Chapter Three

JC sat tensely in one of the booths at Daytone. This was just great. His ex-girlfriend happened to be on a date with his neighbor tonight. Jana was dating Justin, how perfect. He muttered incoherent things to himself, upset. Why hadn't Justin told him who his date was? All he had said was that he had met a terrific girl who was beautiful. Yeah, my ex, JC thought irritably. He turned to Britney, who was playing around with the saltshakers. Jana and Justin sat across from them, talking to each other.

"So," JC said to Britney, "what do you want to talk about?"

"Well," Britney suggested through clenched teeth, "why is she here?" Britney was referring to Jana. Britney didn't care for JC's ex-girlfriend, and avoided her as much as she could.

JC shrugged. "I don't know why," he answered. "But please don't make a scene here. It's going to be fine."

"Fine?" Britney squeaked. "She could actually start hitting on you in front of me!"

Excuse me, but I believe that you started hitting on me in front of her, JC wanted to say to Britney. "Chill," he told her smoothly. "Nothing's gonna happen."

She snorted. "Yeah right."

"Hey," Justin interrupted,"you guys want to order now?"

"Yes," Britney said quickly, smiling. She tugged on JC's sleeve. "That would be an excellent idea, since JC and I are starved. Right, JC?"

JC said nothing and stood up with her. They both walked to the line to order. Jana watched them go off. Well, at least someone is happy, she thought bitterly. So JC was over her. Fine. She was on a date with Justin now. She shouldn't be even thinking about JC.

Justin cleared his throat. "So," he replied, "having a good time so far?"

"Yes, I am," Jana responded. "We should order soon."

Justin nodded. "How do you like my friends so far?" Justin asked with curiosity.

Jana closed her eyes for a moment. "T-they're nice," she said, trying to sound as polite as possible. "Very quiet though."

"I'm sorry that they aren't really talking to you," said Justin. "JC is really shy around people he doesn't know."

"Oh, I see," Jana apprehended." Shy my ass! she thought resentfully. JC hadn't been shy when he had met Britney. "That's all right." A few minutes later, JC and Britney arrived back at their booth, carrying their trays of steaming food.

"JC, you're a pig!" Justin remarked with a laugh. He looked and JC's tray filled with a large fries and two hotdogs. JC shrugged, embarrassed.

"Hey, don't tease my man," Britney said defensively. "He's a growing boy." She squeezed one of JC's biceps.

"I am going to order now," Jana said quickly to Justin, standing up. "Do you want anything?"

"I can get it," Justin said, moving out of the booth. "Here, sit down, and I'll get it."

"No, no, no," insisted Jana. She motioned for him to stay. "It's okay, I'll do it."

Justin sighed but smiled. "All right, thanks. Get me a cheeseburger, please."

Jana nodded. "Anything to get away from those two," she muttered softly.

"Oh, that reminds me," said Britney, standing up also, "I'm going to ask for some ketchup for those fries, JC." Jana and Britney walked together towards the line where people were ordering their meals. "Hello, Jana," Britney said in an unpleasant tone. Jana ignored Britney and stood there, waiting. Don't talk to me! Jana thought, wanting so badly to say it to Britney. "Um, I said hello to you." Britney sounded irritated.

"Yes?" Jana returned, turning to face to her. "What do you want?"

"Ooh, someone's in a bad mood," Britney taunted her. "Gee, I wonder why JC broke up with you. You were probably P.M.S.ing half of the time!"

"Piss off!" Jana warned, giving her an icy look.

Britney smirked. She leaned over to whisper into Jana's ear. "JC and I screwed while you were dating, did you know that?"

Jana froze. She couldn't take it anymore. What she had heard was beyond belief. She felt wrath and hurt erupt through her body, and she turned to face Britney, who was smiling triumphantly. "You whore!" she screamed at Britney, shoving Britney back. Britney nearly lost her balance. She frowned. Jana's eyes glared at her. Her fist aimed for Britney's face. Smack! Britney fell onto the floor in shock. "You stupid whore! I hate you!" Jana yelled furiously. Britney was scared. She moved back, afraid Jana would punch her again. Jana looked at JC and Justin, with tears in her eyes. Yes, they had seen the whole thing. They were both bewildered. She shook her head at JC, broken-hearted all over again and stormed out of Daytone.

"Jana!" Justin shouted, running after her. "Come back!" He ran out of Daytone, but appeared again in a minute. He didn't know where she had run off. "I don't know what happened," he said, puzzled. "I'll be right back." He went off again, rushing off in some direction.

Britney started sobbing. JC rushed over to her. "Britney, are you okay?" he asked. "What happened?" He bent down and put his arm around her, trying to comfort her.

