The Date Planner

2. 2. Pass Out

She looks beautiful.

I don't have to ponder on it much, it's quite obvious.

Eyes bright and a matching smile, this confident lady who looks exactly like Justine is someone I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting.

And the fact that I'm already sweating my armpits out, is not helping my situation.

Her sudden appearance seems to have taken me by surprise but not her.

She was definitely expecting my arrival, guessing from her relaxed demeanor.

She's anything like the girl I've always known and yet something different.

It's noticeable straight away. This version of Justine is a far cry from the one I knew five years ago.

What happened?

It is the only question that seems to linger in my head as her unflattering gaze meets mine, not breaking for a second.

My hands are clammy by the time I return her smile hesitantly.

A lingering silence follows through my motions as I enter further into my mom's cabin.

"Well, I wasn't expecting this", Justine's comments and her sarcasm shoots through my already palpitating heart.

"You've grown quieter from the last time I saw you", she points out, amused.

"I wasn't expecting you too", I look at mom with a pointed look.

Justine scoffs at that waving a hand, nonchalantly.

"It's not her fault. I came unannounced. I had some business here and I wanted to invite you guys over for dinner today at mine. To catch up and stuff", she looks at us expectantly.

After a heartbeat of contemplating, mom replies on my behalf.

"We would love to dear", she tells Justine and turns towards me, "I'm sure Jason doesn't have any plans for tonight, right Jason?", Mom asks me.

"No, none at all", I reply softly, trying to be as polite as possible despite the awkwardness creeping up my bones.

"Look at you, even your accent is pretty european now, huh", Justine teases, chuckling away at me.

"I was about to say the same thing. Feels like my baby's changed too much while living on his own", Mom grunts, disapproving.

I roll my eyes at that.

"You know that's not true", and even as the words leave my lips, you can hear the slight lilt in my voice.

I hold back a smile.

Mom shakes her head at me though Justine is a whole different story as she laughs her heart out at that.

And it's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard in the past five years I've been away. Her laughter resonates through me like anything and the tension in my body eases in an instant, making me smile immediately.

A throat clears beside me and I turn to Ben questioningly.

"Oh Ben, would you like to come to at my place tonight?", Justine chuckles.

"I thought you would never ask", he shrugs at her before flashing his grin.

"That settles it. I should get going, I'm gonna be late otherwise for my meeting. I'll see you guys tonight", she says as she gets up from her seat.

Mom nods at her before embracing her and kissing her cheeks in affection.

While on the other hand, there's a small smile gracing Justine's lips, the pure picture of serene peace.