“No.”
“C’mon I gotta go!”
She jumped out of the way, “NO.”
“I’m gonna be late!” he cried, his hand swiping at the pager in her hand. He couldn’t help laughing.
“No.”
“Gimme that!” Brian exclaimed, running after her.
She gave out a tiny squeak and started off, running up and down the aisles of the airport.
“JESSICA!”
He seriously was going to be late.
She ran back in his direction, hoping to run by him.
But he stepped out and caught her, ignoring the bemused faces of bystanders.
“OK hand over the pager and no one will be hurt.”
Jessica laughed and shook her head, “No.”
“Yeah? Is that how you wanna play?” Brian laughed, hauling her up onto his shoulder. “Ok then that’s how we’ll play.”
And he started off. He had 5 minutes until the announcement for first class would be made.
“Where are you taking me? Get me down from here! People can SEE!”
“No duh Jess.”
Brian opened the door and stepped inside.
Of the men’s bathroom.
“AAH! BRIAN! LET ME DOWN THIS INSTANT!” she cried, beating down his back with her fists. She could see the embarrassed faces of the unfortunate few men in the area.
“MUAHAHA!” Brian cackled. He turned her around to face dangerously close to a toilet.
“OH MY GOD OK I’LL GIVE YOU THE DAMN PAGER!!”
So he carried her out of the bathroom, letting the spectators goggle. Then he set her down.
The burning of her eyes was almost too much to bear as Brian laughed.
“Where is a camera when you need one?”
“SHUT. UP. This is OUR little secret, no one else’s,” she mock-fumed, trying her hardest not to laugh. “Here’s your stupid pager.”
He flashed her his grin and snatched up his blue pager. “Well it’s their secret too,” he winked, pointing to the bystanders, watching with amused interest.
She picked herself up as indignantly as she could, and started back for the guys. Brian walked behind her, laughing to himself.
“Oh you think that’s funny don’t you,” she said to him. Finally her lips curved upward, and she let out a giggle. Which soon turned into a full out laugh.
“See? It’s not so bad eh?”
“Shut up.”
They made it in time to see AJ running back and forth with Lance in his arms, like an airplane. The child was shrieking with laughter.
“Alex!” she cried, running to rescue her son. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Airplane Mommy!”
AJ chuckled. “Poor kid was having no fun. And by the way, what was all that commotion up ahead?”
“Nothing.”
Nick looked at Brian’s sparkling eyes and smirked. “What happened Frick?”
“Like she said…nothing,” Brian winked.
Nick nodded slowly, knowing that wink meaning that he’d tell him on the flight. And he was eager to know. Anything that made her that flustered was bound to be good. But then again, she got embarrassed easily.
“I don’t even wanna know,” Kevin laughed, staying out of the conversation.
“First class passengers for New York may board now, First class passengers for New York, flight 863.”
Jessica walked up to the door with them and hugged them all, leaving Brian for last. With her one arm she put her arms around the man’s neck and squeezed him tight.
“Once again,” she sighed. “Now I have to go back to work.”
Brian chuckled. How he would miss her sense of humor…and her easy embarrassment.
“Don’t worry, we’ll be back in no time. Besides, you won’t miss me that much; you’ve got Lance,” Brian said sadly, for he wouldn’t be back for at least a month and a half.
“He’s not the same,” she pouted. “He’s certainly not gonna carry me into a men’s bathroom.”
The older man laughed. “Yeah well…”
He trailed off into silence. That is until Jessica said, “I’ll miss you.”
“You always do. I’ll miss you more,” he winked.
“Who are you, Howie? You’ve never winked so much.”
“We’re on the same bus for god’s sake. It’s bound to rub off on me. Maybe I’ll pick up some of Paul’s traits. He’s comin with Nick on tour.”
Paul was one of Nick’s best friends, and finally had the time to come for a little bit.
Jessica sighed and hugged him again. “Love you.”
“Love you too.”
“Rok! Not again! Every single time we have to go through this. It’s so disgusting I pity myself,” AJ rolled his eyes, slapping Brian upside the head. “Come on!” Shaking his head, the brunette left for the plane.
“Ok I really have to go. Take care of yourself, and don’t get in too deep with Lance, ok? I don’t wanna come home and see that you’re pregnant again.” He kissed her forehead.
Jessica slapped Brian’s arm.
He laughed. “Remember, I’m just a phone call away,” Brian added.
“Yes FATHER.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too.”
