The Teenage Love Affair

Present

Nicole’s slowly opened her eyes, blinking a few times to get used to the brightness that had hit the house. Why did her bed feel so small? Wait, she wasn’t in her bed. Did she drink last night? And was someone snoring? Ugh, she always hated mornings. It always took her a few moments to really wake up.

Okay, someone was snoring. Licking her dry lips, she turned her head to the direction of the snoring. “Oh my god.” she gasped, completely rolling over.

Justin’s eyes flew open immediately, his mouth open as if to speak, but instead a low grunt left his lips when they rolled off the couch and landed on the floor. Nicole on top of him.

“Holy shit!” were the first words out of Justin mouth, a surprise look on his face. She couldn’t blame him.

Nicole felt her cheeks burn. “I’m sorry.” she whimpered.

Justin lifted his head up a little. “Why are we on the floor?” his eyes trying to focus on her. But it was hard, he was pretty sure he had hit his head. Letting his head drop back down, he grunted. “What did you do?”

“Nothing.” Nicole defended. “I forgot I wasn’t at home…and I heard snoring and when I rolled around-you were just there so I kind of-.”

He shut his eyes and let out a pain laugh. “You freaked out?”

“Its not funny. What would you have done?”

He opened his eyes back up, looking up at her. “You don’t want to know.”

Nicole wrinkled her nose. “Cute.”

Justin chuckled, absently moving a strand of her hair away from her face with his fingers. “Sometimes its just too easy to piss you off.”

She frowned down at him. “Yea, well you’re the only one that can do it so early in the morning.”

“It’s a gift.” grunting once again in pain, slightly moving underneath her, one arm loosely wrapped around her waist while his other hand rubbed the back of his head.

Nicole winced for him. “I’m so sorry.” apologizing once again.

“Oh god.”

“What?”

“I can feel a bump growing on the back of my head.” he told her in a serious voice. He saw the look of concern on her face. He took her hand and placed it at the back of his head. Justin knew it was mean, but it was just too much fun to mess with her, especially so early in the morning. “Feel it?” A slight shiver running through his spine as her fingertips rubbed the back of his neck first.

Fuck, maybe he shouldn’t have done that.

“There’s nothing there you big jerk.” pulling her hand away.

That brought him back to reality and he smirked. “Yea there is.”

“The only thing I felt was your huge head.” she stated. “And that had nothing to do with you hitting the floor.”

Justin lifted his head back up and said in a teasing voice. “I do have a big head…” wiggling his eyebrows at her.

“Your disgusting.”

“Oh c’mon its just some morning humor.” he said laughing, running his fingers briskly through her hair.

“Sick sense of humor.” she said dryly.

“Many like my humor.” Justin stated, his eyes focusing on her lips. Why did they look so appealing all of a sudden? Somehow through their conversation, his hand had moved behind her neck, gently rubbing. He felt her shiver.

“Yeah well, you could be dressed as a clown and many would find it sexy.” she mumbled. Was it her, or was he leaning in a little too close?

Justin chuckled. “A clown huh?” Lifting his head a bit more, their faces and mouths inches away.

Nicole blinked at him. “What are you doing?” Yet, not moving herself.

His lower lip touched hers for a split second. “I don’t fucking know…” he muttered. Their mouths slightly hovering. He could feel her heart beating rapidly against him. What was he doing? This could be bad. Then again, it could be good. With Nicole, it had always been good…

The room had fell silent. Neither one spoke, but neither one moved from the position they were in either. It was obvious neither one knew who should make the first move. And even if one did make the first move, what was it going to be?

His conscious told him to back up, but every part of his body told him other wise. She just looked so good, and she was so close….

And it was Nicole…

All he had to do was lean in a bit more, and his lips would be touching hers.

“J…” Nicole started.

Justin swallowed the lump in his throat, then opened his mouth ready to respond. But before he had the chance to speak or move, he heard Nicole’s stomach growl. He snorted back his laughter and let his head drop back down. They both knew whatever moment was just about to happen had evaporated. And Justin wasn’t sure if he was relieved or disappointed about it.

“Hungry?” he asked her instead.

