CHAPTER 3
During the following weeks, Justin and Joanna became very good friends. She always helped him as much as she could and he took her to concerts, interviews, photo shoots, signings, everything. And that just made his feeling for her grow stronger. The more time he spent with her, the more he fell for her. And the feelings were mutual. Joanna couldn't believe that she was in love with him. A man that had entered her life just a few weeks ago. A man that was still a boy in many ways. But maybe that's why she cared for him.
When Joanna met the "Sync" part of the group, she instantly developed a friendship with all of them, but especially with Joey. He also went to DPHS, so they had many teachers and friends in common. Lance was the sweet one, definitely a gentleman. JC was a very open-minded guy, he was the sanity of the group, what kept them together. And Chris. Well, Chris was a different topic. He was just this amazing and energetic guy who enjoyed life to the fullest. She loved them all.
For Justin's birthday, they decided to throw a surprise party at the house he shared with Chris and JC. Justin spent the entire day at Joanna's, just finishing his project for English class. So, the others had sufficient time to prepare everything. They invited Justin's closest friends and family. By nine o'clock everything was ready. But Joanna still had to find an excuse so they could go over to his house.
"So, what do you wanna do tonight?" asked Joanna.
"We can get something to eat and then catch a movie. What do you say?" Justin
said.
"Fine with me. I'm just gonna take a quick shower, then we go to your house
so you can get ready, ok?" she said.
"Yeah, but hurry up. God knows how long you take in the shower." Justin
answered
"I do not!" Joanna protested.
"You just keep telling yourself that." he said.
She just stuck her tongue out
and went up to her room to get ready. After 25 minutes, she was all done. She
met Justin downstairs and they headed over to his house, which was only five
minutes away.
When they got to Justin's driveway, they saw Joey's car, but nothing else. Justin parked the car and they got out. He opened the door and they went in the house, which was awfully quiet. When Justin turned on the light, everyone came out and congratulated him. After exchanging hand shakes, hugs, and presents, everyone was settled and the party was kicking. Justin was talking to one of his long time friends, when out of the corner of his eye, he saw Joanna. She was sitting all by herself in a corner of the room. He excused himself and went to talk to her.
"Hey J." she said.
"What's up, Jo? Why are you here by yourself?" Justin asked.
"Just thinking, you know ... but anyway, how's my birthday boy doing?" Joanna
said.
"I'm having a blast, I mean, I'm eighteen now." he told her.
"Now you're old enough to go clubbin'." she said sarcastically. He laughed
and said:
"You knew about this, didn't ya?" Justin asked.
"Yup, of course! Did ya like it?" Joanna questioned.
"Yeah, I did. Thanks, Jo." he hugged her and continued "You wanna dance?"
"Sure." she answered.
They headed to the dance floor, which was actually the living room. The fast and up beat song that was playing stopped and a slow song came on. She look uncomfortably at him and waited for his next move. He just smiled and pulled her closer to him. She accepted him embrace and they began swaying to the music. There were more couples dancing, but it seemed like it was just the two of them. They were in their own world, just looking into each other's eyes. He inhaled her perfume. The scent that now had become so familiar to him. It felt like heaven. But all good things come to an end. And before they knew, the song had stopped. Justin held her for a few seconds before letting go.
"Thanks for the dance." Joanna said.
"Anytime." was his answer.
She turned around and walked away. Justin was left alone with his thoughts. 'You had the chance. You had her in your arms, but you did nothing. Stupid, stupid, stupid.' he said to himself. He shook his head and left the dance floor. For the rest of the party, he didn't see her. By two in the morning, all guests were gone, so Justin decided to go to his room.
He went up the stairs and when he opened the door, his breath was taken away.
Joanna was curled up in a ball and was sleeping peacefully. He carefully approached the bed and placed a blanket over her. He just stood there, watching her. She looked so pure and beautiful. An angel. He sat down in the chair across from the bed and continued to admire her. But after a while, he also fell asleep.