I dropped the blue envelope into the mailbox and strode slowly back towards my house. I heard the mailman driving up behind me, but I didn't look back. I knew he was opening the little black door and taking out my envelope, covered with doubles Ss. He was setting it into the bin beside him. And then I heard him step on the gas pedal and head to my neighbors. I let out a deep breath and opened the door to my house. I walked upstairs to my room. As I tripped the laser at my door, I heard JC's automated voice- "It's Gonna Be Me" he sang.
Yeah I know, I thought to myself. I looked over at my desk. The graph paper sat in the middle of it, surrounded by endless pictures of *Nsync. Down at one corner was an old, crinkled picture of Brian-one that I had missed during my cleaning. I went and scooped it up and put it in an old box. As I started to talk to JC I reminded myself of how stupid I was. Who the heck talks to their pictures?
"School sucked today," I commented to his deep blue eyes. A breeze drifted through my window and the picture blew casually sideways as he acknowledged me.
"Man, please pick me!" I thought of the letter on its way to the post office.
"Please JC, Please, Please, Please!" I pleaded to my picture. I turned around to another, and begged to it. Then I sat down- laughing and making fun of myself. Pictures can't talk. They can't hear you or see. They don't see it when you get up at midnight cause you heard their song, playing ever so softly on the radio next to your bed. They can't see you when you cry during 'drive myself crazy', cause it is so true, and you do lie awake, driving yourself crazy with mad adoration for a soul that will never know you, speak to you, or even realize that you exist. But heck, that's the life of a fan right? Crying and loving, and going heartbroken over someone who you will never really know. I thought of Onyx, his pictures mounting up to something awful inside that box. I thought of the many tears shed that fateful Saturday as he said, "I do". I shivered, and turned back to JC. I didn't say anything, but simply smiled a painful smile at him, he smiled back- what else could he do?
I performed the moves perfectly. I put my hands over my head and twisted into the lead position, letting Hillary sidle past me into third. I brought my hand out in front of me, placing the other behind my back as I mocked my fantasy love. I clenched my hands into fists and twisted my leg, then did the series of motions I always messed up on- faultless. I ducked down, then brought my head up. I waved my fingers in front of my chest, stepping side to side for what seemed like eternity before skipping into the chorus. I stepped back, then jogged forward, and then went back again. All the while performing the hand motions and leg movements flawlessly. Finally, I fell to the ground, looking up to see Hillary with her hands spread apart in a victorious show. I looked over at Silvia, fallen to the floor in a crumpled heap. As the applause died down I got back up to my feet. I brushed off my pants and we bowed to the crowd. I punched Hilary in the shoulder as her and I took an extra bow. Haley went absolutely wild and I heard her voice stand out among the crowd "NSYNC WOOOH! YEAH GO JUSTIN!!! WOOOH!!!!! NSYNC FOREVER!!!!" I sighed and shook my head as we headed behind the curtain and they announced the next act. This year's talent show was a definite success.
Together, we headed towards our apartments to celebrate. It was a short walk through the woods, the sunlight glittered down through the trees. The weight of my backpack was nothing. It was the last day of high school, we obviously didn't have any homework to do. Even though the majority of us were in our early 20s (not me, I was only 19), we had all gotten into Kindergarten late... maybe that's what brought us together. That and the fact that we all looked kinda strange together(UNIQUE, I should say.. but that's ok.. UNIQUE is good). I had very, very long black hair, down to my waist. It was very annoying as it always seemed to slip into my face, and I was constantly pulling it back behind my ear. Hillary had shoulder length brown hair that was up most of the time. Silvia was very short, only about 5'2". I told her she would have to grow, if she planned on ever looking at something other than Justin's chest.
"How is that bad?" she asked me. Hannah had shorter, brown hair with the ends died red, for Joey. Rachel, last but not least, had bright blond hair, with a blue streak that hung down in front of her left eye. So I guess we didn't look that much a like, but we still hung out any ways.
I looked over at Hillary, her snow camouflage outfit stood out against the green and browns of the woods. My black shirt, completed with JC's initials in gold that matched the pants blended a bit better. We finally saw the complex in the distance, and came out of the woods from the back. As we walked up the driveway I halted and almost fainted. Hillary and Silvia started screaming while we ran towards this unbelievable mirage. It couldn't be true, I told myself as my backpack dropped from my shoulders and fell to the ground. This can't possibly be real.
