| Alone |
| "Are you ready?" J.C. Chasez asked his girlfriend Amanda Balcom. He, along with Amanda, Wade Robson, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake had decided to volunteer to be lifeguards this summer at Duncan County Beach. "Yeah, I'm ready," Amanda nodded. Wade, Britney and Justin followed her and J.C. out to the car. The radio was blasting, everyone was having a good time. Except Wade. He had plastered a false smile on his face to keep them from asking what was wrong with him. He knew he didn't belong with them. He felt like an outcast. Most of all he felt lonely. They finally arrived at the beach. The head lifeguard;Ms. Clark gave them their positions for the day. Britney and Justin at one end of the beach, Amanda and J.C. at the other end of the beach, and Wade by himself in the middle. (An hour later) "I'm gonna go get something to drink," Amanda told J.C. He nodded his head and continued to gaze out in the ocean at the children playing. She walked towards the center of the beach by Wade's position. "Hey Wade, can you hand me a drink?" Amanda asked, with her hands on her forehead shielding the sun from her eyes. He tossed her a Sprite and continued to look into the ocean."Why don't you take a break and walk with me?" Amanda suggested. He hesitated at first, but then hopped down from his look-out chair. He walked beside her and she took his hand. He started to pull back but his heart stopped him. After a few minutes Amanda asked him,"So, why are you so quiet?" "I have nothing to say." Wade answered quietly. "Sure you do. Whatever happened between you and Caryn? Are ya'll still together?" "No." Curious, Amanda asked him," So, did ya'll break up for good or just for the summer?" "For good," Wade answered. His voice was beginning to rise. "Are you okay Wade? Did I say something wrong?" "No, it's just---" Wade started. "Just what?" Wade glanced at his watch. "I gotta go before Ms. Clark sees me off duty. It was nice talking to you, bye." He then ran back to his look-out chair, avoiding her all together. As she walked back to her position, she was bewildered at what Wade could mean. She climbed up the look-out chair and took a sip of her soda. "What took you so long?" J.C. asked. "I got distracted," she answered simply. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Weeks past. Wade continued to avoid Amanda, and she became even more curious. Finally, Amanda cornered him in the lifeguards lounge. "Wade, why are you avoiding me?" "I-I'm not avoiding you," Wade stammered. "Yes, you are. Ever since that day you haven't even LOOKED at me. Did I do something to you?" "No, it's just that--" He paused and tried to walk away but Amanda pushed him against the wall. "I'm not letting you leave that easily. What is it that you can't tell me?" He sighed, and closed his eyes. "I feel like an outcast out here. Everyone's with someone. And what hurts the most is that I can't have the girl that I want to be with." "I don't understand. If you wanted Caryn to come, I'm sure she would've come." "I'm not talking about her." "Who then?" "You," he answered softly. Shock was evident all over her face and Wade could see that."It's okay if you don't feel the same way, it's ---" She put her finger to her lip and said," ssh." She then placed her mouth on top of his. Laughter was heard from the hall and they both knew the others were coming. Quickly they separated. Amanda went and grabbed her lunch, and he grabbed his. "Hey you guys, how come you didn't wait for us?" Britney asked. "I guess we were just really hungry," Wade answered looking at Amanda the whole time with a secret smile. |