MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER KNOW

It was all too perfect. Desireé laughed to herself, this was the mother rollercoaster of them all.

Martina, Desireé's best friend looked on doubtfully."This can't be safe, look at how rickety it is, I wonder how many kids have died on this ride, no, I will defiantly throw up if I go on this. No, Desi, it's not going to happen."

"Your such a baby Martina, come on, how bad can it be? I think it looks like fun."

"That's because your psycho, you'll do anything for a thrill."

"Almost anything, so are you going on it or not?"

"No, you go ahead, I'm going to go buy some lemonade."

"Party pooper" Martina stuck her tongue out at her friend. Desireé laughed then let out a whoop and got into line. Bamboozle, it was the tallest roller coaster brought to the Seattle fair that was held every summer. This was nothing to Desireé, she had been on every high energy, high e-force ride there is. She just loved the feeling of her stomach dropping and the thrill and excitement. She was so entranced by the ride that she didn't notice she was almost up to the front of the line.

"NO SINGLE RIDERS"

"Dang, I hate those signs, Desireé thought, Man....."

"Are you a single rider too?"

"Huh?" The male voice had caught her off guard. She looked up to see a man about the age of 20 smiling at her. He had a faint goatee and nice brown hair. Two hoop earrings and a plain white t-shirt with a wife-beater under finished the ensemble. Desireé smiled her charming smile, nodded her head, then thrust her hand out for a friendly handshake.

"Yeah, hi, I'm Desireé"

"The name's Joey, nice to meet you." Desireé smiled at the slight shock in his eyes at the firmness of her handshake.

"Pleasure's all mine."

A blonde haired boy of 19 bounded over, "Joey, we're next in line." Desireé looked to where the blonde-haired man indicated and saw another guy with brown hair with a prominent forehead waving for them to come over.

"Come on" Joey invited.

"Right behind you" Desireé answered.

"JC, Lance, this is Desireé, my roller coaster buddy." The brown haired man stepped forward and shook her hand,

"Nice to meet you, I'm JC."

"I'm Lance" The blonde haired guy was bouncing at the gate waiting to be let on,obviously with too much sugar in him.

Desireé laughed as Joey leaned over and said, "Don't mind him, one to many SourPatch Kids."

The gate opened and all four piled in the front two seats. Desireé smiled to herself, "An awesome roller coaster and now three fine guys to hang out with, what more could I ask for?"

As the instructions for not putting your hands outside the vehicle came on over the speaker, Joey finally asked what he had been thinking the whole time."What is a girl like you doing here all alone?"

Desireé was caught completely off guard. She felt her ears get warm and she blushed. "I-I'm not here alone, see that girl down there, that's my friend, Martina."

"Oh, I see, and how old is she?"

"Same as me, we're both 17."

Joey nodded, "Cool." ‘Perfect age for Justin....' he thought as the coaster gave a lurch and off they went.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"I can't believe we broke the record for the Babmoozal!" Desireé laughed, "You wouldn't think 32 rides in a row is all that much."

"Hey, where did your friend go?"

"Martina? Didn't I tell you? Her boyfriend Brett showed up, so she went to hangout with him, he doesn't like "scary" rides either."

"Ohhhh" Lance seemed to be in deep thought over that one. Desireé laughed,

"Come on Lance, it's not that hard to comprehend." Lance just scratched his head and pulled an even more confused face. They all loved to her Desireé laugh, and would do dumb stuff just to hear it.

"Crap, we're supposed to meet Chris and Justin by the fountain in 3 minutes!!"

"JC, it's right over there, take it easy man." Joey just shook his head.

"Huh, who's Chris and Justin?" Desireé smiled to herself, if they only knew....Desireé looked around then noticed two figures."Oh, hey, it's Martina and Brett, I'll be right over there, ok?" Desireé began walking to meet her friends.

"Alright, we'll be at the fountain."

Desireé laughed, "Aye-aye captain!" She saluted JC then took off. JC smiled as he, Lance and Joey went to go meet they're friends.

