“Well its time to go,” JC said.
I groaned a little. “Sweetie, you can go back to bed if you want to,” Justin said.
I picked my head up. “No. I said I wanted to go so now I’m going to go.” I got off his lap and followed JC to the door. The ride to the radio station seemed to wake me up and make me hyper. By the time we got to the station I was bouncing off the walls. The guys just laughed at me. They had never seen me this hyper. As we were walking into the station I was a little disappointed that Justin didn’t take my hand but I understood why. He couldn’t go public with this and couldn’t explain why he was holding hands with someone. During the interview I had to sit in this little room and listen to it on a little radio. I was going crazy sitting in this little room so I was happy when the interview was finally over and the guys came and got me. It was only 10:00 so we decided to get some food and take it back to the hotel. None of the guys wanted to deal with being recognized so they made me go in and order the food. The girl who took my order must have thought I was feeding an army or something. I managed to get all the food to the bus. As soon as I got on the bus I was swarmed by guys attacking me trying to get to the food.
“Chill, guys. You’re not going to starve or anything.”
“We might. You never now,” Joey said.
“Yeah, the way you guys eat? I don’t think so.” I put the food on the table and the guys started devouring it. I quickly grabbed mine and the food I had bought for Brooke.
“Why did you take two?” Chris asked.
“I bought some for Brooke too.”
“Oh, yeah. I forgot she was coming,” Joey said.
“Sure you did. You forget a girl’s coming. A cute one at that. It’ll never happen,” JC said.
“Oh, shut up. Just because I’m a flirt doesn’t mean that’s all I ever think about,” Joey said.
“But it is all you ever think about,” Justin said.
“That and food,” Lance said.
“Yeah, I think about food too,” Joey said trying to defend himself.
Everyone started laughing. Joey realized what he said and left the room taking his food with him. Eventually everyone followed him to go do their own thing. It was only Justin and me still sitting there. “Justin, I haven’t told Brooke about us yet. So when she gets here we just have to keep our distance until I get a chance to tell her.”
We sat in silence for a while. “Can I ask why you didn’t tell her?”
“Well, she kinda likes you. She’s had a crush on you since you came out. Plus that’s not something you tell your friend over the phone. You have to say that in person.”
“Wait a minute. She’s been going out with this guy for four years but has had a crush on me for a while?”
I nodded my head. “That’s about it.”
“That’s kinda weird.”
“What’s weird about it? You’re like that impossible dream for a lot of girls. You’re the person they look up to and in there own little way love. But they never ever think that any of that will ever come true. You’re like an idol to her. She loves Devin. She likes you. There’s a difference.”
“So I’m an impossible dream?”
“For a lot of girls yes.”
“What about you?”
“Well I’m here with you now so that should answer your question.” I got up and walked around to the side of the table he was on. I sat down in his lap and looked into his eyes. I saw something there. I leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. We kissed again, this time with more passion. I felt his arms go around my waist as I gently stroked his check. All of the sudden we heard laughing and a door open. Before we even had a chance to react all the guys were in the kitchen area of the bus. When they saw us they started laughing even harder. I just burried my head in Justin’s neck because my face was bright red. I looked up only when the bus stopped. I jumped off Jusitn’s lap, off the bus and ran up to my room. About 10 minutes later I heard a knock on my door. When I didn’t answer the person just came in and sat down on the bed beside me. I looked up to see Justin sitting there with a concerned look on his face.
“Sophie, are you ok?”
I laid my head in his lap. “I’ve been better.”
“It’s ok. The guys didn’t mean anything by it. They’re just immature most the time.
“I know. I don’t know why I’m acting this way. I guess it’s because they saw a side of me I only wanted to share with you.”
Justin just stared at me. “Sophie, you have no idea how much that means to me.”
I looked up into his eyes. He leaned down and kissed me passionately. Instinctively my hands ran through his hair. His hand drifted down to my stomach and started rubbing it. It gave me goose bumps and I giggled a little against his mouth. He pulled away. “What’s so funny?”
