Part 29


“You should have seen the look on his face!” Justin laughed, squeezing Josh’s hand. “It was classic, Josh. I wish you would have been there to see it!”

“Thanks, but I think I’ll pass on seeing Lance naked. The only one I want to see naked is you.” He licked Justin’s neck for emphasis, and Justin giggled, a blush creeping up his jaw.

“So did Joey take care of Chris?”

Josh chuckled, nodding as he curled his body into Justin’s. “Yeah. He threw all his shit out the window and put a lock on his door. Needless to say, I think we’ve seen the last of Chris Kirkpatrick.”

“Good,” Justin said, his fingers running lightly up Josh’s arm. “I don’t want anything else to interfere with our relationship.”

“Me neither, baby.”

Justin propped himself up on one elbow and looked down at Josh. “You know I love you, right?”

Josh smiled and ruffled Justin’s hair. “Of course, baby. I love you too.”

“I don’t think you believe me.”

The smile faded from Josh’s face, and he looked at Justin in confusion. “What? Why wouldn’t I believe you?”

“I don’t know, Josh…I think this whole thing has made you doubt my love for you.”

“Justin, I—“

“Let me finish, babe. I know what happened with AJ. I know how badly he hurt you, and I know that when you saw me…it brought back painful memories for you. And I’m sorry.” He kissed the top of Josh’s forehead before continuing. “But I love you, ok? I love you more with each day that goes by, and if I have to, I’ll spend my whole life proving it to you.”

Josh sighed happily, happy tears welled in his eyes. “Thank you, Justin.”

Justin leaned down and kissed Josh’s lips softly. “I love you,” he whispered. “Forever.”




“Mr. Timberlake, can I speak to you for a moment?”

Justin groaned inwardly, rolling his eyes before turning back into the classroom. This was the third after-class conference he’d had today. “Sure, Professor. What’s up?”

“Have a seat, Justin,” he said, motioning to one of the desks. Justin slid in nervously, picking at his nails. “It’s about your paper,” he said, setting the assignment on Justin’s desk.

Justin frowned at the red “F” glaring back at him. “I don’t understand…”

“You obviously didn’t try very hard, Mr. Timberlake. Very poorly researched, very poorly written. And you haven’t been performing well on your tests, either.”

Justin didn’t answer, just kept his eyes glued to the paper in front of him.

“You’re failing the class, Justin.”

Justin’s eyes shot up, a panicked expression on his face. “But I—“

“Finals are in two weeks. I suggest you get your act together if you want to pass my class. If you need extra help, I’m available.”

Justin scowled and stormed from the room, fighting the tears that threatened to spill from his eyes.

He knew he’d been struggling for the past two months.

And he knew why.

Josh.

They spent every moment together, never able to get enough of one another. When Josh suggested that Justin study, he’d just shrug and say that the class was easy anyway, he didn’t need to study.

But now he was failing two of his classes and getting a “D” in the other. And he was panicking.

He remembered his mother’s words the day he left for college.

Justin, you know I’m elated that you’ve decided to go to college. And we’re so proud of you for getting into such a good school. But this school is also very expensive, and if you can’t keep your grades up and prove to us that you really want this, you’re coming home. Understood?

And Justin had nodded and smiled, sure that he could handle it. After all, he’d been a straight “A” honor student in high school.

But then he met Josh. And nothing else seemed important anymore.

He flung open his door and tossed his back pack in frustration, folding his arms across his chest and falling to the bed, muttering angrily to himself.

Josh knocked softly at his door before stepping in. “You ok, baby?”

“No,” Justin snapped.

He saw Josh wince at the tone of his voice and he sighed, patting the bed next to him. “I’m sorry. I’m just pissed off is all.”

“What happened?” Josh asked as he sat down next to Justin.

“What didn’t happen?”

“Come on, Justin. Tell me what happened.”

“I’m failing all my classes,” he said softly, those pesky tears returning to his eyes.

Josh’s eyes widened and he gripped Justin’s shoulder. “What?! Justin, you told me you were doing fine!”

“I thought I was!” Justin shouted, pulling away from Josh’s hold.

“This is my fault,” Josh said suddenly, blinking at Justin in realization.

“No! It’s not your fault, Josh. It’s mine.”

“Justin, you can’t fail your classes. And the only reason you don’t study is because you’re with me all the time.”

“Josh, come on, you know that’s not—“

“It IS true, Justin, and you know it as well as I do.”

Justin sighed, defeated. Because Josh was right. He blew off studying so they could spend time together. And now it was coming back to bite him in the ass.

“Justin…” Josh said, rising from the bed. “I think that…until finals are over…”

“Josh, don’t say it. Don’t say what I think you’re going to say.”

“We shouldn’t see each other.”

“No. NO! That does NOT solve anything. Please, Josh!” Justin pleaded.

“It’s not forever, Justin, ok? It’s only two weeks. But if you fail…it will be forever, because your mom will pull you out of here. Is that what you want?”

Justin shook his head, tears streaming down his cheeks.

“Okay then.” Josh lifted Justin’s chin and smiled at him reassuringly. “I love you, baby boy. Do it for us, ok? So we can be together.” He leaned down and kissed the tears from Justin’s cheeks before kissing him softly on the lips.

And then he was gone.



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