* * * * * * *

Justin watched the girl. Her short blonde hair was perfectly styled. Her blue eyes shown with brilliance. She was a short, petite girl and her little tanktop fitted perfect......but she looked like a slut. No, Justin shook his head and sighed, not for me. A strange clucking noise awoke him from his gaze. "Chris whatcha doin?"

"Be-gok!!" Chris flapped his arms and pecked the ground.

"Oh man" Justin nodded his head and chuckled to himself, Chris, he's one of a kind. Justin looked around, "I'm glad they closed the fair to the public. I need a break." Justin looked back to the girl, she was gone.

"Why does that always happen to me?"Joey came running up. He smiled with thoughts of hooking Desireé and Justin up."Justin, I found a really cool girl, she's 16 and has a great sense of humor..."

Justin groaned, "Your not going to try and hook me up again are you?"

"No, no, not like that, I mean, she'd be a great friend."

"Yeah, if I wasn't gone touring all the time."

Joey studied his friend, "Justin, what's wrong?"

"I'm just tired, that's all, I just need some time to relax. Does she know about us?"

"I don't think so, she never said anything....Oh, and I invited her and her friend to hang out with us tonight and show us around Seattle, is that alright with you?"

"Oh yeah, sure, that's fine, you say she's 16, what's her name?"

Joey laughed, "Yeah, she's quite impressive, her name is Desireé."

"That's an unusual name, sounds like, Deseret."

"Very observant Justin, you must be proud."

"Har, har, very funny."

"And all the girlies say I'm pretty fly, for a white guy!" All eyes turned toward the voice. Lance and Desireé were harping away, Lance doing the backup vocals with his deep bass voice, and Desireé just belting it out. It sounded funny, neither one was taking it seriously, they were both cracking up laughing..

Desireé saw JC and remembered something. "JC, I have a little problem, Martina can't come, so it would only be me, will that cause any trouble?"

"Oh no, that's totally fine. Come over here and meet Chris and Justin."

"Hey guys what's up?" Once again, Desireé found herself shaking hands and finding the same surprised expression of the firmness of her handshake. Chris and Desireé got along great right off the bat. Justin on the other hand was really rather shy.

"Alright, everyone ready to go?" JC rounded everyone up and they headed out to their rented Expedition.

"Oh, and one more thing, before we leave the fair grounds, since I have you all together, can you sing "‘Tearin Up My Heart' for me?" Desireé asked with a mischievous smile. The guys fell silent. All eyes on her.

Lance, still on a sugar high, yelled out,"Why you...you knew this whole time? Why didn't you say anything?" Desireé cracked an innocent smile and all but Justin ran after her.

On the way to the car, JC pulled Justin aside "Dude, what's wrong with you? Is something wrong?"

"It's nothing, I'm just tired."

JC hesitated, "I know your homesick, we all are, just try not to let it ruin your night."

"I know, I know, I'm just tired, I don't know, I guess I'm just not in the mood for shmoozing."

JC had to laugh, he felt the same way to. "I'm exhausted to, but when we get a break, we should use it."

Justin nodded, "I know, don't worry, I'm planning on it."

In the car, Desireé was interviewed by the guys."So you don't have a boyfriend do you?"

"Nope, thank goodness"

"Hey, what is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing, nothing, never mind"

"Why don't you have a boyfriend?"

"I don't know, just never really found the right guy."

"The right guy? Man, you must be picky aren't you?"

Desireé laughed, "I guess you could say that, he's gotta be someone mighty special."

"That's cool you respect yourself that much." Justin piped in.

"Whoa, he does talk, would you look at that." Desireé laughed,

Justin blushed.

"Oh, oh, I'm gonna whoop ya!!"

"No way can you beat me!! I'm unstoppable!!"

"Then why did I just beat you?" Desireé laughed as Chris tugged at his dreadlocks.

"I have never, ever lost at skeet ball before!!!"

"Well, I guess there's a first time for everything, now isn't there." Desireé laughed. They had stopped at an arcade center while they thought of anotherplace to go.

"Alright, no more, I'm going to go sulk in the corner." Chris sat on a bench and faced the wall.

