"Hi Chase. Hey Rebecca," Britney greeted in a sugary tone as she opened the door for the couple. Britney was ecstatic. So far over fifty people were at her house for her big senior party. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, and she was giddy herself. Britney couldn't believe that all of her friends were there. She was secretly expecting JC to come, but she knew that they weren't on good terms. Justin, she knew, wouldn't show up. She crossed her fingers and kept praying.

"Britney, thanks so much for inviting us!" Rebecca gushed, feeling excited.

"Beer?" Chase questioned hopefully.

Britney snapped out of her reverie and rolled her eyes at him. "Of course not, silly. My parents would so kill me!"

"Aww man!" Chase said disappointedly as he and his girlfriend walked past Britney, and into the living room.

"I was just joking, Chase!" Britney called after him. "Sheesh, guys," she muttered under her breath. "In the cooler by the sofa!" she added. Chase grinned at her.

Britney knew that it was wrong of her to have beer at her party, but it was one of the items that supposedly made her party cool. She already had seen two people throw up in front of her that night. Britney had told her parents that she would be holding a party and inviting her closest friends, but she fibbed. Instead, she was inviting half of the senior class and her party would be wild. Britney's parents were out of town that night, and would be arriving the next day afternoon. That would give her enough time to clean up the house.

Just as she was about to look out her window, the doorbell rang. Britney flung the door open and gasped. There, standing before her, were Chris, Stacie, Marie, Joey, Jana…and JC. Her heart beat rapidly. He looked gorgeous. His blue eyes were mysterious as usual, and he was wearing a beige long-sleeved dress shirt, pants, and a navy blue silk jacket. He looked beyond breathtaking. His sex appeal amazes me sometimes! she thought with bursting hormones.

She hated the way JC turned her on. He was just so sexy that she wanted him back. JC also happened to have a really romantic personally, which Britney adored in a guy. She looked at JC all goo-goo eyed, trying to speak.

Britney's knees felt weak. "H-h-hi," she stammered idiotically. They gave her a weird look. "Hi," she finally managed to get out, her eyes completely focused on JC.

"Hey, Brit," Marie replied politely, giving her a smile. "May we come in?"

"Yes, yes, of course." Britney nodded as they entered her house. As soon as Stacie and Jana stepped foot into her house, she hissed at them. "What are you doing here?" she snapped at Jana icily, glaring at her.

"We're invading," Stacie answered briskly, pushing Jana into the house. "So like it or not, we're here."

"You weren't invited to my party, Stacie! You either, Jana."

"So? Your point? I believe Chris received an invitation, and he is my boyfriend!" Stacie protested triumphantly. "And Jana is with JC, who was invited by Marie and Joey."

Britney growled. "You can't just walk in here. This is my house! I didn't invite you."

JC, Joey, and Chris turned their heads just before entering the living room. "Hey, ladies. You coming or what?" JC called, ignoring Britney's rude comment. He motioned for the girls to join him.

"Bye, Brit," Marie said cheerfully, walking off to where the guys were. Stacie and Jana followed her, and soon they were all out of sight. "Talk to you later!"

Britney was livid. What where they doing there, just barging into her house? It was her party, her home! She felt her anger rise. So JC was at her house. She was going to find a way to at least get him to talk to her. Desperate times called for desperate measures.

JC couldn't help but notice that Jana was sitting by herself on the couch, next to a couple who was drunk. They were slobbering all over each other, and Jana was trying her best to stay sane. Poor her! JC thought guiltily. He walked over to her, carrying two cups of punch.

"Hi," JC said, approaching Jana.

She looked up at him and smiled. "Hey," she responded, unhappiness in her voice evident. "Having fun?"

JC sat down next to her and handed her the cup. "It's okay," he answered, sipping his punch. "I've been to better parties though."

"Ha," Jana replied, sipping her punch. "Maybe you're just saying that because it's Britney's party."

"Truthfully," JC replied. "What about you? You don't look like you're having a good time."

"I'm not," Jana confessed, frowning. "I don't mean to be a party pooper, but I guess I'm just not in the mood tonight. Plus I'm really exhausted."

"You lie," JC answered, grinning. "You just didn't want to go to this party."

"That's exactly what I meant," Jana responded evenly.

"No, I mean you didn't want to go because the party was at Britney's," JC said. "If it had been some other person's party, you would have gladly agreed. Am I right?"

"You are exactly correct," Jana snapped, putting the cup down on the table. JC was surprised she had snapped at him. "JC," Jana said, "what do you think? I felt dragged into this. I really didn't want to have to go her party. Britney is the last person I want to be near to. I am surprised you agreed to go to this!"

"I didn't want to go either!" JC argued, raising his voice. He didn't want to have a silly argument over something so trivial. "Jana, let's not fight, okay?"

