Disclaimer - I do not, seriously, own WOWP. What a downer.
Yay! I am back! First of all, I have to apologise to all my readers...I am really sorry for not updating the story for so long. I was moving to another city, and that wasnt easy (sigh). Anyways, I am back, and I hope you guys can forgive me for not updating!
Ever since Alex had told Justin the truth, he had been unable to look at Harper - he hung his head low out of shame and pure embarassemnt, even though quite a few weeks had passed since the truth came out. He didnt even know why he felt this guilty. His feelings were more messed up than ever.
However, there would be a few times when Justin would built up the courage to apologise to Harper - but right at the last moment, he would back out, because he himself did not know what to say. The apologising part was easy, but the feelings part was really difficult to handle. What was he supposed to say if Harper asked him why he was so affected by her kiss with Zeke? He had no answers. He kept telling himself he needed time to think.
However, after two months of averting eyes, Justin decided that he needed to sort out things with Harper. He was not even thinking of planning their 'talk', something he always did. He thought that the best way to deal with the situation would be to be spontaneous. Now, all he had to do was to wait for the right time.
And then, the right time came.
The whole Russo family planned on going to Paris to visit Aunt Megan for a day (using magic, of course). Justin noticed that Harper had decided to not go, choosing to study for the upcoming exams instead. A night before their journey, Justin faked a huge stomach ache and fever to avoid going.
"Oh, sweety...how will you stay here all by yourself!", Mrs Russo shrieked.
Justin, sensing danger, replied hastily, "Oh Mum. I am not a kid anymore. I will be okay..its just a matter of two days, right? You guys go ahead. Please."
Mrs Russo was a little unconvinced, but agreed to go ahead with the trip.
The next day, the Russos (minus Justin), left for Paris. Justin and Harper said their goodbyes to them in the lair. Then, in a matter of seconds, they were gone.
The two of them were now alone - and in the same room. The air shifted - it became awkward. Harper, avoiding Justin's eyes, started walking out of the lair. Justin watched her go, and steeled himself for what was to come next, and said, "Um...hey, Harper. Can we talk for a minutew, please?"
Harper froze, as if she had been rooted to the spot. Slowly, she turned around to face him. She had gone white, and her lower lip was quivering.
"I-I dont think we have anything to say to each other, Justin.", Harper said, looking as if every word caused her pain.
"No..Harper...I-we need to talk. I need to apologise. Apologise for how I behaved with you during the dance. I know that was totally uncalled for-"
Harper clenched hir fists, and said, "Oh really? So now...months after the dance, you have found the courage to say sorry? Seeking the perfect opportunity because your family is not here, so you will be saved from humiliation?"
Justin flinched at her words. He knew she was right, but he couldnt let her go so easily. He had to fix this, he just HAD to.
"H-Harper I know what you are saying, and I really am sorry. I waited for my parents to go because I thought some privacy would be nice, so we can sort things out and talk.", he said, sincerely.
Harper laughed humorlessly. "Seriously, Justin. Why are we trying to "sort thing out" now? You said what you said, - and since when have you cared how your words, or actions for that matter, effect me? You virtually used to run away from me like, a year back - because I was the crazy chick. Are you doing this because you cannot escape me? Because we live in the same house? Well, dont worry about it, Justin."
"No! Harper, you've got it all wrong! I..I know, I used to be really distant with you a year back..but - you were the stalker then! I never hated you, Harper!", Justin said, in dismay.
Harper sucked in her breath. "Oh my Jesus!So you dont hate me? I guess I should be on the ninth cloud now - isnt it? You have done such a huge favour by NOT hating me, Justin."
Saying that, she turned to leave. Justin, in three quick steps, came forward and grabbed her arm to stop her. The swiftness of his motions caused her to jerk back slightly.
For a moment, Justin forgot what they were talking about. She was so close to him, so, so close. He colud smell her shampoo, and his thoughts were fast becoming foggy. What the hell is happening to me? Why is Harper having such an effect on me? The moment passed when Harper looked up at his face, her eyes brimming with tears, showing pain and hurt. Justin wanted nothing more than hugging her close right then and there, but he resisted.
