Selena's POV:

I slowly turned around and saw his eyes had darkened and his jaw was clenched. I remained quiet but the tension, which was growing thick in the air because of the heavy silence, was hard to withstand. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to –" I started only to shut up again when Justin spoke up. "It's okay. I'll have to tell you sooner or later." he said. His voice was hoarse like he was trying to compose himself. Oh my God Selena, what have you said? Justin sighed and slumped down on his bed, resting his back against the headrest. I ran a hand through my hair, which was slightly knotted due to the wind. "Honestly Justin, you don't need to tell me now. It's fine." I gave him a reassuring smile and sat on the edge of the bed by his side. He buried his face in his hands, letting out another sigh. I'm not gonna lie, the curiosity was eating me alive but, for Justin to be acting this way, it must have been something really serious/sad/tough. My hand tentatively reached to touch his and he released his face from his hands under my touch, relaxing a bit. I scooted closer to him as my thumb caressed his knuckles. His eyes refused to meet mine and I bit my lip in worry. Suddenly, Justin's fingers moved so they were intertwined with mine and he gave me a small smile, which I returned. After another long sigh, he finally said something. "That's my Dad." he pointed his chin at the picture I had previously seen. Even though he kept his face emotionless, his voice betrayed him. His eyes weren't teary or anything, just cold. I was scared of hearing what happened with his dad. Was he dead? Did he leave his family? All the possibilities ran though my mind like a whirlwind. I nodded giving his hand a squeeze, letting him know he could continue if he wanted. "He.." he cleared his throat, making his voice come out less gloomy. I waited for him to go on, not wanting him to feel pressured. "I haven't seen him in nearly a year." he turned to look at me as I tried not to gasp. His eyes softened and I reached to take his other hand too. "Why?" I asked quietly, tearing my gaze away from his. I heard the sound of his tongue flicking over his lips. "He.. he's in the army, in Palestine right now." and then, it all made sense.. his Dad not being home for so long, the dog tag Justin wore, him getting sad when talking about his father.. "Oh." was all I could mutter. "I-I'm sorry." I added, not really knowing what else to say. To my surprise, a small chuckle escaped Justin's mouth. "Why would you be sorry?" I shrugged awkwardly, looking up at him. His face had softened in general and he no longer seemed upset. Maybe it had been like having a weight lifted off his shoulders? "I don't know, I just feel bad for you." I admit. "I don't need anybody's pity." he scowled and dropped my hands, folding his arms across his chest. My eyebrows shot upwards, taken aback by his sudden harshness, but I kind of understood him. I guess I would feel the same if I was in his place so I ignored his outburst and decided to ask him something instead of getting mad. "The dog tag you wear, is it his?" Justin glanced briefly at me and then down at his chest, where the chain hung above his navy blue t-shirt. "Yeah." he mumbled and took one of my hands again as if apologising for being so rude seconds before. He tugged on it, motioning for me to sit closer to him. I took my boots off and moved until I was resting by back on the headboard next to his and our legs were touching. Our intertwined hands were in his lap as he played with my fingers. He looked so cute when he was deep in thought. My free hand reached for the dog tag as I examined it once again. So, Justin's father's name is Jeremy? "Is it a tradition in your family to have a name beginning with 'J' or something?" I questioned, slightly amused. Justin pulled his eyebrows in confusing, making it look like he only had one. "Justin, Jeremy, Jaxon, Jazmyn.." I elaborated. "Oh, I guess." he chuckled, showing me his perfect pearly whites. I rested my head on his shoulder – which was pretty comfortable by the way – and we spent a few minutes in silence. "Do you miss him?" Justin tensed beside me when he heard my question. I didn't mean to dwell on the subject but it just slipped out of my big mouth. "Yes, I do." he replied truthfully. Then, I felt bad for ever complaining about my family when Justin clearly was living in a much harder situation. If he missed his dad, being so independent and tough, just imagine his siblings and Pattie. So sad. "When is he coming back?" I newly asked in a tiny voice. "Christmas." he simply said. So in about a month then. "That's cool." I tried to cheer him up. Deciding not to ask any more questions so he wouldn't feel bombarded, I leaned up to kiss his cheek. A smiled formed on his face. "What was that for?" he asked. "Do I need a reason to kiss my boyfriend?" I raised my eyebrows, mirroring his grin. My boyfriend. How good does that sound? "No, I guess you don't." And suddenly he forgot all the tension and the sadness and grabbed my waist to put me in his lap, straddling him. He wiggled our noses together making me giggle and soon he connected our lips. They meshed together and I could faintly taste tobacco and pizza as soon as he showed his tongue inside my mouth, hungrily. As corny as it sounds, our kisses made me feel different. It wasn't like kissing Nate or any other boy I've kissed before (not that I've kissed many). It was like I never wanted this to end. I could be kissing him endless and never get slightly bored. His hands rubbed my sides gently as I sunk more into the kiss. My fingers traced his jaw down to his neck, his collarbone and his sculpted chest. Suddenly, I started feeling too hot in my white woolen sweater. Justin's hands ascended up my back to my shoulders and the back of my neck. "You're tense." he mumbled against my lips. I opened my eyes to see him staring at me. "It must be the stress from school." I shrugged, moving my lips to his defined jaw and kissing it softly, continuing down his neck, feeling the blood pounding in his veins under my lips. "You shouldn't study so much." he laughed lightly, his hands back at my sides. "For your information, I should be studying right now and look where I am." My head moved up to his level and I felt a smirk forming on my lips. Justin chuckled. "I bet this is more fun than studying." I laughed. "Oh trust me, it is." I said biting my lip and then releasing it. "Don't do that." he whined, planting another wet kiss on my lips. "Turn around." he ordered. I did as I was told hesitantly and gave my back to him. He pushed all my hair to one side and started massaging my shoulders. "Hmmm, that feels so good." A quiet moan escaped my lips, making me blush but, fortunately, Justin couldn't see it. He kept working on his magic as I couldn't suppress some moans here and there. "I like the sound of your moans, babe." he whispered in my ear. Dirty-minded boy. I ignored the shivers that run down my spine and waited in silence until his hands stopped. "Where did you learnt to do that?" I tilted my head to one side so I could look at him. "Natural talent." Justin winked at me, making me shake my head. The sun was setting down, sending rays of orange to trace his cheekbones and jaw and giving his eyes a greenish spark. He looked so gorgeous at the moment that I couldn't help but stare at him in adoration. He smiled and leaned down to peck my lips, intertwining our fingers once again. The moment was simply perfect so I savored every bit of it.

