| The next item out of the box was a white card with a message printed on it. Annabelle remembered the day she received this card attached to a dozen red roses. The day of her first concert as Nsync’s opening act. She’d been so nervous, so the guys had gotten her roses and wrote on the card, ‘Good luck. You’ll do great, and if you do get nervous, we’ll be there cheering you on. P.S. Once you flash that beautiful smile of yours, they’ll be yours forever. Love- Justin, Chris, Jo-Jo, Lance, and JC’. Annabelle remember this day vividly, but not because of the concert. Aug. 24 held another special memory. <Flashback> “I love you guys,” Annabelle gushed as she walked into Nsync’s dressing room holding a dozen red roses. “I see you got the flowers. Lance told us you were nervous, so we figured it was worth the 12 dollars,” Justin joked. Annabelle placed her hands on her hips and glared at Justin. “You are so asking for a beat down, Justin!” Immediately, Justin mimicked her stance and shouted back, “Bring it on, little girl!” They stood there for a full 5 minutes while the others watched in anticipation. Suddenly they both bolted from the room and headed for the doors leading outside. Completely confused the others chases after them. “I bet you 5 dollars Belle takes him out,” Joey yelled to Chris as he pushed the door open. “I accept that bet. Tinkerbelle may be tough, but my boy Justin used to be a mousekeeter. Enough said.” JC, Chris, and Joey stopped immediately when they heard a ball bounce. “Basketball? I thought it was time for a smackdown, and y’all are playing basketball,” Chris whined. “We might as well watch Belle kick Justin’s butt,” JC finally chimed in. The guys sat on the sidelines cheering on their favorite player, poor Justin only had Chris in his cheering section. “Next point wins. You’re going down, Timberlake.” Unfortunately, Annabelle was wrong. Justin ended up stealing the ball from her and dunking the ball before she even realized what had happened. “I won! Victory dance,” Justin announced before breaking out into the funky chicken. A sly smile crept onto Annabelle’s face as she lunged for Justin, knocking him to the ground. “Winner always gets tickled. Official NBA rules,” Annabelle said as she tickled Justin’s stomach. “Excuse me,” JC sullenly called from the sideline. Annabelle released her hold on Justin and turned to see JC walk away. “I’ll be back,” Annabelle yelled as she ran after JC. She found him sitting alone on a bench. After looking around to see if anyone was around, Annabelle sat next to JC. When JC turned to look at her, Annabelle saw the anguish in his beautiful blue eyes. Eyes that she loved to stare into everyday, eyes that belong to a man she loved more than anything. JC and Annabelle had become great friend since the day they met, but Annabelle had always longed for more. Sometimes when they were alone Annabelle would catch him looking at her in a way that made her melt, but her insecurities kept her from admitting her true feelings. ‘Why can’t you love me?’ Annabelle wanted to ask JC, but she knew the answer. He saw her as a friend and nothing more. “What is it about Justin that every girl loves,” JC softly asked interrupting Annabelle’s troubled thoughts. “He’s funny and, don’t you dare tell him I said this, but he’s handsome. He’s a really great guy, I guess,” Annabelle shrugged. “Can I ask you a personal question, Bella?” Annabelle slowly nodded her head, afraid of what he would say. “When did you know that you were in love,” JC whispered. Her breath caught in her throat. He knew. “I guess I knew the day I met you. As soon as you smiled at me, I was hooked.” JC’s face showed his confusion, but his next words surprised Annabelle. “What does meeting me have to do with you being in love with Justin?” Annabelle couldn’t control the laughter that overcame her. “You think I’m in love with Justin? He’s like my brother and I’m not from Arkansas,” Annabelle managed to say between fits of laughter. “You’re always flirting with him, and... wait a minute...you said that you knew you were in love when you met me. You love me,” JC asked hope evident in his voice. “With all my heart,” was her soft reply. JC immediately pulled her close and covered her lips with his. His kiss told her that he loved her also, but he added his declaration of love in words. “You don’t know how long I’ve wanted to hear you say that. I thought you loved Justin, so I didn’t tell you how I felt. I was so jealous. I love you, Bella.” Before she could respond, his lips where covering hers again. Annabelle could have sworn she saw fireworks, when JC kissed her. “I wonder what the guys are going to say,” Annabelle finally said, but JC’s frown told her that he was going to say something she didn’t like. “We can’t tell them or anyone, for that matter. We both saw how the media tore up Justin and Britney’s relationship, and I don’t want that to happen to us. Please,” JC pleaded. As much as Annabelle wanted to shout to the world what she felt for JC, she knew that he was right. “Okay, JC. We won’t tell anyone until we’re ready. Can I ask you a question? Why do you call me Bella? Everyone calls me Belle, except for Chris but we won’t get into that, but you call me Bella when there isn’t an “a” at the end of Annabelle,” Annabelle inquired hoping to change the topic. “It’s simple,” JC said pulling her against his chest, “'Bella' means beautiful, and you, my dear, are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” Annabelle heart fluttered, and she was barely able to say, “Oh.” Luckily, JC’s lips were impatient. <End Flashback> |
| Chapter 5 |