NOT Corrupting The Good Girl

Chapter Three: Into The Closet

Mona ran over to the door as the doorbell rang while I sat on the couch and put play, Twilight starting where it had left off. I breathed in and out, feeling anxious as I heard the door open. My mind raced as I thought of Justin in the bedroom, hiding in Mona's closet.

“Hey, Mrs. Monet. How’s your day going so far?”

My mom walked into the living room, looking around as I looked at her from over the couch. I smiled innocently, doing my best to deceive her despite the fact I was a wreck on the inside, “See?”

“Hm.” My mom frowned, looking around with a determined expression. She made her way around, before I called to her as she approached the hallway.

“Mom! Can you… Let’s go home.” I asked, getting up off the couch and going over to her with a pleading expression. “Have you eaten lunch?”

My mom smiled, wrapping her arm around my shoulders as she spoke, “Yeah. You?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. Go get your stuff, and I’ll go wait in the car, okay?”

I nodded, and she nodded towards Mona before going outside and closing the door behind her. Mona and I both let out a heavy sigh of relief. Justin crept out of the restroom quietly, his voice meek and hopeful. “Is she gone?”

Mona chuckled, “Yeah.”

“I’m gonna go get my stuff.” I stated, walking past the two of them and going to Mona's bedroom. I quickly got all my things into my backpack.

Justin walked up to me, his smile wide. “So I guess I’ll see you around?”

“Yeah, I guess.” I shrugged, looking up at him with a bite of my lip. I was nervous… I didn’t know how to feel about it. He was so handsome…

“Cool.”

He leaned in for a hug just as I held out my hand, both of us feeling awkward as we switch, me going in for a hug instead as he went in for a handshake. We both awkwardly chuckled, looking down sheepishly before meeting each other’s eyes again.

Mona grumbled, “Jesus, get a room.”

I glared at her, making her shrug with a smirk. I rolled my eyes, going for a hug. My cheeks burned as I gave him a side-hug, avoiding his eye and giving Mona a wave as I grabbed my phone off the counter and exited the door.

The afternoon air was breezy, but not enough to make me want to cover myself underneath my blankets. I walked downstairs, opening the passenger door and settling into the passenger seat.

My mom smiled at me, reaching over and tucking a hair behind my ear. “You have fun?”

I sighed with a nod, smiling back at her. “It was pretty cool. We re-watched the Twilight movies.”

I felt bad, but that wasn’t technically a lie. A couple hours before the party, we had been watching Twilight. But still, I was best friends with my mom. Lying to her… not telling her the whole truth, at least, made my chest ache.

“Well, I’m glad I was wrong about a boy being there.” She said, shaking her head as she pulled out of the parking lot. “I probably would’ve banned you from going to Mona's ever again, heh.”

“Yeah.” I trailed off, not wanting to speak too much about that subject matter. Mona wasn’t the best Christian, but she was still my friend. One of my longest ones, and I loved her.

My hands traced the shape of my lips, my mind going back to last night. To earlier. Even though a part of me just wanted to forget the whole thing, the other part of me… the flesh, wanted more. I wanted more kisses like last night. More feeling of last night. I wanted him to caress my cheek and-

“Emery? You there?” My mom asked, making me jump in confusion. Had I been that lost in thought?

I nodded, “Sorry, I was just thinking about something. What’s up?”

“We have to stop by for groceries- is that okay?”

I nodded, “Yeah, I don’t mind.”

“Okay. And don’t forget, your dad and I are gonna go in that cruise tomorrow.”

“Ohhh.” I had almost forgotten. I smiled at her, “You guys are gonna have a lot of fun.”

“A whole week with your dad across the sea on the way to Hawaii? Definitely.” My mom smirked to herself. She looked over at me, a brow raised. “You sure you’ll be okay on your own with your brother? You can always stay with Nana-“

“I’ll be fine, Mom. I swear.” I said, playing with the ends of my hair. I could barely keep my head on straight the rest of the day.

