Justin looked down at the ground before settling his grey eyes on Aaron.

"You think I'd do that to you? Steal your girl?" Justin's voice was quiet yet his face was unreadable, as always.

The evident sadness in his tone didn't make Aaron falter. He was a man on a mission. He scoffed at Justin's words.

"Don't act so humble. I, of all people, know how 'saint-like' you are." Aaron said, putting emphasis on 'saint-like'. He tutted upon seeing the look of shock that crossed Justin's face for a split second, but it was quickly gone.

They both knew what Aaron was talking about. Justin had confided in Aaron about this information a few years back. After telling him, Aaron hadn't said anything besides a small spoken promise of never telling anyone else. They hadn't brought it back up since that day.

Well, that was, until now.

___________________________________

1 year 3 months before meeting Alexis

"What time do you think you'll be back?"

Justin spared a glance to the clock that read 9.30pm before turning back to look at his father washing the dishes.

"It's Aaron's party; I'll be sleeping over." Was all he said and it was all his father needed to hear as he smiled, glancing over his shoulder.

"Tell him I said hi." He replied jovially and Justin only nodded as he stepped out the house, glancing to the sky.

The sun had long since set and the sky was a pale blue, devoid of stars. A soft summer breeze danced along, blowing slightly at his midnight hair, making him frown slightly. But only slightly.

He pulled his hood up at this, placing his headphones in as he walked the small journey to Aaron's house. It was the infamous, end of summer party that Aaron always held- a tradition that all Redwood High students would anticipate yet Justin felt the opposite. Yes, he attended, but merely for the sake of his friends. He despised the idea of being around people he didn't understand- their motives, their hidden faces, he knew nothing of it and he hated it with every fibre of his being.

How could he then immerse himself in their company if he did not approve of their character? He was not a fan of playing pretend nor was he keen on putting on a face. Wouldn't life be much easier if everyone would talk and act upon their true intentions? Only then, would he be able to be less cautious.

His thoughts left him then as the loud droll of music thumped nearby and he looked up with icy eyes at the familiar house. There were people stood, chatting in an animated manner across the large front yard and he ignored their presence as he walked past. At points, he would see someone coming his way, but they would quickly be dissauded by the silver glint of his hard gaze.

"Did you ride a turtle to get here?!" The familiar voice spoke and Justin glanced up dryly to meet the vivid blue of Aaron's eyes.

"It's been 9 minutes." Justin answered, making Aaron smirk as he placed an arm around Justin's shoulder, bringing him in through the large hallway.

"9 minutes in party time is like 20." He joked and Justin let out a small scoff.

"So, I've basically just missed Danny getting drunk and dancing on the table?" He said pointedly as they entered the dining room and, sure enough, Danny was atop the oak, red cup in hand whilst people stood around, chanting his name in loud cheers. Aaron could only laugh at the correct assumption; when was Justin every wrong though?

"Basically just that. Can you make sure he doesn't fall and crack his head open whilst I head out? I need to pick up Avalon." Aaron asked and Justin was glad to know that his childhood friend- Avalon- had someone as caring as Aaron who would walk her from her house due to her fear of the darkness. Despite his positive thought, Justin still scoffed, looking to Danny's dancing form.

"If he carries on dancing, I'll probably push him myself." He retorted and Aaron laughed yet again, putting his leather jacket on.

"Don't miss me too much." Were his last teasing words before he left, leaving Justin amidst the chaos and vibrating music. He spared a glance to Danny then before sighing tiredly, making his way to the lounge where he could see it- his favourite chair.

Grabbing a red cup from the nearby table, he seated himself down on the chair, looking around. It was this way he liked best- to be able to see people from a distance, a distance that meant he was spared the tedious small talk and, often, the flirting.

He wasn't a stupid man nor was he blind. He could see the girls staring at him from where he was sat, reclined back in the chair, red cup in hand. Some days, they would find the courage to talk to him and those were the days which he would feel the displeasure. It meant he had spare additional effort to tell them he'd much prefer to be left alone. An additional effort that he didn't have the strength to muster today and he scowled as he watched a girl approach him, making him raise his cup, downing the contents in a swift go.

