Another Time And Place

Chapter 3 - Chapter 6

Chapter 3

~Trixie’s P.O.V.~

The final bell rang. I rushed down the hall finding Brit talking to Lita Kakarot, one of our close friends. "Hey Smile!" They both greeted me.

"Hey" I smiled. "Come on, Brit" I tugged at Brit’s wrists. "I’m coming, I’m coming" Brittany let herself be dragged by me. "Ok, I’ll see ya" Brittany told Lita. "Sure! Bye guys!" Lita waved. "I don’t wanna run into Madame Airhead or the Egotistical Jock" Trixie babbled. "Aight, I’ll drop you off at the café" Brittany said. "Thanks" I said.

"Want me to hang around for a while?" Brittany said as we stopped in front of the café. "Sure. If you want to" I replied.

"Hey girls!" My co-worker, Kristin Linda Williams, greeted us as Brittany and me went into the café through the back door. Kristi was a year younger than we were and had dark blond hair and blue eyes. "Hey Kris!" We greeted back. "Is the café full?" I asked Kristi as I got in uniform. "Not more than usual" She answered. "I have the right half of the café and yours" Kristi said. "Is the left" Trixie finished.

"You look good in that" Brittany said her eyes twinkling. She was referring to my grass skirt and the lei around my neck. "You don’t mind this?" I said pointing to my green 3/4 shirt. "That’s alright. Although, I’d rather you wear a top that bears your midriff" Brittany said grinning. "Right" I said rolling my eyes playfully. "No, I’m serious" Brittany said

"Smile, you’re customers are waiting!" Kristi yelled before I could say anything else. "Ok, ok" I answered. "You’re ok here?" I asked Brittany. "Yup. Go attend to your customers" Brittany said.

"Aloha. Welcome to Paradise Café. What can I get you?" I began asking the persons at my tables. This is what I do every afternoon. I don’t need the money but staying at home with four brothers isn’t my thing.

"Trix, I have to go" Brittany said. "Ok, thanks for staying" I said. "Oh, you have new customers" Brittany said pointing to five guys settling down in a table on my side of the café. I grabbed my notepad and pencil.

"Aloha. Welcome to Paradise Café. What can I get you?" I asked them. I can tell they were tourists. One of them had blond hair and green eyes, one was bald and had blue eyes, one had dark brown hair and brown eyes, another had brown hair that had blond in it and brown eyes and the last had dirty blond hair and blue eyes.

My pen flew across my pad scribbling what they were saying. "Anything else?" I asked politely. "Can I please have a glass of water?" The one with dirty blond hair and blue eyes asked. "Sure. I’ll be right back" I said. I rushed to the back and placed their order for the chef, Mr. McKay, to take. I poured water from the pitcher to a clean glass and prepared the other drinks. I started toward the table.

"Chris you’re hyper" I heard the blond say to the one with dark hair. "I don’t mind" The one called Chris said. "Um, excuse me" I said quietly as I placed the glasses in front of each guy.

"You don’t happen to have something to cure hyperactivity, do ya?" I turned to the one who was bald and had blue eyes. "I’m sorry. We don’t. I’m afraid he’ll have to stay hyper for a while" I shook my head laughing. "Hey I’m Justin" He said as he held out his hand. "I’m Trixie" I said as I shook his hand. "I’m Joey" The one with brown hair and blond in it and brown eyes said. "I’m Chris" The one with dark hair and brown eyes said. "I’m JC" The one with dirty blond hair and blue eyes said. "And I’m Lance" The one with blond hair and green eyes said. "Nice to meet y’all" I said after shaking all their hands.

"Excuse me please. I have customers" I excused myself politely.

"Sure come and have a drink with us after you’re finished" Lance invited. "I’m sorry I can’t. I don’t get off until seven" I said apologetically. "Some other time then?" Joey asked hopefully. "Maybe" I nodded as I went from table to table.

Mr. McKay kept ringing the bell for me to take the orders, so it kept me busy.

I took the guys’ orders to them. "There ya go. Enjoy!" I said cheerfully as I placed their orders on the table. "Thanks" They replied.

