*The next morning*
Whitney finished her hair before walking out of her hotel room, headed towards the small restaurant that was located in the lobby. She didn't know exactly what to expect on her first few days on the tour, but she knew that she was going to get support from the staff and especially the guys. She stopped and pressed the elevator button, and looked down the hall. She smiled when she saw Jacob and Ashley walking towards her. "Hey guys," she called out to them.
The both looked up and flashed her smiles. "Did you sleep good last night?" Jacob asked, coming to stand in front of her.
She nodded her head and watched at the elevator door slid open. The three of them stepped inside. "I was really tired. Justin told me that traveling was hard, and I went along with them for a few days, but we weren't on a bus all that long. I don't like traveling, you guys," she said, frowning thinking of all that they were going to be doing.
Jacob chuckled. "You'll get use to it. I mean no one probably likes it in the beginning. But think of all the new places that you are going to get to visit and the exciting people you're going to meet..and this should really get us a bright smile..you get to experience all of that with us!" he said, throwing his arm around her shoulder.
"I think I'll go jump for joy now," she said, sarcastically.
Ashley chuckled. "That makes us feel really good..you could atleast act excited to be here," he told her, winking at her as she smiled.
"Nah you guys are great..this is just a new experience for me..you guys are use to being together ..but see I'm just being thrown in here but I'm a fighter I can do this!" she said, as the three of them exited the elevator and walked into the packed breakfast area.
Whitney picked out some fruit and a bagel, while the two guys pilled their plates full of food. "Damn," she said, as she sat down, followed by them. "Did you leave any food up there?"
Ashley chuckled and took a drink of his orange juice. "We're growing here..we need nutrients."
After they all ate breakfast, they bused over to the venue to start preparing and setting things up. Whitney had a chance to sit out in the seats and watch them as they set everything up. Her job for the most part was simple. All she had to do was schedule events that they could work in while on tour, and release any statements that needed to be made.
She smiled as she watched the five guys goof around up on stage. "Lets sing twinkle twinkle little star," Erik said, trying to lighten everyone up.
All of the guys started laughing, but eventually started singing the song. After another 20 minutes, the sound check was over and the guys had some free time. Whitney walked up to Ashley and laid her head on his shoulder. "I'm bored," she said simply.
"I'm sorry," he said, putting his arm around her shoulders.
"Do they have a basketball goal around here?" she asked him, suddenly coming up with an idea.
He nodded his head. "Yeah..why? Do you play?"
"I was a varsity starter in highschool. I love this game," she said as she spinned the ball around on her finger.
"I'll take it easy on you," Ashley said, getting in postion to guard her.
She snickered. "You better not," she said, before turning past him and making an easy lay up.
"Ok see..now that I know you are actually good, I can kick your ass...."
"Bring it on," she said, checking the ball to him. She concentrated on his movements and easily stole the ball from him, all the while a bright smile on her lips. She pulled it up and swooshed a three pointer. Both of them heard a whistle, and turned around to see the other four guys standing there looking impressed.
Ashley looked embarrased and Whitney just laughed. "Don't worry, Ash...Justin thought he could beat me down but he got his ass kicked. You can't beat the best baby," she replied, bouncing the ball to him before heading back towards the venue.
Trevor slapped Ashley on the back before smiling. "She's good."
Ashley shrugged. "I just hadn't had the chance to really warm up," he defended.
Erik laughed. "I'm sure that's the reason, Ash. Keep tellin yourself that and you might be able to convince yourself." All the guys laughed and turned heading back to the venue.
So far, the tour was going good. The guys had only did five shows, but they had an amazing energy level that could be passed on to their fans. They looked natural up on the stage, and it looked as if this wasn't their first tour.
Whitney was finding that her job was extremely easy and was glad that she had taken it. The only problem was, she was missing Justin more than she thought she would. Missing him was causing her to lean on Ashley, which was something that she knew could cause problems. She didn't want him to think that the only reason she was around him was because she missed Justin.
She really did enjoy being around him and he had a great sense of humor, but there was something about him that made her open up to him. She hadn't been around Ashley that long to really know him, but she could tell that something was on his mind, and she wished that he'd open up and tell her.
She looked out the window of the bus and sighed when she saw it starting to rain. There was nothing to do, considering that it was 1:00 in the morning and everyone was in bed. She thought she'd call Justin, knowing that he was probably still up. Picking up her cell phone, she dialed the number and waited for him to pick up. "Hello.."
"Justin.."
"This is Justin and Whitney's. We're busy so leave a message and we'll get back to you...bye," the recorded message said.
She sighed and left a short message before hanging up the phone and laying her head over on the couch pillow. "Where are you, Justin?" she whispered. Her eyes started to close and she was almost asleep when her phone rang. "Hello?" she asked groggily.
"I'm sorry about that baby, I was in the shower."
"Ohh baby..nice images, Justin," she joked.
"Is something wrong? You're calling me awful late," he asked, his voice becoming concerned.
"I just couldn't sleep so I thought I'd call and see what you were up to."
"Oh I see...so how is everything going since its been so long since I've talked to you?"
She snickered. "You're not funny, Justin. Everything is fine...when do you plan on coming to visit me?"
"Actually...in two days. I worked out everything with Lou...I kept my temper down..you'd be proud of me..but anyways..I'm going to meet up with you guys in Rhode Island."
She smiled brightly. "How long will you be here?"
"For a whole wonderful week."
She chuckled. "That's great, Justin. You just have to promise to behave."
"I can't do that," he said, lowering his voice. "I'm not responsible if I can't control myself around you.."
"Ohhhh....then I might have to punish you," she said, stretching out.
"Oh..fiesty are we?" he joked. She could hear that he was doing something in the background and she wondered what it was.
"What the hell are you doing, Justin?" she asked him, the curiosity was thick in her voice.
"I'm trying to open this bag of dog food to feed Sandy, but I can't get it open."
She started laughing. "You're a guy..and I'm a weak girl..I can get it open Justin, its not that hard."
"You're funny..not."
She smiled. "I showed off my basketball skills today...you would have been proud of me. Ashley never got a shot off."
"I told you all those practice drills that we do would help you. You owe all of the thanks to the master of basketball, baby," he said.
"Whatever, Justin. You know that I teach YOU when we play.."
He snickered before starting to laugh lightly. "Ok, fine I admit that you are better than me at that sport..I, Justin Timberlake just admited that..you better be happy."
She yawned. "Believe me, I am..but now I'm going to bed. I'll talk to you soon..love you," she said, before waiting on his reply.
Before they hung up the phone, their puppy barked into the phone, causing a bright smile to come to her lips. After hanging up, she headed back to her bunk and went to sleep.
Dan looked at Ashley, who seemed to be in a dream world. "Man..if you don't tell her..you're going to be like this until the end of the tour."
"But Justin.."
"Justin Timberlake may have her now, but there's a chance that you could have her. You'll never know unless you say something."
"I don't wanna ruin the friendship that we have right now. That is really special to me..."Ashley said, trying to make excuses.
Dan sighed. "You know you're not satisfied with friendship and you know that you want more. Admit it to yourself and then tell her."
"It's not that simple,Dan. There are hidden complications that could cause things to happen and I don't know how to deal with them."
Dan hit the couch pillow. "You're so freakin stubborn. If you'd just say something, you'd ease a lot of tension between the two of you. She may not have feelings for you, you never know though, but you're going to get to the point of where you can't be around her without acting weird."
"How do you know all of this?" Ashley said, suddenly becoming defensive.
"I've had it happened. I messed up and didn't say anything to the girl, and who knows I might have lost my one chance at TRUE love, which doesn't come along often."
"But Justin and her..." he started.
"Doen't mean anything. They might have been together for a long time, but who knows how strong their love is?" Dan said, before standing up to stetch. "I'm going to bed and I suggest you do the same. You don't want to mess up tomorrow and hear crap from all mighty Jacob," he joked.
Ashley chuckled. "Yeah, I'm fixing to go," he said, laying his head down on the plush pillow. 'Tell her,' his heart screamed to him. But his head contadicted his heart. "If I tell her, I'll mess up," he said softly, before standing up and making his way back to his bunk.
Jacob and Erik sat down on the edge of the stage and sighed. "That just sucked," Erik said, as he took a drink of water.
Jacob was about to reply, when they all heard a door open. A few minutes later, Justin appeared in the hall. Whitney's squealed before taking off running and jumping into his arms.
"What was that all about?" Trevor asked outloud. The only other member that knew about Justin and Whitney was Dan. They all turned and looked at Ashley. "They're dating."
Trevor started laughing. "You're kidding me!"
"Why does everyone laugh when I say that? Now you three and before Dan.."
"Wait a minute, Dan knew and you didn't tell us anything?" Jacob asked.
Dan held up his hands. "It wasn't my place to say," he said, as he watched the couple make their way up to the stage.
Whitney stood there and smiled up at the guys. "You guys..Justin is going to be with us for a week. We worked everything out with Lou..and I hope you guys don't mind."
Ashley smiled at her. "Nah we don't mind. It's nice to meet you, Justin," he said, reaching out his hand. Justin shook all the hands that were outstretched to him before smiling at Whitney. "Come on..you have to show me where to put my stuff," he said, as the two of them walked away.
Dan hit Ashley's back. "I'm sorry man..this is going to be hard on you."
Ashley groaned. "You have no idea..."