Union City, MI

"Mom, you promised me you would call to get the tickets. How could you forget about it? I have reminded you everyday for the whole past month!" I yelled frantically at my mom.

"I know honey and I am so sorry. I didn’t remember till it was too late. They will come back to have a concert again. You know they will," my mom insisted.

"No mom, they won’t. That is why I have reminded you so much. They are not coming back here the rest of their tour and in Sept. they will stop touring to record a new album. Thanks for nothing!" I stormed out of the room.

I knew I had lost it and did overact somewhat but I mean they were the one thing I was looking forward to this winter. They, would be ‘N Sync, the new boy group that were becoming more and more popular everyday. I watched them ever since last year and always hoped they would come to Detroit soon so I could go to their awesome concert. My mom promised when they were coming near us for a concert she would buy me tickets. Now that would never happen and I am left to never see my very favorite group in the whole world (well besides Aerosmith).

I am a typical 17 year old girl with huge hopes of becoming a famous singer someday. My singing has been a secret between my friends and family. I have the least self-esteem possible and I have always thought I was horrible until one of my best friends, Makala, heard me singing in my room. Then my mom called up on a vocal couch and my voice only improved after that.

My room is plastered with pictures of ‘N Sync, mostly Justin and JC. I like them so much because it was my escape from all my bad relationships. I have had every bad boyfriend possible. From a pervert who only wanted one thing to a drug dealer. Yep folks, a drug dealer (that is a long story but I’ll just say I didn’t know he was like that). So, they are like my fantasy for a good respectful boyfriend.

I heard my mom coming to my room so, I quickly pulled my bed sheets over me to act like I was sleeping. She came in whispered sorry and left a note on my desk. That is just the type of mom she is, very sweet. I got up and read the note. It basically said she wishes she could change what happened but she can’t and she loves me. I wrote things like that all the time too. I obviously get it from my mom.

I went over to my dresser and looked at myself. I look so plain and ugly, why can’t I be prettier? I thought to myself. I have reddish auburn hair and hazel eyes. The only thing I really like about myself is my eyes. They are so unique. Sometimes I just stare at my eyes to see if I can see what my destiny is but all I see is my reptile looking eyes. I changed out of my PJs and put on a pair of jeans and a v-neck sweater. I figured it was now or never so I went to my mom and said I was sorry for yelling at her and that I love her.

"I will be back around 10 tonight. See you later," I said as walking out the door.

"Honey wear a coat or at least bring one along. You know it gets cold after dark in the fall," my worried mother said.

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

A couple of months later….

I sat on my bed listening to the radio. The weather guy was talking about a huge winter storm coming in a day or two. Great I thought, I get to be stranded in my house for a couple of days this week. I know there is no way my mom will let me leave any where with my friends. I want to go somewhere to keep my mind of the concert I am missing because of her.

All of a sudden I heard a weird noise. I looked out my window and saw a huge bus right in front of my house parked on the side of the road. That is weird why are they parked there. There must be something wrong. I got up off my bed and put on a sweater and grabbed my winter coat. Why am I doing this, it is freezing out here and I don’t even know them. When I finally got across the street and to the door of the bus I heard a bunch of guys talking. That is weird it sounds just like Chris and Justin. I knocked on the door and a big man opened the door. He had to be a bodybuilder or something because he was huge.

"Hi, do you need any help? This isn’t exactly the best place to stop you know. There is a ton of traffic here and you are likely to get hit," I offered as sweet as I could.

"Yea we realized that but this bus doesn’t exactly look like it is going to much farther. We didn’t have much of a choice as to where we stopped but believe me, a nice hotel would be tons better," the man replied.

"Well, is there any way I could help you? My dad could probably fix what is wrong with it," I paused for a minute then asked, "Not the be rude or anything but why are you traveling through Michigan in a bus in the winter? I mean it isn’t exactly vacation weather."

"Come up here and I am sure you will figure it out"

I stepped up the stairs and looked around to see a kitchen and some bunk beds. Then there was a door that was shut but you could hear talking. Weird I swear that sounds like Chris and Justin. Geez, I must really wish I could go to that concert now I am hearing things.

"Follow me. Hey I didn’t catch your name. My name is Calvin" the big man said.

"Oh, how rude of me. I am sorry it’s Andrea but everyone calls me Andy"

He led me to the door that was closed then he slowly opened it and I thought I was going to die by what I saw…..

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

"Wow, why the heck are you guys in my small town?" I asked stunned.

"Well, we are going to Detroit for our concert tomorrow and then I guess there was a problem with the bus so we had to pull over," JC, yea the one from ‘N Sync, answered politely.

"Then, I guess I will have to be the first person to introduce you to Union City, MI. There is exactly nothing to do in this town and I am lucky enough to live here," I said sarcastically, "My name is Andy and I sure know who each of you are."

I was surrounded by every single member from ‘N Sync. I had to do my best to compose myself, otherwise I would have screamed jumping up and down. Joey, Chris, Lance, JC, and Justin all stood up to greet me more properly. They all shook my hand.

"It is a pleasure for us to have you to be the first to introduce us to this town, even if there is nothing to do in this town," Justin said slightly laughing and not to mention looking more hot then ever.

"Do you all want to come inside my house. I live right over there," I said pointing to my house , " My dad knows about mechanical stuff so he can help with this bus while you get slightly warmer. Don’t you think it is cold in here?"

"I would definitely love to go somewhere warm," Joey said smiling, "Hey do you have a Super Nintendo or anything?"

JC hit Joey in the arm as I replied saying yes.

They all followed me outside to go to my house. I looked back to make sure they all got across the street and I saw Justin looking at me funny then he whispered something to JC and he nodded his head. They are probably talking about how ugly I am and how come they couldn’t stop in front of another girl's house. Justin looked up at me and I turned quickly and started walking a little faster.

