PART FIVE

  Cierra sat on Melissa's bed while she waited for her to come back into the room. Cierra's eyes were still puffy and she tried to fight the tears. She went straight to Melissa's and told her what happened after she had collected herself enough to drive there. Missy couldn't believe it when she saw what JC had written Cierra. She was so happy that he felt the same way that Cierra did, but she felt terrible that Cierra felt like she had lost him forever.
  While Cierra was in Missy's room Melissa was on the phone in the little living room. She didn't want CiCi to know that she had called Lance. She had already told Lance what happened and they were trying to work out a plan.
  "Just be serious with him Lance. Tell him that Cierra is freaking out over her because she thinks she just ruined everything for them."
  "If you think that's what I should do, then that's what I'll do," Lance said as Justin stood by his side listening to everything they were talking about. Justin had run to the back of the plane the minute he heard Lance yell. On the other hand, JC turned to make sure that he wasn't dying, but didn't move when he realized he was just on the phone.
  "I do," Missy said. Just then Cierra walked over and asked her who she was talking to. "Yes, you do have the wrong number."
  "Huh? Mis what are you talking about?" Lance asked all confused.
  "No they don't live HERE," she said stressing the 'here'.
  "Oh CiCi is there, okay. Got ya. I'll talk to JC and call you in 15 minutes" Lance said as he hung up.
  "Ok, Bye now," Missy said as she hung up. "It was the wrong number Ci." Then they both went back to Melissa's room to talk.
  Justin and Lance sat down on each side of JC. "JC, we gotta talk," Lance said. JC's head turned immediately. He was afraid that something was wrong.
  "Is everything ok? Is something wrong with the plane?" JC said as he clutched the seat.
  Both guys laughed and said, "NO!" at the same time. "Jace, I just got off the phone with Melissa." JC's eyes lightened and he listened. "She said that Cierra is over there, and she is a mess."
  "Oh my God, is she ok, did something happen to her?" he said as he started to stand. Justin pushed him back in his seat.
  "JC, calm down. She's fine. But she is crying her eyes out. She read your letter this morning, came to the airport and our plane was pulling off the runway. She likes you dude," Justin said as he touched JC's shoulder.
  "Oh man! I don't even know what to say. Justin I really want to see her. I can't wait until the next time we might get to come back. I want her to know how I feel now, and to know that I want to be with her."
  "JC you're crazy. Call her or something," Justin said.
  "I can't." He looked at his book and saw that they would be switching over in Louisiana. "I'm gonna hop a flight back there when we get to Louisiana, and I'll come home tonight. I just want to see her again for a little bit. Please understand you guys."
  Lance looked over at Justin and nodded. "Go for it" Lance said.
  JC looked at his watch and noticed that they would be at the airport in about twenty minutes. That meant that he could be back to Cierra within the hour. "Call Missy and tell her to drop CiCi off at the park near the hotel in an hour and a half, but not to tell her why. Tell her to make up something."
  "Will do buddy. Things are gonna work out great!" Lance said. He went to the back and called up Missy and let her know what the plans were. JC sat impatiently and waited for the plane to land so he could hop on the next flight back to Texas.

  An hour and a half later, Missy dropped Cierra off at the park and told her that she'd be back in a minute, she forgot something. Cierra still had no idea why she was at the park in the first place, but she went a long with it. She walked down to the edge of the park where the lake began. She sat on the ground and wrapped her arms around her legs and put her chin on the top of her knees.
  She had been there for about five minutes when she heard the grass shuffling. She assumed that it was Missy getting back. "What did you forget Missy?" she asked. No one answered. Cierra was too lazy to turn around to see if Missy was there or not, so she just figured it was a squirrel or something. Seconds later, she felt a hand on her shoulder and heard someone whispering in her ear. She jumped at the touch.
  Cierra turned quickly and at the site before her, her chin dropped. JC was knelt behind her, rose in hand. He licked his lips and said, "I couldn't stay gone knowing that you feel the same way that I do."
  A tear came to Cierra's eye as he handed her the rose. She took a deep breath, "I'm so sorry that I was late. I got up and I read the..." JC interrupted her by placing a finger to her lips.
  "Shuu," he said. "I know," and then he slowly leaned toward her and their lips met. He placed one hand on the side of her face, and put his other one on the side of her arm. She had both her arms at her side to help her keep her balance. As the kiss deepened slightly, she reached up with one of her hands and grabbed his hand that rested on her arm. She locked fingers with him, and then they slowly parted.
  Both of them wet their lips and looked deep into one another's eyes. This was the moment that both of them had been waiting for for a long time. Neither of them knew what to say right then. It was like they were speaking already, but with no words. Cierra was put into a trance as she looked deeper into JC's deep blue eyes. She looked down to see that they were still holing hands.
  "I can only stay for a couple of hours, but I wanted to come and spend some time with you. Justin and Lance told me what happened. I thought you didn't show just because you didn't feel the same way as I did."
  "JC, I tried. I busted my butt to get there. I do feel the same. It was just the other day that I told Justin how I felt for you."
  "You mean Justin knew the whole time, and never said anything to me? That little..."
  Cierra broke in, "I made him promise not to." She thought for a second and then said, "How did Justin and Lance know what happened?"
  "Melissa called Lance and told him."
  "Man are you for real?!" Cierra said totally surprised.
  "You didn't know?"
  "No, I didn't know!" she exclaimed.
  "Well, in any case, I am glad that she did. It brought me back here to you. Lance wanted to come back to see Missy, but he figured that it would just make it harder on him."
  "I'm sure she understands that, and I am glad that you came back to me."

