Chapter 3

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

Fleur POV

Today is the day.

My little Volvo is packed, my parents already lectured me and gave me more emergency money, and I'm on my way to pick up Justin. After talking to him on Saturday morning and then us hanging with Brandon and Jazz the rest of the day, I decided to spend my Sunday with my mom and dad. I don't know who's more afraid, me or my mom, but after telling them over 100 times that they were still my family, she seemed to calm. I think they appreciate the fact that Justin is going with me which guarantees my return. Not like I planned on staying there or anything.

I pull up to Justin's house and am surprised to find not only his mom and dad outside, but Jazz and Brandon as well. It figures they would want to send us off. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside, but at the same time a little sad for not having them join. I can't get everyone involved though. It's too personal and enough that Justin kind of forced his way into the trip.

Okay, it was more my inability to say no all the time, whatever.

Justin's mom has always been like a second mother to me. It wasn't a shock at all when she pulled me into a giant hug the moment I stepped out of my car. I always make sure to take a peek at Justin when his mom is giving us affection because the embarrassment is apparent on his incredibly red ears. It's so cute. Ugh, there I go again.

After Saturday, Justin's texting turned into flirtation mode and it's been really difficult to try to flirt back. On one hand I do find him attractive and an ideal partner, but on the other I'm still petrified to change our relationship and end up losing what we had. I did tell him I would give it a try though, so there I was, trying to text/flirt back in the most awkward of ways. I do hope he doesn't push too hard. I still need to keep the goal of my trip as top priority. Then I can go back to being a typical teen enjoying summer before college.

"Fleur Jackson, you look beautiful today," Justin's mom,  Edith beams. I am the worst with compliments so I always just say a quick thank you, but she never let's me go so easily. "Don't you think she looks lovely, Justin honey?" she asks her spawn. Of course she would do that. Before Jasmine ever mentioned Justin liking me, his mother was constant in trying to make things awkward. She, however, liked to throw Jazz into the fire as well. I'm pretty sure his mom just wants Justin to have a girlfriend for her to gush over, no matter who the victim is.

"Yeah, Ma, sure..." Justin says in an impatient manner. He's already packing his bags into the back and I can tell he wants to get on the road. With that I give a quick hug and kiss to his mom's cheek and promise her to keep him in check then head over to Brandon and Jazz who are giving their love to Justin.

"We better get going if we want to stick to the plans." I say. Part of me wants to get this over with. The nervous and anxiety ridden part. Another part of me wants to find out where I'm from, what my life could have been. Right now that part is really quiet though.

Jasmine and Brandon quickly head over and wrap me into a group hug. Of course their fake cries and sobs are turning neighbors heads, but I can't really do anything about it. I've accepted their ways of life and learned to love them regardless of how extra they tend to be.

As Justin and I are heading into the car and waving to everyone again, Brandon has to belt out, "remember, kids...no glove no love! I don't want to be seeing any teen pregnancy coming from you guys, ya hear me?" If I could get away with murder...Brandon would be target numero uno right now. I try to ignore the silliness but my face is already heated and I know how visible my blush is. I rush into the car which only makes Jazz and Edith giggle like little girls. I hate everyone right now.

Justin is sitting in the car with his hands in his face and mumbling how much he also hates everyone. Without sparing a second glance I start up ol' faithful and we head out in search of answers. My answers.

~~~~~

Most of the drive so far has been uneventful. The sounds of our terrible singing and debating different topics helps us pass the time. We decided to split the drive to and from into three days of travel each. That way we can do a little sight seeing or make stops without worrying. The first place we stopped for the night was a small town in Idaho that was cute and quaint. The bed and breakfast we made reservations at was even more cute. It was almost like staying at a cabin in the woods, but with a continental breakfast.

To save money, we only reserved one room because we're friends and it's not like we've never slept in the same room. I have a feeling the mood will be completely different this time around.

Being full in the belly thanks to gas station junk food, we both thought it would be smart to rest early so we can head out early in the morning. I am glad Justin ended up coming. He's been helpful when it came to do the talking as well as being the big strong man to carry bags and such.

There's more to him than that, I promise.

The room we are staying in is small and cozy and perfect for just one night. As I make my way in, I quickly claim the right side of the bed and jump into it to make it known. Justin takes it as a sign to join and jumps to the open area next to me. Sometimes I like when it's just us. We can be our weird and awkward selves without the other two judging or trying to take the attention. Plus, Justin is very playful when it's just us. By very, I mean probably the normal amount. When it's the four of us, he's more of an observer.

As we lay there I feel shifting on Justin's side. Immediately I feel is arm wrap around and pull me to face him. We are now both on our sides and facing one another with our faces about a half a foot apart. Again, this isn't anything new, but it feels a lot more tense. To make the nerves of mine ball up more, Justin takes his and and cups the side of my face.

"I'm really happy you let me come with you, Flo" he says almost in a whisper. The heat from his hand on my face has got nothing to do with the heat rising from my neck. A month ago, that sentence would have been nothing to me. It would have gone in one ear and out the other. Not this time. I can hear the want in his voice and I can feel the thickness of that want in the air we are sharing between us. Is this what it's supposed to feel like? I wish I knew, and I wish there was no hesitance on my end, no matter how little.

He said this won't change things. He's been one of my best friends for a long time. I should trust his judgment. This new mantra is quickly replacing the old.

"I am glad you came with me, Jay. I don't think I could be doing this with out you," I confess. Anyone could hear the cracking in my voice. A small smirk makes its way to his face because he knows and I know that I'm practically a helpless child.

This summer better turn me into a real adult.

A brief moment of silence lingers between us. It's comfortable...on the outside. On the inside I'm freaking out. Mostly because I see him slowly bringing his face closer. Do I meet him the rest of the way? Do I want to? Ugh, sometimes I wish I wasn't an over thinker.

Before I know it, Justin's nose is brushing against mine. His breath is heavy and in a weird way it makes me feel better. I'm not the only one internally freaking out. He's going to kiss me. My mind is overthinking about this now. Do I want it? His lips are nice... How many people has he kissed? I've only really had a peck or two here and there and that's because Jazz used to make me play spin the bottle when she'd drag me to a party.

This, though... I've never really 'kissed' and I guess it would be good to try it especially with someone you're close too even though you're not 100% sure of your feelings, right?

Okay stop thinking for the love of all that is holy.

He hasn't made more moves other than pushing up right against me, but his eyes look pleading. I'm assuming he's asking for some kind of permission. What a gentleman. Again, something else to make me feel more at ease with this whole thing or not-thing between us. With that, I look into his eyes and give a small nod and feel even more heat spread throughout my face. Poor Justin, he's about to kiss a tomato.

Before I have time to overthink even more I feel his lips press against mine, and through instinct I close my eyes. His lips are soft like and sweet, probably from the Gushers he was inhaling during the drive. This feels much nicer than I originally thought. He starts to deepen the kiss and I can feel his stubble brushing against my face. The hand that was on my cheek is now wrapped around the back of my neck and his thumb is massaging my scalp and I can tell he's a seasoned kisser. I'm okay with that because I wouldn't know what the heck to do if we were both as inexperienced as me.

After what seemed like minutes but was probably 39 seconds, I pull away to catch my breath. I'm sure my face is the most blushed it's ever been in my existence, but he doesn't make it known. He just looks at me with a small, content smile on his face.

That was my first real kiss and as perfect as it was, it felt slightly odd. There wasn't any extra burning or sparks going through the rest of my body or maybe I've just read one too many romances. Maybe because it was the first one, it wasn't felt as much. Maybe I just have to give it time. Rome wasn't built in a day, and this friendship turned maybe something more will require work as well. I'm sure that's it.

Justin then clears his throat and rolls off the bed. "Right, uh... I should shower and get some rest since I'm driving tomorrow," he belts out quickly. His awkward is showing and it's adorable and makes me feel even more relaxed knowing that he was freaking out just as much. It gives me hope that even if whatever this is doesn't work, we will truly stay good friends.

The rest of the evening is spent with us taking our turn in the shower and watching terrible shows on the old TV in the room before I doze off with my head resting on his arm, my mind still thinking then overthinking about everything.

