In the past two days I have managed to avoid Justin as much as possible. He’s been busy being coached by his lawyers about how to answer questions for the trial tomorrow and we haven’t had much time with just the two of us, thank goodness. Things have been kind of awkward, or at least they are to me. I’m sure Justin doesn’t think anything about the kiss, since he’s kissed about as many people in a week than I have in my whole life.
I stood in front of the refrigerator biting at my lip trying to figure out what it is that I’m looking for in the first place. My mind has been somewhere else these past few days and I really need to get that stupid kiss out of my mind so I can focus enough for the trial tomorrow. I grabbed the package of shredded cheese and walked back to the counter so I could pour it in a bowl.
“Bye Sari, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Justin’s publicist stuck his head in the kitchen.
“You’re leaving? I thought you’d be here longer, I made a lot of food.”
“I was but my daughter’s sick so I have to go pick her up. Justin’s all set, he knows what he’s doing.”
“Oh, ok” I nodded my head, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Don’t be nervous, you guys will be fine,” he smiled before leaving. I used to hate him, and he’s still not my favorite person in the world, but he’s been really good with this whole Ayden situation. He has a daughter, so I guess he really understands what we’re going through, or what Justin’s going through. I really didn’t want him to leave, I made all this food for tacos and no one is here anymore. It’s just Justin… and me… and our awkwardness. Wonderful.
“Something smells good,” I look up from the taco meat I’m stirring to see Justin sit down at the island.
“Yeah, it’s ready. I made a lot though, I thought everyone would still be here.”
“Nah, they want us to get a good night’s sleep for the morning, so we’re well rested and ready to kick ass,” he smiled as I placed the bowls of toppings on the island in front of him, “But I’m starving, so it won’t go to waste. Sit.” Justin pulled the seat out next to him.
“I am, I’m just… getting the shells.”
“OK,” he’s smiling again, this time it’s that crooked smile, “You’ve been acting weird lately. You’re acting like you’re scared of me.”
“I’m not scared of you,” I said as I placed the shells on the table and sat down next to him.
“That’s a relief,” he answered with a chuckle, “We should probably talk about the other night.”
I had one of those moments from a Twix commercial and stuffed the taco in my mouth before answering him. “There’s not really anything to talk about. The sun was setting and it was pretty and we got caught up. We had a good day and you, for once, weren’t being an asshole so…”
“I was for once not being an asshole?” he threw his head back and laughed, “Come on now, I’m not always an asshole.”
“Not always but the majority of the time,” I laughed at the insulted look that covered his face, “You’re getting better.”
“I’m trying, real hard,” he laughed as I rolled my eyes, “Thanks for the eye roll there, I’m trying to be serious.”
“Oh, sorry.” There were a few seconds of awkward silence so I did my best to change the subject, “So are you ready for tomorrow?”
Justin nodded his head while he finished chewing, “Yeah, they said they’re probably going to call you up to ask questions and you should just be honest. They weren’t worried, I’m not worried, you know what to do. This is good.”
“Thank you.”
“Yeah. Do you want to watch a movie or something? I’m not going to be able to sleep right away and I’d rather do something to keep my mind off tomorrow.” He’s definitely a little nervous which is completely understandable. I’m nervous too. It doesn’t make sense why I’m so nervous because I know there is no possible way this girl is going to be able to even show up sober. But I’m still nervous; sometimes the jury or the judge will have something against Justin because of his fame. Maybe they’ll feel bad for the crack head and think a little girl needs her Mommy. I can’t even think about it without getting teary eyed. That can’t happen.
“I have to make some calls and clean up and iron the clothes for tomorrow.” There is a very strong possibility that I’m making up excuses so I can avoid him.
“I’ll help you clean. Please Sari? My mind is racing and I really need to focus on something else. I’ll even let you pick the movie.”
I watched him carefully before answering. He is driving himself crazy, and obviously I am too so there’s not really a point to us both pacing around our own houses biting out fingernails down to the knuckle. “Sixteen Candles?”
He laughed as he grabbed a container to put the leftover meat in, “I would, but I don’t have it so…”
“I do, don’t worry,” I smiled, “You said I could pick.”
“I did, didn’t I? Alright, Sixteen Candles it is.”
“Thank you,” I smiled.
“Go make your calls and get the movie, I’ll clean this up.”
Wow, I’m almost impressed. Justin really is turning over a new leaf. He sure as hell has never offered to help clean something up. I may not be needed much longer.
I heard his laugh, “Pick your jaw off the table. Damn Sari, I can clean shit up.”
“Really? Because you never could before.”
“I always could, I just didn’t want to. There’s a whole side of me you don’t know.” I rolled my eyes. I can’t help it. Justin laughed again before continuing, “And there’s one side of you I know all too well, that eye roll. God.” He placed a hand on either of my shoulders, “Go, I need my Molly Ringwald fix.”
I laughed as he pushed me away and walked slowly across the yard. I don’t really have a bunch of calls I need to make; it was an excuse so I could avoid him that obviously didn’t work. Now I need to waste time so it looks like I’m actually doing something, but instead I’m going to be thinking about everything. Gosh, as if these few days couldn’t get any more stressful.
