Reckless and clumsy... chapter 3

I followed Justin to his dressing room. He kept his hand on his dog-tag a lot, pulling it to the left and right. I kept thinking to myself that I was probably wrong about him flirting with me. He was probably just that way naturally. I mean, he is a sixteen year-old boy. Isn’t that what they all do? I was kind of hoping that was true.

As we walked, he made small talk, which I admit I was happy about. I’m a little shy when I meet new people, and with Justin it felt like I didn’t have to try to keep his attention from wandering. He seemed to be just as interested in what I had to say as I was with what he was saying. We chatted about everything, from the stadium, to fans, to his matching purple hat and shoes. I was becoming a little more comfortable with him when we rounded a corner.

“Here it is,” he said, opening a door on the right. Inside was his dressing room. There was a couch, two chairs, a t.v. and a table. I wondered how he got all of this just for today, but then I reminded myself that he’s the biggest popstar in the world.

“So, funny videos, right?”

“Yeah, I mean, if you want to. That’s what I always do with my friends when we have nothing to do,” I said. He’s probably going to suggest something else. Why would Justin Bieber want to watch videos when he could be doing something much more fun?

“Oh yeah, I love watching videos. You like Chuck Norris?” I laughed.

“Well, I can’t say I don’t. I’m guessing you like him?”

“Yes! I love that guy, he’s awesome. Watch him wrestle this bear!” He sounded so excited. He found the video and loaded it up. I was watching it, but it didn’t more than a few seconds before I was watching him instead. He was looking at the screen with this goofy little smile on his face. He looked like he was amazed. I couldn’t help but giggle to myself.

“It doesn’t matter how many times I watch this video, it’s still awesome,” He said when the video finished. I smiled at him.

“That was pretty awesome.” I couldn’t keep the grin off of my face.

“What’s so funny?”

“Oh, nothing. I could just tell you liked that video.” He looked puzzled but unconcerned.

“What do you want to watch next?”

“Well, I might be the only person in the world, but I’ve never seen those videos that made you famous…”

“Oh no, we don’t need to watch those.”

“What? C’monnn, let’s watch them!” He looked a little nervous.

“But…”

“Justin, if it wasn’t for those you might not be here right now.”

“I know, but I looked so stupid. My hair… ugh.” He appeared to be envisioning his former self in his mind.

“So? We all had questionable hair at some point in our lives, let’s watch.” He gave me a reluctant look, but pulled his laptop closer and began to type.

“Which one?” He asked.

“Hmm…” I looked through the choices. “’With You.’ That’s a good song.”

“Ughh, alright.” He clicked the video and looked mortified. We watched and after it was over, he looked at me cautiously.

“That…was adorable.” I looked at him with a smile that I hoped was comforting and believable. He blushed.

“Thanks.” He seemed to loosen up a little more after that.

For the rest of our time hanging out, we watched some more funny things on the internet. He told me some jokes, I told him some (which were cornier by far) and we even had a rock, paper, scissors tournament.

We headed out of his dressing room together to sound of him whining.

“I can’t BELIEVE you beat me at rock, paper, scissors. I rule at that game.”

“Not anymore.” He gave me a purposely fake mean look. I laughed. “Are you excited now, Mr. Bieber?”

“You know it!” He glided beside me as I walked to prove his point.

“Well I’ll be watching from backstage. If you mess up I’ll be the first to laugh.”

“Hey!”

“Just kiddin’ kiddo.”

“I’m not a kid,” he said, slightly less excitedly.

“Well, you’re a kid to me,” I explained.

“I’m only like three years younger than you.”

“Yeah, but from where I’m at you’re still a kid.” He frowned in thought.

“Yeah, but Demi and Ashton are farther apart in age that we are.” Wow. I wasn’t expecting him to go there. I guess he was flirting earlier.

“Yeah… but we’re not dating.”

“Yet.” He smiled an evil little smile.

“What…?”

“Can’t talk now, gotta get on stage.” He smiled the same smile and ran towards his manager. I was left standing where I was pondering on how a sixteen year old could be so forward. I couldn’t help but giggle.

A few minutes later, Justin was preparing to take the stage, and my band, Charlotte and I were standing side-stage to watch.

“So, how did your date with Justin Bieber go?” Jake asked, batting his eyelashes.

“First of all Jake, I don’t like your tone. And it wasn’t a date. We just hung out. He’s sixteen…”

“So? That’s just three years.”

“Exactly. That’s a big age difference for us. You know what it was like when we were younger. Did you ever have a class with freshmen when you were a senior? I did. I couldn’t stand them. All they did was talk and do really stupid, immature things.”

“Did Justin do anything stupid or immature?”

“Well, no, not really. Nothing I couldn’t at least find funny.” Jake smiled which suggested he already knew the answer.

“Yeah, that’s what I figured. Give the kid a chance.”

“He’s dreamy too, Em. You don’t want to let that get away,” Billy said jokingly.

“Shut up, Billy.” I laughed.

“Welcome to the stage, international teen phenomenon, Justin Bieber!” Justin’s song “Love Me” began to play and he ran out on stage.

He did really well. When I could hear him properly, that is. The crowd was going CRAZY. Girls were screaming, and crying, and I quickly thought of footage I’d seen of a few of the Beatles’ concerts. I giggled to myself. Maybe it’s the Beatles-like hair… In all honesty, though I knew he was good. Some of the fans might have just been there just because he’s good looking, but he had talent. There was no denying that. That’s why he had so many fans.

During a song called “Kiss n’ Tell” he looked directly at me during a part where he sang the lyrics,

“You’s a fly chick, you could be my chick,” and smiled that same evil smile. Of course I got a few whoops and whistles from my bandmates. I’ll never hear the end of this.

After his performance I met him backstage.

“Did you enjoy it?” He asked.

“Yeah, you did a great job,” I replied.

“Hey listen, I’ve got some appointments I’ve got to get to.”

“Oh, ok.”

“Mind if I get your cell phone number?”

“No, not at all. Give me your phone and I’ll program it in, and you can do the same for me.”

“Awesome.” He handed me his phone and I handed him mine. “I’ll text you, ok?”

“Ok. Be careful on your way to wherever you go kiddo.”

“Don’t call me ‘kiddo’.”

“Sorry, I forgot you don’t like that,” I said, giggling.

“I deserve a hug for that.” I’ve got a slick one on my hands. Well played, Justin Bieber. Well played.

“Alright, then.” I hugged him and I could feel the stares of my band behind me. I’m going to hear about this the whole way back home.

“Bye sweetheart.” He said after we hugged.

“See ya, Justin.” He waved as he walked away to join his team.

“He’s too young for me,” I heard Ryan say in a girly voice that I suspected was supposed to be an imitation of my own.

“Shut up Ryan, it was just a hug,” I said defending myself.

“Uh huh, that’s what they all say.” Yup. I was right. They’re going to give me hell all the way home. Jeeze.