Being the girlfriend of a mega hot superstar had its moments where it was absolutely the most wonderful occupation a firl could ever have. Then there were moments where it just plain sucked. Today of all days were one of those days where it did just that. Sucked. Where she was supposed to be lighting the chimney with care she opted to sit at the window sill watching the massive flakes of snow fall from heaven to earth with a big ol’ frown on her face.
“Aw com on Bev, he’ll be here soon enough. So get away from that window and do something with that scowl on your face.” Bev turned to face her older brother Ben with an even bigger scowl and slits in her eyes. When it came to Justin and his promptness, not even the joys of Christmas could erase the crappy feeling she was experiencing.
All last week he kept telling her he’d be there before she even woke up. So…where was he exactly? NOT THERE!
“Leave it Ben” Bev snapped.
“Don’t get be pissed at me, its your boyfriend that’s missing so spark up that fire with him, ya heard?”
“Trust me, I will.” Bev moved away from the window and to the table to where she was about to devour her eight gingerbread man before Ben waltzed right over to her and rudely smacked it out of her grasp.
“Keep on chowin down like that and he’ll really won’t be around. No man wants a fat chick, especially one who can get all the good catch in Hollywood.”
“Shut up” she snapped once more, “you know his parents will be here before him?” Bev knew it was a bad idea initially asking Justin’s parents to join her family for Christmas but Justin was adamant on her family and his family coming together that night. Why she was unsure. Really what was the point if the main person everyone was looking forward to seeing wouldn’t be there? Releasing a boisterous sigh, Bev walked away from the table and had a seat on the crème colored loveseat of the Mitchell’s living room. Her brother followed with the very same ginger bread man only it was being consumed by him.
“And? Why are you letting this get to you so much? I mean its not like you’ve never spent Christmas without him before. Ya’ll ain’t been together that long.”
“Ben we’ve been together for a year and three months.”
“Same difference, I got shoes older than that relationship. You over here frowning like he fucking Santa Claus or something. He ain’t nothing but a pretty white boy who got Janet all screwy. Got her thinking that Jermaine Dupri is worth her time.” How could she not resist to rolling her eyes to that one? Leave it to Ben to bring that ancient history back to light.
“Ok Ben that was like a year ago, let it go. And two you don’t act like that when he’s around.”
“Hell naw I don’t, brother man be breaking me off whenever we hit the mall. You can’t bite the hand that feeds you or in his case, bite the hand that buys you clothes that cost almost the same as your rent.” His sister wasn‘t fooling him, he knew what she wanted ol‘ boy there! “Oh I know why you want him here, probably got you something really nice.”
“What I want I can’t buy” she sighed.
“And what’s that?”
“Him.”
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas
Is you
Frustration had set in hours ago. Massive pile ups of snow caused so many delays it wasn’t even funny. Above all it was happening on the worst day possible. It was more than obvious that Justin’s nerves were totally racked. All he wanted was to be home with his family and friends. But most importantly he wanted to be with his girlfriend Bev. If anyone knew how to awaken his spirit within it was definitely her. Yeah if he could only fucking get to her.
“This cannot be happening” Justin groaned.
“Look man we’ll get there soon, don’t shit ya shorts k?” Cutting his eyes to the side, he gave Mike his bodyguard whom he was traveling with a dirty dirty look.
“Says the man who’s stuck with me in fucking Wisconsin.” Mike too was downtrodden by being stuck for hours upon hours in some stuff airport in butt scratch Wisconsin or wherever the hell they were. That’s reroutes for that ass. This was Christmas day for Pete’s sake! They were supposed to be home rattling gifts against their ears and sneaking food out of the kitchen. Ugh what a day.
“Of all the places to be stuck….in the cheese state…mmm macaroni and cheese….” Mike went on and on about hot delicious foods he’d rather much consume at the moment while Justin was stuck in a dream world of sorts. His eyes became locked on a small wallet sized picture he kept of himself and Bev. Actually his favorite that he always carried with him wherever he went. Just a single glance could put a smile on his face however
“Remember when you took this picture of us?” Justin interrupted. Mike looked over to the picture that Justin held in his hand. Oh lord it was the picture. THEE picture that not a human soul could take from his grasp now laid in his hands. Poor boy only looked at that picture when he was depressed to get some kind of emotion out. Even today that picture’s voodoo magic didn’t work today. Damn. Looking at their smiles maybe not have worked on Justin but it worked on him. He definitely remembered when he took that photo. It was when those two were acting like knuckleheads seven months ago…..
