A new world called California Part 21

CHAPTER 21

Just as he was about to reach us Jessi stepped in front of me. I breathed a sigh of momentary relief as I saw him, out of the corner of my eye, begin a conversation with T.I. “What’s up?” I asked my excited looking cousin.

“50 wants to hang out with me tonight.” she exclaimed.

I smiled at her. “Go put it down on him tonight.” I said, slapping her arm.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to leave you.”

“Jess, it’s fine go have fun. Grab his ass for me.”

She laughed. “Ok. Love you.”

“Love you too. Now go have fun.”

She hugged me and headed back over to 50 who was waiting for her. His hands were all over her. I smiled remembering my first night in the V.I.P. I looked over to see T.I. and Justin still next to me having a good laugh about something. I touched T.I.’s arm. “I’m heading home.” I said when I received his attention. I caught Justin’s eyes for a second, but looked away.

“Are you okay to drive home?” Justin asked, obviously heating my statement.

“Yeah, I’m fine” I answered standing up. T.I. hugged me.

“There’s a party at my crib tomorrow night if you wanna come baby girl.”

“Ok maybe.” I replied.

“Ok. I’ll get at you tomorrow”

“All right. Bye guys.” I said as I turned away.

“Bye.” they both called after me.

When I arrived home I peeled off my clothes and changed into pajamas and fell into my bed.

Two months passed. My cousin had long since flown home and was continuing her long distance relationship with 50. I, however, still happened to be single. After going on a few first dates, which always ended up being the last date as well, I realized that I was comparing them all to Justin. I couldn’t lie to myself anymore, I was in love with him. I missed him more with each passing day. He consumed my head. Everything I saw or heard would send me into a flashback and remind me of him. So, I finally decided to call him. I hadn’t seen him since the first night my cousin was in town. I hadn’t attended T.I.’s party, so I probably missed seeing him there. I dialed in the familiar numbers, but to my utter disappointment the operator informed me that the number was no longer available. I slammed the phone down on the table and allowed myself to cry. It really was over.

The next day I solemnly headed to work. All day long Sam and Camille kept badgering me about what was bothering me, but I didn’t want to talk about it. What was there to say? Only that I had lost the only chance I had with someone I had fallen head over heels in love with.

On my lunch break I headed to the first floor to the cafeteria. I ordered my lunch and sat down at a table near the window. As I sat there picking at my food and flipping absentmindedly through a magazine I felt a hand on my shoulder. Assuming it was just another nurse my eyes never lifted from the magazine. The person sat down across from me. I knew it was a male from the scent of his cologne. The cologne smelled vaguely familiar and as I was jogging my memory as to where I had smelled it before a very familiar voice said, “Hi Kate.”

My eyes flew up from the magazine could it really be? I wondered. My eyes confirmed my hopes. “Justin.” I breathed, “what are you….I mean why are you….I mean….hi.” I said finally. He just smiled.

“This is for you?” He said pushing a gold wrapped box towards me. I hadn’t even noticed it was sitting there. “Look I didn’t come to say much. I just wanted to give you this and tell you that my new cell number is inside the box in case you decide you want to talk.” He said standing.

I couldn’t speak. My entire body has ceased to function. He stopped next to me and kissed the top of my head. “I miss you.” he whispered into my ear, “Please call me.” And then as quickly as he had came he was gone.

I ignored the curious stares from the other occupants of the cafeteria as I opened the box. My hands were shaking as I set the lid aside. I peered inside and saw a picture frame that was face down. I lifted it out and flipped it over. It contained two pictures. One was of us at the beach our arms wrapped tightly around each other with huge smiles on our faces. I smiled as the memories of that day flooded into my head. The other picture was one of us in mid-kiss. He had taken the picture one night right in the middle of one of our many kisses. I could feel myself becoming lost in my emotions so I set the picture frame down and took another look in the box. There was a black velvet box inside with an envelope taped to it and a pile of papers that were stapled together. I pulled both papers and the small velvet box out. The envelope that was taped to it said: open this after you’ve looked inside the box. I followed the instructions. Inside was a ring. It was platinum with a large pink square cut diamond and two smaller square cut diamonds on each side. A few tears made their way down my cheeks as I shut the box and began to open the envelope. Inside was a note that read:

To a real live angel,

This ring is my promise to you.

My promise that I love you and only you.

My promise that I will always be yours and when

You look down at your hand to admire it, it will

Remind you that I love you and that you have me

All to yourself.

Love always,

Justin.

I set down the letter and a sob broke free. This really isn’t happening I must be dreaming I though to myself, but after pinching my own flesh I knew I was awake and that this was no dream. I read the letter three times just to make sure. I them remembered the stack of papers and lifted them. There was another note on the very first page.

Baby, it said, attached to this note are songs I have been writing since I met you. I want you to know how sorry I am for everything that I have put you through and the way I behaved. I also want you to know that I miss you and the four months that I spent with you were the best times of my life. I would really like to see you again so we can talk face to face. My number is at the top of the page. I had to change it because some how it was leaked out. Please call me, but don’t do it if you don’t want to. I love and miss you, Justin.

I put everything carefully back in the box and sat back in my chair. I wiped the tears from my face and pulled my phone out of the pocket of my scrubs to check the time. Realizing my lunch break was over I cleared my place then grabbed my gift box and headed back to work.

After punching out at exactly seven o’ clock I made my way out to my car. After putting my purse and gift in the passenger seat I started the car and began the fifteen minute drive home. The whole ride home there was a raging war going on inside me. I couldn’t decide whether or not to call Justin.

By the time I pulled into the driveway of my home the war was over. I decided to call him. So after letting myself in I set down my things and dug through the box looking for Justin’s number. When I found it I carried the paper and my phone over to the couch and sat down. With each number I dialed I grew more nervous. What if this whole thing was a joke? It was too late to turn back now I had already pressed send and it was beginning to ring. “Hello.” Justin said.

“Hi” I replied.

“Hi Kate.” he said excitedly. “I didn’t think you were going to call.”

“Yeah well I did.” I said while smiling.

“Will you meet me for dinner tonight?” he blurted out.

“Um…” I hesitated, “Ok.” I said finally.

He sighed in relief. “Where at?” I asked.

“Our place.” he said hopefully. Our place just happened to be my favorite restaurant, the same place my cousin and I had dined on her first night in town.

“All right.” I agreed, “I’ll meet you there at 8:30 if that’s ok?” I asked.

“Ok it’s a date see you at 8:30.” he said happily.

“All right see you then. Bye.” I said.

“Bye.”

I shut my phone and headed straight for the bathroom.