Justin's POV:

What time is it?" Selena asked, getting off of my lap and putting on her shoes. We had spent another half an hour just talking about random stuff and laughing but, now, she most likely had to go. "7PM." I informed, glancing at my watch. She sighed, standing up. "I should get going then." Combing her fingers through her hair, she gave me a pout. "Don't look at me like that, I don't want you to leave either." I chuckled, standing up as well. Selena stood on her tiptoes to plant a small kiss on my cheek. The fact that she was so short made me laugh. "Why are you laughing?" Confusion was visible in the way she knitted her eyebrows. "You're just so short." I patted her head sweetly as if she was a kid, still laughing. She sent me a death glare. "I'm not short, you're just tall." she tried to defend herself. "Sure, baby. If that makes you feel better.." I sniggered, annoying her. As cruel as it sounds, it's just too fun to annoy her. "Ugh, stop saying that!" Sel smacked my chest with her tiny fist before trying to walk away from me with her arms crossed. I extended my arms to catch her as she struggled to get free from my hold. "Let me go." she moans. "C'mon Sel, don't get mad. I was just messing with you." I nuzzled her neck from behind. "You're always messing with me." she protested but stopped trying to escape my grip. "You know I just do it in a joking way." I mumbled against her skin. "Let's see if it's so funny when I take my vengeance." she smirked evilly, breaking free of my hold and opening the door. I chuckled, following after her. "Oh darling, you're already going? Don't you wanna stay for dinner?" My mother appeared at the hall, catching Selena putting on her coat. "I'd love to but my parents must be wondering why I'm not home yet." she excused herself politely. "Okay, maybe another time." why was Pattie suddenly so eager to invite her for dinner? "Sure ma, she'll come another time." I intervened, saving Selena from my mother's overexcitement about me bringing a girl home not to fuck. Pattie sent us both a huge grin. "You guys look so cute together." she chirped in, causing Selena to blush madly and me to send her a death glare. "Mum." I mouthed at her, upon what she just shrugged. "Thank you, Pattie. I hope I'll see you again soon." Sel took a step forward to hug my mom, something she liked by the look on her face and how tightly she hugged her back. "Of course, sweetheart." Then she looked at me. "I'm guessing you're driving her home." she asked. "Yeah." I nodded, wishing to just leave my house and embarrassing mother already. "You don't need to, Justin. I'll just take a cab." Selena assured me, smiling lightly up at me. "Oh no, dear. It's no bother for him at all, right, Justin?" my Mum said, making Selena giggle. I secretly rolled my eyes. "I'll be right back, mother." As soon as I saw my opportunity to escape, I opened the door and exited my house with Selena, who was still giggling. "That wasn't funny." I stated while we went down the stairs. "Oh, but it was. Karma is a bitch, huh?" she smirked proudly. I shook my head until we were in the street. "You sure you don't want me to drive you?" I asked, lacing my arms around her waist and resting my forehead against hers. "Yes." she dragged the's' before we shared a sweet kiss. "Alright, but text me when you get home." I say. Even I was surprised that I suddenly cared so much for her to the point of needing to know she had arrived safely. What is this girl doing to you, Justin? Her eyes gleamed like it really meant a lot to her that I cared. "I will." she leaned up for another kiss before I watched her disappear inside the yellow taxi that was waiting for her. "Why are you here so soon?" my Mum scolded me as soon as I crossed the door of the house. Her hands were on her hips and she was