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PART I

JUSTIN-

"Justin, who was that on the phone?" Chris asked his fellow bandmate. He plopped down on the couch, and started surfing through the channels.

"Oh, that was Mia. She was asking how the tour is going," Justin replied.

"Oh!" Chris said, nodding.

The two were alone in the rec. room on their tour bus where they watched t.v. Jc, Joey, and Lance were already asleep.

"Chris, can I talk to you about something personal?" Justin asked, a little unsure if he could confide in him..

"Sure, man. What's up?" Chris still had his eyes glued to the t.v. screen, which made Justin feel more hesitant.

"Have you ever fallen inlove?" Justin prayed silently that Chris wouldn't choose this time to wise-crack or answer flippantly.

Chris looked at him wide-eyed as if he couldn't believe what he just heard. Did he hear right?

"Love? Sure," Chris said carefully. "Lots of times. I try to fall in love at least once a month."

Justin frowned. "I guess it was a mistake to say anything to you. Man, you can never be serious. Just pretend this didn't happen. I'll just talk to Jc tomorrow. I'm sure he has a lot to say."

"Hey, aren't we sensitive. Can't you take a joke? What's this all about?"

"Nah. You wouldn't be interested if your life depended on it."

"Ouch!" Chris pretended to look hurt. "Come on, I'm interested now. Let's start all over, okay? You say 'What is this thing called love,' and I say-----"

Justin aimed a stuff animal that was given to him by a fan at Chris's head and threw it right on target before Chris could finish his sentence.

"Anyway, go on. This could be interesting. " Chris leaned forward looking very interested.

"Out of all the girls you were with, was there ever one you felt deeply for?"

"Yeah, sure," he answered as casually as though they had been discussing a basketball game. "One or two, but I don't feel like talking about them now."

"I didn't want to talk about them, exactly. I just wanted to know what made them different from the rest and how you knew you loved them."

"Teenagers." He caught Justin's glare and added, "Okay, okay, no more jokes. Am I allowed to ask a question?"

Justin nodded.

"Okay. Do I know the girl?"

"Who?"

"The girl you think you love."

"Who says I love anyone?" Justin noticed Chris's thoughtful expression and relented. "Fine. It's Mia."

Chris's jaw dropped. "I don't believe it! Are you serious? But she's like your best friend since like forever. Houston, we have a problem." He then started to crack up.

Justin stood up obviously fed up with Chris's wisecracking. "I'm going to bed."

"No, no! Sit down. I'm sorry--------hahahaha-------It's just the funniest thing I've heard in weeks. You're lusting after your best friend, who probably doesn't feel the same-------No offense or anything. I mean when this kind of things happen, usually one has feeling for the other when the other doesn't------yet!"

"I'm not lusting for her. I hate that word. Don't ever use that word."

"I was hanging out with her one day, and something inside me just felt so good being with her. Then I realized that here was a girl who always stood by me through thick and thin. She's always been there for me whenever I get dumped or needed advice. And when I'd get sick, she'd come over and make me some chicken soup and read me a book or something. She's been so understanding and patient with me. Tonight, up on that stage, I couldn't help but think about her and how empty I would feel if she wasn't around. All I was thinking about was how much I wanted to be with her. So I called her up just to hear her voice, and I felt so happy."

"Hmmm," said Chris, the so-called love expert. "This sounds serious."

"And just think about all those times I wasted my time going after women who just ended up breaking my heart, when Mia was the one who had everything I wanted in a woman. I don't know why I never realized how beautiful and amazing she really is."

"What are you going to do about it?"

"I doubt she feels the same about me. How can I let her know though? And how can I find out what she thinks of me?"

"I'll tell her!" Chris volunteered excitedly.

"No thanks. The thing is, I don't want to sabatoge our friendship, ya know. I value her friendship so much, that I don't want to screw things up by telling her how I feel. And if she does feel the same way, we'll probably go out, and then we'll probably end up breaking up, then that's when our friendship will probably turn sour."