"We have to go now, Trix. Nice meeting ya" JC said after finishing their meals and a little more talking. "Likewise, guys" I waved as they went out the door. I felt strange. It was like I have known JC somewhere in time.

"Smile, dontcha know who those guys were?" Kristi asked me her blue eyes wide as she and I changed into casual clothes. "Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance?" I asked as a matter-of-factly. "The group" She said making circle motions. "No, is there? I mean, are they in a group?" I asked her confused. "They’re one of the hottest bands in the world" Kristi said dreamily. "Mmm" I mumbled making a face at her. "You don’t know them?" Kristi asked.

"I’m clueless" I shrugged.

"Does the name NSYNC ring a bell?" She raised her eyebrows. "It seems familiar" I said thoughtfully. "Many people would kill to get near THE JC Chasez, Justin Timberlake, Joey Fatone, Lance Bass and Chris KirkPatrick" Kristi sighed.

"I wouldn’t" I said. "They seemed like normal guys, Kris. They’re really fun to be with. They’re just like us. Only well known. So, unlike me" I said dully. "Brighten up, Smile. I can see the guys liked you" Kristi smiled. "I’ll try" I said.

"Well, let’s close up and go home" Kristi said. "I’m all for it. I’m pooped" I said. "Me too" Kristi said as we both closed the café.

"So, who of the guys do you like?" Kristi asked me here eyes sparkling. "I’m not sure. Do you fancy any of them?" I asked her. "I like Justin" She blushed. "Baldie?" I asked her teasingly. "Yeah, Baldie" She answered grinning. I laughed along with her.

"Good night" We said as she and I walked in opposite directions.

Chapter 4

~JC’s P.O.V.~

The guys went back to the hotel without me. I stayed behind and waited. I wanted too see her.

I saw her walking alone. Her short brown hair, blown back by the wind and her gorgeous green eyes still hidden under the glasses. She was wearing baggy jeans and a baggy shirt. A backpack was slung over her shoulder. "Hey JC. What’re you doing here?" Trixie said. "I...I wanted to see you" I stammered. "You got what you wanted" I saw her blushing despite the dim light. "Where do you live?" I asked her. "Why’d you wanna know?" Her guard was up. "I wanted to walk you home, if that’s ok with you" I told her. "Umm, ok. I don’t live far" She said uncertainly as we began to walk.

I was still searching for something to say when I began to have a coughing fit. "Hey, you ok?" Trixie placed her hand on my arm. Her touch was gentle and caring. I was gasping already. "Here" Trixie handed me her water container. "Thanks" I finally managed.

"You waited outside like all afternoon?" Trixie asked me. "Yeah" I shrugged. "Why?" Trixie asked me. I saw tears in her eyes. "Because I like you. And a girl like you shouldn’t walk along at night" I told her. "I don’t deserve any of this" Trixie was beginning to sob.

I stopped both of us and turned her toward me.

"And why not?" I asked her cupping her delicate face in my hands. "A famous figure like you" Trixie said. "How did you know?" I interrupted. "My co-worker, Kristi told me" She sniffed. "Does it matter to you? My being famous and all?" I asked her. "No. Not a bit. I like you, Jace" She began. "Then what’s wrong?" I asked her. I couldn’t stand seeing her cry. "It’s just..." She said. "What?" I asked. "You wouldn’t wanna be with a geek like me" Trixie said as she hung her head. "Is that all?" I asked her almost laughing out loud.

She was so young, so insecure about a lot of things.

"Wouldn’t it wreck your reputation?" She asked me as we started walking again. I put my arm around her shoulders and held her close. "I don’t care. I want to be with you. Reputations are shallow" I told her firmly. "Why me, Jace?" She asked quietly. "I felt a strange connection between us when I saw you. Does that even make sense?" I told her. "Yes. I felt like I knew you from somewhere in time" She said.