FOUR MONTHS AGO
The past four days had to have been the best week Justin had in a long time. Once again being on a long arduous tour, fatigue and crankiness wore in He was really only there to please the fans but saw his performances very lackluster due to his need of rest. Or so he thought. What he really needed was Bev, his girlfriend of a little over a year. Something as simple as her laughter could rejuvenate him. And it did the minute she surprisingly stepped on his tour bus late Monday night. From then he was dancing and singing as if it was his last day on earth.
“I don’t want to let you go.”
“But I have to go back.”
“You can’t stay a few days? Just a few more?” She sort of knew it was a bad idea coming here. Anytime she’d visit he’d ask her that very same question the night before and morning she left. Justin held on tight to her waist upon his lap as if his tight hold would actually keep her there.
“I can’t J, I’ve already used up most of my sick days in history class and Thursday I have a biochem test that I so cannot miss. You know I wish I could stay--”
“But you can’t” he answered grimly.
“Yeah….but these past four days have been great you know. We rarely see each and we just had a whole week of antics.”
“Antics? Who the fuck still says antics?”
“I do!”
“Fucking crazy you know that?” he chuckled.
“Yeah well you love it.”
“That I do” Justin looked up into her off black eyes that looked down upon his clouded with love. Of all the Hollywood stars and supermodels that surrounded him at countless events none lit a candle to Bev Mitchell. He knew the moment his eyes scanned her voluptuous curvy body, long wavy locks, almond shaped eyes and apple cheeks he was smitten. So what if she was just a college student back home? So what if she didn’t have a #1 movie in the box office or was lip syncing to tunes on stage, he knew what he wanted and it was her. No one in his famed position could have the down to earth personality that made his heart soar like Bev did. That’s why he didn’t want her to go. She lived up to everything he wanted in a girlfriend, smart, sexy, hilarious, spicy, fierce and loving she had it all.
There sitting in one of the brown leather chairs of Justin’s tour bus the two sat in each others arms. Bev’s head rested on Justin shoulder, reveling in the warmth encompassed in Justin’s arms. Butterfly kisses were placed on the side of her face as she laid there hating the fact that by the morning she’d be back on a plane in Tennessee and not there in his arms like now. Slowly she rose her head and looked into Justin’s blue eyes. Both in silence they just stared at each other drinking in each others features as if they’d never see one another again.
“I love you” she whispered.
“I love you more.”
Then a flash shone from the corner of their eyes.
“I couldn’t resist” Mike laughed. Young love was grand! That spacey look you get when you’re head over heels was evaporating from the two love birds. Any other time Mike would’ve been disgusted but with the heartache Justin had experienced with past lovers the love he had for his precious Bev was accepted and embraced.
“I want a copy of that” Justin spoke.
“Sure thing, I’ll leave ya’ll be.”
“Thanks.” Mike exited the bus and left Justin alone with his girlfriend so he could savor the next few hours he had with her. Neither chose to say another word, just let the silence wash over them. After a passionate kiss was placed on Bev’s lips, the two got ready for bed, still without a sound. There in his arms she laid on his chest, falling off to sleep to the sound of his heart beating.
BACK AT THE AIRPORT….
“See why I want to be home?”
“Absolutely.”
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
You baby
She tried her best and failed, utterly utterly failed at being in high spirits around family and friends. There was only one person that would make her happy and as you all know he wasn’t there. Ben tried to get her out of her funk by embarrassing her. Didn’t work. Lara, her mother tried getting her out of her funk by presenting her with the Von Dutch blue jeans she was pinning over the last month. Didn’t work. Even her father Nicholas tried to get his little girl out of her funk by turning on some music and dancing. Another embossing tactic? Still didn’t work. Nothing worked. She just wanted Justin there holding her and singing Christmas tunes in her ear.
“Hey honey” Lynn whispered. Turning to face her boyfriends moths, she placed a feigning smile on her face.
“Hi Lynn how are you?”
“Great, thank you for holding the festivities here. You’re place is absolutely wonderful.”