"Oh, poor guy, alright, who's next?"

"I'll give ya a whirl." Justin was all ready. He had the coins in his hand and itchy feet.

Desireé smiled innocently, "Alright, your on."

The game went on for hours. Finally JC broke it up, "Enough you guys, we need to be getting back, we can do something tomorrow."

Justin and Desireé just kept on laughing though. Then Justin got serious."Hey, Desireé, do you want to do something tomorrow?" Justin asked

"Um, well, what time?"

"I don't know, hey Scoop, when is our interview?"

"Not until 1, we have plenty of time."

"Alright, do you want us to pick you up from your house?"

"Sure, but it will have to be after 9, I'm busy until then."Justin got her address and phone number and then they said good-bye. As Billy, their chauffeur went to go escort her to the car, Justin watched her saygood-bye to Chris and console him. Her hair was in loose golden brown curls freely pulled back in a pony tail. Her big brown eyes danced as she smiled her mysterious, enchanting smile and laughed. She made little cutesy faces at Chris to cheer him up, which made him smile.

Baby blue, his favorite color.... her shirt was a baby blue Tommy Girl T and she wore them with jeans and tennis shoes. She was tall, Justin guessed about 5'7", 5'8".....Justin gazed at her. Her personality matched her perfectly. She was gorgeous. Confidant, yet very humble, stands up for herself, but a shoulder to cry on, she was gorgeous.

"I told you she was impressive" Joey nudged Justin.

"Yeah, but just like you said, just as a friend, nothing more." Joey smiled as he saw their new friend walk out the door.

"Just a friend....."

Justin and JC went to pick up Desireé while the other guys finished up some stuff at the hotel.

"Did we ever find out what she was doing until 9?"

Justin thought for a minute then replied, "No, I don't think we did."They were about to ring her doorbell when they heard the most gorgeous female voice float over the house.

"What do you suppose that is?" JC stood looking quizzically at the air when he noticed Justin was already half way around the house. JC ran to catch up to him and practically ran into an astonished Justin. There was Desireé and Martina. Desireé was singing to some pre-recorded tapes. The songs were original. Her voice lifted above the music and filled the morning air . Desireé smiled at her friend as she prepared for the next line.

All alone

I'll always be

The only girl you'll never see....

The music ended abruptly. Desireé once again felt herself blush as she saw the two men. "Oh, I didn't hear you..."

"Desireé, that, that was.....beautiful!!!"

"Thank you JC, I..I, I don't know what to say. I didn't know you were here...."

Justin just stared at Desireé. The voice he had just heard, what was it about it that captivated him so much? He didn't understand. Martina couldn't stand the silence.

"Welcome to the home of Simplicity, I am your host, Martina, and your entertainment tonight will be presented by the one and only Desireé."

JC clapped wildly. "Encore, encore!"

Justin finally spoke, "You have your own group? Why didn't you say anything?"

"I didn't think that you would really care."

JC was about to say something, but then decided against it. He looked at his watch, "We better get going, the other guys will be waiting for us."

He smiled, "Martina, are you coming?"

"No, I promised my brother I would take him shopping, but maybe we can do something later."

"Alright, sounds good."

"Shot Gun!!" Desireé yelled and started running to the car. She saw Billy and gave him a high five before flinging herself in the front seat, her hair hitting her in her face.

Justin turned to JC, "Since when did she have straight hair? Yesterday it was curly wasn't it?"

JC shrugged and smiled as he watched the confusion dance across his friend's face. What seemed like hours later, JC and Justin made it to the car.

"Hey slow pokes, long time, no see. So what are we doing today boys?"

"I don't know, what do you want to do?" JC asked

"Let's play some basketball!!" Justin said it almost absent mindedly.

"You like basketball too?" Desireé asked excitedly. Then she looked down. "Um, Ithink I'll have to change though first..."Desireé had on a black skirt with a tank top and a cardigan over it.

JC laughed, "Yeah, that would be a good idea, especially with the way we play."

