Afterlight ✔️

chapter twenty-five

— Chloe Romano

Have you ever put so much thought into not wanting to hurt someone's feelings? Was it bad to the point where you felt like if you told them what you wanted to do, you'd end up hurt as well? That was how I felt at the very moment Justin Bieber told me he didn't want me to go home, that he wanted me to stay and started developing feelings for me.

Justin's heart was so brittle when it came to his feelings for me, he didn't want me to leave. I upset him, I let him down and I definitely didn't enjoy seeing him that way. He had been hurt to the point where it started to make me even more year up for causing the pain he was feeling.

I was just clueless as to what I wanted to do. Should have I stayed there with a guy who lived and breathed trouble but actually liked me for the way I was, or went back to California, getting put back on lockdown but live a safe life? But, was it true what Justin said? So many questions flew through my mind. I felt my lips begin to tremble, my eyes watered to the point where everything in front of me was a blur. Including Justin.

"Please... don't cry. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry." Justin murmured, approaching me and embracing me into a hug.

"How can I know for sure you're not just using me? What would you do in my position?"

Justin sighed. "I know it's hard to tell if I'm telling the truth or not due to our... issues, but I swear I am not using you, I really want to spend my time with you and get to know you and I will prove to you everyday that I am being genuine with you."

"I don't know what I want to do anymore, Justin." I buried my head into his chest. "I'm so stressed and tired, scared for someone to just come over here and end my life, or for someone to kidnap me, or of getting hurt by you."

"I promise I will protect you the best I can, I want to try to put your mind at ease."

"I just want my old life back with my parents, you know? I want my brother back, not the gang leader. I want to spend time with you without doubting your intentions." I sniffled, nudging my nose into his warm chest. "Is that too much to ask?"

He pulled me in even closer, feeling nothing but warmth and comfort. It was nice, it got me to think that I actually didn't want to leave him behind, but his brother hovered over us like a curse, causing me to want to run away. But no matter how scared I was of his brother, somehow, my feelings for Justin were stronger.

"You can stay here with me. I'll keep you safe." He murmured into my ear, rubbing my shoulders. "You know that I care about you so fucking much." He trailed his nose down my neck, planting a kiss on the crook of it. I closed my eyes, enjoying every moment of it.

"It's so hard. I can't keep living like this, but I can't leave you either..." My voice trailed off. I bit the insides of my cheeks in unease. "I think I really need you."

"You have me, Chloe." He rasped deeply, pecking the crook of my neck. "You will always have me."

"I don't want to let you go because before you came around, nothing was worth living." He pulled away from me, giving me eye contact. He shook his head sharply, with vast emotion in his face. "I want to be there for you. I want to make you feel safe." He took me by the hands, massaging the palms. "Now, stop crying and smile, babe."

I giggled with comfort. "You must think I'm a damn freak, crying every single day."

He chuckled, continuing to massage the palms of my hands. "I don't think that at all. You're perfect, even though I do want to see that beautiful smile on your face more often." He pecked me on the cheek. I felt myself blushing. I couldn't stop myself. "Now, take a shower and get ready. I'm going to take you out."