As my hero wrapped his arms around me I didn't know what to do. I couldn't think, I couldn't scream, I was too amazed even to cry. I looked around. I didn't believe what was happening. I looked up into the same blue pools I had stared into for years on my dresser. Though now they didn't turn into pixels when I got close. I shook my head in disbelief and JC laughed. Hillary and Silvia were by Justin, both in a state of shock and amazement. Tryn had come over next to me and I hugged him too.
"I like your shirt. I should get one of those," JC added with a laugh. I stood wide eyed. "You ever gonna talk or what?" he asked me. I blinked and shook my head. What could I say? I was standing in front of the guy I had loved for ages and I couldn't think of a single word.
"Oh my gosh! I can't believe it's... is it really you?" I questioned, smacking myself, what kind of mindless question was that! But JC only laughed.
"Real as ever," Lance's voice hit me, it was deep and rich, and I was almost carried away by the swells of each syllable. I basked in their presence. I had won! I couldn't believe it! The next month would be mine, and four friends' of my choice’s, to hang out with *//\\//Sync! I couldn't believe it! I was going to get a month to do nothing but chill with the most wonderful, beautiful, talented people on the planet!!!
"Are these who you want to bring along with you?" Justin asked as he came up to me. His eyes pierced me, his curly hair attracting me like it never had before. I could see then why he had so many devoted fans. I nodded slowly. Hannah was busy flirting with Joey-no surprise there. Chris was standing around, talking with Rachel and acting weird. Hillary, Silvia and I were surrounded by JC, Lance and Justin- All three of them paralyzing us with their looks. "So where to first?" JC asked me. I shook my head, not knowing what to say. I turned and looked at the *Nsync bus pulled up outside my house.
"Can we see the bus?" I questioned in a daze. Justin smiled and led the way there. JC motioned for my hand and I gladly gave it. I felt his hand in mine, and it was a moment sent from heaven. I wasn't even beginning to recover from the shock. A whole month! A Month to do whatever we wanted with *Nsync!! A whole month! I was leaping for joy inside but kept cool as we walked forward...
I couldn't believe they had to live in that bus for almost what, two months. It was so tiny. Their bunks were the size of dog beds (no pun intended... hehe). The tour of the bus didn't take long considering its size, and I sat down at the little table. JC sat next to me. This was so unbelievable. Lance was walking around- Probably wondering what to do, he was stuck with five wild teens for the next month. Joey was still talking to Hannah. It figured. Joey was Hannah's favorite; she must have been in heaven. I know I was. I started talking to JC and with every word I liked him more. He was so cool about everything. Lance joined in on the conversation. I loved his voice! It as so deep and flowing, and Lance was really laid back about everything, but still adventurous. He said that he would have to take us skydiving while we were here. Rachel heard this and backed out right away- she was afraid of heights, but I jumped at the chance. It was something I'd always wanted to do. JC said he'd go too. And so would Justin(Of course, Silvia accepted on the spot as soon as she heard this. Hillary, however, wouldn't go if her life depended on it.). Chris backed out for Rachel's sake(I think he liked her, he was so sweet, with his chocolate brown eyes glittering as he talked to her.) and Joey decided against it too. Then JC said it was time to go. They were doing the concert tonight in Cleveland, and he said that they would have to start going if they hoped to make it on time. I felt a bump as the bus started to slowly move out of the apartment complex and scooted down the street.
"Hi Tryn," Rachel said as she walked over toward him, followed shortly by Chris.
"Tryn?" Lance questioned.
I started to laugh, realizing that the guys knew nothing about our nicknames. I stepped forward. "That's Rachel, and Tryn is your nickname, we have them for all of you, It's just something we did in our spare time.
"What's my Nickname?" Justin asked.
"Teter," Silvia and Hillary said together.
"What's that mean?" he asked with a smile.
We sat down and started explaining all their nicknames to them. Justin laughed at his- especially TJj, though we were reluctant to tell him that one at first. Lance nodded and smiled at his. Chris thought his was "Way cool" and JC shivered at the thought of the Mickey Mouse Club as we told him his... then we got to Joey.
"Flirty Spice," I said. Chris broke out into laughter... which was quickly silenced by a harsh punch in the stomach. Justin tried not to laugh but pretty soon the whole bus was filled with the sounds of it. Joey finally gave in and with a quick head shake to Lance he joined in.