"I'm not fighting," Jana declared, folding her arms over her chest and sinking into Britney's sofa. "I'm just…stating something."

JC sighed. "All right," he replied. "Do you want to leave early?"

Jana nodded her head sorrowfully, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry," she said in almost a whisper. "I just don't want to be here tonight. Britney and I are what you could say, enemies. She hates my guts, and I dislike her. She's probably plotting something against me at this moment."

"I doubt it," JC answered. "She isn't bright enough."

Jana looked at him like he had said the worst thing possible. "I can't believe you just said that!" she cried, giggling. "Oh my goodness, JC Chasez. Did you just insult Miss Britney?"

JC shrugged. "Hey, you don't even know half of what I've said about her," he joked, winking. "Nah, I'm just messing around."

"I sure hope so," Jana joked back with a grin. She heard one of her favorite songs being blasted. "Cool, I love this song!"

"C'mon, let's dance sweetheart!" JC answered jokingly, standing up and pulling Jana off the couch.

Justin groaned as he finished folding his t-shirts. He carefully placed each shirt on top of the other one. He was starting to pack his suitcases. Justin felt so angry. He didn't want to move to New York. He knew that he would probably bump into Gina, since he was moving to Manhattan. Gina lived there, and he was just bound to see her.

He didn't think about Gina anymore. Well, he tried not to. He had told himself that he had gotten over her, but he knew he hadn't. He decided to take a break from dating girls. No one seemed to be right for him anymore. He had his heart broken, and he had broken hearts. He felt like such a jerk, and he knew what he did had been wrong. It would be hard to win back trust from Jana. He had to apologize to her one last time before he left.

Justin knew that Britney Spears' party was that night, and he didn't even bother going. What was the point? Britney was just another girl to him. Heck, she would be even considered a major slut if he were in Tennessee. He didn't care for her, and he didn't see any worth in her.

Justin had only two weeks until he left for New York. Just as he flung his body onto his bed, his telephone rang. "Perfect timing," Justin muttered, picking up the phone. "Hello?" he drawled into it.

"Justin?"

Justin's ears perked up, alert. That had to be Gina's voice. Was she calling him? "Uh, who is this?" he asked cautiously.

"Justin, it's Gina," Gina said softly. "Do you have time to talk?"

"Oh," Justin said half-heartedly. He hadn't expected Gina to call him. "Hi," he said flatly. "I don't know. I'm sort of busy right now."

"Okay," Gina responded sadly. "Could we talk another time maybe?"

"Gina," Justin suddenly blurted out, "I'm moving to New York."

"Really?" Gina's voice went up several notches. She was obviously interested. "Are you serious, Justin?"

"Yeah, unfortunately."

"You sound so unhappy," Gina noted. "I guess I would be too. You really like Cali, huh?"

"I love it here," Justin mourned. "I don't want to live in New York, Gina."

"It's not so bad here," Gina replied, trying to sound comforting. It was completely odd talking to her ex-boyfriend about him moving to New York, when they hadn't spoken in months. Justin had blown her off on the phone the last time she had spoken to him. When she had decided to check up on him, she had hoped that he had forgotten their last conversation. Haplessly, he hadn't.

"Anyway," Justin said, his tone turning sour, "how are you, Gina? How's your boyfriend?"

"Justin, don't be like that," Gina cried. "Come on, it's not fair you have to be all pissed."

"What do you mean it's not fair? I gave up Jana to be with you."

Gina sighed on the other line. It was like arguing all over again. She knew he would probably hang up on her again. "I know. But still, you knew it couldn't work. Even if we tried."

"Why not!"

"Don't yell," Gina responded, her voice edgy. "Please don't yell. Long distance relationships never work. You know that."

"We could have made it worked!" Justin declared angrily. "I thought you loved me. I guess you rebounded, huh? With some New York guy." He said the last part in disgust. "Maybe you were just using me, Gina."

"No," Gina answered. "I would never do that."

"Then why'd you break things off!"

There was silence on the other line. "I…I can't tell you," Gina finally said in a hoarse whisper. "Oh, Justin," she replied, close to tears. Justin heard the emotion in her voice. She sounded upset, and was starting to cry. "Justin…don't be mad please…"

"What? Gina, you can tell me," Justin responded, his voice gentle and full of concern. He started to worry about Gina. "What's wrong?"

"Uh-uh," Gina replied back, her voice cracked. "I can't tell you, Justin. I am sorry that I lied to you…and I don't have the courage to tell you the truth."

"Gina, please tell me," Justin begged, meaning it. He cared for Gina, and he wanted to help her. "I'm worried about you. I don't care if you lied to me, I just want to know what's wrong. Please."