All I could think of was the kiss. To make matters worse, after I accepted his messaging request and followed him, he followed me back and texted me! Twice!

justmiller420: how’s your day going?

justmiller420: pls don’t block me :(

I rolled my eyes as I got the notifications, having been in the middle of drawing. I put the color pencils down, getting on my phone and typing back.

EM: I haven’t blocked you, I’m just having a busy day

justmiller420: tell me all about it

I smiled to myself, feeling good despite myself not wanting this type of attention. I didn’t want to be attached. I struggled to come up with a response, biting my thumb as I thought of whether or not I should even respond. I ignored my doubts and responded.

EM: I came home, cleaned up my room. Ate a snack. Cleaned the cat litter. Now I’m drawing.

justmiller420: you have cats? what kind?

EM: Yeah- they’re Spike and Buddy.

justmiller420: can I see?

EM: Sure.

I went through my gallery, abandoning my drawing as I went over to my bed, laying amongst my stuffed animals as my legs crossed, happy to show off my feline friends as I sent the pictures.

justmiller420: they are so adorable!!

EM: I know!!

justmiller420: I have a pet too.

EM: Ooh! What kind?

justmiller420: a little baby named Bella- she’s a german shepherd

EM: Little? Those dogs aren’t little lol

justmiller420: she’s a baby! wanna see?

EM: Sure

We spent almost all day texting. He asked me so many questions- and I asked him so many in return. By the end of the day, I knew a lot about him, and he knew plenty about me.

Justin Miller is a twenty-year old sophomore in the same college Mona goes to. He majors in Business and Game Design, but his dad thinks his real passion is playing football. The truth is- they all are. He likes the color brown- but not one specific shade, all of them. But if he had to pick a shade, it’d be caramel or honey. He loves sushi and other Asian foods, but hates anything to do with sweet meats or bitter flavors despite the fact he can apparently chug a 40-ounce beer can faster than all of his teammates (a fact I learned from texting with Maria at the same time, as I always text her regardless). He’s a member of a fraternity, popular, yet incredibly dorky- he loves the same things I do like Marvel and Star Wars. He is six-foot-one, but many argue only six feet. He likes to doodle (not that he’s any good, he claims), but he loves making up stories. He likes making up cool action stories, almost like making comics, but only the drawing kind. He mentioned not being able to write to save his life.

I found myself staying up about thirty to forty minutes past my curfew just to text him a little longer. I giggled to myself, typing a joke about how I couldn’t believe that Iron Man was one of his least favorite heroes. He was basically the reincarnation of Tony Stark, with the same ego too- except for the fact he wasn’t insanely smart with a 1000 IQ.

“Hey Em.” My brother called as he came into my room, leaning on the doorframe. I perked up.

“What’s up?”

“Mom said to go to bed.”

I nodded, “Okay. Goodnight.”

“Night.” He closed my door for me as I laid back down.

I texted him back, then copied and pasted the same message for Mona.

EM: Gotta go to bed! Goodnight :D

Thiq.BB (AKA Mona): Night girl

I felt a pang of disappointment hit me when he didn’t text me right away like before. I sighed, putting my phone on the nightstand, and closing my eyes after getting under my soft baby pink blanket.

Despite being comfortable and closing my tired eyes, I couldn’t fall asleep easily. I never did, really.

My phone pinged. I reached for it without hesitation, looking at my lock-screen and reading the preview of the message, my lips widening in a smile:

justmiller420: goodnight Emery

I squealed, laughing as I happily snuggled into my pillow, falling asleep.

I woke up early, my mom nudging me awake to say goodbye to both of my parents. Immediately after that, I tried to go back to sleep. I really did-

But I only went to check my phone. I smiled, seeing that Justin had texted me again.

justmiller420: morning. you awake yet, sleepyhead?

I shook my head to myself, texting back eagerly.

EM: Now I am. My parents went away on a cruise, and I’m home alone with my brother. I’m probably going to spend the day in bed lol

He didn’t text back in the next hour. Or the hour after that either. I sighed, getting up and putting my hair up in a bun. I went to the kitchen, getting myself something to eat.

“Hey Em. I’m gonna go to the gym- you good here?” My brother walked into the kitchen, getting a bottle of water as I made myself a PB&J.