"Are you going to play?" Lance yelled across the field

"Yeah, I just have to change first."The guys began playing. They got so into the game that they didn't notice Desireé come up behind them.

Justin held the ball high in his hand with his back to the basketball hoop. "I am the king of the ball. None shall ever possess it again!! HAHAHA"

Then the ball was gone out of Justin's hands. Desireé bounced the ball and smiled up and Justin, "Not if I can help it."

"Chris, I'm open pass to me!!"

"Desi, I'm not that stupid, YOUR NOT ON MY TEAM!"

Desireé laughed, "I wouldn't think that would matter with the way you play."She teased.

"Ohh, just for that, your going to get it!!"As Chris went to attack Desireé, JC announced that it was time to get ready for the interview.

"What are you doing today?" Lance asked stepping between Chris and Desireé.

"Oh, saving the whales and the rain forests, then if I have time, make myself some cookies."

"Well, do you want to come with us to the interview?"

"Is that ok? I don't want to intrude...."

"Would we have asked you if we didn't want you to go?"

"Alright it's a deal. When is your sound check for the concert tonight?"

Lance looked at his watch, "At four, say are you coming to the concert?"

"I was wondering when you'd ask that. Yeah, I have the worst seats you could possibly get and still be in the arena, but it will still be fun."

"Don't worry, we'll hook ya up..if....." Justin trailed off and watched Desireé.

"If what?"

"If you play another game of basketball with me!!"

"Alright, "Bounce" your going down!"

"We'll be getting ready, your going to have to hurry you know?" JC shook his head, why did he even bother, Justin and basketball....

"Alright, I get the ball first since I'm the oldest." Justin announced.

"Alright, and I'll let you because I'm the nicest." Desireé stuck her tongueout at him.

"K, ready, and CHECK MATE"Justin checked the ball to Desireé just to have her turn the other way and start running with the ball.

"Hey, whoa, wait, you little cheater, come back here."

"Cheating? Who said I'm cheating? Don't you know? I get to make up my own rules because I'm the youngest."

"Alright, If that's the way your going to be..."

"Hey, what are you doing, hey, Justin, back off......JUSTIN!!"Justin picked her up and put her up on his shoulders and began spinning around.:"Justin, your going to make me throw up, Justin... Desireé control her laughter...Justin...."

Justin let her go and they collapsed on the grass laughing."You, you should have seen your face, oh, that was great."Justin tried hopelessly to pull the same face. Desireé cracked up laughing. They spent the next 10 minutes making faces at each other.

"We better get back, we can't disappoint the teeny-boppers....." Justin had tol augh at the way Desireé said Teeny-Boppers, it sounded like a stuffed up 2-year old.

"Alright, lets go" Justin helped her up and they started walking back. On the way Desireé broke out suddenly into a very loud rendition of "You are my Sunshine."Justin was startled and it made him think of morning when he had heard her sing.....Justin smiled to himself and then joined in, harmonizing. Desireé looked up and smiled at Justin and Justin felt a certain attachment to this mysterious girl. No, not in the crush or infatuation sense, but, as in just a friend sense, yes, just a friend.

Desireé couldn't remember having so much fun, the interview alone was enough tomake her sick to her stomach laughing so much. Not to mention the dare games they played in the car on the way to and from there. And then there was the sound check. They had let her come on and sing with Justin their new found talent of "You are my Sunshine." That had only gotten the other guys involved and they ended up having to delay the meet and greet because one song had led to another song. After the meet and greet, they invited Desireé to go to Pizza Hut with them.

"There is no way you can eat more then Joey.""

I don't know Lance, she's eaten 10 pieces already!" Chris sounded nervous

"Yeah, but this is Joey." Lance couldn't believe it, they had all betted on who could eat the most, Joey or Desireé. Everyone had voted on Joey. Joey and Desireé sat glaring jokingly at each other, slice after slice of pizza went down, with no sign of stopping, that is, none except for Joey."Man, I can't believe this, your so teeny, how can you eat all that?" Joey wasamazed

Desireé laughed, "Hey, I'm not buying, that's how. Giving up? If not, order another large!"