We arrived at the Gund Arena and man the place was chaotic. We followed the guys around to the makeup room, where they stayed for awhile, then the guys went into the meet and greet. After they'd done this things slowed down for awhile. Of course, the five of us were still totally in awe. An hour before the show the guys got into costume and started trying to get a Hackey. Hillary and I joined in the circle, and it took quite awhile before we finally made it. Then the stage manager took us behind the stage, where JC, Justin, Lance, Chris and Joey got their harnesses on. It was two minutes before the show, and we were given earplugs to save ourselves from the screams of the crowd outside. With a hug we watched them sail to the top of the stage. Then went around to the side to get an up close and personal view of the concert. We watched them come down, dressed in tattered puppet rags and remove themselves from their strings. The music started playing and they started dancing. I suggested that we only watch one or two of the songs, because we would be watching the concert every night almost for the next month. The others agreed and we tiptoed off after No Strings Attached. We found the Toy Room and walked in. Man, were the guys messy. I picked up a sweaty bandana and tossed it to Hillary and Silvia, who fought over it like a pack of wild piranhas. I picked up a wife beater from off of the weight bench and sat down, looking around. There was a keyboard in the back and I sat down and made up a little jingle.
"Where do you think Busta stays while all this is going on?" Rachel asked. I shrugged and then my eyes lit up.
"Let's find out shall we?" I said sneakily. We crept out of the Toy Room, Hillary and Silvia now in tears because during their fighting Justin's bandana had lost its sweat stain.. don't ask how, all I know is that it did. This, of course, brought its value down. I sighed and we walked around backstage. We sneaked into the changing room, walking passed all of the hangars full of clothes. Silvia and Hillary rushed over to Justin's section.
"Look! Here's the 'Digital Getdown’ outfit!'" Hillary said, showing us the light up pants. I rolled my eyes and looked at my watch. You know, it should be just about time for digital getdown, as if on cue we heard running coming our way. We all scurried between the racks of clothes. The running came into the room and we could hear heavy breathing. I saw a hand reach to grab the jacket I was hiding behind. I leaned back, sucking my stomach in as the hand reached passed. I heard two consecutive shrieks, the first from Hillary, the second from Justin, and knew that someone hadn't been so lucky. Lance parted his clothes and found me there. I smiled shyly. He started laughing his head off.
"If you're trying to find my underwear, it's not here," Justin said through his laughs. All of us had been uncovered. Suddenly the opening for Digital Getdown started. The guys changed faster than lightning and scrambled out. We all broke out into laughter at the same time.
"Hmm, I wonder where his underwear is?" Hillary said evilly.
"Oh no! Don't even go there!" Hannah said. We hurried out of the room and continued exploring. We found some arcade games and started playing them, then heard Bye Bye Bye being played and went back to our place behind the stage. After it was over the guys came back and nearly knocked us over.
"Come on, we have to get back to the bus before everybody leaves. If we don't we'll never make it out alive," Chris said. We jogged after them, grinning as they stripped down to nothing but black pants and wife beaters. Sweat glistened off their bodies. They let us onto the bus first and then followed us in. As Soon as Lance came in, bringing up the rear, the doors shut and we were off. It was dark outside and we turned the lights on to see.
"So what do you guys do now?" I asked.
"Sleep!" said JC, moving for the tiny bunks in the back of the bus.
"Well, JC does. I dunno we usually just chill out. What do you guys want to do?" Lance asked. I still paused every time he talked. I loved his voice. It was so rich and deep.
"Hey, I just thought of something, we only have five beds!" JC called.
"Oh, yeah, well, we'll just have to double bunk," Justin said.
"I call Justin's bunk!!!" Hillary and Silvia shouted.
"Ladies, there's enough of me to go around," Justin said sarcastically. As it turned out, Justin and Hillary ended up together (Rock beats Scissors), and Silvia stayed in the extra bunk. Joey and Hannah split a bunk, as did Rachel and Chris. I grabbed the couch while it was still open. Lance came back a while later and sat next to me on the couch. I felt his arm go around my shoulder.
"You can have my bed, you know" he said.
"No, I think Silv already took it," I said. "The couch is fine."
"Well it looks like we're together then," Lance said with a shrug. I looked into his deep golden emerald eyes and smiled. He went back into the bunk area and came back out with a sheet. I had settled down and I felt a soft breeze as he laid it over me. I watched as he sat down across from me and fluffed a cushion to work for a pillow. He leaned back and closed his eyes. I smiled and drifted off to sleep.
