IMAGINES: Celebrity Encounters Starring You (72 page)

Your sixth clue: We needed this in order to dodge the paparazzi for the first time. You can find it in your mother’s kitchen.

IT HAD BEEN
a cool morning in Southern California. New Year’s was the week before, and one of your resolutions was to branch out that year. You wanted to do new things, travel to new places, and meet awesome, new people.

Fumbling around in bed until you found your phone, you pulled it to you and turned on your back. Nowadays, who didn’t check her device like it was the morning paper?

After the tears from your morning yawn cleared, you began to scroll. You had some texts from friends in town, but one stood out. It was from Justin. Yes, you’d met a few weeks ago and you’d taken the initiative to give him your number that same night. Bold for you, to say the least. That was one way to boost your confidence.

Opening his text, you read,
I was wondering if you want to hang out today. We can grab something to eat if y
ou’d
like. Maybe get coffee? Th
at’s if you like coffee. Lol. I just want to hang out with you.

What a great way to wake up. Texting him back, you sent him your address and said you’d be ready in forty-five minutes. Rolling out of bed, you tried to grasp something to hold on to but failed dearly. The floor became your resting place, and surely that was a shoulder sprain you were feeling.

“Are you okay in there?” your father’s voice boomed up from below.

“I’m fine!” you shouted, pushing up off the carpeted floor. You’d almost broken your face over this fool.

Going into your closet, you paced back and forth trying to figure out what you wanted to wear. Not wanting to put too much effort into your look, you grabbed an oversize gray knitted sweater and black distressed jeans. Searching for your black beanie, you left the closet, first tossing your clothes on the bed, then cruising to your black dresser. Finding the beanie, you tossed that with
the rest of your outfit. On your dresser was an assortment of rings and necklaces. You chose a dainty, gold heart necklace and some diamond studs. After gathering fresh underwear and switching on your radio, you wandered into your bathroom for a muscle-soothing shower.

Afterward, you got dressed, and having twenty minutes to spare, you put on a little makeup. Leaving five minutes for your hair, you tied it in a high ponytail. Then you divided it in two and pulled it to tighten the hold. Freeing strands to frame your face, you felt good about your look. You decided to grab a pair of black boots with cute heels. Mom would be pleased.

There was a knock at the front door, and almost immediately, as if she had been lying in wait, your mom declared, “Honey, Justin is here!”

Your eyes shot up to your reflection in the bathroom mirror. “I didn’t know guys came to the door anymore.” You peeked at your phone again before grabbing it.

“Okay, here I come!” you yelled. Going into your bedroom, you grabbed your house keys and wallet, not feeling like messing with a purse.

Going down the stairs, you saw that your dad had his arms crossed as he spoke to Justin, like he was blocking his way.
What is this man doing?

“Good morning,” you greeted everyone.

“Heeeeey.” Your dad’s stern face disappeared at your presence. He even uncrossed his arms and displayed a chipper smile.

He wasn’t fooling you.

Justin watched you step into the living room. “Hey.”

“I was just talking to the boy,” your dad said.

You looked at Justin, who was wearing a black sweater with black distressed jeans and a gray beanie. The coincidence was unreal.

“Ha, we’re matching.” You pointed between your outfits.

“You’re copying me,” he accused jokingly, crossing his arms.

You rolled your eyes and looked at your mom. “We’re just going to get breakfast,” you said, and headed for the door.

“Don’t be driving reckless,” your dad warned Justin. “I know about you and speeding tickets.”

You turned and gave your dad a look. “Dad!”

“No worries. She’ll be fine,” Justin assured as he came to the door. Holding it open, he waited for you to walk out first. As he closed the door behind him, he said, “Your dad is protective,” and smiled as he walked to the driver’s side of his car.

“What did he say to you?” You heard Justin unlock the doors, cuing you to get in.

“To keep my hands to myself.” He ducked into the ride, biting the inside of his cheek.

You got in too, but looked out your window, avoiding his knowing eyes. “Embarrassing,” you mumbled.

“You came downstairs quick enough to save me. I think he was going to give me the talk.”