I put my hand over his. “That just tickles a little and gives me goose bumbs.” I saw an evil glint in his eyes. “Justin, don’t even think about it.”
“What? I wasn’t thinking about anything.”
“Sure. I believe you.” I quickly got up and out of his grasp.
“Babe, why are you running from me?”
“Because I don’t want to be tickled.”
“I don’t want to tickle you I just want to hold you.”
“For some reason I don’t believe you.”
“Well I’ll just have to show you.” He chased me around the room and finally caught me while I was trying to jump over the bed. He pulled my feet out from under me and I landed on my back. He crawled on top of me pinning my wrists above my head.
“Justin, please don’t. I hate being tickled.”
“Like I said before I’m not going to tickle you.” He leaned down and kissed me. He soon let go of me wrists and put his hands on my side. I put my hands around his neck. I slipped him the tongue and he let out a slight moan. I felt him untuck my shirt and run his warm hands up and down my sides under my shirt. He suddenly stopped just like the other night. “Sophie, I don’t want to do it like this. Not with the guys in the other room and your friend coming. I want it to be special for you.”
“It will be special for me since you’ll be my first, but you’re right not here and not now.” After I said it I regreted saying it because I basically told him I was a virgin.
He stared into my eyes. I saw again what I had seen on the bus. I still couldn’t figure out what it was. Just as we were about to kiss again there was a knock at the door and it started opening. “Just a second,” Justin yelled. The person at the door stopped opening it and shut it. Justin got off me and fixed his clothing while I got up and tucked my shirt back in getting myself fixed up. When we were both back to normal Justin went to the door and opened it. Standing there was Joey with a kinda shocked expression on his face.
“I just wanted to tell Sophie that Brooke’s here.”
I looked at the clock. It was 12:10. “Oh, I lost all track of time. Tell her I’ll be right out.”
“Ok,” Joey said and closed the door.
I walked up to Justin and kissed him passionately then pulled away. “What was that for,” he asked.
“Well I wanted to give you one last kiss since I can’t kiss you again until I tell Brooke.”
“Babe, tell her soon. She’ll be mad at you for lying to her and I don’t know how long I can be in the same room with you and not touch you.”
“I will tell her soon. As soon as we’re alone I’ll tell her.” I kissed him once more and walked out of the room. I saw Brooke sitting on the couch with Joey on one side of her and JC on the other. “Hey Brooky girl! What’s up?”
“Not much. How about you Soph?”
“Actually quit a bit but we’ll talk about that later.”
“Ok.”
“So I see you’ve met he guys.”
“Yup. They did introductions, not that I needed them.”
“I know what you mean. They did that to me the first time I met them too.”
We went on talking with the guys watching us until Justin came out of my room and asked, “Guys, can you come in here for a sec? I need to talk to ya for a minute.” All the guys got up and went into my room.
I knew what he was up to so I figured I just as well do it. “Brooke, I need to tell you something.”
“What is it?”
“Well Justin and I are seeing each other. It just kinda happened. One minute we were dancing as friends the next we’re kissing as a lot more than friends.”
“Soph, I’m happy for you! You deserve someone special.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I just thought this is something I should tell you in person and not on the phone.”
“I understand. So tell me everything and don’t leave out any details.” I told her everything.
Jusitn led the guys into the room. They all had confused looks on their faces. “Justin, what’s this about?” JC asked.
“Sophie’s telling her about us.”
“What about us?” Joey asked.
“About me and her dork.”
“I’m not a dork.”
“Anyway she said she’d do it as soon as they were alone so I thought I would help her out.”
“Cool,” Chris said.
“Justin, can I ask you a question?”
“Yeah, Joey. What is it?”
“What were you two doing in here when I knocked on the door earlier?”
Justin felt all the guys eyes on him. “We weren’t doing what you think we were. We were just goofing around and talking. She’s just not used to having you guys around like I am and she feels a little self-concious. We just need to make sure if we enter a room with her in it we knock and wait for an answer before we come in.”
