CHAPTER 6

Several months had gone by and they didn't see nor talk to each other. This was what they had decided together, back in May, when they said good-bye. Justin was still on tour with 'N Sync and Joanna was attending Stetson University.

Now it was November and Joanna was home with her family to spend Thanksgivings.

She was in her car, driving from the supermarket back to the house when she turned the radio on.

"And that was the latest hit from Miss Britney Spears. She is now back in town with the guys of 'N Sync. They're having a Homecoming concert on the 27th. It's their last concert of the year, and it's already sold out. So, if you don't have tickets, stay tuned. We'll have some to give out later..."

She immediately turned off the radio and continued driving home. She couldn't believe that he was in town. He was so close, yet so far away. She thought of him every time she breathed. They broke up because she said she would miss him. But what was she doing now? However, knowing that he was following his dream and achieving it, made her content. She arrived home and was greeted by an excited Julie.

"Jo, you'll never guess who called! Oh my god, oh my god! I talked to him on the phoneeee! And he knew my name!" Julie said, all in one breath.
"Oxygen, Julie Bean, oxygen." Joanna said, trying to calm her sister down.
"Who called?" she asked.
"Joey. He said he misses you and that he's coming over to see you." responded Julie.
"Joey?" Joanna asked, a little confused.
"Joey as in Joseph Fatone Jr., Joey from 'N Sync."
"Oh, that's nice."
"'Oh?' Is that all you have to say?"
"What do you want me to do? Hyperventilate like you?" said Joanna. Julie just gave her an evil glare and went to her room.
"By the way, thanks for the help with the food." said Joanna sarcastically.
"You're welcome." responded Julie from upstairs.

Two hours passed and no sign of Joey. Finally, the doorbell rang. Joanna walked calmly towards the door and opened it. She barely had the time to do or say anything. Joey just hugged her and spun her around like a toy.

"I've missed you, Wonderwoman." said Joey.
"You don't forget, do you?!"
"Never." he responded while putting her down.
"So, how have you been?" he asked.
"I'm ok. College life is treating me all right. What about you?"
"I'm fine. I mean, I'm tired and stuff, but touring is almost over now. We've got one to go. Then, we're gonna be in town for two months, just recording and chilling." Joey responded.
"That's cool. When is the next album coming out?" Joanna asked.
"Probably later, in the fall."
"How is the rest of the gang?" she questioned reluctantly.
"They're fine....Chris is engaged..." Joey tried to finish, but was interrupted by Joanna.
"What? Oh my god! Psycho Chris?! That's so awesome!"
"Yeah...they're head over heels for each other. It makes me sick sometimes." Joey said and Joanna laughed at his remarked. "Lance is dating this girl for a month now...humm...JC is, well, a workaholic, you know him, but we can deal with that." Joey continued while Joanna just giggled and shook her head.
"And there's Justin..." said Joey. Joanna just looked up, waiting to hear what her friend had to say.
"...he hasn't been the same since, you know...he misses you, Jo. And I know you miss him too. He doesn't talk to us anymore. He's so distant and sad that it scares me sometimes." Joey concluded. He saw the look of disappointment in her face and decided to change the subject.
"Anyway...are you going to our concert tomorrow?"
"I can't, Superman."
"Ah, come on. It's been like forever since the last time that we hung out and had fun together." he pleaded.
"I'd love to go, but you don't get my point." said Joanna.
"Which is?" asked Joey.
"I don't have tickets and the show is already sold out."
"Fear not! Joey's here!" he said jokingly. "I knew that you would need these." he said while handing her two tickets and backstage passes. "You know the routine, right?" he asked.
"I've got it all down, don't worry." she responded and he smiled.
"I gotta go now. We still have a radio interview and a photo shoot." Joey said.
"Fame, ain't it a bitch?!" Joanna said. Joey just laughed and gave her a bear hug.
"I'll see you tomorrow, ok?" he asked. Joanna simply nodded her head and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Bye." she said as he walked towards his car.

After Joey was gone, Joanna went to her room and sat on her bed with her head in her hands, lost in her thoughts. She was going to see him. Justin. The simple sound and mention of his name made her heart skip a beat. She had so many emotions bottled up inside. Her heart said 'Go and tell him how much you care.' But her mind told her ''Walk away from this while you can.' She decided to listen to her heart for once. Tomorrow she was going to see him. But all of a sudden, tomorrow seemed extremely distant.

"Julie?!" Joanna called.
"What?" her sister asked.
"Do you wanna go to a concert tomorrow?" Joanna questioned.
"Who's playing?"
"Hum...'N Sync." said Joanna.
"Well, duhh...of course!" responded Julie.

Someday
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