Alanna entered the club later that night followed by the ever-present Alex. Alanna sighed. Alex was a nice enough guy and she knew he was just doing his job but she couldn't help but want to break free from his watchful eye. She knew that wasn't an option though. Her record company had already pointed out the fact that fans would want to touch her just because she had come into contact with ‘N SYNC. The idea was preposterous to Alanna but she had no choice in the matter.
After her encounter with JC, earlier that night, she had avoided Ashlyn. She had felt Ashlyn's presence behind her during her conversation with JC and she knew Ashlyn was dying to question her about it. The fact that she had been visibly shocked after his kiss did not help matters. She now felt stupid for her reaction. She didn't expect her breath to catch as his lips brushed her cheek. Hell she was being stupid. JC more than likely repeated that action on a daily basis, she shouldn't read into it.
Alanna had rushed into her dressing room to change into some fresh clothes. She had immediately headed out to the VIP section of the arena to watch ‘N SYNC's performance, not allowing her friend a chance to question her. The noisy arena was a safe place at the time. She knew that Ashlyn would have to wait until later because there was no way a conversation could be held over the screaming that engulfed the entire area.
As the concert progressed Alanna found herself leaning forward in her seat, trying to get closer to the sight of the 5 guys on the stage living out their dreams. It was hard to believe that not an hour ago she was up there on that same stage. As she looked at the thousands of people on their feet screaming she couldn't help feel a little queasy. How she had done it she'd never know, but she did, that was the main thing.
During the last song Alex told Alanna they would have to leave to avoid the fans that would descend on the exit trying to get a glimpse of the guys as they left. She travelled in a separate car than the other dancers because of the space limitation. They headed straight to the club as they had changed after Alanna's performance.
Now as Alanna took in her surroundings she knew that Ashlyn would soon enter the club as well so she decided to go get herself a drink. She had never been a big fan of the club scene herself, preferring time with friends and family. This was just one of the many things that would become a regular part of her life though and she would try to make the best of it.
Alanna was standing at the bar deep in thought when she felt a presence next to her. "So...care to explain tonight's little performance?"
Alanna avoided Ashlyn's eyes. "What are you talking about?
"You know what I mean."
"Hey Alanna come dance with me." Alanna was grabbed by the hand and dragged onto the dance floor by an eager Justin. She looked back at her friend and saw her shake her head slowly. Alanna was saved...for now anyway.
She turned her attention to the man who held her hand. "What's the rush Justin?"
Justin grinned at Alanna. "Man that show was great, wasn't it? I'm just so hyped at the moment. I need to dance a little energy off and...well you were the first girl I spotted," he shrugged.
Alanna rolled her eyes. "Wow I feel so loved."
Justin just laughed as he spun her around dramatically. "You should feel honoured to dance with the one and only Justin Randall Timberlake."
Alanna had to laugh at the boy's ego. She shoved him lightly before they continued to dance in a more appropriate fashion.
~*~
"Hey JC. Good show tonight," Ashlyn shouted above the music as he approached the bar.
JC smiled up at her. "Hey, Ashlyn right?"
"Yup, the one and only."
JC laughed. "So you are the one that got Alanna into this?"
Alanna smirked at JC. "So you heard about the tape huh? The girl need a kick up the butt, she couldn't let that voice go to waste. I figured that as her best friend it was my duty to do something about it. Haha, man you should have seen her face when she walked into that office and saw Lance standing there. You could just see her mind ticking over and putting two and two together. When she tried to run out, Lance must have wondered what he was getting himself into."
"Yeah well he does nothing but praise her now. I think his main concern was getting her out on the stage. She proved she could do that tonight and might I say you moved well out there as well."
"Why thank you, would you care to join me in a demonstration out on the dance floor?"
JC offered her his arm. "Why of course."
~*~
Alanna watched JC, over Justin's shoulder, as he pulled Ashlyn in close for a slow song that had just come over the sound system. A feeling of jealousy washed over Alanna. Where had that come from? She wasn't interested in JC was she? Alanna sighed and Justin looked down at her before following her gaze. "So I'm not good enough to dance with then?"
"Huh...what? I mean no...yes. " Alanna sighed. "I just have a lot on my mind right now."
"Wanna talk about it?" Justin offered.
"No it's okay."
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
Justin looked at Alanna curiously. "It wouldn't have something to do with JC would it? You seem to be pretty interested in what is happening over there with him and your friend."
Alanna's head snapped up and her gaze met Justin's. "What do you mean? Don't be stupid. Why would JC be bothering me?" Alanna prayed she wasn't going red. She had been caught thinking of JC and by one of his best friends too, just great!