"Another large? We don't have that kind of money!!"

Desireé's eyes sparkled, "I guess I win then!"

There were many sounds of disappointment as they all laid they're money down by Desireé's plate."Thank you, it was a pleasure doing business with you." Desireé turned in the direction of JC and Justin's voices. "Man, how long can they play that game? It's pin ball for crying out loud!"

"I don't know, but I'm going to go join them!" Chris ran off with Lance and Joey right behind.

Desireé smiled at the guys then got up from the booth and went outside to look at the stars. She found a bench and sat down. She had always been fascinated by the stars. Especially with Orion. That constellation had always been special to her, no particular reason why, it just was. The April night air was cool and the bench was cold, so she stood up and went into the shadow of the building so she could see the stars better. A shiver ran up her spin and she hugged her shoulders.

"BOO"

Desireé jumped Justin smiled at her and laughed, "Sorry, I just had to do it."

"Gee whiz Justin, you better watch out, you may have some interesting things in your sheets at night if you keep that up." Desireé turned back to her star gazing.

"Orion's my favorite, When I was little, my mom told me that it was my dad," Justin laughed, "and to think, I actually believed her, what about you? What's your favorite?"

Desireé looked up sharply "What?" Desireé stared at him. "Orion is my favorite too......"

"Really? What a coinkidink."

Desireé smiled. She gazed at Justin. His face was so tranquil. He seemed so at peace and comfortable. His curly hair was rumpled and stood up a little. Top Ramon, it reminded her of Top Ramon. His clear blue eyes gazed up towards the heavens and there was an ever so slight smile on his lips. He stood 4 inches above her......

Justin suddenly realized that she was looking at him. Justin smiled at her, "Can I help you?"

Desireé smiled back. "I was just thinking, how... how do you keep it up? How do you live your life like this everyday?"

Justin thought for a minute, "I don't know, I can't think of life any other way, I'm just used to it, that is how my life is."

"Doesn't it ever get lonely? Your always away from your family. Sure you get lots of "I Love You's" on the road, but it's just from little 10 year Olds....Imean, how do you do it?"

Justin bite his bottom lip. "It..It gets really hard sometimes. But I wouldn't want it any other way, I know my family will always be there and that they love me...... "Justin laughed, "You know what? I really don't know how I do it, It just happens."

"Isn't it funny how things just happen, just when you least expect it....."

Justin looked admiringly at his friend, "You know what? You just amaze me."

Desireé laughed, "Oh do I? You must be amazed quite easily."

"Nah, it takes a lot to amaze me...."Justin and Desireé regarded each other. It seemed they had known each other for years, yet it was only one day.

At the same time, they just cracked up, "Man,we're cheese heads, aren't we?"

Justin laughed, "Yes, we make quite the pair."

Lance poked his head out the door. "Sorry, but if we don't get going now, we're going to completely miss the concert."

"Yep, and for you little girlie, we got front row seats for you and Martina!!"Chris exploded.

"Oh, you guys are so sweet."

"GROUP HUG!" JC gathered everyone together. The five men nearly crushed Desireé but she figured it was worth it. They smelled really good.

"That was the most awesome thing I have ever experienced. Tell the guys that was the best concert ever!! But, Brett still wants to catch a movie tonight, so I'm off, will you be ok driving home alone?" Martina always made sure her friend was safe.

"Oh yeah, I'll be fine. Have fun, wait, didn't we tell my mom I was sleeping at your house?"

Martina stopped in her tracks and turned around, "Shoot, yeah, well, I'm sure you'll want to say bye to the guys so just come in my window when you get home,ok?"

"Alright, sounds good, have a fun time." Desireé waved to her friend then made her way backstage. "You guys, that was sooo awesome!!" Desireé went on and on praising the guys."Though I'm still soaking wet from the water guns....."

"Oh. I almost forgot to tell you, well, never mind, I'm sure your exhausted."Desireé dismissed the subject.

"Well, you have to tell us now, you can't just say that." Joey cocked his head to the side and waited for her to finish.

