Chapter Twelve: Mess Up and Fess Up

The dinner was a hit. Tina enjoyed her vegetarian lasagna so much that she asked for seconds. Justin was happy that Tina liked her surprise.

When they finished eating and cleaned everything up, they went into the lair and snuggled up to each other on the couch.

"Justin?"

"Yeah?"

"You are the sweetest, most thoughtful guy I have ever met."

Justin smiled. "And I think you are the sweetest, most beautiful girl I have ever met."

Tina returned his smile. She leaned in and kissed him. Their game of tongue tag went on for several minutes. When they broke the kiss to get some breathing in, Justin knew it was time to talk.

"Tina," he said. "I have something to tell you."

"Uh oh," Tina said. "That doesn't sound good."

"No, no. It's OK. It's just that…Max ratted me out to my mom about the hickie. She promised not to tell my dad until after you leave. They have a rule against hickies, so I'm pretty sure they're going to ground me."

"Oh, Justin. I'm so sorry."

"Hey, don't worry about it. I thoroughly enjoy getting hickies from you."

Tina giggled. "I don't want to leave you now."

"And I don't want you to leave."

They kissed again, starting another round of making out.

"Ahem."

Justin and Tina pulled away from each other. They had been so caught up in each other that they didn't notice Jerry and Theresa enter the lair. Tina smiled nervously at them.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Russo," she said.

"Hello, Tina," Jerry said.

"Justin, it's getting a bit late," Theresa said. "Don't you think it's time Tina headed home?"

Justin checked his watch. "Oh. I didn't realize it was so late."

"I should be going," Tina said. "I have some things to get ready before school tomorrow."

Justin walked her over to the portal. The two gave each other a goodbye hug.

"Let me know how it goes," Tina whispered.

"I'll send you word as soon as I can," Justin whispered back.

They gave each other a quick kiss. Then Tina stepped through the portal.

Justin turned to his parents. "OK, she's gone."

"Jerry," Theresa said. "Justin has something to show you."

Justin revealed the hickie to his father. Jerry frowned when he saw the mark.

"Theresa," he said. "I'd like to talk to Justin alone."

Theresa nodded. She turned and left the room.

"Sit down," Jerry said.

The two of them sat down on the couch.

"Justin, do you know why your mother and I have the no hickie rule?"

Justin thought for a moment. "Because you think they're trashy?"

"Exactly. Also, hickies can lead to…other things."

"Like sex?"

Justin was sure he saw his dad flinch at the word.

"Yes," Jerry said.

"So, you're worried that I'm going to start having sex, get a girl pregnant, drop out of school and be stuck in some crappy job? Dad, it's just a hickie!"

"I know. And I know you're smart enough to not let that happen."

"I am."

"I trust you to make the right decisions. I really do."

Jerry's words made Justin cringe. An overwhelming sense of guilt started to take a hold of him.

"Dad," he said. "I have to confess something to you."

Jerry looked at him curiously. "What is it, Justin?"

Justin sighed. "OK, I can tell you anything, right? Talk to you about anything?" Jerry nodded. "Well, um…I'm…I'm not a virgin."

Jerry blinked. "What?"

"I'm not a…"

"No, no. I heard you the first time. I just wasn't expecting to hear that."

A silence passed between them as Jerry processed what his son had just told him.

"Wait a second," Jerry said. "Was it with Tina? Is that where the hickie came from?"

"No, it was with Juliet."

Jerry's eyes narrowed. "When did this happen?"

Justin sighed and hung his head. "After we got her back from the mummy."

"Justin, I trusted you!"

"I know. I just really thought Juliet was the one for me. And if it makes any difference, I did use protection."

Jerry sighed. "Well, I'm glad that you were smart about it. And I hope you continue to do so."

"I don't think that's a concern right now."

"Might be in the future. However, you're still grounded."

"Fine. I'll take it."

"For three weeks."

Justin's eyes widened. "Three weeks?"

"Yes. Two weeks for lying about the hickies and another week for breaking the rules with Juliet."

Justin sighed. "Fine."

"Your grounding includes no TV, no Internet, no phone, no Wiz Web, no flying carpet, no I.P.P. and no going out or having friends over. Understand?"

Justin nodded. "I understand."

"Good." Jerry turned and left the lair.

Justin made sure his dad was totally out of sight. Then he grabbed a piece of paper and started to write. The one thing Jerry had forgot to include in his restrictions was the wizard mail.

Dear Tina,

I just talked with my dad. I showed him the hickie, but I also fessed up about Juliet. It probably wasn't the best decision. I'm grounded for three weeks. This is the only form of communication that is available to me. Write back to me soon.

-Justin

Justin folded up his note and sent it off through the wizard mail.

The next morning, Justin woke earlier than usual. He snuck into the lair and checked on the wizard mail. Sure enough, there was a note from Tina. He snatched it up and read it over.

Dear Justin,

I'm sorry you were grounded. Your dad may have banned you from having friends over, but I can still come to the sub station for a meatless meatball sub. (Wink, wink) I'm still going to miss you like crazy. Good news is you'll be off grounding in time for my birthday. I'll try to stop by the sub station sometime.

-Tina

Justin grabbed a blank sheet of paper and quickly scribbled his reply.

Dear Tina,

I'm glad I won't be missing your birthday. If you think the anniversary dinner was a big surprise, just wait. Your birthday present will be bigger and better. I'm going to miss you, too. I hope you do stop in to the sub station soon.

-Justin

He folded up the note and sent it through the mail. When he looked up, he was startled to see Alex standing in the room. She folded her arms across her chest and smiled.

"You know," she said. "I do believe that I've been a bad influence on you."

Justin smiled back. "I think so."