Nicole furrowed her eyebrows. “Apparently so.” A light smile tugging on her lips.

“If you get off me I’ll buy you breakfast before we head home.” a tone of amusement in his voice.

“Ha, ha.” was Nicole’s response, lifting herself off him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nicole tried to hide her smirk as the waitress glanced curiously at Justin. “Your orange juice.” the waitress said to Nicole placing the glass on the table. She gave a small pause then said. “And your coffee.” Her eyes focus on Justin and only Justin. Nicole watched Justin glance up from his menu and smile at the young waitress.

“Thank you...” he glancing up at her name tag. “Ashley.”

Ashley beamed. Nicole bend her head back down to keep from laughing. “Your welcome. Are you ready to order? Or do you need a few more minutes?”

Justin’s eyes lingered over to Nicole. “You ready Nicky?” Oblivious to the young girl’s stares.

Nicole glanced up. “Can we get a few more minutes?”

“That’s fine.” Ashley replied, but she kept glancing over at Justin from the corner of her eyes. “Take your time.” And hesitantly walked away from their booth.

Once she was out of sight, Nicole glanced back down at her menu, and without looking up said. “She’s either watching you from a corner trying to figure out if its truly you or if its someone that looks like you.”

Justin looked up from his menu and smiled mischievously over at her. He couldn’t help but think how cute she looked sitting across from him, hair up in a messy ponytail and in his hoodie. “I wont tell if you won’t.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Do you actually believe she thinks its not you?” reaching out for her orange juice.

He shrugged. “It happens. Especially if they see me alone. Its Hollywood Nicky. Anything is possible.”

Nicole only shook her head lightly and smiled.

“Oh c’mon. Just a little fun.” kicking her gently underneath the table.

Her smile faded slightly. “I can still blow your cover.” Kicking him gently back and tugging on the sleeves of his hoodie.

“Are you threatening me?” he asked furrowing his eyebrows at her.

“Are you going to keep kicking me?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

Justin made a face at her. “You can be so immature sometimes.” shaking his head disapprovingly.

“You can me so immature sometimes.” she mimicked, making a face at him. “I don’t even know why I stay friends with you.”

“Because your life would be lost without me.” he stated, wiggling his eyebrows at her. “And vice versa.” Locking eyes with her. Okay, he hadn’t meant to say that, but it had slipped out. And it wasn’t a lie. It was the truth. And she knew it. It wasn’t as if she didn’t know how important she was to him.

Nicole cleared her throat, glancing from him to her menu. “You know its not very often the serious Justin makes appearances.” she said half-jokingly. Lightly biting on her lower lip.

“It only happens when I’m trying to prove a point.” he responded, glancing back down at his own menu.

Nicole glanced back up at him. “I know.” she paused for a split second. “And….yes…your life would be lost without me.” a light smile on her lips then she continued. “But for the record- my life would be lost without you.”

And that was no lie. After so long, Justin was and always would be her everything. Even if it never went beyond a friendship.

Justin did not say anything, as he looked up from his menu. He met her gaze, giving her a knowing smile. He opened his mouth, ready to speak, but shut it when he spotted the waitress make her way back to their booth.

“Are you um-ready to order?” she asked, focusing her attention on Justin.

Justin smiled warmly at the young girl, before glancing back at Nicole. “Are we ready?” he asked.

Nicole blinked. Somehow deep inside, she was sure he meant something else. But instead she glanced away from Justin and looked up at the girl. “Um…sure.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Winter 1997


“Come in.” Justin said over his shoulder as he heard the light tap on his bedroom door. He tossed one of his suitcases on his bed. He was packing his things back up, in less than three hours he would be getting back on a plane to meet the rest of the guys back in Germany.

“Whoa. It looks like your suitcases threw up.”

Justin looked up, and felt those familiar butterflies in his stomach when he saw Nicole standing just a few feet away. He gave her a smirk and responded. “It was worse earlier. But my mom made me clean it up.” He made his way to her. “’You may be gone, but it doesn’t mean you room should be left a mess.’” mimicking his mom. He reached her, wrapping one arm loosely around her waist and pulling her close to him, placing a sweet kiss on her lips.

