The next couple of weeks passed by quickly for both Justin and McKennah. They were both so busy they hardly saw one another. Justin would come home late from a friend's house or from visting his mom and stepdad and would pass by the computer room to see McKennah hovered over it either typing or searching for something on the internet.
She would come home some days to find him crashed out in front of the tv or in his room. And some days she would spy him out front in the driveway shooting hoops. And every now and then there would be a hurried greeting between the two of them but nothing that constituted an actual conversation.
Justin came home one particular night from a party with one of his best friends, Chad, about 2 a.m. He was about to enter his room when he saw the light blue glow seeping from underneath the computer room door. He pushed it open to see McKennah seated at the desk, books, papers, and pencils spilled out around her. She was lying forward, her head on her arms; sound asleep. He smiled faintly and picked up her things, putting it on the desk beside her. He then reached over her to save her work on the computer and to shut it down.
She stirred a little and he caught sight of her eyes opening. She sat up and yawned sleepily, "What time is it?"
"A little after 2."
"Ohhh man.."
He smiled and helped her up, "Come on, time for bed."
"But..I have to finish my paper!"
"You looked done to me. Kennah, you fell asleep for goodness sakes."
She sighed and let him lead her towards her room. "Okay..," She said relenting, "I'll just have to print it out before I leave."
He smiled, "Good."
"Where were you?"
"I went to a party with Chad and his girlfriend."
"Ohhh..was it fun?"
He nodded, "Yeah, for a party I guess."
"Okay..I'm goin' to bed then."
He pressed a kiss to her forehead gently, "Okay..don't wake up late."
"I won't.."
"Call me when you get finished with your final and everything, ok?"
She nodded, yawning again, "I will J..night."
"Night McKennah."
Later that morning, when it was an actual time for people to be up, McKennah got up, took a quick shower and went to the computer room to print out her English paper. She then went downstairs and grabbed a quick breakfast and then went to school.
Once she reached the classroom, she was surprised so many people had shown up for that time. It was only 8:30. She handed in her paper with the others and sat down to take the comprehensive part of the final. As soon as the professor said to start, she flipped over the test booklet and began to work on it.
She could hardly believe she wasn't a freshman in college anymore...well, that was if she passed all her classes. She could hardly believe that it was summer, and she was so excited that she'd get to spend most of it with Justin. McKennah finished the exam within an hour and a half and handed it in and then walked across campus to her car.
She called Justin at the house but he never answered. She tried his cell, no answer. McKennah frowned slightly as she drove from campus towards home. He said he'd be up..it was almost 10!
McKennah had barely parked and gotten out of the car when she was bombarded by a small body hurling itself at her; he suspiciously looked alot like a mini-Justin. "KENNAH!"
"Hey sweetie! When'd you get here?," She asked hugging the small boy and putting him on the ground.
"Just a little while ago!"
"I swear Jon, if I didn't know any better I'd say you grew like 6 inches!"
Jon smiled proudly up at McKennah, "Mom said I only grew an inch but ya know what?"
"What?"
"I think I grew more."
"I bet you did. Where's Justin?"
"Inside making lunch. Can you stay and eat lunch with us McKennah?"
"I sure can Jon. Hop on and we'll go bug Justin."
Jon happily jumped on her back and she carried him inside the house, through the foyer, living room and finally depositing him in the kitchen on one of the bar stools. Justin turned and grinned at her, "Did he get ya?"
"You know...what are you fixing?"
"Grilled cheese, want one?"
"Nah, no thanks. I'm not hungry..but I'll keep you two company, sound good Jon?"
Jon nodded his head, "Yep!"
"Cool."
Justin turned back to the stove, "How was your last final?"
"Surprisingly easy..I think I passed at least."
Justin smiled, "I bet you passed all of them."
"Hope so."
"McKennah?"
"Yeah Jon?"
"Is it true you're going to come with me, mommy, and Justin when he goes back on tour?"
"Where'd you hear that rumor?"
Jon pointed to his brother, "Justin."
McKennah smiled, "Just so happens, I am little J."
Jon began to jump up and down in excitement, "Really?! Wow! This is gonna be soo cool!"
McKennah and Justin exchanged a look before laughing at the five year old as he ran around the kitchen telling her and Justin all the cool things he could do now that McKennah was coming along.
Lynn came by about 8 o'clock to pick up Jon to take him home. Jon had fallen asleep on the couch while McKennah and Justin watched tv. Justin let his mom in, greeted her with a hug and a kiss, and then asked, "So..where's your younger brother?"
"Asleep with McKennah on the couch. Come on in mom."
She walked with Justin towards the living room. McKennah looked up and smiled, "Hey Lynn."
"Hi sweetie, did you two wear him out?"
"Of course."
"Was he good?"
"He was great mom, thanks for letting him come over today."
"No problem, I needed a day to myself.," She said picking up Jon gently, "I guess we'll see you all Friday, right?"
They both nodded and she hugged them both, "Well, I guess we'll see you then, I'm sure Jon'll call you tomorrow Justin."
