Chapter Seven

Britney punched in JC's phone digits. Then she waited impatiently as the telephone rang. After four rings, someone picked up the phone. "Hello?" a girl's voice answered. She sounded out of breath. Um, okay. She must have been working out, maybe? Britney thought. Who is she? "Hey, is JC there?" Britney asked. "JC?" the girl said. "Oh, um, he's busy right now. May I take a message?"

"Yes. Please tell him that Britney called," Britney replied, twirling her telephone cord.

"Britney?" the girl repeated. Britney heard her muffle a giggle. "Britney Spears?"

"Yeah, that's me." Britney was starting to get tense. She gripped the phone tighter. "Why do you ask?"

The girl chuckled. "Oh, nothing. I've just heard some about you," she said. "I'll tell JC you called. Bye!" The girl hung up the telephone.

Britney was red in the face as she hung up. She sat down on the couch, which was right next to her, and turned on the TV. As she flipped through the channels, her eyes grew tired. She finally turned the TV off. It was the first Saturday in a very long time that she was home alone, by herself. "My first Saturday without JC," she said painfully, hugging a pillow close to her. If she was still with JC, they would have been somewhere making out or having fun at that very moment.

Britney hated being alone. Ever since two weeks ago, JC hadn't spoken to her. She had called him several times throughout the weeks, but either his Mom or some girl would answer the phone. "Wait a minute," Britney said aloud. Who was that girl? Did JC get over me that quickly? she thought, anger rising in her chest. That could explain the girl who was always over at his house. "That pig!" she shouted, standing up from the couch. It made her angry just thinking about it. "That's it!" she fumed, walking indignantly to a table, where her car keys lay. "I won't be humiliated twice!" She grabbed her car keys and headed out to her car.

"Jana!" Michelle said in surprise as she opened the front door slowly. Jana stood outside holding a big box. "You're here? The party doesn't start till five."

"Yes, I know that," Jana stepped into Michelle's house and placed the box down on the floor. "And Happy Birthday," she added with a smile. "Don't worry, I'm bringing your gift later tonight."

"Thank you," said Michelle. She peeked inside the box. "What's all this stuff?" she asked, fishing through streamers, banners, balloons, and other items in the box.

"Duh," replied Jana, picking up a plastic package containing streamers. "You birthday party materials?"

"Oh," Michelle responded, slapping her forehead. "I didn't know that you were coming over to do this."

Jana shut the door behind her and carried to box over to the living room. "You can thank me later," she answered with a sly grin.

"I don't believe that I am going to be seventeen!" said Michelle as she followed Jana into the living room. She watched as Jana thought deeply about where to put everything. "Hmm. I think the streamers should go around over there," she replied, "and over there."

"Whatever you say." Michelle disappeared to somewhere and came back with a stool. "Let's get started."

Jana took the stool from her and placed it right in front of her. "Okay, we will begin decorating."

"Okay," answered Michelle, digging through the box.

"Blue streamers," Jana commanded. Michelle tossed them up to her. "I have a feeling that this will look great," she said with a smile as she starting putting up the streamers.

The doorbell rang, and Gina rushed out of the family room to get the door. As she opened the door she was a bit puzzled. "Uh, hi," she said politely. "I don't mean to be rude, but who are you?"

Britney's sweet face turned into a frown. "Who are you?" she hissed in return. "And where is JC?" She stepped into the house.

"Hey!" Gina remarked. "If you don't mind, you just can't barge in here. And my name is Gina!"

"Well, Gina," Britney said with her hands on her hips. "I don't appreciate your boyfriend dumping me for you."

"What do you mean?" Gina asked, clearly confused.

"Just shut up." Britney slapped Gina in the face nice and hard. "Who do you think you are, to go with JC after he broke up with me!" she screamed in her face.

Gina let out a yelp and fell to the ground weakly. "JC!" she shouted. "JC, come!"

"What? Coming!" shouted JC, running towards Britney and Gina. He saw Gina on the ground, and Britney standing there looking down at her with fury.

