Note: OKAY so I know I update quite frequently but it's because I have stuff already written out so I just have to upload it haha. After this chapter though I've caught up with myself so the updates probably won't be so close together since now I actually have to write what happens next. I have a lot of plans though so if you are reading, please continue to do so :)
I like this chapter a lot.
Oh yes and listening to "Rocketship" by Shane Harper would really help you when the time comes in this chapter. Just youtube it.
I don't own glee or any song or thing referenced besides my OC's
Juliet's POV
A couple weeks later Juliet came home from Mercedes house where they had been studying for a history test. She came home a bit later than she usually did but didn't think much of it. When she came in the door she saw her Dad snoring, slouched on the couch with a beer in his hand. She was surprised to see him there, he often never even came home anymore. He'd be gone for days at a time, and it wasn't like she was going to ask her Mom where he went. She wrinkled her nose and hoped she could sneak past without waking him up.
Just as she was halfway across the room however he woke himself up. He looked around disoriented for a second but then his eyes focused on her as she froze.
Juliet wouldn't deny the fact that she was a little bit afraid of him. Every since that one night when he grabbed her shoulder and left a mark, he was becoming more aggressive with her, often leaving her bruises on her arms as he grabbed and shoved her around to get out of his way.
He would have weird mood swings too, like one second he'd act like she wasn't even alive and the next he'd be yelling at her for something she didn't even do.
He slurred some words at her and then fell back asleep instantly. Juliet breathed a sigh of relief. He was one thing she really didn't care to deal with after the day she had.
She went to her room to call Jeff. They often talked on the phone at night now, it just became a habit. They tried to hang out when they could but being at different schools left them usually with only weekends except for the occasional times they went to the Lima Bean.
Now that her close friends knew about him, she couldn't help but gush to them about how cute and gentlemanly he was to her. Occasionally some of her friends would join them at the Lima Bean after school to hang out, and soon they all got to know him a little better. Kurt and Blaine even joined them sometimes, begging Juliet to come visit Dalton now that she had more than one reason too. She promised them all that she would sometime after winter break, assuming she found a way to get there.
Juliet carefully avoided the need to tell Jeff her actual address every time he gave her a ride. She tried her best to meet him at places she could walk or ride her bike to easily. Now that she had gone this far with it, she wasn't sure what the best time would be to break the news that she had been lying to him for a while. Juliet didn't want to put a sour note on the good thing they had going.
The weekend that started off Jeff's Winter Break at Dalton, they were driving around without a clue of what they wanted to do, when they drove past the Lima Bowling Alley. A spur of the moment decision led them to end up in tacky bowling shoes with a competition on their hands.
Neither one of them thought bowling was all that fun...until that night. They spent the evening in their own little world, laughing and joking with each other as they tried their most creative ways to knock down pins. Jeff had decided that the blue ball #13 was his favorite to bowl with, causing Juliet to steal it any chance she got just to tease him.
Neither one of them were that great at bowling either, they more or less just danced along to the music playing overhead and enjoyed each others company. Juliet ended up victorious at the end of the night with a score of 125, never letting Jeff live it down.
When they left the bowling ally they were both appropriately bundled up now that the weather had finally realized what month it was. As they were about to get back in Jeff's car, Juliet noticed down the street that the park was lit up with Christmas lights.
It was a beautiful sight, and snow lightly falling from the sky added to the scenery. Juliet loved this time of year because it was when people tried their best to be happy. It felt like magic in the air, she asked Jeff if they could go over and walk around under the lights before they left for the night.
Jeff's POV
Jeff had no objections to Juliet's request, the park really was decorated quite beautifully for the season and it wasn't like he was in a rush to get home anyways. He quickly had a thought and grabbed his acoustic guitar out of his trunk and swung over his shoulder before they headed for the park.
They walked hand in hand admiring the lights and the falling snow, it all felt pretty romantic to him. He took a deep breath of the cold crisp air and then looked down and smiled at Juliet as she looked up at him.
He had this nagging thought in his mind that right now would be the perfect time to sing the song he'd been practicing for her. He didn't know when another time would arise and since it was just the two of them out there in the fresh fallen snow he decided to take a chance.
"What did you bring your guitar out here for?" She asked him with curious eyes. Well now he had no reason not to do it, he thought to himself.
"Well, I don't know. I thought maybe if we wanted to have an impromptu concert here in the park this would be the perfect time. Soon enough you are going to have a million screaming fans and I won't be able to get within 5 feet of you." He said with a wink. She huffed with disbelief.
"Oh yeah, all that performing I do with my hairbrush in front of the mirror really is going to land me at the top of the charts!" She laughed. "Plus, I think you've got it wrong. You're the one that's going to have the screaming fans all asking to marry you while I just drift off into the distance." She said it teasingly, but he pulled her close to him.
"I'd never let you drift off in the distance, you'll be standing right there next to me." With their fingers intertwined he led them over to the small gazebo that's set in the middle of the park. It had lights strung all around it for the holiday season.
Jeff hopped up on the small stage and swung his guitar around so it was against his chest. Suddenly he felt a little shy. This was the first girl - heck first person ever, to make him feel nervous about performing.