"That's fine, bye mom."
"Bye honey; you two get some sleep as well."
Both of them answered, "Yes mom."
Lynn just smiled and left soon after that.
McKennah woke up the next morning about 7; she wasn't that tired and decided to get up anyways. She was surprised to find Justin up..and he was actually awake at that time of the day. "Why are you up?," She asked as she reached into the fridge for the orange juice.
He shrugged, "Dunno..I was thinking about driving to the park to play some ball, then I'm going to take Jon out to lunch..."
"Ohhh..mind if I tag along?"
He smiled, "Not at all..want some breakfast?"
"If you don't mind."
"Nope, it's all good."
"I'm going to run up and take a quick shower, k?"
"Alright, hurry."
She stuck out her tongue at him before turning and running up the stairs to her bathroom.
He just turned back to the stove and went back to making breakfast.
She hurried through her shower and got out and changed into some adidas shorts, a tank top and her tennis shoes. "Hey Kennah! Breakfast is ready!," Justin called from downstairs.
"I'll be down in a minute!"
"Ok!"
She dried her hair quickly and put on a little make-up. 'Lord knows why I'm putting on make-up when I'm about to get all sweaty..but oh well!,' She thought as she finished and went downstairs and into the kitchen.
Justin was seated at the counter and she joined him. "This is great Justin..I thought you didn't know how to cook?"
"I can cook simple things...scrambled eggs is about the extent of my cooking talent."
After they both did the dishes, Justin grabbed his car keys and they were off to a local park that was about fifteen minutes from the house. Justin bounced the basketball as they walked down a little hill to the 2 basketball courts. McKennah walked while trying to pull her hair up in a ponytail; she held the elastic in her mouth and could see in front of her that one group of guys had taken up one of the courts. Once they reached the bottom of the hill, Justin took the lead and they walked to the other court. "You know I'm gonna kick your ass Kennah."
"Whatever Timbs."
He just grinned, "Are you ready yet or are you too busy primping?"
"Screw you."
"When and where baby; when and where."
She took the ball from his hands and dribbled it, "What are we playing to?"
"22."
"Ok."
"You take it out."
"I know how to play J."
He raised an eyebrow, "Just don't shoot it in the wrong hoop."
She finally cracked a smile, "That was one time!"
He grinned, "Uh huh."
"It was!!"
"Take it out, already!"
She did, bounce-passed it to him, he did the same thing back to her. Then, it was on.
McKennah easily went around him and made the first basket of the game. "That's two on you J!"
"We're only starting Kennah!"
He took the ball and almost immediately tried to go around to the left of her. She saw the way he was moving and went with him. She could see that frustrated him. They had been playing together for a long time so both knew the other's moves pretty well.
The game was soon tied at 18. McKennah took a quick breather while Justin tied his shoe and she looked around to realize, they had attracted an audience. Not only the guys from the other court, but some girls were also hanging around. It was then she also realized that Justin hadn't bothered to try to disguise himself at all. She walked over to him, "J?"
"Huh?," he replied looking up from his shoe.
"We've attracted some people."
He looked around, "Wow..guess we did."
"You didn't even wear a hat!"
"I forgot ok? I was just trying to be normal for once.."
She sighed, "Well, are you ready?"
He nodded and stood up, "Let's finish."
"Fine."
He dribbled the ball forward, she guarded him as closely as she could and soon stole the ball from under him. She made the easy lay-up and Justin rebounded it.
At the other end of the court, Justin couldn't get around her. She followed and knew every move he was going to make. He bumped into her shoulder and she barely moved. He then tried to go around on her left, which she wasn't expecting. His left foot caught her right one and he tripped, falling onto her. She landed with a groan, "Oh my God! YOU WEIGH A TON!"
He pushed up onto his hands, "Are you okay?"
"I think I have a concussion."
He smiled and climbed to his feet, and helped her up. She grabbed the back of her head, "Owww.."
"I am soo sorry McKennah, I didn't mean to trip you.," he said scratching the top of his head.
"It's ok..really.."
He suddenly grasped her arm, "You're bleeding."
"Oh..I am? Oh..so I am."
He smiled, "Come on, we gotta go pick up Jon anyways.."
"Ok."
She followed him back up the hill to his car. A couple of girls, who had found out that he was at the park, were waiting. "Justin! Could we have your autograph?"
He nodded before shooting McKennah an apologetic look. She shook her head and reached her hand out for his keys. He passed them to her and she climbed into the driver's seat and started the car. Justin finished with the girls and got in, "Sorry."
"Quit apologizing..I understand."
"I just want to be normal sometimes."
"Well guess what J?"
He looked over at her, "What?"
"This summer is going to be awesome because your mom, your little brother, and me are going to be there with you. You're going to have the most NORMAL tour you have ever had."
"Do you promise?"
"I promise Justin. You deserve to have some normality in your life...even though I know you wouldn't give up music for any amount of money, I still think you need to be kinda normal...kinda like a 19 year old would."
He smiled, "Thank you."
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