Chapter 13
Four torturous hours later, the three were back in a cab on their way to meet up with the guys. Brianna was relatively quiet but she seemed like she was in a little bit of a better mood.
Melinda looked her over. “So how was everything?”
She shrugged. “Like I figured it would be.”
“And that would be…?”
“He asked questions, I answered. He told me what to do, I did it. He stitched me up, I screamed in pain.”
“You were knocked out.”
“That’s why it was silent.”
Rob rolled his eyes. “You better listen to that man.”
“I will.” She was quiet for a while. “How did you get me out of there so fast? I remember getting stitches when I was younger and I was there for hours.”
Rob smiled. “I pulled some strings.”
“Riiiigggghhhttt…”
Melinda giggled. “At least you got some spunk back.”
“Oh from what Dr. Bellows told me, she has a LOT of spunk back.” Brianna blushed and sent Rob a shy look.
“He wasn’t mad was he?”
“No, I think he thought it was cute.”
“Cute?”
“You know what I mean.”
“No, I don’t. Please, explain.” He shot her a nasty look and she looked back at him innocently.
“What?” she asked. He shook his head and turned around. Brianna smiled to herself and turned to look out the window.
“Not too bad Brianna… Not too bad…” she whispered under her breath.
Brianna plastered a fake smile on her face as she walked into the building with her bag slung over her shoulder. The guys were on their fourth and last interview for the day. It was at a local radio station and she was sure the guys were happy it was, they always liked to have the most fun ones for last.
She was surprised to see the guys sitting boredly while they waited for the interview to start. She couldn’t remember them this quiet before. JC had his headphones on and he was nodding off. She didn’t blame him, she was sure he was up with everyone last night. She felt a twinge of guilt and kept trying to tell herself it wasn’t her fault. Lance was next to JC, tapping a pen on the arm of the couch. Chris and Joey were sitting next to each other on the coach across from them, flipping through magazines. They kept looking up to glare heatedly at someone. She followed their gaze and was shocked to see Justin staring back.
Her eyes lingered on Justin for a little while, she felt strangely drawn to him since last night and she couldn’t figure out why. After everything he’d said and done, she figured she would hate him but she was finding it harder and harder to do that. He looked up when he heard them enter and he jumped from his seat.
“How is everything? Are you ok? Did you talk to the police? Do you need a transfusion? Can you stay on the tour?”
She raised her eyebrows up. Then brought her head down.
“Too fast?” She nodded. “Are you ok?”
“Yes.”
“What’d they have to do?”
She shrugged. “Nothin’ really.”
“Did you get stitches?”
“Yes.”
“Did it hurt?”
“Yes.”
He examined her face then looked over her shoulder at Rob. He mouthed to leave her alone. Justin looked back at Brianna. “Are you sure you’re ok?” Melinda brushed past him. “Just leave the girl alone already,” she grumbled. She sat down next to Jc and put her head on his shoulder. He smiled and wrapped his arms around her.
Brianna turned from the couple but kept her head down. “I’m fine.”
“Ok. Well, we should be starting in a few minutes so why don’t you sit down and relax.”
She looked around. Everyone in the room was looking at her closely. She smiled slightly and sat down on a nearby chair. Rob pulled Justin aside and started speaking to him in a hushed tone outside of the room. Brianna looked around the room shyly. Everyone turned their heads away when she caught their stares… Except Chris. He seemed to be studying her and it was making her feel uneasy. She sighed, stood up, and started to leave. Justin grabbed her arm softly on her way out. She flinched and backed off. He pulled his hand away.
“Uh… Sorry…”
She swallowed hard and lowered her head.
“Um… So where are you going?” he asked.
“Just to the… just to find somewhere to… work…”
He looked around uneasily but Rob was no where in the room. “Why don’t you… uh… stay here for a while.”
“I’d rather go find somewhere with a table.”
“Can I come with you?”
“You have to go to your interview.”
“But… But I can stay with you until then.”
She looked at him quickly then put her head down again. “You can’t miss your interview.”
“I won’t.”
“What if you’re late?”
“I won’t be. So do you mind if I tag along?”
“I guess…”
He went over to Jc and whispered something in his ear. Melinda tried to push him away but Justin just tossed her hands aside. She smacked him on the back of the head and grumbled something sleepily but he just gave her a dirty look and walked away.
“Where do you want to go?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“How about we-“
“Whoa! Who died?”
Justin groaned when he heard the obnoxious DJ’s voice. The other guys didn’t seem too thrilled about it either. Melinda moaned and tried to snuggle deeper into Jc when he tried to stand up.
“Looks like you have to go.”
Justin looked back at Brianna. “Yeah… Why don’t you come in with us?”
“I really don’t think they’ll let me.”
“Oh I’m sure it will be ok.”
“But-“
“Please? For me?” She bit her lip and stared at him for a few seconds before agreeing.
