| Chapter 2 They sat down, panting from all the fun they had. Justin�s mind wondered to what he was thinking about earlier that morning, his frown returning. Randi noticed this, inquisitive about what was making him do so. He didn�t seem to remember his troubles when they were having fun and she thought that maybe, just maybe, if he talked it out, it would be better. Of course, the fact that she herself was curious about what was bothering him contributed to this idea. �Want to talk about it?� Randi asked softly, gently. �Nah. Wouldn�t want to bother you.� �Get it out. Sometimes it helps.� �I don�t want to.� �Ok.� Randi looked around and a pile of rocks caught her eye. She had idea. She wasn�t sure if it would work, but it was worth a shot. She pulled his arm and walked to the pile, grabbing a handful, offering it to him. �What? You want me to eat that?� �No, silly. Throw it into the water. It sometimes helps. Use all your strength and throw it as far as you can. Shout, scream if you want. Just do something. Let it all out. It�ll be better after that, I promise.� Justin stared at her hand. Well, she was able to make him smile so why the hell not. If it doesn�t work, too bad. He grabbed the rocks and one by one, he threw them into the sea, silently thinking, reflecting. Randi watched his strong hands throw the rocks in, one by one, not saying a word. She was afraid that if she said anything, she might disrupt anything. She sighed, trapped in a world of her own. She thought of the numerous times she too, had done the same thing. She too, took a rock from his hand and started to throw it in. Justin watched as the girl in front of him threw one of the rocks. He felt better, knowing he was not alone, that she too had troubles. �Shout it out, go on.� Randi urged. Justin took a moment and looked at the beautiful view around him. Finally, his eyes landed on the brunette beauty beside him. He picked up a rock hesitantly and took a deep breath. �I HATE THIS! I HATE ALL OF THIS! THE FALSENESS OF IT ALL! I HATE IT!� He shouted as he threw it the rock into the sea, instantly feeling better. Randi didn�t understand what he meant by that, but then again, she didn�t understand a lot of things. �Feel better?� Randi asked. �Yeah. Thanks.� Justin felt so much better. It felt as if a weight had been lifted up from his shoulders. �Hey.� �Yeah?� �Do think it�s true that everyone has a true love out there?� �Definitely. � �Somehow, I don�t think I�ll ever find love.� Justin sighed. �Why not?� Immediately, Justin knew she didn�t know who he was. Maybe it was better that way. He was just a normal kid to her. How he wished that was true. �Well, it�s complicated.� Randi raised an eyebrow. �No, no. Don�t worry, I�m not gay or anything like that. I�m straight but my life is complicated.� �Well, I think that everyone has to fall in love at least once in their lives, however complicated it may be. Everyone has a true love out there. You just have to find out who it is and go for it. Love is like oxygen. Love lifts you up where you belong. All you need is love. � Randi quoted from Moulin Rouge. �Ah.. another movie quote. You�re fond of that, eh? But I agree with that quote or at least I hope it�s right because one day, I want to find a love like that and not just hear it. I want to live it, believe it, experience it. I want to fall in love, fall hopelessly in love. But I seriously doubt I�ll ever get my wish.� �Well, you never know do you? It�s entirely possible. But nevermind. Let�s move to a more cheerful topic. I�ve got the whole day free. What do ya wanna do? If you want to hang out, that is.� �I�m free. You go pick a place to hang out. It doesn�t really matter as long as we have fun.� �Just one problem. You forget how wet we are and how much sand we have on ourselves.� �Yeah� I forgot about that. Why don�t we just dust the sand out of out hair and clothes, go to the mall and buy a whole new set of clothes?� �That would be a really, really good idea. Perfect except for one tiny detail.� �What?� �I forgot to bring money. So that whole option is out.� �Nah, not out. Perfect. I can pay.� �No way. I don�t except gifts from strangers.� �We aren�t exactly strangers, you know. Considering the fact that you�ve cheered me up and gotten me out of my whole depression thing. I count you as a friend. A good one, even.� �Now that you put it that way�� Justin waited for her to continue. �Hurry up. We don�t have all day. What are you waiting for when we can have ice-cream and shelter?� Randi asked as she raced away. Justin rolled his eyes but followed her anyway. That girl was one of a kind. Definitely one of a kind. ��� Fifteen minutes later, they were sitting in a booth, eating ice-cream. Justin�s treat, of course. Justin smiled when he looked at the girl in front of him. They way she was eating her cone was really cute. It also helped that she was easy on the eyes. �What?� Randi asked, feeling Justin�s eyes on her as she pushed a lock of brown hair away from her face. �Nothing. You should see yourself though. You looked like you just went through a sandstorm. There�s sand everywhere!� �Yeah well, you don�t look any better, mister.� Randi smirked. He looked really cute. The sand added a nice effect to his image, making him look much younger than he looked that morning. �We should really go and get the clothes soon. Look at the looks people are giving us.� �Why should they care. We are the ones covered in sand, not them. � �True, but it bothers me.� �Ok then. After this we�ll go and get some clothes.� �Great.