Whitney and Jc walked hand in hand through the airport in search of Justin and Denise. Lance and Stephanie were coming to say goodbye to the two. There were no press around, and Whitney was thankful for that. This was hard enough as it was, and she didn't need any questions thrown her way.
When they reached the gate where they would be boarding, the immediately saw Denise and Justin standing together. He was wearing a baseball cap to hide his curls, and sunglasses to hide those famous baby blues. Lance and Stephanie hadn't arrived yet, and every step that they took brought her closer to getting on that plane.
When they reached the other couple, none of them said a word. Each was wondering what would take place on this trip. There was a small possibility that something could happen, and cause trouble in everyone of their lives. But, that was just a small chance...and to Denise. It was a chance that she would have to take. The boarding call was announced just as Stephanie and Lance arrived. Whitney pulled Steph aside to talk to her.
"Steph,..I dont think I can do this."
"Whitney, you can't back out of this now. It's just Justin. You've been friends for eight years. You can do this."
"I'll miss you..I'll try and call you..heh, I'll probably have to..I want to keep some of my sanity."
"There's that sense of humor. Now go say bye to your man, and relax..everything is going to be ok," she said, hugging her friend one last time.
Whitney walked over to Jc and pulled him aside. "I'm going to miss you, baby."
He hugged her to him and closed his eyes. "I love you...don't forget that. Call me and let me know that you get there safe," he said, bringing his lips down and kissing her in a way that made her want to forget going on this trip and just staying to be with him. To be held in his strong arms that protected her from harm. But this was something she had to do.
While Jc and Whitney were saying goodbye, Justin had pulled Denise aside. "Denise..are you absolutely sure that you want us to do this?"
She looked him in the eyes and nodded. "You have to do this Justin..call me and let me know if something happens. I'll..believe it or not..I'll miss you, Justin."
Justin hugged her to him, and wanted so badly to touch her lips just once before he left. "Denise..can..can I kiss you?"
She pulled back from him to see the want in his eyes. She couldn't lie to him..she didn't think she'd be able to get through the next five days without the feel of his lips against hers. "I think you better," she said, as their lips met in one last final kiss before the flight was called. They pulled away, and Whitney walked over to them. "Are you ready, Justin?"
He nodded his head, and waved goodbye to everyone, before they walked down the terminal to board the plane. The two of them hadn't spoken a word to each other since the night that all hell had broken lose, and it looked like it might be a while before a serious conversation took place.
The found their seats and Justin looked at her. "Do you want the aisle or windo seat?"
"It doesn't matter to me," she said, sliding into the window seat.
He smiled. "I thought you said that it didn't matter to you and here you are taking the best seat."
She just shrugged her shoulders and looked out the window. He sighed. This was going to be a very long trip if they couldn't even talk to each other. He didn't want to bring it up now, because there was a chance that the conversation could get out of hand. But, they definately needed to talk about it before they were shut up in a room together in Hawaii, with no other company than the others.
The plane had been in the air for about an hour, until Justin came to the point where he couldn't stand the silence between them any longer. "Look, we've got to talk about this, or we're never going to make it through these five days. I know things aren't just going to go back to normal, but we've got to communicate some..I'll go insane."
She sighed. "Look, Justin..right now I don't know what to say. I miss Jc already, I don't want to be here right now, and I feel
like you..my best friend..is a stranger to me. You kept all that from me, Justin..to me that's the same as lying. Yes, I kept it from you too, but my feelings didn't go as deep as yours."
He narrowed his eyes. "So, that makes it different?"
"Yes!"
"Oh, I'd love to hear you explain to me how this is any different."
"Just believe me, Justin..they are."
He turned her face to look at him. "I don't think they are. We BOTH kept things from each other. You're just as stubborn as me when it comes to admiting it, but I won't sit here and let you try and blame this all on me. It was bound to happen, and it did. Now, we can't do anything about it, and I suggest we put our stubborness and pride aside, and try and atleast get along."