"What the hell do you think you're doing!" JC yelled. He went over to his cousin, who's face was red. "What did you do to her?" JC demanded, glaring at Britney.

"You pig! You left me for her!" Britney shot back. "Ugh, and she should know better."

"What are you talking about? She's my cousin!" JC shouted, gesturing. He helped Gina up.

Britney's face went white. "C-cousin?" she repeated.

"Just get out of here," JC told her. "Get the hell out of here now!"

Britney fled, humiliated beyond belief. JC despised her even more-all because of a stupid mistake.

"Dammit," JC cursed under his breath as Britney's car sped off. "Gina, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Gina said evenly. "Who was that?"

"None other than the famous Britney," said JC sarcastically. "I'm sorry about that."

"It's okay, I guess," said Gina, sitting down on a chair. She rubbed her face. "Oh my God, how do I look?"

"Bad," JC said being honest. "I'll go get you some ice."

After a few minutes, JC came back with ice in a bag. He gave it to Gina, who thanked him. "So," he replied," are you still going to the party with me tonight?" He had invited her earlier to go with him to Michelle's party.

"Oh, I don't think so," said Gina, disappointment filled in her voice. "I look horrible. I can't go!"

"Yes, you can," JC insisted. "It'll be gone by tonight."

"Oh, but my lip is bleeding too. I don't want to go anymore," she said, touching her bloody lip. She held the ice bag to her face. "It's okay, you can go by yourself."

"Gina, come on," JC pleaded. "It'll be fun."

"No, JC." She smiled. "I'm staying home tonight. I'm in no mood to go out anymore, okay?"

"Okay. I won't force you." JC patted her on the back. Then he went upstairs to get dressed.

Michelle's house was packed with guests. Her party had just started, and people were scattered around everywhere in the house. Michelle was really excited. All these people are here to help me celebrate my 17th birthday party! she mused. It was a great feeling, and she was enjoying herself every second.

"Great party!" shouted Marie Albu, one of Michelle's classmates and friends from school. She was dancing with Joey Fatone, whom Michelle had invited. Joey nodded and gave Michelle a thumbs-up sign.

Michelle smiled and moved on to the outside, standing on the patio. Jana, Justin, Lance, and a bunch of her other friends were in the pool, playing volleyball.

"Hey, Shelle!" Justin called as he and Jana splashed each other in the pool.

Michelle waved and laughed at both of them. Then she sat down by the side of the pool. Lance swam up to her. "Hey," he said with a grin. "How come you're not in the pool with us?"

"Um, I can't," she answered, slightly blushing. She crossed her legs.

"C'mon," said Lance tugging on one of her legs gently. "It's your birthday. Have some fun, please?"

"I really can't," Michelle insisted, standing up.

"Why not?" asked Lance, looking confused.

"Lance…" She gave him a look, trying to tell him something. I'll go in the pool if you really want the water to turn pink, she thought.

"Ohh," he responded, swimming away. "I get ya."

Michelle rolled her eyes and walked away. "Wait," Lance said, getting out of the pool. He grabbed a towel from a deck chair and wrapped his around his waist.

"What?" Michelle asked, turning around.

"How about if I go get dressed, and then maybe dance together?" Lance suggested.

"All right, I would like that." Michelle gave him a smile and walked into the house.

"I need to use the bathroom," Marie told Joey as the song ended. They stopped dancing.

"Okay, I'll wait," Joey responded. He had met Marie at the party that night, and they both had hit it off immediately. Then he had asked her to dance and she had gladly agreed. Not to mention, she was good-looking as well.

Marie headed up the stairs to the nearest bathroom. "Oh, great," she muttered. "Just when I really have to go!"

The bathroom door was shut. Marie let out a groan. She knocked on the door impatiently. "I need to use the bathroom really bad!" she begged the person inside.

"Hang on!" Lance's voice called back.

Marie recognized her classmate's voice. "Lance? Get out of there. I have to go!"

"I am changing," Lance argued. "Wait please."

Marie pounded on the door. "I can't wait. Open the door right now!"

"What! Are you crazy? I'm wet!" he shouted from inside. "I'm almost done, chill."

