A/N: I'm looking for a beta, someone who can help with grammar and spelling errors, along with plot line. Thank you so much to those of you who are reading, it means the world. There were very few reviews on the last one which was disappointing :/ so it be nice to get a few more this time. Thank you for your time, much love! (:
Ps: I'm also sorry if this chapter is TOO long, it's about 3,700 words. But better long than short I say.
Justin's pov
It was midnight and the dark street smelt of damp cement and nostalgia. We were dancing on our way back to the limo under the full moon and I couldn't help but stare at the way it light up Brian's face against the looming shadow of the night.
"Where to now mister Brian Taylor- Kinney." I spoke with a smirk.
He smiled. "We'll fight you know, about what take out to order, about when your mom and Deb are allowed to come over."
"About what to paint the kitchen, to get a dog or a child." I continued.
" We'll fight over how messy you can be." He spoke while pulling me in closer. "But all of that's okay because things are different and will work out of the best. Because…I love you.
"We'll we our quite legendary, I know we'll make it the distances. So are we off to the loft? You can even carry me through the door and we can sanction our marriage on the bed..on the counter..on the floor." Brian laughed then reached in his pocket. "Or", he replied pulling out a key and daggling it in front of me, we could go to our new home."
At first I was at a loss for words, did Brian buy a new house? Then I remembered and without a word I just kissed him and shook my head Yes, We were off the Britain.
Willows pov
The first time my dad hit me was a blur now, and it only happened two weeks ago. His shoves and smacks didn't even add up to the pain of his remarkable mistreatment, distain, hate, and rage filled yells. I cried a lot of nights in my room, locking the door closing my eyes and pretending my mom's arms were wrapped around me. The first time I was doing the dishes when he yelled for me to get him a beer out of the fridge. I grabbed a blue moon, twisted the top off and walked it to the couch. Instead of gracefully handing in to him I tripped over the rug and the beer spilt all over his lap. Without a seconds thought he got up and pushed me into a chair then I fell onto the floor. "You stupid bitch." He screamed "Go clean this up." I did just what he said with a vacant look in my eyes. Sarah had watched the whole thing from the chair on the other side of the room, but her eyes never even left her book. I had a huge bruise on my back from my back being thrown onto the hard wooden chair. After that it was like a drug he had to have, He started pushing my into walls, grabbing almost breaking my arm a few times, and even slapping me square on the face. I love you too dad. A small part of my just wanted him to tell me he loved me because right now I didn't have anyone to lean on. When he was not hitting me we pretended everything was okay, almost like a portrait of a fucked up family.
I had not told Carmon what was going on but I had planned to, tonight.
We talked on the phone about small insignificant things for a few minutes then the conversation turned to a more serious tone.
"Willow, I'm sorry I haven't called you lately."
"Oh, its okay I understand. I've been busy too, Work, painting, movie marathons..you know the wor-"
"And I want you to know that what I've done was never planned because I love you so much."
"Carmon, what are you talking about? You're making me nervous as hell."
" It's okay baby, I don't blame you, I do the same thing I get lonely too."
"Now You're talking in lyrics, god there has to be something wrong."
"I remember you told me that's one of your favorite songs, and I'm hopping that's what you'll say to me when I tell you what happened.."
I didn't say anything for a moment. "Fuck." I spoke softly. "You cheated on me."
"Willow I-"
"Before you try to deny it, I've seen enough romantic Dramas and read enough Silvia Plath to know what cheating looks, sounds, and smells like."
"Let me-"
"Do you remember that time we went to that drive in movie, you drove 240 miles just to go see it because you know how much I love drive ins. God, how could that man be this man. I've only been gone 3 weeks, you couldn't keep it in your God damn pants for 3 fucking weeks?"
"Baby, calm down, I know how easily you get panic attacks."
"Don't tell me to calm down! So how did it happen, who did it happen with? There's a pretty young thing in front of you and she's really pretty and she's real into you, then she's sleeping in side of you. Is that how it happened? Tell me Carmon!"
