Justine
I stepped out of my hotel room into the outside balcony to get some air. My hair was pulled back into a ponytail and I was in the shameless PJ shorts that had been in my bag. I had a red tank top on and was still sweating. I pulled out my pack of cigarettes from a small pocket in my shorts and got one out. I rubbed my fingers together and produced a flame that lit my cigarette. This was the one power I had under my control. I put my cigarettes away and leaned against the railing.
"That's really unhealthy." I tensed and looked behind me. "I'm over here."
I looked over at the balcony to the left of me and saw Mr. Gray smiling, amused. I rolled my eyes and took a long drag to spite him. His smile grew and I blushed at his handsomeness.
"You didn't talk a lot on the car ride over." I suddenly noticed his lack of a shirt. Sweat beaded on my brow and looked out towards the parking lot. Why did he have to be good looking? "I know you're upset—"
"Upset? You think I'm upset? I'm furious, Mr. Gray! My sister is at home without a sitter and I might not see her for a year. I'm surprised I haven't already run off." I took another drag and refused to look at him.
"It's Gabriel."
"Good to know," I hissed. I wiped my sweat away and sighed.
"So, why haven't you run off yet?"
"It's too damn hot," I replied, looking over at him. He smiled again and I felt my heart squeeze.
"Do you mind if I come over there so I don't have to yell?" he asked. I glared at him and rolled my eyes.
"What's stopping you? You've kidnapped me, kept me hostage; and now they're torturing me by being with you."
"I'm sorry you dislike me so much." I leaped into the air as I realized the voice came from beside me. Gabriel was standing there, bare-chested in all of his glory, smirking. I stepped away to keep myself from giving into him. He leaned against the railing, not looking at me. I took a drag and blew it into his face.
"Gross!" he whined. I giggled and he smiled, happy that he got an emotion other than anger out of me. "Tell me about yourself Justine."
"It's none of your damn business."
"Doesn't like people," he acted as though he was a psychiatrist, examining my reactions.
"I like people just fine, I don't like you people—"
"Trust issues."
"That's not fair—"
"Always thinks she's the victim."
"Well, I'm not about to tell someone who I don't know everything about me."
"Good point."
"Thank you." I leaned on the railing to the right of him and felt his stare.
"My name is Gabriel Gray. I accidentally killed my mother, I used to steal powers and I wear glasses. My favorite color is green, my favorite food is Italian and I'm afraid of giving into my power again."
"Which is?" I asked, masking my curiosity. I could practically see him smiling with out looking at him.
"I can fix things."
"Awesome power," I snorted, putting my cigarette to my lips and breathing it in. "Every plumber in America must have your power, then."
"I can fix anything. But the thing is I want everyone else's powers, and so I can kill them to get it." I was rigid with fear. "It's okay. I got over that. Do you think they'd send me on a mission with you if they thought I could kill you?" His voice cracked. I realized he was right.
"Okay. I'm Justine Morners. My mom left us when Nicole turned five and then my dad died in a car accident when I turned nineteen. I'm twenty-seven and I have been taking care of my now twelve-year-old sister for the past eight years. My favorite color is blue, I love Chinese food and I'm afraid of hurting people with my power. Not that I know what it is or anything," I was choking back tears. I flicked my burnt out cigarette away and felt a heavy hand on my shoulder. I shrugged it off and rubbed my face.
"I'm tired. Good night, Gabriel." I padded into my hotel room, sliding the glass door shut. I locked the door and rolled my eyes at Gabriel who was watching me sadly. I closed the curtains and slipped into the large bed, finally comfortable and at ease. I reached to turn the lamp off and saw the phone. I reached for it and put it to my ear.
My fingers shaking, I dialed my house number. I put it back to my ear and counted the rings.
"Hello?" My sister's voice sounded through the receiver. I nearly began to cry and smiled.
"You know you're supposed to answer the phone 'Morners' residence, Nicole speaking,' right?" I replied.
"Justy? Where the hell have you been?"
"Hey! You know you aren't allowed to curse."
"Where have you been Justine?" she repeated. I sighed and closed my eyes.
"Umm, I'm going to a place where I can get help. For…"
"For…" she paused, "Your 'problem'?"
Nicole always referred to my power as the "problem". I smiled.
"Yes. I'm sorry I didn't get to say good bye, but I was kind of forced to do this—"
"It's okay. Tracey came over and is taking care of me. She's here right now, want to talk to her?" Nicole asked.
"Yes, I do. Hey, Nicole?" I stopped her from giving the phone to my best friend.
"Yeah?"
"I love you, baby sister."
"I know." I snorted and she giggled. "Here's Tracey."
"Justine?" Tracey's panicked voice rang out and I laughed.
"Hey, Trace."
"Where have you been? We've been so worried, and we thought something happened, and then Nicole called me, upset, and I just didn't know what to do—"
"Tracey, listen to me. You remember how I was telling you all this crazy stuff was happening to me?"
"Justy, not this again. Flying? Reading minds? Healing and—"
"It's real! That's why I disappeared! Some company took me and I'm going to be gone for a year—"
"Are you trying to shirk your responsibilities?" Tracey asked, angry. I stopped, shocked.
"Excuse me?"
"Justine, you could have told me you needed a vacation, you didn't have to make up some story—"
"You thinking I'm lying, Trace?"
"Yes, I do. Why else would you be leaving Nicole; you never left her alone before—"
"Exactly; I have never left her alone before. Do you think I want to be gone? For and entire year? I love taking care of Nicole—"
"You had to give up college and becoming a singer, Justine. I know you resent her for that."
"Like hell I do!" I hissed. "I love Nicole and I would do anything for her. You're wrong to think that I'd—" I gaped at the phone.
She hung up on me.
I slammed the phone down and turned the lamp, rolling over angrily. I stared into the penetrating darkness, wondering if I would ever forgive Tracey.
"J-u-s-t-i-n-e!" I jolted awake as someone called my name out. I came eye to eye with Gabriel, who was already dressed and sitting cross-legged at the end of my bed I screamed and he fell off of the bed, frightened. I gasped and clambered to the edge of the bed and looked down.
His hair was now slightly askew and his sweater vest was wrinkled from the fall. He had hit his head and was rubbing it gingerly. I saw his glasses (which I had not noticed before) where hanging on his ear. He stood and righted himself, straightened his vest of nerdiness and fixed his glasses. I took him in for another moment.
"You wear sweater vests?" I giggled. He blushed furiously, pushing his glasses up hid nose.
"This is how I used to dress. I like dressing like this. It's comfortable," he replied. I snorted.
"Whatever you say," I stood and walked over to my suitcase, picking out an outfit quickly. I began to walk to my bathroom and saw that Gabriel was gaping at my bag. I stick my hip out and placed my hand on it.
"What now?" I growled. He pointed to my bag.
"It's messy."
"So?"
"So?" he practically shrieked. "Doesn't that bother you?"
"Obviously not."
"Okay, okay. You go take a shower and I'll organize it for you."
"Excuse me?"
"What?"
"How do I know you're not going to do something pervy, like steal my underwear, or something? You did sneak into my room."
"What?" He was shocked. He blushed and shook his head. "You wouldn't answer the door."
"I couldn't hear you."
"Go get cleaned up."
"Go to your room," I responded, crossing my arms. He slunk out and I slammed the door, locking it.
How was I going to survive this trip?
A/N Thanks for the reviews! I appreciated all of them! Please review for this chapter; I'm debating whether or not to continue switching points of view between Justine and Sylar. I think it's good because you get to learn more about both characters. Thanks! -ScatturedBraained