� ��� After they had eaten their fill, Justin and Randi strolled in the mall, looking for clothes. Justin spotted an Abercrombie and Fitch shop and decided to pull Randi in. Randi paused in front of the retail store, and raised an eyebrow. She had never shopped in places like this before. For her, money was tight. She always wished she could go and buy clothes from there but she knew it was impossible. Justin noticed her hesitation and pulled her in, taking her hand in his. �Don�t worry. I�m paying, not you. Besides, I can afford such things. Just go in and have fun. Leave the rest to me. And don�t worry. I�m not going to steal it or anything. � Justin said, as if reading her mind. �I dunno. It�s kinda rude if I accept it. I mean� just look at the prices here!� �Just think of it like this. It�s a Thank-You gift from me to you because you helped me get out of that misery. Just accept it and have fun, will ya?� �Ok.� Randi replied reluctantly, her hand still in his. Together, they browsed through the racks and looked for suitable clothes. Randi looked at Justin�s pile of clothes for her and gasped. �Hey! I didn�t say anything about skirts, spaghetti straps or stuff like that. � She scrunched her nose up in disgust. �Come on� you�re a girl. You have to wear stuff like these once in your lifetime, you know? Besides, it�ll look good on you.� �Ya right. Who are you kidding? No way. I�ll just stick to my khakis and tees. Besides, who�s wearing it? Me, not you. Although you�re more than welcome to try these.� Randi said as she grinned evilly. �No way. As much as these clothes look good, I have a feeling they wouldn�t look as good on me as they do now.� Randi laughed and Justin looked at her, a plan forming in his mind. He walked over to the two middle-aged saleswomen. �Excuse me, could you do me a huge favour? Could you help me get this skirt and this shirt for me in that young lady�s size. She refuses to get it but I want to give it to her anyway. � Justin asked, holding a denim knee length skirt and a baby blue, crossed back, spaghetti-strapped top. The two women looked at each other knowingly and went to get the appropriate sizes. ��� Finally, Randi found the perfect clothes- a pair of surf shorts and a black sleeveless tee. Justin took it and went to the cashiers to pay. As he gave the cashier his credit card, she gasped. It was Justin Timberlake. She had been hearing endless conversations about him from her daughter. That girl was almost obsessed over that boy but as she looked at his face, she understood why immediately. The boy looked like an angel. No wonder her daughter was in love with him. Justin, used to this reaction, simply smiled and asked if she wanted an autograph. �Yes, please. My daughter would be so happy. Thank You.� She said as she handed him a piece of paper to sign. �I would appreciate it if you keep everything that happens a secret. I don�t really like rumors flying. � �Ok. Thank you once again.� �Welcome. Oh yes, one more thing. Could my friend change into the clothes immediately? You can tell, just by looking at her, why.� Pointing to Dawn. �No problem. Dressing room�s just down the isle.� Justin mouthed a thanks and went over to join Randi. Randi changed quickly and grinned when she came out. �You didn�t tell me I looked such a mess.� �Well, you didn�t ask.� Randi rolled her eyes. �What about you?� �What about me?� �Where are we gonna shop for you?� �I don�t want to go and shop.� �You mean this was all an evil ploy to buy me clothes?� Justin grinned at her, not saying a word. Randi laughed, causing Justin to laugh too. As they walked out of the shop, something caught Randi�s eye. A photobooth! Such fun they could have! She pulled Justin along, running excitedly to it, like a little girl running to ice cream. �Ow. What are we going to do now?� Justin asked when Randi stopped running. �In here, silly.� Randi said as she pulled Justin in the booth. There was hardly enough space to fit the too of them, but they just managed to fit with a little squeezing. �Come on. Let�s take some.� �Why? I�m not photogenic.� Justin whined. �So? Neither am I. Just take a few. It�ll be fun!� �Fine, fine.� Randi moved forward to slot in the coins and took her place on Justin�s lap and made a funny face. Justin followed, making a funny face too. They did a series of poses, all causing laughter to erupt. They looked so cute. Finally, it was done. Justin and Randi walked out, both looking at the photos, giggling. The photos were hilarious. It captured the childishness, the playfulness of the two youngsters. Once again, Justin was reminded how much fun he was having, How much happier and younger he looked now. �Let�s split it. Half, half. That way we can both remember today. � Randi suggested. �Fine.� They tore the series of photos neatly in half, each keeping a copy. Justin slipped his half in his wallet, together with the picture of his younger brothers, Jonathan and Steven. Randi leaned over and took a peep at the photo. The two boys were so cute. � Who are they?� She inquired. �My brothers. Those little devils.� Justin replied, his eyes lighting up at the mention of his brothers. �Lucky you�ve got siblings. I don�t.� �Yeah, well. They can be the most mischievous devils but I love them to death anyway.� A comfortable silence hung in the air. Suddenly, a strange sound interrupted them and Justin grinned sheepishly. �You�re hungry huh?� Randi asked. �Yeah. Why don�t we go for dinner?� �Sure.� Randi answered and the pair trotted off to find food, their hands entwined although both were unconscious of that fact. ��� |