"Hey wake up Sunshine," Lance said. I opened my eyes and looked into his. I sat up and brushed the hair out of my eyes. It was still dark outside, and I wondered why he had woken me up. I looked around, no one else was up.
"Shh," He said, "We still have a half an hour, then we get to wake everybody up!" Lance smiled and his eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. I looked questioningly at him, but then got up and walked over to the window, I pulled up the blinds and saw that we were still moving.
"Where are we going to today?" I asked.
"Pittsburgh," he answered.
I noticed him going over to some cabinets and taking out various things, a huge spoon, a large pan, and other pots.
"What are those for?" I asked. Lance smiled but didn't answer. He handed me a huge pot and ladle and then remarked, "Let's go get Justin!" I followed him back and we stood next to Justin's bed. He blinked and then sat up. He rubbed the sleet out of his eyes and when he saw Lance with the pots he grinned evilly. Lance handed him one and each of us went to stand next to a bunk. Lance silently mouthed 1...2.. 3 Justin and Lance started beating their pots and pans together as hard as they could. Joey went bolt upright, knocking himself in the head. Rachel, Hannah, Silvia and Hillary all jolted in surprise, Hillary falling off of Justin’s bunk onto the floor. Chris went bug-eyed and he screamed as soon as he heard the noise. We stopped, and Justin and Lance and I were all cracking up. Then I halted as I looked in the last bunk. JC was sound asleep. I shook my head wondering how the heck anybody could sleep through that. Chris was hitting Justin over the head with a half mad half kidding kind of smile. Joey was rubbing his head, with Hannah at his side asking him if he was ok. He sorta glared at us, but Lance laughed louder. I went up to JC and poked him in the shoulder, "Hello sleepy head! Time to get up!" JC didn't budge. I sighed, and then banged my pot and ladle together as hard as I could and started yelling "EMINEM! EMINEM! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! IT'S EMINEM! HE'S GONNA KILL US!!!!"
"Em... emin... em...WHAT!" JC bolted up in bed ducking just before he hit the top of his bunk. This time it was the other guys’ turn to laugh as JC turned bright red. He looked almost a tomato color as everyone laughed. Then he started laughing with us, able to handle the joke. We all had tears in our eyes when we finally stopped laughing and caught our breath.
"So! How about breakfast?" Justin said, opening up a cupboard to reveal about five boxes of Apple Jacks. "We have Apple Jacks, Apple Jacks, and just for a change of pace, Apple Jacks," He grinned.
"I think I'll take Apple Jacks!" Hillary said.
"Good Choice!" Silvia agreed.
Chris went over and looked behind the stacks of Apple Jacks for something else. "Can't we just eat out today?" he whined.
“Yeah, we've been eating Apple Jacks for the past month!!!" Joey agreed. But Justin was already adding milk to the three bowls he had poured. He handed one to Silvia and one to Hillary.
"At least I know who my real friends are!" he said sarcastically, putting a hand around Hillary and Silvia.
"Listen Justin, why don't you hang out with them, and the rest of us will go and eat a REAL meal." JC suggested. He went up to the front of the bus and opened the door to talk to the driver. I couldn't hear any of the conversation. Hillary, Silvia and Justin were discussing all of their favorite cereals. I sighed. JC came back and I sat down at the table between him and Lance.
"So where are we going?" Lance asked JC.
"Somewhere that doesn't serve Apple Jacks," he said with a grin.
"Don't listen to them girls... they're all just critics," Justin quarried. He looked down and saw a baby blue tag sticking out of Hillary's pocket. He pulled on it and out came his Bandana. "So that's where this went!!!" he said. "I had to do all of Space Cowboys without it, you little sneaks!" he said with a hint of adoration in his voice. Hillary and Silvia just smiled, like two little kids caught stealing candy. Obviously it worked cause Justin went right back to his conversation about cereal. I jerked as the bus stopped.