"Jana punched me!" Britney shouted, infuriated. Tears cascaded down her cheeks in humiliation and anger. "She punched me, JC! Your ex-girlfriend bitch just punched me! I hate her!" JC didn't approve of Britney's choice to call Jana a bitch. But he was indeed surprised. Jana? Punching Britney? he thought, surprised. He looked down at Britney, who was hyperventilating. Jana had stormed out the door. He couldn't help but crack a smile. Go Jana! he cheered mentally.

Lance entered the parking lot in his red Toyota 4-Runner. He quickly found a parking space and parked in his vehicle there. Michelle unbuckled her seatbelt. "Wow, all that research can work up an appetite!" she exclaimed with a chuckle.

"Yeah, I know," Lance agreed, nodding. As he unbuckled his seatbelt, he heard a rapping on his window. He looked up, startled. It was only his two good friends, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick. All three friends went to different schools, but knew Lance from going to the same school with him in the past. Lance motioned for them to move away from the car. Lance opened the door and hopped out. "Joey! Chris!" Lance said with a surprised tone. He patted them both on the back. "Hey, I haven't seen you guys in a while."

"What's up, man?" Joey greeted.

"We were just going to pick up some food at Daytone," Chris said.

"So were we," said Lance, leaning against his car. "We just came from the library. We stayed there for a couple hours, doing research."

Just then, Michelle hopped out of the car. Joey saw her and gaped. "Dude, who's the chick? Is she your girlfriend?" he asked Lance.

Chris turned and saw Michelle. "Damn, Lance." He gave Lance the thumbs-up sign.

Lance blushed, flustered. "She is not my girlfriend," Lance countered, trying to sound convincing. Joey and Chris just looked at each other and sighed.

Michelle joined up with the three of them. "Hey," she said in a friendly tone, giving Joey and Chris a smile. "You're Lance's friends, I am guessing?"

"Hello," Joey flirted, fixing her a sexy grin. "What-"

"Uh, let's go inside now," Lance suggested hastily, pushing Michelle in front of him. Michelle gave him a puzzled look, but he just grinned and the four of them went inside Daytone. Just then Michelle gasped as she saw Jana, followed by Justin, rush out past them. She was obviously upset, and crying.

"Jana!" Michelle cried, running after her friend.

"What's going on?" Chris questioned, watching the three teens run off.

"Look!" Joey remarked. He was referring to the crying girl on the floor. JC was comforting her. "Oh, isn't that JC?" he said, looking at his other old classmate with the girl.

"Yeah, that is him," Chris responded.

"I wondered what happened," said Lance, as they stood by the entrance of Daytone. He also knew JC from going to school with him back then. Why had Jana run out crying? Why was Britney on the ground screaming her head off at JC? Where was Michelle? JC told her something then jogged over to where Lance, Joey, and Chris were standing.

"Hi," he said breathlessly. "I know this seems weird, since I haven't seen you all in a while."

"What's going on?" Lance asked.

"Did you guys see Jana?" he asked. The three of them had known who Jana was from JC's past. But Joey and Chris did not Michelle personally.

"Actually, she just ran out," Lance said. He gave JC a "what's-going-on" look.

"I-I'll explain later, you guys," JC promised them, as he started to run off.

Chris pulled his sleeve. "Wait, man. Where are you going?"

"To find Jana!" JC told him. "Now can I go, please? I don't know where she went."

Chris let go of him. "What did you tell that girl then? You're leaving her?"

JC glared at them. "I'm not exactly leaving her," he said impatiently. "Look, I have to find Jana. Sorry to be so rude. Bye." He left them, disappearing outside. Joey, Chris, and Lance all looked at each other, shaking their heads. They all went over to the girl who was sitting on the floor. She was now getting up, and smoothing out her blouse.

As she saw them, she fixed them a smile. "Hello," Britney replied, checking out the three of them.

"Hi, are you okay?" Joey asked worried.

Britney fake a laugh. "Oh, yes. I'm fine. That girl that ran out just couldn't handle the fact that I banged JC before she did!" She walked away from them.

JC had sex with her? Lance thought, overwhelmed. He never told Chris, Joey, or me!

Jana ran and ran, blinded by her own tears. She let out a shaky sigh when she saw the nearest bus stop. It wasn't that far away. She would manage to run there. I hate JC! I hate Britney! she thought, sobbing uncontrollably. I don't believe him! He lied to me. I never want to see him again! Jana forced herself to reach the bus stop. She checked her watch. It was seven-forty-nine. "Great," she muttered, "I don't even know when the next bus arrives." She sat down on the bench and sat cross-legged. She was stuck at the bus stop for who knew how long? Maybe she would sleep until the bus came.

