Hope stood alone within the small bathroom, staring blankly at the reflection that looked back at her. She gazed past the hollow look that her normally cheerful face had taken on, beyond the lifeless blonde hair that drifted over the sharp curve of her shoulders. She didn’t see any of the destruction she had caused, still hadn’t absorbed the severity of her problem. She knew why she was in this facility, yet hadn’t managed to make any progress towards a change, despite the unwavering support JC had supplied since her admittance.
Pulling her dull flaxen locks back into a messy ponytail, Hope averted her gaze from the mirror and re-entered the room where JC waited patiently. She stood for a moment, right outside the wooden bathroom door, watching him. Her eyes, the one feature that still held onto the fiery spark of life, lit up with happiness as she took in his tousled brown hair, the stubble that graced his chiseled jaw line, and as he turned to her, his clear sapphire eyes. JC rose from the chair he still rested in, moving towards her as he pulled his jacket on over his black t-shirt. Reaching her, he leaned in close, placing a soft kiss upon her forehead before pulling away. Running his strong hand gently along the side of her cheek, the dark haired man smiled reassuringly. “I love you,” he stated firmly. “I’ll be back this afternoon, I promise.”
Hope lifted her small hand and gently pulled JC’s from her cheek to her lips, kissing it tenderly. “I love you too. Just get some rest and don’t worry about me…I’ll be fine.”
Nodding quickly, JC turned and strode towards the door, saying one last good bye to the blonde who stood silent as she watched him leave. As the door shut softly behind the dark haired man, Hope wandered aimlessly over to the unmade bed. Perching lightly on the edge nearest the bedside table, she reached out for the few scattered photos she’d been allowed to have with her at the facility. Her mouth drew into a small smile as she gazed at a recent photograph of herself with JC. The pair stood close, JC’s strong arms wrapped around her own tiny frame as they flashed grins at the camera. Staring intently at the picture, Hope didn’t see the pain that the photo had captured, refused to acknowledge the pressures and insecurities that had begun to eat her alive at that point in her life. She saw only progress that still had to be made, extra steps that needed to be taken in order to attain the perfection she felt JC deserved.
Placing the photo back down on the table, a single shot of the dark haired man caught her eye. Gazing down at the picture of JC sleeping, a serene look caressing his chiseled features, Hope allowed her mind to wander eagerly into the past…
****
Hope stood, her emerald eyes shimmering happily as she pulled the camera lens away from her face and fixed her gaze upon the individual she had just photographed. JC slept, his arms curled comfortably beneath his head, separating his angelic face from the table at which he sat. The corners of his pouty lips were drawn slightly upward, as if an enchanting dream was playing in his mind, his dark hair curling slightly over the tops of his ears and forehead.
“I saw that,” a male voice startled Hope, causing her to whirl around in order to see who had spoken to her.
Her gaze was met by an intensely warm pair of chocolate colored eyes and a comfortable, inviting grin. “Saw what?” she inquired curiously, arching a brow as she awaited a response.
The man shrugged, “Just you taking his picture while he was sleeping,” he stated, leaning slightly to look past Hope at his group mate and friend napping contentedly. “I swear sometimes that he truly is an eighty year old trapped in a twenty four year old body…kinda like that movie with Chris Rock…‘Down To Earth‘. Ya know?”
Frowning slightly, Hope responded with a laugh, “Um…actually I’m pretty sure that movie’s about a young guy trapped in an eighty year old body…but I think I get what you mean.”
Scratching his chin thoughtfully, the tall man nodded slowly, “Yeah, you’re right…hmm…oh well. My name’s Joey by the way,” he stated politely, offering her an outstretched hand.
“I’m Hope,” she began, “…your photographer for tonight.”
“I figured,” he replied as he stepped around her and sat down in a chair next to the still slumbering JC.
“Oh…yeah, I suppose the fact that I’m holding a camera makes it slightly obvious,” Hope returned, glancing down at the equipment she still clutched.
“Well that too,” Joey stated.
Hope shot him a puzzled look as he explained, “JC told us about you already,” he said, motioning towards the dark haired man seated next to him.
“Ah, I should have known. Let me guess…he told you about how I practically ran him over at his cousin’s wedding?”
Joey rose from the chair, “Nope, he told us you were…how did he say it? Oh yeah…an amazing photographer.”
Flattered, Hope’s cheeks flushed a rosy shade of pink as the Italian brushed past her to head out into the hall. Turning back towards the blonde, he nodded his head slightly in JC’s direction, “I’ll let you wake him up…the check presentation’s in ten minutes,” he laughed, disappearing into the hallway leaving Hope and the sleeping JC alone once more.