"Do you feel better now?" I asked after a while. "A bit, thanks to you" She smiled. "You’re not like most geeks I know, you know" I told her trying to make her laugh. "Oh yeah? How is that?" She asked. "You’re fun to be with" I began. "Most geeks are fun to be with" She argued. "Yeah, yeah. You’re also beautiful" I said. "Most geeks are beautiful" She said blushing. "Oh we’re here" She said stopping in front of a house. "Whoa! I stay at the hotel in the next two blocks" I said smiling. "Thanks, Jace" She told me. "Umm, can I see you again soon?" I asked her tentatively. "I’m at the café almost every afternoon" She smiled softly as she went inside.

I went back to the hotel and crawled under my covers.

"Jace? You awake?" Justin knocked on my door. "Yeah" I said sitting up. "Something wrong?" I asked him frowning. "How was she?" Was all Justin could get out of his mouth. "She’s great" I sighed. "Alright, what did you do with Joshua Scott Chasez?" He asked me suddenly. "What do you mean?" I asked him. "I mean, that’s not like you to fall for a girl so easily, and one that’s younger than you are" Justin said. "You came all the way here just to tell me that?" I asked him. "I just noticed, that’s all" Justin said. "I know...She just has this atmosphere, Jus. It makes her mysterious and it makes me wanna see more of her, get to know her better. Ya like her too?" I asked getting a bit jealous.

"Technically, yeah. Not as a girlfriend, though. I like the waitress Trixie works with. You know the one that had dark blond hair and blue eyes?" Justin’s eyes lit up when he described Trixie’s co-worker. "Her name’s Kristi. Go for it, Man! Trixie probably has the same shifts as she does" I told JC. "When are Trixie’s shifts?" Justin asked. "Almost every afternoon" I answered him. "Oook" He said. "Well, the guys and me are heading to the dining hall. Ya coming?" He asked. "I’ll be right down" I said as I changed my clothes.

~Trixie’s P.O.V.~

"Smile!" My younger brothers, David and Matthew, came rushing from the living room and hugging my legs. "Hey guys!" I laughed. "Hey Smile! You’ve eaten dinner already?" My older brother, Michael, asked me. "Smile! We missed you so much!" My other brother, Kenneth, said. "Um, I’m not hungry" I told Mike. "I missed you too, Ken" I laughed. "Wanna come play with us, Smile?" Dave asked me. "Tomorrow, Dave. We’ll go to the beach and play all day" I told him. "Yay!" Dave and Matt ran to the den. "G’night" I told my older brothers. "Night" They replied already absorbed in a video game.

I climbed up the stairs and closed my door. "Oh my God" I murmured. I leaned against the door of my room and let the happenings that night sink in. I heard my phone ring.

(T: Me, B: Brittany)

T: Hello?

B: Smile?

T: Hey Brit! Wassup?

B: I just recognized who your customers were

T: NSYNC

B: Oh, you know them already?

T: Well, Kristi told me. Are you a fan of theirs?

B: You could say that

T: One you especially like?

B: They’re all hot!

T: I shoulda known

B: You have plans for your Saturday?

T: Tomorrow? I’m taking Dave and Matt to the beach. Wanna come along?

B: Sure!

T: Aight. See ya then!

B: Bye!

T: Bye!

I put the receiver back in its place. I plopped down on my bed and stared into space, finally falling asleep after a while.

Chapter 5

~3rd person P.O.V.~

~Saturday~

"Smile! Wake up! You promised us we’d go to the beach!" David and Matthew bounced on Trixie’s bed. "Alright, alright! You guys never run out of energy, do you?" Trixie said sleepily. "Are we going now?" Matthew asked. "I have to take a bath first" Trixie said as she walked toward the bathroom. "We’ll wait for ya in the living room" David said. "Aight" Trixie answered from inside the bathroom.

Trixie came out later dressed in a white tank top and loose denim overalls. She picked up her phone and dialed.

(B: Brittany, T: Trixie)

B: Hello?

T: Brit! You’re awake! Ya ready yet?

B: I’ll meet you at the beach in a while

T: Aight

B: I have to go!

T: Ok. Bye!

B: Bye!

