One Way Bridge

Chapter 56

Justin made me go inside shortly after. He told me that if we both got colds at the same time the others would tease us for kissing too much. I was fine with going inside, if he came with me, but apparently too many sleepless nights got the better of both of us, because when he said I should just go to sleep in my own room I didn't retaliate. I did, however, get a goodnight kiss before curling up in my warm bed with a smile on my face.

If the smile wasn't still there when I woke up, it was there only a second later. It stayed on my face the entire time I dressed. Knowing I'd be seeing Justin in a little bit made me anxious. I even curled my hair to spend the time until he came for breakfast.

I skipped to the table, curls bouncing, to take my usual seat at the table. I few bites into my waffles, Justin came through the door. "Good morning, Nana. Good morning, beautiful," he added the second part quietly as he took the seat next to me. I reached over and grabbed his hand under the table. Now that he was here, there was no way the smile was going to leave my face and of course Grandma took notice of it and gave me a look which made me roll my eyes.

"You two better get going," Grandma took my plate before I could clear it myself.

"Thanks for breakfast Nana," Justin took his own plate to the sink.

"Bye Grandma," I gave her a quick hug and grabbed my bag by the door.

"Have a great day," she called after us as Justin and I left.

Outside, on the porch, Justin snuck a quick peck on my cheek before grabbing my hand. It was a crisp morning out and an inch of snow covered everything, including our footprints from last night.

"Justin!" I called out five minutes later in the car.

"What?" his tone was innocent but he definitely was not.

"Would you quit pulling my curls?"

"But it's entertaining"

"But we're not in elementary school," I retaliated trying to look at both the road and passenger at the same time.

"Pulling curls was a sign of liking someone back in elementary school."

"In high school you just tell someone you like them."

"Well where's the fun in that?" He pouted, but at least he wasn't pulling my curls.

I rolled my eyes at his childish ways. "I like you too." He smiled at me then took my hand in both his own, playing with my ring the rest of the way. Driving one handed wasn't easy, especially when I needed to use the blinker, but I liked the way his fingers gently traced over mine too much to pull my hand back.

Justin kissed the back of my hand before he finally had to let go of it at school. We had only gotten out of the car when Vince and Ally pulled into the spot next to us.

"HI!" Ally squealed as she pulled me into a hug and then led me away towards the building. "I see things are back to normal." One of her eyebrows rose.

"Yeah, we talked everything through last night." I glanced back to see Vince and Justin walking a few yards behind us. I envied Justin at that moment, not having to deal with Ally's endless questions.

"Everything?" Ally emphasized my word choice. I knew that if I was talking to Vince he would have made some crude comment about Justin and I being together last night. I didn't know which one I would've preferred at that moment.

"Well, no not that." Justin and I hadn't talked about what Vince and I were always doing together, but he said he was okay with it, didn't he?

"He knows you will tell him when you're ready. You will, right?"

I was going to say of course I would, but Justin interrupted us. "Are you trying to steal my girlfriend?" he asked Ally.

"Nope," she skipped ahead of us towards her locker. "I'm just glad you're calling her that again!"

"So am I," Justin squeezed my hand quickly before letting me go.

Full Copyright 2014

Edited 5/26/15