Disclaimer : Guess what? I have no ownership of WOWP. And I most certainly do not own the song I have mentioned. You know, saying what I do not own repeatedly makes me feel like a loser. Eh.
Ok, first of all, I am immensely thankful to all the people who read and reviewed my story. It means a lot! Secondly, I will be uploading chapters more slowly now, because my holidays are over and I have a LOT of college work to finish. But please do not stop reading the story...I wont stop writing it..I promise!
Why is he here? Is he here to take Harper back? Oh, I really should put a stop on my wandering thoughts. Besides, why am I bothered?, Justin thought. Zeke was grinning toothily at him, and said, "Yo Justin! Yoo dee dee la loo!".
"Hey, Zeke", Justin said, dryly. He glanced warily at Harper. She was trying to ignore Zeke's presence. Her knuckles were turning white.
"Hey Harper.", Zeke said, softly.
"Um...hey...Z..Zeke.", Harper replied.
It was getting more awkward by the minute. Justin silently cursed Alex for leaving him alone with two ex-lovers. Still, he couldnt help glancing at both of them...like he was trying to spot some kind of...attraction they might still have towards each other. This thought scared him; though he could not understand why. He should be okay with Zeke and Harper's presence in front of each other, but somehow the scene he was witnessing made him...there was no other word for it...insecure.
"Listen, Harper...um.. can I talk to you for a second?", Zeke said. He cast a glance in Justin's direction, and added, "Privately?"
Harper looked around wildly, and caught Justin's eyes. Her eyes looked like they were begging Justin to intervene, but Justin thought it was not his place to ask Zeke to go away. After a moment of silence, Harper said, a bit shakily, "Yeah. Sure. Ok."
Zeke smiled a little and lead the way. Justin looked at them walking away, and felt helpless. He wanted to stop Zeke from taking Harper away (only because I dont want her to spoil her mood, he kept chanting), but couldnt, because he did not want Zeke's suspicions confirmed if he acted all protective towards Harper.
While both of them were walking, Justin saw Harper turn back, and look at Justin. It was as if her eyes were trying to tell him something, but he could not put a finger on what it was.
Sighing, he walked inside the building.
He entered the gym area, where the dance was taking place, and looked around. The centre place had people dancing, while on the left side was the refreshment table. The place opposite him had been converted into a mini stage.
He walked over to the refreshment table and sat down on one of the chairs. He took a glass of punch, and let his eyes skim the dance area, unconsciously looking for Harper and Zeke. He saw Alex and Mason dance quite crazily to 'When I Go' by Slow Club. Well, Alex was dancing crazily, and Mason was trying to prevent himself and others from getting hurt. Max was moving his body in a crazy snake like manner, not far from Alex and Mason, which was earning him quite a few whacked out glances.
After looking around for a while, he finally saw what he really wanted to see. And the sight made his stomach drop, like a thousand stones were weighing it down.
Harper and Zeke were dancing together, and their bodies moved around each other perfectly, if a little awkwardly. Any stranger who looked at them would have thought they looked super cute together, but not Justin.
Why? Why are they dancing? I thought Zeke wanted to talk. I think I should go there...just to check if Harper is okay. No. I cant do that. I have to keep my distance.
As Justin watched, Zeke whispered something into Harper's ear, and they both disappeared, swallowed by the crowd. Justin tore his eyes away. He felt like his whole heart was on fire. He wanted to do something, anything. He did not want to just sit there. He was feeling like the walls were closing in on him.
Stumbling, he got out of his chair, and walked outside. He took a steadying breath, trying to calm himself. Unfortunatley, he heard whispers, and looked around to see Zeke and Harper standing twenty feet away from him, saying something to each other. Though he strained his ears, he couldnt hear what they were talking about. And then, he saw Zeke lean down, and kiss Harper slowly on the lips. It was an extremely short kiss, but it evoked an array of strange emotions in Justin. He looked away.
After what seemed like a century, he heard the shuffling of footsteps, and the next moment Harper was standing next to him.
"Hey Justin", Harper said, a little breathlessly. "Um...what are you doing outside?"
"Nothing", Justin replied, coldly.
Harper blinked in surprise at his cold response.
"What's up with you?", she asked a tiny bit hurt.
"I'm sorry if I was rude. Nothing's up with me.", Justin said. His voice didnt sound cold, just distant, and a bit unattached, which was new, because Harper had always thought that he had the warmest, most welcoming voice.
"Can I talk to you, for a moment? I mean, you have been a really good...friend to me, and I wanted to share this news with you.", Harper said, ignoring his strangeness.
Justin nodded his head, and said, "Go on."
Harper cleared her throat, and said, "Zeke and I were talking, and, he told me-"
"Okay, I have to stop you right there. I know what Zeke has said to you. It does not take a genius to figure it out, especially when a conversation ends with a kiss", Justin said, hissing the last word angrily.
"Wha-? You saw us?", Harper said, in a tone of surprise. Justin saw colour rise in her cheek. It only made him angrier.
"Yes. I saw you. Its not like you guys were hidden from view. And you know what, its a good thing that you guys have decided to get back together, especially because now Zeke won't think we have a "connection"", he said, quoting the word connection aggressively with his fingers.
Harper opened her mouth to say something, and Justin raised his hand to indicate he wasnt finished talking.
"Please. Let me finish. You guys...are quite perfect for each other. I mean, thank God Zeke does not think we have feeling for each other...I mean, I would never, ever see myself with someone like you. You are nothing more than my little sister's best friend. It was stupid of Zeke to think that we liked each other, because you are just not my type, you know. The idea of us "liking" each other, EVER, is just PREPOSTEROUS.", Justin said, in a rush of words.
He saw the shock, and then the hurt, register in Harper's eyes. He felt oddly relieved, because he felt like he had given Harper as much pain as she had given him. Harper swallowed loudly, and said, "You are right, Justin. We are DEFINITELY not meant to be together. I...I have to go now, Alex...she must be waiting for me."
Saying that, she ran inside the building, leaving Justin alone. Once he had said those vicious words, he felt incredibly sad for hurting Harper. But why should I feel sad? She..she hurt me too. But..its not like she did anything wrong. She does not have to ask for my permission before kissing someone. Why the hell do I feel so betrayed and hurt? He stood there thinking for a long time, and when his brain felt like it would explode, he heaved a huge sigh, and walked inside the building, not able to deal with his confused and hurt feelings any longer.
Okay, I was really excited to put up this chapter, but if you guys feel like maybe I am dragging the story or something, just let me know. I just thought it would be crucial to problematize Justin-Harper relationship. I have a vague idea of many more hurdles that could come their way, but if guys dont like it, you can tell me! But please, please R&R...it means a lot to me!