"Well, I was just going to say that there is a club that is having an all-ages night ages 16-30 years old if you wanted to go, or do you have to go to your hotel?" Desireé waited for a response.

"Dude, I'm all for it!!"

"Yeah, me to"

"Yeah, let's go ya 'll!"

"Um, don't you have to ask your manager dude?" Desireé didn't want them to get into trouble because of her.

"Nah, we can sleep all day on the bus tomorrow, we only get to go out so often" Chris assured her. Then he laughed, "We just need to go to the hotel and shower first."

Desireé crumpled her nose, "Yeah, I think that's a good idea. So now what do Ido? Just chill here by myself for a while?"

"No, of course not, come with us to the hotel." Justin said carelessly

Desireé raised an eyebrow, "And how do you expect to get me in the limo without being spotted?"

Justin furrowed his brow, "Oh, I forgot about that..."

"Well, heck, we'll just say she's my girlfriend." Joey put his arm around her and smiled proudly of his wonderful idea.

Desireé laughed, "And that solves our problem how?"

"Just come out with us, who cares." JC said flustered, "We're late getting outof here."

This limo ride was a little crammed but fun all the same. As they neared the hotel a thought struck Desireé and she was surprised how much it hurt. "Theseguys will be gone tomorrow.....they'll be on their way, I may not see Justin again......" JUSTIN?? Desireé's eyes widened at her own thoughts. She turned and looked at Justin. He was laughing and making a little rap about Chris's overalls. What was it about him? Sure, he made a great friend....but why in the world would I be thinking about Justin? He's the teeny-bopper guy pinned on every 12-year old girls wall. She tore her eyes away from Justin and looked out the window. There it was, Orion. Desireé laughed, Justin's dad.......

"What are you laughing about?" JC seemed amused that she was cracking herself up.

"Oh, nothing, I was just thinking." JC thought it best to leave it alone when he saw the far away expression on her face.

"Lance, can I talk to you?" Lance was the only guy out of the shower and dressed, he was putting his shoes on. Desireé took in a big whiff of his cologne.

"Sure, what's up?"

"I need your honest opinion, what do you think of me?"

The question totally took Lance off guard. "What do you mean?"

"I...I don't know. She looked up at the confused blonde. "Your leaving tomorrow,and, well, when will I see you guys again?"

Lance smiled. "I have a feeling when you say "You guys" you don't really mean that."

"What do you mean by that? Of course it's "you guys"

"I mean, I don't think you meant to make it plural."

"Huh? What the heck are you talking about?" Desireé searched his eyes, "What doyou mean?"

Lance was full of mischief, "You know what I mean, a certain curly blonde....."

"Well, I had a white dog with curly hair once...." Desireé pretended to be totally clueless. Her mind raced and she suddenly felt nervous.

"Desireé, you know what I'm talking about, everyone is talking about it."

"What? They are? Well, it would have been nice to let me know that me and Justin are supposed to be a thing, how does that work, that I'm the last to know?"

Lance was calm, "Justin doesn't know. He's just as clueless as you. Desireé, don't get all worked up, it's just a rumor between the guys. We're just kidding."

"Why is that funny to kid about?"

"Because we all watched you guys last night at Pizza Hut."

"Why you little peeping Toms!! I outta beat you!" Instead, Desireé went over to the piano in the huge suite to hide her blushing and began to play the theme song to "The Man of Snowy River."

Lance's mouth dropped open, " I didn't know you could play the piano."

"There's a lot of things you don't know about me...."

Lance went and sat by her on the piano bench. "Like what?"

Desireé took in a deep breath and looked at him. She had always enjoyed looking in his eyes, they were so clear, she had never seen eyes like that. "Well, did you know that I am a certified choreographer? That I have been in millions of plays and that I have started my own group called "Simplicity" So far Martina is my manager if you want to call her that. I write my own songs and choreograph my own dance moves." She finished in one breath.

Lance had the most mixed up expression that Desireé had ever seen. She laughed to herself. "So that's what Justin was talking about" Lance finally said.

"What?"

"He went on and on about how he heard you singing and then how Martina said something about a Simple something."