"But while we are here, I do have a song that I've been practicing for a little bit now, thought maybe I could run it by you?" He said questioningly as he looked down the steps at her.
Juliet's eye lit up as she smiled and nodded. He smiled back at her nervously. "I mean, the song kind of reminded me of you and um well...I heard my sister listening to it one day...the singer is from Disney I think but uh the song is pretty good..." He was rambling he knew. For some reason sometimes Juliet just made him do things that were so out of character for him. It was scary, but thrilling.
"Just sing it silly." She said to him as she giggled.
He took a deep breath and started strumming his guitar. When the first words came in the song he was ready and he sang them as strong as he could.
It's been fourteen minutes
Since I dropped you off and
And my mind is racing
Every thought I think about
It's all about you
With your two left feet
And how you're just so sweet
You've got me falling
Like a shooting star
He concentrated on her face while he was singing, hoping that she liked it. He could tell she was listening to the words, but the grin never left her face. That encouraged him even more.
You've got all my friends
Sayin wah ah oh ohhh
When I see you smile
I need to know oh oh ohh
Do your knees go weak
Does your tongue get twisted
Afraid to close your eyes
Cause you might miss this
I need to know
I need to know
Is it like a rocketship
Stole your heart
Boxed it up and took it all the way to mars
I need to know
I need to know
Juliet's POV
Her heart started racing when he started to sing. She loved the tone of his voice and the fact that he was singing a song to her right now made her emotions all over the place. When he started singing she listened closely to see if she could figure out what song it was. She thought it sounded familiar but couldn't put her finger on it.
She listened to the words and her smile kept getting bigger and bigger. Did he want her to take the lyrics so literally because she was as she stood there and saw him effortlessly perform it out there in the beautiful falling snow.
Cause every little thing about you is making me
Every little thing about you is making me
Go go go, go go go
It's making me go go go crazy
He grinned at her during a break in the song as he jumped off the stage and started circling around her. He was really into it now, playing up with the performing aspect of it.
Hey, hey don't hesitate
I can't wait, wait just one more day
I need to know
I need to know
I can't wait, wait one more day
I need to know
I need to know
He leaned in close to her face as he was singing. She giggled and tried to dance around to the beat of the song. She listened to him as he kept singing the chorus. She certainly did feel all of those feelings he was describing and it made her heart beat even faster.
Jeff's POV
As he was circling around Juliet singing to her, he hoped she was listening to the words. He meant them. He wanted to know where she stood with them and how she felt, and his feelings were easier to express through song.
As he sang the last line of the song he pressed his forehead against hers. He felt electricity in her touch as he swung his guitar around his back. He didn't even take the time to think as he lightly pressed his lips to hers.
She was timid at first, obviously taken by surprise, but she didn't pull away. He was the one that pulled back for a second to look in her eyes and check that this was okay. He saw her eyes wide but sparkling and went in for a second kiss.
Juliet's POV
Juliet let herself settle into the kiss, she felt as though fire was running all up and down her body. She kissed him back as best as she could, considering she had never done it before. He was gentle with her but not timid. She felt his right hand hold the side of her neck as his thumb grazed over her cheek. She felt her face burning hot at his touch as she realized she didn't know what to do with her hands.
When they broke apart their faces still stood inches apart as they just looked at each other. It was a comfortable gaze as they were each trying to process what had just happened.
Juliet broke the silence as she whispered to him. "Yes, the answer to all your questions is yes." She looked up in his eyes.
He never broke their gaze as he asked, "What questions?" His hand still cupping the side of her neck as he twirled some of her hair in his fingers.
"The song, the questions in the song." She told him.
Jeff's POV
When she mentioned the song his mind flashed to the memory of what he just sang to her. The chorus repeated all of those questions that he wanted to know so badly. He wanted to know that it didn't only happen to him when she was around.
"Me too." He told her. "They happen to me too when you are around." She smiled at him so warmly like she was relieved he admitted that.
"I guess my whole point with this was me trying to figure out exactly how you felt. I know that we hang out a lot, we go on dates, hold hands...but we've never talked about anything official." He felt a little stupid saying it out loud, like maybe it didn't matter if anything was official or not but he couldn't take it back now.
A look of relief flooded her eyes. "I've been trying to figure that out myself." She paused and slid her fingers around his. "I'd say we have it figured out pretty good right now though." She did something unexpected as she pulled him into another kiss. It was quick, but enough for Jeff to know exactly where she stood.
He grinned at her and pulled her into a hug. "You realize we might have crossed some dangerous lines with you being a Warbler and me being in New Directions and all." She said to him.
As they pulled apart Jeff brushed his hand at the air as if that didn't matter. "Ah, who cares. Let them say what they want."
Juliet took a second to look up at the sky and Jeff turned his head upwards to join her. The snow was lightly falling around them and it was one of the most peaceful moments he'd had in a long time.
When they both looked back down at each other Juliet had a mischievous grin on her face.
She poked him and then slipped away saying "Tag, you're it!" as she ran away across the park giggling.