"Well, we're there!" JC said, eagerly walking out of the bus. Lance took my hand and we walked out together. Bob Evan's. I laughed as we walked in. Lance, Joey, Chris, and JC all slipped a hat and shades on before going up and asking for a table for seven. I looked out the window and the *Nsync bus was gone, upon closer examination I saw it sneakily parked behind a Wal-Mart. Lance gave my hand a small tug and my mind snapped back. We sat down, Joey next to Hannah, Rachel next to Chris (both of them were shy as heck, but the little words that they exchanged were full of warmth. I knew he liked Rachel, his big chocolate eyes sparkled whenever he looked at her.. basically constantly as he couldn't pull his eyes away from her.). Joey and Hannah were big time flirters. I couldn't believe how well they had hit it off. Lance handed me a menu, and JC pointed out his favorite meal. I nodded in agreement and set the menu down. Lance looked really bad in his hat, not that any of the others looked much better though. The waiter came by to our table and we ordered our drinks. Chris and Rachel kept glancing at each other, and Hannah and Joey kept talking non-stop.
"So, what's new?" Lance asked me.
I shrugged, "Well, I've just won the greatest contest in the world, and am now spending time with the most gorgeous, talented and kind guys on the planet."
Lance blushed, "Wow, that must be pretty cool."
"Yeah, not only that, but I got to wake them up by shouting Eminem warnings in their ear while banging on pots and pans," JC mocked me. I turned around to face him and smiled. He grinned and I sighed. Lance and JC were so cool. Off course, Hillary and Silvia would have said the same about Justin, Hannah, about Joey, and Rachel to Chris.
"Hey," Lance said. "We are going to be near a great skydiving place this weekend, I'm sure the others will find something to do."
"Yeah, that'll be great! I've always wanted to go skydiving!" I said.
"It's really fun," Lance stated. He was about to say something when our waiter came by with our food. I looked down at my plate hungrily, wondering how Justin could possibly favor Apple Jacks over this. Lance got French toast, and JC and me had the same thing- sunshine skillet.
"Hey, Aren't you the girls who-"
"Can I have some water, sir?" Lance quickly interrupted.
"Sure, right away!" he said and dashed off. I looked as he headed towards the kitchens. I saw his mouth move and everyone in the kitchen looked over towards our table.
"Uh-oh…"JC murmured, "We've been spotted."
The guys started wolfing down their food, and urged us to do the same. By the time the waiter came back with Lance's water we had all finished. We asked for the bill, and Lance pulled out a hundred and gave it to him.
"Keep the change!" he called, and we all scooted outside. The *Nsync bus immediately came out, picked us up and zoomed back onto the highway.
"Well, sorry about that," Lance said to us.
"That doesn't usually happen," Chris said. Wow! He does talk! It was kinda high-pitched, but smooth, not squeaky. Silvia, Hillary and Justin were looking over at a lap top. They had gotten on-line and were now talking to people.
"So, that's your real screen name," I said to him.
"Yup. My only one too. Here, we'll give you guys all our screen names," he said, and Joey got out a piece of paper. He scribbled down five screen names, each with a very hidden tie to *Nsync. I wanted to laminate these and put them in a safe with ten thousand locks on it. Joey handed me the paper and the pen and we wrote down all of our screen names. Justin took the piece of paper and put us all on his buddy list. I was on Justin Timberlake's buddy list! This had to be one of the best things yet!
"Now, you guys are the only ones who know about this. So, don't let the Teenies get a hold of these," Joey warned us. I shook my head, strongly agreeing.
"Aww, man!" Justin whined. "We have to go to a photo shoot today!"
"What's so bad about that?" I asked.
"Do you know the kinda things they make me wear!" he asked.
"It's ok Teter, we know that no matter what they make you wear you'll always look hot!" Silvia said.
Justin gave one of those half laugh/half sigh type things and shrugged.
"Hey! That reminds me, do you guys mind if we take some of our own pics?" I said with a voice full of mischief.
"Of course not! I mean, we're going to be at a photo shoot and all, so shoot your hearts out," Justin said.
Hillary and I looked at each other and grinned. Chris went up to the front of the bus and opened the door to the driver.
"Are we there yet?" I heard him complain. I laughed. Chris came back and told us that we only had about a half hour left on the bus and then we would be in Pittsburgh. We could waste some time for a couple of hours before the photo shoot, and after that was done we could go out eat a quick dinner, and then head for the concert.
"Finally! Some spare time to do whatever we want!" Justin said in relief. “We could check out the mall," he suggested. "You guys like shopping?"
"What kinda stupid question is that, all those of the female persuasion love shopping!" Chris said. "And I do too!"
"Eh, I don't!" Lance said. "But as long as we're there, let's get Auntie Annie's... I love those pretzels!"
