*******
After his talk with Margot, JC rushed back to his room and immediately started writing. It was almost as if she were his muse. Ever since she entered his life, during every free moment of the day and night, he was writing; writing and making up melodies to go with his arbitrary verses and choruses.
When he encouraged Margot to open up to him, never in his life did he imagine her divulging the kinds of things she did. Licentious uncles, gullible little girls, insensitive police officers, unfortunate parents, contrite doctors, and one young woman horribly affected by all of it. It sounded like some twisted soap opera, but it was all painfully real.
It was almost three hours later when JC scratched his head as he tried to think of the next line in his newest piece of music. He read what he had so far and his face instantly scrunched up in distaste. It sounded too trite, too shallow. The feelings coursing through him at that moment in time were hardly done justice by this, in his opinion, poor piece of writing. JC ran his tired fingers through his short hair and sighed. After a few moments, he glanced down at his watch and told himself it was far too late to be trying to compose something remotely good this late at night. He clicked off the desk lamp next to him and crawled into his bed, quickly drifting away into a too-easily interrupted sleep.
*******
Justin stayed in Margot�s arms for nearly half an hour, sobbing his heart out, before he attempted to speak.
�Ma-Margot, I j-just wanted to s-�
Margot looked down at the top of Justin�s head when he paused to sniffle. They�d been in the same position for almost 45 minutes and even though her entire body was starting to fall asleep, she allowed the young man to stay there, afraid he�d break if she moved even an inch.
�Yes, Justin?� she asked cautiously when he didn�t make any effort to continue his sentence. Slowly, her arms around him loosened as he sat up and faced her. In turn, they both studied each other�s face; Margot�s heart breaking as she watched his red eyes fill with sorrow once again, Justin�s heart breaking as he watched her jade eyes fill with concern for him. He closed his eyes and took a calming breath before speaking again.
�I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am for treating you the way I have these past couple of days. I don�t exactly know why I was such a prick. I don�t exactly know why you�re taking it upon yourself to comfort such a prick. But you need to know that I truly appreciate it.�
Margot felt her mouth stretch into a small smile. It must have taken at least a few pep talks for him to come into her room, cry like a baby in front of her, and then apologize and thank her for being who she was. Yes, it must have taken a lot, but she was glad. Glad that he could put his pride behind him for just a while in order to do the right thing. She scrunched up her nose in realization of the corniness of what she�d just said to herself, but quickly shook it off and embraced the anxious young singer once more.
�No, thank you, Justin.�
He pulled back and stared confusedly at the woman in front of him. �Thank me? For what?�
Margot smiled slyly. �For putting whatever that was making you act like such a prick behind you.�
Justin�s expression changed from perplexed to poignant and then to evil in a matter of seconds. He opened his mouth to show off some of his quick wit, but a yawn forced its way out instead. Margot laughed goodheartedly and patted his shoulder.
�Yeah, yeah, I know. I�m gonna get it. Just not today, you look pooped.�
Justin frowned, disappointed that she wouldn�t be able to �get it� tonight, but he knew she was right. Crying could definitely wear a guy out, and Justin was just about as worn out as a guy could get.
�Yeah, you�re right. But tomorrow, you better watch your back.� He pointed a warning finger in her face and she pushed it away from her.
�Whatever, Timberlake. Don�t let the door hit you on your way out.� She smiled sweetly. Justin stood up from her bed and walked leisurely to her door. Before he closed it behind him, he blew a kiss to her. Margot shrieked, grabbed the nearest pillow and blocked the invisible kiss. He chuckled and bid her a final goodnight before leaving for his own room.
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