"You misunderstand me, Harper. When I said I have never hated you, what I meant was, I had always liked you, but over the last year, we had come really close, and I know it wasnt my place to shout at you for reuniting with Zeke - certainly not when I had not heard you out completely.", Justin said, sincerely.
Harper considered his words, and moved away from him slightly. Then she said, softly, "Yes Justin, it wasnt your place - at all to shout on me like that. But what hurt me apart from your words that day was the fact that it took you months to come and apologise."
Justin said, feeling a little flustered, "I..um..I know..as I said before, I was waiting for the right time. I didnt know how to apologise, Harper. I was so ashamed of myself - I still am, as a matter of fact."
Harper began pacing a little, and said, after a full minute, "Fine, I forgive you, Justin. I really do. But, I just need to know - why? Why did you react like that when you saw me with Zeke? Why did you say those harsh words? I have been trying to figure that out...but I just cant understand."
Justin stopped breathing. This was the part he was afraid of. Afraid to answer - because he did not know what to say. He said, slowly, "I dont know, Harper..I really dont. I just, when I saw both of you together, I just, I dont know. Something stirred inside me. I felt cheated. I-"
Harper stopped pacing, to look at him. For a moment, they both just looked at each other, and then she said, her voice barely a whisper, "Justin, I have assumed a lot of things in the past - and all my assumptions have been wrong, but..the way your are talking right now..I just, I have to ask, do you..."
"Do I what?", Justin asked, his heart racing.
"Do you.."
"Do I what, Harper?"
Harper took in a deep breath, and squared her shoulders as if preparing herself, and said, "Do you...I mean, just so we are clear, do you like me? Were you...I dont know, jealous when you saw me with Zeke at the dance?"
Harper's words hung over them. Justin felt dizzy. Do I? Do I like Harper? The girl who used to stalk me before? My sister's best friend? Do I like this girl?
And then it hit him. Why he was so upset when he thought that Harper is gettnig back with Zeke. Why he avoided looking at her.
Realization crashed on him like a Tsunami - he felt overcome. But then he lloked at her, standing there, apprehensively waiting for an answer.
"I..I think...I mean, I do. I do?", he asked, not knowing what he was saying.
Harper's eyes widened in shock. Obviously, she had not thought that this would be his answer.
Then, the absurdity of the situation subsided, atleast from Justin mind, and he realized clearly what was happening. The girl standing in front of him is the girl he like. He LIKES. He thought his heart would explode. Slowly, tentatively, he approached her. Harper stiffened a little, when she saw him come closer, but Justin thought that the good sign was she didnt run away - or slap him. So he continued his walk towards her.
Finally, after what seemed like centuries, he came close to her. Then, slowly, he raised his hand, so that his palm touched Harper's cheek, softly, carefully. The touch - Justin's touch, relaxed Harper's body, and made her look up at Justin's eyes. She felt her knees go weak.
Taking this as his cue, Justin slowly raised his other arm, so that his hands were cupping her cheeks. Then, he lowered his head, and their lips met.
It was..like magic. Like fireworks. Infact, Justin actually felt fireworks go off in his mind. They both put all their deeply buried feeling into the kiss, and kept kissing like the world was ending. Justin never wanted to let go of her.
Finally though, they had to come up for breath. They did, albeit reluctantly, and laughed - at the weirdness of the night.
"Me too", Harper said.
Justin's brow's knotted up in confusion, so Harper elaborated, "I like you too, Justin."
"Um...that kiss made it pretty clear, I think.", Justin said, smirking, although somewhere deep inside him, he felt relief and happiness.
Believe it or not, I did not see the chapter ending like that. But I think that this ending was way better than what I had earlier thought of, so here it is! Again, I am really sorry for the late posting...if you guys ever see me in person, I will allow you to throw eggs at me, I promise! And dont worry, the story is not ending..lots of things ahead! Just keep reading and reviewing, even if it is just to hurl abuses at me (wink wink)!