****
Hope grabbed her bag off of the nearby chair, carefully placing the camera back inside next to a few scattered rolls of film. The check presentation had been short, and she’d only taken five or six photos, but the job had been worth it. She’d enjoyed herself immensely, which surprised her, due to the fact that she normally didn’t photograph celebrities. These five guys weren’t what she’d expected at all however, and their camaraderie and playfulness put her immediately at ease. Digging her car keys out of her pocket, she turned to leave and was met with a pair of luminous cobalt eyes.
“So, was it worth giving up your Friday night to come down here and help me out?” JC inquired casually, shooting Hope a broad grin as he awaited her response.
She smirked, “Oh I don’t consider this giving up my Friday night to help you…it’s not quite 8 o’clock,” she retorted, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively as she continued, “The night’s still young.”
“That it is,” JC agreed. “However, I’d still like to thank you for coming down on such short notice.”
“Like I said on the phone, it was my pleasure. Besides, like you pointed out, I owed you one.” Hope returned lightly, stepping around the dark haired man and heading towards the exit.
Frowning slightly, JC turned around, “Will you at least let me thank you though?” he repeated.
Pausing as she reached the door that led into the dimly lit parking lot, Hope glanced back at JC, her startling green eyes piercing his own baby blues. “You just did,” she stated simply before pushing the glass door open and exiting the building.
Hope made her way through the parking lot to her car and had just slid the key into the driver’s side door when JC approached her, causing her to look up in surprise as he addressed her.
“Would you mind giving me a ride?” he asked softly, gesturing towards the car that stood between them.
Hope’s expression grew puzzled as she glanced past him into the near empty lot, “You didn’t drive?”
“Nope, I rode over with Joey and he already left. He had a date or something and was already running late, so I told him I’d catch a ride with someone else.”
“And I suppose I’m the only someone left?”
“You’re the only someone I’ve asked,” JC clarified with a charming grin.
Hope’s expression grew thoughtful for a moment before breaking into a smile as she nodded slightly, “Alright…get in,” she stated, opening the driver’s side door and reaching in to hit the unlock button.
JC slid easily into the passenger seat as Hope did the same, glancing over at him with a questioning look. “You’ll have to show me where you live…”
“You don’t already know?” he inquired teasingly.
“Um…no? Am I supposed to?” she returned, placing the key in the ignition and starting it before placing the car in reverse. She continued backing the vehicle out of the parking space as he laughed aloud, shaking his head in response.
“No, you’re not,” he replied, pointing to the left as she pulled forward and paused where the street met the lot, “This way…”
They drove down the winding side streets he directed her upon, the radio playing quietly as background to their friendly, casual conversation. He asked her about her photography, her family, and even managed to uncover a few little known facts such as her hidden desire to play the drums. She was slightly surprised at how well the conversation flowed between them, and how interested he seemed in what she considered her very boring existence. She enjoyed the fact that he was so down to earth, and incredibly easy to talk to.
“Make a right…” he directed with a slight gesture.
“Here…or up further?” she questioned.
JC gave a quick nod and pointed again, “Right here.”
Hope shot the dark haired man a strange look as she turned, “You live at McDonald’s?” she teased, pulling into the lot and parking the car.
Hopping out of the black two door car, JC spoke, “No…but I’m hungry. You coming?”
The blonde laughed, shaking her head as she removed herself from the vehicle, “You buying?” she joked.
“Sure…” he shrugged, pulling open the door for her as they entered the restaurant. Stepping up to glance at the menu above the counter, JC reached for his wallet. Opening it up and counting the scattered bills inside, he groaned. Turning to Hope, he frowned slightly, “I hope you’re not too hungry cuz I’ve only got six bucks.”
Hope smirked, “Only six bucks? That’ll barely cover the ride home!” she taunted.
“Oh so now you’re a taxi service?” he returned, humor evident in his sparkling blue eyes.
Nodding, she shot him a look of mock surprise, “You mean to tell me you didn’t see the light on the top of my car?” When he laughed and shook his head no, Hope sighed dramatically, “Damn thing must have fallen off. I thought for sure the glass partition between the front and back seats would have given it dead away.” She shrugged, her green eyes glimmering mischievously as he continued to chuckle lightheartedly.
“Anyways, don’t worry about my dinner, I’ve got it.” she stated, pulling some money out of her jeans pocket.
JC reached out, pushing the hand that held her money back down, “No, you don’t have it. If I let you pay for your own meal, then I’ll have to figure out some other way to repay you for the ride.”
“Don’t be silly,“ she said, rolling her eyes, “I promise, it’s no problem. If it was, I would have just said no when you asked.”
“You would have turned me down, just like that?” he asked, snapping his fingers to illustrate his point.