I nodded, “Yeah, I’m totally fine. Go get those gains.”

“Heh. Okay Em. I’m gonna leave in five, and be back in an hour or two.”

I nodded, focusing on my sandwich. I made two by the time he left, having gone to sit on the couch and watch my K-Dramas. I was thirty minutes into the show when a knock on the door distracted me.

I got up, going over to the door with nervousness. Why would anyone be at my door right now? I tried to look through the peephole, but I wasn’t tall enough. I was going to get a stool, but my phone rang- I answered it immediately.

“MB? I’m kinda busy- someone’s at the door.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s me.”

I frowned, hanging up the phone and opening the door. I raised a brow, seeing Mona with Justin behind her. They were holding a bunch of snacks… but why were they here?

I scoffed, opening the second gated door. The minute I did, Mona walked past me with a grin. Justin stood at the door, shrugging and flashing me a bright smile. “Hey.”

I turned around, looking at Mona with a pointed look. “What are you-“

“Well, when you texted me about your parents leaving… I figured it’d be the best time to come over and watch some funny movies.” Mona immediately went to my couch, setting the snacks up on the coffee table.

Justin cleared his throat, “So can I come in?”

I looked back at him, feeling a little flustered and overwhelmed- I nodded. He walked past me, tall and muscular as ever. I felt tiny next to him in contrast to when I stood next to Mona, who was 4’11”.

I closed the door as Justin sat a seat away from Mona, getting comfortable as he set up his own snacks. I chuckled dryly, locking both of the doors as I placed my hands on my hips, raising a brow.

Mona flashed me a Cheshire cat grin, raising a brow back at me. “What?”

“We need to talk.” I went over to her, grabbing her arm and dragging her past the living room, into the hallway, then into my room. I closed the door, turning to see Mona sitting on my bed completely unbothered. I scoffed, “Mona, what are you doing?”

She turned to me, a bored look on her features. “I’m hanging out with you-“

“Oh, come on. Don’t do that. Just…” I ran a hand through my hair, feeling stressed. “You know I can’t have people over. Not without my mom at least knowing-“

“What is she gonna do? Ground you?” Mona laughed, making me want to smile despite myself. I shook my head.

“That’s not the point. I don’t like to lie to my mom- you know this!”

“Justin told me all about your texting, Emery.” Mona stood, her tone teasing. I flustered, feeling a little bashful about talking with him a lot. “He really likes you, you know.”

“Pfft.” I shook my head again. “I don’t know about that, MB. I just like talking to him, okay?”

“Oh, don’t lie.” She poked my arm softly, smirking. “I can tell you already like him too. You guys would be so cute together-“

“He’s not Christian, MB.”

“Oh, please. You know you want to kiss him-“

“I’m not like you, MB!” I whisper-yelled, feeling frustrated. I was frustrated because she was right- I found myself liking this person, but I shouldn’t do anything about it. I should stay friends only. I sighed, shaking my head, “I can’t just throw myself at boys… and I can’t just kiss them. I’m not like you.”

Mona scoffed, shaking her head as she raised a brow again. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

I realized I made a mistake when I saw the hurt on her face. That was… That was way out of line. “Mona… I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant-”

“No. Don’t even try to apologize.” She looked away, opening the door and stomping away. I sighed, following her after a moment.

I went into the living room, surprised to see her sitting next to Justin who was now in the middle, her legs on his lap. She ate a bag of chips with a scowl- Justin looked over at me in confusion. I sighed, looking away and picking up the remote as I sat besides Justin, as Mona planned no doubt.

“So what do you want to see?” I asked them, feeling dread in my chest. Why were they so snuggled up together anyways?

“How about a scary movie?” Mona did not attempt to mask the contempt in her voice. She was obviously still upset.

Justin scoffed, “You know I hate scary movies, Mona.”

“I’m not a big fan either-“ I started to say.

“So you guys are scaredy-cats.” She said, giving us a pointed look. I sighed, feeling guilty from earlier and just handing her the remote. She took it without hesitation, getting up and setting the ‘mood’ (basically turning off all the lights so it’ll be spooky).