Jessica watch gloomily as her best friend walked off, turning back once to wave at her. And when she raised her hand to wave back, she noticed he had slipped a hundred dollar bill into her hand. She looked up and found him winking at her, and laughing.
“Bye.”
Jessica looked down at the bill. She’d never use it she hoped he knew. It was his money, not hers.
The lone woman turned to the window and watched as the plane disembarked with her five friends. She sighed and started home.
-;- -;- -;-
“Where is she?” Lance asked himself, calling her number for the tenth time.
“Just stop Lance; you’re being overprotective.” Justin flipped a page in his magazine.
“What are you talking about? I just wanna talk to her.”
“What if she’s asleep?” Joey asked.
“At three in the afternoon?”
“Ok what if she’s shopping?”
“Or working?” JC added.
Lance sighed and got ready to hang up until a, “Hello?” sounded itself over the phone. Immediately he raised the phone to his ear.
“Jessie?”
“Lance! Hey how are you?”
“I’ve been trying to call you for the past hour.”
“I can tell…my caller ID box is full of “Lance Bass”,” she chuckled. “Sorry, I was out.”
“Where?”
“Airport. Brian was leaving today.”
Lance felt a tiny prick of jealousy sting him, but he shook it off. It was stupid to be jealous of her best friend.
“We left this morning.”
“Oh why didn’t you TELL me?” she moaned. “I would’ve said goodbye at least!”
Lance laughed. “We’ll be back sooner than you think.”
“That’s what Brian said. But is he here? Noo…”
“I guess he’s a close friend of yours then huh?”
“Yeah. My best friend. It’s kinda hard not to be friends with him. He’s…quite eccentric.”
“Oh I see now. Are they as nice as they say they are?”
“You mean the guys?”
“Yeah.”
“They’re total sweethearts. Although sometimes I have to protect Lance from AJ and his hair dye…”
Lance laughed. “Lance?”
“My son,” she said quietly.
“Our son.”
-;- -;- -;-
“Oh wow where has the time gone? I gotta get to work!” she said in a rush. “I’lltalktoyoulaterloveyoubuhbye!”
The dial tone clicked in his unsuspecting ears. “Bye.”
“Just an hour and you say bye?” Chris said sarcastically, rolling his coffee brown eyes. “Why not break the record for biggest phone bill? Jeez. Talk long enough?”
Lance smiled. “For now.”
“Oh god. I don’t know what’s more gross- you being depressed or you being sick in love,” Chris gagged.
JC laughed. “I would take the sick in love Chris.”
“Yeah you know you’re right. He’ll be off talking love nonsense and acting like a bird.”
“A bird?”
“He’s being all lovey DOVEY, get it? Dove? ...Oh never mind.”
“Whatever you say Chris,” Lance laughed, leaving the room.
-;- -;- -;-
“Oh jeez what in the world is she doing?” Brian asked, hanging up the cell phone.
“Why do you have to talk to her?”
“I have to call her, I always have, right when we get off the plane so she knows if I survived the flight and didn’t crash and die.”
Nick snickered. “Whatever you say. You just don’t wanna talk to us, isn’t that right Frick?”
“No Frack, I’ll never let a girl in between us,” Brian said, his hand on his heart, his face contorted in a wistful gaze. “Not. Anyway, I’ve got a call to take.”
“I seriously think he cares more about her than Leigh,” Nick said, walking by AJ.
“No kidding. Did he ever get her a teddy bear when she was sick? Nooo. He got her aspirin. Did he ever get her a car for her birthday? Noo…wait a second she got a necklace didn’t she? Well did he ever-”
“Got the idea Bone.”
“Damn shame I can’t go further.”
“You guys talkin bout J again?” Kevin asked.
“You know it Kev. Too hot NOT to talk about,” Nick joked loudly.
“Lay a HAND on her and your head will be on a silver platter in my room for my twisted viewing pleasure!” Brian called back.
The guys laughed. Brian and Jessica were so close it wasn’t funny. They were sure he’d drink poison just so she could get better from a bad flu. They were like brother and sister.
“Yeah just wait till I get my hands on her when we get back,” Nick continued.
“Ow!” Nick cried, his hand on his head where he was hit by the pillow. “Whatchu do that for Frick?”
“One more word outta you munchkin, and we’ll settle it.”
Nick opened his mouth-
“Nuh uh! Stop it or I’ll tell her every single word you’re saying.”
“He’s bluffing,” Nick muttered.
“No, not bluffing!”