"Going to a party just to sit down the entire time? If you're too shy to dance, I can help." She teased, her voice coy and Justin didn't even spare her a glance, placing his cup on the table beside him.

"I don't like dancing." Was his clipped response yet his tone did nothing to deter the brunette as she leaned an arm against the back of the chair, looking to him with her fervent gaze.

"Well, this seat has to feel like heaven if you're choosing it over my offer. Mind if I try it with you, see what the fuss is about?" She joked coyly and Justin let out another tired sigh before nodding at her words.

"Be my guest." He responded monotonously, making her smile widen as she moved to sit next to him in the wide leather chair, but he had already hauled himself up by the time she had fully sat down.

"It's all yours." Was all he said as he walked away, not even sparing a glance to her face as he walked up the stairs to the familiar room- the guest room he'd always stay in when he slept over.

The door opened with a loud creak as he walked over to the en-suite bathroom, washing his face. The cold water helped soothe him as he grabbed a towel. It was then he heard the sound of footsteps entering the room, making him feel the same displeasure yet the feeling was cut short when he heard it.

A sob.

It began with one. Then two. Then it cascaded into a whole cry and Justin couldn't help it as he stiffened at the sound, not used to such situations. Not wanting to seem like he was spying, he stepped into the bedroom and it was then that the sobbing stopped as the girl looked up, eyes widening as she saw him, but his face remained blank.

"Don't worry, I'm just leaving." He responded in his own form of reassurance and he didn't even stay to hear an answer as he walked to the door.

"Who leaves like that when they see someone crying?!" The girl spoke through her tears, eyeing him incredulously and Justin turned to her at this, blank expression as he raised a dark eyebrow.

"Did you not go into this room to get some privacy?" He simply asked and she blanked at this for a moment, before huffing with a glare at him. He didn't understand why when he was trying to abide by what she wanted.

"I did come in her to be alone, but you could at least check on a crying person. Jeez, were you raised by wolves?" She muttered, the tears still staining her cheeks and Justin couldn't help but sigh tiredly as his grey eyes flitted from the door to her.

"Fine. Are you okay?" He droned in a dull tone and the girl rolled her eyes, leaning her face against her hand.

"Oh, don't get all choked up on my account." She said sarcastically yet the tears still streaked down her face, making Justin sigh yet again as he withdrew away from the door before sitting himself down next to her on the edge of the bed.

"Are you actually okay then?" He asked, sparing her a simple side glance and she brushed a hand over her face before shrugging her shoulders.

"I'm just feeling lost." Her quiet voice echoed in the large room and Justin glanced to her as she continued.

"I thought I was okay with how things were going; I thought I was happy but now I feel like I don't even know what happiness is. Does that sound pathetic?" She asked with a sardonic laugh and Justin frowned slightly at her words.

"Nothing in life is a be-all end-all; if you're unhappy then change it." He responded truthfully; it would be what he would do, but the girl merely turned to face him with an incredulous expression.

"That's easier said than done." She retorted sharply and Justin merely raised an eyebrow.

"And I never said it would be easy." Was his clipped reply, making the girl falter as she looked down for a moment. From their position, the moon streaked in and Justin couldn't help but admire the way it touched against her obsidian-coloured hair. He wasn't overly fond of many things, but art he appreciated and the way in which the light intertwined with her tendrils of hair was a work of art, indeed.

"I just..." She began, gaze still on the ground and voice low. Justin listened intently and it was then that she looked up, making him stiffen yet again as a single tear cascaded down her cheek.

"I'm just not happy." She choked out in a whisper tone and he couldn't help it as his body went rigid, he wasn't too sure at how to deal with girls at all. He had never met his mother properly, his sister had deserted him and he took no interest in getting to know any girls from school. Even with Avalon, he trusted Aaron to take care of her. Despite this, he still looked her in the eyes, eyebrows drawn together softly.