She put on Insidious, the eerie feeling I got from scary movies already creeping on my skin. Justin looked over as I jumped from the title screen’s loud noises. He leaned in and placed his arm above the couch behind me, his breath making me have goosebumps as he whispered in my ear.

“You okay?”

My cheeks were red- I could feel it. I nodded, swallowing as I tried to keep my breathing steady. He still looked at me, so I looked at him with a shaky smile. “Yeah, I’m okay. Thanks.”

I went to pat his shoulder, but I unknowingly let my hand linger… he looked at me in my eyes, before clearing his throat and looking towards the movie. I tensed up as the violin picked up, the movie starting to really get into the eerie happenings as the story progressed.

I jumped as a jump scare happened in the movie, unintentionally grabbing onto his arm. He looked at me, I looked at him, making me take my hand away quickly as I moved my eyes back to the movie.

Softly, and silently, he went and held my hand.

HE HELD MY HAND! I was freaking out!! Why- WHY! I mean, obviously he was trying to comfort me because I was scared but-

Justin intertwined our fingers, his thumb rubbing the back of my palm with care. My heart was ACHING in my chest- why in God’s name was this happening to me? My whole body flushed with heat as I tried to focus on the movie, but I couldn’t. Not with him so close, him holding my hand so tenderly!

Mona cleared her throat, standing up and walking over to the restroom while announcing: “BRB.”

I begged for God to make her look back and see the terrified look on my face- but she didn’t. The bathroom door closed.

Justin moved- for a moment, I thought he would kiss me. But he moved away, letting go of my hand- in that tiny moment, my heart sank. Then he placed his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into a cuddle as we kept watching the terror of the paranormal unfold on the screen. He leaned down, whispering above my head as his chin rubbed against the top of my head-

“It’s okay to be scared, you know. No shame in it- I don’t show it, but like I said before… I hate these f*****g movies.”

I exhaled loudly, letting go of a breath I hadn’t known I had been holding. Why did my heart ache? Why did it feel so nice to be in close proximity like this with him? I felt so at peace, so-

Mona exited the bathroom, barely even glancing twice at us as she sat on the other side of Justin. My heart sank again when I saw her cuddle to the other side of Justin.

Justin was a good friend. Comforting to those in need, and there for a helping hand. His intentions were pure- he didn’t like me.

Why would he?

I bit my lip, ignoring my insecurities as I watched on.

The movie’s end credits were rolling. I was sleepy, subconsciously cuddling more into Justin’s broad chest. He was so soft…

“She’s even cute when she’s drowsy.”

I was about to make a retort to Justin, but I heard a car lock nearby. I sat up, alarmed and suddenly very awake. My brother was home?!

I looked at MB, who sat on her phone and leaning away from Justin. “Nate is home!”

She looked at me, then at Justin, then at me. “We need to hide him.”

“Again?” Justin asked, confused. “Who is Nate-“

“Her brother- I’m sure you could handle him, but we’re not tryna start drama, baby.” She got up, dragging him by the arm- He stood, following along but-

The door was being unlocked. I was panicking. I looked at them with wide eyes, pushing them into the hallway. “Go, go, go!”

The door was opened just as they silently crept down the hall. I looked at Nate, flashing a bright smile as I smoothed my hair. He looked at me with a raised brow, “Why are you acting weird?”

“I’m not acting weird. You’re acting weird.” I said, a little more rude than I wanted to admit. I sighed, feeling exasperated. “How was the gym?”

He looked towards the hallway besides me as a door was heard being closed. My heart was skipping beats-

“Elyssa, who’s here?”

“The one and only, of course!” Mona sang, walking out of the hallway and giving me a side-hug as she looked at my brother. They used to be friends once upon a time- it was a long story, but they weren’t anymore. “I surprised her when she told me your parents left. No biggie right?”

Nate clenched his jaw, shrugging it off as he went towards the hallway. Mona blocked him, stepping in his way, and he raised a brow. I was practically SWEATING- on the inside as I watched the spectacle. Mona knew I was bad at lying, so she was our best bet to avoid detection.