“Well its actually used to be my Uncle’s. He left it to me after he passed away two years ago.”
“Oh I’m sorry honey.”
“Its ok, I honestly really didn’t know him. He left it to me for guilt since he didn’t really take it upon himself to get to know his niece. So what meh” she shrugged. Lynn pulled up a chair beside the young woman she had met earlier that year. She truly had to admit Justin had picked himself a gorgeous girl in Bev. Not only gorgeous but bubbly and vibrant. Something she definitely wasn’t tonight.
“So honey tell me why that pretty little face of yours has a frown on it?” she asked, southern accent pouring out of her red painted lips. Though Lynn was a sweetie pie she couldn’t help but feel a little uncomfortable with talking to Justin’s mother about her son. But she did ask…
“I’m sad because Justin isn’t here.”
“Well I a bit sad too but he should be here soon.”
“Lynn its almost 7:45.” It was getting late and with Justin not being there the thought of him actually making it to the festivities were slim to none. Yet his mother wasn’t going to count him out just yet.
“I know honey but he might make it.”
“You know Lynn….I used to say that to myself the first few times he didn’t come to things of an important nature. I would say ’he might still make it’ over and over until I realized that might was just a word to comfort my loneliness or convince me that there was still hope that he’d be there. Now maybe I’m overreacting here but when I haven’t seen my boyfriend in four months and he says he’s going to be here and he not, I can’t help but wonder if the importance I have for him in my life is a reciprocated feeling.” Wow. Well that was something to take in. Lynn sighed at Bev’s confession. She did have a point. No woman wanted to feel the cold shoulder, no matter how much she loved him. At the moment Bev was feeling that so Lynn couldn’t help but not be one sided in this case.
“I understand honey I honestly do. You want the person you love the most here with you to celebrate the one day that contains hope, love and joy. And he’s not here to do that nor has he been for any other occasion. All I can say is that I know he loves you and is thinking about you. Only you Bev. And when he gets here you’re going to be the first person he comes to.”
“I sure hope so.”
I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
“Hey….do you see that?”
“What?” Mike asked.
“There’s a clearance…right there for Tennessee!”
“Where?”
“There!” Justin pointed up the large board that read multiple states that had openings for flights. Giddy as a school girl he jumped from his seat to the front desk clerk requesting a change in his ticket. He may have never heard of that town before but anything in Tennessee was better than nothing.
“Run, the plane is actually boarding right now.”
“Ok thanks.” Justin ran back over to his seat and snatched up his luggage’s real fast. He moved so fast Mike had no clue what was going on. All he knew was that this crazy curly Q was moving like a mad man.
“Yo man chill, are you sure about this? You might get a Knoxville flight soon.”
“Look man I’m sick of waiting around here waiting. I can be home in hours and be with my family and Bev in no time. Look I’ll call you when I land, don’t wait too long around here alright. If something opens up near Cali I say take it.”
“Will do little man.” Such in a rush to leave, Justin was snatched back into Mike’s big arms. “I know you wasn’t about to leave me without wishing a Merry Christmas.”
“Sorry dude, you have a Merry Christmas” he smiled. That smile was so huge only in part because he was going home to his woman and his mama which was understandable. Justin loved those two women more than he loved himself which was definitely much
“Alright man, you on now.” And that he did. Justin rushed to the clerk and handed over his ticket. No longer could you see the star as he bum rushed through the crowd straight to his seat. Mike couldn’t help but chuckle to himself.
“FLIGHT 153 TO TENTUCK TEXAS IS NOW BOARDING…”
“Flight 153..ain’t that the flight he’s on?” Mike turned his head to the board that he had previous looked at minutes before. What he saw almost made him scream. Justin wasn’t heading to Tennessee, he was heading to TEXAS! They hadn’t even bothered looking at the rest of the letters, just the first three. “Oh shit!” He tried his best to alert his friend/employer that this was the wrong flight but was suggested to leave the podium or be arrested. Gotta love that airport high security. “Damn is he gonna be pissed…”
All the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's
Laughter fills the air
“Here I come baby” he sighed to himself, “Here I come Tennessee!”
“Tennessee?” he neighbor asked.
“Yeah…Tennessee.” His neighbor, a stout man who looked like he had tanned way too much began to laugh so hard that spit began to fly out of his mouth and onto the chair before him. Damn it wasn’t that funny. “Is there something I’m missing here?”