She nodded slowly, “Yeah…yeah I would’ve,” the blonde returned, struggling to keep a straight face as JC watched her.
Finally her rosy lips drew into a brilliant grin, a girlish giggle escaping simultaneously, “I’m totally kidding…” Hope began.
“I knew that…” he replied as the green eyed woman spoke again.
“…I wouldn’t have just left you there. I would have at least made sure you got on the right bus.” she finished, laughing out loud.
JC joined in her laughter as well, stopping only as the person in front of them finished placing their order and the teenage boy behind the counter looked at them expectantly. After ordering and receiving their fast food meal, the pair wound their way through the scattered tables to an empty booth near the back of the restaurant.
“So that check presentation tonight, what was that for? I mean…I know the Arnold Palmer Hospital provides services for women and children, but is it a place you donate money often or was this a one time deal?” Hope inquired curiously.
JC took a sip of his drink before speaking, “Every year we…the guys and I,” he clarified, “play in a celebrity basketball game. This is the third year we’ve held an event, and we donate the proceeds to various organizations. We try to donate the money to charities or programs that help out kids in one way or another, and so that’s where the Arnold Palmer Hospital comes in. This year we also gave money to the Epilepsy Foundation, the Boys and Girls Clubs in Las Vegas, and Justin‘s foundation…among others.”
Hope nodded approvingly, “That’s really admirable of ya’ll, helping kids out like that. I think that shows good character…the fact that you care enough to give back to those less fortunate than yourselves.”
Flushing slightly, JC smiled, “It’s just something that we think is really important…that people who have the means to give back, do so.”
Dipping her fries in the small container full of ketchup, Hope paused halfway to her mouth as another question popped into her head, “So, how long have you known the other four guys?” she asked, nibbling absently on the french fries as she awaited JC’s reply.
“It varies,” he said with a laugh, “I’ve known Joey probably the longest…he was one of the first people I met when I moved to Orlando.”
“Do you ever wonder what your life would be like if you hadn’t moved here?” Hope questioned earnestly.
JC looked thoughtful as he responded to her query, “Sometimes I do,” he admitted. “But I believe in my heart that even if things had gone differently, that I’d have ended up working with music in some shape or form.”
“I can see that…” Hope mused, studying JC with her intense green eyes. “You love it…I can tell by the way you talk about it. You get this passionate look in your eyes, the look most people get when they’re talking about the love of their lives. I bet you’re a remarkable performer JC.”
“You pegged me, I do love it,” he confessed with a grin, “but what’s this about you ‘bet’ I’m a remarkable performer? You’re telling me you’ve never seen our show?”
Hope’s face flushed pink as she reached for her soda, “To be honest…no.”
“Ooh, that hurts,” he stated, hanging his head in mock defeat.
“Oh don’t give me that,” she protested, shaking her head as he looked back up at her with a laugh. “I’m sorry…I mean, I’ve heard you guys on the radio a few times…then again, living in Orlando, how could I not?”
“And?” he shot back, a teasing look painted upon his chiseled face.
“I guess you guys are pretty good,” she returned nonchalantly.
JC leaned back against the padded back of the booth as he gazed at Hope, “So what kind of music do you listen to usually?”
“Everything,” Hope stated confidently, taking another sip out of her straw.
“Care to elaborate on that?”
“Alright…I listen to everything, classical…r&b…pop…country…” she paused, “I don’t like to categorize because it’s not about the type of music, it’s about the song itself. There’s classical stuff I detest, but there’s popular music that sucks too.”
“Fair enough,” JC retorted, “Now I have another question for you.”
“I’m waiting,” the blonde stated, her green eyes searching his as she anticipated his inquiry.
“Do you date anyone?”
“Of course I date, what do I look like, a nun?” she joked, pretending to be offended.
“I didn’t mean it that way,” he clarified with a slight chuckle, “Fine…I’ll reword it a bit…do you have a boyfriend?”
Hope felt flush rising to her cheeks as she processed his question. Don’t be stupid, she told herself as she fought to keep the pink from rising to the surface of her skin, he’s just making conversation. Shaking her head, she smirked, “Nope…do you?”
Choking on the sip of soda he’d just indulged in, JC’s eyes opened wide, “Excuse me?”
She repeated the question, “I asked if you had a boyfriend. Hey, it’s the year 2001, that’s a perfectly acceptable question.”
JC laughed, leaning forward slightly as he spoke, “Who have you been talking to?” he teased. “I’m kidding. Actually, contrary to popular belief…I don’t swing in that direction.”
“No batting for the other team for you then?”
“Nope. Sorry to disappoint you,” he returned.
Hope grinned in reply as JC continued, “So now that we’ve got that cleared up, are you ready to get going?”
****