Britney was so excited. She finally saw Justin getting off the plane. However, he wasn't alone. He was talking and laughing with a very pregnant lady. Obviously Justin had a good time at school. Britney was picking up her stuff before Justin could see her. She couldn't face him. After that kiss they shared, how could Justin just turn his back on her and make love to a woman at the same time. The thoughts made her sick. Britney had to get out of there.
"Britney!" Justin called out just before her quick getaway.
"Oh hey Justin. I didn't know you would be here this early." Britney said faking a smile.
"Yeah, I caught an early flight." Justin said.
"I see you met someone." Britney eyed Emily.
"Oh, this is Emily." Justin said.
"Oh, hi Emily. This is a great guy." Britney said.
"Yeah, I hope he is. He helped me see how important relationships are." Emily said rubbing her stomach. It was clear to Britney that Justin was the father of Emily's child. He was just too cowardly to admit it.
"Well, I'll see you at your parents house later Justin." Britney said leaving. Justin couldn't' figure out why she was acting so abnormal.
"Britney, wait." Justin stopped her.
"What? Aren't you going to pay attention to whatever her name is." Britney said angrily.
"Emily? I barely know her." Justin said.
"Oh! So you just act before you get to know the person. I thought I knew you Justin!" Britney said stepping around him. Justin almost fell on the floor in laughter. Britney stepped back when she heard Justin's laugh.
"I can't believe you!" Justin said with tears in his eyes from laughing so hard.
"What is so funny?" Britney asked very irritated.
"You! The way your mind wanders Brit. It's not wonder why I fell in love with you." Justin said then stopped laughing instantly. Britney stood there motionless. Her wonders and fears had been answered. Not only did Britney love Justin but he loved her too.
"Excuse me?" Britney asked.
"I love you." Justin said in a more serious tone.
"Then who is this Emily girl?" Britney asked.
"She was a girl I met on the flight. We were sitting together and we started a conversation." Justin said.
"Oh! I'm such a fool." Britney said.
"I would've thought the same thing too! But if you were pregnant, then I would have a reason to be mad." Justin said.
"I'm so sorry Emily." Britney apologized.
"That's okay. Sometimes I forget what it looks like when a you're pregnant and having a good time with a man who isn't your husband." Emily said.
"I'm very happy for you. I wish you and your husband the best." Britney said.
"That's funny. Justin and you said almost the exact same thing." Emily smiled.
"Emily!" Paul called out for her.
"This is my husband Paul." Emily introduced Paul to Justin and Britney.
"Hello." Paul said.
"It's so nice to meet you." Justin said.
"Yeah, I hope you and your wife have a wonderful life together." Britney said still embarrassed by her earlier conclusion.
"Well, we better get going." Paul said.
"Us too." Justin said grabbing his things at the baggage claim.
"So, what have you really been doing in North Carolina?" Britney asked.
"Thinking about you." Justin said while driving home in the car.
"No, seriously." Britney asked him again.
"I am being serious. I haven't been able to get that kiss out of my head." Justin said.
"I have been thinking a lot about it too." Britney said.
"Britney, I know that everyone says that friends shouldn't be lovers. But I don't care. I love you and I want everyone to know it." Justin said.
"We're home!" Justin said as him and Britney entered the house.
"It's about time!" Lynne said hugging Britney.
"Something came up." Britney said smiling at Justin.
"So, when's dinner? I'm starved." Justin asked patting his stomach.
"Hush. Dinner isn't for another hour. It couldn't hurt you to lose a few pounds Justin." Lynn said patting his stomach. Every year at Christmas, Lynn always remarked on how much bigger Justin had gotten during the year. During the summer, Justin was too buys hanging out with his friends and partying to think about eating. But during school when stress mounted on his shoulders, eating was his only escape from going insane.
"Where's Laura Lynn?" Britney asked.
"I think she's up in the attic." Lynne said.
"Why is she there?" Britney asked confused.
"Oh, we forgot to mention. Laura Lynn wanted her own space from living with Amanda all the time, we offered her the attic and she accepted.
"Now I don't have to leave the room to talk to her!" Britney said running upstairs.
"Oh My Gosh! Britney." Laura Lynn squealed when Britney came in the room.
"I missed you so much!" Britney said.
"Same here girly. What have you been up to?" Laura Lynn asked. This was the time Britney would tell her about the kiss her Justin had shared just before they departed in August.
"Well something happened that I need to tell you about." Britney said.
"What's his name?" Laura Lynn asked.
"Actually it happened before I left." Britney said.
"Britney, I'm not following?" Laura Lynn asked.
"Justin and I kissed the day we left for college." Britney said. She felt so much better having told her very best friend.
"Sure, friendships kiss. What's so weird about that?" Laura Lynn said.
"It was much more than friendship. It was very tense and emotional. The kiss makes me see Justin more than a friend." Britney said pacing around the room.
"Are you sure? I mean you and Justin have been together since the ninth grade. Maybe it's just that you two were apart for so long." Laura Lynn said.
"No, it's not Laura Lynn. At the airport he said that he fell in love with me. Then he looked into my eyes and told me he loved me." Britney said.
"Did you say anything back?" Laura Lynn asked.
"No." Britney said bashfully.
"What is wrong with you? The one man who means the most to you tells you he loves you and you say nothing. Have I not taught you anything?" Laura Lynn asked her. Laura Lynn was three months older than Britney was. Even though they are the same age, Laura Lynn was much more experienced in the love department. Britney wasn't really into kissing guys as Laura Lynn was until she turned fourteen. Then at fifteen Britney had her first kiss.
"I'm such a dope! I'm probably the only girl whoever just said nothing when a guy said he loved her." Britney said sitting on her bed.
"It's okay Britney. This is your best friend. You have so many emotions running through you about wanting to be with him. Then again, anything you do could lose his friendship forever." Laura Lynn said comforting her.
"Exactly. Laura Lynn, promise me you won't tell anyone about this. I need your secrecy." Britney said.
"Not even Lynne? How can I keep something from Lynne about her very own daughter?" Laura Lynn asked.
"Because I am your best friend and I know I can count on you." Britney said. She held out her pinky finger. So many pinkies swear were between them they lost count when they were twelve.
"I promise. But you have to promise me that you'll come to me first whenever you need to talk about Justin, alright?" Laura Lynn asked.
"Of course." Britney said.
"It's so good to have you back." Laura Lynn said hugging Britney.
"Dinner's probably ready. Let's go downstairs." Britney said.
Chapter 1
Chapter 3
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