"Hey. I'm-I'm pretty sure that was mine."
"Wh-oh. Shit. Sorry."
"No big deal. Not like I can't find another one somewhere else," I reply, effecting a shrug, and glancing around only to find that another infamous red solo cup that seems to be the universal symbol of all parties since its invention was nowhere to be found, "Or-or not."
"Sorry. You're-you're uh-Jensen's sister, right?"
"Guilty as charged."
"Justin."
"Yeah. I know."
"You do?" Justin inquires, the genuine shock in his tone prompting me to laugh before I can fully stop myself, whether or not the curious expression he gives in response causes my cheeks to burn in a blush.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"It's just-I never really see you around at these things."
"You mean at parties?" I clarify, watching Justin's almost immediate nod, and fighting to ignore the sudden lurch in my stomach at the almost sheepish smile he gives after the fact, "Yeah I usually don't go to many."
"What changed your mind about this one?"
"Clay made me do it."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. Which is ironic, seeing as I have literally no idea where he is right now."
"You two always attached at the hip then?" Justin teases, downing the rest of the drink that had originally been mine, and depositing the empty solo cup on the countertop not long thereafter. In response to the sudden flare of nerves that the question and its joking nature provokes, I avert my gaze towards that cup as though it has suddenly become the most fascinating thing in the world. And, before I can lose my nerve entirely, I force myself to answer the question as honestly as I can, my fingers tracing idly along the countertop as I force myself to meet Justin's blue eyes head on once more.
"Yeah. Yeah, I guess you could say that."
"You must be like-the only person he actually talks to, then."
"What?"
"He just-I guess he doesn't seem like a guy that has very many friends."
"Wow. I guess you don't mince words," I remark, aware of Justin's suddenly confused expression, and clearing my throat as my gaze once again returns to the cup on the countertop between us, while my tongue darts out to wet my lips before I go on, "He has friends. Just so you know."
"I didn't-I didn't mean to-"
"I know."
"So you really don't know where he is?"
"Not a clue," I confirm, turning to glance out at the room at large, and frowning as I realized Clay was still nowhere in sight, "He's probably somewhere with Hannah."
"Hannah Baker?"
"That would be the Hannah in question, yes."
"He like her or something?" Justin questions, ignoring whoever it was that jostled around behind him to get at the snack table, even though they forced him to take a step closer to me in the process.
"Or something, I think."
"Think he's finally gonna do something about that?"
"I have no idea," I reply, honestly surprised at the way this conversation appears to be going, though at the same time, I am not entirely sure I want it to stop. I can count on one hand the number of times that Justin Foley has acted like I even exist at all, most of them having more to do with a homework assignment than any sort of normal conversation. And although I know I should be putting as much distance between Justin and myself as I can manage, particularly given everything Hannah told me a mere few weeks ago, I remain precisely where I am, one of my hands coming to rest, palm-flat on the counter while I try my best to search for a way to keep the conversation going.
"You-you want a refill?"
"I think that's a question I should be asking you," Justin remarks, a smile tugging at one corner of his mouth in such a way that I find my cheeks have begun to burn once again, whether I want them to or not, "Since I'm kind of the one that stole your drink in the first place."
"This is true. You do kind of owe me one."
"Well then maybe this is your cue to let me make it up to you," Justin suggests, the full-blown smile he gives me causing my heart to stutter within my chest, though I do my best to make sure that doesn't show in my expression at all, "What do you say?"
Only sparing a moment to consider my options, I opt for taking Justin up on his offer, whether I know it to be foolish or not, my own smile tugging at my lips as I cock my head to the side and hope with all I have that I am not about to make the biggest mistake of my life.
"I'd say you've got yourself a deal."
Hindsight, as they say, is always twenty-twenty…
…
Well here I am again, lovelies, throwing out a new story because the muses have no chill. Oops? Hopefully at least some of you find this little introduction to be a worthwhile read, though? Because as with all of my stories, I am beyond excited to really get things going!
Many thanks to all that have given this a chance! I appreciate all of you, and the time you devote to reading all of the silly little things that come to my mind more than you know! And as always I cannot wait to see what you think!
Until next time, angels…
MOMM