PAINFUL TIMES
Characters:
Tarantella Full name: Tarantella Caster. Facts: Golden-blond, deep-blue eyes, 23 years old, born Mars 28, 1978, 170 cm tall. Brian's ex girlfriend, Justin's girlfriend, cousin to June Omega/Joan Lady, lives next door to Nick and Shirley in Tampa, Florida.
June Full name: June Omega/Joan Lady Facts: Blond, blue eyes, 171 cm tall, 17 years old, born June 17 1984, got two sisters (22 and 20 years old), singer, cousin to Tarantella Caster, A.J.'s ex girlfriend.
Shirley Full name: Shirley-Jean Mary Dale Facts: Redhead, grey eyes, 175 cm tall, 17 years old, born January 7 1984, Nick's girlfriend, daughter to Anne and Harvey Dale, lives in Tampa, Florida with Nick, next door to Tarantella.
Kevin Full name: Kevin Scott Richardson Facts: Dark brown hair, green eyes, 187 cm tall, 29 years old, born October 3 1972, Backstreet Boy, Kristin's husband, lives in Orlando, Florida.
Howie Full name: Howard Dwanie Dorough Facts: Dark brown hair, brown eyes, 168 cm tall, 28 years old, born August 22 1973, Backstreet Boy, Claudia's boyfriend, lives in Orlando, Florida.
Brian Full name: Brian Thomas Littrell Facts: Dirty blond, blue eyes, 173 cm tall, 26 years old, born February 20 1975, Nick's best male friend, Backstreet Boy, Tarantella's ex boyfriend, LeighAnne's boyfriend, lives in Orlando, Florida.
A.J. Full name: Alexander James McLean Facts: Colored green hair (dark brown hair), brown eyes, 177 cm tall, 23 years old, born January 9 1978, Backstreet Boy, lives in Orlando, Florida.
Nick Full name: Nicholas Gene Carter Facts: Blond, blue eyes, 190 cm tall, 21 years old, born January 28 1980, Backstreet Boy, Shirley's boyfriend, lives in Tampa, Florida with Shirley, next door to Tarantella.
"This wounded bird will rise again
And fly, fly over the sky
I will rise again
This is not the end
Like a Phoenix I will rise again
It is far from the end
Oh I will rise again
And like a Phoenix I will fly
I will fly over the sky
Far away from you
Far away from them
I will rise again
This is not the end
Like a Phoenix I will rise again
It is far from the end
Oh I will rise again
Oh I will rise again
Rise again
And you can't keep me down
Cause...
I will rise again
This is not the end
Like a Phoenix I will rise again
It is far, far from the end
And I will rise again"
She smiled, but he knew her too well, she weren't happy, he could see it.
"You can't break my wings
And you can't break my mind
Like a Phoenix I will rise again
And fly far away from you
And far away from them
Far away..."
She sat down and looked at the audience.
- I'd like to... I'd like to sing a song that I wrote a couple of days ago, she said and looked at the people there, I broke up with my boyfriend a couple of days ago too... And this song, it's going to be on the next album... but the video will be showed on this channel right after the concert is over, for the first time.
She looked at them again.
- I wanna dedicate this to all of the girls out there, that's been a girlfriend to any guy in a boyband, she sighed, It is hard when you love someone and there are so many people that loves him too and hate you...
A.J. pulled out a tape and started recording the show, he wanted to be able to look at this again.
"I wonder if it was worth the pain
Now when I'm slowly going insane
So much love, so little time
At least I know you once were mine
I was one of the few named
It was us who they blamed
I wonder if it was worth the pain
Now when I'm slowly going insane"
She wiped away the tear that she couldn't hold back anymore.
"So much love, so little time
At least I know you once were mine
I know they hated me
And all that we two could be
Some of them still do
But they never hated you
I wish that you'd still be here by my side
But none of us could stop the hands of time
So I took a step back for your sake
That was a hard decision to make
And I didn't do it for me, I did it for you
I hope you didn't become too blue"
She looked at the audience again.
"So I took, I took a step back for your sake
That was a hard decision to make
And I didn't do it for me, I did it for you
I hope you didn't become too blue
I know they hated me
And all that we two could be
Some of them still do
But they never hated you
Yes, I know they hated me and all that I stood for
But I never hated them, and I never asked for more
So I took a step back for your sake
That was a hard decision to make
And I didn't do it for me, I did it for you
I hope you didn't become too blue"
She shook her head and went on.