It was moments like this, that made him rethink everything. It was the moments he spent with Nicole that made him want to drop everything.

He broke away, smiling. “Hi.” he greeted, placing a strand of her loose hair behind her ear.

Nicole leaned in a bit more. “Hi.” she greeted back with a warm smile, brushing her lips briefly over his again. Feeling the tingle, he could only cause when he was near.

She felt him give her a light squeeze and ask at the same time. “You okay?”

Nicole gave him a wrinkle of her nose in confusion. “Yea. Why wouldn’t I be?”

He gave a small shrug. “I just-we haven’t really talked in the past day, and I just-” stopping himself mid-sentence.

All of a sudden, she knew why he was asking if she was okay. It had only been a day and half since they had slept together and they hadn’t really gotten a chance to be alone since then. It wasn’t as if they hadn’t been in the same room the day before, because they had. Lynn- Justin’s mom, had thrown a little get together, just for close family and friends in a way to celebrate that her baby boy was back home-even if it was for three days.

A light blush hit her cheeks. “I’m fine.” She felt him drop his arm from around her waist, but he bend down to place a kiss on her forehead.

“You smell good.” he murmured, before taking a step back, and letting go completely. As much as he wanted her again, he knew it was not the right moment. He was to be leaving in less than three hours and his parents, his grandparents and her mother were down stairs.

Nicole took a hold of his hand, trying her best to pull him back toward her. “What’s wrong?” she asked him.

Justin tangled his fingers with hers. “Nothing.”

Nicole rolled her eyes at him. “Yes there is J. I know you.” She glanced at his face, then looked over his shoulder before speaking again. “Did I-did I do something…wrong?” chewing on her lower lip and not meeting his eye.

Justin looked surprised at her. “No. Why?”

Nicole pressed her lips together. “I mean, are you regretting what happened?” she asked.

Oh. Oh.

All of a sudden he understood what she meant when she asked if she had done something wrong. “Come here.” he said in a low voice, wrapping one arm loosely around her waist. Without saying a word, he cupped her face and brushed his lips over hers once again. He broke away from her embrace a few moments later, pressing his forehead against hers. “I don’t regret anything. Especially if it includes you.”

A smile tugged on Nicole’s lips. “Good.” she whispered, looking up at him through her lashes. “Because I don’t regret anything either.” Her arms snaking around his neck and pulling his face down and closer to hers. Their lips meeting once again. But this time the kiss was not a sweet one. It was pretty obvious what was on both of their mind.

Justin heard her moan as his tongue thrust into her mouth. He knew better than to let it go any farther than kissing. Even if every part of his body told him other wise.

With whatever strength he had, he broke away from her. Taking in a shaky breath, and licking his lower lip, he said. “We cant.” A low groan leaving his lips as he focused on her face. She had that same look from two nights before. He shook his head slightly. “No. We cant.” he repeated more to himself than to her. He looked back at her. “Oh…but I want to…” he muttered, biting on his lower lip.

Fuck, he wanted to.

Nicole blinked innocently at him. “Then what’s stopping you?”

Justin couldn’t help but smirk. “I think I’ve created a freak.” he half-joked.

She slapped his arm gently, but her cheeks were bright red.

He chuckled. “It’s just a joke.” He bend down . “Then again, there’s nothing wrong with a freak…” Gently nipping on her lower lip. Damn it. Where was his self control? “Fuck, Nicole. Your not making this easy you know?” he grumbled.

“I’m sorry.” she admitted. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about-about it. About you.” her cheeks still a shade of red. “All I’ve wanted for the past few days is to be alone with you.” Licking her lower lip nervously.

Justin knew exactly what she meant. He would be lying if he said he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her. Thinking about having her again.

Justin let out another low groan in frustration. “Oh god, Nicky. If you only knew the things that have been running through my head in the past day.” Cupping her chin and lifting it upward closer to his face. “But we cant Baby.”

She gave him a small pout. “We can be quiet.” she whispered. “I can be quiet…”

Fuck. Fuck. He had to stop this. Before he threw caution out his bedroom window and had his way with her before he left for Germany.

