Chapter 8: Reconciliation
I was waiting outside the airport, remembering the last time I met Justin. We're eleven, and he was a chubby kid with glasses who loved to read. I don't remember seeing him without something to read in his hand. Always a nerd, a geek. I wonder if he's still the same. I looked back to Ed who sat there waiting by the wheel. I shrugged my shoulders and said,
"I still don't see him."
He looked annoyed and looked away for a moment and then back at me. "Why don't you try holding a name card?" he suggested.
"I think I can recognise my own cousin." I felt offended.
"Its been half an hour since his flight landed." he was irritated as I refused to take his suggestion. Even I was running out of patience now.
That's when I heard someone call out to me.
I looked in its direction and saw a handsome guy with a travelling bag heading towards me. Brown hair, chocolate eyes like our mothers, charming smile and well built too. He started to work out, I wondered. His white T-shirt and blue denim complimented his well built body. I barely managed to stop my jaw from dropping.
"Hey" Justin waved at me and I waved back at him.
"Well, you are as pretty as ever." he smiled and gave me a hug.
"And I can see puberty hit you quite well"
"Still haven't lost the sarcasm, have you?"
I nodded and we laughed. "No really, you look far better from the nerdy one I remember."
"Yeah? Had to break so many hearts to be here." he smirked and I laughed again. He has changed a lot. He isn't shy anymore and from the looks of it a ladies' man too. Ed came out to help him put his luggage in the back and interrupted our little reunion. Justin looked at him and then at me, his gaze was probably complimenting me for that catch. He raised an eyebrow with a smile pasted on his face and Ed just gave him the answer he wanted.
"I'm Edward, her boyfriend." Justin smiled at me and turned back to Ed.
"I'm Justin, her cousin."
After the introductions it was a very quiet ride home. When we reached home I got off and Justin and Ed came in with the luggage. My mom was thrilled to see us as we were very late than expected. She came running and hugged Justin.
"You've grown up so good."
"But you look still the same, Aunt Jenna." And by the face she made I was sure she was flattered. And then she looked at Ed.
"Oh you are here too Edward. I'm making pancakes; have some."
And she cheerfully headed to the kitchen. Even she was told he's my boyfriend and likes him a lot too. I'll see that as an achievement that I got approval for my fake boyfriend.
We had pancakes and then helped Justin get settled in the guest room. It will be his room from now on.
***********
I was running late to school. I overslept, absolutely embarrassing for a spy. How could I be this careless. I ran into the class and saw Miss Kunkan standing right there. She was really pissed off.
"So, Jessica what is your reason?"
"I overslept. I'm sorry."
"And this is the attitude of the senior who are supposed to apply for college next year." I must say her sarcasm is a bit over the top.
"Students like you are a disgrace to be taught at all. And you"
"May I?"
She was interrupted by a very familiar voice. And I saw Justin at the door. A smile covered my face as Miss Kunkan told me to sit down and then nodded at Justin. She was flattered by this handsomely distractive addition to her class. And he left no chance to impress her and make her blush.
That was the first time for the class to see her laugh like that. After their little chitchat she was in a very good mood. She then turned to us,
"Students, he is a new student and your new classmate, Justin. I want you all to be good to him." Justin then came and sat in front of me.
"Thanks" I whispered.
"Piece of cake"
After the class we went for chemistry and I introduced him to everyone. They all became friends immediately. Justin is very approachable and social. He became popular his first day.
That's when I saw Rach and Phoebe talking to each other. I went to talk to them. Rach saw me and looked away and Phoebe frowned at my sight. They turned away and were leaving when I stopped them.
"Just this once. And then you can do whatever you want."
They hesitantly followed me to the empty bio lab. I took a look around and then shut the door behind us. "What is it?" Phoebe asked.
"You know everything. Did you tell anyone?" I asked.
"Don't worry your secret is safe with us." Rach said and went for the door.
"You don't leave till I'm done." I yelled. She resisted at first but then turned back.
"Knowing my situation, you are angry. Pissed about what? Not like I could have told you. You can imagine the consequences, you both are smart enough."
"That's not it." Rach cried.
"Then what is it?" I suppressed my anger and my voice.
"I don't know." I could see tears in her eyes. Oh great! Now it's gonna be a drama.
"Knowing that you all knew, I was the only one who didn't. It hurt. Knowing that I was left behind while you guys shared a secret, hurt. Okay." she said that and started crying.
"Leaving you out was never the plan. I always wanted you with me and I still do." She looked up at me and then I told them the story from the start, Ed, Maddy's whim, camping truth, baldie, everything. And now everything suddenly made sense to them.
"I'm so sorry, Jess. I felt left out and" she started crying. "I'm so sorry. I was selfish and self centered and" she trailed off and broke into sobs. I held her in my arms and let her cry her heart out.
"I'm sorry too." Phoebe said. And after a while, when they were done apologizing and realizing something struck me.
"You know what? I think I might have a way out of this" I said slyly.
***********
"Hey, Jess" I turned around to see who called me and it was Justin.
He ran up to me and then we walked together to our next class.
