Sam finally settled into the routine of waking up at five and being ready by six thirty, starting interviews, posing for photo shoots, recording television appearances, and visiting sick children in the hospital without a break, beginning at seven until approximately two, where she would then meet up with one, a few, or all of the boys of *N Sync for lunch, then she would dash off to her soundcheck and once that was over she generally had fifteen minutes to herself before she was off in a whirlwind of meet-n-greets, fans, performing, and rude comments from girls wishing they were with *N Sync daily, not Sam. After her part of the concert she showered and watched the rest of *N Sync's concert, than signed autographs until the boys were ready to go. She was poked and prodded, generally lifted, into the tour bus, to drive for hours upon hours where the pulled into the next stop at approximately five a.m. Also, every Sunday when they stopped at a laundromat, Sam did their laundry for them. They never asked her to, she just did, and she didn't have a problem with doing extra laundry.
The *N Sync boys finally got used to their schedules, which were a little less harried because they didn't have to do all the promotional events that Sam did. Their days started anywhere from six to six forty-five, depending on who and how much time was needed to get ready. A leisurely breakfast began around seven, where they all went over their schedules for the day, which officially began at eight. First, they would have photo shoots with scurried post cards to overseas teeny-bopper magazines in between shots, and then the interviews, then there would be television and radio appearances, a few visits to select sick children in the nearby hospital and a quick performance for them, and then one, a few, or all would meet up with Sam for lunch. Sam would rush off for soundcheck and the boys would have their meet-n-greet, meet all the reporters who would be running to and fro backstage, snapping random pictures of them, their usual hackey-sack routine, the viewing of Sam's performance, their concerts, a quick, usually not-to-thorough shower and a spritz of cologne, and then one of them was invariably sent to grab Sam, haul her over their shoulder, and carry her onto the bus, the thing she hated most.
Bonds were also quickly formed that first week. The boys of *N Sync were all best friends, as usual, with a little annoyance here and there between them. No major mutiny, though. Sam and JC quickly became the best of friends, sharing secrets and jokes like a couple little kids. Sam had managed unwind Lance a bit and wind Chris up a bit, so Lance was less business-minded and Chris was more business-minded. She brought out the best in them, and it was obvious. Sam and Joey tended to be very prickly to each other, but the others tried their best to either ignore it, or keep it from happening. Sam treated Justin like a good friend, no different than the others.
JC was glad to have Sam there, she got him to be less serious and he agreed with the others that it did him some real good.
Lance was shocked to find that he found himself laughing and playing jokes and just being generally naughty and mischievious when with her. It wasn't a bad shock, just a shock. He was starting to find out what it was like to be Justin or Chris, maybe Joey, and occasionally JC. Relaxed, fun, easygoing. Not a bad thing.
Chris never realized Sam calmed him down, just that she changed him for the better when she was around, and he liked it. He had no problem with being changed for the better, as long as everyone, including himself, was happy, he was a-ok! He loved to tease her, though, and he wasn't about to deny himself that little privilege.
Joey's feelings towards Sam were somewhat difficult to explain. He liked the girl, he had no problem with her, but before he could stop himself, hateful mean words were flying out of his mouth at her. He knew Justin was practically head-over-heels for the girl, and he couldn't figure out why something that made one of his best friends so happy could possibly make him so bitter at both of them, but he knew it did.
Justin was also confused about Sam. He'd never felt that way about anyone, and he didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing! I mean, did it mean he didn't really like her, or did he mean he was really, honestly, truly in love with her? He only wished he could figure it out. He couldn't figure out why Joey hated her so much, and was occasionally rude to him, but he knew Joey's true feelings would come out soon and he'd be the lovable, huggable bear they all knew he was on the inside.
They also found out things about each other no one outside the six of them new. Like one day when Sam was leaning against JC with her feet in Justin's lap, he discovered that by running a single finger up the bottom of her foot, she would scream and laugh like a banshee. Rather entertaining if you asked him.
Sam discovered if you wiggle your fingers just right under Lance's chin, he would giggle like a little girl until his face turned red.
Justin also discovered that whenever Sam's tummy was upset, she needed to lay in someone's lap and have someone rub her tummy until she felt better. Surprisingly, so did he.
Joey discovered that the more you nit-pick at Sam, the more she comes right back at you harder than you hit her.
Chris found out that Sam was a great person to talk to, say, if you're having troubles with your girlfriend. She would lay his head on her lap and, according to the other guys, "pet" his head while he talked. He thought she was great at advice, but she knew all she did was ask him simple questions that he answered, and then tell him back his answers. It was a pretty good system, if you asked them.
As much as Sam hated the tour bus, she loved the freedom and relaxation it brought after she was carried aboard and pouted for five minutes or so. She could just be herself, play around and joke with JC and the rest of them. JC knew more about her than she knew about herself - at least, she thought so. That was sort of scary, considering the boy had only known her a week or less.