“Where are you going?” Melinda asked.
Brianna shrugged.
“Wanna stay here with me?” Brianna stopped and Justin turned to glare at Melinda.
“She’s coming in here with me.”
“Why are you telling her what to do? Maybe she doesn’t want to go in there.”
“Yes, she does.”
“Why don’t you ask her.”
“I don’t have to.”
Melinda crossed her arms over her chest. “Oh yeah, that’s right. You have more control over than she’d like to admit.”
Brianna rolled her eyes and started to walk away.
“Where are you going?” Justin asked.
“Leave the girl alone!” Melinda shouted.
“Stay out of this Melinda!” He went to catch up with her but the DJ’s called after him.
“Justin! What are you doing? We’re going to be late if you don’t hurry up!”
“I’ll be right there!” Johnny ordered.
“No, you’ll be there now.” Of all times Johnny had to be there…
“I just want to-“
“I know but this is a very important interview and we want to get going or we’re going to be late getting into Boston.”
Justin looked between Johnny and Brianna then groaned and ran off after the awaiting DJ.
All five guys were pretty dead during the interview. Yeah they put on their smiles and even made a few jokes, but anyone who just knew about Nsync a little knew they weren’t acting normal. Justin was relatively quiet and kept checking the clock every few minutes while JC looked like he was going to fall asleep at any second. Joey was a little less hyper as normal and Chris seemed to be even more jumpy than usual. The DJ’s could notice the tension between everyone. Lance seemed to be the only one acting normal. He surprisingly talked a lot to make up for everyone else being so strangely quiet.
By the time the interview was done, everyone was on their very last nerves. Justin jumped out of his seat, thanked the DJ’s and ran out to follow Brianna. In his haste, he ran straight into Rob.
“Rob? What are you doing?” he screamed.
Rob gave him a strange look. “What’s wrong with you boy?”
“Where is Brianna?”
“How am I supposed to know?”
“You’re supposed to keep an eye on her!”
“That’s not my job Justin. My job is to make sure your scrawny ass doesn’t get too deep into trouble.”
Justin groaned loudly and ran off down the hall, Rob right on his heels.
“Where are you going?” He called after him.
“To find Brianna!”
“I’m right here.”
He stopped dead in his tracks and Rob knocked him onto the ground.
“Owww… Rob!”
“Oh shut your mouth. Next time you plan on stopping fast like that make sure you let the rest of us know. You’re just lucky I didn’t run you over…” he grumbled as he walked away, mumbling under his breath.
“You’re ok?” Justin asked.
Brianna looked at him strangely. “Yeah…”
“Oh. Alright then.” The rest of the guys were now walking past them. Brianna picked up her bag but Justin took it off her shoulder.
“Let me carry that.”
“Um… Ok…” They started their trek through the building, Justin staring at Brianna strangely. He was beginning to freak her out. She smiled happily when Johnny called him back, even though she had a bad feeling about it. When she got to the elevator, Chris, Joey, Jc, and Lance were already in it. She tried to avoid the looks Chris was giving her.
“I think I’ll wait for the next one.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. There’s plenty of room,” Lance assured her. She bit her lip and looked behind her. Justin was no where in site.
She slowly walked in with them and the doors closed. To say it was awkward would be an understatement.
“So Princess,” Chris started.
“Her name is Brianna,” JC said through clenched teeth.
“Ok, Brianna.” He shot JC a look. “So how’d you get those cuts on your face?”
“Not now,” JC snapped.
“No, I think we should do this now.”
Brianna ignored them and kept looking ahead at the closed doors, she was suddenly feeling very dizzy.
“Chris…”
“Leave me alone. Was Justin really abusing you Brianna?”
“Chris!”
He ignored JC. “Or are you just doing that to yourself for attention?”
“Stop it Chris. Seriously…” Lance said.
“Because you know, there are places you can go if you have… problems like that.”
Brianna clenched her teeth and tried to control her anger while she wondered why it was taking so long to get to the lobby.
“How come you’re not answering me Princess?”
Joey pushed Chris back a little. “Cut it out. I think we’ve messed with her enough.” The doors opened and Brianna went to get off but Chris grabbed her shoulder. She tensed up and felt everything around her start to spin. She tried to get away from him but he just followed her. It might have been her vision but it looked like he was surrounding her from all sides.
“Brianna?” JC asked. “Are you ok?”
She ignored him and backed herself up to the wall. She slid down slowly and put her head between her knees. JC sat down next to her and tried to talk to her but she pushed him away.
“I’m fine.” Suddenly she felt Justin at her side.
“Brianna? Are you ok hunny?”
“Fine.”
She heard him rustling beside her. “What are ya doin’?”
“Someone get me some water.”
“Bri? Can you hear me?”
“Yes… I’m dizzy, not deaf.”
He cleared his throat. “Take these.”