“Kill me now.” You looked over to Justin as he started the car. “I wasn’t expecting you to actually knock on the door. Where did you learn that?” you joked, causing him to look over at you with a smile.

His smile is really adorable, you must say.

“I wanted to show some manners. Is that cool with you?” He turned to you, watching you, which made you nervous. Then, he looked down.

“What?” You looked down as well.

“Your seat belt.”

“Oh!” You reached to your right and pulled it across your torso to click it in. “There we go.”

“I don’t need your dad hunting me down because you
don’t want to wear it.” He gave you a silly look, earning a smile from you.

Looking back to your house, you noticed a blind from the window was bent. Your dad, spying. Suddenly, another bends. Now Mom was watching. Ugh, go away.

“What do you want for breakfast?” Justin asked.

“Hmmm . . . something sweet.”

“You can’t eat yourself,” he scoffed, making you laugh.

“Okay, how about Starbucks?”

“We can do Starbucks. Do you drink coffee or something?”

“Yes, and I like their muffins.” You crossed your legs. “What do you want?”

“I’ll take you to get you coffee and muffins, then I’m taking you to a real restaurant.” He adjusted in his seat, relaxing into it.

“Okay.” You checked out his music player. “I want to know what music you blast in your car.”

“You like bass?”

“I live for it.”

He pointed. “Plug in your phone. Let’s see what you listen to.”

“I’m the best DJ in LA.” You prepared to give him a taste of your style.

“I’ll be the judge of that.” He bit his lip, glancing over to you swiftly, before turning his attention back to the road.

After singing and rapping along to some familiar tunes, you looked out the window to see cars with paparazzi aiming cameras in your direction. That cut off your singing session for today. Wondering if Justin was noticing what was going on, you turned to him, but he was already gazing out your window.

Shaking his head, he said, “Don’t even worry about them. Sometimes you have to act like they’re not there.”

“Don’t you get sick of that?” You eyeballed the paps.

“Hell yeah, but it comes with this. They don’t bother me until they say something completely out of line. Even then, you have to keep your composure.”

They were yelling at the two of you, but your music was up too loud for you to really hear them. You frankly didn’t want to hear what they had to say. You were wishing the street would narrow to one lane or something to keep them away.

Justin nudged you as he picked up singing again. He was so into it, it was hard for you to make a graceful transition into the song. You laughed through your first attempts. Then you both began to clown and enjoy the rest of the ride.

Arriving at your destination, you were met with the same paps, who had apparently called some of their buddies. Getting out of the car, you both ignored the paps’ outbursts and walked inside. Standing in line, you couldn’t help but notice the stares of everyone inside and the buildup of cameras outside.

“This is crazy,” you told Justin. “I just want a freaking muffin.” You scanned the goods behind the glass, then pointed to a cinnamon treat. “That one looks so good.”

“That does look good. I may have to get me one too.”

“No, you said you want
a real breakfast
,” you mocked, dodging the swat of his hand by jumping forward. You laughed and lightly swatted his arm.

“I’m telling!”

“Shush.” You moved with the line.

“I’m telling your mom and dad. He was
very
concerned about all aspects of safety today.”

“Do it!” You stuck out your tongue. And when you were dealing with the cashier, Justin pinched your side, making you bend and squeal. “Justin!” you spat through your teeth, trying not to get more attention. He laughed as you pulled your lips into your mouth trying not to laugh.

You retrieved your minibreakfast and followed Justin. Lord knows you wanted to trip him, but you stopped the urge.

When you got to the door, he turned to you, having sensed your timidness. “It’s cool. They’re not going to touch you. I got you. Just don’t react to what they say to you. It’s not that bad.”

You nodded, seeing his hand reaching for the door.

Having the paps immediately come toward you and repeatedly shooting their flashes was . . .
annoying
, to say the least. You wanted to grab lenses and toss them. You felt exposed. And now they knew what you looked like. Life was going to be a little tougher from then on out.

“Who are you?”

“Justin, what are you doing?”

“Where did you come from?”

“Justin, is this your new girlfriend?”