"Everybody is unhappy at some point, today just happens to be your day." Justin explained with a shrug and she faltered at his words, watching him with green eyes that glistened with the tears. They glistened so strongly that Justin felt it tug at something inside him and his jaw clenched slightly as she continued to look at him; it was the only action giving him some semblance of keeping control.

"That makes sense." She spoke so softly and it was only then when she smiled that Justin felt himself unravel. The control he had tried to keep disappeared within a fraction of a second as he leaned forward swiftly, grabbing the back of her head gently and pressing his lips softly against her own.

If she opposed him, she didn't show it. Rather, it was the opposite. She tensed for a split second before her shoulders relaxed and she moved her lips against his own. If there even a slight nanometer of control left in Justin, it was destroyed immediately at her response and he buried his hand deep into her soft hair. His other hand rested against her cheek, tilting her face so he could have more of her- her heat and the sound of her breathing. He kissed her until all thought was forgotten, until her eyes had dried up and all she could smell was his icy scent.

Then suddenly, as though hit by a hot poker, she pushed at his chest, moving him away with wide eyes.

"Oh my g- we shouldn't have- I shouldn't have done that." She stuttered out through heavy breaths, her lipstick smeared and cheeks tinted red. Justin sat back at this, giving her space to gather her thoughts.

"What is it?" He asked in concern and she flinched at the sound of his voice, looking up to meet his eyes with a stuttered sound.

"I- ju- I'm sorry." The last part was sincere, Justin could tell that and- just as he opened his mouth to speak- she quickly stood up and ran to the door. It took him a moment to register before he got up, following after her petite form as she headed to the stairs. He would have made it had an arm not grabbed him.

"Where are you going?" Aaron spoke curiously, moving closer to him and Justin pulled his arm of his grip.

"Somewhere else." He answered honestly and Aaron made a noise of confusion as Justin moved to the stairs.

"Does somewhere else involve continuing to chase Raven Daley? What's that about?" Aaron muttered more to himself, making Justin tense as he turned to him.

"Her name's Raven? Who is she?" He asked intrusively, making Aaron's eyebrows raise in shock.

"Why do you want to know?" He challenged and Justin only spared an icy look.

"Because we kissed." He said bluntly, making Aaron gape for a moment before he shook his head, looking to the stairs.

"You guys kissed? That's not right." He muttered and, only when Justin's glare burnt a hole through his skull, did he concede, sighing heavily.

"Because she's Mason's girlfriend. She has been for the past 3 months." He answered, making Justin still. Mason was a close friend to both of them; he had met a girl over the summer and had been gushing about how they've gotten closer.

Was that truly the girl he had just had his hands all over?

Justin hated it. He hated the disloyalty; he hated that he may have abused his friend's trust and he hated doing the wrong thing. He hated it.

"I have to tell him." Justin spoke suddenly, making way to leave, but Aaron stopped him yet again.

"Woah woah! Are you really gonna ruin your friendship with him over a stupid kiss?" Aaron asked pointedly, making Justin's silver gaze harden.

"Stupid or not, it's the wrong thing to have done." He voiced and Aaron huffed, looking around for a minute before edging closer.

"Stupid shit happens at partie and, knowing Mason, he won't continue the relationship to long-distance. So, trust me, leave it alone." Aaron ground out, scanning Justin's eyes for some form of understanding and, it was after a moment's worth of silence, that Justin nodded.

"Okay."

And, that day between the friends, a secret was kept.

_________________________________________

Raven scoffed, pulling Savannah closer.

"Don't 'hi' us. Get straight down the good stuff. Namely, how did you change the 'Emo King into your own personal lover boy, huh?" She said bluntly and I giggled at her choice of words.

Savannah blushed more before shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

"Erm, he asked me out?" She said, softly, her words sounding more like she was asking a question rather than announcing it.