"I had gotten early admission to Georgia tech, so I wouldn't have to complete my senior year but be a college freshman early. I really want to tell you but I kept thinking, I'm never going to see her again. The thought of that really killed me because I never imagined myself with anyone else but you. Looking at you and knowing you were the one was the easiest thing in the world for me but then you left and I knew that you would go to art college and make a big success of yourself and I wouldn't. I thought if I separate myself from you it make the blow easier for both of us. Maggie was there to comfort me and talking lead to another thing and then she ended up comforting me in more than one way. I can't explain enough how sorry I am, I don't love her at all if that's what you're thinking, she'll never mean anything to me the way you do. I just can't continue with this relationship"
"Are we in some Meg Ryan movie, I mean sleeping with my best friend? How horribly unoriginally for someone of your stature, baby." After a second of thinking I finally said in a completely mellow tone, "You're full of shit Carmon. If you loved me you would have done anything to be with me, no excuses. The thing is you didn't want to try ,not because you didn't want to be hurt but because you want to be with other people, try new things, and cut that ball and chain that's been on your leg the last 3 and half years, which is fine but at least do me the honor of being honest with me. So you can take your excuse and pity and give them to someone who cares enough to listen. I will oblige to your wanting to break up, my pleasure. Tell Maggie she will be getting a pink slip for our friendship too. Bye Carmon."
And with that I hung up the phone, without even a fight I let the love of my life go.
Later that day I was working at the diner and as hard as I tried to hide my tears, which after the break up kicked in wouldn't stop flowing, I couldn't. Deb saw my red puffy cheeks and eyes and insisted I go home which was the last thing I wanted to do, but I couldn't tell her why. Justin and Brain who were at the diner insisted I go with them when I refused to go home. I didn't even notice that the tears had made my foundation run which was hiding a bruise given to me by my lovely father. No one seemed to notice except Justin, which is probably why he was so persistent I go home with him and Brian. I finally caved to their demands and followed them back to the loft. When we got their Brian went to take a quick shower and I was left there with Justin.
"Come here" he said motioning to the canvas and array of paints and brushes on the work desk, "this will make you feel much better."
The loft was so beautiful that I kind of just wanted to sit there and stare around the room, even though half of it was boxed. Justin looked up at me, "Well, come on, before the paint dries."
I obliged walking over with me arms crossed tightly around my chest.
"You don't have to put your guard up over here, your around people who love you willow. What's ever is going on it doesn't matter here."
I smiled and began to work, slowly but tears still seemed to find their way down my face.
"So sweetness, are you going to tell Uncle Justin what's going on?" I giggled.
"See there's a smile, now really tell my what's wrong
"I don't want to seem all angsty teenager-poet like, that's not me. I much rather paint about it than talk about it."
"What an artist." He smirked. "Willow, you need talk about it, it's the only was your going to feel better.
"Fine." I took a deep breath. "Carmon, cheated on me with my …best friend, then broke up with me, then lied about why he did it. I basically had no chose but to tell the love of my life, fuck you.
Justin stood back and as if to be absorbing the information at hand.
"I should have know to never date a bad boy." I smirked
"Willow, the love of your life? Really? Your life has barely started."
"Don't be a hypocrite, you were 17 when you fell in love with Brian."
"I know, but I was stupid."
I looked at him confused the he went on to explain. "Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade were I'm at with Brian for the world, I love him so much. But the thing is if all those years ago I had of not chased after Brian it would saved a lot of pain and if I had of walked away I would have been okay I would found someone to love just as much, because in life that's what we do. We move on. Now, I don't regret it because it changed my life so much but a big part of that didn't have anything to do with Brian but me. I and he needed time apart to figure out who were without each other, everything that happened to me happened for a reason. And if one thing had have happened differently then I wouldn't be the same person I am today. What I'm saying, he's not worth or good enough for you in anyway. This pain your feeling is for a reason and as much as you think he's the love of your life there is one person out there that is looking for you and just for you just like you're looking for them. And I promise their coming as fast as they can. So live your life to the fullest sweetness because this happened for a reason there will be something beyond him, much better than you could ever imagine." His tangent wasn't well thought out but off the top of his head, which was probably why it was so passionate and well said.
