Trading Places (JB X AG)

Chapter 38

Jessica's POV

I'm finally home in my own bed after that whole fiasco. It sucks that my girls trip ended up like that. So much for getting away from things.

And speaking of being home, Layla & I are finally in our new place! It's this GORGEOUS penthouse. I was literally drooling over it when I saw it.

I'm still pretty shaken up from what happened. I'm not in much pain though, which is good. The pain meds I was prescribed work well.

I thought this whole thing with Arabella was done with when she went to the psych ward, but I guess not.

Like to get your friend to do something for you like that just sickens me. And she did it just to have everything Arabella owns? Ugh.

I'm honestly afraid to go out alone anymore without security. Like this whole entire thing has just gotten me paranoid. I honestly think I might see a therapist. I can't even hear any like loud bang without thinking it's a gunshot.

Now that I'm sober and Ive obviously come to my senses, I've been starting to remember things about that night we just lived through.

I keep hearing that gunshot in my head. The moment when it went off isn't fully clear, but damn.

Just as I thought I was getting over what happened at the VMAs, this happened. I'm still fucking kicking myself for getting myself into all this.

As much as I am thankful for this getting me to where I am now, I still regret pretending to be her. I would rather not be famous than have Justin, and myself get hurt. It sucks that this all leads back to one stupid mistake I made.

"Hey love, how you feelin?" Layla asks coming into my room, causing me to leave my thoughts as I was starring out the window.

"I'm alright. Just getting myself down again like always. Regretting decisions. Ya know."

"I know that mistake you made, that we made, got us into some shit, but hey, look on the bright side. That mistake got you to meeting Scooter, which lead you to your dream job. We knew that we could get in trouble when we all made the decision to go along with the Arabella story, but we didn't know that she'd end up doing things she did. Like yeah, we expected her to be mad but not "crazy bitch with a gun" mad. You need to stop kicking yourself in the ass about this."

"I know...it's just hard. I keep going back to how I was a belieber and that I would never want anyone or anything to hurt Justin. And it's like, if I knew that this would have happened, I wouldn't have done it so then he wouldn't have had a fucking near death experience. But I know that there wasn't anyway of knowing that it would happen."

"Justin really does care about you...he couldn't stop crying after they took you back into the operating room to stitch you up. When I got there, he just sobbed as I held him. Saying over & over that he wants you to be okay and that he loves you. I know he made an idiotic move with the whole Selena thing, but you definitely lost someone who does truly care about you."

Hearing her say that made my heart drop. I mean I do still love Justin. Like he was my real first love so of course I'll always love him & ya know, I've loved him for years before then. Have I made the mistake of letting him go? Like fuck. This is getting me in my feels now.

"How do you feel about Sean?" I ask her.

"I think Sean's a great guy. So far, he hasn't given me a reason to hate him."

"But do you think that I should be with Justin & not Sean?"

"I don't know to be honest. They're both great guys. But I want you to be with someone who makes you truly happy."

"Sean..."

"Well there ya go. Now c'mon, stop mopin and get dressed. I wanna go get lunch!"

"Lunch? But it's morning..?"

"Girl, it's 12:30. You need to get up."

"Oh..." I said looking at the time on my phone.

I got out of bed as she left my room. I went to my closet & pulled out a pair of high waisted jeans and a cropped sweater.

We headed out to Urth Cafe & got lunch. We then went to the shops that were around.

We stepped into Urban Outfitters. Of course I instantly see Justin's merch.

"The old me would totally be fangirling over this." I say with a giggle.

I continued to look around & found a couple basic tees and the La La Land Soundtrack on vinyl. I wonder if my album will ever be sold her on vinyl.

Once we were done in UO, we stepped. ack out onto the streets.

"Should we go into Chanel?" Layla asks.

"Um, obviously!"

We walk into the Chanel store and my eyes are instantly drawn to the classic black crossbody bag.

"Should I get it?" I say to Layla, biting my lip because of the price.

"You got the money now, treat yourself, girl!"

"Ah, fuck it. I'm gonna get it." I say taking it off the shelf.

I take it up to the counter & package it up for me.

"I can't believe I can actually buy my own Chanel bags now." I say all giddy.

"What about the ones you have?" Layla asks.

"I was given those by stylists. I didn't actually buy them. It feels nice that I can actually buy these things myself. I never thought in a million years I'd be able too. Oh!" I grab a box of the Chance perfume and put it on the counter. "This too, please."

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Justin's POV

So glad to be home from Hawaii, honestly. Sucks that I spent the whole time in that hospital with Jessica, but I'm glad I was there with her.

Saving her life again has just made me feel so much closer to her & has made my feelings even stronger.

All though I have that friends with benefits thing with Selena, those feelings for Jess are still there. I feel that no matter what I do, I'll never be over her.

I've only gone "public" with Selena just to show that I am over Jessica to stop all the questions. And so Sean will see that I'm "over her" and that I'm not "trying to get her back".

I just keep questioning, will I ever truly be over Jessica?

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A/N: Hey y'all! Thanks for all the reads, it truly means a lot. I really do want to this story to get as known as other jariana stories so please please please share it!

I also just wanted to share the link for the penthouse that Jess & Layla have: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/6250-Hollywood-Blvd-UNIT-15F-Los-Angeles-CA-90028/111919174_zpid/