“Baby…” he muttered. “We just-we cant. My parents, my grandparents are down stairs. And so is your mom.” Taking in a deep breath. “It would just be wrong.”

“But it could also be good.” he heard her mumble.

He gave a slight grin. “Hmm, I’ve defiantly woken up the freaky side in you.”

“Then take advantage of it.” she suggested with a light gleam in her eyes. She didn’t know where all this talk was coming from, but it made her feel good. Being with Justin had awoken a side of her she never thought she had. Or thought would ever come out.

He gave a light chuckle. “I don’t need my parents or your Mom-for that matter mad at me before I leave.”

Suddenly the look of desire that had been in Nicole’s eyes evaporated as his words left his mouth. The look in her eyes told him everything. “Nic…” he started, letting go of her chin, and stroking the side of her face with his thumb instead.

Nicole took a step back, pulling from him. She knew she had no right to be upset about him leaving. But she was. Especially after what they had shared. She sat on the end of his bed, feeling angry with herself. It was not like her to be clingy.

Neither one spoke for a few moments.

Justin cleared his throat. “I’m going to miss you too.” he told her, making his way to his bed, and crouching in front of her. “Nicole.” he started, trying to catch her eye. “C’mon Nic. Don’t you think this is hard for me too?” he asked.

Finally she met his gaze, a light frown on her soft features. “I know it is. But it doesn’t make it less worse for me.” she said in a low voice, blinking back the tears. “And I know its gotta suck for your family too. But…”

“I know. Trust me. I know.”

Nicole swallowed back the lump in her throat. “You do?”

He gave a light smile. “I do. I mean I love my family, and I’ll miss them. But my Mom is there so it makes it a little bit easier…and then…there is you.” he paused. “Shit, I don’t even know how to explain it…but whenever I talked to you on the phone, I want to drop everything just to see you…” He had never told her any of this. Hell it wasn’t until recent that he even thought things could go beyond a friendship.

Then again it wasn’t until recent that he realized his feelings for her had began to change. And this was before she visited him in Germany for those few days. In fact, it had happened right about the time him and the rest of the guys had signed their record deal. It had been something he had not expected, but it had also been something he knew better than to act on.

He was the kind of guy that went in for what he wanted, but for some reason he couldn’t seem to do it with Nicole. And then she had showed up in Germany…

And now here they were.

“Justin-”

“I’m serious.” he said, interrupting her. “I’ve thought about it. Especially after I saw you in Germany-”

“But you wouldn’t.” she stated knowingly. “Because what your doing right now- is everything you ever wanted. Because music and being on stage makes you happy J. It‘s who you are. Its who you‘re supposed to be.”

“You make me happy.”

She smiled down at him, tears forming in her eyes. “J- what your doing is something that you need to share with the world. And I know it probably sounds corny, but it’s the truth. You are going to be big. And right now is just the beginning…”

Justin clinched his jaw. She was right, music was his love. Music was something that he couldn’t live without. He had been so happy when he had found out he was going to have a real record deal. He could not have been happier.

His eyes locked with hers, but she also made him happy. Happy in a way that he never thought a seventeen year old could feel. And maybe they were going too fast, but he didn’t care.

“You can have us both.” he heard her whisper, interrupting him from his thoughts. “You don’t have to choose. I don’t want you to choose.” she sniffed.

He lifted his face higher to hers. “But it still sucks.” Kissing her.

And it did. He hated saying goodbye to her. He hated it back in Germany, and he hated it now.

She sniffed again, nodding in agreement and saying into his mouth “Hmm. Hmm.”

He broke away after a few moments, his lips planting light kisses on the side of her mouth, and cheek. “I’m going to miss you soo much.” he murmured into her hair.

“I’m going to miss you too J.” she said her voice cracking slightly as her arms wrapped themselves around his neck. “That’s why I wanted us to be alone.” she said nuzzling her cheek in the hallow of his neck. “I wont see you for…I don’t know how long, especially with school starting up again and I just wanted to do something so you could remember me-” Looking back up at him with her light chocolate eyes.