"Lance, I am going to count to three." Marie was jumping up and down. "Come on!" she whined. "I gotta go!"

"Give me a sec-"

"One, two-"

"No!"

"Three!" Marie barged into the bathroom, half surprised that the door wasn't locked. She screamed as Lance pulled up his boxers. "Eww!" she shrieked disgustedly. She immediately stormed out of the bathroom.

"I warned you!" Lance snapped angrily, brushing past her. He grabbed his pants and his face was red with fury. "You didn't listen."

"You could have at least told me that you weren't fully clothed!" countered Marie.

"I did!" Lance reminded her. He slipped on his pants and zipped them up.

"Oh my God, I am think I am scarred for life." Marie shuddered. She held onto the door weakly. "I really am. I think I'm going blind."

"Look, promise me you won't tell anyone this happened," Lance pleaded. "This is strictly confidential between you and me."

"Whatever," Marie said. "I guess." She walked back into the bathroom and shut the door behind her.

Lance went downstairs, still humiliated.

JC shut his car door and sighed. He had just arrived at Michelle's house, and the party was already in full swing. He raked his hand through his brown hair nervously. I hope Jana is here, he thought. He was going to try to talk to her again.

He slowly walked up the steps of Michelle's house and rang the doorbell. Justin opened the door. "Oh, hey man," Justin greeted, letting JC inside.

"Hi. I didn't know that you were going to be here," JC replied. He looked past Justin's shoulder. "Who's here?"

"Me, some people from my school, Lance, Joey, Chris, Marie, Jana…" He listed all the people who were present.

JC smiled. "Cool," he said as Justin closed the door. So Jana is here after all. Maybe I'll get a chance to talk to her. Justin and JC walked into the family room, where everyone was partying and dancing.

"I hope there's some booze here," joked JC, looking around.

"Dude, I hope you brought your swimming trunks," Justin said. "She's got a heated pool."

"No, I brought my bikini," JC said sarcastically with a laugh. "I've been in her pool before."

"I just go out," Justin said. He leaned in and said in a low voice, "Man, Jana looks fine in a bikini." He nudged JC before walking away. "See ya around. I'm going to find her."

JC faked a chuckle. He felt a pang of jealousy. Were they officially a couple? Maybe he wouldn't get a chance to talk to her at all. But he couldn't let Justin know that he and Jana used to go out, or else Justin might think that he was trying to steal her away.

He found Lance at the refreshment area, silently munching on a cookie. "Hey," Lance said as JC approached.

"Hi, Lance. What's wrong? You look upset." JC studied the disturbed expression on Lance's face.

"Nothing," Lance told him. Just had someone walk in on my when I was half-naked! He brushed that thought away. I can't believe Marie walked in on me. I won't be able to look at her again. "So, what's new?"

"Well, I just got here." JC's voice lowered in volume. "Hey, have you seen Jana or Michelle?"

"Well, the last time I saw Jana, she was with Justin. Michelle is with her other friends."

"Okay," said JC. "Well, I'm going to find Michelle and talk to her."

"I'll go too," Lance replied. "I owe her a dance."

"Are you guys seeing each other now?" asked JC as they walked.

"Um, no," Lance said quickly. "Why?"

"I don't know. Just asking," replied JC. "Oh, there's Michelle." He and Lance walked over to her.

"Happy Birthday, Michelle," JC said cheerily, going up to her and giving her a bear hug.

"Oh, JC!" exclaimed Michelle. "Thank you. I'm so glad that you could make it. I wasn't sure if you were going to show up or not."

"Sorry," apologized JC. "It totally slipped my mind," he explained. "I forgot to call and tell you that I was coming."

"It's all right," assured Michelle. "Hey," she said, turning to Lance. "I remember you asking me to dance," she told him with a grin.

"Me too," Lance said, putting his arm around her shoulder.

"I'll talk to you guys later," Michelle said to her friends, walking off with Lance.

JC bit his lip. "Okay, I guess I'm by myself now." He decided to find Chris and have a good old chat with him.