"Me too!" I said, remembering how I always made everyone buy Auntie Annie's pretzels whenever we went to the mall. The bus dropped us off about a half mile away from the mall in an old alley way, and the guys once again dawned their shades and hats. Incognito, we started walking around the mall. Justin pointed out a life size poster of himself in Spencer's gifts, and we all walked over there. Justin stood next to the picture and mimicked it- folding his arms across his chest and giving that little twisted smile that always made the girls croon. Hillary and Silvia got this kinda glazed look and just stood there mesmerized until he waved his hand in front of their faces.
"Yoo-hoo, anybody there?"
They both snapped out of it and blushed. I grinned and walked around the store. I found a poster of the guys that I didn't have yet (OH MY GOSH!), and went over to the counter and paid for it. I took it out and showed Lance.
"Hey I know that guy!" said Chris, coming up from behind us and pointing to himself on the poster. "We went to the same college!"
I couldn't help but laugh as I stuck the poster back in my bag and we went outside.
"There's the Auntie Annie's!" Lance shouted, and quickened up his pace. We all ordered pretzels and sat down at one of the little mall tables.
"Geez Lance, we only went to one store, and already were eating pretzels," Justin said.
Lance was too busy eating to answer, so Joey remarked, "Look whose talking Mr. Apple Jacks!"
Justin laughed and started eating his cinnamon pretzel. We were soon finished and continued looking around the mall. We went into American Eagle and I found a shirt that I actually liked (big change for me). I went into the changing room and tried it on, I came back out and twirled around for the guys. JC let out a wolf whistle and I blushed. I went back in, then came out, paid for the shirt and went into the bathroom to change into it. We continued walking up and down and then found our way into the CD store. JC had almost twenty CDs by the time we left.
"Got enough CDs?" I asked
"You can never have too many CDs... besides we don't get to go shopping much. So when we go, we go."
I nodded, a reasonable explanation. With a laugh we kept walking. "Oh look!" Chris, JC and I all said as we rounded a corner. We went up to the window and stared at the little puppies in the window of a pet store.
"Aww! Look at that one it looks like Justin!" Hillary squeaked.
"Huh?" Justin said, looking at the puppy they were admiring.
“Oh yeah, with the tongue sticking out!! I see it!" said Chris, looking back and forth between the puppy and Justin. Justin burst out laughing, cause the dog did have its tongue sticking out (and as we all know Justin's is out constantly). I was over by a small little puppy. It was black and white and medium haired. A Border Collie.
"You like that one?" Lance asked me come up behind and staring at the pup.
"Yeah, I've always wanted a Border Collie, ever since I was like ten," I told him. JC was looking at all of them and wondering what breed they were and how old they were. "Like I say, he's nuts about dogs!" Chris said. JC looked up with a smile.
With a quick glance at his watch Joey exclaimed, "Woah, we gotta go you guys or we'll be late for the shoot!"
We al hurried out of the mall, I took one last peek at the collie and they we hurried out the door. We went out of a back entrance, and JC took out his cell phone and called up somebody. He didn't talk though so I assumed it was a beeper. Within the minute the bus drove up and we climbed inside. I sat down on the couch and pulled out my poster, setting up on the table.
"Hey I remember that shoot!" Chris said. "Dude, Justin, look how ugly you were!"
"Yeah, I'd be talking too Pineapple head," JC commented, looking at the old picture. I took out the camera and film that I had bought and got some ready. I made everybody group together then set the camera for automatic, I rushed around and got in the picture between Lance and JC as the flash went off. Then I went back and took a picture of Hannah and Joey.
Justin posed with Hillary and Silvia draped around his neck and gave a psychotic smile complete with his tongue. I laughed and took the picture. Justin grabbed the camera out of my hands and held it out a ways from him, made a face, and then clicked. Then he motioned for me to get into the picture with JC and Lance.
Lance and I blushed when he told us this but JC went right up to me and placed his arm around my shoulder, Lance kneeled in front of me and we all smiled. Justin clicked the button and we all got up, Lance got up a little too fast and tripped me, I stumbled down next to him and he landed beside me. I burst out laughing with the rest of the guys. Lance and I sheepishly got up. His face was flushed and I knew mine was too. Then the guys took a picture of the five of us together. Then we got a pic of the five of them. Justin was adding another roll of film and taking wacky pictures of the guys. He chased after Chris and pinned him to the floor, then he snapped a close up. Then Joey grabbed the camera out of his hands, opened up the cupboard and took a picture of Justin's Apple Jacks stash. I laughed until my sides hurt. When the bus finally jolted to a stop we were all out of breath from running around, laughing, snapping pictures.