Trixie took her backpack and went downstairs. "Matt! Dave! Have you had breakfast?" Trixie said. "Yes" They both replied. "Where are you going?" Michael asked her. "I’m taking Matt and Dave to the beach. You wanna come?" Trixie asked him as she fixed herself a sandwich. "Nah. Me and Ken have several rematches to play" Michael winked. "Oh oook!" Trixie said. "Come on, Smile! Let’s go!" Matt said tugging on Trixie’s overalls. "Gotta go, Bye!" Trixie told Michael as she followed Matt outside.

"You guys wanna walk or we’ll take the car?" Trixie asked them. "Walk!" "Car!" They both responded at the same time. "We can’t do both" Trixie said. "Paper Rock Scissors" David told his brother. "Yeah" Matthew said as they started. "I won!" David said. "We walk" Matt told Trixie. "Ok" Trixie said as she followed her brothers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Yo, C!" Joey knocked on JC’s door. "What?" JC said irritated to be awakened from his sleep. "We’re heading to the beach. Coming?" Chris asked. "You went to the beach yesterday" JC said. "So? Anyway, we’ll be at the beach. Just come if you want" Justin said. "Yeah, sure" JC said falling back to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hey Brit!" Trixie greeted as David and Matthew rushed to the water. "Hey girl! I saw Becca, Maggie, Kristi, Lita and Jenika here somewhere" Brittany said. "Really?" Trixie said as she spread her beach towel. "Yeah" Brittany nodded. "Oh, you won’t go swimming?" Brittany asked. "No thanks" Trixie said sitting down on her towel and opening a book. "Suite yourself. I’ll se ya ‘round" Brittany said. "Sure" Trixie said as she started reading.

"Smile! Wanna play?" Trixie looked up seeing Maggie, Kristi, Becca Jenika, Brice and Lita, the one holding a volleyball. "No thanks. I have to keep an eye on Matt and Dave" Trixie said. "K. We’ll be there if ever you wanna join us" Lita pointed down the beach. "Ok" Trixie said.

"Hey! You’re blocking my light!" Trixie said irritated. "Ya know you’re a lot like JC with that tone" A voice said chuckling. "Huh?" Trixie frowned looking up from the book seeing Joey, Chris, Lance and Justin dressed in shorts. "Oh my God!" Trixie said grinning. "What a way of saying hello" Justin said. "Yeah, right" Trixie said. "I never knew people come to the beach just to read" Chris said. "I have to watch my brothers" Trixie said pointing to the water’s edge. "Aight" Joey said.

"Umm, guys?" Trixie said as they turned. "Yeah?" They said as Trixie looked down on her book. "Where’s JC?" Trixie tried asking nonchalantly unable to hide the blush creeping up her cheeks. "He’s asleep. And I thought I was supposed to be the one who’s grouchy in the morning" Justin rolled his eyes. "Umm, ok. Thanks" Trixie said quietly.

"Mind if I sit down with you for a while?" Lance asked her as he sat down beside her. "Of course, I don’t mind. You’re not gonna swim?" Trixie asked him. "Later" Lance said. "From what I’ve heard, you’re the biggest beach bum among the guys" Trixie said. "Where you hear that?" Lance asked. "You hear a lot of things from people around you who don’t even know you exist. Plus famous guys get a lot of attention in any place" Trixie said finally looking up from her book. "Ok. So you know our little secret" Lance said. "So what? I don’t care if you guys were basketball stars or professional whatevers. I knew you first as normal guys. That’s how I see you, not world famous musicians. To be honest" Trixie shrugged. "Not many girls say that, ya know?" Lance said. "Really?" Trixie asked. "Yeah. Most girls say they love you as a guy of NSYNC. Not as plain old Lance Bass" Lance said. "In a way, I kinda know how you feel" Trixie said.

"Smile! Do you have any food?" David asked Trixie. "I have somein my bag" Trixie told them. "Who are you?" Matthew turned his attention to Lance. "I’m Lance and you are?" Lance said extending a hand. "I’m Matt and this is Dave" Matt said as he and David shook Lance’s hand. "Are you Smile’s boyfriend?" Dave asked. "No. I’m a friend. Are you Trixie’s brothers?" Lance said. "Yup" Matt and Dave smiled as they rushed back to the water.