~~~~~

The next two days of driving were pretty much the same, other than Justin and I getting a little closer physically. He couldn't go a minute without wanting to hold my hand or give me a hug and made sure to give me a long kiss goodnight. I was slowly getting more and more comfortable with it all, but I was still worried about not feeling the sparks or tingles in the rest of my body. I also worried that telling him something like that would upset him and that's the last thing we need on this trip. I figure I just have to keep trying and I'm sure the feelings will become stronger.

On the third day of driving we reach the Colorado state line and that means the next stop is the actual destination. The build up of my anxiety is real the closer we get and I know Justin can tell. He's been extra quiet, but made sure to keep giving me small reassurances and constantly giving my back small rubs.

About 20 miles before we reach the county of Broomfield, I have to stop on the side of the road. The thoughts that have been nonstop in my head are out of control and I'm about 10 seconds from a panic attack. Why am I doing this? What if they are disgusted that I'd try to find them now? I mean, obviously I wasn't wanted so why am I doing this? Why did I try to start a relationship now?

My breathing is heavy and Justin is quick to unbuckle me and pull me into his arms. I can't help but start to sob into his shoulder while he rubs my back to calm me down. 

"It's gonna be okay..." he whispers in my ear. "You're going to find whatever you need and before you know it we will be heading back home, alright?" He says the last part more like he's trying to convince himself more than me. Of course I'm going back home? I'm confused why he think's I'd stay somewhere with people who gave me up willingly. I have my family, my friends, and my future. All I'm trying to figure out is the past so I can worry only about my future. A part of me really wished my parents kept me in the dark.

It takes about ten minutes for me to calm down and my breathing to get back to normal. Sometimes it's good to get it all out and I think I needed it. Now I can get there and hopefully not break down in front of potential family members. 

Justin decides that he should be the one driving so I can mentally prepare. Not being able to say no to a smart idea, I enter the name of the club I saw many times on Katie LeDoux's page and the navigation app lets us know it is about 25 minutes away. 

"How about you rest your eyes for the next 20 minutes and I'll let you know when we're close. This is going to be exhausting for you so you could use all the energy you can get," Justin says over the music he has playing. Imagine me doing this on my own. I would have probably hurt myself along the way with my lack of thinking clearly. Again, super thankful that I have someone here with me. Especially if things don't go well, which my mind is pretty much guaranteeing. 

Even though I'm certain I closed my eyes for only a second, Justin is nudging me to let me know we're a few minutes away. I look at myself in the mirror and attempt to rub the worry away from my face. It's evening so the Saints and Sinners club is definitely open and the chance that this Katie person I've been e-stalking is there is high. The chance that the person that is supposed to be my real father is there or nearby is high as well. 

Not four minutes later, Justin turns into a parking lot that is packed with vehicles. Mostly trucks and bikes...an SUV or two...but the bikes are the majority. Once we're stopped, Justin turns the car off and faces me. 

"Are you ready, Flo?"

I don't know if I'll ever be ready, but there's no turning back now. With that thought I unbuckle with shaky hands and get out of the car and take a few deep breaths. 

Time to meet my maker.

⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️

I think this is where the real story is about to begin 😋 next chapter is going to be a different POV 😘

Thanks for reading!

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net