"Justin, I'm going to die…" Gina finally said shakily, breaking into tears. "I'm going to die, I have leukemia."

Marie burst into a fit of laughter, screaming. "Jason, that…that was groovy!" she screamed hysterically as Jason chugged down his fourth can of Budwiser. "Do it again! Some more!" She and three other people were gathered around Jason Leary, watching him chug down beer. Marie shrieked as he opened another can. She cheered with the others as she watched in amazement. She felt the lightness of being drunk, and she was enjoying it.

Jason smiled wickedly at Marie and walked towards her, putting his arms around her. "Upstairs?" he said suggestively. He flung his can of beer behind him.

Marie giggled. "I don't know. Would Patrick approve?" she asked flirtatiously, looking at the guy on her right. She wrapped her own arms around Jason, swaying with him.

"Let's go upstairs," Jason said, taking her hand. Marie was about to follow him, but Joey came rushing into the room. "Marie? Marie!" Joey cried, running to his girlfriend. She had drunk enough Vodka to make her buzzed. Joey had slipped away to make a few phone calls, and when he had returned, he had found his girlfriend screaming with laughter in the living room-with another guy. He shoved the guy aside and focused on his girlfriend.

"Marie, what did you do to yourself?" Joey yelled at her, holding her by the shoulders. "Oh man, c'mon, don't tell me you're drunk."

"Hi, Jerry," Marie slurred, giggling. She fiddled with Joey's hair until it stuck up straight. "Boy, you look funny tonight."

"It's Joey," Joey corrected, concerned. She laughed and struggled out of her boyfriend's grip. Joey was more than worried. He did not know that Marie would have done something stupid as to drink Vodka. She had always been levelheaded, as far as he knew. Now she was running around the house like a wild chicken. Everyone at Britney's party was too ecstatic to care. They were all partying the night away.

Marie was skipping away from him, singing "Born to Be Wild". She knocked over a flower vase, which scared her.

"Marie," Joey called, running after her. Marie tried to get up but fell down again, starting to cough. Joey rushed to her side, holding her upright before she fell flat on her face. "Marie, are you okay?"

She was shaking and coughing. "I'm fine," she drawled, giving him a sloppy smile. She leaned over, almost hitting her head on the wood floor. "Oww, my head hurts. I think I'm going to puke." "Shit," Joey said under his breath. She didn't look so well anymore. He helped her up and carried her to the bathroom. He felt sorry for her. For the rest of the night, he would keep an eye on her. He still couldn't believe that she had gotten drunk at Britney's party. Before they got to the bathroom, Marie threw up.

Britney entered the living room, her eyes searching for only one person-JC Chasez. She spotted him talking to Jana by the corner. They were both sitting down on the couch. She marched towards them bravely. Okay, it's now or never! Britney told herself with confidence. She would tell JC off once and for all. She had had enough of his dirt, and she wasn't going to take it. Of course, JC couldn't resist her sexiness. He would beg for her forgiveness and go on his knees. Britney would put on an act and refuse at first, and when he was almost crying, she would accept him back.

She could just see it all in her head. Jana would be gaping and ready to kill her, but JC would be protecting her and telling Jana not to lay a finger on Britney.

JC saw Britney coming his way. Oh great, what does she want now? he thought miserably. He just couldn't seem to get rid of her. Jana looked at him, giving him an annoyed look.

"Don't mind if I leave now," she told him, starting to leave. JC pulled on her sleeve so that she wouldn't move.

"Hey, y'all." Britney was now standing in front of them, grinning. "How do you like my party so far? Isn't it just the best?" She batted her eyelashes at JC, making him want to puke.

Can I just leave now? Jana thought, tugging away from JC. This was what she had feared. Being near Britney. She could smell Britney's horrible scent of perfume. It reeked so much. Jana felt nauseated. "I-I'm going to go now," she said quickly, eyeing JC.

"So," Britney flirted, looking JC up and down, "JC, you look pretty good yourself."

"Thanks, but I'm not interested," JC responded flatly, showing no interest in Britney. She just didn't understand it. He didn't like her. He was over her. She meant nothing to him. She was just another person whom he didn't care for.

"Do you like my outfit?" Britney asked, trying again. She inched closer to him, showing off her tanned legs. JC tried his best not to look, but he couldn't helped it. Whoa, she has nice legs, JC thought guiltily. Britney's face shone evilly as she saw JC gulp and rest his leg over his knee. She knew he was trying his hardest not to pay attention to her.

"Um, yeah." JC was starting to get uncomfortable as Britney's hand moved up her thigh. He felt like a voyeur watching her. He shrugged his dirty thoughts away. He felt extremely uncomfortable watching her. She was just trying to be a sexpot, and it wouldn't work on him this time. He narrowed his eyes at Jana, who was playing it cool.

