran into her today and -" she continues before I cut in.

"No, no, no babe, I would never. What did she say to you?" I ask, worried. Oh, she must be so hurt right now. I wish I could pull her in closer to me, but we're already as close as possible.

"Not to me, but on the phone. She said she was going to the hockey house to get laid, and I just assumed you know, after you bringing her back here the other day, and with it being your house, and you know, the way she looks -" she cries, only stopping to heave, finally catching her breath.

"Hey, hey, hey," I whisper comfortingly into her hair. "I would never. Ever. Hurt you. Ever. You're the only one for me, okay? You're the smartest, most beautiful, kind, and perfect person, and no one could ever replace that. I don't know who she was going to see, but I swear it wasn't me. I love you," I explain, only realizing after the fact that I said those three words. I internally pray to anyone who will listen that it doesn't push her away. She snaps her head up, the last three words finally sinking in. She stares deep into my eyes, looking for what, I don't know. I stare back into her eyes earnestly, hopefully showing her that I meant what I said.

"I love you too, Justin" she whispers, hugging me tighter.

"You look stressed, babe. I ran you a bath. Maybe that'll make you feel better? I used one of those bath bombs that you like so much," I offer, rubbing the small of her back. Ugh, she's so soft and pretty. She gives me a squeeze, then follows me into the bathroom. I undress her, pick her up, and softly lay her in the water. She leans forward, looking up at me.

"Join me?" She asks. How could I ever say no?