Chapter 8

"...and you really should have told me that you were going to enter the contest," Harper said for the third time in her rambling. It was times like this that Alex was glad that Harper could go on for many minutes without Alex's input, as she never once asked why she hadn't spoken since they left the Waverly Place Sub Station for school. Alex only shrugged as she had the first two times. Harper stopped walking just as they entered the grounds of the school, but had yet to enter the building. "Why aren't you saying anything? In fact, why haven't you said anything since you left your house with me this morning?" Alex winced, but she didn't want to break out into song. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath.

"I-" She stopped for a second when she realized that, though a little hoarse, she was using her own speaking voice as well as her own words, not just song lyrics she hadn't heard before. "It's been a weird morning," she said instead. "I thought... Something was going to happen when I spoke, but it hasn't, so all is good."

"Alright," Harper said slowly as she looked at her best friend. This wasn't the first time Alex had acted strangely towards her lately, and that is saying something, considering the fact that she is a wizard. Still, Harper got the feeling that something just wasn't being said. She stared at Alex, knowing that this would bug her, but she had hoped that it would make her say something, give her a clue of some sort as to what was going on with her.

"What?"

"Something... isn't right," Harper finaly said, setting her large orange backpack down on the ground. "It's weird, and that is coming from-" Harper stopped mid-sentance when she saw a figure walking towards them, guitar in hand and stumming it softly as he walked. "H-Hi Justin. Nice guitar."

"Hello ladies," Justin replied smoothly, looking from Harper to give his sister a smug look. Alex stared at him for a second, taking in his new look. Justin had on a white shirt, covered by a grey vest and a yellow and black striped tie, jeans with the knees ripped, and a black leather jacket. He wore his usual pair of casual sneakers for Saturdays, but instead of them being clean as usual, it looked as if Justin purposely scuffed them on dusty ground. He had used gel or mousse to put his hair up in a small mohawk, as he short haior woudln't have allowed for him to have much of one. He then looked back at Harper, taking her in for a second before speaking again. "So Harper, with me and my guitar soon to become a rockstar, I'm gonna need a groupy or two. You in?"

Harper brought her hands to her chest as her cheeks reddened. "O-Okay. Of course, Justin," she said.

"The name's Big J," he corrected her. He put a couple of fingers to Harper's chin and gave a sort of head nod to her. When his hand left her face, Harper brought her own hand to where Justin had touched her, and the blush deepened.

Seething, Alex asked, "Big J? More like 'Big Jerk'. How did you convince Mom and Dad to let you out of the house looking like a Hufflepuff who was turned down for a role in 'Grease'?"

"Oh, Little Sister," Justin said, reaching into his inner jacket pocket for a pair of sunglasses, "if you possessed any of the charm that I do, you'd know that they didn't need any convincing."

"You snuck out of the house, didn't you?"

With a shrug, Justin said, "One does what he can to look good."

"Then you might want to sneak back in the house and try again, 'Big J'," Alex retorted with a scoff.

"I'd be nice, 'Little Sister," Justin shot back in the same tone while he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and walked away a couple of steps, "if you want my guitar skills to help you win her over." He looked back at Harper, who stared at the siblings with a somewhat glassed over expression on her face. "Though, I won't blame her if she decides to remain my groupy. And straight." Justin's last words were said in a whisper before he planted a somewhat rough and exaggerated kiss on Alex's temple. "Now play nice in front of Harper before your cover gets blown." Justin let her go with a small shove, and the two of them went to rejoin Harper, who stared adoringly at Justin.

Alex swallowed and tried to hide her shock and hurt. Maybe Justin 'Big J' was right, but Alex didn't want to give in to that almost definate possibility that Harper was straight and would never love Alex in the way she loved her. She frowned behind Justin's back as Harper gushed about the costumes she would make for the other groupies that would surely join her. Alex knew that this new Justin was here because of the side effects of the spell were really getting to him, which didn't make sense to her. Justin was a much better wizard than she was, and it always pained her to admit that. She would have thought that he wouldn't have been as affected by the aftermath of the spell as quickly as she might have, and though Alex teased him all the time, Justin had never ever been so mean in return. This wasn't even mean, it was almost cruel what he said. "Come on, guys. We need to get inside."

"After you," Justin said, putting an arm around Harper's waist. This made the redhead giggle as they walked into the building together. Justin looked behind them at Alex and smirked. "Coming Sis?"

"Yes," was all Alex would allow herself to say as she picked up Harper's backpack and walked behind them inside. She was lucky when the bell rang and Justin was told to put his guitar away. He did so, reluctantly, and he sent a flirtatious wave to Harper before he walked to his first class, ignoring the call after him to remove his sunglasses. Alex went to her locker and shoved her backpack inside forcefully.

"I like Justin," Harper said with a dreamy sigh. Alex bit off her retort to go marry him then, but it was such a comment that had Harper in Justin's room dressed as a bride to begin with.

"Yeah, he's a stud alright," Alex said sarcastically.

"He is, isn't he?" Harper asked. Alex rolled her eyes and slammed her locker shut.

"Detention, Russo! Now, giddy up to class!"

"Great!" Alex hissed. She walked a couple of steps to her and Harper's first class before she realized that she wasn't being followed, so she backtracked to her best friend and crush, pinched her on the shoulder, ignored her glare, and handed Harper her backpack. "If you're any later to class, they will count you as absent, which will ruin your perfect attendance. Now-"

"Ooh! Come on, let's go!" Harper said, dragging Alex along this time. Alex had known that this would have gotten Harper moving, and she was correct. She followed her friend, hoping that she didn't run into Justin again that day. Heck, if she were to avoide Justin all week, she wouldn't mind that one bit. In fact, if she never saw 'Big Jerk' again, she would be able to die happy, but she knew that there was still that concert, and at any moment they would get the call from Mr. Hagerty. And when that call came, she would have to practice with him. She shuddered at the thought of how that might go down.

To Be Conitnued...

A/N - Hey, thanks to the three who reviewed so far. Getting the lyrics to match what Alex was saying was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. If anyone has suggestions as to what songs and phrases to use (as long as it will pertain to the story so far, I would appretiate it. Also, Justin is way the heck out of character, but that is supposed to happen. As for Harper, I am having issues getting her character down for some reason. Any suggestions would definately help. Thanks.