“I don’t need any pills.”
“I think you do.”
“I don’t want them.”
“Brianna…” he warned. She groaned and took the two pills from his hand.
“Here.” Lance handed her a cup of water. She swallowed the pills and opened her mouth at Justin to prove she swallowed them. He rolled his eyes.
“Happy?” she asked sarcastically.
“Very.” She stayed quiet for a while before she lifted her head to see everyone staring at her.
“Are you ok now?”
“I’m fine.” She stood up and walked out the door to the awaiting buses. Justin sighed deeply and looked over to Johnny who was watching from the elevators. He raised his eyebrows at him as if to say ‘I told you so’. Justin stood up and followed Brianna to the bus.
He found her sitting in the back room, staring out the window. He sat down next to her and she jumped, visibly tensing up.
“Hey.”
She moved away from him a little. “Hi.”
“I… I don’t want to worry you at all… but Johnny and Tim want to talk to you.”
“Why would I be worried?”
“I… Um… Why don’t we just go see what’s up.”
“Ok…” She stood up nervously. He went to put her hand on her back but she shifted away from him.
She felt a little uncomfortable when she stepped out, their eyes all shot to her head. She rolled her head around in embarrassment.
“Uh… We…” Tim started.
“How are you feeling Brianna?” Johnny asked.
She could tell something was up from the tone in his voice.
“Just fine.”
Johnny and Time exchanged glances. “Do you… Why don’t you come with us on our bus ok?”
Her stomach flipped. “Um… Ok.”
Justin and Rob followed behind them. By the time they reached the bus, Brianna was about ready to jump out of her skin.
“Why don’t you sit down?” She did as she was told and nervously sat down by the kitchen table.
“Well, we think you would be better off at home right now.”
“What?” she shouted, standing up.
“Calm down Brianna,” Tim started.
“I’m sorry sir, but I really can’t do that. Why are you making me leave?”
“We’re not making you go, we just think you might be more… comfortable at home.”
She lowered her head and looked at the faces around her helplessly. “Listen, I didn’t give any information to that tabloid. I swear to God it wasn’t me, it couldn’t possibly be me.” Johnny and Tim looked at her strangely. Justin sighed and ran his hands through his hair. She looked over at him with a questioning face.
“Brianna, what are you talking about?”
“I think I know.” All eyes turned to Justin. “I kinda showed her the article…”
“You what?!”
“I showed it to her.”
Johnny rubbed his forehead. “Why?”
“I was just in a bad mood…”
“What’s the big deal?” Brianna asked. “I would’ve seen it when it came out anyway.”
Johnny and Tim looked at each other. “It was just a threat. I don’t even think the paper was real. You didn’t really think we would let something like that get out, do you?”
She raised her eyebrows.
“Yeah, it took a little effort to cover it up but it’s not like we’ve never had something on our hands like that before.”
Brianna sighed and fell back onto the seat. “Then why are you firing me?”
“We’re not firing you! We just don’t want to pressure you with… whatever’s going on.”
“What are you talkin’ about?”
Johnny opened his mouth to say something but his face wrinkled up in confusion and he looked to Tim for some help.
Tim shifted uncomfortably. “Well, you know… with what happened last night and everything…”
“What about what happened last night?”
Justin sighed and leaned against the counter. “You mean you don’t remember?”
“I-I remember.”
“Then why…”
“I didn’t think my personal life should interfere with my work.”
Johnny looked at her in amazement. “But something this big?”
“But it’s not big.”
“According to the doctor, it is. He talked to us and we’re afraid that you might have to much stress on the job.”
“Why are you fighting with me on this? I know my limits!” She stood up and the bus spun around her. She felt Justin move next to her to keep her steady but she pulled away. “No, I don’t need your help, I’m just fine.” She looked to Johnny and Tim. “Please… Please don’t make me go home. I CAN’T go home.”
“Do you not feel safe at home?”
“I don’t feel safe anywhere I go but that’s not the point.”
Justin, who had stayed particularly quiet for the most part, now decided to step in. “It’s not that we want you to leave but we’re afraid the stress’ll be too much for you. I mean, I really don’t want you to leave at all, but I just want what’s best for you.”
“But you see, the stress isn’t too much! I need the stress.”
He bit his lip. “Why don’t you want to go home?”
She looked down and was silent for a little bit. “I don’t want to be alone right now.”
“Brianna...?” He was a little shocked when she winced when he touched her. She pulled away and kept her eyes focused on the ground.
“Don’t make me be alone again.”
Johnny and Tim exchanged looks. “Why don’t you go onto your bus. We’re going to talk to Justin and Rob for a little bit and we’ll tell you what’s going on a little later ok?”
She nodded slowly and made her way off the bus, trying to avoid Justin as much as she could. He leaned back and silently watched her go.
“I think we’re making a BIG mistake here…” he grumbled.
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