“Uh, what are you doing?” Nate asked, confused.

Mona smiled, placing her hands on her hips and acting dumb. “What are you doing? You can’t just walk into the hallway.”

I wanted to facepalm.

“This is my house-“ He went to side-step her, but she blocked him again by pressing her hand to the wall. She chuckled, no doubt feeling embarrassed by making such a spectacle as her cheeks burned.

“Okay, soooo we need your help with something.” She tilted her head, acting cute. It obviously wasn’t working. “I need a ride. To the store- I can’t drive and I only have cash-“

He sighed heavily, “I need to go to my room and put my stuff down.”

“Noooo you don’t-“ She started, but we all froze when we heard a loud sneeze coming from my room. Nate furrowed his brows, but he didn’t have the time to react as Mona suddenly cursed under her breath and suddenly… tickled him in the stomach? I looked at them in utter confusion- what was happening?

Nate flinched away, looking at her with wide eyes. He held his hands up, seriously confused. “Uh, MB- What are you-“

Mona narrowed her eyes at him, scowling, “Nate Monet- You are going to help me right now.”

“I don’t want to.” He scoffed, looking at her in disbelief. This is the most they’ve talked in years. They used to wrestle too- we all did, well, not really. We used to pillow fight, if I remember correctly. I wasn’t all that sure what they used to do when they hung out.

She raised a brow, taking a step towards him. “I will tickle you. After I sit on you.”

“No, you won’t.” He took a step away, looking at me with confusion. “What is up with her?”

I didn’t answer. I wasn’t sure who would win… Nate definitely had grown muscle, but Maria literally used to wrestle with her dad who was two times the size of Nate.

She shook her head, her lips turning into a smirk. “Yeah, you will.”

Nate tried to push past her, but she kept blocking him with her body, pushing against him pathetically. They were practically wrestling now!

“Guys-!” I protested as I followed them, seeing Nate pushed his way halfway into the hallway. She grunted, him pushing past her. She looked at me with a glare.

“You owe me.” She whispered as Nate headed towards my room to see what the sound was- my eyes widened as she shoved him away forcefully and moved in front of him, looking up at him with a scowl. "Don't make me f**k you up."

I swallowed when she cursed at him. It felt a little too serious now.

"Why the hell does it matter if there's nothing behind that door?"

"It's just a movie we were watching. Honestly, I was just messing with you at first, but this is getting ridiculous." She stressed out, narrowing her eyes at him. He obviously didn't buy it, and she scoffed as her look turned into a glare. "Seriously? You're that stubborn that you won't even believe me?"

"Move, MB."

"Make me." She bitterly spat at him.

I walked past them in the hallway, going into my room and closing the door before they could see anything.

Justin stood near my bed, eyes widened. “What is happening?”

“Mona is distracting him- don’t ask! Just get in the closet!” I whispered loudly, pulling him and opening my very full closet. He looked back at me in disbelief.

“I’m not gonna fit in there!” He whispered back.

The doorknob jiggled.

“Just suck it in!” I huffed, pushing him into it. I struggled to close the door, both of us groaning. It finally closed shut as I put all my weight on it-

My bedroom door opened, a panting Nate standing there and looking around. He looked at me, shrugging in disbelief and glaring before turning to glare at MB as she stood behind him with wide eyes as she also panted. She was surprised not to see Justin here, I guess. She smugly smirked at him, shrugging innocently.

“You guys are freaking weird.” Nate said, pushing past MB to go into his room with his stuff. Mona looked at me, still trying to catch her breath as she stepped inside my room, went over to my bed, and laid down in exhaustion.

“Thanks, MB.” I closed the door to my bedroom, sighing in relief.

“Now we just have to think of a way to get him out of the house without your brother seeing him.” Mona panted. “It’ll be a piece of cake, right?”

I groaned at the realization, letting my face fall into my hands.

“Can I come out now?” Justin asked, his voice muffled through the closet door. I groaned again, sinking to my knees against my door.

How was I gonna get him out of my house?