Ashley had spent the majority of the night packing all her things and trying to understand why John had agreed to let her go so easily. *N SYNC had one more show there that night, and were leaving for the next city immediately afterwards, so she was leaving her home for almost four months on very short notice. Things finally seemed to be taking a turn for the better, and she would definitely have a great four months off on the road, traveling all over the country, and being away from John.
"Ash? You almost ready to go?" John called, entering the bedroom where she was busy filling up two gigantic suitcases. She struggled to zipper the final one up, but got the task done and looked up at John with tired eyes.
"I think I have everything, so lets go." They hadn't talked much since last night, and had totally put aside the whole event with Kim and John last night. She didn't want to think about it, and she wasn't going to let it ruin anything else in her life.
"Guys, I'm going out back., I think I left my shoes on the bus."
"Justin, your shoes are on your feet!" Chris said to him, while pointing to his feet.
"No, really? I want my other ones, my new Jordan's, because I saw a basketball court out back and I want to shoot some hoops," he finished, while leaving the room the group was watching tv in and making his way to the back door. He walked outside and ran to the bus, where he was met by one of their security guards, Lonnie.
"Just what do you think you are doing?" Lonnie asked, while blocking the entrance to the bus.
"Getting my shoes."
"You have shoes on your feet."
"UGH! MOVE! I want my Jordan's!"
"Stop whining kid, I think you've been hanging around Chris too long." Lonnie smiled and moved out of the way, opening the path for Justin to go up and get his shoes. He walked up the stairs and to his bunk, where he had left the shoes the day before. He grabbed them and walked back towards the front, to sit on the couch and put them on. It was a relatively warm day for the end of January in Chicago, so he was going to take advantage of it. He finished tying the second shoe, and he stoodd up, and a car that had pulled up in the back parking lot caught his attention. Two figures, a male and female, stepped out and also got out two suitcases from the trunk. He took a closer look and realized it was the same girl he had met on the stage the previous day.
"John, I can take it myself, his office is right inside the door." Ashley insisted, but he wouldn't listen to her as he continued to get the suitcases out of the trunk.
"Fine, then take them," he finally said, getting annoyed at her. Neither of them really knew what to say, or how to say goodbye, so John acted upon it first. He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her over, placing a soft kiss on her lips. She got absolutely no satisfaction from his displays of affection anymore, but she went along with it since this would be the last time to be near him in quite a while. He pulled away, and walked around the car, jumping in and speeding off, leaving a speechless Ashley standing in the parking lot, with two huge suitcases. She stared at the car until it was out of the parking lot and out of sight.
"Do you need any help with those?" She turned around when she heard a male voice behind her, only to be met by Justin again.
"No, it's ok, I can manage," she said, throwing her coat on and bending down to pick up the suitcases. Just as she was about to put her hand on the first one, a masculine hand grabbed hers and softly pulled it away from the handle. He smiled up at her and let go of her hand, picking up the two pieces of luggage.
"Ashley, right?"
"Correct, and you are Justin."
"The one and only," he said with a huge smile.
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who has the biggest ego of all?
She chuckled at her thoughts and at his attitude.
"Where are these headed to?"
"Mr. Sharpe's office, it is just inside those doors. Are you sure I'm not like interrupting your ‘peace' time? I know you guys are like hard working and all...I mean, why were you out here in the first place? Shouldn't you be locked up so no fans can get to you?" He chuckled a bit and looked to her, trying to remember her name.
"Actually, I just came out to grab my shoes to go shoot some hoops."
"Shoot some hoops?" She said, a smile on her faced and a sparkle in her eyes when he mentioned basketball.
"Yeah, why?"
"You any good?" He turned to her, surprised by her question.
"Me? Am I any good? Is that what you just asked?"
"You heard me right ‘fro boy."
"I am Justin Timberlake, of course I'm good at basketball. I think I was born on the court."
"Ever lost?"
"At a game? One-on-one, no. When I was on a team, yes."
"Ahh, so you must not be very cooperative with other people. Ever lost to a girl?"
"Never have, never will." As soon as the words came out of his mouth she stopped, not believing he had just said that. "What?"
"What? WHAT!?!? Are you saying girls aren't any good at basketball Blue Eyes? Huh?"
"No, but I'm saying I can beat any girl."
"Is that what you honestly think?"
"Positively."
"Well then, let's put it to the test."
"What?"
"I said, get a basketball, I'm gonna see if you can really beat a girl, because, frankly, I don't believe you."
"And why don't you believe me?"
"Justin, look at you. You weren't meant to play basketball. You're too short."