“That’s cool. I think we can all handle that,” JC said.
“It must be weird going from living at home to staying with five guys,” Lance said.
“Yeah, so let’s all be more careful.”
“Ok, we will,” Lance said. They continued talking.
When I got done telling Brooke everything I went to get the guys. I knocked on the door and a few seconds later Justin opened the door. He looked at me with a hopeful expression. I nodded my head yes. He got a huge smile on his face and hugged me. I looked over Justin’s shoulder at the guys in my room. They all had funny looks on their faces. I pulled away and asked, “So what are we going to do today?”
“I don’t know. Guys, what do you want to do?” They all shook their heads like they didn’t care.
“Brooke, what do you want to do?” She came up to me and whispered in my ear.
“Sophie, can I talk to you alone again?”
“Yeah. Guys, we’ll be right back.” I took Brook’s hand and lead her to Chris’s and Joey’s room. “What’s wrong?”
“No offense to the guys. They’re great, but I was wondering if just the two of us could go out or something. I haven’t seen you in almost two weeks and I miss you.”
“Brooke, I missed you too.” I hugged her tight. “Yeah, just you and me sounds like a good idea. If you want to we can go to a movie now and go to dinner with the guys tonight.”
“That sounds good. Thanks. It means a lot to me.”
“Me too. Just let me go talk to the guys and grab my purse and we’ll go.” I walked out of the room and all the guys were still in my room. “Guys, do you mind hanging out here without us girls this afternoon. Brooke and I want to spend some time alone together so we’re going to go to a movie. Then tonight we can go out to eat together. I hope you guys don’t mind but we really need this time. We haven’t had the best relationship lately. I promise we’ll be back in a couple of hours.” I walked out of the room heading towards Chirs’ and Joey’s rooms again.
“Sophie!” I stopped and turned around. There stood Justin. “Don’t be gone too long ok?” He leaned down and kissed me.
“Don’t worry I won’t.” I got Brooke and we left to see a movie.
Justin sat down on the couch and turned the TV on. Chris walked out and sat down next to him. “What’s on your mind kid?”
“What? Nothing.”
“I can tell. You’re acting like you have something on your mind so spill it.”
“Ok. But you have to promise not to tell anyone. I mean no one.”
“Ok. I promise. So why so secretive?”
“Well it’s kinda a private subject. I found out something today. Sophie’s a virgin.”
“And?”
“And nothing. I guess it makes me feel like the other night I was pushing her or something.”
“Wait, you thought she wasn’t a virgin.”
“I don’t know what I thought. I just don’t know.”
“Justin, she’s only 17.”
“I know, but you’d be surprised how many 17 year olds aren’t virgins.”
“I probably would. I guess I see what a wonderful girl she is and I know she’s smart and wouldn’t do something like that till she’s ready. That’s why I don’t think you were pushing her. I see how you two look at each other and act around each other. You’ll both know when the time is right.”
Justin thought for a few minutes. “Chris, you’re right. I guess I was just thinking too much.”
“Well stop thinking. You know how much that hurts you.”
“Funny. Really funny.” They continued talking. They were still sitting there talking when Brooke and I go home.
“Hey, guys!”
“Hey, Soph! Hi Brooke! Was the movie good?”
“Yup. Total chick flick!” I said. I saw Chris roll his eyes. I motioned for Brooke to sit down. “Where are the rest of the guys?”
“I think they’re still in your room. Why?” Justin asked.
“You’ll see in a second.” I went and pulled Joey, JC, and Lance out of my room to the main room. I stood in front of them. “Ok. We’re all here. Where do we want to go to eat? It’s got to be a good place since it’s in Brooke’s honor. I also vote for a fancy place. I feel like dressing up.”
“Soph, I don’t have any dress clothes,” Brooke said.