"Our time together was restricted
Still we are connected
Through our shared memories
Through our shared fantasies
We used to have a common aim
But somehow it was always me who they used to blame
I know they hated me
And all that we two could be
Some of them still do
But they never hated, oh they never hated you
So I took a step back for your sake
That was, it was a hard decision to make
And I didn't do it for me, I did it for you
I really, really hope you didn't become too blue
I know they hated me
And all that we two could be
Some of them still do
But they never, ever hated you"
She looked at the camera.
"They were your fans, not mine
They looked at our relation like some crime
Oh, I know they hated me
And all that we two could be
Some of them still do
But they never hated you"
A single tear rolled down her cheek.
"Please don't hate me for what I had to do
You were my love, oh it was so true
But what I did, I did for you"
A.J. looked at the video again. It was all about them, what they had had. It was pictures of them, video clips with them, and the ravens, the two ravens he had given her for Christmas last year, they were there in the last scene. Hugin and Munin, she had named them that. He stopped the tape and looked at it. Of course it was one of Brian's favorite movies that he had erased...
Decembe 24 2001 (Sunday)
Joan looked at the little darkblue velvet box in front of her. It was from A.J., she knew it was. She'd been staring at it for almost ten minutes now, both Hugin and Munin had landed next to it a couple of times. She couldn't get rid of them, she loved them, but the two birds reminded her or him.
Joan slowly reached out and picked up the little box and opened it.
A little note and an engagement ring.
"I don't understand what went wrong ~ A.J."
She looked at it for a while, read it over and over again then she looked at the ring. Engagement... she was only 17 years old, she surely wouldn't get married at that age, if she ever would.
January 4 2002 (Friday)
- Do you mind if I sit down? A.J. smiled.
- Not really, she mumbled and looked at him, how did you know I was here?
- Well it's not that hard, he smiled, Britney Spears is in that corner over there, *NSync and your cousin are over there and the rest of the Backstreet Boys are there and in that corner... and I'm guessing those are people you are trying to avoid.
- No, she sighed, I'm trying to avoid you too.
- I didn't thought that you cared about what people thought about you, he said seriously and looked at her.
- I don't, it's just... they were your fans, I mean, Joan looked at him, I've never experienced that before.
- What? He smiled, Being in the centre?
- Being hated by so many people that doesn't even know you, she sighed, I'm not used to that. I never thought that I ever would experience that either. Maybe it's because Kevin is married and Brian was so close to marrying LeighAnne and now he's back together with her and all...
- What does that got to do with it?
- They are scared of loosing you too, she looked at him, that's why they hate me so much. If Kevin weren't married, and if Brian never had been engaged then this wouldn't have been a problem. It would have been more like "Wow! June Omega is together with A.J.", now it's just negative. And it doesn't help that Nick's together with his best friend you know...
A.J. nodded quietly.
- I want you to have the ring back...
- No, he said shortly, I'd prefer if...
- Hi!
Joan and A.J. looked up and saw Britney Spears standing there.
- Hello, A.J. smiled.
- Right, Joan muttered and ignored Britney, anyway, A.J. I'm right here.
- What? A.J. looked at her.
- You know those are fake, she said and pointed at Britney.
Britney just stood there, shocked that Joan actually said it to her face.
[Note: Three of my hate objects, Brainless Spears and her two plastic boobs... *evil smirk*]
A.J. just looked at Joan and then at Britney, trying to apologize for Joan's behavior.
- Can I sit down? Britney said and did her best not to get upset.
- Sure, A.J. said.
- No.
- June, he sighed and looked at Britney again, it's okay...
- Thank you, she gave him a fake smile, I've been trying to get a hold of you.
She looked at June, but June kept on playing with her little drink instead of listening to her.
- I'd like to do a duet with you June, Britney tried again.
- Is it just me Bone, or is it some annoying sound around here?
- Eh, Britney looked at June and then at A.J.
- There it is again! she said and looked at him, Did you hear it?
- I'm sorry for this Britney, A.J. sighed, June is in a bad mood today...
- Yes, yes I am, Joan hissed, and when I'm in a bad mood I tend to say what I really mean.
- You know that there's a lot of money...
- I DON'T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT THE MONEY! Joan got up and looked Britney Spears in the eyes, I don't care about the damn money, it doesn't help anyone that I make a lot of money. The only thing you seem to do with your money is to size up your boobs.
A.J. looked around and noticed that everyone was watching them.
- J...
- Shut up Bone, she muttered and looked at Britney again, I'm not like you, I'm not a half-human, half-plastic thing Bitchney! I got a brain, unlike you.
Britney couldn't believe that June was saying these things to her, even less yelling it out for everyone to hear.
- Do you know what I do with my money? Joan smirked, I buy rainforest, that's what I do with my money. And while I'm buying rainforest to help the world you are sizing up your boobs! Does it help your self-esteem that guys stare at those things that aren't even yours?!
