Disclaimer: I do not own Wizards of Waverly Place. No Profit is being made from releasing this fiction story.

Author's Note: I'm back! Sorry for the long delay. This was my last semester of college so I got really really busy with things. But now that I've graduated (with a BFA! Suck on that!), I've got a bit more free time than I used to. So aside from applying for jobs, I'll be working on this fic as well.

Also, I originally wanted to finish this story before the ending of WOWP, but now that that's done and over with, I've decided to adjust my plans for the story by a bit. The competition in this fic is coming, but I won't go into detail of it. I thought I should concentrate on Harper and Justin, as opposed to the actual competition. So during the competition, the point of view will be from Harper.

Thank you thank you THANK YOU for sticking with me! I really do appreciate all of you for being so patient.

And, as a side note: to the reviewer JEANNIE, you TOTALLY freaked me out when I saw your name! My name is Jeannie too so I thought "Did I review myself while I was asleep or something?" It was a weirdly hilarious moment.

Thank you all for the encouraging reviews!

Now Let's Read On!

A Familiar Pattern 20

By genielou

As promised, Harper sat on a bench outside of the Waverly Substation, waiting for Justin to arrive. It was a bright, sunny day, and the temperature was quite warm, a provocation that summer was right around the corner. She lifts a hand to pick up the hair off of the back of her neck as sweat threatened to form into beads. Every now and then, she would crane her neck at any hint of a yellow cab, hoping that it would stop nearby and reveal that her boyfriend had finally arrived.

"Hmm, hmm, hmm," she hummed to herself as she repositioned her legs for the third time in the past five minutes. She was getting restless. Logic had argued with her that she shouldn't commit herself to expect Justin's arrival to be precise, but her anxiousness had won her over, successfully urging her to settle onto the allotted bench right on time. Justin was, of course, thirty minutes past due and has yet to hint his presence.

This is still less stressful than sitting inside, she thought to herself; for inside the restaurant, the crowd was at its minimum, forcing the Russo family to merely sit around and wait aimlessly for time to pass by. The tension was at its peak. Even Max was unusually quiet at this time, resolving to sit in a corner whilst twirling a dried up starfish in his hands. Alex was silent as well, and Mason did his best to be supportive by sitting noiselessly with her. The Russo parents, on the other hand, were trying to keep themselves busy by endlessly sanitizing the kitchen. It seemed that in addition to any sort of distraction that the entire family resorted to also required a means of staying away from each other.

Harper turned her head at the sound of doors opening to see Max trudging through. He was wearing his usual mischievous smile, but the lack of sincerity in the raising of his brows gave him away. It was evident that he, too, had been contemplating about the competition.

"Hey, red," greeted Max. Harper smiled in return, admiring how handsome her young companion had grown to be, despite the slightly protruding belly that he just couldn't seem to get rid of. She thought momentarily of how he was beginning to resemble Mr. Russo.

"How are you holding up there, champ?" she asked as he planted himself comfortably next to her; the starfish was still in his hand.

Max sighed. "I think I'm okay," he answered as he resumed twirling the pink sea creature in his hands. "Just- - thinking a lot lately, you know?"

Harper nodded, but remained silent.

"It sure is kind of a depressing day, isn't it?" he continued. "You'd think we'd all be excited about it. We've been waiting for this our entire life, and now we can finally get it over with."

Harper maintained her silence. She was familiar with how the youngest Russo wizard behaved when dealt with a serious situation; and was well aware of the fact that his humor usually only vacates his gleeful disposition at truly rare occasions. Whereas he habitually concluded so many wrong accusations when he was younger (which would explain why he was always saying the strangest things as a child), he was now beginning to analyze and correctly assess his surroundings. It was important to him that she be patient and enable him to voice his thoughts out so that he can understand at his own pace.

"Harper, I really hope we stay friends after today."

He said it so softly that she had to strain her ears to hear him.

"Max!" she exclaimed. "Don't be ridiculous! Of course we'll still be friends after this."

A slight smirk escapes his lips. "Yeah, okay," he agreed half-heartedly. "I know that it sounds kind of stupid, you know, thinking that we might not be friends anymore. But- - the thing is- - I mean, if you really think about— "

Max was unable to finish his sentence. His eyes seemed to suddenly glaze over in thought. "I think we've all been thinking about it. That's probably why it's so quiet around here today."

Harper frowned. The possible reality of what he had suggested sent a slight chill down her spine as he attempted to explain himself. If she were to be completely honest, she would probably be able to finish Max's thought for him. But for the moment, to keep the peace within the household, she denied any negative outcomes that could befall any of them.

Before either of them could contemplate on the matter any longer, a taxi slowed near the curb. Harper saw haste shuffling happen within the inside of the cab before the backdoor finally opened to reveal Justin as he climbed out quickly with a duffel bag in hand.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry I'm late!" he exclaimed. "I was trying to decide what to pack and lost track of time."

Despite the growing irritation that Harper was starting to feel just moments ago, her lips curved up to a smile at the sight of her boyfriend. He grabbed her into a hug before addressing his younger brother with a pat on the back.

"How much time do I have?" he asked.

Max looked at his wristwatch. "Our escort should be here in half an hour."

Justin nodded vigorously. "Good, good," he mumbled. "I have some time to freshen up."

Justin walked ahead and almost reached the double doors of the substation when he suddenly stopped. He turns with a frown as he looked at Harper's still form next to Max.

"Aren't you coming with me?"

Harper stared at him for a few seconds before answering. The insecurity that she sometimes felt for her new title amongst the Russo family was slowly rising up in her chest. "Uhm, is it—is it okay?"