Desireé laughed, "Simple Something? Maybe I should think about changing the name."

"No, no, Simplicity sounds really good."

"Lance, you play the piano, play me something."

Lance smiled then began playing "The Dance" by Garth Brooks. He was surprised at the innocense that was on Desireé's face. She looked just like a three-year old. He smiled then started singing. His deep bass voice was beautiful and soothing. Desireé was tired from the day's events and the concert, she wasn't used to this business. As Lance continued, her head nodded and without knowing it, she was asleep on his shoulder. Lance smiled and kissed the top of her head.

The strong, curly haired figure in the door way was torn. He stopped breathing,what was wrong? There was nothing wrong with this picture. Nothing wrong, except that should be him. Why wasn't he there? Why did it hurt so much not to be there with her? What was he feeling? They were nothing but friends, Just friends......"No, this isn't right." Justin tried to convince himself but it wasn't working. And why wasn't that him with her...." L

ance picked her up and moved her to the couch. Justin walked in the door and just stood there, not knowing what to say or do.

Lance turned and saw his friend. "She fell asleep."

Justin crossed the room and looked at her. A sleeping angel. That's all he could think. A sleeping angel. He looked back to Lance, his mind began to race again, how, why did he feel this way? Lance could see the confusion on his friends face. He knew what Justinwas thinking.

"Just when you think you have everything figured out, that's when it happens,just when you least expect it.....".

"PARTY!" Chris came yelling in the room, let's go party!!"

"SHHHH!!"Too late, a dazed Desireé woke and looked around confused.

"Uh-huh, and why are we all just hanging around here for?" She swung her feet off the couch and stood up. " Let's go!!"

"You go on ahead, Justin and I will be there in a minute."

Desireé looked at the two suspiciously but decided not to argue.

After they left, Lance turned to Justin, "I'm sorry, we were just talking and she fell asleep."

"Why was her head on your shoulder? Why did you kiss her head?" Justin looked at his friend, "And most importantly, why do I care so much?"

"What in the?" JC turned and looked at the DJ

"Dude, they're playing our song!"

"Very observant Joey, how long did it take you to figure that one out?" Joey looked at Lance like he was hurt.

.Desireé laughed, "I want you back baby!" She screamed to Chris

Chris laughed back, "You had your chance but you gave it away."

Desireé smiled then danced off in the other direction when she noticed girls,obviously fans, run screaming up to the guys."Oh my gosh!! It's Nsync!!"

"Can I get your autograph? Hey, where is Justin?"

"That's a good question. JC looked around, Come to think of it, I haven't seen him for a while."

Justin sat alone in a corner. He just got off the dance floor. He found he was having troubles keeping his mind from wandering. Why had it bothered him so bad to see Desireé with someone other than him? He shook his head, that was crazy, he only met her yesterday.....

He caught sight of swishing golden brown hair and he smiled. Desireé was dancing to their song. He cocked his head to the side. It was weird to see her dancing with his very own voice blasting over the speakers. Justin decided he had been sitting long enough, so he headed out to the dancefloor. He froze. There it was again, the same singing voice that had transfixed him that morning.

"So tell me what to do now, when I want you back." Desireé laughed and turned around just to crash into the tall curly-haired guy behind her."Oh, I'm sorry I.....JUSTIN!!!"

Justin's stomach fluttered when he saw the smile spread across her face.

Desireé laughed, "I was just about ready to go look for you."Just then music started to play and the smile disappeared from her face. She went pale."Oh my gosh..." Desireé breathed out.

Justin was concerned. "What? What's wrong?"

Desireé slowly turned and looked into his eyes. "Justin, they're playing my song."

"What do you mean....?" Then he understood. That same voice, the same voice that had enchanted him that very morning, rose above the crowded room. Justin looked at Desireé, she was a deep crimson and she was trying to hide. He knew she felt uncomfortable, so he tried to cheer her up."Desireé, may I have the honor of dancing with the beautiful artist of this song?"

Desireé smiled. "I'm sorry, I've just never heard my song be played before with other people around to hear....."