"I see where you're coming from," Chris said amiably.

"I guess what i really want to know is, how do I get her to feel that way about me? I mean, you should know.........your're more experienced since you're almost thirty."

Chris frowned. "Thanks for reminding me. I needed that. Anyway, I don't remember ever being pursued by someone. It was always a mutual attraction. It just sort of happened. You have to use your instincts. It's not something that can be calculated."

Justin listened intently. He was suprised of how Chris was acting matured and serious for once.

"Just give it time. You can't force anything that isn't there," Chris advised.

Satisfied, Justin stood up to go to bed. "Thanks a lot, man. You were actually helpful------for once."

"Haha. Get outta here dork!"

MIA-

"Do you think that Justin could hook me up with Lance?" Marquez asked Mia. She lay on her stomach on Mia's bed studying Lance's face intently from a magazine.

The two best friends, Mia and Marquez hung out in Mia's room, painting their nails and reading beauty magazines. It was past midnight all ready, but they had just had a full blast of sugar high which didn't help in making them feel sleepy.

"I don't know. Maybe. But Marquez, you're never serious with anyone, so I think you'd be better off with Joey. You both love to flirt, so you guys will be a perfect match. I don't think Lance can handle you. You're too wild for him."

"True. Joey is kinda cute. Okay, he's hot------for an Italian guy."

Mia had to laugh at her guy-crazed best friend. Marquez was the most guy crazy girl she's ever met. All night, all she talked about was which guy was hotter and which one would take her out next weekend.

Mia stood up and looked at herself in the mirror. "Oh god! Look at us. We look like alien chicks gone wrong or something," she said referring to how scary they both look wearing green facial masks.

"I know. Pathetic isn't it? Tell me again why we stayed home on a Friday night."

"Because you dumped your boyfriend and you asked me to help you decide who's your next victim?"

"Haha. Very funny. Actually babe, you're the one who can't get any, so blah!" Marquez threw a pillow at Mia.

"Bitch!"

"Whatever. So, when's your honey coming back?"

"My whatta?" Mia flopped on the bed next to Marquez. They watched a Ryan Philippe flick(obviously Marquez's choice) while munching on candy and popcorn.

"Ya know, Justin."

Mia burst out laughing. "Hello? He's not my honey. He's my best friend unlike someone who always puts me down! And he's coming back in a month." Strangely she felt uneasy at the thought of Justin being her honey. It was a twisted thought.

"Hey! I don't put you down! I just get moody that's all. I pick on everybody," Marquez said defensively. "So, how can you possibly stay just friends with a beautiful guy like that? I mean, I don't think I can handle it."

"Well, you're different. I happen to think Justin is the brother I never had. I've never thought of him as more than a friend. I never have, and I never will."

"Uh-huh. Sure. Ya know, there's nothing wrong with being more than friends. It's perfectly normal. Don't be afraid."

" More than friends? What are you talking about? If you think I have a crush on him or something, then you're wrong! I mean, I admit, Justin is attractive---------"

"Ha! So you do like him!" Marquez accused.

"I didn't say that. I could never like Justin in that way. He's really great but I have this thing for someone else."

"Oh goody! This is getting juicy. Spill. Who's the guy? Is he cute?"

"God, Marquez. Do all guys have to be cute to you? I mean, doesn't a guy's personality count?" Mia was getting annoyed at how shallow her friend was being.

"Whatever. So who is he?"

"Somebody. And yes he's cute. He's more than cute. He's perfect," Mia said dreamily, hugging her pillow and sighing deeply.

"Does he have a name?" Marquez snapped, the suspense killing her.

"Yes. I can't tell you, though. I'm not even sure if I have real feelings for him."

"You do. I can tell cuz you're eyes light up."

"No, actually they're getting droopy." Mia yawned. "I'm going to sleep. 'Night babe."