Shouts came from left and right. A pap almost grabbed your sleeve.

“No,” you said, and bumped into Justin in trying to avoid the contact. When Justin saw this, he took your hand and pulled you closer to him. You held it, wanting him to get you away from everything.

Oh, boy, lookie there. You’re holding hands
. “They’re hungry. They’re coming for my muffin,” you said, making light of the situation.

“They’re going to have to go through me to get to your muffin if that’s the case,” Justin said, joining in your light fun.

YOU WALKED NOW
into your parents’ house to find them relaxing on the L-shaped couch, watching TV. “Hey, family.”

“Hey, honey. Happy anniversary.” Your mother got off the couch to welcome you with a hug.

“Hey, Mom. Thank you.” You held her, closing your eyes, still in shock at how fast time was cruising. You opened your eyes and your dad was getting off the couch to embrace you as well.

“Happy anniversary, sweetheart.” He kissed your cheek and hugged you once your mother released her loving grasp.

You snuggled into his chest. “Thanks, Dad.” Looking up, you continued your search. “I heard you have a heart for me.” You clapped your hands, then rubbed them together.

“Only the one in my chest,” he toyed.

Did your dad just hit you with a dad joke?

“That’s all I have to offer.”

“You’re so lame,” you teased.

“Yes, we have a clue for you. You just have to figure out where.” Your mom didn’t give any hints. You already knew where to look, but thanks for zero help, loved ones.

“To the kitchen!” You marched that way. As you came around the corner and located a teal heart in front of the coffeemaker, another thrill overtook you. “I can’t believe he remembers all of these little things.” You snapped up the heart between your fingers.

“Kissy kissy,” you heard your mother behind you. Blushing, guessing it had to do with kissing, you didn’t want her to see your bashful face.

You read,
You left pink lipstick on your cup that day. The prettiest shade I’ve ever seen. Do you miss my lips? I didn’t get to kiss yours this morning. Your seventh clue can be found where we first had ours. ;)

“Why didn’t you kiss your husband this morning, young lady?” your mom pestered you, reading over your shoulder.

“Mom, he ditched me before I could wake up.” You smiled, ready to leave. “I’ll see you soon.”

“Stop by this week to pick up your gift from us.”

“You got me a gift?” You played surprised, looking at your father.

“Her idea,” he said, not wanting to own the sweet notion. Why is your father like this?

But you weren’t buying it. “Uh-huh.”

“I may have had something to do with it,” he said, sliding one foot back and forth over the carpet.

“I figured.” You skipped across to hug him. “I’ll see you later. Love you.”

“Love you too!” they sang as you shut the door.

“Okay, think, think. Where are you heading to next?”

JUSTIN DIDN’T KNOW
you were coming home for summer break, and you’d wanted to surprise him, but your parents had to work, so you needed him to pick you up from the airport. Your other friends wouldn’t be home until the next evening. Being homesick, you’d wanted the first flight out, and no seats were available for them.

Anywho, you hadn’t seen Justin since spring break. He, you, and a mix of your friends spent that week in Malibu. It was nice, although one of your friends couldn’t stop flirting with him. You weren’t too fond of that. Justin isn’t your boyfriend, but he’s your friend and . . . you may have a small crush on him. You use the word
small
loosely. You may miss him a small amount as well.

Dialing your homey, you sat on your dorm room bed, swinging your legs in the open air. Finally hearing the ring stop, you perked up.

“Hi—”

“Hello, menace.” He began the conversation with an insult.

“Excuse me, big head?” You laughed through your scrunched- up face. “How dare you greet me like that?”

“What do you want?” His voice was playful.

“You know what?” You smiled. “I don’t have to deal with this. I’m just going to hang up. You can call me back when you know how to act.”

“You better not hang up on me,” he warned, making you feel chills. He did this thing with his voice. You just— Okay, time to stop.

“I’m coming home tomorrow!”

“What?!”

You soaked in his enthusiasm for a moment. “Yes, and I need you to pick me up from the airport. Could you please?”

“Hmmm . . . I’m not sure. I have to see if I’m free—”

“Justin!”