TOXIC · Justin Foley

100 (Reality)

Third person

Three months had passed since the awful night of Oshun's party. Getting hate from delusional fans of Eli's were a daily thing for Zenobia now, the hateful words never hurt her though. She simply felt pity towards the females that were that pathetic. Plus, Ryan took care of them for her. 

She barely had time to process everything that happened as her amazing friends always made sure she had someone buy her side. Montgomery took her on spontaneous outings, making sure she had at least one good day a week. Bryce got her the best lawyer in the entire world, making sure she never had to worry about any expenses. 

Tyler was an incredible help in the case, gathering information in mere hours. Tony and his brothers wasted no time in beating the shit out of Eli before he could leave Crestmont. Justin threatened him to ensure he wouldn't report it to anyone. Alex's law connections certainly proved helpful in getting the case going.

Clay, Hannah, Sheri, Courtney and Zach helped Zenobia feel normal again, they always treated her exactly the way they had before. Jeff assisted in exposing Eli's true colors to Oshun, which ended in her joining Zenobia's side and even providing court statements on previous outbursts Eli had around her.

The case was far from over, but Zenobia refused to let that beast rule her life. The first few weeks were horrible, she felt his hands on her, felt the disgusting way he touched her and wondered how Justin could even look at her without feeling the same revulsion she felt. But with time, she appreciated the beauty of her body once more. She got a new tattoo, simply so her body would look different to the way it looked when he touched her. 

Zenobia grew comfortable with Justin's loving touches once more, allowing his embrace to cover that of Eli's. Allowing him to wash away Eli's cursed touch. 

It was now prom evening and Zenobia was putting on the crimson dress that Bryce had bought for her. She could never thank him enough for everything he did for her.

"Zen, come downnn." Justin whined at the bottom of Bryce's staircase. 

"Shut the fuck up, Foley. I'll take longer just because of that."

-

Justin's POV

The whole suit and tie, waiting for the love of your life at the bottom of a staircase thing wasn't really me; but for Zenobia I'd do this a million times.

As cliche as it was, I'm sure my heart dropped to my ass when the fucking brunette bombshell walked down the stairs.

"Zen..." I could barely form a coherent sentence. 

"I know I told you to wait until tonight to listen to the last tape, but I can't wait anymore." I had given her a box of tapes, the first one to ask her to prom and now the last one I put into the tape player.  

"Zen, I'm fucking horrible with words and I think I've used up every single one I know on you already so this tape is going to be the shortest. I've only known you for a few months, but I am completely and irrevocably in love with you. You make me want to be a better man. You make me unashamed of saying the cheesiest lines humanly possible, because I'd take years of shit from people to see you smile for a split second. I love you. I really fucking love you. You've destroyed this idea of toxic masculinity that consumed me. I will now openly gush about you to anyone and everyone. I can openly admit that I love rewatching Dirty Dancing with you, albeit just for the way you blush and squirm when I say "Nobody puts Baby in a corner" and tickle you.I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely, it's because I truly love you. I realize now that I could go on forever, but let me just get to the point." I stepped forward as the recording stopped, going down on one knee and taking the ring out of my pocket. "Will you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?"

// AN: What do you want Zenobia to say? What do you think she's going to say?