"Whoa what!" Jeff quickly swung his guitar over his shoulders and set it on the ground as he ran after her laughing heartily. He watched her as she ran, her cheeks red from the winter wind, but her smile as bright as the stars.
They spent the rest of their time in the park running around in the snow under the lights. Laughing and giggling with each other as they threw snowballs around. There was virtually no one else there so it felt like their own little wonderland. To each of them it felt like they had grown a new level in their relationship tonight, and it was a good feeling.
Soon it was getting pretty late and they each had to head back home. They got in his car, shaking the snow off their jackets and laughing over who won the snowball fight when Juliet suddenly remembered something.
"Oh crap, okay um can you drop me off at Tatum's? I forgot that I'm spending the night at her house. Tina, Mercedes, and Rachel are going to be there too...I completely forgot." She said as she set her scarf down next to her as she rummaged through her bag for her cellphone.
"Yeah no problem...did they know you were going to be this late? It's almost 10:30." Jeff didn't want to keep her from her friends.
"Uh..." Juliet started to say as she pulled her phone out of her bag. "Well no, I forgot and - uhh." Juliet saw that she had four missed called and 6 missed text messages from her friends. They probably thought she got kidnapped or something.
Jeff tried to glance at her phone and see what was going on - but had no luck. "Are they going to be mad at you?"
"Oh nah, they'll get over it." She said with a chuckle as she responded to her friend's text messages.
"Well, do you need to go to your house first to get some stuff or anything?" He asked her.
Juliet's POV
"Uh..." Juliet thought about that one for a second. She actually didn't have any of her stuff with her, but she wasn't going to go through this right now. "No, I'm fine. Just get me to Tatum's and everything will be good."
Jeff raised an eyebrow but then shrugged. Sometimes he preferred not to try and understand how girls rationalized things. "You're going to have to tell me exactly which house she is in, I know she's a few streets down from me but I'm not sure which one."
"Oh yeah sure, hey at least she's on the way to your house, you don't have to go in the opposite direction to drop me off!"
"I don't mind so much, I get to spend more time with you." He smiled that smile of his as he found her hand and slid his fingers in between hers.
Juliet blushed slightly, she was still getting used to him holding her hand all the time. "Am I ever going to get to go over your house sometime?" She boldly asked him.
Jeff tried to hide that he was caught off guard by her question. "Uh, yeah! Whenever you want. My Mom actually has been asking to meet you..." He trailed off.
Juliet perked up. "Ohh so you've been talking about me I see?" She says slyly with a grin on her face.
"Well she practically dragged it out of me..." He said sarcastically. "But hey, who wouldn't want to talk about such a smart and beautiful girl."
Juliet rolled her eyes, becoming embarrassed. How did she find this guy? He was perfect. "Oh please you are so full of it."
"I only speak the truth!" He said like he was impersonating someone. "Is it a right turn up here?" He asked.
"Yeah turn right and then take the first left." She said directing him.
"Plus, when do I get to go to your house huh? I know practically nothing about your family." He said it lightheartedly, but the mention of it made Juliet go tense.
"Uh...um...well you will eventually. My house its going through some uh...renovations right now." She squeezed her eyes tight for a moment, cursing herself for yet another ridiculous lie.
"Oh...well okay. But you can come over my house next weekend maybe? Or something this week after school?" Jeff smiled again.
Juliet was thankful for the change of subject. "I would love that...you tell me so much about your family that I feel like I practically know them already! Okay now turn down this road and her house is on the right side number 54." Juliet said pointing out the window.
Jeff drove slowly, peering out the windshield at the mailbox numbers. "Okay umm..." He slowed down to an almost stop in front of a huge driveway. "Do I...go up this road?"
"Yeah, just go up her driveway a bit and it's there." Juliet hated trekking up Tatum's driveway on foot during the summer when it was hot out.
"Holy crap..." Jeff's mouth hung open as he drove up to Tatum's house and saw it's massive size. "This place is...huge!"
Juliet looked quizzically at him. "Don't you live around here too? Aren't all the houses like this?"
Jeff shook his head with a laugh. "I live a few streets over, it's close, but a different neighborhood. My house is not this big, and we definitely don't have a huge extra guest house!" He exclaimed as he looked around. He wasn't saying these things in a judgmental way, more in an amazed way.
It took all Juliet had to not burst out into laughter along with whoops of excitement. Not that it mattered how much money Jeff had or not, but to know she didn't have this much extravagance to measure up too made her feel a lot better.
"Yeah, it's kind of incredible. You wouldn't know it just talking to her though, she's pretty relaxed. We spend most of our time in the guest house though, that's where everyone is right now." Juliet said as she gathered her things.
"Holy cow...well, have fun! I'll text you soon?" He leaned over and kissed her cheek. Damn did he have to be so gentlemanly? Juliet wondered.
Doing something that was partially out of character for her, Juliet pulled his face back over to hers and kissed his lips. She smiled as she pulled away and said, "Yeah, I could get used to this." With a twinkle in her eye she unbuckled and got out of his car.
"Yeah, I could too." Jeff told her as she leaned in through the door. "See ya later Jules." He winked at her as she shut the door. A tingle ran through her body. Jules, that was a name no one had ever called her before. She liked it.