"You really know how to give a speech." I said teary eyed while wrapping his arms around him. "And your right, I'm not going to worry about the things that went wrong, when there's so much that can go right."
"I'm just proud of you for doing the right things, it must have been hard. Why don't you come with us to a celebration were having for hunter success at school tonight. It's at a club; it's for people about your age to 25. A lot of cute guys will be there, one of them being hunter."
"Ha! Yours so discrete, Justin."
"So, does that mean you'll come?"
"of course, how could I say no?"
"Willow, are you sure there's nothing else you want to tell me?" He was looking intensely at my bruise which could still been seen.
"No, not at all." I denied.
At that Brian made his way out of the bathroom with just some jeans on. "So kiddies" He said standing in between us, swinging his arms around both of us, "What's exactly going on?"
"Um, Brian," Justin said, "can I see you in the bed room?"
"Justin, don't you think it's a little inappropriate to do that while sweetness is here?"
Justin thumped him and Brain screeched "Ow."
"Not that it's something else."
So they both went to the bedroom leaving me there slightly confused.
Brian's POV
"what's going on? Is everything okay with willow, why was she crying? The concern in my voice had me slightly surprised but it didn't seem to surprise Justin, he just smiled then went back to a serious look.
"What she told me will only hurt her emotionally, which is something that is bad and will need help getting over but what I think is going on will need more help than words can offer."
"What's that?"
Justin sighed and walked over to the bed with the bridged of his nose pressed up against his hands. I sat beside him and rubbed my hand on his thigh. "Now I know how my mom felt, always worrying about me. Willows like my own kid; I love her like a parent would love their kid." That worried me a bit. What I loved about Justin was his honesty; He was the most honest person I knew almost to a point of brutality. That's why it was so easy for him to say how much he cared for this kid but for me, it wouldn't be so easy. I knew the way Justin felt I could feel and sympathize those feeling also, but I just can't actively act on them. My life couldn't be bared down with a burden of a kid in any way. He finally spoke "I think her dad's hitting her."
And like that there was silence, the words hung in the air for a moment making the air awkward and dense. "What makes you make such a huge assumption?"
"Well, I don't know, how about a huge bruise on her face. The fact she's been so defensive around everyone. When I patted her on the back softly last week she cringed in pain which leads me to believe bruises on her back. Is that enough to make a huge assumption?"
"Justin, calm down I'm not saying you're wrong I'm just saying we can't go around blaming people for child abusive."
"Well what should we do?"
"We could talk to Melanie; see if we can get her emancipated."
"No! She's just a baby; she can't live by herself with a dead end job and no were to go."
"Then what do you suggest we do?"
"She lives with us; we can adopt her, like how Ben and Michael adopted Hunter."
I stood up in shock and looked at him in bewilderment. "Are you crazy? We can't adopt a kid."
"it's not like she's a five year old, why not?" His voice was on the precipices of yelling and not yelling.
"Because I'm not a fucking father Justin, I never will be." I said loud enough to make Justin shush me.
"Oh yeah, I forgot you don't do families, for a second I thought you changed your way of thinking. And aren't I suppose to be your equal? "
"I have and you are! It's just this isn't something you can decide on dime, it takes time. I'm not exactly thrilled of the idea of teen age angst and college tuition, fucking Christ I'm not some God damn family man Justin, you know that."
"So are we suppose to just do nothing?"
I walked over to him, "Of course not." I put my arms around his neck. "I'll go talk to her dad tomorrow, get the whole story then we'll go from there."
He rested his head against mine, "Thank you, Brian."
"She'll be staying with us tonight also." I said.
"I know you care about her too, even if you dare not show it."
"Yeah, I like the fact that you're so passionate about the people you care about and so head strong, even if you don't think the whole thing through."