"Smile?" Lance asked. "My nickname" Trixie said. "Ook, How old are they?" Lance said. "Matt’s 10 and Dave’s 5" Trixie answered. "Oh, yeah. How would you know how we feel?" Lance asked her. "To put it simply. I’m a geek, Lance. People treat me as if I have a contagious disease" Trixie said looking at the horizon. "I’m sorry" Lance said. "Don’t be" Trixie said. "If it helps, I don’t see you as a geek, Trix" Lance said. "Thanks" Trixie said.

"Lance! Are you gonna sit there all day?" Joey hollered from the water’s edge. "Just a sec" Lance answered him. "You’re keeping them waiting" Trixie told him. "Don’t let them get to you, Trix. You’re a great girl" Lance said as he stood up. "Thanks, Lance" Trixie said as she went back to reading her book.

Trixie looked up from the book and surveyed her surroundings. Joey and Brittany were talking, so was Chris with Maggie and Lance with Becca. The other girls continued their volleyball game. Lucky girls!, Trixie thought smiling.

"Brit, I have to go. We’ll be late for lunch with Mom and Dad. Tell the other girls if they ask" Trixie told Brittany. "Sure thing! I’ll see ya" Brittany said turning her attention back to Joey. "Dave! Matt! We have to go now!" Trixie yelled. "Aww!" Matt said. "Mom and Dad are going to be at lunch" Trixie said. "Really? Then let’s go!" Dave said as scrambled out of the water.

