“Hey, guys can I talk to you?” Justin said, blowing into the room where JC,
Lance, Joey and Chris were lounging.
“ ’Sup Curly?” Chris said, popping a piece of cheese into his mouth. They had arived in their hotel in West Palm and were relaxing in Joey's room, enjoying the freedom of a few hours off.
“Well, this chick wrote me a letter, challenging my basketball skills. And she
wants me to meet her tomorrow to play a little 2-on-2. Lance already said he play with me, but do you guys wanna come with to support me?” Justin said, looking at them.
Lance looked at him, alarmed. “You mean this is for real? I thought it was some
joke. No way I’m playing. I stink. Find another player. I’ll come and watch, but I’m not making a fool out of myself in front of girls.” he said, shaking his head. All the guys cracked up, and through his laughter, JC said "Justin, you were expecting to beat her with PooFoo?" Lance threw a pillow at JC, who put it behind his head, and reclined.
Justin looked slowly at each of the other bandmates.
Chris looked at him and shook his head. “I have plans with Terri tomorrow. I
haven’t seen her since we’ve been on tour. We have some, uh, catching up to do.” he grinned. Terri was his girlfriend of almost 3 years. Justin knew he was planning on proposing to her soon, and he was happy about it. Terri was a good friend to all the guys.
“I’ve got an appointment. Angie is coloring my hair.” Joey said, looking in a
mirror at his growing roots. “I’m thinking about going with a dark blue this time.”
“Well, I was going to sleep, but I need some sun time. I’ll play with ya, little bro.”
JC volunteered. “When is it?”
“2pm, I think. Thanks so much JC, this is gonna rock. I can’t wait to show this girl what
I got and make her eat her words.” Justin grinned. Suddenly he turned somber.
“Wait! I need new shoes! My old ones won’t help me at all.” JC, Lance, Joey and Chris laughed at the shock on his face.
Joey looked at his watch. “Well, we still have some free time before we need to
get to the venue, wanna hit the mall? I need some new CD’s anyway.” Justin gave him a look of thanks.
“Sweet, thanks Joey. Let me just grab my stuff.” Justin bolted to his room while
Joey rummaged for his sunglasses and hat. Justin appeared moments later, after donning his sunglasses and hat.
“Ready!” he sang cheerfully. Buying shoes always made Justin a happy boy. Joey and him headed outside and off to the mall.
“Okay, so where first, music or shoes?” Justin asked Joey as the two entered the rather large shopping mall.
“Let’s get the music first. I might need extra
time getting the right pair of shoes.”
Justin said seriously. Shoes buying was a very important thing to him. Getting the wrong pair might be the end of the world. Joey hid a smile as the two of them made their way to the first music store they saw, trying to blend in.
Justin wandered around the store looking at the different people and their music
choices while Joey found what he needed. Just as they were leaving again, Justin spotted a familiar brown head.
“Hey, Joe, hold up!” He said, running over to the girl. “Hey, Symone, right?” he
said smiling at her. She looked up startled.
“Yeah...do I know you?” she said, looking at him warily. Justin felt dumb for a second, then
removed the glasses.
“We met at the hotel the other night. Soda problems...” he said, hoping to jog her memory.
“Oh, yeah, mystery boy.” she smiled at him. “Nice to see you again.”
“Same. And my name’s J--Jim.” he caught himself quickly. “This is my friend
Steve.” he introduced Joey. Joey caught on fast, since the guys hardly ever used their real names at first.
“Nice to meet you Steve. This is my friend, Krysti. Krysti, this is the guy who
helped me get my sodas the other night.” Justin could see Joey, out of the corner of his eye, checking the pretty blonde out. He couldn’t take his eyes off that yellow shirt.
“Oh, you must be the Boca Princess Symone was referring to.” Justin hid a smile at the death look Krysti gave Symone.
“Oh, gee, thanks just use my nickname. You know I hate it.” Krysti complained,
hitting Symone on the shoulder. “Boca Baby.” Justin tried to cover a laugh with a cough, but was unsuccessful.
Symone grinned as she colored slightly. “And now you know my nickname. I
hate being the youngest.” She laughed.
"Oh, dont worry.
I’m the youngest of my friends, too. Only 18.”
"Barely.” Joey reminded him.
"Well, thats still older than me, I’m only 16.” Symone said.
“Which makes you how old?” Joey asked Krysti.
“17.” she said, smiling coyly at him. Joey looked crestfallen, and Justin could read the expression on his face plain as day. It said “JAILBAIT.”
“Well, I’m not here for nothing. I wanted to ask you this when I found out you
lived in Boca. Tomorrow I’m playing a little basketball there, and I wanted to know if you would come cheer for me. I could use support from a pretty girl like you.” Justin grinned and flashed his baby blues at her. “This girl challenged me to a game, saying she was better than me. I’m going to prove her wrong.” He said, flexing his muscles.
Krysti and Symone looked at each other, trying not to burst out laughing. It didn’t take a genius to figure out “Jim” and “Steve” were really Justin Timberlake and Joey Fatone. Little did Justin know his 'cheerleader' was his opponent.
“I would love to, but I’m kind of busy tomorrow, actually. But I wouldn’t worry,
I’m sure I’ll see you again.” Symone’s brown eyes danced with excitement. “But we’re late to meet my sister and her friend, so we gotta go. I’ll see you later, Justin. I mean, Jim." She winked at him as she and Krysti took off.
“Well, at least she didn’t get mad for not telling her our real names. Too bad
Krysti is so young.’ Joey pouted.
“Yeah. I wish she could of come tomorrow. I wanted to show off for her.” Justin
pouted. “Oh, well , at least I still get new shoes.’ he perked up. “Off to the store!” He called, as he and Joey delved into the crowds.