  The both of them walked hand in hand up and down the lakeside. They talked about everything and decided that they wanted to give themselves a chance. They wanted to try to make a relationship work for them.
  "Really I am in no position to have any kind of healthy relationship," he said.
  "I understand that Jace, but I am willing to work for this. I know that you are busy and won't always be able to be here with me, but I want us to try this.
  "I do too," he said as he leaned in and kissed her again. JC looked at his watch and noticed that already two hours had gone by. They didn't realize how fast time flew by. It seemed like he had just gotten there. He could spend endless amounts of time with Cierra and not get tired of having her around. He was truly happy. "I gotta catch my flight in twenty minutes CiCi. Come with me to the airport?" he asked.
  "Of course I will." They walked back up to the park and found Melissa parked there waiting for them. "Ok, JC, you had to have planned this perfect," she laughed.
  "Yes, I suppose I did. When you are trying to win a girl's heart you have to do everything perfect," he said with a smile.
  She pushed him lightly, and said, "well you done good! Ha!"
  "Did I?" he asked with a raised eyebrow and a smirk.
  She turned to him, pulled him close, and whispered in his ear, "I'm still here aren't I?" and then kissed him lightly on his ear lobe. JC blushed immediately and pulled back. He looked into her soft brown eyes and saw the sparkle in them. He briefly looked at her lips then back to her eyes then he grabbed her hand and the two of them walked to the car.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  Cierra and JC got into Melissa's car and she headed off to the airport. The two of them sat in the back seat with their hands still clasped, and not saying a word. Missy looked back at their happy faces in the rearview mirror and smiled.
  "I take it that everything is cool between the two of you," Missy said and broke the silence.
  "Yes, I think so. I am mad at you for calling Lance, but I thank you with the deepest part of my heart," Cierra replied.
  "I agree Melissa. Thank you," JC said and tightened his grip on Cierra's hand.
  After that, no one spoke the rest of the way to the airport. Melissa kept her eyes on the traffic and the "happy couple" sat in the back speaking to each other with only their eyes. Within ten minutes Melissa pulled into the parking lot at the airport. Everyone got out of the car and walked JC to the gate.
  JC had put on his sunglasses and hat already so that he wouldn't be as noticeable to all the fans that might be lurking in the midst of the airport. When they reached the gate they all looked up to see if it was running on time. Everything looked as if it were going on schedule. JC didn't want to say goodbye again, but somehow he felt like it would be easier this time. He knew how she felt, and how he felt, and he knew that he would come back soon to visit.
  "I'll talk to you soon CiCi. I'll call you when I get in to let you know that I arrived alright."
  "Ok," she said as her body tensed up.
  JC leaned down slightly and kissed her lips. They melted together in that kiss. Melissa didn't want to say a word, the moment was too perfect so she just turned and smiled. When Cierra and JC broke they gave each other a big hug and said their good-byes once more. Then JC walked over to Missy and took her in his arms to give her a hug. With the hug he whispered in her ear. "Thank you Melissa for everything." She nodded in response to his thanks, and then backed away.
  JC walked down the shaft hallway and made his to the plane. He stopped before the last turn and waved and blew a kiss to Cierra. Cierra smiled and felt as if she were going to die right then and there. It was just a couple of hours ago that she was crying in that very spot. Now, not long afterwards, she was probably the happiest girl on the face of the earth.

  Melissa and Cierra left the airport and headed toward Melissa's house again. Cierra called her mom and let her know that she was staying the night over at Missy's house. Missy and Cierra sat and talked and Cierra let her know about everything that happened at the lake. She told her of the first sweet kiss, and all the sweet words that JC said.