“It’s like he can read my mind!” the blonde threw up his hands.
“Psychic aren’t I?”
Nick looked to the others for an answer as to how Brian could hear him from the front of the bus. The guys just shrugged.
“HA HA! Got a hold of her!” came Brian’s triumphant cry.
Howie laughed and shook his head. “I swear sometimes I think…”
“You’re not alone D,” AJ smiled. “But contrary to our beliefs, J’s got a man.”
“Who?”
The rebel rubbed his hands together and smiled. “How much would ya pay me?”
He was met with slaps upside the head and he grimaced.
“Ok this one’s on me. She’s going out with…” he looked around, as if the walls had ears, “an NSyncer.”
“What? Who?” they demanded.
“You don’t know?” AJ faked a gasp. “Horrid.”
“AJ!”
“Fine, fine, fine…it’s...Lance.”
Nick’s eyes widened. “Are you shittin me?”
“Nope. I saw and heard her talking about him last night. She was being all…ugh, sick in love. She couldn’t stop talking about him. I almost gagged.”
“Oh my word,” Kevin gaped. “And she? She just? But Bri…this is odd.”
“Quite.”
“Well it’s none of our business, so I wouldn’t ask,” Howie said, leaning back against the black leather couch.
“But I would,” Nick grinned.
“Please Nick, spare us the torture,” AJ rolled his eyes. “In fact, spare HER the torture.”
“Do you think I’d really give up on a chance to embarrass her?”
“Don’t even think it,” Brian said, coming up to the lobby from the front of the bus.
“Oh Rok wassup?” Nick asked nonchalantly.
“You’re thinkin about torturing her over the phone now aren’t you?” Brian asked knowingly. After Nick said nothing, Brian grinned. “Tell me whatcha got.”
-;- -;- -;-
After dropping Lance off at Emily’s house, she drove to work. Once inside, Jessica dropped her duffle bag on the wood floor and bent down to stretch. She was jolted upward when she felt a hand grab her butt.
Jessica let the groan of disgust stay in the depths of her throat. “Leave me alone Kyle.”
The brunette smirked his egotistical smirk and leaned back against the mirror, crossing his muscular arms. “You know you like it.”
“I’ll enjoy it when a cow comes crawling outta my ass, get in line.”
“Until next time.”
She narrowed her brown eyes at him as he walked by. And girls LIKED this guy? How was that possible? Rolling her eyes, she did a saddle stretch.
“Kyle bugging you again?”
“YES,” Jessica half groaned. “The ass is stupid enough to keep talking to me. I’m surprised no one banned him from here yet.”
Stephanie ‘O Connor smiled and put her thick blonde hair up into a high ponytail. “I feel bad for you.”
“Gee. Thanks.”
“I mean, he’s hot an all…but he lacks the intelligence I’m looking for.”
Stephanie glanced at Kyle from the other side of the room.
“You mean like an IQ over 80?”
Stephanie laughed and stretched with her. “Something like that. Maybe some common sense too.”
Jessica snickered. “Well then it seems that we’re looking at the wrong guy.”
She glanced up at the time- 3:58. Close enough.
Clapping her hands she called out, “Ok in line.”
The 20 students lined up, 4 in each row, 5 rows. Once they were in line, Jessica started the class. Most of the students were her age, some a little younger, a few older. Kyle was a year older than her at 23.
“Today, we’re learning Janet Jackson’s “Doesn’t Really Matter”. We’re going to listen to it first, then we’ll learn the first verse. Any objections?” she asked, setting the CD into the player.
Jessica looked up and sighed. “Kyle?”
“There are no thrusts. I suggest we do NSync’s “I Just Wanna Be With You”.”
There were murmurs in the class, and Jessica actually smiled. “Maybe I’ll take you up on that. We’ll do it next class, promise.”
Kyle’s eyebrows rose, surprised she had agreed. Then he smiled a wicked grin. “Ooh so you’ve got it for one of the NSyncers eh?”
“What makes you think that?”
“You’ve never agreed with any of the other songs I’ve suggested.”
“Uh huh…so it’s not possible for a young woman like me to desire one of the hottest guys in the world hmm? So who do you think I’m supposed to like? You?” The classed oohed and some laughed. Kyle didn’t seem fazed.
“Cover up.”
RIING!
Jessica rolled her eyes. “Who could be calling me now? Ok we’re going to listen to the song now, please be quiet so you can hear the song, and so I can hear myself talk to whoever just called. Ok? Ok.” She pressed play and headed quickly to her cell phone. “Hello?”