- Actually, Britney said and woke up to life, I don't...
- Realize the importance of having a mind of your own, I know, she got up and looked at her drink, I think we all know.
- I do have a brain of my own! Britney hissed and got up.
- Oh my god, A.J. mumbled and tried to make himself disappear when he realized what Joan was going to do.
- If you'd have another brain it would feel very lonely! Joan hissed and threw the drink at her, You are just the proof that evolution CAN go reverse!
- Crap, A.J. mumbled.
Britney gasped surprised.
- Try not to fall over when you walk, Joan hissed and walked away.
January 8 2002 (Tuesday)
- MY HAND! Justin cried.
Tarantella just looked at him for a while before she left the room.
- Take care of your little friend, she hissed when she met J.C.
- What? J.C. looked at her surprised.
She didn't answer him and just walked away from there. J.C. opened the door to room 31 and found Justin on the floor.
- Justin?
Tarantella sighed.
- Is it that hard to patch a hand back together? She muttered to Joey.
- I guess it depends on how serious the damage is, he said and looked at her carefully.
- Right, she muttered and glared at him, You are so ugly, you know that?
Joey sighed and did his best to ignore her.
- Well, J.C. sighed when he came out of the hospital room, We just have to cancel tonight's concert.
- What? Tarantella sighed and looked at him.
- You broke a bone in Justin's hand, he said, he can't even hold a pen...
- Just get a mike he doesn't need to hold, like the Backstreet Boys, she muttered, you always do like them anyway...
Joay and J.C. looked at each other and sighed. They knew there was no use in trying to talk to her about this, she would just start yelling at them and if they yelled back, then they would end up where Justin was now.
January 12 2002 (Saturday)
Brian opened the door and looked at him.
- Justin? He said surprised, What are you doing here?
- I... eh...
- Tarantella?
Justin nodded quietly.
- So why do you come to me? Brian sighed and looked at Justin.
- I need your help, he said, I know that she was your girlfriend when I first started seeing her, and I'm really sorry about that...
- I'm very aware of that part, he muttered.
- I need your help, he repeated, I don't know what to do to save our...
- What to do to save the relationship? Brian interrupted.
- Yes... I don't wanna loose her...
Brian looked at Justin for a while, he felt kind of sorry for him. He had tried to warn him but he hadn't listened to a single word that he had said.
- Well, Brian sighed, I've already told you what June told me, run, run as far away from T as possible.
- But I don't wanna loose her, I don't wanna break up with her, Justin protested.
- There's no use trying to build a relationship with a girl just because of the make up sex...
- Make up sex? Justin said surprised.
- You don't have make up sex? Brian said even more surprised.
- No...
- Oh...
Brian couldn't help smirking. He knew Justin was in pain and all but he had actually been the one thing that had torn him away from Tarantella, and now Justin came to him for advice...
- Why? Justin looked at him.
- I just...
- What?
- I think she's cheating on you, Brian said and forced himself to stop smiling.
- What!?
- Well Tara is one of those girls who gladly do it once a day... Have you slept with her?
- Well, no, but I mean...
- What? Brian said and felt kind of sorry for the poor guy.
- Do you really think she is?
- I do, and I'm not just saying that, you could have been Nick and I would have said the same thing...
"Or no, you couldn't have been Nick" Brian thought "Nick would never fall for Tarantella..."
January 19 2002 (Sunday)
Joan looked at him, she didn't say anything, she just looked at him.
- I need your help, Justin said again, please June...
- You come to me for help? she muttered, Why?
- Cause you're her cousin... I kind of hoped that you knew her pretty well and... eehh...
- You want me to help you?
- Well... yeah, Justin said and looked at her.
- I have a much better idea, she muttered, how about you dump Tara and get together with Britney Spears instead? You two would make a sickening couple, but at least you two would know that none of you could cheat on the other cause no one else would want you...
Justin didn't answer.
-You and that thing really are alike, she muttered and was just about to close the door.
- No! Justin tried to stop her with his left hand.
- I'm warning you, Joan hissed, either you move your hand or I'll break your fingers!
- Please June!
Joan sighed and stepped aside, the door slammed open and Justin fell in.
- Fine! She hissed, But get up from the floor.
- Thank you, he mumbled and got up.
- If I tell you something, will you do as I say then? She looked at him.
- Yes.
- Leave her, and run! And get out of my house now please, otherwise I'll get some freaky rumors about you and me going out, she sighed and rolled her eyes, Not that there is any risk that that will ever happen...