As Justin wrapped his arms around her waist, he whispered, "I know, I understand." He laughed, "Try having it played before the entire country."

Desireé smiled as they danced and listened to Simplicity's first single.

ONE DAY AGO

One day ago I met you

Didn't expect that it would happen

Didn't know just what to do

To think of all that's happened

All that lies before us

Makes me realize that whatever happens

You will always have my love and trust

New loves come and go, we grow up, and our lives change

But through it all, we will always stay the same

I will always end up by your side

Though life changed, whether for bad or good

Just when I thought I had things figured out

my life was turned upside down;

all because of you

People say they understand but I don't know what to do

New loves come and go, we grow up, and our lives change

But through it all, we will always stay the same

I will always end up by your side

One day ago I met you

Didn't expect that it would happen

And I still don't know what to do.

"One Year Ago" ~Brea~Copyrighted 1998

"Justin? Justin, the song is over."

"Huh?" Justin looked down to see Desireé smiling up at him.

"Huh, oh, yeah, I guess it is." Justin took his arms from around her waist and kept staring off into space.

"Justin, are you ok? Justin?"

"Oh yeah, I'm fine, I'll be back in a minute." Justin wandered off leaving a bewildered Desireé behind. Lance came running back to the table in hysterical laughter.

"Man, Chris just totally got dumped by that girl!"

"Did not!"

"Oh? Then what do you call what just happened back there?"

"Alright guys, cool it. I'm not cleaning up blood tonight." Lance's face got serious when he saw Justin come up to the table. "Whoa, Justin, what is wrong?"

The guys all looked at each other. They had never seen Justin so disturbed."Justin, what's wrong?"

Justin's voice was a faint, choked out whisper, "Did you guys just hear the song that they just played?"

"Yeah, Chris got bagged on it."

JC gave a warning look at Lance.

Justin looked to JC, "JC, did the voice singing that song sound familiar to you?"

"Um, I don't know, why? Should it?"

"No, no, never mind, I'm just going to go outside, I need some fresh air...."

Joey stepped in front of him, "No, Justin, something's wrong? What is it?"

"I'm, um, feeling closterphobic, I just need some air...." and with that, Justin was gone.

Chris was the first to speak, "Ok, is it just me, or was that just a little unbelievable? Justin is not closterphobic...."

A sullen, concerned Desireé walked up to their table."Guys, did Justin come by here?" Desireé questioned

"Yeah, he just did, do you know what's wrong with him....?" JC's voice trailed off, not enough for anyone to realize, but it had hit him. That voice, it was Desireé's.

Desireé shook her head, "I better go find him."

The figure stood alone in the shadows. He gazed up at the stars and sighed.

"Boo." The voice was very soft and near.

Justin smiled, "Gee whiz Desireé , you better watch out, you may have some interesting things in your sheets at night if you keep that up."

Justin went back to his star gazing. Desireé noticed his focus was on one particular constellation.

"Orion's's my favorite, I know this guy that used to think he was my dad, ever since I found that out, I've had a reason for it to be my favorite."

Desireé chuckled to herself. "Yeah, it's also my favorite."

Justin turned and looked right at her. "It's my favorite because it was the first time I realized something new, something I had never experienced before."

Desireé looked at him quizzically, "Something new?"

Justin looked back to the stars. "Yeah, it was the first time I realized I really loved a girl. I mean, really loved her, I've never felt that way before."Justin smiled and added mischievously, "And we've been together ever since..."He turned smiling waiting for Desireé's reaction.

It wasn't what he expected. Desireé did not catch the hint, she felt a surge of jealousy flow through her veins, here he was telling her about some old fling. Or was it an old one and not a currant one? "Oh, I bet you two make a great couple. I bet she loves you more than you could ever realize am I right?

Justin laughed at her defensiveness then to Desireé's surprise, pulled her close. They were a breath away. "I don't know, why don't you tell me?"

Desireé searched his eyes. She could see it. She knew it. She felt it. Their lips brushed once and Desireé smiled. "More than you could ever know....."