“I'm glad you're enjoying this.” Megan said.
“Hmmm…I am.” He said happily.
“What I don’t understand, is how someone who can execute those hard dance moves can manage to trip over his own two feet.”
“It was an accident.” He whined. “Besides, I've been needing a massage.”
“You are really tense.” She commented as she pushed and rubbed the tight muscles in his back. “Have you been stressed about anything lately?”
‘If you only knew…’
“Not really.” He shrugged. He was glad that his face was buried in the pillow he was laying on.
He couldn't lie; never could. When he lied, his whole face showed it. His cheeks turned a deep crimson color and his forehead got little worry lines, like he knew he was going to get caught in his lie. This time, his whole face was beet red and his brow was furrowed.
“Justin?” Megan shook his shoulder, snapping him out of his daze.
“I'm sorry baby. What did you say?” He asked turning over onto his back.
“I asked you why you were so tense.” She repeated. “You've been acting really strange this past week…ever since I was sick.”
“I just have some things on my mind that's all. Don’t worry about me.” Justin gave her a half-hearted smile.
“Liar.” She said. He smiled softly and pulled her into his arms. “What's wrong Justin?”
“I'm just worried about you going back to New York by yourself.” He said. “What if something happens to you?”
“Justin, I've lived in Brooklyn my entire life. I'll be fine.” She assured him. He tightened his grip around her waist.
“What about Jacob though?” Justin felt her become tense at the mention of Jacob's name.
“What about Jacob? I'm not worried about him. He's not going to come near me. He has no idea when I'm coming home. I'm - ”
“Megan!” He interrupted her babbling. “See? This is exactly what I'm talking about. You're terrified of him. What if he does know?”
“Are you trying to freak me out about going home?!” Megan yelled.
“No - I was just - ”
“Jesus Justin! Sometimes I wonder about you!” She said moving away from him. She spun around and pointed accusingly at his chest, which was about nose height compared to her 5’6’’ frame. “Are you trying to get me to stay with you and not go back to school?” She asked accusingly.
“NO! Megan please I would never - ”
“No!” She held up her hand, silencing him. “All I ask is to go one day without being reminded that there is someone out there who could kill me if he wanted to!”
“I wouldn't let that happen - ”
“I'm not gonna be some girl that follows you around like some sad little puppy. I have a life too.”
“I'm not trying to get you to stay with me!” It was his turn to yell. “Look, I'm just trying to make you see that it could be dangerous if you go back by yourself.”
“Of course it's dangerous! Jacob hates me!” She threw her hands in the air. “I rejected him and now he won't stop until he has me again. God knows when that's gonna be.” She mumbled. Justin turned away, his back to her.
'I have to tell her...'
Justin looked desperately at Joey (who was standing in the doorway watching the couple argue) and their eyes met. Joey shook his head frantically, knowing exactly what Justin was thinking. She couldn't know; she wouldn't be safe if she knew. She'd have a fit and call to confront him.
Collin had called earlier that week. He had talked to Joey and told him what he had found out about Jacob through other people.
Jacob had been following them since Colorado…He had been following them for nearly 3 weeks. Now, whenever he was in public with Megan, he had extra security and never left her side. He even had a hard time letting her go into the public bathroom by herself. She didn't know that as soon as she entered the bathroom, Wesley or Mike would take a place right in front of the door. No one was allowed to enter until Megan came out when he scrambled away without her noticing. So far she hadn't noticed the added security. But she could start asking questions at any minute. And Justin couldn't lie to her.
“Justin, I don’t need your protecting. I'm a big girl now. I'm not the scrawny little 14-year-old I used to be. I can take care of myself!” She turned to walk away but Justin caught her arm. Megan gasped and looked at the strong hand clasping around her thin arm. Horrifying memories flooded her mind.
“Don’t walk away when I'm talking to you, you little skank!” Jacob's rough hand caught her arm violently, his fingers squeezing her hard. Megan knew that this wasn't going to be the only bruise she would receive tonight.
“Jacob…Please let me go…” She whimpered softly.
“Oh, quit whining!”
“Jacob…Please…I’m sorry…I didn't know…” She couldn't push the frightened tone out of her voice. This angered him even more. The hand that wasn't holding her arm reached back. “Jacob don’t - OH!” Her sentence was cut short by the back of his hand hitting her cheek, the ring on his middle finger leaving bad scratch.
“I told you to stop whining!” He yelled as her tiny hand grasped the tear stained cheek. Her salty tears mixing with the blood on her face left her crying with the stinging from the slice in her cheek.
“I'm sorry!” She managed to say through her sobs.
“I'll give you something to cry about!”
Megan braced herself. This one was going to be bad.
“Get your hand off of me!” Megan demanded through clenched teeth.
“Megan just listen to me. Please?”
“I said: Don’t TOUCH me.”
She yanked her arm away and stalked out of the room, pushing Joey out of the way. Justin collapsed on the couch and rested his head on the heels of his hands. He rubbed the tears that threatened to spill. He had screwed up again. Now Megan was mad at him and she was leaving in a week. He had to work fast (and hard) if he was going to fix this before she went back to New York. But he couldn't today. He was too drained.
"Ew, look…IT is up!" Chris cracked as Justin emerged from his bunk the next day.
Justin directed an obscene gesture toward Chris and walked into the kitchen, a grumpy look on his face.
"Someone's a tad bit grouchy this morning." Lance chuckled. Justin walked over to Lance and took the carton of juice from him.
"Uh, excuse you." Lance said.
"Mmhm." Justin poured his juice and got out a bowl. Justin pulled out a box of Captain Crunch and started to pour his cereal. All he got was crumbs. "Aright, someone is gonna be dead any second." Justin finally spoke. Megan rolled her eyes, and watched him go angrily into the back lounge. Justin was being deprived of his morning supply of cereal. Someone was going to pay.
"Where's my---" he stopped when he saw Chris eating the last of his cereal.
"Uuuurggghh! Chris! That's mine!" Justin groaned.
"Not any more." Chris said and put another spoon pull in his mouth. "You want the rest? They're not soggy yet." He held out the bowl for Justin to take.
"Gross, no thank you! I'll have to eat dry Cheerios!" he said grumpily.
"Joey already ate 'em." Chris replied.
"What?! There was a half a box in there!" Justin yelled.
"Like I said, JOEY ate them!" Chris said.
"Ugh. That friggen' pig!" Justin grumbled and walked into the kitchen and got out some microwave waffles. "Nasty stuff." He said to himself.
"Then starve." Megan said.
"Did I ask for your opinion?" Justin snapped.
"Excuuuuuse me." Megan said. "I'll just leave you alone. Obviously your childish mind isn't ready to handle the obvious."
"And what would that be?"
"If you don't like it - don't eat it!" Megan walked to the back and slammed the door. She plopped down by Chris and sighed loudly.
"NOW, WHERE IN THE HELL IS THE SYRUP!" They heard Justin scream.