"Ed's quite popular. How did you bag him?" He smiled at me.
"Bag him?" I felt offended by the choice of words. "And that's why I waited for you to catch up with me in the hallway?" He laughed at that.
"I'm sorry. But just curious you know." He shrugged his shoulders to show that it was obvious. And it was, a blend in the background Jess with shiny sparkly Ed, curiosity was a given.
"Didn't you hear the story from everybody?"
"Nope. Want it in your words." And he patiently waited like a five year old for me to tell the story. And I began with the story I had to go over a hundred times. He moved in the neighborhood, I helped them around, we came close and then I proposed in the gym shower.
His eyes widened at the proposal part.
"That was daring" I shrugged my shoulders and blurted out, "I guess".
I could see a smile on his face and couldn't help but wonder.
"Is there something else?" I asked. He hesitated at first then gave in as if it had to be done.
"The girl you came out with, from the lab, Rach?" I nodded, "It's been a week and I like her since then." My jaw dropped.
"What? Rach?" He nodded. Oh great! Another romance on the group. Can they not understand it complicates everything. I agreed with him for the time being and rushed to Rach as soon as the class was over.
She was in canteen with Alex and Phoebe. I ran to her and sat beside her. She was startled by the way I did that, probably a bit hasty.
"Hey Rach"
"Um hey"
"I'll come to the point, what do you think about Justin."
"Justin? He's a great guy, nice and handsome." She smiled and blushed too. Oh god, why are you testing my goodness? I took a deep breath, and in a heavy voice, "coz he likes you a lot."
They all gasped and Rach was still trying to process the info. She clearly liked him, asking her to avoid him would be a blow. I guess I'm not as hardcore as I want to look.
"Really?" Rach finally managed to say. I nodded and she went giggling and blushing. I texted Justin that it was all good and he can make the move. I wish I could strangle each one of them and work alone like before. It was way easier.
***********
It has been three weeks since we came back from Bangkok. Rach and Justin are now dating and he also knows everything. Our secret is spreading day by day. Wait till Charlie knows. Hell is upon us. Even before him there was still one more person to convince, Mike.
I called him and the bell rang a few times before he picked up,
"Hey, anything new?"
"Nothing. His lips are sealed."
I sighed at the disappointing outcome. We worked so hard. Three weeks of horror with Mike and he's still shut. He deserves appreciation for that. Damn.
"Anyways I wanted to talk to you about the team."
"Hm" he said half mindedly.
"I took in Rach and Phoebe and Justin maybe."
"What?" he yelled, "You crazy?"
"I have my reasons."
"That's what you say for everything nowadays. And exactly how? Only six people allowed, remember?"
"Yeah, about that. I called Charlie and told him the new bots were having some problems so he's gonna send four more. And Justin can take care of other bits about them."
"What if they know? We're in deep shit already with that criminal of yours and now you just added to that shit, three more." I'm well aware that getting Edward a clean chit was very difficult. And keeping three more hidden would be a burden right now but he should trust me more. I'm his superior and there is a reason for that.
"I know that and I can manage. Called to tell you not seek your advice."
"Whatever" he said brushing me off. And that tone was very offensive. It infuriated me.
"Don't give me attitude. I'm not the one who was unable to get a guy to open up in three long weeks."
"Really? Why don't you come here and try?"
If I was there he would have told everything by now. I'm not a slowpoke like him. Gotta think. There must be something I'm missing.
"Wait a sec, his phone."
"What?" He was confused.
"I remember him talking to Charles. Check his phone, there's gotta be something on it."
"You think I haven't tried. There's nothing on his phone. No contact list."
"Logs, check his call logs. It was three weeks ago at that night around 10, I suppose. But he must have had time to clear that. He also got a call on the day we got him. It must be a missed call, the last one maybe."
"It is there. The code is of England. Wow! They really are global. I'll find out about the number."
"Welcome" I said to taunt him.
"Whatever" he said and cut the phone.
***********
"So, can you do it?" I asked as Justin stared at the opened up bot. He's going to fix it and then it'll work as Rach. If he can do it, he's in. I can use a guy with that capability.
"It's quite complicated but yeah." Great, this answer just won you a place in the team. Congrats for finally getting in with the cool people. He took his laptop and connected it to the bot. And started programming.
"How long will this take?"
"It'll take a while, I'll get them all done by the weekend."
"Okay"
I guess it'll take Mike about that much time to be here. He still hasn't called for any updates. That egoistic jerk, like I need advice from a guy like him. Who is he to tell me who I can and can't have in my team? He's just jealous because I'm younger than him and stand superior.
"Jess?" Justin called interrupting my thoughts. Why now? I was about to plan how to beat up that jackass.
"Hm" I said.
"So there's still a doubt I have. May I?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"You told me all the spy stuff. I still don't know if you and Ed are?"
"Nope, we aren't."
He looked disappointed at my answer. He really likes Ed as my boyfriend. And that's just not him, everyone wants us together. Rach and Phoebe were also sad to know we weren't dating. And my parents want to see me in a white gown and walk down the aisle to him.
***********
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