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Part Two- Justin

"If you cover me with another blanket, I think you'll have to call a search and rescue party to find me." I joked, watching as he threw the quilt over me and he pursed his lips at this, turning to me with concerned eyes.

"I'm just worried, Lexi." Was all he said and I knew that it wasn't the time to joke, not for Aaron, anyway. Despite it being just a minor illness, for him it was anything but. He lost his own mother to an illness and- at one time- he had almost lost me too for the same reason. Regardless of illnesses, his father had left him too as did Avalon. All these experienced had shaped his mind, giving rise to a growing fear that it was only normal for people to leave. For him, it was almost habitual for everyone to exit his life; he had disclosed this very information to me, early on in our relationship. He felt as though he was ill-fated, destined to eventually live alone.

It was due to knowing all this about him that all the humour in me died and I reached out to take hold of his hand that was sorting out the quilt. His gaze snapped to me at this.

"Don't be worried. I'll get some rest and take care of myself." I voiced softly, stroking his palm with my index finger. He scanned my eyes at this, almost checking if I was telling the truth; as though he wanted to believe me. It was silent for a moment before he spoke again.

"You promise?" He asked in a quiet tone that made my heart break. I tightened my hold on his hand.

"I promise." I whispered back and then his lips quirked into his all too familiar smile. It was a smile that sent a bout of relief through me and I watched as he stood up, placing a hand against my cheek as he did.

"Get some rest, princess and call me if you need anything." He said and I nodded, smiling reassuringly at him.

"I will. Please, check in on Danny and make sure he's okay." I asked tepidly, still worried for the loveable male I had left downstairs when Aaron practically hauled me up the stairs. I still remember the uncertain expression in his otherwise

Were his last words and then he was walking away, the warmth of his fingers like a shadow against my cheek.

It was only when he left that the smile left my face and I relaxed my pounding head down to the pillow with a grimace. I had wanted to worry Aaron too much, but the truth was that I felt as though my head was going to tear from the intrusion of its own aches. Not only that, but the nauseous feeling that was consuming my stomach only worsened how I felt. But I wouldn't show it. I knew how paranoid Aaron was and, with his past experiences, he would immediately jump to conclusions.

So, I let go of the facade then, resting my head back against pillow with a weary sigh. Downstairs, I could hear the sound of the front door opening and the flurry of noises, making a smile take over my mouth. The sound of my friends would always make me light up no matter the circumstances. I knew that even if I wasn't there to have fun with them, I'd be able to vicariously live through their enjoyment.

The smile quickly disappeared then when I heard the fast steps up the stairs and I turned quickly as the door opened, revealing Justin in all his dark glory, icy glare on me.

"Why didn't you call me as soon as you felt sick?" His tone was harsh, but I knew the sentiment behind it was anything but and I smiled sheepishly, feeling happy at the amount of concern he had for me.

"I'm fine, Doctor Reeves, there was nothing to tell." I joked lightly but, just like Aaron, Justin was having none of it and I watched tepidly as his eyes narrowed slightly from where he was stood by the door.

"You nearly fainting downstairs is something to tell, Alexis, don't tell me it's fine." He replied just as bluntly, walking in further. I could only give him an apologetic look as his eyes scanned me, almost as though he was trying to find any visible indicators of my ill health.

"Okay, I'm sorry, I'll tell you next time, but I really am fine. It was just the food at Drake's barbeque." I reasoned with all seriousness, knowing he wouldn't like it if I joked again and he leaned down at this, placing a cool hand against my forehead. I let out a sigh of relief at the feel, cuddling deeper into the pillow with closed eyes.

"Have you taken any medication for it?" He asked and I kept my eyes closed feebly, not wanting to see the expression on his face as I shook my head.

"Maybe not?" My words were phrased more like a question than an actual answer and then it felt silent for a second. A second in which I knew he was glaring down at me with all ice he could muster up.

"Do you enjoy making me worry, Alexis?" He spoke after a moment, his tone as levelled as always, but I could hear the edge to his tone: an indication of the annoyance. I opened my eyes very slowly then, seeing where he was stood folding his arms across his chest, black hair tickling his eyes. It was an intimidating aura that surrounded him, one that I couldn't escape even when I tried avoiding his gaze. So, I had no choice but to relent and turn to him, shaking my head tepidly.

"I don't want that..." I began weakly and Justin sighed before crouching down beside the bed so we were at eye level. It was even more intimidating to be at this close a proximity to him, but I didn't make any mention of it as he looked to me with his typically blank gaze.

"Then listen to me." Was his only response and it was all that needed to be said as I knew he was right, nodding before turning and rifling through the bedside table drawer. My head ached as I continued my search, making me the nauseous feeling increase. I was thankful that, a mere moment later, Justin lifted a hand, pushing mine away so that he could search himself. I leaned back and, just as expected, Justin expertly pulled the medication out, as quickly as though he had known where it was.

"Here." He muttered, taking it out and extending it to me. I took it gratefully, popping it into my mouth before grabbing the water on the bedside table. My hands trembled as I raised the glass towards myself to which Justin helped yet again, standing up to his towering height and bringing the cup up slowly to my lips. One hand was around the glass whilst the other rested under my jaw, being careful to hold me in place to drink.

"Thanks." I let out breathlessly when he had finished and he only nodded before crouching yet again.

"Now get some rest." He said and my eyebrows furrowed at his words as I looked to the door unsurely.

"Are you not going to go?" I asked curiously and he nodded yet again, his face blank.

"When you fall asleep." Was his blunt answer and my eyes widened at his words as I shook my head in protest.

"No, Justin, you don't have to do that. Go have some fun." I argued, sitting up to usher him away and he only raised a dark eyebrow, beautiful eyes staring into my own.

"How could I have fun if I know you're here alone?" He asked like the answer was obvious and I stilled at his words, feeling the warmth fill my chest. His words filled me with such joy that I felt the tears prick at my eyes and Justin tensed notably.

"You'd do that?" I whispered unsteadily, a tear falling and his jaw clenched at this as he stood up, coming towards me.

"Alexis..." Was all he said as he leaned closer, pulling me into his stiff arms. I could only respond with wrapping my arms around him as I sniffed into his chest.

"Why ask such a useless question when you know I'd do anything for you, Alexis?" His words were clipped as though he was berating me, but I smiled, nonetheless, hugging him tighter.

"I love you too." I responded, knowing that was he was feeling but could never truly say. He had never been the type to speak that affectionately. We withdrew then as he stroked a hand against my hair. I could only lean into him as he sat beside me now on the bed.

"So I heard you went to pick Raven up? How did that go?" I made the small talk and he nodded, pulling the blanket further onto me.

"It went fine." He said not surprising me with his clipped answers, but the following thing did. It was only for a second yet I noticed the change, making my eyes widen.

Justin had just smiled.

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Raven, on the other hand, was the least sweetest. Well, in the way she acted, but I knew she loved the deepest. Whenever Savannah, Raven and I hung out, it was always Raven who would get us into crazy situations. I remembered fondly about a time when Raven had spontaneously taken us to Las Vegas and we spent 4 nights out. She hadn't even told the boys and to say they were angry when we got back was an understatement. They were seething, especially after we told them where we had went. After that, the boys were extra cautious around her.