  Melissa was Cierra's best friend and they always told each other everything. They wanted to be able to share their happy moments together, and to have someone there for them for the sad moments. This whole week was a great moment that they will remember forever.

  In the meantime, JC sat on the plane in a complete trance. He couldn't believe how happy those few hours had made him. He would have no problem working this week! The ride home was about three hours, and he took a flight that didn't have a switchover. Lance was at the airport waiting for JC when he got there.
  "Hey buddy, how did things go?" Lance asked.
  The light in JC's eyes almost spoke for themselves. "Things are great Lance. I owe a lot to you and Justy."
  "You owe us nothing. We gotta live with ya man. You think we wanna see you all pouty over a girl?!" Lance joked.
  "Ha! Well thanks anyways."
  The two of them walked out of the airport and to the car. On the way back to JC's apartment he told Lance about what happened and said that they need to make plans on going back together to see Cierra and Missy. Lance agreed whole-heartedly.
  Lance pulled into JC's driveway and they walked to the front door. JC looked at it, and then at Lance. The door was cracked open and the rim on the side of the door was busted. Lance was about to call the police on his cell when JC started to walk in. JC turned and whispered to Lance to tell him to hold on.
  They both walked inside and saw that the living room had been torn apart. Drawers were open and papers were all over the floor. Both guys looked at the mess in awe and JC told Lance to call the police, he thought he was just robbed. Out of nowhere both Lance and JC felt a sharp thud against the back of their head and they hit the floor.

  Lance slowly opened his eyes. He blinked several times slowly. He tried to get his eyes adjusted to the light before he fully opened his eyes. Lance started to sit up and the first thing he did was put his hand to the back of his head. He checked his hand for blood and luckily saw nothing. His head was throbbing, but other than that he felt fine.
  He looked over and saw JC flat on his back with one leg bent underneath him. He crawled to him and checked him for any open wounds. The both of there were extremely lucky that neither of them were gashed in any way. Lance lightly slapped the side of JC's face and called his name.
  "JC," he called. No answer. "JOSHUA SCOTT!" he yelled.
  JC's eyes opened a little, and then a little more. "Damn Lance, what are you yelling at?"
  Lance's heart skipped a beat when he saw that his friend was ok. "You scared the shit out of me JC. I was trying to wake you up, I thought you were out of it," Lance said.
  JC tried to sit up but he got dizzy. He grabbed the back of his head and looked around. "Man, what happened?"
  "I think whoever did this to the house," he said and pointed around, "did this to us," he said and grabbed the back of his head.
  "Yeah, I remember telling you to call the cops, but then it went blank."
  "Same here. He must have hit us pretty hard Jace." Lance looked at his watch. They had been home for almost half an hour already.
  JC checked himself over, "no blood. That's a good sign."
  "Very good. Hey, try to stand with me."
  The two of them slowly sat up, and then stood. They moved slowly because they didn't want to pass out again. That was the last thing they needed. "Man, I gotta call Cierra. She's probably freaking by now. I told her I'd call as soon as I got to Orlando." JC got out his cell and dialed up CiCi's cell number. He covered the phone and told Lance not to say a word.
  "Hello."
  "Hey you!"
  "Hey, are you ok? I thought you were due in like an hour ago."
  "Yeah, sorry, things were hectic, but yeah, I'm ok. I just wanted to let you know I was in."
  "OK, well. I'll let you go so you can unpack or whatever. Call me tomorrow if you can."
  "Will do. Take care babe." JC said.
  "You too. Bye now." Cierra hung up and told Missy who it was.
  "JC, you didn't tell her what happened," Lance said as soon as JC hung up.
  "I know. Do you want the both of them freaking out on us? Wondering if we were really ok, or if we were just saying that we were so they wouldn't be scared?"
  "No, I guess not."
  "Ok then. We don't tell them about this."
  They both agreed and then started to look around the house to see what was missing. Lance had called the cops after JC got off the phone with Cierra. When the police got there they told them exactly what happened. The officer said that the same thing happed a few blocks over. He thought it was just a teenager out looking for money, and that there was nothing to worry about. Even with that, they guys were still kind of afraid.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  A couple of days passed and Lance and JC only told the guys what happened. JC had the locks replaced and upgraded his alarm system. He guessed that Alex, his roommate, had been in the house earlier that day and forgot to turn it on. JC talked to Cierra a couple of times during those few days and they had planned to fly her out to Florida to visit him next week. He couldn't get back to Texas for almost a month, and he wanted to see her before that. He set up the flight plan and booked it. Lance wanted to see Missy also, so of course, he booked Missy on the same flight to Orlando. Justin and Joey were set to have an interview in Texas later that week, so they figured they would just visit everyone when they were there.
  The guys were kept busy with lots of promotional stuff, interviews, teleconferences, and spots on TV shows. JC missed Cierra already and called her as often as he could. He even caught her online several times.