wearing an apron, probably preparing dinner. "She insisted on taking a cab." I shrugged. "But I told her to text me when she arrived home." I added, knowing she would like that. Leaning against the door frame, she just looked at me, pride glistening in her blue eyes. "What?" I asked weirded out. "You really like her, don't you?" she says. "Mum..." I whined, hiding my face in my hands. "Juuuustin." she mimicked me. "It's not something bad, quite the contrary." I remained silent, not knowing what to respond. "She seems like a great girl. She must be to finally have broken through those thick walls of yours." she poked my chest, where my heart is. "You're talking like I'm some stone-hearted guy or something." I laughed, feigning I was offended. "You're just like your Dad." she sighed sadly. Oh great, the subject of my Dad brought up twice in the same day. "All you need is a good girl to show you the right way in life." she said. My Mum always tends to be very philosophical if you haven't noticed yet. "She's different, I guess. I had never met a girl that was worth my time." I finally admitted, making her beam. "Then, don't let her go." she advised me whole-heartedly. All of a sudden, the door burst open, making us snap our head towards it and interrupting the mother-son moment. "I'm home!" Jazmyn shouted. "About time." My Mum scolded, newly setting her hands on her hips. Jazzy ignored her and sniffed the air. "Wait, a girl is been here. I smell expensive perfume." I rolled my eyes. Really?! What are you, a dog? "Justin brought his girlfriend." my Mum said happily. Great, now I will have to bear with not only one but two women babbling on and on about how soft I'm becoming. "Bieber got a girlfriend?" Jazmyn's eyes popped out of their sockets in bewilderment. "Why am I never here when interesting stuff happens?" she threw her arms in the air annoyed. Pattie laughed and I shook my head, unwilling to believe this was really happening. "Wait, it's not that posh Brunette, is it?" Jazmyn lifted the palm of her hand, her mouth dropping open when she realized it indeed was. "Don't talk about your brother's girlfriend like that!" my Mum told her off and I just wanted the ground to swallow me. Talk about embarrassing. "She still has to pass my test, Bieber." Jazmyn jabbed her finger at me warningly before walking to her room. Selena didn't know what she was getting herself into when she agreed to be my girlfriend.

Selena's POV:

I jiggled the keys in my hands, trying to find the one that opened my house. Unable to wipe the stupid smile I had off my face, I just decided to leave it there until my facial muscles hurt and it would go away by itself. The taxi driver probably thought I was a total weirdo but, who cares? When I finally managed to open the door, I was greeted with the smell of lasagna and – how not – my mother standing there wearing an accusing glare. "Where were you?" her voice was stern as ever. But I was in too a happy mood to let her ruin it. "Library." I said casually. Stripping off my coat and boots and leaving them there to pick them up later. "Studying?" she asked suspiciously. "What else would I be doing in a library, Mum?" I gave her my best innocent smile. "Okay." she physically relaxed and smiled back. "How was your exam today?" she asked. "Good." I shrugged. That's the typical answer you always tell your parents so then, when you get the results, they won't be surprised neither in a good nor in a bad way. "Great. Dinner is ready and for once, your father is home." she said genuinely happy. It made me grin. "Alright. I'll just go wash my hands." I kissed her check and ran to the bathroom, checking my phone in the meantime. I sent Justin a quick text to let him now I had arrived safely and saw I had another text from Kelsey that I would check later.

