"I Will Still Love You"

Chapter 3Flashback - January/95

Meanwhile, in the Harless' residence...

Justin sat in the backyard, looking up at the stars. Stars that reminded him of Joanna. He thought about her and just hoped that one day they could be reunited. Now that his family was settled in their new home and he had some time off from "The New Mickey Mouse Club," he was determined to find her. No matter what. He had to find his love and his happiness again. He couldn't live like that any longer. Inside the house...

"Mommy, what wong wif Justin?" - a full-mouthed Jonathan asked

"He's just tired, darling. Now you two finish your food before Joanna gets here to pick Bia up, ok?" - Mrs. Harless said "Yes, mom." - Jonathan answered

"Dis is good." - Beatriz said, pointing to the food

Mrs. Harless just smiled at the two kids and looked outside, in thebackyard.

She knew something was wrong with her son. She could feel it. He wasn't the happy, motivated and cheerful boy anymore. He had become cold and distant somehow. She didn't know what else to do. Every time she tried talking to him, he said everything was fine and that he was just tired. So, she just let things go naturally, but she couldn't stop worrying.

Then, the doorbell rang. Lynn went to get the door already knowing who it was... "Hi Joanna, how are you, sweetie?" - Mrs. Harless asked

"Pretty good, thanks. And you? Were the kids any trouble?" - the girl questioned

"Not at all. Look, they're finishing dinner, so why don't you go watch some tv while they're in the kitchen?" - Lynn suggested

"Fine with me." - Joanna answered

"Oh, by the way, my older son is home. He'll be staying with us for a couple of weeks this time. I would like him to meet you, ok?" - the woman said

"Sure..." - Joanna responded

"I'm gonna go get him." - Lynn said before leaving to get Justin

"Great, another Leonardo Di Caprio wanna-be. Just what I needed...." Joanna thought to herself. In the backyard...

"Justin, hun, there's someone I'd like you to meet. She's a very nice girl and she has given me a lot of help with your brother lately. Besides, she's around your age, you guys could become good friends." - Mrs. Harless said

"Mom, I'm not in the mood, please. Not today." - the boy responded, rather coldly

"Look Justin, I don't know what's wrong with you, but I'm trying to help you out. You have been different since we got back from our vacation in the Caribbean Islands. I just want you to be yourself again." - Lynn said

"I'm sorry, mom. It's just that... well... nevermind." - Justin said

"Come on, darling, let's go inside so you can meet her." - the mother said

"Ok, whatever mom." - the boy replied Inside the house...

"She's watching tv. I'm gonna go check on the kids in the kitchen, ok? Just be nice to her." - Mrs. Harless said before going into the kitchen.

Justin thought the quicker he gets this over with, the quicker he could go to his room and dream about Joanna. So, he went to meet the girl. When he got to the family room, he only could see the back of her head. She seemed concentrated in the tv show. He moved towards the sofa. The closer he got, the more familiar the girl appeared to him. He finally spoke:

"Hi, I'm Justin, Lynn's older son..... And you are?"

Joanna couldn't see his face, not yet. But his voice sounded extremely familiar. It had that loving and shooting sound that she once knew so well. It couldn't be her Justin. Or could it? Well, she had to find out. She turned around, and without looking up, she said: "Hey, I'm Joanna."

Adrenaline rushed through his veins. That voice. That face. That body. His love. His happiness. His Joanna. It was her. Finally.