JC: Well hey you!
Cierra: Hey there!
Cierra: I thought you weren't going to be around tonight.
JC: I'm not. I am on my way out, but I wanted to say hi.
JC: How are ya?
Cierra: I am pretty good. Can't wait till next week!
JC: ditto that girl!
Cierra: When is Justin due in here?
JC: He flies out tomorrow actually. I'm sure he'll call you guys when he gets there.
Cierra: Kewls, I'm gonna have to tell Anna so she'll be around.
JC: Ok, well baby, I gotta go.
JC: I'll call you tomorrow sometime.
Cierra: Ok, talk to you soon.
Cierra: byes!
JC: take care - bye!

  JC shut off his computer and walked back up to the front of the bus. Chris was sitting by the table with his computer in front of him. Chris looked at JC and just laughed.
  "What are you laughing at?"
  "You, of all people C!" Chris laughed.
  "What did I do? Nah man, I didn't do it!" JC had no clue what he was talking about.
  "Dude, you used to lead the pack on making fun of me cuz I spent so much time on the Internet. Now if you aren't on the phone, you are on the net!"
  JC laughed and started to blush. "What? Am I gonna have to start hiding in the bathroom when I am online so no one knows that I am on! Ha!" JC thought it was funny that Chris of all people noticed that he had been spending time online. "Maybe it just means that you spend too much time online Chris!"
  "Yeah yeah, well I am being productive."
  "Productive? Chat rooms, yeah Chris, very productive man!"
  "Oh leave me alone. Go talk to your girlfriend!" Chris said as he turned around laughing.
  "Been there, done that, thank you very much!" JC said as he sat down next to Justin. Justin giggled a little and then tightened his lips trying to hide his expression.
  "What are YOU laughing at?" JC said as he put Justin in a headlock and started rubbing his head. "What should I ask the mighty fro for today?" he laughed.
  "Funny C! I wasn't laughing at anything," Justin lied.
  "Sure, sure," JC said with a huge smile. He hadn't been in this good of a mood in a long time. The guys liked having a pleasant JC around.

  The next day Justin and Joey pulled up to their hotel and Justin pulled out his cell phone. He dialed up Cierra's number. After three rings she answered.
  "Hello"
  "Hey there! We're here!"
  "Well hey Justy! Y'all are here early. I wasn't expecting you guys in until around four." Cierra looked at her watch and it was eleven. "Yes, you are really early," she laughed.
  "Oh, so you don't want to see us till four eh? I get it. Fine we'll just sit here all alone like we aren't here yet!" Justin joked.
  "Very funny Justin. What time do you have to do that interview?"
  "Uhm, hold on... 'Joe, what time is that interview at? Uh huh, Ok.' He said that we have to be there at noon, and we'll be out by one. Do you fine ladies wanna do lunch afterwards?"
  "Sure. I'll call up the others and let them know. Where do you want to meet?"
  "How about that cute little place near our hotel. What's it called?"
  "Hickory Bar and Grill?" she asked.
  "Yeah, that's it. We'll meet you girls there around one. If we beat you, look for us in the back on the right. If you beat us, then ask for a booth back there, and we'll find ya."
  "Sounds like a plan. See you soon Justy," Cierra said.
  "Alright," Justin said and then hung up. He walked over to Joey and told him what the plans were.
  "Is Vickie gonna go to?" Joey asked. He was anxious to see her already.
  "Well, CiCi said that she was going to call the girls and they'd meet us there, so I assume Vickie is going," Justin said back.
  "Good," Joey said with a smile.
  The two guys put all their stuff on the beds. They were going to share a room since they would only be there for a night. After they had all their stuff lain out they picked up what they needed and headed off to do their interview.