"Hey, these fine ladies are going to be joining us in this photo shoot!" Justin announced as we paraded down the steps. They took us over and they handed the guys shirts to wear.
"See?" Justin exclaimed as he looked at his shirt with a grimace. "I always get the worst clothes!"
The guys changed and they headed out. As they made for their first pose I snapped a picture. Then Justin motioned for all of us to come out there. I left my camera on a chair and headed out. We sat down and kneeled and stood up around the guys, and the camera kept on flashing. They started taking individual pics of everybody. Joey went out with Hannah, and then did something no one ever would have guessed. He was swinging her out, the cameras flashing, Hannah acting like a real model. But then, as he brought her back towards him he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. It lasted for about five seconds, and in that time I swapped up my own camera and took a picture.
Hannah pulled back, amazed. Joey smiled and Hannah returned it. She walked off with him, dazed, and Justin, Silvia and Hillary went on. He laughed and joked around. Silvia and Hillary smiled for the camera, well, it was probably more for Justin but who’s to judge. Rachel and Chris were still too shy to go on so JC pulled me on and Lance followed. JC laughed and made a strange face for the camera, the director ordered out positions for us, he told me to lie down and act bored so I did, putting my chin on my hands and my feet up in the air. Then JC and Lance sat back to back, their backs joining over mine. I motioned for Hannah to get a pic and she did. I gave a small smile and then we stood up. Justin pushed Chris out as Hannah and Hillary forced Rachel out there. She pushed a black strand of her long hair out of her face and gazed up at Chris. How sweet! I thought. They were about as red as you could get, and said nothing. Crazy Chris was shy as could be. Who ‘da thunk? They finally finished after about an hour of more group pics. We all smiled and climbed back on the bus. I sat down on my couch. The day already exhausting me. I didn't see how they were going to manage to do another concert tonight. Lance sat next to me and rested his arm over my shoulder. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes.
"I'm so glad you guys won this contest," he said in a soft quiet voice. I looked over at him; he opened his emerald eyes and I gazed into them. His blond brown hair was ruffled and without thinking I reached up and straightened one of the curls. He smiled and again leaned back. I rested my head against his hand. I had almost fallen asleep when the familiar jerk of the bus stopping awoke me. Justin was the first one to get up.
Everyone had gone really quiet. Hannah was looking at me and giggling, holding the camera in her hands, I could hear it rewinding. Then I realized that she had gotten a picture of Lance and I dozing off together. I glared at her, but it quickly turned into a grin. I shook Lance and he opened his eyes. I motioned him up and we walked out of the bus. Joey held Hannah's hand and asked for a table for ten. We sat down and started talking about movies.
"Tomorrow we don't have a concert, so we can go and see something," Joey said. "Anything good you guys want to see?"
I shrugged and looked over at Hillary, "Meet the Parents is supposed to be hilarious."
"Oh yeah, is that the one with Ben Stiller?"
"Yeah," Hillary said. We agreed to see it tomorrow. The guys would finally have some time to relax, and what better way than a movie? I looked on the menu, and decided on what to get. The waitress brought me my coke. Joey was feeling daring and had ordered a martini. I hoped it wore off before the concert. Chris was starting to talk more, though not directly to Rachel. I almost squirted pop out my noise as he broke out a joke. We all laughed and several tables turned to look at us. We all stifled our laughter, but as everyone went back to normal we cracked up again.
"You know, I have to tell you guys that when we first heard about this contest we thought we were going to get stuck with a bunch of boring Teenie Boppers. You have no idea how relieved we were when we found out that you fine ladies had won," Justin said. Hillary brushed a loose strand of dark hair behind her ear, slightly pink, and smiled. Lance nodded in agreement to Justin's statement. Joey very quickly agreed, his eyes resting on Hannah. I had my hair pulled back and I could feel JC playing with it. I turned to look at him, he smiled at me and leaned towards me. I stared into his deep blue eyes as we came closer and closer...-
"Can I get you all something to eat?" the waitress said. We pulled away, and I flipped through the menu, trying to remember what I had wanted. I was last to order. I looked back over towards JC, blushing. He smiled at me and then told the waitress what he wanted. She left ad I cursed her silently. Dang woman.
The food came surprisingly quick and we had little time to start a new conversation.