The chuckle that came out of Justin's throat coincided with the slight shake of his shoulders. "Why wouldn't it be okay?" He reached out a hand at her. "Come on. We don't have that much time before I have to leave."

Harper shyly stepped forward, but hesitated to take his hand. She had always been a fan of public displays of affection before, but somehow, when it came to Justin and showing her own affection in front of his family, Harper would suddenly come short of confidence. With a huge sigh of impatience, Max looked to the heavens above and bumped her with his butt, so strongly and so unexpectedly that she was practically heaved forward, right into Justin's arms.

"Oops, sorry," Max offered at Harper's stern look. "Muscle spasm."

"On your butt?" Harper asked with a tinge of sarcasm.

Max shrugged. "I'm unique."

The rest of the Russo's were too pre-occupied to notice Justin as he led Harper to their upstairs apartment. Once in his room, Harper made herself comfortable on his neatly-made bed as he proceeded to his closet.

"So," she started. "How are you feeling? Ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose," he answered as he pulled a shirt off of its hanger.

"Well, if there's anything I can do to help you relax until you have to leave, just let me know," Harper offered. She chanced a glance at Justin and was taken aback at the sight. Justin was in the process of taking his shirt off, with no evidence of embarrassment whatsoever.

"Thanks, Harper," said Justin. "I appreciate the sentiment."

Harper smiled, almost forgetting that her half-naked boyfriend was spraying body deodorant on himself right in front of her. She forgave herself by making a promise of turning away if he suddenly decided to change his pants as well. The thought placed her under a momentary daydream.

"Uhm, Harper," his voice pulled her out of her stupor. "Help. Uhm—help."

Harper turned to him and saw that he had tangled his arms above his head as he was hastily trying to put his shirt on. She quickly stood from her perch and helped him pull his shirt down. "I know you're nervous, Justin," she offered. "But, really, you'll be just fine. There's no need to be so fidgety about this."

Harper tried to straighten the edge of his shirt as best as she could while Justin tried to fix his collar. The slight distraction that this offered relieved her. As with Max, she didn't quite know how to comfort Justin for what's to come. All she could do is offer her presence for support. She was pulling the edges of his shirt down as she saw his hands encircle hers. Harper looked up, and her heart skipped a beat as their eyes met. He was looking at her with uncertainty, as if he was suddenly plagued with a difficult decision.

"Justin?" asked Harper. Her brows furrowed with worry. Harper opened her mouth to say more but before she could, Justin's lips were suddenly pressing firmly against hers. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to maintain pace with the movement of Justin's lips, but he was moving in such a random hurriedness that she could not respond to him properly. A few more seconds passed before Justin finally pulled away. Harper heaved a huge breath as she sees him cast his eyes down, embarrassment reddening his cheeks.

"I'm sorry," he told her softly. "I'm just so nervous right now, I don't know what to do."

Justin sighed heavily as he squeezed her hands in his.

"I looked at you, and then I looked at your lips, and—I—I don't know." He bit his lower lip. "You always calm me down so I—I thought—"

Harper didn't know what to say. She lowered herself to look at him properly. When she finally caught his eye, his gaze followed hers as she corrected herself. She offered him a reassuring smile to let him continue.

"Harper," he started again. "It's highly inappropriate. I know. And I can't believe I'm being like this. But… it's just that…."

Harper maintained her silence as she softened her gaze. The man she loves had never looked so vulnerable until now, and his declaration of her necessity almost made her feel guiltily elated.

"Is it… is it okay, Harper? If… if…."

Harper gave him a tiny smile. Without another word, Harper lifted a hand to his cheek, stood on her tiptoes, and touched her lips lightly against his. She pulled back slightly, and did it again. For a few seconds, she even allowed her lips to hover closely to his without touching. She continued to offer him tiny butterfly kisses until she felt his hold unclench from her other hand and his shoulder to sag with thoughtless rest. Once his anxiety disappeared, he began to kiss her back softly. Harper and Justin stayed in the room until they heard Theresa's yell, telling them that it was time to go.

The Russo family had already gathered by the kitchen area of the restaurant. All of them looked quite nervous, especially Jerry as he gave instructions to nerve-wracked Zeke who was already wearing an apron and holding a whole lettuce head in hand.

"Oh! Justin!" Jerry exclaimed as Harper and Justin entered the kitchen. "Good. Now we can go."

Harper smiled at Zeke and they both walked towards the other end of the kitchen, fully aware that they are not supposed to be seen by any members of the Wizarding council. Zeke waved enthusiastically as he hollered farewells and good lucks to the Russo's.

"Good luck," Harper said softly as she tried to maintain a supporting front to her family. Justin was the last in line to step through. He glanced at her, mouthed "bye", and began to step forward when Harper suddenly yelled, "Wait!"

Taken aback and fearing that the council might see or hear Harper, Justin quickly pushed the door closed with a panicked look on his face.

"What is it? What's wrong?" he asked.

Harper ran up to him as she quickly pulled at her hair, trying to untangle the thin, pink rubber-band that held the tiny pigtails on her head. Once successful, she placed the rubber-band on Justin's wrist, like a bracelet. He eyed it curiously as she fidgeted with her hands.

"As a good luck," she declared.

Justin smile at his wrist and then at her. He bent down, gave her a quick peck on the cheek, and whispered a slight "thank you." He waited until Harper was a good distance away before re-opening the freezer door. With one last glance at her, he took a deep breath, walked in, and closed the door behind him.

Zeke looked on with uneasiness as Harper pressed her lips firmly together. All they can do now is wait.