CHAPTER 9
"That was 'No Scrubs' by the ladies of TLC. They're are gonna be in the
studio tomorrow to promote their next single. But right here, right now, I
have one of the members of Orlando's own 'N Sync." said the DJ, Kid Cruz.
"What's up, Orlando?!" shouted the hyper singer.
"That's right, people. Justin Timberlake is in the house! How's it going,
man?" asked the DJ.
"Just chillin', you know. We're done touring, so we're in town to record our
next album." stated the boy.
"When is it coming out?" questioned Kid Cruz.
"We don't know the exact day, but it's sometime in march." said Justin.
"Awesome... and how's the rest of the guys?" asked the DJ.
"The're fine. They're all in town, except for Lance. He's in Mississippi, but
he'll be back in a week." stated the young man.
"That's cool... so I hear you wanna dedicate a song?" offered Kid Cruz.
"Yep. Can I do it right now?" inquired Justin.
"Sure, go ahead." replied the DJ.
"Ok... this goes out to all of you who lost that special someone, but can't
let go. This is for you, little one." the singer said into the microphone.
"This Romeo is bleeding
But you can't see his blood
It's nothing but some feelings
That this old dog kicked up
It's been raining since you left me
Now I'm drowning in the flood
You see, I've always been a fighter
But without you, I give up
Now I can't sing a love song
Like the way it's meant to be
Well, I guess I'm not that good anymore
But baby, that's just me
Yeah, I will love you, baby -- always
I'll be there forever and a day -- always
I'll be there 'til the stars don't shine
'Til the heavens burst and the words don't rhyme
And I know when I die, you'll be on my mind
And I'll love you -- always
Now your pictures that you left behind
Are just memories of a different life
Some that made us laugh, some that made us cry
One that made you have to day goodbye
What I'd give to run my fingers through your hair
To touch your lips, to hold you near
When you say your prayers, try to understand
I've made mistakes, I'm just a man
When he holds you close, when he pulls you near
When he says the words you've been needing to hear
I'll wish I was him and those words were mine
To say to you 'til the end of time
Yeah, I will love you, baby -- always
I'll be there forever and a day -- always
If you told me to cry for you, I could
If you told me to die for you, I would
Take a look at my face
There's no price I won't pay
To say these words to you
Well, there ain't no luck in these loaded dice
But baby if you give me just one more try
We can pack up our old dreams and our old lives
We'll find a place where the sun still shines
Yeah, I will love you, baby -- always
I'll be there forever and a day -- always
I'll be there 'til the stars don't shine
'Til the heavens burst and the words don't rhyme
And I know when I die, you'll be on my mind
And I'll love you -- always..."
"That was Bon Jovi's 'Always'... see, I can do this job." joked Justin.
"Yeah, you can, man." replied Kid Cruz and continued. "Thanks for dropping
by, and we're looking forward to the next album." he finished.
"No problem. Thanks, man." said the younger man.
And with an open mouth, Julie turned off the radio.
"Again I say: Oh. My. God." she told her older sister, who was next to her in
the kitchen. "What are you gonna do?" she asked.
"I don't even know if he dedicated the song to me..." said Joanna, trying to
hide the tears.
"Uh-hum... I'm sure he calls everyone 'little one'." commented Julie. "This
is becoming ridiculous." stated the younger girl.
"Excuse me?" asked Joanna.
"Don't you realize what you're doing? You're trying to escape from love,
trying to ignore, thinking it's the easiest way out. But let me tell you
something, it's not. If you do that any longer, you're gonna loose him for
good. What about that, huh? You might wake up one day and he might not be
there anymore, he might not wait forever. So you better figure out what you
want before you both get hurt even more." finished Julie.
"I do know what I want, Julie Bean, but it's complicated." replied Joanna.
"No one ever said that love was simple, and that's the beauty of it. You
overcome whatever obstacles are in your way to be with the one you love."
Julie paused and looked up at her sister. "What do you want, Joanna Sanders?"
The room was quiet for a while, but the older girl broke the silence.
"I want him." she said, with smile forming on her lips. Julie let out a small
laugh and hugged her sister.
"That's my girl." Julie said.
"What should I do now?" asked Joanna.
"Write him, call him, go to him... who cares?! Just do something!" stated
Julie.
"I choose the second one." finished the older girl.
"So what are you waiting for? Go, already!" completed an excited Julie,
pushing her sister.
Joanna took a deep breath and dialed the familiar cellular number. It rang four times before a soothing voice answered it.
"Hello?" the voice said.
"Hey, Timberlake..." replied a nervous Joanna.
"Hey, little one... how are you?" asked the young man.
"I'm ok, and you?" said the girl.
"Same here... so, what's up?" inquired Justin.
"I just heard you on the radio." she stated, not knowing exactly what to say
or expect. Justin's breathing became heavier and he struggled to respond.
"Can we talk?" he whispered into the receiver.
"You read my mind." said Joanna.
"I'll be over in 15." he informed her.
"Ok, I'll see you in a few." completed the girl.
"Bye, little one." said Justin before he hanging up the phone. Fifteen
minutes it was all that was separating him from her. Yet, even that small
time frame stretched until it seemed like an endless eternity to him. He took
a turn and started driving towards her house. A way he knew with his eyes
closed. A way he knew by heart.