"Night girl. First thing tomorrow, you have to tell me who the guy is, okay?"

A MONTH LATER................

"Justin! I've missed you!" Mia ran outside to meet Justin after she saw his car pull into her driveway.

Mia hugged her friend, happy that he was back after three months of not seeing each other. Justin had been off on tour with the band, and they rarely came home to Orlando. Mia had been anticipating his home coming for months. Even though they talked on the phone most of the time, it wasn't the same as hanging out together.

"You look handsomer than ever," Mia said sweetly. They both preceded inside the house arm in arm.

"I know," Justin said conceitedly, but he was only joking.

"How was touring Europe?"

"Great. I had a blast, but me and the guys didn't get to go sightseeing much. I managed to go shopping in Paris though. Here, I got you something. Something you'd really really like-----I hope." He handed her a small bag.

"Oh Justin, you didn't have to. I told you to stop buying me stuff. Gosh, this is too sweet of you.*She opens the bag and finds a perfume that she was dying to have* Justin! My god! This is like five hundred dollars! This is very expensive. I can't take this."

"Sorry. It's too late to return it now cuz Paris is like in a whole other continent. Come on, you know you were dying to get it. Consider this as my apology for missing out on your birthday party."

"Thank you." She hugged him. "But you still didn't have to do this."

LATER THAT DAY..................

"He bought you a five hundred dollar perfume? Damn, that's a lot of cash just spending on perfume," Jenin said.

"That boy has got some dough, and baby, he's all that!" Marquez said.

"Marquez, promise me that tonight you will behave in front of Justin's friends alright? I don't want you hanging on to every guy there," Mia warned.

"What the hell? How come I'm the only one who has to be ordered around?" Marquez complained.

"Because you're the one who has the tendency to act like a turbo slut. You flirt with everybody and it ain't right," countered Jenin.

"I know I didn't just hear that! Jenin, why don't you get your ass back to your cheapo-loser of a boyfriend and leave us single people alone who actually know the meaning of having fun. Just because I like to have fun and you don't, doesn't mean I'm a slut. So what if I flirt? Doesn't everybody? Oh yeah, I forgot. You don't know how to flirt. My bad," Marquez shot back.

"Leave my boyfriend out of this. Get over the fact that he dumped you for me," Jenin said.

"Shut up you guys! I'm trying to concentrate on driving here, and I'm getting a headache when you two keep yelling at each other! If you two don't quit it, I swear I'll make you guys walk," Mia warned.

"Next subject, please." Marquez rolled her hazel eyes.

"Leave me out of it," Jenin said quietly. She slumped in the backseat.

Marquez turned her head from the passenger seat to glare at Jenin. "I'll be glad to. I'm sure your life is not even close to being as interesting as mine."

"Marquez, wanna walk the rest of the three miles?" Mia threatened, losing her patience.

"No. Anyway, I just thought of something! I think Justin has a thing for you Mia," Marquez said.

Mia looked at her as if she was out of her mind. "Marquez, I know you watch too much Dawson's Creek, but seriously, I think you're so caught up in the whole fantasy of the show, that you're imagining things that aren't really true, or making them up to make other's lives more scandalous."

JUSTIN-

"I should tell her. No! I shouldn't," Justin contemplated in his head while he was setting up the barbeque grill in his back yard.

"What's up with you? You look kinda nervous and jittery," Lance asked Justin worriedly.

"Nothing. I'm just-----um-------tired. I'm okay."

Lance eyed him suspiciously. "Aren't some girls coming over here tonight?"

"Yeah. So?"

Lance smiled mischieviously. "Oh! No wonder you're nervous! Is anyone special coming over?"

"No. Not really. Mia's just coming over with her two friends." Justin was trying to sound convincing.

"Mia's a great gal. I like her."

Justin smiled. In his heart, he knew that he felt more for her.

LATER.............

