[center][img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/b3RmLjcyLjRkODhmZi5MaTR1YlhWemRDQmpiMjFsSUdSdmQyNCwuMAAAAAAA/whitelist.regular.png[/img]
[img]https://media3.giphy.com/media/710io2t63ISAw/giphy.gif[/img]
[sub]A Collaboration Between:  [@Bee] and [@TootsiePop]
[i]Featuring: [color=dodgerblue]Justin Quentin[/color] and [color=f7e98e]Cyndi Green[/color][/i][/sub]
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Hearing the soft notes of a piano nearby, Justin turned toward the source of the noise. There was only one plausible explanation for the beautiful sounds that traveled down the hallways. He was drawn toward it, the beautiful notes pulling at his heart. It was practically begging for Justin to come, and it was something he could not back down from. 

Turning around a corner, he found her. Cyndi. Sitting by her lonesome in front of what he assumed to be a grand piano. Stepping in slowly, he was careful to not disturb her focus. Stepping softly against the hardwood floor, he only watched as he closed in slowly. It wasn’t until he was close before he said something. [color=dodgerblue][b]”Hey.”[/b][/color]

Justin was careful to be soft. [color=dodgerblue][b]”You okay?”[/b][/color] Justin asked, slowly making his way over to the bench and taking a seat next to her. [color=dodgerblue][b]”Look, I’m sorry things went poorly down there. It… it sucks, and I’m sorry you had to deal with that.”[/b][/color]

[color=f7e98e][b]“Everyone in my family has strong personalities. It’s a lot in comparison to me.”[/b][/color] She softly responded back, her voice shaking. Her eyes were begging to release her guilt, regret, and sadness with tears, but she kept her attention to the piano. If she looked at the boy that took interest in her, she would cry. He was in over his head. [color=f7e98e][b]“My mother will be here soon. I did a bad thing. I was unpleasant and I made things worse. I let my emotions get the better of me and that has never been a good thing in this family. Especially because I know Hailey was trying to do something that would make mama happy. I knew that.”[/b][/color] 

She wasn’t sure if Justin was aware of her family dynamic. That Alyssa and Evelyn were married. That Alyssa and Ty were half-siblings. That Evelyn and Ty made each of the Green kids so that there was Green blood in them. That Ty was married to Julianna and had his own family, while still being romantically involved with Eve. It was confusing to an outsider, but to her, that was her normal. A family with a lot of love, even if at times, they wanted to cut each other’s throats. The Greens were complicated, as she was sure other families were too. [color=f7e98e][b]“You should go home, Justin.”[/b][/color] 

Her music stirred wonders in others’ souls, just like her mother Evelyn did. She shimmered under the dim light. Breathtaking. [color=f7e98e][b]“I don’t think this is going to work out. Me and you.”[/b][/color] She sadly admitted. If there was someone not worth the chase, it was her. She was nothing. A disgrace to her family name. Cyndi wanted to stop while she was ahead. A coward. Silly her for thinking she could catch up to her older siblings in experience. Silly her for thinking she could live in the moment when she was stuck in both the past and the future. What she was battling everyday and what she wished she could be. 

Hailey was right. She was always right. It was because of her Min-seo would get sent back home, ultimately making Henry hate her more than he already did. It was her lack of clarity and confidence that she couldn’t tell if Justin was a right fit or not, like how Hailey knew her and Hana belonged together and Henry and Min, all the same. She didn’t know if she had the courage to fight this battle of having Justin win her mother’s approval. Her sister was right. Her mother would never trust her judgement ever again. Why did she even try? She wasn’t meant to think for herself. She wasn’t meant to stray too far from the nest… she wasn’t meant to take risks. It would only lead to her upsetting everyone and getting hurt. Cyndi Green was a failure. A complete disappointment.   

The mention of this not working out stabbed Justin in the heart just a bit, causing him to look away for just a second until he realized she wasn’t thinking rationally. It was clear that Cyndi was hurting, and hurt people tend to talk out of a place that didn’t necessarily reflect what they actually felt. Words were thrown around without actually meaning them.

[color=dodgerblue][b]”Come on now.”[/b][/color] Justin reassured, [color=dodgerblue][b]”You’re only saying that because of what just happened. I’d feel the exact same way if I was in your position. But, I’m not scared. I’m not worried at all.”[/b][/color] Justin was definitely lying, but it didn’t matter to him. He wanted to make Cyndi happier, and more confident in the situation they were in right now, at least in terms of their relationship. There wasn’t much, if at all anything, that he could do about the family.

[color=dodgerblue][b]”All this’ll be is one speedbump. All it is - nothing more.”[/b][/color]

[color=f7e98e][b]“I guess so…”[/b][/color] She stopped playing the piano and turned her body to look at him. Her watery eyes undeniably visible. [color=f7e98e][b]“We can try. But know this is only the start. Things will get worse before they get good and I cannot promise you I will always be the nicest. I can’t promise you I will make you happy. I will try. I will give you a chance. But I’m far from worth it.”[/b][/color] The tears started rolling down her face and she stood up, retreating to the large window that peered into the darkness of the front of her house. The long driveway. The shrubbery. The castle gates.  [color=f7e98e][b]“Now, Justin. Please, before my mother comes. Leave. Text me when you’re home.”[/b][/color] 

Justin stood up as Cyndi left her seat, watching her walk up to the window and stare out. He was about to follow and embrace her, but the words that followed soon after had dissuaded whatever intentions he had shortly afterwards. The situation had taken too much of a toll on Cyndi, apparently. He wanted to give her more reassurance, but he couldn’t. Cyndi had wanted him to go home, and he had to respect that. It didn’t matter if he wanted to do something else. In this situation, and at this stage in their relationship, it was far better that he respected her wishes. 

Slowly stepping backwards toward the door, he nodded. [color=dodgerblue][b]”Okay, Cyndi... “[/b][/color] He trailed, [color=dodgerblue][b]”I-I’ll text you when I get home. I hope you feel better…”[/b][/color] Space. Space was the best option right now. He didn’t want to suffocate her and be overbearing.