  Cierra, Melissa, Anna, and Vickie all walked up to the Hickory Bar and Grill together. They walked through the path, which was surrounded on both sides with beautiful flowers and bushes, and there was even a mister when you reached the end. Off to the left was a small fountain where the water shot up into the air about a foot high, and then trailed back down a woman's body.
  The girls went into the place and the lady met them at the door. "How can I help you today?"
  "We're supposed to meet someone here," Missy said.
  "Well, you ladies are the only ones here right now. A family of five just left. Do you have a specific place you'd like to sit?" the waitress asked.
  "Yes, could we possibly have a seat in the back on the right, in a booth?" Cierra asked.
  "Sure, not a problem. Follow me," and the lady escorted them to the back. The booths were very comfortable and secluded behind a wall. The whole place was very nice. The floors were made of wood and the seats were a deep green color. The tables were a nice marble design and the place smelled great. After the lady showed them where to sit she came back with a handful of menus. "How many will be joining you this afternoon?"
  "Two," Anna answered.
  The lady passed each of them a menu and left one for each of the other two in their party. She asked them what they wanted to drink and then promptly went to the front and got it. The girls had been talking for about ten minutes when they heard someone come in. Within seconds Justin and Joey turned the corner.
  Each of them had on a hat and sunglasses. They were both dressed in an Abercrombie shirt and a pair of jeans. When they got to the booth they took off their hats and shades, and took a seat.
  "Aren't you ladies looking fine today," Justin said with a smile that could capture any girl's heart.
  "Thanks, I think..." Anna replied. Justin had taken the seat on the right end of the booth, which placed him next to Anna, and Cierra was next to her. Joey took the seat on the left, which put him next to Vickie.
  They all talked for a few minutes and then they ordered some lunch. They spent about an hour eating, and talking. Everyone had a lot to say, and didn't want to forget anything. Justin told Cierra that JC was thinking of her, and he told Missy that Lance was thinking of her too, and with that he gave them the plain tickets that they had been discussing.
  After everyone was done eating, they decided to go back to the hotel for awhile and go swimming and then maybe watch a movie. The girls came prepared this time. They brought their suits in the back seat of their cars. All of them went back to the hotel, got changed and headed up to the pool.
  There were a few other people in there, but they were all adults, so the guys weren't too worried. Justin and Joey said that they should play some type of 'boy against the girls' water basketball. This was definitely an interesting idea. They teamed up and played some ball. Even though the girls outnumbered the guys, they still lost.
  "You guys cheat!" Vickie yelled across the pool.
  "No, you girls just suck!" Joey laughed back.
  "I don't think that dunking your opponent should count as extra points!" Cierra said.
  "Don't be a spoil sport!" Justin joked. He totally thought it was funny watching each of those girls go down and then squirm under their hands.
  "Whatever Timberlake," Cierra said back sarcastically.
  "Whatever Timberlake," Justin mocked back and then laughed.
  After a couple hours in the pool everyone got tired and decided that it was time to go back to the room and pop in a movie. After the movie, the girls were going to go ahead and head home so that they guys could get some sleep. They had a five o'clock flight the next morning.
  When they got to the room, the girls took over the bathroom and got into some dry clothes. They giggled about certain things that happened in the pool, and then headed back into the main room where the guys were. They knocked on the bathroom door first though to make sure that the guys were dressed.
  After a lot of contemplating, they all agreed to watch American Pie. Justin popped it in and then he lay down on the bed. Anna took the spot next to him, and Cierra balled herself at his feet. Missy took the comfy chair on the other side of Justin's bed, and Anna sat up against the headboard of Joey's bed with him.
  At some point and time during the middle of the movie Justin and Anna ended up holding hands. It was nothing planned, it just kind of happened. Everyone laughed non- stop through the movie, and when it was over, everyone started to get up. Just then the phone rang.
  Justin looked at Anna, let go of her hand and leaned over to answer the phone. Before he picked it up Cierra started to tickle Justin's feet. As he picked the phone up he yelled in a laughing way, "Cierra stop it! I am trying to answer the phone... Hello."
  "So I take it that you are having fun with my lady eh?" JC joked.
  "Oh yeah, she just performed the best sexual favor I have ever had man," Justin said.
  Cierra reached up and punched him in the stomach. "Who are you talking to?!" she asked.
  "Oh, no one important. Just some guy looking to get some."
  JC laughed on the other end. "Dude, you are a trip. Hey, I was just calling to see what was up with you guys, and to see if you needed picked up at the airport in the morning."
  "Yeah, we'll be in probably by seven, can ya meet us there?"
  "Sure can. Hey, I'm gonna go, tell CiCi that I said hi and that I'll get online tonight to talk to her."
  "Okay, will do. Later," Justin said and hung up. "That was your man, he said Hi and he'd talk to you tonight online." She looked at him and smiled and then went back and tickled his feet again. "Woman, stop it!" he laughed.
  Everyone talked for a few more minutes and then the guys walked the girls down to their car. Everyone got a hug, but this time, Anna got a light kiss on the lips from Justin, and Vickie got the same from Joey. Missy and Cierra looked at each other and said, "Awe." The girls drove off and the guys headed up stairs and went to bed.

Part Six