“Jessie?”
Her eyes widened. “I was just on the phone with you, do you need something?”
“Whoa. Sorry if I caught you at a bad time.”
“Sorry Lance…it’s just I’m in the middle of a class right now, and I’m having a hard time today.”
“Oh sorry. I just called to ask you something real quick.”
“What?”
“How would you feel about being on TV?”
“What? What are you goin at?” she asked, taking a glance at her class. They were behaved. For the most part.
“Would you like to be in our new video?”
“You mean for Pop?”
“Yeah.”
“ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I’d LOVE to!”
“Serious?”
She was elated and was hyper with excitement. “Yeah!”
“I’ll get you a flight then.”
She snapped back to reality, “Wait, what flight?”
“It’s for next week in California.”
“I can’t leave for California!”
“Yes you can.”
“I have my work Lance.”
“Get a substitute.”
“But Lance…”
“Lance what?”
“I mean my son Lance.”
“I’ll get him a ticket too.”
“Lance…I can’t just abandon my job, even if it’s only for a week. This is home.”
“Minnesota was your home.”
“Lance, please, not now. Not here.”
“Look, I want you to be in the video.”
“How do you think I support Lance and me? I work Lance. I have to be here.”
“I’ll get you the money. You’ll be paid to be in the video anyway!”
Now it was getting harder to fight. It was everything someone her age could ask for. And plus she could get away from Kyle… She had to think fast; the song was almost over.
“I’ll do it.”
“You will?”
“Yes, I will.” Jessica laughed inwardly at the pun made to AJ’s song, Yes I Will.
“Great! I’ll book you a flight for Sunday.”
“Sunday? Ok…um call me later and we’ll talk. By the way, Lance sweetie- don’t call me at work, ever.”
“Gotcha. That was the first and last.”
“Alright. Love you.”
“Love you too. Bye.”
“Bye.”
“Who’s the guy?”
Jessica turned around in a moment and cocked an eyebrow. “Eavesdropping? Well that’s an even lower low.”
Kyle put his hands up and backed away about a foot. “Hey I was passing by and I just heard-”
“Yeah, yeah save it. Get back in the line.”
“Feisty aren’t we?”
She resisted the urge to kick him hard where “the sun never shines” as she made her way to the front of the class. Now she could see why she said yes.
“Alright everyone got the beat and tempo? Ok then let’s start. We’re already late enough as it is.”
“Cuz of your BOYFRIEND,” Kyle called out.
Jessica started to blush, and her cheeks felt on fire. A few of them were even laughing. Then she slowly began to get angry.
“Ok hot shot, if you’re so good at keeping the class in control, you get up here and teach.” She stepped into the line and waved him up. “Go on.”
Having his pride, the shocked Kyle Riley made his way up to the front.
“Uh…um…I…”
A wave of giggles and snickers sounded through the room, only making Kyle blush more.
“So…? Teach us something, since you seem to know everything already,” Jessica pushed, feeling smug that she had finally gotten him back. “Kyle? You a statue or ya gonna say anything?”
“Oh shut the fuck up,” he yelled.
“Jeez soorry,” she rolled her eyes. “Want to continue with class now Kyle?”
Grumbling, the 23 year-old fell back in line, and not another word came out of him for the rest of the hour and a half.
-;- -;- -;-
“She can do it!”
“Whoa Lance quit jumping; you’re gonna make a sunroof.”
Lance beamed and sat down with a pop in his hands.
“I’ll take that,” Chris said, snatching the ice cold Pepsi from his friend’s hand. “You don’t need any more sugar. You’re already in your lovey dovey mode.”
Lance rolled his sea green eyes. “Whatever. She’s coming.”
“Alright! We get to meet the cause of this strange behavior in flesh and blood.”
“Chris!”
“Jeez don’t get all jacked up.”
“Is Tanya coming?”
Chris sighed. “No.”
“Why not?”
“Something big…she wouldn’t tell me.”
“Why not?”
“Just cause…”
“Why?”
“Ok shut up.”
Before anyone could retaliate, JC ran up to the table. “Guess what?”
“What?”
JC smiled. “We’re on “Making of the Video” again.”
“Great.”
“Oh god. What if they see Jessie?”
“Jessie? What’s she got to do with anything?” JC asked, confused.
“She’s comin down to be in the video,” Chris said, mocking Lance’s happy expression.
JC laughed. “Oh well that’s good. But then don’t act all…”
“Lovey dovey?”