“Don’t worry. We’ll take care of that. So some answers please.” No one said anything. They just sat there and stared at me. “Fine. I get to choose. I say we’re going to Brix. Guys go get ready while we girls take care of a few things.” I grabbed Brooke by the arm and pulled her out of her chair then out of the room. We went done to the store in the hotel. We looked for 15 minutes till we found the perfect dress for her. Then I started looking for one for myself. It took me half an hour to find one, but the one I found was perfect. It was short, dark blue with skiny straps and a low neck line. “Girl, lets go get ready and knock their socks off.” We both started laughing. We went back up to my room and I went in through the door to my room which I had never used before. We both took showers and put our dresses on. I put my hair up with little ringlets hanging down, and Brooke left her hair down over her shoulders. I opened the door and peaked out. There all the guys set, all looking fine in their dress clothes. “Ok, let’s do this.” I opened the door and pushed Brooke out in front of me. I kept pushing her towards the guys. I finally came out from behind Brooke and headed for the door. “Are we going to go? Or are we going to sit here all night?” I walked out the door headed for the elevator. I held the elevator open as the guys and Brooke go on. As was pushing the button for the lobby I felt Justin’s arms wrap around my waist.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered into my ear.
“Thanks,” I whispered back. We got off the elevator and piled into the limo. When we got to the restaurant we we put in a secluded room so we could have privacy.
“So, Brooke. How old are you?” Joey asked.
“I’m 17. I’m going to be turning 18 in three weeks.”
“Cool.”
“So what’s Devin doing tonight?” I asked.
“He’s helping his mom pack.”
“Where’s she going?”
“She’s going on vacation for two weeks.” The waitriss came and took our orders.
“If you’ll excuse me I need to use the restroom,” I said.
“Hurry back,” Justin said.
“I will.” I kissed him then walked out of the room towards the bathroom. As I was washing my hands a girl walked in. “Bri, is that you?”
“Yeah. Soph?”
“Yeah, it’s me.” We hugged. “What have you been up too? You look so different.”
“Well, I’m in college right now. I had to get a different look when I left.”
“You look good.” We stood talking for about 10 minutes. “Oh, man I have to be getting back. Are you here with anyone?”
“Actually no. I got stood up.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Why don’t you come with me. I’m here with a group of friends. Brooke’s here too.”
“Really? You don’t mind?”
“Not at all. Let’s go.”
“Ok.” We walked back to the room where everyone was.
“Hi guys. Sorry it took me so long. I ran into an old friend.”
“BRI?”
“Brooke!” Brooke jumped up and hugged her.
“Guys this is Brianne.”
“Call me Bri, please.” The guys all said hello.
“She’s going to be joining us.” We sat down. Soon after that our food came and Bri ordered some. After we all got done eating JC and Lance ordered coffee and we all sat around talking. As I was talking to Chris who was sitting beside me, I felt a hand on my leg. I looked at Justin who just smiled at me. I put my hand over his and squeezed it. I looked over at Bri and JC who had been talking ever since she sat down beside him. I looked around the table. Bri and JC were talking, Joey and Chris were talking (if you could call it that), and Justin and Lance were talking. I just sat there holding Jusitn’s hand and watching everyone.
Half an hour later I was starting to get tired. “Guys, are you ready to go? I’m really tired.”
“Yeah, it’s getting late and I have to work tomorrow,” Brooke said.
“Where do you work?” JC asked.
“A record store in the mall.”
“Cool.”
“Well I’m going to go. Sophie, Brooke, here’s my number call me sometime and we’ll get together.” She got out a paper and a pen and wrote down her number.
“Ok. Will do,” I said taking the paper. We went back to the hotel and I went right to bed.
The next morning I woke up in Justin’s arms. I was completely happy. I felt in my heart that that was were I was supposed to be. I laid there and thought about what had happened over the past 4 days, not just with Justin, but with the rest of the guys. I had become good friends with all of them and didn’t want to see them leave on Sunday. With out even realizing it, I had started crying when I thought about what was going to happen on Sunday.
“Sophie, what’s wrong?” Justin asked concerned. I guess I woke him up with my crying.
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
“Sophie, you’re crying. You’re not fine. Please tell me whats wrong.”
