Hi guys! Here it is, the next bonus chapter. Remember, I am uploading weekly now so please like and comment so I know whether you enjoy it or not.

Also, my other book has also been uploaded (it is also weekly) and is a fantasy romance. Check it out!

Let me know what bonus chapters you'd like to see in the comments.

So without further ado, the chapter-

Justin sighed deeply at my words, his hold on my hand tightening only slightly before he let go. He turned his full gaze on me before managing a small smile. But, it was still undoubtedly breathtaking.

"I get that. I think I just care too much." He let out bluntly, not realising how much it made me smile. I nudged his arm affectionately.

"I think, I suffer from the same problem when it comes to you." I replied and he smiled at my words.

His eyes flitted to Savannah as she came to our side, greeting me with a tight hug. I smiled at the sight of them; despite their relationship ending, their friendship had only flourished in these past years. Given that Savannah didn't have a job at the moment, she spent much of her time volunteering at church. Justin worked as a chartered accountant and to say he excelled in his job was an understatement. Right now, they both were single, having broken up 3 years prior due to their differences, but were very amicable.

The reason why Justin and Savannah broke up.

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3 years before epilogue...

The typing from his laptop was all that sounded across the living room accompanied with only the sound of the clock ticking. He found he preferred it that way; he had always preferred it that way.

It had been 2 years since Justin had moved out of his dad's house and, now, at the age of 21, he had immersed himself fully into University, his accounting degree. It was exam season now and him and all his friends were fully focused in their studying. It had been probably a week ago when he had studied with Alexis and Mason in the library. It had more than 2 weeks since he had seen everyone else, however, even Danny and Aaron. That had been the longest they've all had without contact and, for once, he was glad that Aaron was having a party at the end of exam season to end the distance.

With that celebration as an incentive, Justin knew he should continue studying, but he couldn't help it as his grey eyes turned back to the white box on his kitchen counter, a red bow across the centre. Letting out a tired sigh, he turned back to his laptop, knowing he only had an hour's worth of work left before he was done.

Knock knock.

The sound arose and Justin spared a side glance to the door, knowing exactly who it was. He didn't waste another second as he stood, making his way to the door and opening it with one motion. Green, playful eyes met his dull grey.

"You called?" Raven teased, shrugging her coat off absent-mindedly and Justin only gave a dry look in response, gesturing to the box with a small gesture with his hand.

"Take it back." He said bluntly and Raven let out a scoff, shutting the door behind her as she waded inside.

"You're welcome." She muttered sarcastically and Justin sighed tiredly, following her in.

"I won't thank you for getting what I don't want." He answered honestly and Raven groaned loudly, flopping down on his sofa. Justin tensed slightly as she sat half on the throw pillows, but then she began speaking.

"Can you just let someone do something for you! It's just a birthday cake, for God's sake!" She voiced incredulously and Justin tensed yet again,  but this time for other reasons.

"I didn't want it last year and I still don't want it now." He answered emotionlessly and Raven pursed her lips from where she was sat on the sofa. It had been 4 years now that Raven would buy him a cake. Aaron and Danny had long since learnt to not try celebrate it yet Raven wouldn't concede. He was never one to feel frustrated easily, but this came close.

"Do you think not celebrating your birthday will help you forget this day?" Raven began tepidly, gazing at him with those eyes that stared right into his soul and he stiffened at the question, glaring at her.

"Just take the cake back, I'm busy." He spoke just as blankly, but his eyes held a cold grey that made Raven bristle and she stood up, not avoiding his glare but tackling it head on.

"Just because you're not talking about it doesn't mean it magically goes away." She ground out and Justin continued to stare at her blankly, only the intensity of his glare increasing.

"Don't." Was all he said, turning to go grab the box for her, but she latched onto his wrist with a slender hand, her warmth making him tense as she pulled him back.

"Don't you dare kick me out again this year, Justin. You've always been the blunt truth teller of our group; don't tell me you can't take it when someone is honest with you." She challenged and he only turned to her blankly, raising a dark eyebrow.

"If you don't want to be kicked out each year then stop coming back with a cake." He answered the former part of her sentence with as much bluntness as his typical self and Raven's  hold on his wrist tightened as she glared at him.

"I told myself I wouldn't come back; I tell myself every time, but I can't do that! I can't do it when I know how much you torment yourself on this day for no reason at all!" Raven's voice was slightly raising now, her glassy eyes searching his and he sighed tiredly, arm laying lax in hers. She had begun to breach the topic and he knew it would let the dark demons in that he had tried so vehemently to repress.