“That’s the word,” JC snickered. “Well, we can always edit the tape if we catch you two um…yeah. Anyways, they’re giving us those little camcorders to go around with.”
“YES! My true moment to shine!” Chris shouted, jumping on top of the lunch table, finger pointed to the sky.
JC and Lance stared at the still figure, shrugged, then left, talking about the up and coming video shoot.
“Hey! You there! Come back here!”
-;- -;- -;-
“Yes that’s it! Denise just put a little more…yes! That’s good! Yes that’s great! Ok now what you want to do here is to lift your arms up, THEN snap down, yeah…work on that…” Jessica coached as she made her rounds of the room. She made her way to Kyle, who was concentrating like mad on his dance steps, which he messed up on every once in a while. “Kyle. Kyle. Kyle!”
At last he looked up at her. “What?”
“Ok on that one move-“
“Look I don’t need your help,” he snapped. “Just get away from me.”
She backed away in surprise. “Sorry.”
“Forget it.”
“Kyle I’m sorry I-“
“Just go away, ok?”
She took a breath, feeling incredibly guilty now, and moved on to the next person. She took a peek at the clock and found it was three minutes past the time to go. Jessica clapped her sweaty hands and told them it was ok to go, and they hurried to their scattered duffels, all seemed to be anxious for something.
“Hey you go girl,” Natasha smiled. “You finally put that jerk in his place.”
Jessica smiled weakly at her friend. “Yeah. I guess I did, didn’t I?”
“Hey good job.”
She smiled at all the comments, and finally went to get her bag, eager to get home and take a cold shower. She was making sure she never did Janet Jackson for a while yet. She put the welcomed water bottle tip to her dry mouth and squeezed out the cold liquid, quenching her thirst only somewhat. She was exhausted beyond relief, and didn’t feel like changing- a sports bra and shorts will have to do.
Jessica was trudging toward the door when she felt a tap on her shoulder and she turned around. Kyle was standing behind her.
She raised her eyebrows in question.
“Hey…um…I just wanted to say…I’m sorry.”
Jessica took a step back in surprise. “Excuse me?”
“I’m sorry.” Kyle looked down at the ground as if he were ashamed.
“Do you mean it?” she asked, wanting to make sure.
“YES I’m sure. I’ve been a jerk, and I guess I deserved what I got today.”
“Well either you’re truly sorry or you’re delirious.” Jessica laughed and slung her bag over her shoulder again.
“I’m serious,” he said truthfully, taking a long step to walk next to her.
“Oh then I accept your apology,” she said, now getting uncomfortable with his close distance.
“Good.”
Jessica slowly accelerated her pace, despite the protests from her aching, tight legs. She went as fast as she could without him noticing.
“Um…so I’ll see you later, right?”
“Uh yeah I guess…oh no wait I’ll be in California.”
“Why?” he asked, his auburn hair glinting in the bright sun.
She bit her lip and said simply, “My boyfriend.”
“Oh. Ok I’ll uh, see ya.”
“Yeah, bye.”
Jessica got into her Lexus and waved before she pulled out of the parking lot.
“What the hell was that?” she asked herself.
Why was he nice all of a sudden? And why in hell did he apologize? He NEVER apologized to ANYONE. And why did she feel anything other than hate for him just now? She shook her head and didn’t dwell on it any longer- she had a shower at home and she was planning on using it.
-;- -;- -;-
Humming “Doesn’t Really Matter”, Jessica unlocked her door and stepped inside, blessing God for air-conditioning. Dropping her bag onto the floor, she clicked the new messages button on her answering machine. She had five new messages, one from Lance, one from Brian, another from her friend Leanna, and two blank ones.
Rolling her eyes, she looked at the caller ID. Lance Bass, Brian Littrell, Leanna Price…Kyle Riley, Kyle Riley. Jessica stared at the little box.
“What in Hades is going on here?” she asked the air.
Kyle had called numerous times before, but this time, it bothered her greatly. Glancing at the box again, she slowly walked to the bathroom, this time less eager to take her shower.
RIIING!
She halted in her place, and sluggishly turned around.
RIIING!
She glanced at the caller ID box and saw no name. Her stomach churned and she picked up the phone.
“H-hello?”
“Is this Jessica?” a raspy voice sounded over the phone.
“Yes. What do you want?” she asked cautiously, not letting her nervousness be heard.
“What’s your favorite scary movie?” the stranger cackled.
She screamed and dropped the phone.