Damn. It was still there. Her light innocence.

“That’s not why I’m going to miss you Nicole.” He didn’t want her thinking, the only reason why he wanted to be with her was because of sex.

“Oh.” her eyes dropping. He knew he had some how hurt her feelings. “Your not?”

Damn, it was moments like these that it hit him that she was still only fifteen.

He opened his mouth to speak, instead he sighed. “I mean that’s defiantly one of the reasons why I‘ll miss you-” he stopped himself. “Look, I don’t want you to think that you have to do things, just for me. I’m not going to pressure you into anything your not ready for. Yes, I would love to be with you again.” he told her with a smile. “But I also don’t want it to be rushed and you feel we have to because I’m leaving. When we do it again-” his smile growing. “I want it to be just us -not with our parents down stairs. Do you have any idea what your mom would do to me if she found out her little girl is no longer so innocent?” he joked.

Nicole let out a light giggle.

He tone turned serious. “I don’t want you to think I’m only with you because of sex-”

She cupped his face with both of her hands. “I know that Justin.”

“Good.” he said. “I’m with you because… I love you.” he managed to say. That was the first time he had ever said that to her. And yes he had said it before to other girls, but this was the first time where deep down he truly meant it.

Nicole blinked in surprise. She hadn’t expected him to say that. But she found herself smiling from ear to ear. “I love you too.” she whispered.

“Yea?” he asked with a smile on his lips.

She only nodded with the smile still planted on her face. Maybe they were going too fast, but she didn’t care. She had never felt this way before.

He must have read her thoughts because he asked. “Are we going too fast?” his smile fading just a bit.

“Maybe.” she answered. “But I don’t care.”

“Good, because I don’t care either.” he told her, kissing her again.

“Are you guys hungr-” Lynn- Justin’s mom- said as the bedroom door flew open. She stopped abruptly when she saw her son and Nicole break away from their kiss. “Oops. I’ am sorry. I did not mean to interrupt.” she said with a small grin on her face.

Justin cleared his throat and quickly stood all the way up. “Its okay Mom. Nic, was just helping me finish uh-”

“Packing?” Lynn offered an amused look on her face.

Nicole got up from the bed. “Uh…yea. I was.” she said, hoping she wasn’t blushing profoundly.

Lynn glanced around her son’s room. His things still seemed to be right where they had been about an hour ago. “It looks like you’ve been…productive.” She quickly gave them both a look. “But I hope not too productive.”

Nicole opened her mouth to speak, but Justin beat her to it. “Nope. Not too productive.” he told her. Lynn narrowed her eyes at her son. “I swear.” Justin insisted defensively.

“Well good. Why don’t you guys take a break and have lunch with the rest of us.” it was more of a request than a question.

Nicole nodded.

Lynn’s warm smile appeared on her face. “Okay.” Walking back out of her son’s bedroom, but not shutting the door behind her.

Once she was gone, Nicole let out a sigh in relief. “That was so embarrassing.” she whimpered.

Justin chuckled. “Imagine what she would have seen if I’d let you convince me-”

“Oh god.” she said, covering her face in her hands.

Justin face her, and continue to chuckle, as he removed her hands from her face. “But she didn’t.” he then joked. “But if she had, I would have said you seduced me.” a serious look on his face.

“This is not funny.” she told him with a glare.

“Sorry babe, but it kind of is.” he stated. If looks could kill he would dead by now. “Don’t worry, I always got your back.” Trying to defuse the moment. “Always.” planting a kiss on her forehead.

A light smile tugged on her lips. “I know.” she said.

He smiled warmly at her. Good, she wasn’t mad after all. “C’mon lets go eat.” Taking a hold of her hand and leading them toward the door.

She tugged on his hand just a little bit before they walked out of the room. “Justin?”

He glanced over at her. “Yea?”

“I didn’t thank you earlier for putting my sheets in the washer…”

He squeezed her hand. He knew there was more in that thank you. “It was my pleasure babe.” he said.

Nicole could only grin at him.

He gave her a small wink and then he asked. “Are we ready?”

Nicole nodded and responded. “Sure.”