After making my way upstairs I decided I could at least iron my outfit for tomorrow, then I wouldn’t be lying completely. I really shouldn’t be nervous about this; I’ve been working with Justin for years. Although, honestly, it seems like he’s a completely different person than he has been. It’s like I’m working for a new Justin.
I’ve wasted enough time, so I grabbed the movie and made my way back across the yard. The kitchen was dark but I could tell everything was put away. I’m kind of impressed. “Hey, I’m in here.” Justin called out.
I went into the cinema room where Justin was waiting and took the DVD from my hands. “I made popcorn,” he smiled as he nodded his head towards the couch where the popcorn was sitting.
“We just ate.”
“Yeah, but you need popcorn with a movie.”
“OK,” I answered softly sitting on the chair next to the couch so he couldn’t sit next to me. I’m aware that I’m acting like I’m in middle school but this whole situation is weird.
Justin laughed as he sat down on the furthest side of the couch away from me. “How about a drink? Soda?”
“Yeah, sure. Thanks,” I grabbed the can he was holding out for me.
“You’re welcome,” there’s that smile again. “I’m so glad this is you not acting weird.”
“I’m not acting weird.”
“Not at all.”
“I just have a lot on my mind,” I tried to make up more excuses. The problem is that I’m a horrible liar and I’m sure he can see right through it.
“Like the other night?”
“No,” I answered way too quickly, “Like tomorrow.”
“You don’t have the other night on your mind at all?”
“I thought we were watching a movie.”
Justin laughed once and grabbed the remote, “Fine, we’ll pretend nothing happened. If you change your mind and you want some popcorn come on over and get some.” The lights were down and the movie was on before I could say anything else. And I’m not going to say anything else, I’m going to sit here quietly and watch Sixteen Candles instead of thinking about what is actually happening in my life.
As we watched the movie Justin laughed at most of the corny parts. I did shush him a couple times, but he continued watching and eating that popcorn. It looks good. He makes real good popcorn because he puts extra butter and salt and it’s like better than the movie theater. I’m not even hungry but I can smell it and I want some. No, I need some.
“Fine,” I took a deep breath and moved to the couch next to him so I could grab a handful of popcorn.
“Fine,” Justin laughed, sticking his hand in the bag at the same moment my hand was in the bag. “You’re so scared,” he whispered, “I don’t bite… unless you want me to.”
“I don’t want you too,” I answered quickly.
“Then I won’t,” he laughed, “I like watching you get all nervous. It’s so out of character for you.”
“I’m not nervous!” I shouted.
“No, not at all,” he answered sarcastically with that crooked smile, “Calm, cool and collect.”
“Shut up.”
Justin seems to find this whole situation absolutely hilarious. I’m glad, I really am. “Calm, cool and collect,” he repeated.
“Stop. Leave me alone,” I elbowed him in the side but obviously it doesn’t bother him, he’s too busy laughing to stop me.
His hand grabbed mine and he pulled me closer to himself, wrapping an arm around me. “I am leaving you alone. I’m sorry, you just make me laugh. Watch the movie.”
“I’m trying but you won’t shut up.”
“Cranky, I like it. I’ll stop, I’m done.”
Surprisingly enough he actually did stop. Justin didn’t say another word. I can’t focus on the movie because all I’m thinking about is him. I hated this man, loathed him a few weeks ago, and now I can’t get him off my mind for a completely different reason. Being this close to him makes me feel… good. But it’s not enough. I want to be closer to him. I want more of him.
This is Justin Timberlake. The same obnoxious, annoying, spoiled asshole I’ve been working with for years. Almost every night I went to bed planning a way to execute him without going to jail. I literally planned on kidnapping his daughter so she wouldn’t have to be around him. And now I’m sitting here mere inches from him wishing I could be closer.
He annoys me. He drives me crazy. I mean, I can’t even watch a movie without him bothering me. He does it on purpose he lives to annoy me. But still, I want to be closer.
“This is a good movie,” Justin’s sarcastic tone broke me from my thoughts, “Can we watch Pretty in Pink next?”
“Maybe, if you’re good.”
“If I’m good? I’m always good Sari. And wait for it, wait for it… there it is, the eye roll.”
I laughed, “I can’t help it, my eyes have a mind of their own.”
“Can we please watch something else?”
“No, you said I could pick.”
He took a deep breath and threw his head back as if I was making him watch a five-hour documentary about paint drying. “Why do you like this movie so much?”
“It’s a classic.”
“Usually I stay clear of classics.”
“I bet, but that’s because you’re not classy,” I answered with a smile.
“Adorable,” he replied with sarcasm before getting this weird look on his face and there was a few minutes of silence before he spoke again, “Do you really have a problem with what happened the other night?” He was serious now, the sarcasm was gone.
“What?”
He licked his lips and looks a little nervous himself. I’m not used to this look, “I’m going to kiss you again.”
“No,” I answered quickly but it’s not very convincing, I’m not even able to convince myself.
“Yes,” Justin replied before moving closer and pressing his lips against mine. This is better, much better. This time I’m not as nervous and I’m just kind of letting go. He knows how to kiss amazingly. He knows what he’s doing. I haven’t been kissed in awhile and it’s helping with all the stress. Kissing him is keeping all my focus, and I’m not worrying about anything else. I’m in a different world… and I kind of like it.