“I was just thinking about what’s going to happen on Monday.”
“Monday? What happens……….” He stopped midsentence.
“Yeah. That.”
Justin knew he had to try to make me feel better. “Babe, don’t worry about that now. It’s three days away. We will cross that bridge when we get there.” What he said worked. I realized I still had three days left and that I had to make them wonderful. We laid there and talked until we heard a knock at the door. “Come in,” Justin said.
The door opened and Joey walked in. “Sorry to wake you up but Brooke’s leaving.”
“What?! Why?!”
“I don’t know.”
“I’ll be right out.”
“Ok,” Joey said and left.
I got up and put on one of Justin’s shirts that was huge on me over my pajamas. I walked out to Brooke. “Why are you leaving so soon?”
“I promised Devin I would be home early this moring and it’s already 11:00.”
“You know what Brooke? Just once I would like to be as important as Devin. Just once.”
“Sophie, that’s not fair and you know it.”
“No, Brooke. What’s not fair is the way I’m always second to him. You only hang out with me when he’s has plans and is busy.”
“That’s not true!” All the guys just stood there and stared at us.
“It is and you know it. Fine! Go! And next time he’s busy and you’re alone don’t bother calling.” I stormed out of the room to the saftey of my own bed. I heard a door slam and knew that she had left. I started crying and soon I was asleep. Four hours later I woke up. I figured I would be alone because I knew the guys had a radio interview at 2:00 and a TV appearance at 3:30. I walked out into the main room and stopped dead in my tracks. There was Justin sitting on the couch watching TV. “Justin, what are you doing here?”
Justin jumped. “Babe, don’t scare me like that.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just didn’t expect to see anyone here.”
Justin patted the seat next to him. I went over and sat down next to him. “I couldn’t leave you in the condiditon you’re in. You just lost your best friend. You must be torn up inside. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost my best friend.”
I just stared at him. “Justin, I was feeling exactly like that. But now I’m not. I am so overwhelmed that you would miss two interviews just for me. What are you telling everyone?”
“I’m at home in bed sick.”
“Oh really?”
“Yeah.”
“Is there anything I can do to make you feel better Mr. Timberlake?”
“Yeah, I think there is.” He leaned over and kissed me. We kissed until we heard the other guys on TV. We watched the interview laughing at the guys. After we watched the interview we watched some music videos on MTV. Just then Chris, Joey, and Lance walked in. “Hey, guys! Where’s JC?”
“He’s coming,” Lance said.
I kissed Justin on the cheek and said, “I’ll be right back.”
He grabbed my hand. “Where are you going?”
“If you must know I have to go to the bathroom.” Justin let go of my hand and I left the room.
“A little overprotective aren’t we?” Chris asked.
“Chris, we’re leaving in 2 days. I want to spend as much time with her as possible.”
“I understand. I’m going to miss her too.”
Just then JC came running into the room. “Where’s Sophie?”
“She’s in the bathroom. Why?” Justin asked concerned.
“I want to get Brianne’s number. I wanted to bring her with us tomorrow night.”
“You like her don’t you?” Joey asked.
“Yeah, I do. A lot.” They continued talking about Bri and me.
When I came out of the bathroom I saw the guys sitting in a circle quietly talking. I was curious as to what they were talking about so I stood there listening.
“Justin, what are you trying to say?” Chris asked.
“Chris, I think we all know what he’s saying. He thinks she’s beautiful, smart, funny,and just plain wonderful,” Lance said. They all looked at him. “Duh. He loves her.”
My mouth dropped open. “Lance, he’s only been seeing her for a week,” Chris said.
“No wait. He’s right. I do love her.” He got a huge smile on his face. I gasped and they all turned and looked at me. I met Justin’s eyes then ran out of the room. I started walking.
Justin put his head in his hands. “What did I do?”
JC put his hand on Justin’s shoulder. “She’s probably just shocked. Like Chris said, it’s only been a week.”
Justin stood up and headed for the door. “I have to find her.” He left before the guys could say anything.
