*** Krystl ***
"Hey, Krystl."
"Justin, what are you doing here?" I asked him.
"Amanda's at school and I'm bored. I wish I could be with her." He answered as he sat down at my kitchen table.
"Well, you are on break for a while now, so you can be with her when she's not at school." I say comforting him.
"No, I can't. Melinda called about an hour ago. We leave for Florida on Saturday. She can't go with us, she still has school." He said sadly.
"Why so soon?"
"We have things to do and we are also going to visit our parents." He answered.
"Well, she's going to be home soon. She's not going to be happy when she hears this." Justin said as he headed for Amanda's house.
"Bye." I say sadly, knowing that when Justin left, Chris left too.
*** Amanda’s house ***
*** Amanda ***
"Justin, baby, I'm home. Where are you?" I called as I walked in the door.
"Upstairs in your room." He answered.
'He sounds upset, I wonder what's wrong.' I thought. I put my stuff away as soon as I got upstairs.
"Hey, baby." I kissed him.
"What did you do today?" I asked.
"Nothing much. Just hung around, and bugged Krystl."
"Hopefully not much."
"She didn't care. She was just working on her homework."
'Something's really wrong.' I grabbed my math book and laid down on my bed beside him. I heard him sigh sadly.
"Justin, is there something wrong?" I asked turning over to look at him.
"Actually, yes there is. Um, I don't know how to tell you this, but, um, Melinda called and, um, our schedule changed. We leave for Florida on Saturday." He said.
"What?! When will you be back?" I asked as tears started to flow from my eyes.
"I don't know. I only wish there were some way that I could take you with me." He said.
As I continued to cry, he held me tightly. His embrace was so comforting, that I fell asleep in his arms.
“Amanda, hun, time for dinner." I hear J.C. say quietly.
"Where's Justin?" I ask, realizing that he was no longer holding me.
"He went for a drive, and just got back. He picked up fried chicken, for dinner." He answered as we walked out of my room and downstairs.
At dinner, everyone was so melancholy, that nothing was said and not much eaten, until Krystl came into the room with a bright smile on her face.
"I can teach her!" Everyone had a confused look on their face.
"What are you talking about, Krystl?" Justin asked.
"I can teach Amanda. She has a couple weeks left in school, just enough time for me to get my license as a private tutor. I can transfer all of her records to me and then she can come with us!"
"I can?!"
"Yup, a couple weeks from now, you'll be my student, and you two will never be apart."
"That's wonderful!" I exclaimed, before kissing Justin.
We finished dinner, and spent the next few days clearing up things, with the important people. Justin and I spent as much time together as we could. Even though we were about to be separated for a few weeks, the knowledge of our time together made us happy.
*** At the Airport ***
"I can't believe your leaving in less than half an hour." I said to Justin as I sat on his lap in the room reserved for *NSYNC.
"I know, but in two weeks, we'll be together. Krystl will teach you and then we'll never be apart."
James came in the room and I knew they would be living soon. I started to cry.
"I don't want you to go." I said, thinking that would stop him from leaving.
"I have to go, but you know I will be back soon." He said trying to comfort me.
"Time to go, guys." James said.
They grabbed their stuff and walked towards the plane. Justin and I had our arms wrapped around each other as we headed out of the room.
"I'm going to miss you so much." He said.
"Me too." I answered through tears.
After long goodbye hugs and kisses, the guys boarded the plane. Justin got into a window seat and waved to me. I waved back and blew him a kiss, right before the plane drove off.
*** On the plane ***
"Man, Justin. She was really upset." Chris said.
"Justin, earth to Justin. Hey, you still alive?"
"Leave him alone." J.C. interrupted.
"Oh, there's fatherhood for you." He teased.
"Shut up" He responded before grabbing the seat next to Justin.
"I'm going to miss her so much."
"Ya, I thought that's what the silence was about." J.C. answered.
"I just wish Chris could see the love we have for each other." Justin said.
"Woah, did you just say LOVE?" J.C. asked in a loud voice.
"God, J.C. Never mind." Justin answered.
"Sorry, man. Did you really mean that though?"
"Yes, I really think that she's the one for me. But what scares me, is that she's 17 and I'm 18. We're not old enough to know that we want to spend the rest of our lives together. Aren't we?" Justin asked, feeling better that he could talk to J.C. about it.
He'd been waiting to talk to him since the first time he saw her.
"I don't know, man. How does Amanda feel about this?" He asked.
"Don't know." He said as he thought of Amanda's face as she waved goodbye to him at the airport.