We all got inside and I told them to sit wherever they wanted. I looked directly at Joey and said, "The Nintendo and Super Nintendo are downstairs. There is also a pool table and a Ping-Pong table." Joey gave me a cute smile and they followed me downstairs. I showed them where everything was.

"I got to go find my Dad and see if he can fix your bus but just stay here and enjoy yourself," I told them, informing them as to why I was leavin’.

Justin got up and followed me upstairs. He gave me a quick smile and said, "Well, I figure you might need some company."

"Yea, sure that would really make me feel better. He is at the school right now making sure the broiler is still working for when we go back to school next week."

I jumped in my Cadillac and he got in on the passenger side. "I know this isn’t exactly a Mercedes but my grandpa was kind enough to give it to me and my brother."

"Hey as long as you can get somewhere in it what does it matter what it looks like," he offered giving me one of those smiles that makes your legs lose their feeling.

"So, you must have a pretty nice grandpa to just give this to you. You don’t hear about people like that often. Sounds like a real nice guy. When we are on the road I miss my family so much. I wish I had more time to see them," Justin expressed with some sadness in his baby blue eyes.

"Yea, he defiantly is one of a kind. He is a minister well," I paused for a second, "used to be," suddenly I felt all choked up and I could hear the emotion in my voice.

I stopped right in front of the school and I could feel a tear as cold as ice slide down my right cheek. "Hey what’s the tear for? Did I say something wrong?" he asked with sudden sympathy in his eyes.

"No, I mean yes, No it isn’t you it’s just," I stopped making sure I could handle this, "a couple years ago when my brother was graduating from high school my grandpa had a stroke right in front of my eyes. I had seen one of my teacher have an anxiety attack the day before that and it was so much to handle. I love my grandpa so much and he is better but he will never be the same. I guess it’s just so hard because he is so good with people and now he can’t be with people as much because it tires him out," I slowly started crying.

Justin got up out of the car and went to my door. He opened my door and stood me up to give me a hug. He hugged me tightly making me feel so much better.

"I haven’t had a chance to just cry about this. I never had a shoulder to cry on and I needed that more than anything," I said in between sobs.

He just held me tighter.

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

I thanked him and he gave me a quick kiss on my right cheek. I could feel the warmth of his hand grabbing mine.

"I am really sorry you had to go through all that," Justin said.

"We better go get my dad," I said brushing the tears off my checks.

I opened the school door and said, "Now remember this is a really, really small school because it is a small town."

"I am sure it is fine. Anyway I like small towns, that is where the nicest people live," he answered smiling then brushing my back sending shivers down my spine.

"Hey dad, I came because we have some unexpected guests at our house."

"Isn’t that the guy that you have plastered all over your walls?" my dad asked.

"Yea, whatever, anyway their bus broke down and they have a concert tomorrow and they need to be able to have the bus going to get there."

"We really don’t want to be a problem. If you could help us we would greatly appreciate that," Justin replied politely.

"Sure that won’t be a problem. My name is Mike Mack by the way. Have you meant my wife yet?"

"No, Mr. Mack I haven’t gotten the chance yet. I didn’t see her at your house."

"Sorry, she was in her bedroom and I was in a hurry to help you guys. Oh, no! She doesn’t even know that the other guys are there. Come on dad we better hurry so mom doesn’t freak out."

"OK, by the way you can call me Mike. It’s not like I don’t realize who you are. Justin right?"

"Yea, sorry I forgot to introduce myself. I’m from ‘N Sync but you seem to already know who that is," Justin said and then turned to me smiling.

I walked to the car and he got in the other side. The whole way home we drove in silence. I didn’t know what to say I was really embarrassed my dad would say that about my room. Justin just sat in the other seat. He looked so good in his baggy jeans and North Carolina sweatshirt. We showed my dad the bus and we got it moved into our driveway so it wasn’t in the road anymore. It was a lot safer there anyway.

Justin looked at me and said, "So, which one is your room anyway," he started laughing and I punched him in the arm.

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

Justin and I went down the stairs and I heard my mother's voice. Oh no she is probably wondering why in the hell they are here. I saw my mom sitting in the chair next to JC. He must really be a sweet talker because my mom was laughing and smiling at him the whole time.

"Hey, Andy how come you don’t have any single posters of me?" Joey asked acting hurt.

"What in the heck are you talking about?"

"In your room where there are group pictures of us and pictures of either just JC or Justin but no pictures of just us," Chris informed me as if I didn’t know.

"Because I kept the cutest ones for in frames on my dresser," I said laughing.

"Hey what is wrong with us?" JC said looking sad.

"Nothing if you like the serious type or the baby blue type," I said joking.

"Hey there isn’t anything wrong with baby blue," Justin said pushing me on the couch next to Lance.

"Well thanks mom for showing them everything. Mom, this is Justin and Justin this is my mom Dawn."

He politely shook her hand and gave her a cute smile. "Come on lets go get some food" I said feeling my stomach growl.

We sat down and started passing all the food around. Luckily my mom cooked while Justin and I were gone. I mentioned how I wish I was going to their concert but it just didn’t work out right. They all looked at me feeling sorry for me then they all stood up and said excuse us. That was weird they just all left.

Then they came back inside and Justin handed me a box. "What in the heck is this for? Did you guys plan on meeting me today?" I said.

I opened it and I thought my heart had jumped out of my body. I looked at it again and thought I was going to cry. Inside was two tickets to their concert. Not only that but there was also Backstage passes. "This is so sweet I can’t believe you did this!" I said ecstatically.

"Well as you probably noticed there are two tickets in there. One for your mom and one for your dad. No. not really they are for you and a friend. I or I mean we would really love you to come," Justin said eagerly.

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