"Jana!" Jana whirled her head around to her left to see JC coming. She gasped and began to feel angry. JC was running towards her. How'd he find me? she wondered. JC started walking. "Jana!" he called again. "Stay right there. We need to talk."

"Go away, JC!" Jana snapped, not wanting to look at him. "I don't want to see you."

JC stood right in front of her. Rain started drizzling around them both. They were both silent. "Please, Jana," JC begged. "Please talk to me."

"No," Jana said firmly. She kept her head bent. "I want you to leave me right now. Do it. I never want to speak to you again."

JC tried again. He sat next to her. Jana quickly moved away. "What part of 'I want you to leave' don't you understand?" she cried at him, tears filling in her eyes. "Please leave me. I hate you right now."

"I know you do," JC replied softly. "You have every reason in the world to hate me. I am so very sorry for everything."

Jana looked at him and shook her head slowly. The rain started pouring. "H-h-how could you?" she stammered, feeling hurt. "I trusted you, JC! I thought you loved me. But no, instead you went around sleeping with other people."

JC was confused. "What are you talking about?" he asked.

Jana scoffed. "I can't believe you just said that," she said coldly. "You know what you did. You and Britney slept together while we were going out. Did you think that I would never find out?" She stood up, craning her neck to see if the bus was coming. There was no bus in sight.

"What are you talking about?" JC yelled hysterically. "I never did that with her!"

Jana whirled around. "First you cheat on me, then you deny this."

"I didn't sleep with Britney!" JC protested, feeling anger. "Who the hell told you that!"

"Well, who else, for God's sake!" Jana screamed at JC, her blood boiling at this point. She faced him. "Britney did!"

JC's heart thudded in his chest. "W-what…?" he said slowly. He looked up at Jana, his face burning with rage. "Jana, you have to listen to me. I did not sleep with Britney. That's a lie."

"And why should I believe you?" Jana questioned him, her arms folded over her chest. "How do I know if you're lying to me or not?"

"I'm not lying," JC told her firmly. "Listen to me. Whatever Britney told you about us sleeping together-it didn't happen." He looked her in the eye as he said this. Jana looked him in the eye too. She frowned, and a tear fell down her cheek. JC's hand reached for her cheek to brush it away. Jana grabbed his hand and stopped him from touching her cheek.

"No," she whispered. She and JC were already soaking wet in the rain. She heard the bus approaching. She walked to the curb of the sidewalk, getting ready to board the bus. "Good-bye, JC." Jana didn't look back as she said it. The bus's doors opened. Jana climbed the stairs and the door closed behind her. JC was left, staring at the bus as it drove on. He had never felt so devastated in his life. Jana hated him. She never wanted to see him again. JC felt sick to his stomach. Jana had left him in the rain, alone. A soaked JC indignantly pushed the doors to Daytone open. Justin was sitting at his booth. He looked worried. Britney sat across from Justin, solemnly. Lance, Joey, Chris, and Michelle were sitting at the other end of the place, talking quietly.

"JC!" Justin called from the booth. "There you are. We were wondering what happened to you."

JC ignored Justin and stood in front of Britney with his arms folded over his chest. "We are through," he told her in a firm voice, holding his anger. His eyes were like daggers piercing into hers.

Britney's eyes widened. "W-what?" she asked him, as if she didn't hear him the first time. "JC…what?"

"You heard me," JC fumed calmly, looking at Britney directing in the eyes. In back of him, Michelle, Lance, Joey, and Chris watched in surprise as JC told Britney that they were finished. He was definitely serious.

"No, JC, no!" Britney wailed, clinging on to him. JC shrugged her hands away. Britney whined, and started crying. "JC, what did I do? Please don't break up with me!" she whined like a child. "I'm sorry for whatever I did."

"I'll, uh, be right back," Justin said quietly, going away from them both. He went over to where the four were sitting, and starting talking with them.

"Why did you tell Jana that we had sex while I was dating her?" JC asked her directly. "Why'd you say that?"

"B-b-because…" Britney was at a loss for words. "I…I don't know why I said it, JC!" she confessed. "I honestly don't. Please don't break up with me," she begged.

"I don't believe you had the nerve to say that. You lied." JC looked at her with disgust. "That was low."

"I didn't mean to," countered Britney helplessly. She fell to the ground on her knees, feeling powerless. "I don't know what came over me. I-"

JC snorted. "I can't believe how I nauseate myself," he told her. "I cheated on her with you."

"Y-y-you say it like it's a bad thing," Britney responded, looking up at him.

"Hell yeah," JC said, smirking down at her. "I am serious, we're finished." With that, he left Daytone. Britney sat on the floor, crying. She buried her face in her hands and wailed.