"Fine...what do you suggest we talk about, Justin? How great the weather is?"
He sighed. This wasn't going to be easy. Her sarcastic tone was about to make him lose his temper. "Listen, Whitney.. you don't have to be a jerk about this. Just TRY..try being the key word. Don't act like I'm the worst person to be around right now, cause I know you can think of a lot worse off that you could be. Now, stop acting like a spoiled brat, and talk normally."
Her eyes narrowed. "I will not sit here and listen to you insult me, Justin."
He crossed his arms over his chest. "If you want to be that way, fine..but you're not being the easiest person to talk to right now."
"Well, it might be because I have nothing to say to you right now."
"FINE! I dont care if you ever talk to me again. I think its stupid that you're acting this way over something that I had no control over."
That pushed her over the edge. "Had no control over? You had every bit of control over that situation. You could have not been completely honest and not went into total depth about how you felt! You could have cost me my relationship with Jc, and in the process you put Denise's and your relationship on the line. Tell me Justin, were you going for that affect?"
"Whitney, listen to yourself. You know that I would NEVER do a damn thing to hurt you. I've put up with you for this long, and believe me I suddenly don't want to cause any chaos in our lives."
"Could have fooled me, Justin."
"What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Do you remember that talk we had..ohh I dunno about 6 years ago? That talk about Hawaii..I know that Denise just didn't pop up with the idea to send us here. You had a hand in it, and it pisses me off."
"Whitney, I would never do something like that! Why they hell can't you see that? Do you think I'd honestly drop down that low? If you actually believe that, ...then I guess I didn't really know you like I thought I did."
She turned away from the window to look at him. "I really don't know you anymore."
He touched her cheek. "Quit lying to yourself. You know me better than anyone..besides my mom. Just like I know more about you than anyone else..I know more about you than Jc does. Believe it or not, Whitney, those feelings that I had for you, I wouldn't trade places with Jc for anything. I get so much more than he does."
"How do you figure that?"
"I get to listen to your problems that you're having, and I also get a chance to dry those certain, but few tears that he doesn't get to wipe away," he said, wiping away a tear that had worked its way free from her captivating brown eyes.
"I'm sorry, Justin..I don't know why I said those things."
"It's ok, you're upset and everyone says things that they don't mean when they are angry and hurt."
She laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. In all honesty, she was looking forward to being in Hawaii...she thought she deserved a vacation, and atleast she was spending it with her best friend. Nothing could ruin it.
She set her keys down on the table, and looked around. Seeing the pictures of her and Justin together was enough to bring the tears flowing from her eyes. She loved him with all of her heart, and when he had said that he was falling in love with her..it gave her hope. She just hoped that it wouldn't be crushed. "Why..why did this have to happen?" she whispered to no one.
She walked up the stairs to her bedroom, and laid down on the bed. Memroies flooding into her of past experiences that had taken place on that very bed. She hugged her pillow close to her chest. She didn't know what she would do if something happened to their relationship. Not only would her heart be broken, but she would have no desire to ever try and find love again.
And, it wouldn't be because she wasn't looking. It would be because no other guy could amount to what Justin did in her eyes. To her, he was perfect. Sure, he had faults, but those faults made him perfect to her. Everything about him, was special to her. She didn't stop the tears from falling. She needed him, and she just hoped that she wouldn't lose him.
Whitney pulled her hair back into a loose ponytail, and picked up the bag that she was taking to the beach. She pushed her sunglasses up in her hair, and strolled out to the beach. So far the trip to Hawaii had been pretty good. Her and Jusitn had managed to be tolerable to each other, and she had to admit that Hawaii was beautiful.
They had basically gone on sight seeing on their first two days there, but today they had decided to hit the beach. Justin, being impatient and ready to hit the sand, had already left without her. When she stepped onto the sand, she couldn't help but sigh at the feeling she had with the sand beneath her feet. She brought a hand up to shield her eyes, and look for Justin.