"Too short? You are like two inches shorter than I am, so how does that make me short?"
"How tall are you? 6 feet?" He nodded his head, not catching on to what she was saying. "Sorry to break it to you but most basketball players are 6'4", at least. And for me, did I ever say I was the queen at basketball? No, I didn't think so. BUT, I am tall for a girl, am I not?" He stood there speechless, not knowing what to say. "That's what I thought. Now let's go. I want to see how good you are." They walked over to the bus, and he started walking inside it with her suitcases in hand. "Where are you going?"
"Putting your suitcases up here so they don't get stolen while I am kicking your butt at basketball."
"Ugh, whatever!" She said, rolling her eyes at him as he disappeared up on the bus. A few seconds later he came back down with a basketball in his hands. He walked down the steps and the two began their way to the court, with him spinning the ball on his finger. "Show off," she mumbled, not too loud, but loud enough to be heard.
"What was that?"
"Nothing, nothing at all." They reached the small outdoor court, which was enclosed by a wooden fence, and had the lines painted down in white. Ashley walked to the sidelines and pulled off her green fleece, revealing a white tank top over her blue jeans. "Oh crap," she mumbled once again, but a little too loud, and Justin heard it once again.
"What's wrong?"
"This is gonna sound really weird, but well, I'm not wearing a sports bra."
"And you are telling me this because..."
"Because there is no way I can play a game of basketball without a sports bra, and you wouldn't understand now would you? These things," she said, pointing to her chest, "are as annoying as all hell." He chuckled a bit at the sight in front of him, a fairly attractive girl complaining about not having a sports bra.
"So, you are calling off the game? Because you are too much of a sissy?"
"Excuse me? You did NOT just call me a sissy Fro Boy...no you didn't. How would you like it to have these things bouncing around while you are trying to run? Huh? Oh, and by the way, I come prepared, I have some sports bras in my suitcase, which is now on your bus!" She said, while running off to the bus to get to her luggage. As she got there, Lonnie moved in front of the bus door and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Sorry but you cannot go up there."
"But I need to get my stuff."
"Your stuff? Sorry, but whatever ‘stuff' you want, you can't go up, this is *N SYNC's tour bus."
"No really? I didn't freakin know that!" She yelled, and turned around to run back and get Justin.
"Um, Justin?"
"Um, Ashley?"
"Don't be smart with me. Anyway, can you come tell that big dude outside your bus that I have to get ON the bus? Like now?" He picked up the basketball and put it between his arms, and confidently strode over to Ashley and slung his other arm over her shoulders.
"Sweets, you are very demanding, you know."
"Oh I know, but it works. People actually listen to me."
"Really?"
"Yep."
"Well not me!" He yelled, and turned around and ran back to the court, leaving her halfway to the bus, with no way to get on.
"This kid needs help," she said under her breath, while getting ready to go back and suck up to him.
"Justin, please, please, come over and help me get onto the bus."
"What's the magic word?"
"Please. I already said that.
"That's not the magic word."
"Um, sorry but I have no clue."
"Well then you're out of luck aren't ya?"
"Justinnnnn, pleeeease."
"Fine, but only because I'm nice."
"Of course you are." They got over to Lonnie, and Justin slung his arm over her shoulders once again, and as he began talking, moved her in front of him and began massaging her shoulders.
"Lonnie, this here is Ashley, she wants to get on the bus."
"Sorry, J, no girls allowed on the bus, you guys are way to horny," he commented, with a sarcastic smile plastered against his big, black face.
"LONNIE!"
"Boy, don't ‘Lonnie' me, I'm bigger than you."
"Oh come on, just let her on the bus." He silently moved out of the way, not arguing mostly because he didn't have much strength left.
"Ok, here, your stuff is right there on the couch."
"Thanks."
"You can change right back there in the bathroom...it's kinda small though."
"I'm sure I'll manage just fine." She smiled before walking towards the back where the bathroom was. Justin sat down on the coach across from where her stuff was, and began stretching out his arms out for the upcoming game.
"Ok Fro Boy, let's go." He looked up and did a double take, she was now wearing warm up pants that fit her perfectly and a tight tank top that also fit her perfectly. She wasn't a really thin girl, but she was definitely in shape and had a very attractive figure. Her stomach was well toned, as were her arms.
"Yeah, but you have to admit, I was some competition to you."
"No."
"Yes."
"No!"
"Oh shutup," Ashley finally said, standing up from the pavement and beginning to walk back towards the building. She and Justin had just played a very intense game of basketball, and he had won by five points, which was the closest a girl had ever come to beating him, but he wouldn't admit that. He saw her walking off and quickly got up to go follow her.