Trixie let David and Matthew walk ahead of her toward the house.

~~~~~~~

Chapter 6

~Trixie’s P.O.V.~

~Monday~

The world is a strange place, Diary. A lot of things happen without me noticing. But things happen for a reason. Que sera sera sera

"Smile! Get down from space and get your butt down here!" Brittany yelled. "Yes, Boss!" I answered her. That’s what she says, almost every morning, I thought as I put my journal away, grabbed my backpack and hurried downstairs, petting Muffin on my way.

"About time!" Brittany tried to hide her smile. "Yeah. Let’s go" I said. "That’s what I have been waiting for!" Brittany said as we got into her car.

"Thanks for doing this for me everyday, Brit" I told Brittany as we arrived in school. "No problem, Trix" Brittany answered. "I’ll see ya later!" I told her as I rushed inside.

My timing had seemed aloof this morning because I ran straight into Maureen AND Kirk.

"Who do you think you are?!" Maureen screeched at me. I backed away my eyes wide in shock. "Yeah. Spreading false rumors that you’re going out with that guy from NSYNC" Kirk shoved me. "I...I" I started to say. "What?" Maureen looked at me like I was a bug. I couldn’t say anything. I don’t talk much to people in school, much more spread a rumor. "Leave her alone, Maur. Who cares about what she says, anyway?" Tara, one of Maureen’s baby quails, said. That’s right! Who cares about what I say?, I thought. "Watch your back, geek! I hate false rumors. Especially ones that come from geeks like you" Maureen huffed as she turned around sharply and stormed down the hall followed by her crew who had the same looks on their faces as Maureen had given me. Tears fell down my cheeks. I wiped them off my face. I won’t ever let them see my cry, I vowed to myself as I went into Math.

I spent the day like a spy. Finally, I got to my last class of the day, which was English.

"Oh, hi Trix!" Mrs. Marshall greeted me. "Hello" I said trying to make my voice sound cheerful. "I want to see you after class, k?" She said. "Sure thing, Mrs. Marshall" I said sitting down at my usual seat at the back. I loved this class more than any of my other classes. I loved listening to Mrs. Marshall.

I let my thoughts wander back to JC. What am I gonna do? I can’t let JC get sucked into this, I thought as the bell rang. I stayed in my seat letting the persons in the room go out the door before I went up front. "What is it, Mrs. Marshall?" I asked her. "You know you have one of the highest GPAs in your class, do you?" She asked me. "I..." I said. "Of course you do. I have taken the opportunity to submit a letter of recommendation to a few schools" Mrs. Marshall said. "Oh my God!" I said my eyes widening. "You’ve earned it. You’re a great student, Trix. You deserve a scholarship" She told me. "Thanks, Mrs. Marshall. Thanks a lot!" I said as I gathered my things and dashed out the door.

I saw Brittany standing by her car talking to a guy with hat and sunglasses on. "He’s familiar" I murmured. Joey!, I thought as I walked straight into someone. Great! I just keep bumping into people today!, I thought. "I’m sorry. I didn’t...see you" I looked up into eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses, a head covered by a blue baseball hat, and a mouth forming a huge grin. I frowned. "Don’t tell me you don’t recognize me anymore" He said still grinning. I recognized the voice instantly. "JC!" I said as he hugged me.

"Hey you two!" Joey said. "Hey Brit! Hey Joe!" I said. "I’m taking Brittany, rather she’s taking me" Joey said laughing. "And JC will take you" Brittany said winking. "Ok" I said unable to stop blood rushing to my cheeks. "Oh no, I forgot my biology book. I have homework" I slapped myself on the forehead. "You guys can go ahead. I’ll wait for Trixie" JC told Joey and Brittany as he leaned against a limo. "Sure. Thanks!" Joey said as he grabbed Brittany’s wrist and walked toward Brittany’s car.

I rushed to my locker. I opened it and got my book. I started to go outside when Maureen stopped me. "Where are you going, geek?" She said in her usual sarcastic tone. Her little crew was composed of Tara as of this time. "Maureen, please let me through. I have to go. Someone’s waiting for me" I said as I went out of the building trying to avoid her eyes. "Oh, and who is that? Your little NSYNC guy?" She taunted. I stopped and turned around. "Why would you care?" I asked her. "You wouldn’t understand, you being a geek" Maureen said simply giving me the look she had given me this morning.

~JC’s P.O.V.~

I saw her walk out of the building backing away from a girl who had blond hair. She was near tears. I had to do something. I took off my hat and sunglasses and crept up to her side.

"What’s going on here?" I said eyeing the girl carefully. "Maureen" One other girl tapped the blond girl.

Trixie’s green eyes were wide in surprise. I signaled her to keep quiet and watch.

"So it’s Maureen, huh?" I said taking a step toward her. "Oh my God" The girl started. "I love you guys!" "You guys are so hot!" The other girl squealed. Teenyboppers, I thought as I winced inwardly. I ignored their comments about me and went beside Trixie. "I heard what you said about Trixie and..." I let myself trail off. "Oh that, don’t worry about that we were just kidding" Maureen babbled. "I have a big favor to ask you, if you don’t mind" I said looking directly at Maureen. "Anything" Maureen said trying to be calm. "Why don’t you just leave my baby girl alone. Don’t talk to her if you don’t like her. It would just be a waste of your precious time" I said putting my arm around Trixie’s waist.

Trixie looked at me still wide-eyed. I could tell she loved the shocked look on all their faces. "So it’s true?" Maureen‘s face twisted into a scowl. She seemed to be the fearless leader. "What if it is?" I asked them. "Nothing...I" Maureen began.

"Ya ready, baby?" I asked Trixie ignoring them. I placed my lips over hers in front of Maureen and her little group. Trixie’s lips were stunned but soft and tasted like vanilla. It seemed to go on forever, but at last she pulled away. "Not quite, Hun" She said going along with me. "What then?" I asked. "Would you please tell Maureen I didn’t spread the rumor of us together" She said giving me puppy dog eyes. "You spread a rumor?" I said raising my voice so Maureen could hear our conversation.

I turned to Maureen. "I bet Trixie doesn’t really open her mouth to talk here in the school. Much less spread a rumor" I said to Maureen who was as shocked as ever. "Of course she didn’t. It must’ve been someone else" Maureen said. "Thanks much. I’ll be seeing you around" I said as I blew a kiss in her direction. Trixie and me headed to the limo where Harry was waiting.

~~~~~~~

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