“Boy you ain’t heading to Tennessee, you’re heading to Tentuck Texas.” Yeah right, he wasn’t heading to Texas. That guy was a liar, a big fat liar cause clearly on the board it said Ten--TN? No….T-ah…
“FUCK!” he screamed.
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won't you bring me the one I really need
Won't you please bring my baby to me
Oh I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see baby
Standing right outside my door
Justin’s silver Rolex read 8:23 p.m. as he sat in the very deserted airport of Tentuck Texas or as he liked to fall it Tenfuck Texas. Being in such a rush to get home, his mind decided to dispels all logic whatsoever in his thinking. How in the world did he miss that? And better yet how in the world did he miss charging his cell phone? He couldn’t even call home to let everyone know what was going or let alone not being able to use a payphone seeing as though Tenfuck had none!
Just as Justin felt all hope was lost, a man dressed in stereotypical pilot clothing waltzed right past him. An older man, with dirty blond hair much like himself and a chiseled chin gave Justin the notion that this man had to have been skilled at flying. Quickly he jumped up from his seat and rushed over to the man.
“Excuse me sir…” slowly the man turned to face the young man he had seen countless times on his daughters wall, “hi I’m a singer, Justin Timberlake.”
“Yeah I know, my daughter loves you.”
“Wow that’s great, um I need a favor to ask of you.” Why exactly was Justin superstar Timberlake asking him for a favor? Couldn’t be money cause the boy bled money so what whatever the favor needed was completely intriguing. The young man gathered his attention real fast.
“Ok…”
“Um my flight was delayed from Boston to some crazy town in Wisconsin. Thinking that I was getting on a flight to Tennessee I jumped on a flight here. This ain’t home and not even close. Now maybe I’m wrong here but you look like a pilot please tell me you’re a pilot.”
“I’m a pilot” he answered.
“An experienced pilot?”
“Twenty years plus young man.”
“Great” he sighed, “Please tell me that you can fly me to Tennessee.”
“I don’t know….”
“I’ll do anything, sing at your daughters birthday, put her in my next video, free concert tickets, backstage passes anything. I just want to be home for Christmas with my family and friends.”
“I understand but it’s Christmas and--”
“With all of that and a million dollars.” Now really a million dollars? Shoot who couldn’t use a million dollars? That offer was more than tempting. Plus it wasn’t like Tennessee were extremely far his final destination, New York. So why not?
“A million dollars and the tickets and you’ll be in Tennessee in four hours.” Just let out a sigh of relief. Finally he was going home! Bag after bag he was taking back home was snatched up by himself and the pilot who was willing to take him home. “Well young man, lets get ourselves to Tennessee.”
Oh I just want him for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is
You
Turning off the last lamp downstairs and unplugging the Christmas tree, Bev headed upstairs ready for bed. Slowly she pealed out of each article of clothing and tried her best to wash the sadness of her first worst Christmas ever away. But there wasn’t enough hot water or cucumber melon shower gel in the world to wash the disappointment away. He didn’t make it, didn’t even bother to call and say that he wasn’t coming. Some boyfriend he was right? For the umpteenth time Justin wasn’t there for such an important date. Again.
For her birthday-- “Baby I can’t make it, we’ve extended the tour so I won’t be able to come home for two more months. I’m sorry.”
“For their anniversary-- “Sweetie I’m sorry but I can’t make it. I’ve got a few business meetings to go to. How about we celebrate next month? Wait better yet, 2 months?”
For his birthday-- “I want to be there to celebrate with you. The record company wants me to have some huge party out here and I know you can’t make it out here due to class or work or something. We’ll celebrate later.”
For Valentine’s-- Roses. He called two weeks later.
For Thanksgiving-- “I’ll be at my dad’s but we’ll spend Christmas together I promise.”
“Yeah what a promise” she scoffed to herself. Everything got an excuse, never had he been not busy to be with her on one single occasion that mattered the most. Sure she knew he was a famous singer, that he was in the limelight which kept him busy but seriously that busy not to spend at least one important day. Even as big as Christmas? Anytime they did spend was on her watch where she’d have to sacrifice a week of back homework at school or work just to be with him. Had their time ran out? Had he truly not been in love with her enough just to make time? Just a little?