"Where are you going?"
"To Mars. Where does it look like I'm going?" He didn't say anything, just followed her as she went inside and straight to Mr. Sharpe's office. She turned around, only to be found with him right behind her.
"Yes Justin? Do you plan on following me everywhere? I do have a meeting to get to in here, and you aren't invited, sorry to burst your bubble."
"Yeah, yeah, I'll see you later."
"Bye," she said, opening the door and entering Sharpe's office. He was sitting at his desk, but looked up as she entered.
"Hi, Mr. Sharpe."
"Hello, Ashley, it's nice to see you today."
"Nice to see you too. I just came by to tell you that I will take the job on the *N SYNC tour."
"That is wonderful! I just have some papers you need to sign for your contract and you'll be all set to go, you do know they are leaving tonight don't you?"
"Yes, and I already have everything packed and here, I can't wait to start."
"Wonderful, here are the papers for you to sign," he said as he handed her about five papers and a pen. "I have to go take care of a few things, and I will try to find the guys so I can formally introduce you."
"Ok, thank you Mr. Sharpe." He left the room, and Ashley began to read over the documents that would confirm her new job.
"Ashley, have you finished signing the contracts?" Mr. Sharpe asked when he returned to the office about 15 minutes later.
"Yes I have."
"Ok great, would you like me to introduce you to the boys?"
"Sure," she smiled, and let him lead her out of the room towards to where the boys were. They walked down a hallway, and Mr. Sharpe entered a room, leaving her out in the hall for one second.
"Guys," he began once he got in to get their attention. "I want to introduce you to your new stage director, she is right outside."
"She?"
"Yes, Joey, it's a she."
"Joe, don't get your hopes up...she's probably like 30 years old," JC stated before Joey could say anything else in front of Mr. Sharpe.
"Actually, she's not 30...not even close." All the guys groaned when they heard that, assuming she was old, and when someone old was stage manager, it didn't work out too well for them.
"Looks like a very happy and exciting party going on in here." All six faces in the room turned towards the door, where the female voice was heard.
"Guys, this is twenty year old Ashley Williams, she leaves with you all tonight immediately after your show, and will stay on the rest of the tour." *N SYNC remained silent, as did Ashley, and Mr. Sharpe figured he would leave so they could get acquainted with each other. "I have some things to get done, so I'll leave you guys alone, good luck with your show tonight." Mr. Sharpe walked out of the room and left the six there.
"Well, Ashley, I am Joey, it is a true honor to have you on this tour with us, I'll be sure to make you feel very welcome here," he said, kissing her hand and giving her a wink.
"And I am JC, welcome to the tour."
"You any good at Play Station?" She turned to look at who said this with a surprised expression on her face.
"Of course I am!"
"Ok, I say we can keep her!" The rest of the guys laughed, and he continued. "I'm Chris, Master of Play Station, in case you wanted to know."
"Nice to meet you, Chris."
"And I am Lance, the normal one of the group." She giggled a bit, and the room grew silent, and she switched her eyes over to the curly haired boy who had not yet introduced himself.
"Do you talk?"
"Yes...I, I just didn't know."
"A girl has to keep her secrets, Blue Eyes."
"Uh, did we miss something?" Joey said, turning to JC, who was just as confused as the rest of them, and Justin spoke.
"You didn't miss too much, but it was definitely something."
That night, after the show everyone was huddled backstage, waiting for their bus assignments, which were being read off by Johnny Wright, who was on the tour for only the first week.
"Bus One, Libby, Michelle, Carol, and Christina. Bus Two, Me, Michael, Jim, Brian, Derek, and Sean. Bus Three, Justin, JC, Lance, Chris, Joey, and Lonnie. Please go to you assigned bus immediately so we can get on the road!" Everyone quickly departed to heir bus, and Ashley felt a slight panic come over her because they hadn't called her name. All the girls were already out of sight and had boarded their bus, so Ashley quickly ran up to Johnny.
"Um, Mr. Wright, I'm Ashley Williams, the new stage manager, you didn't call my name for any of the busses."
"Oh, that's right! Here, come with me, we'll see if we can get you onto the girls' bus." They both went quickly to where the busses were, but as soon as they got there Bus One was pulling away. "Ok, maybe not. I'm sure you don't want to ride with the body guards and me, so would you mind going on *N SYNC's bus? I'm sure it would be better for you all to get to know each other more anyway."
"Sure, that'd be fine."
"Ok then, it is that one right there," he said, pointing to the gigantic bus right behind Johnny's bus. She quickly ran to it and boarded the bus, to find JC looking in the refrigerator.
