Laney's Point Of View;
Justin and I were currently in his car––fancy Porsche Cayenne, might I add––and I was holding tightly onto my chair, scared of how crazily he was driving. I regretted instantly the fact that I let him drive me to the mall the minute he pressed on the brakes so hard that I could have crashed into the dashboard–– but I didn't, thanks to the seat belt. The whole time we were both silent, the sound of the radio playing faintly in the background and Justin would hum every once in a while when he finds a good song.
When we arrived to the mall, he parked the car and we both got out. I let out a sigh of relief, standing on my shaky legs. I was genuinely scared of his driving, and I swore I wouldn't get a ride with him again. He locked the car and his attention diverged to me when he noticed my heavy breathing.
“Are you okay?” He asked with concern, taking a few steps towards me.
I exhaled deeply, feeling a rush of relief going through my body. “You,” I coughed, startling him. “Y––You are crazy. Remind me not to let you drive me anywhere again.” I exclaimed in a serious tone to let him know I wasn't joking.
“Naw, come on.” He smiled cheekily, offering his hand. I ignored his offer and sped walked to the main gate, stepping on the escalator. Justin was right behind me, more silent than usual.
“I can go get Cara's stuff and meet you somewhere if you want?” Justin suggested, his eyes fixed on me intensely. When he didn't get an immediate response from me, he scrunched his face in confusion. “I will let you drive us back home.” He gave in, pouting right after he spoke.
“I would thank you, but after the ride, that's the last thing on my mind right now.” I joked, my eyes wandering around. “I will come with you, what are you getting her?”
“The stroller thingy.” Justin replied as he started walking with me towards Target. “I will see if I can find her a high chair too.”
We both walked into the huge store, Justin went to get a cart while I waited for him. After getting one, we began walking towards the baby isle and I squealed when I found cute baby clothes. I've grew the obsession of checking out baby's clothes a few years ago and now I have Cara to buy for.
“How old is she?” I asked Justin who was staring ahead of him, he didn't' look like he was enjoying the shopping but I think it was because Cara was taken away from him. He had a blank face and would occasionally smile.
“Nine months in a few days, try finding her a bigger size because she's chubby and most nine months clothes don't fit her.” He informed me and leaned on the cart boringly.
I searched through everything, trying to find the perfect size for her. I ended up finding a few cute dresses for her and sleepwear that had princesses printed on them. Justin disappeared into the isle where all the strollers were. I placed everything I got for her in the car and walked to Justin, he was looking at the strollers.
“I'm thinking about the blue one.” He pointed to the boy-ish stroller.
I shook my head. “If you haven't noticed yet, she's a girl. This one looks good.” I pointed to the black and red stroller which was next to the one he had his eyes on.
“I guess I will get it.” He rubbed his eyes, I could literally sense the sadness radiating from his body. Justin called one of the staff and started questioning him about everything of the stroller. After 15 minutes of the staff blabbering, Justin was settled on the blue one. I couldn't argue with his stubborn ass. We also found the perfect high chair for her, I was so excited for Cara to come back home and feed her in that chair.
After checking out, Justin and I placed everything we bought into the car and walked back to the mall to eat something. I sat on a table, in the food court, and Justin took the seat across from me.
“Get us the large tuna pizza, here.” He handed me the money. I rarely listened to his orders but now, I was treating him very nicely because of Cara. Walking to the Pizza shop, I paid for the large pizza with tuna and when it was done, I took it and walked to Justin.
“I have a feeling you will flip out on me soon.” He stated with a smile in the corner of his lips. Well, an attempt to smile.
“Sooner than you think.” I added, taking a bite from the pizza. “You're starting to affect my mood.” I had the urge to stick my tongue at him, but I ignored that urge.
“I told you; I’m sad.” He paused, finally taking the smallest slice of pizza. “More like, depressed.”
“I can sense that.”
After that, we both completely shut up. The air was tense and the awkwardness was starting to make me feel uncomfortable. None of us were talking, we would look at each other then awkwardly stare at something else.
***
Depressed Justin; how do I explain what does he look like? Messy hair that hid his forehead and part of his eyebrows; he most of the time has it gelled up but he messed it up when he got home. His gray sweats were hanging low on his hips––too low for my own liking––and the band of his boxers were showing up. Sadly for me, he was shirtless.
I didn't realize I was holding my breath until Justin yelled me out of my daydream which wasn't about him––at all. He ran his hand through his hair and repeated his words.
“You're on my bed.” He pointed to the sectional sofa where I was just sitting, watching 'Perks Of Being A Wallflower'.
“Oh sorry––”
He let out a giggle for the first time today. “You believe me so fast, I was just joking, don't get up.” He assured, sitting next to me. “Mind if I do this?” I furrowed my eyebrows at his question, but as soon as he laid down with his head on my lap, I felt the goosebumps.
“You get so tense sometimes,” Justin paused, taking my hand. “I don't even get why. Are you like that around everyone else or is it just me?”
Yes, it is you you dumbass. If I were a fearless bitch, I would've blurted out that. But I had to chicken away and lie to him, he already had a big ego. He made me nervous, especially when he got closer to me.
“Around everyone...yeah.” I nodded to confirm my statement.
“I feel like I’m the complete opposite of you.” He stated, I couldn't agree more. “Let me guess what kind of student were you in school. A straight A student, geeky friends and never skipped a single class. Am I right?”
Sadly, I had to nod. “Yep.” I paused. “Let me guess, you were the popular jock who played basketball and no offense, slept with every popular girl.”
He gasped. “Hell no.” He ceased his eyebrows together in shock. “Hey, I’m not as bad as you think.” Justin protested, cupping my cheeks while he still had his head on my lap. “I was most of the time the clown of the class, even in high school until my dad passed away and I became the school loner basically. I was also called a nerd for wearing glasses so I guess I was a nerd in high school.”
“I'm sorry.” I said softly, not knowing that a topic like this would go this way.
“It's not your fault.” He assured, pinching my cheeks. “You're so cute though, I would love to see a picture of you in school.”
My cheeks were highlighted by probably a crimson red due to his compliment and just like that, I realized he had that effect on me.
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