~ Chapter 82: An Old Friend ~

[ Jackie’s POV: ]

“We’ll be back before you know it,” Dad told me, as he swung his bag over his shoulder and kissed my forehead.

I pouted.

“Do you guys have to go so soon?” I asked, helping Mom with her bags.

“Oh honey, you know we don’t want to leave,” she said in a saddened tone. “But work is calling and we just can’t ignore it.”

“Well, it was nice seeing you guys,” Robin piped in from behind me as she picked up my mom’s last suitcase.

“And it was nice meeting the two of you,” Justin smiled, carefully placing Dad’s suitcase in the car’s trunk. 

“Nice meeting you too,” Dad smiled. “I hope we can have that rematch you promised me.”

“Anytime,” Justin smirked, shaking hands with him. I looked over at the two men and smiled to myself.

Justin hasn’t been so happy lately since he told me about Katie’s death almost 2 weeks ago. I never said anything about it, or bothered him. I just always made sure he wasn’t alone for too long, because that’s when his mind starts to wander to unhealthy places.

It seems as if he’s been slowly coping with it in his own way, but I don’t expect him to fully forget her just yet. Not with all the guilt he’s been carrying.

But as I watch him right now, in front of me, I can’t help but feel happy to see him happy.

“See you soon, kid,” Dad smiled at me.

“B-bye,” I whispered, hugging him tightly the same way I had done with my Mom earlier.

And, before I knew it, they had left me alone once again. Except this time, I don’t feel as lonely. I’ve got Robin and Justin.

That’s all I need.

“So…” Robin clapped her hands together and looked up at Justin and I. “What now?”

I looked off into the road where Mom and Dad’s car had disappeared and I let out a small sigh.

“Do you guys mind if I take a stroll? I just.. need some fresh air,” I said quietly.

Justin’s eyebrow raised. “You okay? Want me to come with you?”

I shook my head. “No, it’s alright. I’ll be fine.”

“You sure?” Robin added.

“Yeah,” I gave them a smile before waving at them. “See you guys in a few minutes.

“Be careful,” Justin called out after me, and I gave him a thumbs up. I honestly don’t know what Robin and Justin are going to amuse themselves with while I’m gone, but I’m sure they’ll find something.

I breathed in the air around me as I slowly strolled down the sidewalk, looking up at the sky far, far ahead of me. Looking at the clouds was always a mysterious experience for me. I didn’t know the world above ours and sometimes I liked to escape all that’s going on in my life and spend some time looking at clouds and stars.

After about ten minutes of clearing my head, I decided I’d head back with some pizza for my favorite two people in the world. I know how much Justin loves his pineapple pizza, and how much Robin drools over pepperoni ones.

So I entered the local pizzeria and ordered a box with pineapple, pepperoni and extra cheese flavors. They said to give them a few minutes, so I sat down on a chair by the window and stared at the ground.

I bit down on my lip, counting the square tiles in the floor’s design before I heard someone call my name.

“Jackie.”

I looked up, my breath hitching.

“Hey,” the person said, a warm smile on their face.

I forced a smile back. “Hello, Tyler.”

He pointed at the seat across from me. “May I?” I slowly nodded and he sat down, his gaze not leaving mine. “What are you doing here all by yourself?”

“I could be asking you the same,” I said.

“Fair enough,” he laughed, and suddenly the air filled the silence that followed after.

I waited for him to say something as I looked out the window and watched a woman walking with her little boy as they came across a girl walking her dog. The dog instantly tried to play with the little boy, but he stood there, slightly scared of it.

“Listen,” Tyler spoke again, “There’s been something I’ve been wanting to tell you for a while now and… it’s been bothering me.”

I looked at him. “Really? What is it?”

“Um..” he suddenly became nervous. “Do.. Do you, by any chance.. think I.. raped you?”

My eyes widened and I froze.

I glanced out the window again, and the little boy was crying now as the girl tried to get her overly playful dog away from him.

“W-What? What makes you think I—”

“I ran into Justin a while ago and he told me how you felt about your first time with me,” he explained himself.

“What? Wait.. when?”

“It was quite a while ago,” he said. “But it’s been bothering me for days because… He was mad at me, and when I asked him why, he said you thought I hurt you. That I… raped you. And if that’s the case, then.. I wanted to apologize.”