'She looked so sad, she must have felt the same way. Why else would she be so upset?' He thought.
"Justin, get some sleep." J.C. said seeing the worry on Justin's face
*** 2 days later ***
Dear Diary,
It's been 2 days since the guys had to leave. I miss Justin so much. The touch of his arms around me, the warmth of his embrace, and his kiss. Oh, I miss him so bad. A friend of mine at school wrote a beautiful poem called THINKING OF YOU. Except for one line, it fits how I feel for Justin perfectly. She said it would be all right if I changed it a little. I'm going to send it to him in my next letter.
*** 3 days later in Florida ***
"Hey, Justin. You have a letter from Amanda." Chris yelled as he brought in the mail.
"Give it to me." Justin said as he looked at a picture of her.
"I miss her so much."
"I know how you feel. We all miss our girls." Chris said as he gave Justin the letter.
Dear Justin,
Baby, I miss you so much. I wish I could have come to Florida with you. But, I can't wait until we are together again soon. I also can't wait to meet your mom, she seems so nice. I hope she likes me. I want to thank the person who brought you to this world, so you could be with me. My friend, Bonnie, wrote a poem, but it fits perfectly with my feelings for you.
Miss ya,
Amanda
P.S. Tell Chris his "Woman" misses him, too.
Thinking of You
I’m sitting here doing what I always do.
I’m sitting here thinking of only you.
The way you smile, the way you talk,
Your shining eyes and the way you walk.
To think my life is really that sad,
Because I need you oh so bad.
And if you only knew, when I think of you,
Every second, in every day.
With all my heart in every way.
My love for you is very strong,
Love I often do prolong.
When you talk my knees start to shake,
And when you leave my heart starts to break.
It’s really hard when I talk at night,
The words just never come out right.
Your touch is like an angel,
Your voice is soft and fragile.
So you see, what happens to my pride,
When you brush against my side.
I fall to pieces, this is true,
Because I am so in love with you.
I wonder if you feel the same,
Or if you just like to play this game.
Oh and if you only knew, just how I think of you.
With trembling hands and a loving heart.
I wish we could never be apart.
I want to say so much to you.
For some reason, though, I never do.
Maybe it’s the way I care,
Or maybe it’s the way you stare.
I wish you knew just how I cry,
With no certain reason why.
I think it’s cause I don’t have you,
And I really, really wish I do
I walk by you strong and tall.
And wonder why I say nothing at all.
I walk so straight, then I fall through.
Oh and how I wish you knew, that all of this is really true.
I dream of the day, when you hold me in your arms,
And tell me that you love me, now and forever.
And it hurts cause all I can do is dream.
So, my love you will always be,
I truly love you, wishing you could see.
And someday maybe yes you will.
My empty heart then you will fill.
For now, though, I’ll sit here and do what I always do.
Sit here thinking of only you.
Justin sat there with a tear in his eyes.
"Hey, man. What did she say to make you act like this?" J.C. asked as he walked into Justin's room.
He gave J.C. the poem.
"Wow, Justin. I think you are right. She might just be the one for you." Justin smiled as he thought of Amanda's face the last night they were together.
*** Flashback ***
*** Amanda ***
"You cold? We can go inside." Justin asked me.
"No, that's OK. Baby, I'm warm right here with you." I say snuggling up to Justin.
"The moon is really beautiful tonight. Don't you think?" I ask.
"Not as beautiful as you." He replied.
He always has a way of making me blush. He leaned over and kissed me. I felt the wet grass on my back, as we made ourselves more comfortable.
"Justin, sorry to interrupt you. But, your mom's on the phone." J.C. yells from the house.
"OK, sorry." He said as he helped me up and kissed me on the forehead.
"That's all right. Go talk to your mom. Say hi for me." I say as he headed for the house.
*** End flashback ***
***Back at Amanda's***
"Hello?" I say as I answer the phone.
"Hey, baby. It's me." I hear his soft voice and immediately recognize it.
"I miss you sooo much. I don't think I can wait another week and a half." I say.
"You can do it, if I have to. I got your letter the other day. Bonnie's poem was beautiful."
"I thought you'd like it. She'll be happy that you liked it."
"I miss you so much." I hear him say right before J.C. says, "Justin, we need to go."
"I'm sorry I have to leave you. I'll call later if I can."
"It's okay. Bye."
"Bye, baby. I love you." We hung up, and it took a moment before I was in shock of what he had just said.
"Did he really just tell me he loved me?" I whispered.
