Chapter 16

Out of the blue. That's usually how Justin appeared in front of me. When I least expected him, he was there, calling me Ellie-bean or bringing me coffee. It occurred so often recently that it wasn't so out of the blue anymore.

After running into him on Saturday, I was expecting Justin to appear again today. We may not have said much, or implied that we would have coffee, but I just knew.

And I was right.

Justin placed a fresh coffee in front of me before taking the seat opposite. I didn't glance up, knowing a smile would break free as soon as I looked at him. Instead, I pretended to focus on my reading.

"Not speaking to me today, Ellie-bean?" he asked in an amused tone.

I gave a light shrug, my insides fluttering.

"I guess I'll take this back then," he said, faking disappointment as he lifted my coffee.

I placed a hand on top of the disposable cup. "Don't you dare."

I was right again. The grin that spread across my lips the moment I looked up at him was uncontainable.

His seemed to do the same. "Knew you couldn't resist me."

"You or the coffee?" I countered with confidence.

He leant forward a little. "You tell me."

I kept eye contact as I brought the cup to my lips and tasted the delicious brew. Macadamia, of course. "Mm, it is the best coffee on campus. How could I possibly resist it?"

Justin closed his eyes and shook his head. "You wound me, Ellie-bean. Here I am, thinking my name in your diary meant something."

My cheeks warmed immediately, and I reached for my open date book where his name was pencilled in for coffee again. I slammed it shut and tidied my belongings. I'd spread my books and laptop across the table while I was studying, apparently laying all my business out for him to see.

I didn't respond because in truth, I didn't know what to say.

Yes, I daydream about you so much I end up writing your name all over the place?

While I write your name in my book, I imagine what your naked chest looks like?

No way was I admitting anything.

Instead, I pulled my textbook closer and tried to refocus my attention.

In the reshuffle of my belongings, my laptop screen caught Justin's eye. "What kind of music are you into?" he asked, eyeing the streaming service curiously.

I glanced up at him and shrugged. "I don't know, songs that sound good?"

He pulled a set of headphones from his backpack. "Mind if I listen?"

"You want to listen to my playlists?"

"Music interests say a lot about a person."

I had to wonder if that was true and decided I wanted to find out. Maybe Justin had some insider information, being a musician and all. I pushed my laptop toward him as way of permission for him to analyse me through my favourite songs.

He plugged his headphones in and started scrolling immediately. His eagerness suddenly made me feel nervous. Some of those songs were embarrassing.

I tried to push those thoughts from my mind by looking back down at my text. It was about the impacts of innovative and sustainable designs on new hospitality venues. Considering the subject matter, the reading was rather dry.

It was so uninteresting that I found myself glancing up at Justin every few moments. If he noticed, he didn't let on. He seemed so engrossed in the music, nodding along occasionally as he clicked through the tracks.

I'd finished my coffee by the time he removed his headphones. "Hmm." He brought a fist to his chin, pulling a nonchalant thinker pose.

I took the bait. "What's your verdict?"

He took a final swig from his coffee before answering. "You're a very complicated woman, Elizabeth Newcombe."

Not what I was expecting. I imagined him saying I was weird or angsty. But complicated? "How so?"

"You surprise me," he went on, pointing at the screen. "There's a lot of alternative and soft rock here. Paramore. Coldplay. Parachute. Obscure bands. Bands no one has heard from in years. Artists that even I haven't heard of, and that's saying something."

It wasn't surprising that he would have a wide repertoire of preferences.

"And what does that say about me?"

He rubbed his chin in thought. I couldn't help notice the stubble on his usually clean-shaven jaw. It added little ruggedness to his already tall, dark and handsome façade.

"Well, it makes perfect sense actually. You're an empathetic person. It makes sense that you'd like songs that tell stories. Struggle to triumph. Usually something to do with romance. That sort of thing."

I shook my head. "I don't get it."

"Some research says that music preferences are linked to personality types."

"So, you're saying you can read into my soul based on the music I listen to?"

Justin laughed. "Not quite. But there are links between the two."

Interesting. "So, what's my personality type?"

"I'm no expert," he said, sitting back.

Was he trying to avoid answering? I kind of wanted to know what he thought about me.