"Hey calm down, I was just asking. So you and Ashlyn are best friends I heard." Justin tried to get onto a subject she would feel more comfortable about. Her reaction when he mentioned JC had shocked him. Did she like him? Justin couldn't be sure. There was definitely something going on there though.
Alanna was relieved that Justin didn't push the matter. "Yeah we've been best friends for 10 years. Ever since I moved in to the house next to her when we were 10. She was the one that got me into this whole mess you know."
Justin laughed. "So I heard. You must be glad now though right?"
Alanna smiled. "Yeah after tonight I'm glad to have a best friend that doesn't know when to keep her nose out."
"Haha sounds like me."
"Hey guys." Alanna and Justin looked up to see Ashlyn and JC.
"We were just talking about you," Justin said to Ashlyn.
Ashlyn raised her eyebrows. "You were? All good I hope."
"Well if you care to join me for a dance I'll have to see if what she said is true."
Ashlyn grabbed Justin's outstretched hand. "I guess you will won't you."
Ashlyn and JC were left standing there. Alanna didn't know what to say so she just stood looking around at the dancing couples.
"So should we join them?" Alanna looked up into JC's smiling face. Alanna felt her pulse quicken at the prospect. She couldn't understand why she was feeling this way. She had seen him on television before she had met him and never once did she think she would feel anything for him. Of course at the time she didn't think she was going to end up on tour with him. Everything changed when she met him though. JC totally overwhelmed her. He was so easy to talk to but at the same time he made her so nervous. When he looked at her he had the ability to make her feel like a little schoolgirl with a crush on the most popular guy in school. She had to shake herself out of this. JC would never want her. He could have any girl he wanted. Hell did she even want him? Physical attraction was one thing but dating someone was an entirely different thing. Alanna mentally shook herself. How did this go from JC asking her to dance to her planning a future with him as a couple? Alanna broke away from her ridiculous thought and answered JC's question. "Okay."
JC led her into the throng of couple's dancing to the ballad. JC slipped his arms around her waist. Alanna took a deep breath and placed her arms around his neck, praying that he didn't notice her quivering state. She could smell JC's cologne mixed in with a freshly showered scent. "Okay Alanna you can do this," she mumbled under her breath.
"What was that?"
She hadn't realised she had been talking aloud. She tried to cover herself and smiled up at him. "I enjoyed your show tonight."
JC returned the smile. "Thank you. First night is always the worst, everyone is expecting something to go wrong. It went without a hitch though so hopefully the rest of the tour will be plain sailing."
"JC!"
Alanna and JC both turned to the owner of the voice.
"Taylor!"
JC was brought into the arms of a stunning woman with golden hair and blue eyes. Alanna just stood there staring at the pair.
"I'll leave you to it," Alanna said before walking away.
~*~
Alanna walked back into her hotel room and dropped her bag on the floor, before falling back onto her bed. "I should have known he'd have a girlfriend."
Alanna had headed straight for Alex after she left the dance floor. He had brought her back to the hotel and now all she wanted to do was sleep. The adrenaline high from the show had now worn off and all she felt was exhausted. That and stupid. All her worrying over the last few days had been mentally tiring. Seeing JC in the woman's arms had made her heart sink. She didn't know why though. She had known him less than a week. In that time she had only come into contact with him on a few occasions.
After lying down for a few minutes Alanna dragged herself up off of the bed and headed to the bathroom. She stared at herself in the mirror. She had always been told she was pretty and Ashlyn always fussed over her long brown hair. She looked at her hazel eyes in the mirror. They looked tired at the moment, looking greener as they often did when she was tired or emotional. She splashed her face with water then headed back into her room to change into her pyjamas. No sooner than she had changed there was a knock at the door. She cautiously opened it wondering who it could be at this time of night, or morning more accurately.
"Hey you okay?" Alanna was greeted with as she opened the door.
"Yeah why wouldn't I be?" She motioned for Ashlyn to enter the room.
"You just made a quick exit that's all."
Alanna closed the door and looked over at her friend. "I was just tired."
"Wanna know who that girl was that was practically groping JC?"
Alanna looked up at her friend quickly. She wanted to know what Ashlyn knew; she needed to know for some unknown reason. She couldn't let Ashlyn know that though. "Why would I need to know?"
"Okay then, it doesn't matter. I'll be heading to bed now. See you in the morning."
Ashlyn stopped at the door and looked back at her friend who sat on the bed with a desperate expression on her face. She smiled knowingly. "It was his ex Alanna. Goodnight."
Alanna watched her friend exit the room and a sense of relief washed over her. She had no idea what she was getting herself into. For now she was going to get some sleep. She had a feeling she was going to need it.
Chapter 6
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