"I can't do this right now, I've got work to do." He answered honestly, but he knew Raven wouldn't take no for an answer. It wasn't in her person; she was the exact opposite to him in that sense.

"It wasn't your fault she died."

Silence.

It was a long moment that no one spoke and Justin looked into Raven's earnest eyes, feeling his blood run cold at the verbal mention. The thoughts had always been in his head, but hearing them aloud now made the dark demons rage within him and he pulled his hand out of hers.

"It is, if my birth meant her death." He answered bluntly and Raven sighed in frustration, running a hand through her hair.

"I know you're intelligent and amazing at everything but God I never knew you were this stupid!" She huffed out and Justin's eyebrows drew together in confusion; she had that ability to often confuse him. He opened his mouth to ask, but then she was moving forward and he tensed as she tiptoed, placing both hands on the side of his face with her firm, warm touch. It was her who had come from outside but it was his skin that was cold against hers and all he could do was stare into her watery green eyes. It confused him as to why she was crying right now, but he didn't like it.

"Your mother did a wonderful thing for you on this day; she loved you over herself and chose you despite what would happen to her. She did that on this very day and you decide to try to forget this day?" Her voice was soft, caressing his skin and his body went rigid under her touch. He processed her words then, still looking to her blankly and then his eyebrows furrowed as the tears cascaded down her cheeks. It confused him that there was a small smile on her face.

"Your mother is here every day that you choose to remember her; that you choose to celebrate her actions. Don't let her leave you, not after what she did for you." Her voice was fragile as she spoke and Justin felt something in his chest tug at the unprecedented care in her voice. It surprised him entirely.

All the more when his hands raised instinctively and then he was wiping away her tears, making her eyes widen in shock. It was not a secret that Justin was averse to touch, but specifically he hated things like saliva or tears from others. He couldn't take it and he shocked himself as he found he didn't mind wiping the tears from her face. It was fine so long as he didn't have to see her in that way. Her shock lasted for only a moment and then she smiled, eyes reading his face as though it was her favorite novel.

"I know this day hasn't been good for you, but for all those that love you, it has. I'm glad you were born; I'm glad for it everyday. Happy birthday, Justin." Her voice was a whisper right at the very end and it was then that Justin felt a warmth fill him. He had always hated being wished but, right now, he couldn't find himself to hate it.

Beep.

They both simultaneously turned to his phone on the counter, lighting up with Savannah's name, telling him she was on her way and then Raven was moving away from him, clearing her throat. One moment she was holding his face as he wiped her tears and then she was standing back casually, smiling at him teasingly.

"I'll leave you to your study date, birthday boy." She joked and he only stared at her blankly, not being able to process her sudden change in demeanour.

"Why were you crying?" He asked bluntly, ignoring how she had changed the subject. He wasn't one to do such things. She notably tensed for a moment before she smiled at him, grabbing her coat from where it was hung up.

"I'll cry more if you leave my cake untouched. Make sure to share some with Sav." She joked yet again and he opened his mouth to ask her yet again, but then she was opening the door. She paused before walking out and he watched as she turned, staring into his silver eyes.

"She'd be proud of you." Was all she murmured softly and then she was gone, leaving her words to sit with him.

Mom would be proud of me?

He had never thought of such a thing before yet those simple words were enough to stir him and he couldn't help it as the slight smile made its way to his face. He would have delved further if there hadn't been a knock on the door and, again, he knew exactly who it was.

If so, why was he hoping it was her again?

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Hope you liked it guys! Let me know what you think!

Remember, I am uploading weekly now so please like and comment so I know whether you enjoy it or not.

Also, my other book has also been uploaded (it is also weekly) and is a fantasy romance. Check it out!

Let me know what bonus chapters you'd like to see in the comments.

Coming up for next week's chapter...

Justin sighed deeply at my words, his hold on my hand tightening only slightly before he let go. He turned his full gaze on me before managing a small smile. But, it was still undoubtedly breathtaking.

"I get that. I think I just care too much." He let out bluntly, not realising how much it made me smile. I nudged his arm affectionately.

"I think, I suffer from the same problem when it comes to you." I replied and he smiled at my words.

His eyes flitted to Savannah as she came to our side, greeting me with a tight hug. I smiled at the sight of them; despite their relationship ending, their friendship had only flourished in these past years. Given that Savannah didn't have a job at the moment, she spent much of her time volunteering at church. Justin worked as a chartered accountant and to say he excelled in his job was an understatement. Right now, they both were single, having broken up 3 years prior due to their differences, but were very amicable.

The reason why Justin and Savannah broke up- Part 2