It didn't take long to spot him, because he was surrounded by about five girls. She couldn't help but smile. She quickened her pace, eager to see how he was dealing with the situation, since there weren't any bodyguards around to help him out. She walked up beside him, and sat her bag down.
The girl's eyed her carefully, before one of them spoke up. "Who's that?"
Justin turned to look over his shoulder, and shot her a grateful smile. He motioned for her to come over next to him, and he put his arm around her waist. "This is my good friend."
Their eyes were full of jealousy. "Oh, well...umm...does she have a name?"
Justin smiled. "Yeah, its Whitney."
"Oh, you're Jc's girlfriend..so where is he?" she asked, as excitement floated into her voice.
"He's not here..he had..um business to take care of," Whitney said, suddenly wondering if this was a good idea. The girls seemed to buy it, and finally left Justin alone.
"I owe you, Shorty. They were getting on my nerves."
She smiled, and plopped down on her towel. "Don't mention it...I just hope that they don't go and spread more rumors around about me dumping Jc for your ass."
He smiled. Even though she could be rude at times, he loved to hear her make fun of him. "It feels good to hear you talk like that."
She turned to give him a look like he had lost his mind. "Talk how? I only speak the truth," she said, as the corner's of her mouth twitched.
His eyes narrowed. "Oh, you just didn't go there?" he said, inching closer to her.
She smiled, not paying him any attention. "I think I went there and then some buddy, now move you're blocking my rays."
"You know, Whitney, you look a little hot ..you might need to cool off," he said, picking her up and running towards the ocean.
"JUSTIN! Put me down," she squealed as he splashed in the water.
"No, that mouth of yours gets you in a lot of trouble....now hold your breath..we're going under," he said, waiting for a wave, and submerging them both in it. She came up drenched and looking like a wet rat. He let go of her, and she immediately went after him.
He laughed as he watched her try and move through the water to get to him. She was determined to get him, and he knew that she would stop at nothing to pay him back. She almost had him, until a big wave knocked her under. She came up coughing, and he came over to pat her on the back. "Are you ok," he asked, concern very present in his voice.
Her eyes shot up to him, and they looked like slits. "I'm fine. I'm going to lay up there and don't you dare touch me. This is all your fault," she said, walking towards the shore. He couldn't help but laugh. She turned around suddenly and gave him a look that meant she was serious.
"I mean it Justin Randall..don't mess with me. I'll get you back...you can mark my word."
He just smiled. That was his best friend that he knew and cared for. The one that was always there to keep him on his toes. All he knew was, for the past few days she had been absent, and so had a part of him.
He had called the guys, and every one of them had been busy. Then he thought of Denise...knowing that she was probably in the same mood as him. He picked up the phone and dialed her number. "Hello," her voice came through, very low and depressed sounding.
"Hey, Denise..its JC...I was just wondering if you maybe felt like hanging out. I'm going crazy..the silence..it just feels too weird."
"I know what you mean,...Jc..I...I miss him. I thought I could get through this..but now I want him back in my arms."
"Denise, I told you this wasn't going to be the easiest thing. But the best thing that you can do, is get your mind off of it and let the time pass. Three more days is all you have to wait. Now, we're going to see a movie, and I don't want to hear any objections. Is that clear?"
She laughed. "That's clear. I'll be ready in fifteen minutes. See you then," she said, hanging up the phone. She ran upstairs and changed from her comfortable, "missing Justin" outfit that she had on. She had just walked downstairs when she heard Jc blow his horn. She grabbed her keys and was out the door.
He was sitting in the jeep, bobbing his head up and down to the music that he was listening to. His sunglasses hiding his breath taking blue eyes. "Are you ready for a nice movie," he said, backing out of the drive way.
She nodded her head, and listened to what was playing on the radio station. She couldn't help but smile at the next song that came on.
