I looked around the restaurant, then looked at TJ, “Not good.”
“He’s such a jerk. I knew that he would be like that. He acts like he’s god’s gift to the world.”
“Really? In as long as I’ve known him, I wouldn’t have ever thought that,” I said, still in a way, not wanting to believe him.
“Sometimes people don’t want to see the truth. In a way, they want to protect themselves,” he said and reached for my hand, taking it in his.
“I guess your right. I probably seen the signs, but chose to ignore them,” I said with a sigh.
“Don’t blame yourself. It’s not your fault. If I were with you, I’d never be able to bring myself to look at another woman.”
“What do you mean?”
“No other woman could compare to you. You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”
“Thank you.”
“Your welcome,” he said with a soft smile appearing onto his lips.
For the first time that day, I felt happy. We quickly got done eating dinner and got swamped with fans outside. TJ and I signed a few autographs and took pictures with people.
As we were walking away and towards his car, I felt him wrap his arm around me. I looked up at him and smiled, maybe my life would get better and I would move on.
**********************************************************************
After TJ left, I sat alone in my hotel room. I had feelings for TJ, like I did when I first met him. We did try to go out, but we decided it would be for the best if we didn’t.
I slowly brushed my hair, getting all the knots out. I looked at myself in the mirror and decided that I was going to have some more fun tonight. I quickly fixed my make up and put on a pair of leather pants and a tight, glittery halter top. I put on a pair of shoes that matched my outfit. I called for a cab, then made my way downstairs.
Almost as soon as I got outside, the cab was waiting for me. I got in and told him to take me to a nightclub.
“Which one?”
“Doesn’t matter, which ever is closer.”
“Okay,” he said with a laugh.
He drove me to a club called Ecstasy. As I was getting out of the cab he said to me, “Good luck with your career. You have a beautiful voice.”
I turned to him and smiled, “Thank you.”
“Your welcome,” he said.
I walked into the club almost in no time. A lot of people were whispering about me, surprised I was there. I wasn’t normally the party person, but I’m in the mood right now.
My favorite song was playing. It was Try Again by Aaliyah. As I started to dance, I saw a familiar face. It didn’t really connect with me who it was, so I just let it slip my mind.
After a few songs, I felt someone slip their arms around me from behind. I turned around defensively, but soon realized who it was. “Joey!” I exclaimed and threw my arms around him.
“Hey Brit, how are ya? JC’s not screwing up your songs, is he?” he said jokingly.
“No he’s not,” I said. Well, it wasn’t a total lie. He wasn’t screwing up my songs; he was screwing up my life.
“That’s good,” he said with a silly grin.
“So, how have you been?” I asked him.
“Good, you?”
“Okay I guess,” I said.
“Now your with my friend. Jeez Britney, you move fast,” JC said as he approached us.
“What?” Joey asked, not quite getting what he was hinting at.
“No JC,” I said firmly, “you move fast. You fuck one girl after another.”
“Yeah so?” JC said with a smirk.
“Huh?” Joey said, wanting to get into the conversation too.
“Your such a player.”
“You’re just mad that you got played.”
“I’m leaving,” Joey announced and left.
“Do you want another bruise on you precious little face, JC?”
“Fuck you Brit.”
“No JC, fuck yourself,” I said and walked away.
************************************************************************
The next morning I went into the studio and finished recording Oops…I Did It Again. They got me a new producer and everyone practically stayed out of my way. Later that night, TJ and I hung out. He came over to my hotel room and we watched movies. During the movie, TJ told me something. Something that would change our friendship forever.
“Brit,” he began, “I have to tell you something.”
“Yes,” I said, looking him in the eyes.
“I really don’t know how to tell you,” he said and looked away.
“Please tell me,” I said lightly and gently touched his shoulder.
“Britney, I have been in love with you from the first time I met you. I’m so intrigued by you. You are the most fascinating and beautiful woman I’ve ever met.”
“Thank you,” I said with a soft smiling appearing my lips.
He leaned in a little and kissed me. “Will you go out with me?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said, almost a little too eager.
We both laughed a little and kissed again. I leaned on his shoulder and we continued to watch the movie.
After he left, Johnny called me and told me that I can go home now, that they are done with me at the studio.
First thing I did was called the airport and scheduled a flight home. The second thing I did was call TJ. I picked up the phone and dialed the familiar numbers. “Hello?” he said as he picked up on the third ring.
“Hey,” I said smiling, though he couldn’t see.
“Hi. What are you doing?”
“Actually,” I began, making myself comfortable on the bed, “I’m going home tomorrow.”
“You are?” his voice full of disappointment.
“I’m sorry, I just miss my family.”
“I know, when are you leaving?”
“Early tomorrow.”
“Oh.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. We’ll see each other soon enough. You’re going to start promotion soon, so I’ll see you when we start that.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah.”
We talked for another half hour and then we said goodbye. I was sad because I wouldn’t be able to see TJ, but you don’t know how glad I was to be getting home. I packed immediately and went to sleep. My flight was at eight in the morning, so I woke up around five thirty and left for the airport with a stop at a restaurant for breakfast.
As soon as I got onto the plane, a new sensation washed over me. In the past week, I grew up tremendously. I was no longer a little girl, I was a woman.
THE END