2 HOURS LATER…
I was sitting at the same beach I had been at earlier in the week. I had walked all over town and thought and thought. I wound up at the beach. I just sat there and thought some more. I had just come to a realization. I loved Justin. I jumped up and started running back to the hotel. I had to talk to Jusitn.
Justin walked in the room and found all the guys sitting there but not me. “Is she back?” All the guys shook their heads. Just then I came runnig in. Justin spun around and our eyes locked. I could feel the guys staring at us. “Guys, could you give us a minute?” Jusitn asked.
“Yeah, we’re going to go down to the hotel restaurant,” JC said. All the gusy walked by me as they left and JC patted my back as he walked by.
Finally, they were all gone and Justin and I were alone. “So, where did youg go?” Jusitn asked.
“I walked around.”
“For TWO hours!?”
“Yeah, well I had to think.”
“About that……”
“Justin, stop.” I walked to him and kissed him softly. “I love you too!”
Jusitn looked into my eyes. “What?”
I smiled. “I said I love you too.”
A huge smile crossed his face. “You have no idea how much that means to me. Can I ask you one queston?”
“Sure.”
“Why did you run?”
“I was just a little shocked. I’ve never had anyone tell me they loved me. Especially after a week.”
“Well I wasn’t planning on telling you this soon because I knew it would freak you out.”
“At first it did, but I’m fine now. I’m glad I know.”
“Me too.” He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close. As he leaned down to kiss me I wrapped my arms around his neck. As we were kissing, Justin picked me up and carried me to my bed, never breaking the kiss. When things started getting hot anf heavy I stopped.
“Justin, stop. As much as I want to do this, and believe me I do, not here, not now. The guys will be coming back soon wondering where we are and the hotel just makes it seem lide something cheap.” I looked into his eyes hopefully.
He smiled. “I was thinking the same thing.” He got off me and we got ourselves starightened out. We decided to waltch TV. Just as we sat down in the living area the guys burst in the door laughing. They saw us cuddling on the couch and smiled.
“I see you two made up,” JC said.
I looked at Justin. “Yeah, I guess we did.”
All the guys sat down around us. “So can we call Brianne now?”
“Why would we want to do that?” I smiled.
JC just looked at me and I laughed. I got up (with great difficulty from Justin trying to keep me with him) and got Bri’s number so JC could call her. He left the room and was gone for 2 hours. When he came back everyone looked at him. “What?”
“Is she coming?” Chris asked.
“Yeah.”
“Coming where?” I asked clueless.
Justin put his arm around me. “Nowhere.”
I removed Justin’s arm and looked at him. “Justin Timberlake what are you planning?”
Justin feigned and innocent look. “I swear I’m not planning anything.”
I gave him a look that said you better not be. “So what are we going to do tomorrow since it’s our last day together?”
“I thought we’d just hang out here,” Jusitn said.
I was shocked and hurt that he didn’t want to do something special on our last day together for 5 months. “Ok.”
“Yeah, that way we can all see you too,” Chris said.
I thought about it that way. I would get to spend the day with the guys too. I was still upset but no as much. “That sounds good.” I got up and went to the window. I looked out the window for a long time. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder. I shrugged it off.
I was surprised when I heard Chris’ voice say, “Soph, what’s wrong?” I was expecting it to be Jusitn.
“Nothing. Just thinking.”
“About what?”
“Tomorrow and what’s going to happen after tomorrow.”
Chris turned me around and hugged me. I started crying. “Soph, don’t cry. Everything will be alright.”
I looked over Chris’ shoulder and saw that no one else was in the room. “I guess I’m upset because Justin doesn’t want to do anything special on our last day for 5 months.”
“I think he just doesn’t want to make a big deal about it. He thinks it will only make things harder.”
“I guess he’s right, but it still hurts a little.”
“I know hon. I know.”
I pulled away. “Chris thanks. I appriciate your friendship a lot.”
“I’m always here for you. You know that.”
“I’ll always be here when you need me too.”
To Be Continued…