I'm home safe & sound. Thank you for today, I had fun :) x

I was a bit hesitant about adding the 'x' but I just thought it wouldn't make any harm putting it there. What's the worst thing that can happen? Him not returning it? Eyeing my reflection in the mirror, I could still see a faint blush on my cheeks from all the emotions of the day. I opened the tap and warm water started pouring out. I rinsed my hands after washing them with the apple soap my mom loved so much, and brought them up to my face, trying to cool myself down. Well, see who's got a boyfriend. I felt stupid for talking to myself and waving my hand dismissively at the mirror, but I was just being a silly excited teenager at the moment. And isn't he the hottest and cutest yet sexiest and badassest boyfriend in the world, Selena? Lucky you! My grin almost reached my eyes – literally – until I snapped back to reality. "Okay, enough." I told myself, shaking my head at my behaviour. I did not just do that, okay?

I tied my messy and knotted hair up into a ponytail and entered the dining room, where everybody was already sitting around the table. I gave my Dad a little hug and sat between Tommy and Blake as usual. "You look flustered sweetheart, are you alright?" my Dad questioned worriedly, fidgeting with the knot of his tie to loosen it. "I'm fine." I moved my shoulders up and down and sent him a small smile and a nod. Oh Dad, I'm not about to tell you that I'm being all stupid and giddy for a boy. Both of my brothers exchanged a complacent look and laughed knowingly. My parents were too busy dividing the lasagna in plates to notice, so I sent them both a 'talk and I will kill you' glare. They shut up immediately and started picking at their food, but still trying to stifle a laugh. "This is delicious, mom." I moaned in appreciation, wiping my mouth with a red napkin. I wasn't really hungry because of the pizza before, but lasagna was my mother's best dish. Everybody agreed with me and we ate silently. "Selena." my Mum broke the silence. "María told me that, while she was cleaning your room, she saw a blood stain in your rug." I nearly choked on my food and it was almost impossible not to cough but I took a sip from my glass of water and looked at her pretending everything was alright and I wasn't nervous. C'mon, you're used to lying by now. "Blood? It must be just red nail polish." I shrugged, tucking my bangs behind my ears and licking my lips. It's not like my boyfriend came through the window bleeding the other day. Pff. "She said it did look like blood." my Mum insisted. María, you never speak in English, why must you start doing it now? I glanced back at her and put on an innocent façade. "I don't remember cutting myself.." I trailed off. "Maybe with a paper sheet or something." I shrugged once again. My Mum nodded, believing me I think, and we kept eating. My mind was replaying the previous events of the day like a little film and I had to try really hard not to giggle like a school-girl in front of my whole family. After a while, my Dad cleared his throat, setting his fork and knife on the table beside his plate. "I have something to announce, family." Our heads turned all to him, expectantly waiting for the news. "I got promoted. I'll be occupying Mr. Svenson's position at the department since he's retiring." he beamed while explaining it. "That's wonderful, Charlie." my Mum exclaimed as excited as him, giving his hand a strong squeeze and they lent in for a peck. Seeing your parents kissing isn't the most appealing image ever but, for some reason, I just find mine adorable. They both love each other so much that they want to spend forever together and even after 24 years of being married they never get tired of each other. I wish one day I'll have a relationship like that.. maybe with Justin? I shook my head to get rid of the thought. Sel, you're not even in love yet. Yeah, you're right voice in the back of my head or whatever you are. "There's gonna be a small party to celebrate all the new promotions on Thursday evening." he continued, bringing me back to the present. "And you can all come, of course." he added. Perfect." my Mum cheered and they clashed their cups of wine in cheers.

After diner, I had a shower and put on my PJ's, dragging myself to bed. I hadn't realized how tired I was until I hit the soft duvet and got under the sheets. Stretching my arm out, I grabbed my phone to reply to Kelsey's text or else she'd kill me.

CALL. ME. NOW.

Well, that's kinda difficult considering it's been more than two hours since she sent it. I decided to leave her hanging.

I'll tell you everything tomorrow. I'm too excited to even talk. Asxckldfgaikdxsl.

I laughed, imagining her reaction and how she would be cussing me under her breath. Just a second after, a new text from her was popping in the screen of my white iPhone.

You're a BITCH. I'll call Tyson and see if Justin told him anything. HA.

I chuckled. Oh, how I love my best friend. Just then, I noticed another text. Opening it, I saw it was from Justin and immediately butterflies filled my stomach, making me feel all giddy again. What is this boy doing to me?

Good. I had fun too, baby ;) Sleep tight thinking 'bout me. x

I muffled a squeal with the help of my pillow. Winky face and kiss in just one text? Lord help me, I'm going to faint. The big smile was back on my face, my legs wiggling in excitement as I typed a new text.

Right back at ya, babe ;) x