The Deal (Jelena)

Prologue

12 Years Ago

"You're insane. We're only 16!" Selena lets out a laugh, her mouth open to show her teeth, her head titling back so he can see her graceful neck.

Justin stares at his best friend, not being able to speak because he's so focused on her beauty in this moment. He's always thought she was beautiful and whenever he's told her she laughs at him. It's not a joke and it hurts him to know that she thinks that.

"Justin, we're young and in high school. There's no reason for us to be talking about marriage. That's way in the future."

"Don't girls plan their weddings with their friends when they're like 5?" He asks her, sending her a coy smile to hopefully take away some of the tension he's feeling.

She shakes her head and smacks him on his shoulder. "So, what if we do? I don't think you'd be able to afford my dream wedding. I want to come down the aisle sitting on a sparkling unicorn and have lots of candy for dinner." Selena eyes him carefully before bursting out another fit of laughs.

"I think I'll be able to give you that." He answers honestly, both of them knowing he can't keep his promise about the unicorn.

Selena stops laughing and places her hands behind her on the grass, holding up her wait while sitting next to Justin. "What's brought this on anyway? Are you worried you won't get a girlfriend? Justin, believe me so many girls want to be with you. You don't know how many times a day girls ask me if I can talk to you for them."

His face twists in disbelief, in a joking way because it's not that he doesn't have confidence when it comes to being around girls. Justin also knows that girls are attracted to him. He Just doesn't want to be the type of boy to boast about girls and how many he's been with. He's noticed as he becomes older that boys like to talk about those sorts of things.

Selena might not be his friend if he talks about girls that way and he'd also never want a boy to talk that way about her.

"Come on, tell me."

"Would it change your mind?" Justin asks her.

She smiles at him. That's another beautiful things about her. "It might persuade me that you're not as crazy as I think you are." She shrugs her shoulders before continuing, "so, why do you want us to get married if we're both single in 12 years?"

That's when Justin looks down from her face to focus on the ground. "We know practically everything about each other and grew up together, right? You're my best friend and I don't want you to think you're some last resort. I care about you so much. You know that I do. That's why I'd rather be with someone I know I want in my life forever, to go through everything with me."

She shifts her position, leaning forward slightly and reaching for his hands which are in his lap. "Justin, we have our entire lives ahead of us. Who knows what's going to happen? What if your lucky lady comes around in 13 years instead, or if only one of us is single? What then?"

He hasn't thought much about all the 'what ifs' if this deal he wants to make with her doesn't work out. He just wants to be able to have a promise with Selena that if she ever finds herself lost and alone that he'll always be there for her to protect and love her. She deserves to be with someone who would do anything for her.

"Do you not want to marry me?"

"Do you really want to marry me?" She rearranges his question, her voice softer and more reserved as if she is afraid of what his answer will be.

"Yes, I do." He's being sincere. She probably doesn't know it.

"Then I do, too." She gives his hands a reassuring squeeze and smiles at him. It's a small one but, to Justin, it's everything.

She pulls back from him and shakes her head. "This is ridiculous." She repeats.

"Yeah," he agrees with a chuckle. "But it's a deal, right?"

"It's a deal."

A/N: Thank you to anyone who are checking out my first Jelena fic! Votes or comments are appreciated if you feel like leaving one :)

Future chapters will take place in the past and present, indicated at the start of each chapter. I'm really excited to write this with all of the ideas running around in my head right now!