"Sure," Justin replied, unconvinced. Ever since they'd gotten out of the car, harmony seemed to have settled between them, allowing them to be comfortable in each other's presence. "I still think we should watch 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire'"
"You can watch that show like every night," Sydney reasoned, taking another bite of her pizza. After her nap, she felt more refreshed than everyone else, and they had all retired to their rooms to go to bed. The only light in the house was the one that television projected.
"You eat pizza so slowly," Justin commented, eyeing her pizza slice on her plate. He picked it up and took a bite off of it.
"hey!" She protested, watching in mock horror as he took another bite. He placed the now half eaten pizza slice back onto her plate.
"Thanks," He answered, grinning while chewing.
"Ugh, gross." She answered, pretending to be disgusted. He edged closer to her, but she hardly noticed because she was paying attention to the television. She looked beautiful, her profile being highlighted by the television, making her appearance seem not only innocent, but angelic. Justin felt like he was in a trance, never having felt this way before.
"Syd," He murmured, "you're not like any girl I've ever met," He chuckled at how sappy his comment sounded, "I know it sounds corny, but it's true. You're great, and I think, I think I'm falling for you."
She turned her face towards him, her body tensing up as her mind slowly comprehended what he had just told her, "you are?"
"Yeah," He confirmed, "will you be my girlfriend? I feel like I've known you a lot longer than a couple of days."
"Justin, I don’t know," She answered truthfully, knowing a lot of girls in her position would have snapped at the chance. "you'd always be far away, and I don't know if I could handle it the way Lindy does. I'd always be thinking about you, and I'd always be wanting to be with you but I couldn't even talk to you."
"Syd, I know it'll be tough," He stopping her and holding her hand, "but we can make it work. It's worth a try isn't it?" he added, making an attempt at humor. "And if it doesn't work out, we'll always be friends."
Her heart tugged at her, and she smiled at him, knowing the answer, "Okay, Justin. I'll be your girlfriend."
Lindy woke up the next morning, after she rolled over and accidentally pushed Lance off the bed. "oh my goodness, are you alright?" She answered, covering her mouth with her hand as she struggled not to laugh.
Lance moaned from the floor, rubbing his eyes but making not attempt to get up. "I think so." He muttered, yawning again. He sat up, rubbing the back of his head, and got back into the bed. "you're out to get me," he murmured, falling back asleep quickly.
"wake up!" She said, nudging him firmly. "you can't go to sleep now! It's our last full day together! Wouldn't you rather be with me than asleep?" She said, pouting.
Lance opened his eyes, "of course, Babe." He answered, kissing her. A large crash that came from the direction of the kitchen broke the kiss. A couple of hushed voices followed, and then some muted laughter.
Sydney tried to control the level of her laughter, but she couldn't as Justin gave her an annoyed look as he looked down at the mess of food he'd made on the floor. After heating up the stove, his apron had caught on fire. He'd quickly snatch it off, but the swinging motion he'd made cause a couple of pans and eggs to fall on to the floor.
"oh shush," He answered, "I was trying to cook for you."
"Yeah, but I didn't say to make a huge mess," Sydney answered with a smile, helping him clean it up. "But it was sweet of you," She told him, giving him a kiss.
"Yes ma'am!" He quipped. "How about we just settle for some cereal? Now, that I can cook!"
"Sure."
"What kind do you want?" He answered, opening the cupboard and looking at the selection for cereal. "Apple Jacks, Fruity Pebbles, Corn Flakes, blah blah blah…?"
"Um, I'll go with Fruity Pebbles." She answered.
"Good choice, Pebbles." Justin answered, pulling down the Apple Jacks and Fruity Pebbles containers.
"You too, Jack." She replied.
"God, I wish we weren't going back tomorrow." Justin said suddenly. The thought always lingered in his mind, but it surfaced every now and then to remind him of how limited their time actually was.
"Me too." Sydney answered, "but it's not like we'll never communicate, right? Phones do exist, and so does e-mail, and letters, and of course I'll see you in concert when you're nearby and of course I'll see you when you guys have breaks…."
"Yeah, that's true. But it won't be the same," he said, looking into her blue eyes, "but the distance is worth it just to be with you, Syd. Anything's worth it just to be with you." He answered, pulling her face softly towards his as they kissed again. The kissed deepened, and the cereal was forgotten as Sydney wrapped her arms around his neck and they continued to kiss.
"Ahem." Someone said from the doorway, and Sydney pulled away guiltily, but Justin still had his arms wrapped around her waist. "Morning," JC answered, a day's worth of stubble on his face. Justin gave him a look, and pulled Sydney closer to him as if to say 'back off, she's mine'.
"Morning." Sydney answered, pulling away from Justin. "I forgot to get Coke back." She answered again sheepishly, "I keep on forgetting him, it's like I don’t need him anymore."
"I wonder why," JC answered teasingly, grinning as Sydney blushed furiously and Justin winked at her. He looked at JC with a familiar look now, one of friendship, because he'd realized that JC had never been after Sydney at all, and Sydney was his.