Justin came up to her. "Um, do you need help?" he asked her kindly.

"No!" she shouted at him, throwing a tissue at him. Justin backed away.

"Britney, calm down." Justin placed a hand on her shoulder. "Do you have a ride home?" She looked up, her eyes puffy.

"No," she said hoarsely.

Justin helped her up. "Come on, let's get you home," he replied, taking off his jacket and putting it over her. She dabbed her eyes with her tissue, and sniffed. Justin guided her towards the exit and waved good-bye to Michelle and the group.

"That was enough drama for one night," Michelle said, turning to her five friends. Everyone was quiet. They still hadn't figured out why the whole situation had happened, how it started….everything.

"Right now," Chris replied, "I am very confused. First Jana ran away, then JC went off on that Britney girl. Who knows what's next?" He sighed.

"Michelle, do you want to get going?" Lance asked her. They had finished eating their dinner with Joey and Chris. He started piling everything onto the tray, and stood up. "Or do you want to stay?"

"Oh, we can go," Michelle told him, standing up as well. She was still worried about Jana. She didn't know where she was but was planning to call her later.

Lance dumped his rubbish in the trash and turned to Michelle, who was hugging Joey and Chris. Joey sure likes hugs from Michelle! Lance noted. Oh well, what did he care? It wasn't like he and Michelle were going out. "Michelle," he said aloud, calling her.

She was saying good-bye to Chris and Joey. "Nice to meet you," she told them with a smile, as she waved. Then she ran over to Lance.

"I'll call you sometime!" Joey shouted at her. Michelle turned her head and just smiled.

Lance and her walked out of Daytone. "You gave Joey your number?" Lance inquired his friend as they walked to Lance's car.

"Yup," Michelle replied. "He asked me for it and said that he was going to give me a call sometime. I don't know Lance, but I think Joey's a little cute."

He laughed to himself. "In what way?"

"Personality-wise," Michelle answered. Lance took out his car keys from his pocket and unlocked the car doors. Michelle and Lance got inside and buckled their seatbelts. Lance started the engine. They drove out of the parking lot, and soon enough, were on the freeway. Michelle fiddled around with the radio stations, switching the stations every so often.

"Just wait," Lance teased. "My radio will be broken."

"Oh, be quiet."

"Yeah, I'm serious." Lance put on his best serious face. "And guess who will have to pay for it!" he sang.

Michelle leaned back in her seat. "Fine," she mumbled. "We'll leave it to this station." It was a rap station. Michelle knew how much Lance didn't like rap.

"Please turn off this music!" Lance begged. "Before someone gets hurt," he added, looking at Michelle.

"Fine then," Michelle said, turning the radio off. There was silence in the car. It started to rain. "Well, well," she said, leaning forward. It was raining. "Lance, you'd better expect traffic."

"Ha," Lance muttered, switching on his windshield wipers. But a few seconds later, Michelle was correct. He slowed down his car as he saw a line of cars lined up in front of him. Michelle giggled. Lance narrowed his eyes at her. "Oh, shit," he said, looking at the line of cars.

Justin turned right, the last turn that would bring he and Britney to her house. He had driven Britney home from Daytone. She had been very quiet in the car the whole trip.

"It's that house," Britney instructed, pointing to the white house with several bushes around it. Justin stopped his car in front of the house, and waited for Britney to get out of his car.

"You get some rest now, okay?" he told her softly. "You've had enough commotion for one night."

Britney sat there, pondering about something. Then she leaned towards Justin's direction and wrapped her arms around him. "I…I want to thank you," she whispered in his ear.

Justin stiffened. "Uh, Britney?" he asked her, as she started stroking his curly blonde hair.

"Mmm?" Britney responded. She started kissing him, jamming her tongue into his mouth.

"Britney," Justin said again, feeling uncomfortable. He started coughing, and pushed her off him.

"What are you doing?" Britney pushed her weight on top of him and starting frenching him. "Oh, Justin," she murmured, "I know you want it. Don't deny it. C'mon, I know you do."

Justin tried to take her arms away from him. She wouldn't let go off him, and her body was on top of his. "Stop!" he shouted, shoving her off of him again. "Why did you just do that?"

Britney wiped her lips innocently. "Hmph," she said in a whiney tone. "What do you mean, why did I do that?"

Justin frowned at her and shook his head. "I don't get you," he snapped. "I think you should go inside now."

Britney's lips trembled. "W-w-what?" she whispered, choking back tears. Why is Justin telling me to leave? she thought. "Y-you want me to go?"

Justin nodded firmly. "Yeah, I'll see you around." Britney thanked him quietly and got out of his car. As soon as she closed it, Justin sped off.