'No, I must have just imagined it.' I thought to myself. It was Thursday, and I went upstairs to do my homework. I put my books on my desk, right next to the 12 dried long-stemmed roses Justin gave me the night of the VMA's. I plopped on my bed and started hugging the bear he had won me at a carnival. I put my hair up in a ponytail, and looked at the picture of us at the picnic we had gone to as I put my brush down.
***Flashback***
"You comfortable, Amanda?" Justin asked me as I leaned against him.
"Yes, of course. I'm with you, why wouldn't I be?" I asked before kissing him.
"Ok, guys, smile." I hear Amber say.
"Her and her camera. I wonder if she loves it more than T.J." He whispered as she took the picture.
I had to smile at that comment.
***End Flashback***
"I love you, too." I whispered to the picture.
"Who are you talking to?" Marta said as she walked into my room.
"Oh, you scared me. When did you get home?"
"Just a minute ago. But, who were you talking to?"
"No one." "Ok, well, I'm going to call the guys." She said before heading out my door.
"They're not home. I just talked to them." I called behind her. "Ok, then."
***Justin's house***
***Justin*** "So, how's Amanda? Have you talked to her today?" My mom asked me.
"I talked to her before the photo shoot. She's good, except that she misses me a lot." I answered quickly.
I don't really feel like talking to my mom about it right then.
"Well, her room is ready. I can't wait for her to get here. We're going to have a lot of fun doing the girl stuff I could never do with you." She said excitedly.
"Uh, mom. I hate to burst your bubble, but we sleep in the same bed." I saw the expression on my mom's face change from excited to mad.
"Why? You aren't doing anything your not supposed to, are you?"
"We just feel more comfortable sleeping in each other's arms. And, no, we aren't. We haven't known each other that long. Anyway, I wouldn't want to take advantage of our relationship like that."
"Have you gotten her pregnant?" She asked with the mother's look of death.
"We haven't done anything wrong. How could she be?"
"And you swear this is the truth?"
"Ya! I swear! Why would I lie to you?"
"I don't know, but if I find out otherwise, you have to face me."
"I know, mom." I said dejectedly, before heading to my room.
I had too much on my mind, without having my mom on my back. Did I really say "I love you" to Amanda? I wonder what she thought about it. I needed to relax, so I turned on the t.v. On top of it was a picture of Amanda at the V.M.A.'s. She was standing by herself on the red carpet with a beautiful smile on her face. I got it in the mail from the photographer. She didn't even know I had it.
"She's so beautiful." I said.
Just then the phone rang.
"Hey, Justin. Want to come over and play some b-ball?"
"Sure, J.C., how could I pass up a chance to kick your butt?" I answer.
"Your on, man." He said before hanging up the phone.
I quickly get changed and run for mom’s car.
"Mom, I'm going to play ball with the guys."
"Have fun!" She calls.
***Amanda's house***
***Amanda***
"Marta, you ready, yet? Bonnie is here." I call up to her.
"Ya, I'm coming. Jeez, don't be so anxious. It's not like apartments just sprout legs and move away." She said coming down the stairs.
"I already have the car started, that's all." I said getting into the Benz Justin left here.
"I can't believe he left this thing here for you."
"I have to enjoy it while I can. He's coming back to claim it in 3 days." We pull out and drive for a while.
The Realtor showed us a lot of apartments, but none of them were right for us, until the last one.
"It's almost like a house!" Bonnie exclaimed.
"It's perfect." Marta and I agreed.
"We'll take it." Marta said, asking for the papers.
"When can we move in?" I asked.
"As soon as we get the papers filed. It normally takes a couple days for them to be processed."
"That's great. The guys can help us then." I exclaimed.
As we were driving home, the cell phone rang.
***Justin's house***
***Justin***
"Man, where is she?" I say listening to the answering machine.
"They're probably still apartment hunting." J.C. answered.
"Try your car phone." Lance added.
I dialed my car phone's number.
"Hello?" Amanda's beautiful voice asked.
"Hey, baby. You guys still looking?"
"Nope, just found the perfect one." She answered.
"That's cool."
"You can help us move in, when you come back."
"Great, physical labor. Sounds like fun." I say sarcastically.
"I miss you a lot, Justin. You and your smart mouth."
"I do, too. I'll talk to you later." I said, before whispering, "Love you" to her.
"Bye." She answered before hanging up the phone.
"What's with the secrecy, man? Why didn't you just tell her?"
"Because I will later. I have a perfect night planned for us.
***Amanda***
'He said it again.' I thought.
"Hey, Manda. You ok?" Marta asks. "
Ya, tired that's all." I say pulling into the driveway.