broken home - j.f✔️

eleven.

"Eggs, toast, and a whole range of things are on the table, Justin." Elizabeth called out, putting a plate down for him. She had a bowl of fruit, sitting at the table opposite him. He had come downstairs, his hair wet and only his sweatpants on.

"Thank you for all of this, El." Justin beamed, digging into the food in front of him. "Do you have any plans today?" That's when she remembered.

"Shit." She mumbled, grabbing her phone to text Zach. "I completely forgot I was spending the weekend with Zach."

"Oh," he spoke, she could hear the disappointment in his voice. "I can go home, if you'd like?" She shook her head vigorously, pushing his shoulders down to sit.

"I can reschedule." Justin smiled at her response, did he really mean that much? To ditch her closest friend for him? She had disappeared to clean up the dishes, Justin decided to text Zach.

Justin: What plans did you have with El?

Zach: Huh?

Justin: Don't play dumb, what we're you planning on doing with El this weekend?

Zach: Showing her round town? What did you think?

Justin: Just don't be a dick. Be respectful.

Zach: Do you... like her? Aren't you with Jess?

Justin: We broke up.

Zach: You didn't deny it.

Justin: It's too soon to tell.

Zach: Still didn't deny it.

Justin: Fuck off.

"So, I asked Zach if he wants to come over and spend the day with us, but he said he'll leave us be." Elizabeth mentioned, leaving the kitchen and joining him in the dining room. "What would you like to do today?"

"Maybe I can show you round town? I'll need to drive." Justin spoke. "Trust me?"

"Of course."

"Well, get dressed then." Elizabeth ran upstairs and looked for an outfit, she was still in her robe. She found shorts, a shirt, and some sandals for the warm Californian weather. Her hair was still decent from last night, so she ran a brush through it. Finally, she joined Justin downstairs and handed him her keys. He smiled cheekily, getting into her car as she locked the door.

"Where are we going, Justin?" She asked, watching him drive down the street. She had no clue as she wasn't used to the town, she didn't know where anything was. "Is this part of your long awaited plan to kill me?"

"Yes, I have been preying on you since you moved here and I can finally execute my plan, and you." He laughed. She chuckled along with him as the car came to a stop. "Keep your eyes closed." His hands were over her eyes as they slowly walked to wherever Justin was taking her. She felt the ground go from concrete, to wood? She was confused, where the fuck were they? "Now, open your eyes!"

She was on some docks. The sea surrounding her every direction. There were no barriers to stop people from falling in. She could see anything in the water. Her breathing picked up, not noticing Justin's happy face turn to a more concerned one. She took a step back from the edge. "Ju-, I can't be here." All she managed to get out was a whimper of words, running off of the docks. Her heart had slowed as her feet hit the pavement once again. She crouched near her car, covering her face. Tears fell from her eyes, her body shaking with sobs.

"El, talk to me. What's the matter?" He crouched down in front of her, his hands on her knees. "Please, say something." His voice was quiet. It was clear she was having an anxiety attack. His thumbs rubbed over her knees softly, waiting for her to calm down. Soon enough, her sobs had become weaker until she fell silent.

"I'm sorry for freaking out." She croaked. "I just, have a fear of open water. I freak out even being near it." She kept apologising under her breath, Justin sitting beside her and bringing her into a side hug. "There's a lot of trauma behind it."

"I'm so sorry, El." He apologised. "Really sorry." She rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes in relief she could finally breath again.

"It's not your fault, you didn't know." She whispered. "Let's get some food and we could go out for a movie?"

"Sure."