Justin climbed the stairs of his home silently, making sure not to make a sound. He didn't want to wake her up.
He knew she knew where he had been. He wasn't stupid. And neither was she. But as long as they didn't have to face each other, then everything would be as it always had been. He would do what he always did, and she would carry on pretending that she didn't know.
Reaching the door to the bedroom, he slowly slid it open and peaked inside. She was facing the far wall, her shoulders rising and falling in time with her deep breathing. She was asleep.
Entering the room, he cautiously closed the door and began to undress in the dark.
Traces of lipstick stained his collar, along with the faint scent of an unfamiliar perfume.
Pulling back the covers, he slides into his side of the bed. Her motionless body stays facing the other way, her back to him. Giving her one last look, he turns over and goes to sleep.
The faint moonlight cast dark shadows in the room, barely lighting anything inside. Her eyes weren't focused on anything in particular. Just staring blankly ahead as a single tear ran down her cheek, falling onto the pillow beneath her head.
He had done it again. Not that she was surprised. She had somehow grown accustom to this lifestyle. Being the celebrity's girlfriend that everyone knew. Being the one who was paraded around in public, then left alone at home while he went out with his friends.
Again, he slid into bed silently, assuming she was asleep.
She always pretended to be asleep.
But it didn't really matter. There was nothing that needed to be said anymore.
Wiping his face with a towel, Justin groaned as he flopped down onto the side of the stage. Laying down, his arms and legs flailed in every direction as he grunted.
Joey laughed at him. He was always so dramatic when he was tired.
"Dude, you okay?" Joey asked, sitting down next to Justins sprawled body.
"Yeah, I'm cool. Tired as shit, but cool." Justin answered, his eyes focusing on the roof of the stadium above his head.
Wade had been working them harder and harder over the last week, trying to work out all the kinks in the choreography before they set out on the road. Johnny and Anthony had been running around like mad men making sure everything would run smoothly when they left to go out on tour in two weeks.
"So, what did you do last night?" Joey asked, turning to give Justin a look.
"Went out. Nothing much." Justin casually answered Joeys question, covering his face with his towel.
Joey knew exactly what Justin had done last night. What he always did.
All the guys knew what Justin was like when it came to her. She was one of the sweetest people they had ever met, and Justin walked all over her. They all had wanted to say something to him about it at one time or another, but knew that it wasn't their place to interfere in his relationship.
She would always be around, chatting away happily to everone she met. Conveniently turning away as Justins eyes followed another girl as she walked by. If she didnt see it, it didnt really happen.
One day, he would realize what he had. Hopefully, it wouldn't take losing it to make him realize.
Running the towel over his face a few times, Justin pulled it back and tossed it to his side. Looking at his watch, he realizes it is almost noon.
"Well, I guess I better give the girl a call. She was asleep when I got home last night and I left before she got up." Justin said, pushing himself up from the floor.
Joey nodded solemnly as he watched Justin walk off the side of the stage towards the dressing rooms.
Looking out into the empty audience, Joey shook his head.
Closing the door to the small dressing room that had been assigned to him for their rehearsals, Justin flopped down on the couch in the corner of the room as he pulled his cell phone from his backpack.
He quickly dialed his home number, bringing the phone to his ear as the first ring called through the line.
He was going to tell her that he was sorry for last night. If he used all the right words, did his usual Timberlake sweet talking, then she'd forgive him once again. Like she always did.
Propping his feet up on the table in front of the couch, Justin tapped his toes together as he waited for her to answer.
The fourth ring wailed through the phone. Still no answer.
Scrunching his face, he found it odd that she hadn't answered yet. She was usually home at this time. Something wasn't right.
His heart began to beat faster, and Justin knew something was wrong. His head began to spin, as the phone rang for the ninth time.
Shutting the phone off, Justin stood up quickly from the couch and rushed out the door of his dressing room and down the hall.
He passed Chris as he picked up his pace to a jog towards the exit.
"Dude, where are you going?" Chris called to Justins retreating back.
Justin didn't answer. He just kept running until he was outside and at his car.
Jumping inside, he fired up the engine and pulled out of the parking lot.
With his cell phone still in his hands, Justin dialed her mothers number.
She wasn't there.
He calls her best friend, her sister, her work. Panicking, he called the hospital, and was relieved to know that no one fitting her description has been brought in.
Speeding down the highway, Justin began to feel sick.
God, if something ever happened to her, he would lose his mind.
Pulling into his driveway, Justin ran into the house, calling her name as he ran up and down the halls, and into every room.
Nowhere. She was nowhere to be found.
All her clothes were still hanging in the closet. Her car was in the driveway.
Looking around the empty house, Justin began to shake.
It was as if she had disappeared into thin air.
Rushing back out to his car, Justin sped back into town. He drove up and down the streets, trying desperately to think of where she might be.
Dialing his phone again, Justin asks Lance to call all of her friends. Everyone she knows who may have any idea where she would be.
Lance questioned it, but does as Justin asked.
Pulling back out onto the highway, Justin was at a loss of where to look next.
He had been everywhere. He had called everywhere. And she is nowhere.
What would he do without her? If anything ever happened to her, he would never forgive himself. For what he had put her through, for never telling her how much he really cared, for never being there for her.
Looking around at the cars surrounding him, Justin felt his heart drop.
She has to be somewhere. She couldn't just disappear. His thoughts raced with possibilities.
He knew she would never leave him. She's just got to be around.
Looking up at the sky above him, a tear slid down Justins flushed cheek.
As American Airlines Flight #178 departed right on time.