"No, no," I chastised. "You started this. Please, continue."

He seemed hesitant. "No way."

"Why not?" I argued.

Justin shook his head. "It's a trap."

I rolled my eyes. "How about in three words?"

He considered that for a moment. Then, he leant forward on the table, arms crossed, eyes entrancing.

"Passionate," he said softly.

Okay, that was good. Was that because I liked a lot of songs about romance?

The corners of Justin's lips curved up. "Altruistic," he continued.

That opinion couldn't be based on the music I listened to, surely.

"And..." I prompted when his pause went for too long.

"And fascinating," he finished, leaning back in his chair with a smug expression.

Fascinating? That was unexpected. "Like weird fascinating or you want to study me type fascinating?" I asked.

His eyebrows rose. "I didn't realise fascinating meant weird. And if you wanted me to study you," he continued, eyes looking me up and down, "all you had to do was ask."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't contain my ridiculous grin. I grabbed one of my pencils and flicked it at him.

Justin dodged it, ducking to the side, and it hit the guy sitting behind him in the back of the neck.

I'm sure my eyes widened so far in horror that they bulged right out their sockets.

I threw a pencil at a stranger!

Somehow, Justin kept his cool. He turned around, picked up the pencil, and apologised to the guy who was giving us a dirty look.

When Justin faced me again, he laughed. "Well, I hope that taught you a lesson. Don't throw sharp things at nice people."

I was still mortified but managed a quick comeback. "A nice person wouldn't have let a stranger take the blow."

"Who said I was the nice one?" he murmured; eyes boring into mine.

I couldn't look away. His intensity was captivating.

Justin eventually looked away and returned his attention to the playlists on my computer. "What's this one about?"

The playlist he pointed to was titled Wedding Songs, and for some reason, I blushed. "Sascha's sister is getting married in a few weeks."

Justin nodded, realising the connection now. "I heard."

"It's going to be big and fancy, and the band gave us a list of songs to choose from," I rambled, still unsure why me cheeks were pink.

"Dale's going," he added.

"I heard," I said, mirroring his words. Sascha had mentioned it once or twice, or ten times, over the weekend. She was excited, but also very nervous for her entire family to meet her new boyfriend. But his attendance posed another problem, one I hadn't realised until this moment. "What does that mean for the rest of you? The wedding is the same night as one of your gigs."

Justin already had an answer. "Darcy's going acoustic for the night. I'll be there to support her."

That would be nice for her. I had to wonder, though, how Justin could support her. I knew very little about music, except how to listen to it. But I also knew a singer and a drummer on stage together wouldn't sound very good.

Just as I was about to ask, a notification popped up on my screen. It was time to head to my next class.

"Wait," Justin began with a confused expression. "You have a schedule in your diary, but also on your computer?" He pointed to both on the table.

I shrugged. "I don't always have my diary, and I don't always have my laptop. This way I won't miss anything." Plus, I loved the aesthetic in my handwritten diary. The calendar on my computer was simply functional. "I like to keep organised."

Justin still seemed confused. "You do realise you have something that's with you all the time? Your phone can do all of that."

"I'm aware," I agreed, feeling a little hot. Maybe I shouldn't mention that my laptop and phone were already synced. "But I just like it this way, okay."

He held his hands up in mock surrender. "Okay," he said, smiling in amusement. "I'll walk you to your next class."

Justin waited patiently as I packed up my belongings, then he walked with me out of the café and across campus to my next lecture.

We walked silently for a while, and I found myself thinking back on his words and what he thought about me.

Passionate, altruistic, and fascinating.

Why did he think so highly of me? I was a nice person, sure, but I also had a lot of issues. He saw those as well, right? He was just being kind, I was sure of it, but I needed to be certain.

"So, earlier," I started carefully. "You learned all of that about me from a few songs?"

Justin smiled as he shook his head. He slowed his pace a little and I was grateful for the extra few minutes that would bring us. "No, I'm observant is all. I got all that from you. Your music preferences are just... confirmation."

"Oh." In my mind, being observant really meant he was paying extra attention to me. My cheeks warmed again, and I secretly liked the idea of him watching me.

His genuine smile turned to a smirk. "But then you have every Jonas Brothers album in existence, and I start to wonder..." He put his hand up and shook it side to side, implying my taste is music was a little shaky.