"Hi, JC. Looks like I'm bunking with you guys tonight."
"Ok, that's cool, the rest of em are in the back watching tv." He grabbed a soda and sat down at one of the tables, followed by Ashley who sat across from him. He looked up at her, then back down at the soda can he was fidgeting with.
"So, what's up?" She asked, not exactly sure how to initiate a conversation with him.
"What's up? That has got to be the most over-used phrase in the universe." She laughed a little bit, and nodded her head.
"That's true, and it really makes no sense at all, does it?"
"Not really, I mean, what's up? The sky, the roof, the clouds, the moon, the sun, the stars."
"Woah, ok hold up there Scotts, now you are getting just plain corny."
"Scotts?"
"I did my research, and I sure as hell know JC stands for Josh Chasez...and you don't give your middle name any credit, so I will." He looked at her for one second before breaking out into laughter at the wits of the girl sitting in front of him. He could tell this was going to be one fun tour.
"Hey Jayce, hey Ash," Justin said, entering from the back and sitting down in the booth next to Ashley.
"Hello there Blue Eyes, how ya doing?"
"I'm good, but may I ask why you are on our bus?"
"You already did."
"Huh?"
"You asked if you could ask, and while you asked to ask you asked." Justin turned to JC, and JC returned the same, totally confused look, and Justin turned back to Ashley, who was looking at him with a content smile on her face.
"Yeah, ok anyway, why are you on the bus?"
"Because I wasn't assigned a bus, and I was going to go on the bus with the girls, but by the time I got out here they had already left, and, thanks to you, my luggage is already on here, so Johnny gave me permission to ride on here."
"Oh ok, that's cool."
"Yes, I'm sure you are absolutely thrilled to have me here to annoy the heck outta you."
"You don't annoy us, you are a cool chick...most of the other people we have had on this tour have been old and way too professional, so it's nice to have you around for a change."
"Well that is very sweet of you, and I hate to cut this conversation short, but I'm going to head to bed," she said, while pushing Justin out of the booth.
"I'll come with you, show you which bunk you can stay in." He got up, and began walking to the back with her following. "Ok, you can stay right beneath me, right above me, or right above Joey, your pick."
"I actually get a choice? Snazzy. I'll take...I guess right beneath you, is that ok?"
"Perfect."
Justin's eyes fluttered open, but he was met with pitch blackness, for it was still the middle of the night. He heard someone whimpering softly, sounding like it was coming from beneath him. He slowly and carefully got out of his bunk and opened the curtain a few inches to Ashley's bunk, peering inside to see if it was her. Sure enough, she was turned on her side, with tears streaming down her face.
"Sweets what's wrong?" he whispered gently, careful he didn't wake anyone else up.
"Nothing," she barely got out.
"C'mon, you can tell me, it's ok." She opened her eyes and looked at him before her barrier broke down and the tears began coming out even faster.
"Everything is wrong, Justin. Everything." He reached in and grabbed her hands softly, urging her out of the bunk.
"Come out, let's talk."
"No, you need your rest, go back to bed, you don't need to worry about me."
"If I go back to my bunk I won't fall asleep because I'll be worrying about you." She looked up at him with big eyes, and climbed out of her bunk. He took one of her hands and led her to the back tv room, and shut the door. She stood in the middle of the room, not moving, but crying her heart out. "Shh, what's wrong?" He whispered, and brought her over to sit next to him on the leather couch.
"It's John...I just realized it."
"Just realized what? Who's John?"
"My boyfriend. He's not exactly very loyal, and he let me come on this tour, which was very, very surprising to me."
"Let you? Ash, I don't exactly know your situation, but you shouldn't have to ask your boyfriend for permission to go."
"Yeah, see you don't know my situation, you're right. Look, he's just very protective, that's all, and he let me come on this tour, and I didn't even have to argue with him about it. Now...just now I'm realizing that maybe, he wants me here, away from him, so he can get other girls. Without me knowing it," she finished, breaking out fresh tears. Justin wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her back, trying to get her to calm down.
"Doesn't sound like a very good boyfriend to me Sweets." She leaned against him and closed her eyes, as if it would block out all the bad things in her life. She wasn't ready to tell Justin, or anyone for that matter, about being abused by John, or about her family and her life.
She let herself drift off in Justin's arms, and he did the same, feeling like Ashley's protector at that point, even though he had only known her for a day. He knew he didn't know much of anything about her, but he could tell she was not a very open person. It only took genuine friendship and time before she would open up to him, and that was exactly what he intended to give her.
"See, I told you I would beat you Sweets. No one can win against me."