(Mandy's point of view)
The first thing I did when I got home was rent 10 Things and Romeo and Juliet. Then I called Sasha and had her come over.
“What do you know about Stacey Korman and I want to know everything.” I asked, point blank. Sasha looked shocked and guilty at the same.
“I knew you’d find out sooner or later.” Sasha said quietly.
“Tell me what you know.” I demanded.
“Stacey and I were in Romeo and Juliet together. Stacey was a great person although she had her flaws. While we were shooting Romeo and Juliet, a magazine printed some rumors about Stacey and Ryan Phillippe. Justin overreacted and that’s how the fight began. Justin wanted revenge so he started seeing Britney Spears.”
“Keep going...” I urged, desperate to know more.
“Eventually, he realized how fake Britney was and he dumped her. She was furious so she told Ryan that Justin had hit Stacey. Ryan went to fight with Justin. I witnessed the fight. If anybody’s to blame, it’s Ryan. He pushed Justin into the street.”
“Don’t get me wrong, Mandy. He loved her. He was trying to protect her. Ryan’s love and her love for Justin is what killed her.”
“What else do you know?”
“At first Stacey didn’t want to fall in love with Justin because she didn’t trust anybody. But Justin persevered and showed her that people did care.”
“I knew that you two were related the moment I saw you. You look exactly like her except your hair doesn’t have her highlights. I knew Lance would do something because he recognized you too. I wish you could’ve met her.” Sasha said sadly.
“Mandy, there’s something you should know.”
“Yeah?” I said, unclear of what she was saying.
“Justin will contact you and I know he thinks of you as Stacey reliving. Try to help him distinguish who’s who okay?”
“OK Sasha.” she let herself out. I watched 10 Things. Stacey and Justin had such great on screen chemistry it’s no wonder that they fell in love off screen. Romeo and Juliet was next. The famed Ryan Phillippe also starred. Two movies. She deserves some much more. There was knock at the door and when i opened it, there stood Justin Timberlake.
“How did you find me? I mean come in.” I said stepping aside.
“Your boss gave me your address. I’m sorry. I had to see you.”Justin said sheepishly. We sat in silence for a while.
“Do you blame yourself?” I asked, instantly regretting it. Intense pain shadowed Justin’s handsome features.
“In some ways yeah, I believe I’m responsible. But I blame other people too. It’s part of the grieving process.” Justin said, wiping a tear that slipped down his cheek.
“How long ago was it?” I asked.
“Four months ago. Seems like so much longer. You can’t imagine how painful it was to hold her as she died. How excruciatingly painful it was to have her die for me.” He laughed bitterly.
“And to think that I thought she didn’t love me.” My heart stopped at the pain he was going through. He seemed like such a great guy, yet he had to suffer so much.
“You shouldn’t blame yourself Justin. She did it on her own.” I said, hesitating then grabbing his hand.
“Just because she did it on her own doesn’t make it any easier!” Justin yelled. Then, like a sandcastle after a wave hits it, he crumbled. Justin started sobbing uncontrollably, his shoulders heaving as he sobbed. I held him while he cried, not quite feeling his pain but a pain of my own. He lost his true love and I lost the sister that I never knew. Justin took a deep breath and dried his eyes.
“I see so much of her in you. And not just in looks either.”
“How so?” I asked, softly.
“You both have strength and spirit. No matter what happens, you go on, make the best of it.”
“I HATE MY PARENTS! I hate them for abandoning and just leaving her. It should have been me!” I cried. Justin pulled me close and I pounded my fists on his chest.
“It-should have been me!” I sobbed. Tears were trickling down Justin’s face. I hate my parents. I have a deep feeling of hatred toward them. How could they just abandon her? And never telling me I had a twin.
“Sshh. Mandy, it’s ok.” Justin soothed. Maybe this was fate. Justin and his band running into me that day was meant to be, so I could correct Stacey’s mistakes.
“Come with me Mandy. I want to show you something.” Justin said and I obediently followed. We ended up in Orlando’s most famous cemetery. He led me over to a marble headstone. Stacey Korman April 12,1984-August 14,2003. Rest in peace my Juliet. I started to sob again.
“I thought you should know.” Justin said quietly. A heavy rain started to fall, soaking me and the distraught heartbroken man beside me. He looked so much older than twenty-one. I shivered as a chilly breeze shot through the night, chilling me to the bone. Justin and I turned and walked silently out of the cemetery.
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