Check it out
Ooh dat dress so scandalous
And ya know another nigga couldn't handle it
See ya shakin that thang like who's da ish
With a look in ya eye so devilish
Uh
Ya like to dance at all the hip hop spots
And ya cruise to the crews like connect da dots
Not just urban she likes the pop
Cuz she was livin la vida loca
She had dumps like a truck truck truck
Thighs like what what what
Baby move your butt butt butt
Uh
I think I'll sing it again
She had dumps like a truck truck truck
Thighs like what what what
All night long
Let me see that thong
I like it when the beat goes da na da na
Baby make your booty go da na da na
Girl I know you wanna show da na da na
That thong th thong thong thong
I like it when the beat goes da na da na
Baby make your booty go da na da na
Girl I know you wanna show da na da na
That thong th thong thong thong
That dress so scandalous
And I know another nigga couldn't handle it
And she shakin that thang like who's da ish
With a look in her eye so devilish
Uh
She like to dance at all the hip hop spots
And she cruise to the crews like connect da dots
Not just urban she likes the pop
Cuz she was livin la vida loca
Jc's head was bobbing with the beat, and she couldn't hold in her laughter anymore. "You really like this song," she asked, trying to supress her laughter.
He chuckled. "I guess you could say that. You'll have to ask Whitney about the thong song..boy...now that I think about it," he said, a huge smile forming on his lips.
She held up her hand. "PLEASE..just spare me this once."
He laughed. "Ok..but only because I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable. But, that was just one experience that I will never forget."
She chuckled softly and stared out the window. She tired to fight it, but her mind immediately drifted to him. She wondered what he was doing at that very moment, if he was thinking of her, or if she was far from his thoughts. Jc seemed to read her mind. "Stop it..don't worry about him. Everything is going to be fine, and you'll laugh back on how much you worried."
She tried to smile, but the emotion that she felt was like a heavy burden that she couldn't wait to get lifted. But, the only way that would be happening, was and if he came back to her. And she didn't mean physically. She needed him to be on the same level that she was emotionally, and that he still wanted her. "Ok, whatever you say, Jc..I'll try..its just really hard."
Jc nodded his head. He was dealing with the pressure that he was feeling a little better. It wasn't like he had a relationship that was just starting out..him and her and a relationship that had saw its ups and downs. They had that level of trust and understanding that Justin and Denise were just waiting to discover. He knew that a relationship wasn't suppose to be made easy...the hardships brought you closer. He just hoped that Denise understood that. "Believe me, Denise..there are times when you wonder if its all worth it..but it is. Having the one person that believes in you when no one else can, and having the one person that you know will always support you, no matter if your dream is far from reach..that makes it all worth it."
"I'm taking it that you and her haven't had that joyous ride of an easy relationship."
"No, we haven't. But, I wouldn't take back what had happened. It's made us both stronger, and just knowing that we have that power to get through things like that..it makes me tingle. Knowing that she knows me almost better than I know myself..that just gives you that one feeling that you need to push to survive through the hard times."
"Jc, I just wonder if we'll ever make it to that point..even if we make it through this. What am I suppose to do when there are times harder than this? THIS is testing me here, and I'm sure that if we make it, and I hope we do, that it will test me to the point of where I break, and I give up on the one guy that makes me have feelings like I've never before felt."
"Like I said, Denise. It's a test of time that you've got to be ready to fight through. Just don't give up. Believe in Justin and believe in yourself,and everything will work out. But, that's all we're going to be talking about this. We're at the movie theater and you're going to enjoy this. If your mind so much wonders to him, I swear, we'll leave and you'll be in for the biggest lecture of your life. And, if you think I'm joking try me."
She laughed. "Yes, sir. I've got you loud and clear. Now what movie are we going to see?"
He smiled evily. "We're going to see Ladies Man. Now, get ready to laugh your ass off," he said, as they walked into the theater.