I felt the sudden need to defend myself. "I went through a phase, okay."

Justin put his hands in his pockets and shrugged. "Right, a phase. Sure."

"It's true," I said defensively, even though that phase was still relevant.

This just seemed to amuse him further. "What's your favourite Jonas Brother's song?"

That was a difficult question to answer. "Pre-breakup or post-reunion?"

"I didn't realise there was a difference," he laughed.

How could he not know this? They were like a new band now. In fact, I would bet a lot of their new fans didn't even realise they had this entire history. "Their sound is completely different!"

"Okay," he continued, trying to sound sincere. He didn't. "I'm familiar with their new stuff. They're always on the radio. What's your favourite pre-breakup song?"

"I can only choose one?"

He confirmed it with a nod.

That wasn't even possible. I took a few moments to think it over, and it was so hard. "I think it would have to be When You Look Me in the Eyes. Oh, but then there's Burnin' Up and Love Bug. And don't get me started on their last album before they broke up. It was so underrated. There are some absolute gems on that one, not including the tracks from their Disney show."

With every word, he grew more and more entertained. "So, they hailed from Disney? That explains a lot." When I didn't respond with anything except for raised brows, he continued. "What? They all fall off the wagon eventually."

I crossed my arms, even though it was kind of true. "So judgy."

"Hey, I'm all for passionate obsessions," he defended himself. There was that word again, passionate. Somehow, I knew liking a band wasn't what he actually meant by that.

I rolled my eyes, trying to play it cool, and realised where we were. The fork in the path that led us to different buildings for our classes. It was usually where we parted ways, but Justin kept walking in the direction of my lecture hall. I was surprised but didn't say anything. I was enjoying our conversation and didn't want it to end just yet.

Unfortunately, due to our slow pace, the hallway was packed with students ready to enter the lecture. I usually arrived early so that I was at the front of the crowd, which also meant a good seat.

"Come this way," Justin suggested, placing a warm hand on the small of my back to turn me in the right direction. He led me to a skinny stairwell down the hall. "Barely anyone uses this entrance."

He gestured for me to walk up and followed when I did. I'd never entered this lecture hall from the back before, but I had a feeling I would be using it more often now.

I was focused on my feet when I felt Justin's hand press gently against my hip. He pushed a little, coming up behind me and pulling me against the wall just as a group of students came barrelling down. The previous lecture must have finished.

When they passed, Justin didn't move back. He was one step down, bringing us to the same height, and he was standing a little closer than expected when I turned to face him.

He was so close. It reminded me of our time together at the other night. The dancing. The chat by the Opera House. We almost kissed then. Would he try again now?

I was out of luck. Another group of students broke the tension as they passed, and Justin cleared his throat.

"So, are you coming to the gig on Friday?" he asked in a low voice.

I nodded shyly. "I think Sascha would drag me there by the ear if I didn't."

That made him laugh. "She's a little scary that way."

My turn to nod. Sascha could be scary when she wanted to be.

Justin's amusement fell from his face, which suddenly turned serious. Why the change? There could only be one reason. We'd avoided it until now, but I knew he had questions, about Saturday night, and about Sawyer. It had been over a week and a half since then, but I still wasn't ready to answer them.

He opened his mouth ready to say something, but I beat him to it.

"I should probably find a seat," I said, throwing a thumb over my shoulder and moving up a step.

Was that disappointment in his eyes? "Right. I should probably get to class, too."

Why did my heart suddenly feel so heavy?

He turned to walk back down the stairs but gave me one last glance. "Coffee on Thursday?" he suggested.

I smiled. "Sounds good."

"I'll put it on my schedule," he mocked, smirk returning to his lips.

I shook my head at him and watched as he walked away. I'd be writing it in pen this time.

Hello lovely readers,

Thank you so much for your continued support of this story. I enjoy writing it and appreciate all your engagement. Apologies for my absence recently. Life and work took over for a little while. You know how it goes. The good news is, I have 5 weeks of summer holidays approaching over Christmas, so will have plenty more time for writing.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I know I enjoyed writing Ellie and Justin getting to know each other a little more.

Thanks again, and much love to you all!

Kate.