"So, Brit," Jana blurted out, aggravated by her unwelcome presence, "I'm surprised you're not upstairs." She leaned back coolly with a smirk.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Britney shot back at her in rage. Bitch, don't mess with me! she thought heatedly. Britney didn't want the scene to get ugly. She played it cool back, showing that it didn't aggravate her one bit.

"I mean, I'm surprised you're not being your sluttish self and fucking some guy right now."

JC gaped, not believing that Jana had said that. But he was actually proud of her in a strange way. I have a bad feeling about this though, JC thought. He had a feeling that things were going to get ugly. But he would defend Jana over Britney. "Uh, Jana?"

Jana and Britney glared at each other. "You know what? You need to leave right now," Britney barked icily. "I didn't invite you, so go. Leave before I crack you, bitch!"

"Hey now," JC intervened, starting to get mad. "Britney, you don't need to act like that, okay?"

"Act like what!" Britney huffed. Why wasn't JC defending her? "JC, I need to talk to you," she said desperately, tugging on his shirt.

JC laughed at her and rolled his eyes. Britney thought he was going to succumb to her again. This time, he was going to prove her wrong. He was going to show that he didn't care about her anymore and that she meant thing to him. Unexpectedly, he pulled Jana close to him and kissed her hard on the lips. Britney gasped, feeling like the air had been knocked out of her. She stood there frozen, with pure jealousy. JC was kissing Jana right in front of her own eyes. Britney shrieked, gasping for air. Her own tears of jealousy and hate blinded her, and stepped back slowly. "I can't believe you, y-you jerk!" she cried before running away.

Jana pulled away from JC, appalled. Her face was bright pink with mortification "What's wrong with you?" she spat out at him, both angry and confused. "What gives you any right to do that?" She stood there with her hand over her mouth.

JC felt fear and humiliation rise. He had just wanted to show Britney that he didn't care about her anymore. Jana was glaring at him, and her nostrils were flaring with embarrassment. "Jana, I-"

"JC, are you out of your mind!" Jana screamed, tears welling up in her brown eyes. "Y-you just kissed me! We're not even going out! What were you thinking?"

"I was just trying to show Britney that I didn't care about her!" JC protested, feeling shameful. He knew that kissing Jana had been the wrong move. He stood there frozen. He didn't know what else to tell her. He had expected a different reaction from her.

Instead, Jana pushed JC out of her way. "I'm sorry but I'm leaving," she said indignantly but shakily. Jana didn't want JC to see her flushed face. She was confused and mortified. She rushed off without looking back at him.

"Y-you have leukemia?" Justin repeated in a whisper. "Oh my God, Gina! You have leukemia?" He couldn't breathe. It was too impossible to believe. Gina was healthy, as far as Justin knew.

"Uh-huh," Gina replied, her voice full of pain and sorrow. She put the phone down to cry. Then she picked it up again. "I didn't know I did until the last few months ago. I started feeling dizzy and sick and stuff. I collapsed a lot, and I felt really bad. Then my parents took me to the doctor, and they said I had leukemia. I'm going to have chemotherapy soon." She sobbed into the phone.

"Oh my God," Justin answered, his face turning white. "Gina…Gina, I don't know what to say. I have to see you!"

"No you don't," Gina responded. "I'll be fine. I'm going to fight it, Justin. When I'm in the hospital dying, I'll be fighting it."

"Gina, don't talk like that," Justin begged. "You're going to be fine. I'll be there for you. I'll even fly over there tomorrow to see you. There has to be some mistake! You're healthy, you can't have leukemia."

"Don't be ridiculous," Gina said, sniffling. "I'll just see you when you get here. Justin, I'm so scared. I don't know what happened to me. I feel so weak, and I'm so scared of everything…I don't want to die!"

"Wow," Justin said softly. "Chemotherapy…Gina…" He felt tears well up in his own blue eyes. The girl he truly loved, deep down inside, was dying from cancer. He would have done anything, would have given up anything, to see her again. He wanted her to be well, and not have leukemia.

"I had to tell you, but I didn't want to say anything. And I wasn't seeing anyone either," Gina confessed, feeling guilt. "Oh, Justin, you don't know how much I love you. I didn't want to hurt you, but I wanted the best for us."

"You should have told me," Justin said sadly. "I love you too, Gina."

"M-me too," Gina replied, her tone a bit happier. "I love you, Justin. I love you more than anyone else in the whole world. Remember that, okay, whenever you think of me."

Justin smiled half-heartedly. "Of course. Always," he said. At that moment, when he thought about how he had cheated on Jana, it didn't seem so wrong.