“Alright man all the money is in your account. Thank you again, I really mean it.”
“Hey anything for a million dollars.”
“Anything?” Justin joked.
“Anything.” With a smile he shook his head and stepped out of the small plane with his luggage. Making his way through the familiar airport with a NC Tarheels hat perched on his head low, Justin made his way to a cabbie to catch a ride straight to Bev’s. Though the fare was expensive, it got him where he needed to be.
“Thanks man.”
“No problem, have a happy holidays.”
“You too.” Justin, with the assistance of the friendliest cabbie he had ever met lugged his bags to the front door of Bev’s condo. As he stepped in the dim house alerted him that everyone had called it an early night and headed home. Apparently Bev had to have been sleep by now, so he tiptoed up the steps so he wouldn’t wake her. Simmered in the darkness of her room the feeling of another body laid out on top of her felt unreal. When the scent of Cool Water danced across her nose, Bev’s eyes popped open to face the one person she wanted more than anything.
“Justin?” she whispered.
“Hey baby, I’m here.”
“Is this a dream?” Justin smiled when the smell of spearmint Listerine hit his nose. Well at least she was minty fresh right?
“No.” It became all clear that in fact Justin’s body covered her own, causing her to sit up some to face him. Once she became a bit more balanced Justin gently took her face in his hands and laid his lips on top of hers ever so soothingly. Nope this really wasn’t a dream, he was really there! Bev was unsure what to do at that moment. Be mad or happy? Pulling away the look on her face was one he hadn’t expected. Anger.
“You’re so late.”
“Baby I know, I’m sorry.”
“You’re always sorry.”
“What?”
“Every time you do something wrong you always apologize nanoseconds after you’re done with what you’ve done. Haven’t you ever wondered that maybe that wouldn’t be necessary if you just wouldn’t do what you do to cause an apology?”
“Bev--”
“No Justin…this time you’re going to listen. You’re never here for me or anyone for that matter. Today made it clear that you’re unreliable. You weren’t there for my birthday, valentine’s, your mother’s birthday, Thanksgiving or today, Christmas. You didn’t even bother calling to let anyone know that you were going to be late or as always not coming. I wanted you here so bad. You’re all I wanted for Christmas. Not those stupid gifts or the company just you. And you weren’t here.” Bev took a deep breath before continuing on. “I can’t continue investing my time in someone who might not be worth it.”
“So what are you saying?”
“I’m saying I think we should take a break.” Immediately Justin’s body frozen in shock. She wanted to take a break? Why? When had their relationship gone wrong? Wait he knew when…when he stopped being the boyfriend she deserved. Yes they talked a lot but rarely saw each other and tonight just happened to take the cake for her.
“Oh” he simply responded.
“Just until you get your priorities straight because at the moment I’m not your first priority, you are.” Not looking into his eyes, Bev wanted Justin far away as soon as possible before the tears began to flow. “I’ll call you tomorrow.” Not once had Bev bothered to look at him during all of this. In fact he wasn’t sure if he wanted her to because then it would’ve hurt worse to see those eyes that shone with so much love dimmed.
“Ok.” Justin looked up at her one more time, her face bright red from fighting from crying. To save face on both their parts he removed himself from her cherry oak bed and walked to her door frame. Glancing behind him once more before leaving he found Bev now laying on her side spewing tear after tear of sadness. Gloomy and despair overtook his entire body. He never wanted to make Bev hurt, he just wanted to love her. But he was doing a crummy job at that so he left her be.
Each step away from her room hurt like a thousand knives piercing his skin. Once he made it to the bottom step he looked at that decorated house in the darkness. He missed it all. The laughter, the unwrapping of the gifts, the good food, the eggnog, the spirit of Christmas. Bev’s love. And that’s when it hit him, his girlfriend had just dumped him on Christmas day. Those tears he successfully managed to hold back upstairs now followed Bev and fell from his eyes. What a crummy Christmas. Even worse? The engagement ring sitting in his pocket that he held onto from no name Wisconsin all the way back home. His blue eyes looked down at the velvet box and sighed with sadness. Not really knowing what else to do with it, he tossed it up and down in his right hand before placing it on the dinning room table and leaving out of Bev’s house.
All I want for Christmas is you baby
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