CHAPTER 7

The next day....

The day went by quickly and the time to go to the venue had arrived. The girls were supposed to go to the meet 'n greet, then take their seats, and finally meet the guys backstage after the concert, just like Joanna used to do.

They got to Orlando Arena and were greeted by House, one of the many bodyguards:

"Well, if it isn't Miss Joanna, long time no see....what's up, girlie?!" the man asked
"You know, same old same old...how about you? Are they behaving?" she asked him.
"Well, they have to, otherwise I'd have to kick their famous and precious butts....and that wouldn't be a pretty sight." House finished, leading them to the group was.
"Nope..." Joanna said, shaking her head and laughing at the same time. "By the way, this kid here is Julie, my sister; Julie, this is House." she said, introducing the two.
"Hi." Julie whispered, as if she was afraid of him. The man just nodded his head and kept walking. The girls figured out that it would be more fun to surprise their friends, so they got in line and waited patiently for their turn, since they were the last ones. The first one was Lance.

"Hey....how are ya?" asked Joanna.
"Jujuba!? What are you doing here?" replied a surprised Lance.
"Well, it's nice to see you too, Lansten." she said. Lance just shook his head and stood up to hug his friend.

At the mention of her name, Justin, who was sitting at the other end of the table, looked up and was taken by surprise. 'She's just as I remember her, just as beautiful and breath-taking.' he thought to himself. Meanwhile, Joanna and Julie were talking to the others, catching up. After a while, Joanna gathered the courage to talk to him.

"Hey." she said softly. He didn't say anything, but just enveloped her in his arms. Just inhaling her scent. Feeling her. Touching her. Holding her. Never wanting to let go. It felt like heaven. It was heaven. Joanna felt safe and comfortable in his embrace. It was where she was meant to be, yet, she couldn't.

"I've missed you so much, little one, you can't even imagine," he whispered in her ear. The warmth of this breath sent shivers down her entire being. She didn't have the strength to say a word, so she closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment. A rare moment. As usual, they were interrupted by one of the bodyguards saying that the guys had to get ready. So, Julie and Joanna went to find their seats in the now crowded arena.

After Tatiana Ali, 'N Sync came on. The fans started screaming even louder. Julie was having the time of her life, while Joanna had her eyes fixed on a certain somebody. He was singing and dancing his heart out. He loved performing. It was his dream. It was what he lived for. Joanna snapped out of her trance when Julie pinched her.

"What was that for?" Joanna asked. Julie just pointed towards the stage. The group had stopped singing and JC was gesticulating and saying something.

"...so we want you to help us bring her on stage." The crowd grew wilder.
"You heard 'em, Jo. Now, come up here!" said a hyper Chris.
"I'm not going up there." protested Joanna, shaking her head.
"Oh yes, you are." said Julie, pushing her sister.
"You are so dead!" mouthed Joanna, pointing at the guys.

When she made to stage, she sat on a black stool and the group surrounded her. The initial chords of "I drive myself crazy" began playing. She immediately turned her gaze towards Justin. Her was the only one who knew that it was her favorite song. He just smiled and looked at the audience, which by now had gone crazy.

After Chris sang his part, it was Justin's turn. He knelt down in front of her and placed his hand over hers.

"I was such a fool
I couldn't see it
Just how good you were to me
You confessed your love, undying devotion
And I confessed my need to be free
And now I'm left with all this pain
I've only got myself to blame

I lie awake
I drive myself crazy
Drive myself crazy
Thinking of you
Made a mistake when I let you go, baby
I drive myself crazy
Wanting you the way that I do..."

A tear rolled down Joanna's cheek and Justin whipped it away. The song faded in the background, and when it ended, Joanna went backstage, where Julie was already waiting for her.

"Oh. My. God." said Julie. "I can't believe it. That was beautiful." she completed. Joanna just let out a sigh and lowered her head.
"What's wrong, Jo?" asked Julie.
"I love him so much, Julie Bean." Joanna said.
"He loves you too, everyone can see that." the younger girl replied.
"That's the problem, Jules. He's not supposed to. He has a career and a brilliant future ahead. He knows what he wants in life. I can't even decide what I wanna major in." She looked down at her hands and continued. "He has a hectic schedule and I'd only be a burden in his way. I love him too much to do that. Besides, I'd miss him so badly." Joanna finished.
"You're gonna walk away? Again?" Julie asked. Her sister nodded her head and looked down once more.
"You'd miss him, huh?! Care to tell me what you're doing right now?" You're missing him. Terribly. You're miserable because he isn't by your side. The happiest I've seen you in a long, long time was up in that stage, when he was singing to you. Think about it, kid." said Julie.
"Kid?" Joanna questioned, making eye contact with her sister for the first time.
"Well, you've been acting like one." Joanna just stood up and gave her sister a hug.
"Thanks, Julie Bean."

"Awww...Kodak moment." someone said from the doorway. The girls turned around and saw Chris with a bottle of water in his hand.
"Did y'all enjoy the show?" he asked, approaching the girls.
"Awesome, as usual." responded Joanna. Just then the rest of the group was walking in.

After a few minutes of goofing around and talking, each had to go do their own things. JC was in the shower. Lance was on the phone, scheduling some recording sessions. Chris was reading fan letters along with Julie. And Joey was flirting with some girl Joanna had never seen before. So, she found herself alone with Justin. They stared at each other, but the girl broke the awkward silence between them.

"Great show." she said.
"Thanks." he replied, and continued. "So, how have you been?" he asked.
"If I said I was fine I'd be lying to you, but I'm hanging in there....what about you?" Joanna inquired.
"There were somedays I thought I couldn't handle it...but I did, somehow. I'm better now that you're here with me." He looked up, waiting for her reaction, but her face was blank. Something he wasn't used to. Her eyes always expressed so much, yet, now there was no emotion. "I think we need to talk, little one." he completed.
"No kidding." she responded. He took her hand and led her into an empty room.

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