"How do I look?" Marquez asked Mia, as the three girls approached the front door of Justin's house.

"Like Miss America," Jenin said sarcastically.

Marquez threw Jenin a dirty look and Mia laughed at the two because it was practically impossible for them to get along even for a second.

Mia rung the doorbell. It took forever until someone finally opened the door. It was Justin and Jc who answered it.

"Hey! Glad you girls made it tonight!" Justin immediately hugged Mia, as if he hadn't seen her in a decade. Marquez looked at Mia with a raised eye brow.

"Hey, Mia. Long time no see!" Jc greeted Mia with a hug also.

The two guys also greeted the two other girls with a warm smile and a hug.

"Come on! Let's go eat!" Jc said excitedly, barely able to stand steadily. He led the girls to the patio where Joey, Lance, and Chris were all hanging out and grilling the meat on the barbeque.

After about two hours when everyone was full, they just sat around talking. Jenin seemed to hit it off with Lance, but every time, Marquez was all over him. It was very obvious that Marquez had a thing for Lance. Mia, on the other hand, started a conversation with Jc that didn't seem to end anytime soon. They seemed to enjoy conversing with each other. Every once in a while, they'd be laughing so loud which made everybody turn their heads. Justin couldn't help but feel uneasy about that, and he was still contemplating whether he should tell her how he feels. Joey became intrigued with Marquez because of her aggressiveness. Chris sat by Justin's side eyeing him curiously.

"Are you gonna tell her?" Chris asked Justin.

"Not yet. Should I or shouldn't I?" Justin replied uncertainly.

"Go for it, man. I mean, if that's how you really feel, then do it."

"But don't you think it's too soon?"

"Nah. The sooner the better."

Meanwhile, Jc and Mia sat relaxing over by the pool sitting on the edge of it, dipping their feet in the cool water. The others sat on the table just a few feet away. Mia and Jc playfully splashed each other with water.

"Jc! Cut it out! Ahh! You're gonna get it!" Mia screamed as Jc continiously splashed water on her face. Jc got up and ran down the beach laughing. Mia ran after him for getting her clothes all wet.

"They look so cute together, don't you think Justin?" Marquez grinned mischieviously. Justin forced a smile, but deep down, he was getting a little jealous.

AROUND 11pm.............

Everybody started to dance around the pool, except for Justin, Jc, and Mia. Jc and Mia were down by the beach watching the waves. Justin was silently sitting down watching the two.

"What are you doing?" Lance sat beside Justin.

"Spying," Justin replied.

"On Jc and Mia?"

"Yep," Justin sighed.

"Are you worried about Jc getting too close to Mia or something? It's not like you to be sitting here all quiet."

"Something like that."

"Hmmmm............"

"Where'd they go?" Justin asked, suddenly alarmed.

Jc and and Mia disappeared out of sight because they walked furthur down the beach. It turned dark, but the lights from the houses made it easy to see where they were walking. And the full moon shone bright from the star filled sky. The two settled down on the sand sitting close to each other.

Jc slowly took Mia's hand into his. They looked at each other for a moment and smiled. Mia sighed happily and rested her head on Jc's shoulder. She wished silently that this moment would never end, and so did he. They both came to the realization that they really liked one another very much.

Mia found that they were sitting so close, without either of them having moved. And she found her heart thudding, so loud it was drowning out the crashing sound of the water, and the grinding of the rocks.

Her eyes closing. His hand caressing her cheek and fiddling with her soft dark brown hair. His lips on hers, soft, gentle, terrible urgency restrained. Her lips on his, trembling, suprised, uncertain.

Her mouth opening and his.

And sudden desire for more, knowing he wanted her, the unsettling realization that she wanted him as well.

Then withdrawal, both exerting control, both smiling sheepishly, and kissing again, more tentatively.

Justin gasped at what he just saw. He walked quickly back to where the others stayed while effortly controlling his urgency to cry.

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