He laughed, "I'll take that as a complement."
Hunter POV
The clubs name was Meta, it was filled with pretentious hipsters who talked about indie films and the newsiest bands. Unlike most clubs the gang went to it was closer to the college than Liberty Avenue. I really enjoyed it because it sold alcohol to minors, had really good music, and my friends always dragged me there.
Every one besides Deb, and Mel were there. The conversation was smooth and easy.
"To our wonderful son!" my dad, Ben, put his glass in the air "Who will go on to be great things."
"Hooray" everyone shouted.
"Brian Justin and Willow will be coming soon!" Michael said.
"I heard you had a little crush." Lindsey teased.
"Are you kidding me, I'm way too young to be tied down to a high school student."
Michael rolled his eyes, "Nice job trying to play it cool."
"I for one think it's a smart idea not to get all worked up over a girl who's already with some." Ben said
"Actually!" Michael said holding up a finger, "Justin texted me earlier and said they broke up early today, which means she's back on the market."
"Jesus" ted interrupted, you two are just planning their weeding already, you're like the two mothers who want their children to be together."
Is she really single, I wonder if she's okay, I hope she's not hurt. I tried to be all caviler "that's cool."
"Don't be a rebound kid there never fun." Ted said once again. At that Brian Justin and Willow walked up.
"Hey, guys." Justin walked up with a smile.
The gang all said their hellos too.
"It's hard to be faithful, if you bring me to a club filled with in the closet, desperate, college type." He said biting at Justin's ear.
"I never thought you had a problem with that type of guy before." Ted said motioning towards Justin.
Everyone laughed. My attention was on willow who was wearing a beautiful dress that flowed on her body. She was saying something to Lindsey then to my surprise she walked towards me. Oh shit.
"Hey hunter, thanks so much for inviting me."
"No problem." Was the words that left my mouth, the words in my head were, "Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit. She's talking to me."
"Your dads are all really nice."
"Yeah, I've grown to love them myself, as long as they don't eat my cereal or barge into my room." Did I really just say that?
"Oh, you live at home?"
"Yes, but I'm not a bum or anything we just thought it cost less to live off campus but I have a job and am moving out sometime next school year."
"That's cool." There was a few seconds of silence but then she said, "so do you like to dance?"
"I guess I'm fawned to it, why are you asking?"
"That was kind of my hint to you to ask me. Plus not many people are dancing, it be nice to spice things up." She blushed then I blushed.
I hadn't noticed before but our families were silent listing to our conversation, I looked over at my dads and that gave me enthusiastic smiles and Michael even gave thumbs up, on the other side Justin and even Brian were smiling too.
"Okay, let's dance." I took her hand more boldly than I had intended and she blushed once again and we were off to the dance floor.
I took her and we danced awkwardly to some song I haven't heard before.
"I love this song she smiled, it's okay to loosen up." the song grew in speed and she swayed her hips back in forth and every time I would mess up she smile and laugh really loud. I felt more comfortable as the song went on.
… "As you stand under the bar lights and the band plays some song about forgetting yourself for a while and the pianos this melancholy sound check to her smile…
The song very much reminded me of her, which made me loosen up. I would spin her out then back in to me and she would laugh then I would laugh, don't let yourself fall in love, this girl could obviously break hearts. But in a way it was obviously too late. We danced to big motions with my hand holding hers up in the air beside us, I even did this thing where I lifted her up in the air a bit and spun her around.
She whispered in my ear, "Aren't you mister smooth."
Towards the end of the song I just held her close, our faces closes enough to touch.
…. "And you just have to see her and you know that she'll break you in two"
The song ended but I was still holding her close for a few moments then she unlocked herself from my arms, "Thanks for the dance." She said then walked back over to the group.
Once I realized the feeling I had for this girl bubbling up there was only one thing left to say, "Oh shit."
A/n: The songs playing are
Rilo Kiley- portions of foxes- the break up
Air born toxic event- somewhere around midnight-the dancing
I always try to have songs in each chapter, it's just something I like(:
