CHAPTER 4
~Flashback~
The girl stepped out from the doorway and walked toward the boy. She reached the stall and studied the boy as she caressed Toby’s muzzle.
“Hi, my name’s Vanessa. What’s yours?”
“I’m Lance.”
“I see that Toby likes you. He’s my good friend too.” Vanessa said with a smile.
“He’s my only friend.” Lance quietly said.
“No he’s not, I’m your friend too!”
“Really?”
“Yeah everybody needs a friend. We can do lots of things together to get to know one another.”
“Could we go riding together?”
“Of course, everyday if you’d like!”
“Thanks Vanessa! I’ve been so homesick and I needed something to cheer me up.”
“Your welcome. Besides that’s what friends are for.”
~End Flashback~
Lance smiled as he recalled his first meeting with Vanessa. He could not help but be the best friend he could to Vanessa. She had done so much for him that summer. When he didn’t have anybody she was there. When he fell off of Toby and broke his arm she was there with him at every moment. When he almost drown in Evergreen Lake she was the one who saved him. Vanessa had put a lasting impression on him. She had been so strong and outgoing that he couldn’t forget her. Even the three years after camp he still remembered. That one-day she had suddenly shown up in his life was destiny. Lance realized then how she had softened. She was fragile and introverted. He knew that she needed a friend now worse than he had needed a friend three summers ago. He could not let her go home to heartache and loneliness. He had a plan but it was a stretch.
“Mr. Pearlman will see you now Mr. Bass.” The receptionist said.
“Thank you.” Lance said as he walked into the office. He looked around at the walls plastered with gold records and pictures of some of the most famous young musical talents. A man stood up and walked over to him.
“Lance, good to see you! The Disney special was a great success, good job kid.” Lou said with a smile from ear to ear.
“Hey Papa Bear thanks. I need a really big favor.” Lance said.
“Well, lets see what we can do.” Lou said slightly curious.
“Do you remember Vanessa? She was in here when we set up the Disney special. Anyway, she has had a lot of misfortune in her life. Her parents died in a car crash and there is no one left that she can run to for help. I have taken her into my home and helped her but we are leaving to go on tour.” Lance said as the look in his eyes intensified.
“Let me guess,” Lou said “ You want her to come on tour with us.”
“Yeah, I know it is a lot to ask but she has done so much for me. Plus she speaks French so when we go through Canada she can interpret. Lou I can’t let her be alone, she needs me and I need her.” Lance finished with a quietness that pulled at Lou’s heartstrings.
“Well, we were going to get a translator but I guess we have no need now. She can come but let her know this is a job. She is not just along for the ride we will need her help.” Lou said with a serious tone.
“Thank you so much Papa! I promise she will cooperate and work hard.” Lance said with a big smile.
“Okay, but remember to have her sign the forms for travel with Transcon.” Lou said.
“Sure I’ll bring her back tomorrow to sign.” Lance said as he walked out of the office. “I can’t wait to surprise her!” He thought as he climbed into his four runner.
Vanessa looked in the mirror. “It’s perfect.” She thought as she spun around. The dress ruffled in the wind and followed her lead. It was a white linen sundress with a flower print. She knew Justin would like it, the flowers were baby blue. She had picked out the dress for the Bar B Que at Justin’s house. She wanted to look special because it was the last time she would see the guys. With that thought the tears sprung in her eyes. She brushed them away knowing that it would spoil tonight if she cried. Vanessa walked out into the living room to put on her shoes. As she slipped into the white strappy sandals Vanessa heard Lance pull up in the four runner. She walked outside to say Hi.
“Hi, how was your day?” She asked when he walked up to her.
“It was terrific! You look absolutely gorgeous!!!” He said with the infamous crooked smile.
“Thanks! What time are we supposed to be at Justin’s?” She asked trying to change the subject.
“Around 5:45. Let’s go inside.” He said as he walked toward the door. They walked inside and Lance headed to his room to change. Vanessa went to her room to brush out her hair before they left. She walked out to the living room and sat down. Ten minutes later Lance walked out. She was mesmerized by his appearance. He was wearing white jeans and an emerald colored polo shirt. The shirt brought out his eyes and Vanessa could not help but smile.
“You look very handsome.” She said as she walked up to him. He looked at her and smiled. They stood there for a moment just staring into one another’s eyes. She suddenly looked down. He smiled and gave her a hug, which she gladly returned.
“Com’on Poo- Foo, lets get going.” She said with a small smile.
“Okay Lou, yeah I love the idea. She’s like my sister. See you tomorrow Papa Bear. Bye.” Justin grinned as he set down the phone. “You guys will never guess who’s coming on tour with us!” Justin said with an excited tone.
“Vanessa!” Everyone answered in unison.
Justin looked confused. “How did you know?” He asked.
“Any knucklehead could figure that out. Lance couldn’t leave her behind and if he did he would be depressed constantly.” Chris said in between sips of soda.
“I’m glad she is coming.” Lynn, Justin’s mom, said. Lynn had met and talked with Vanessa on several occasions. “Now I won’t be the only female. Not to mention she is a sweet girl.”
“Yeah, she’s pretty!” Justin’s little brother Jon said. “She’s a good babysitter, she gives me ice cream!” Jon was obviously good friends with Vanessa. She babysat Jon when Lynn was busy with the boys at Transcon and promotions.
“Short stuff,” Justin said to Jon, “You’ve got to keep it a secret because she doesn’t know yet, okay?”
“I have to keep what a secret?” Jon asked. Everyone laughed while Jon looked confused.
The stoplight turned red. Lance slowed to a stop at the intersection and looked over at Vanessa. She was looking out the window with a glassy look on her eyes. He wondered what she was thinking about. The light turned green and he focused the road again. He turned onto Justin’s street. As he pulled up to Justin’s house he looked over at Vanessa. She had a sad look on her face and misty eyes.
“Hey, don’t worry Vanessa. You know we could never forget you and we’ll be back.” Lance said.
“I know but it’s like losing you with the hope of finding you again. What if this is the last time I see them? Worst of all, what if this is the last time I see you?” She said as her eyes threatened to spill the tears that she was holding back.
“No Vanessa, I promise you will see me again.” Lance said as he leaned over to hug her. She fell into his arm and shed the tears she could hold back no longer. He stroked her hair and told her everything was going to work out. Lance pulled back and brushed away the tears on her cheeks. She looked at him smiled even though deep inside she was sobbing. Vanessa looked out her window and saw Jon running towards the vehicle. She opened the door and stepped on the sidewalk. She turned around and shut the door just as Jon reached her.
“Hi Short Stuff!” She said with an illuminating smile. She leaned down and hugged him.
“Hi Nessa!” He said with an excited tone. She laughed at her nickname and squeezed him tight. She let him go and she stood up. Justin was walking towards her.
“Hi Tall Stuff!” She laughed as he hugged her. He looked at her and could tell she had been crying but he said nothing.
“You look fly!” Justin said as he stepped back to take a look at her. She smiled at the compliment. Lance had joined the group on the front lawn. Justin looked at him and winked, Lance winked back. Jon took Vanessa’s hand and led her into the house. Lynn was standing near the door.
“Hello Vanessa!” Lynn said as she gave Vanessa a short hug. “You better hurry before the boys eat all the food!” Vanessa smiled and thanked Lynn. Vanessa, Jon, Lance, and Justin walked out onto the patio. There sat Joey, Chris, and J.C., stuffing their faces.
“I guess you’re hungry!” Vanessa said trying to hold back a giggle.
“Oh, sorry! Hi Vanessa!” J.C. said as he wiped his mouth stood up and hugged her. Joey and Chris did the same. J.C. smiled and complimented her on how lovely she looks tonight. She blushed and smiled. Jon tugged on her hand.
“ Do you want to sit on the swing with me?” He asked.
“Sure, anything for you Short Stuff.” Vanessa said with a grin. He led her over to the bench swing that hung on the corner of the patio. She sat down and Jon crawled over and sat on her lap. He sighed and leaned back on her. Vanessa stoked his hair and he yawned. Justin came over and sat down next to her. He looked at Jon and smiled.
“I guess the little tyke was tired.” Justin said with a grin. He put his arm around Vanessa and suddenly his face turned serious. “You know that you mean a lot to me. You’re like my sister and I am going to miss you like crazy! But we’ll call and write and you can come to some shows.”
“You mean so much to me too Justin, I mean who am I going to watch Magic games with now? But in all seriousness I am going to miss all of you guys, even Short Stuff. Hopefully we will meet again but if we don’t I know I’ve lost the best friends I have ever had.” Vanessa said with a sad face. Justin leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek.
“Don’t worry we will always be friends.” He stood up and walked over to Lance.
“I sure hope so.”
“Nessa, could I have Rocky Road?” Jon asked.
“Sure, but first I get a hug.” Vanessa said as she stooped down. Jon gave her a short tight hug and a smile. “Oh extra ice cream for the smile at the end!” She grinned as his eyes lit up. Everyone had finished eating dinner and they were lounging around on the patio as the sun set. Vanessa gave Jon his ice cream. He thanked her and walked towards the table. She went and sat down on the swing again. The sky was a captivating shade of blue and Vanessa stared at it searching for something, anything really. She was so caught up she didn’t notice Joey sit down next to her.
“It’s almost as pretty as you are.” Joey said with a sly smile. Vanessa turned towards him, smiled, and blushed. The other guys came over to the swing too. Lance sat on her other side and the rest of the guys sat in front of her on chairs.
“We’ve decided something.” J.C. said with a smile. “We’ve decided that we can’t live without you.”
“Which is why Lance went and talked to Lou today.” Justin said. Vanessa turned towards Lance. He smiled.
“Lou says he needs an interpreter when we go to Canada and he also needs another person to help set up the stage. So he asked if you would be interested in a job on the tour.” Lance said showing off his pearly whites in the infamous crooked smile. “And I told him I’d check with you. So what do you think?”
“I think I’m going on tour with *N Sync!!!!!! You guys are the best!!!!!!” Vanessa cried with joy. The guys enveloped her with a hug. “I can’t believe you guys would do this for me!”
All the guys looked at one another and said in unison, “That’s what friends are for!”