“Tyler—”

“No wait, let me finish,” he said. “I didn’t mean to hurt you like that. I was just so… So in love with you, I wanted to make sure your first time was the most perfect memory for you. But I ended up doing the opposite. I ended up ruining it. I’m so, so sorry, Jackie. I didn’t mean to make you feel like that about what had happened between us. And I’m sorry if I didn’t stop when you had wanted me to. I didn’t think it would turn out like this but.. I’m so sorry..”

I looked deep in his eyes, seeing the sincere vibe he was giving off. I looked down at my feet and smiled.

“You’re such a nice guy..” I whispered. “Always on the lookout for my safety… and my happiness.”

“I cared about you a lot,” he breathed. “And even if you’ve rejected me in more ways than one.. I still care.”

I looked back up at him, my smile growing wider.

“Well I forgive you,” I said. “I admit I didn’t exactly wanted sex when it happened, but… You’re so honest about it and it’d be dumb of me to hold a grudge on something you didn’t mean to do.”

Tyler smiled back at me. “I swear I didn’t know you felt about it that way so, again, I really am sorry. And thank you for your forgiveness. Honestly, I’m looking at you right now and it reminds me of why I fell for you in the first place. You’re an amazing girl, Jackie. Justin’s the most lucky guy and I hope he knows it.”

“Thank you, but.. I think I’m the lucky one,” I chuckled softly, looking out at the window one more time and seeing that the little boy had stopped crying and was now petting the dog, a happy smile on his face.

—

When I returned to my house, I opened the door to find Justin asleep on the couch while Robin sat on the floor, using her phone.

I let out a small laugh and shut the door before placing the box of pizza down on the table.

“What happened?” I asked Robin.

She shrugged. “I guess he was tired.”

We both looked at him and my heart skipped a beat as I stared at his face. He looks like an angel when he sleeps.

“But most importantly…” Robin smirked. “You brought us pizza?”

“Aren’t I just the best?” I winked.

“YES!” she yelled. “I LOVE you.”

“Shh!” I hushed her, reminding her that Justin was sleeping.

She slapped a hand to her mouth and innocently smiled.

“Is it alright if I take a couple of slices and head out? My mom called and said my cousins are coming over so I should be home by now,” she said.

“Sure, that’s fine,” I nodded. “Just make sure to enjoy your favorite.”

Robin opened the box of pizza and saw the mouth-watering pepperonis that were inside.

“I FREAKING LOVE YOU!”

“Shh!!” I hushed her again, giving her a look.

“Sorry..” she murmured, covering her mouth again. She then took her share of pizza and, soon enough, it was now Justin and I.

I walked over to where he slept and leaned down, kissing his cheek softly. I brushed his hair to the side with my hand and kissed his forehead twice, a huge smile on my face.

He looks so cute.

I then grabbed the box of pizza and headed upstairs to my room, turning the television on and eating a couple of slices while watching Pretty Little Liars.

After finishing, I cuddled up to my pillow and managed to finish 2 engaging episodes before there was a small knock on my door, and Justin came in shortly afterwards.

“Hey,” I smiled at him.

“Hey,” he smiled back.

I scooted over to one side and tapped the empty spot next to me. “Come lay down with me.”

Justin didn’t hesitate to occupy the empty space, and he wrapped his arms around me, nuzzling his nose to my neck.

“How was the stroll?” he asked, his voice muffled.

“Good,” I wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my chin on the top of his head. “I, umm.. ran into an old friend.”

Justin pulled away and looked up at me.

“An old friend?”

“Yeah..” I whispered. “His name’s Tyler.”

Justin’s smile faded and he looked a bit angry.

“What?”

“Before you start freaking out, you should know that nothing bad happened,” I quickly added.

“Oh really? Then what did happen,” he muttered grumpily. “I thought I told him to stay away from you.”

Though forgiving Tyler was something I didn’t think I’d be able to do so simply, I knew in my heart that he told the truth.

So there was no reason not to make amends… right?

*******************************

Hey guys!

Sadly enough, I think the next chapter will be the last one :(

But never fear, because I usually end off my stories with an epilogue, so that’s like an extra chapter ;P

What’d you guys think of this one?

Love you guys ❤ 

- Nina xx