< Chapter 22: Meet-Up >

♥ Jamie's POV: ♥

"I'm surprised you're here."

I stuff my hands in the pockets of my jacket. The chilly, outside breeze pushed my hair back gently.

"So am I, Nathan," I frowned. "Now what did you want to talk about? It's getting late."

"Did you come alone?" he asked.

"What.. Who could I possibly bring with me?" I challenged.

"Considering Justin's on tour, Ryan probably would," he shrugged.

"No," I looked down. "My friends are too busy for me right now."

Nathan raised an eyebrow in slight surprise. "Really?"

I sighed. "But I'm not going to go into detail about my problems at the moment."

"Why not?" he leaned against a tree and looked at me with a slight smirk. "I'm interested, quite frankly."

"Who cares." I rolled my eyes and looked up at him. "Can we get this over with? My mom came home today and I already asked her to babysit Jason just to meet with you. Why I agreed, after all you've done? I don't fucking know, actually."

"Geez," he leaned forward. "Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. What's wrong?"

"Why did you want to talk?" I ignored his question again.

Nathan continued to stare at me before he sighed in defeat, turning around and walking.

"Hey, where are you going?" I called after him.

"Follow me."

My body felt tense the minute I left the house tonight. I don't know if it's because of what happened yesterday with Justin, or because for some reason I thought it'd be a good idea to agree to Nathan's terms, despite hating his guts. But I guess the argument with my so-called fiancé pushed me over the edge, and I stopped caring.

If I'm curious as to what the hell Nathan could want, then I'm determined to find out.

After a few seconds of walking, Nathan pulled out car keys and got inside a dark gray car.

"What—... Where are we going?" I crossed my arms.

"Stop worrying so much and hop in already," he threw me a slight smile before closing the car door. I let out a sigh in frustration and got on the passenger side.

"If you're kidnapping me, I'm calling the cops."

"Why would I kidnap you?" he asked in amusement, his hazel eyes twinkling at me. "I love you too much for that."

An awkward silence filled the air between us the minute the words left his mouth. Nathan's eyes widened and he looked away.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to say that," he apologized. "I know you don't like it."

"I already know your feelings towards me, Nathan," I said. "And you know mine. Now drive."

Neither of us said a single word the entire ride. By the time Nathan stopped the car, we were in front of a typical-looking house. One that radiated vibrations and light under the dark, night sky.

"Why.. would you bring me here?" I looked out the window to see a young couple messing around in the house's front yard.

"Ignore them, just come," Nathan said, getting out of the car. I did the same and followed after him. Once inside, music filled my ears and the sound of people's laughter and chatter followed me everywhere I went.

Nathan began greeting people who were strangers to me, and once we moved away to the kitchen, Nathan grabbed a cup of beer and offered me one.

"No," I said firmly, glaring at him.

"Didn't think so," he laughed, sipping from his own cup. It was much quieter in the kitchen, but the lively party could still be heard right next door.

"Can you get to the point now? I can't stay for much longer," I began getting irritated from this meet-up. I wanted answers, and I wanted them now.

"Okay, fine." Nathan put his cup down beside him and reached into his large pockets. He pulled out a small envelope and handed it to me, before picking up the cup again and chugging down beer.

I looked at him in confusion before slowly opening the envelope. As I turned it upside down, a wad of photographs began sliding out. I picked up the images, feeling anxious and scared.

"Standard quality photos of that man of yours from a paparazzi source in Europe," Nathan said, refilling his cup. "I thought you had the right to know."

I felt my bottom lip trembling as I flipped through the photos, seeing Justin surrounded by faces I didn't recognize through the pictures. I stopped at one that made my breath hitch. One that showed Justin leaning dangerously close to a girl with bright pink lipstick. The view was a bit farther in this photo, so he was either kissing her cheek or whispering in her ear. The next one showed the two of them kissing.

I felt a tear slide down my cheek and I quickly wiped it off.

"Idiot.." I whispered. "I'm such an idiot.."

Nathan leaned forward and organized the photos back into the envelope.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "Should I take back the pictures? Or would you rather keep them?"

"Give them to me.." I said quietly, my head bowed in disappointment. Nathan hesitantly passed me back the envelope and I stood up quickly, walking over to the nice fireplace just outside the kitchen and angrily chucking the photos into the fire. They burned almost instantly, and I stomped back into the kitchen, snatching the cup Nathan once offered me and swallowing the alcoholic beverage in less than 10 seconds.

"A-.. Are you okay?" Nathan looked at me in concern.

"I'm completely and utterly doing great," I snapped.

"Should I take you back? I told my guys I'd come here but I don't think you should stay."

"Well I'm here, aren't I?" I refilled Nathan and I's cups and clacked them together.

"A toast to broken hearts."

I remember drinking so much that there was a collection of empty beer bottles gathered on the table top. I'm pretty sure I danced with about five different guys after that, but I didn't exactly realize what I was doing.

All I knew was that my head hurt like hell and that everything was a complete blur.

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♥ Megan's POV: ♥

"Megan?"

Chaz stood at the doorway, shocked to see me.

"Hey, is Jamie here?" I asked him, slightly out of breath.

"No? Why would she be?"

"I don't know, her mom just said she's not home and I know Phoebe and Hanna are having a sleepover so I thought she might be with you."

"And Ryan?"

"He's out camping with his uncle or something," I explained. "Are you sure you don't know where she might be?"

"Text Phoebe. Maybe she joined the sleepover," Chaz shrugged.

"Good idea."

I pulled out my phone and sent Phoebe a quick message.

"Want to come in while you wait for a reply?" Chaz offered.

"Am I interrupting anything?"

"Not really, no," he smiled.

"Then sure, thanks," I smiled back, stepping forward to enter the house but, of course, I had to be myself and trip over the steps.

"Whoa," Chaz gasped in surprise, catching me before I could hit the ground. "Careful now."

"Oh my god, thank you," I regained my posture and let out a nervous laugh, "I'm sorry I'm so clumsy."

Chaz chuckled, "That's alright, I've always known you were that way."

With that, he turned around and walked back inside. I was grateful he did though, considering my face flushed red while he wasn't looking.

His arms were so warm.. Why did I feel so secure when he held me? Why am I blushing so hard? Why did my heart skip a beat when he smiled at me?

"You coming?" I looked up and saw Chaz staring at me.

"Oh right.. Yeah," I nodded, following after him and shutting the door behind me.

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JUSTIN'S NEW ALBUM IS GONNA SLAY EVERYONE #BEREADYBITCHES

- Nina xx