January 29 2002 (Tuesday)
- I AM SO DAMN SICK OF YOU! Tarantella threw a shoe at him, AND I AM SO SICK OF YOUR ALBINO FRIEND LANCE, FOREVER SLEEPING J.C. AND MONKEY-BOY CHRIS! AND DON'T GET ME STARTED ON THAT WANNABE SUPERMAN!!
- Tara, Justin tried, things don't have to be this way...
- No, you're right, she hissed and threw the other shoe at him, BYE JUSTIN!
- Tarantella? Justin said surprised when she stormed out of the room.
- Move it monkey-face, she hissed when Chris stopped her.
- Tara...
- MOVE IT!
- Calm down...
- IS IT SO DAMN HARD TO GET WHAT I AM SAYING?! She yelled and punched him in the stomach and hurried down the hallway.
- Tara?! Justin hurried out of the room.
- If I was you, Chris said, I'd leave her alone... for the rest of your life...
February 1 2002 (Friday)
- You said she'd come back! Justin hissed to Lance.
- I thought she would! She always does!
- Well she didn't this time!!
- Call...
- What? Call who?! Justin stared at J.C.
- Brian... Call him, he might just know where she is...
- Are you saying that she went to him?!
- No! Just call him Justin, you never know...
- Fine, Justin started dialing on his mobile.
- Hello?
- Brian, it's Justin, have you seen Tarantella lately?
- No, and I'm very thankful I haven't, Brian sighed, Look Justin, I've tried to help you, I know June have tried, you just won't listen. I really don't wanna be pulled in to this now, I am trying to patch things up with LeighAnne and...
- And I'm trying to find my girlfriend! Justin hissed, Do you know where she is?
- No, I don't... Justin...
- What?
- It's for the better if you just forget about her.
Justin was quiet for a while.
- Call June, she might know, Brian sighed.
- I don't have her number...
- Okay...
February 3 2002 (Sunday)
- WHAT?! Joan answered the phone.
- It's Justin...
- What do you want? She muttered.
- I wonder...
- It's about Tarantella isn't it?
- Yes...
- Call Brian, she said with an angry tone, I am busy.
- I've already called him! Tara is gone and I have to find her!
- This is not some game Justin! Leave her alone for god's sake!
- She's my girlfriend! We had a fight and...
- She hurt you in some way and took of, I know that...
- How? Justin said surprised.
- Cause I'm her cousin, and I know her. I have to go, okay? We are doing a video here and I really don't have time for this nonsense...
- She's been gone for four days! I think something's happen to her! Justin said upset.
- DAMNIT JUSTIN! There's nothing wrong with Tarantella just because she runs away! I am very busy, call someone else!
- No! There's no one I can call that knows her! You're the only one that...
- How did you get my number? She hissed.
- Brian gave it too me...
- I'm gonna kill that guy, she muttered, Look Justin, she comes back if she wanna be your girlfriend, if not she don't. Just let her take her time, do something normal instead... like hanging out with those four fags that keeps trying to be Backstreet Boys. JUST DON'T CALL ME!
Joan hung up and handed the phone to Tim.
- Make sure to get the number changed, she muttered, and if Justin calls again, tell him to go to hell or I'll put up a restraining order on him.
- Of course Miss Omega...
- AND STOP CALLING ME THAT!
She muttered a few curses and hurried back to the settings.
February 5 2002 (Tuesday)
- June! Justin banged on the door, OPEN!
- I'm going to kill him, she muttered.
- You don't have to open, A.J. smiled, we can always ignore him...
- Yeah, she smiled, but it will be much easier to forget about him if he's dead and buried in the backyard...
- Can't we just try to ignore him?
- JUNE!! PLEASE OPEN THE DOOR!
- I would really, really love to try but...
- OPEN THE DOOR!!
- ... he won't give up...
- Can't we just send some killer dogs at him? A.J. sighed and got up too.
- That would have been pretty nice... watching them tearing up his heart, she smirked and walked over to the door.
- JUNE! I KNOW YOU ARE IN HERE! YOU GOTTA HELP ME!
- FINE! She opened the door and looked at him, What is it now?
- Tara hasn't come back...
- And your problem is?
- June...
- I really understand her right now, Joan muttered, Would you just leave me alone?
- I, Justin saw A.J. in the hallway and smirked, I see that you and A.J. are back together...
- Shut up you little rat, she muttered.
- No really, either you help me find Tarantella or I'll tell the press about you and him.
- Oh, blackmailing? She muttered, Well maybe I should tell the press about your breast-implants... or wait that was your bitch Britney Spears... Well no big difference in looks, both ugly as a baboon's ass...
- I swear June, Justin said upset, I will do it unless you help me!
- J, A.J. sighed and walked over, We can help him, can't we? He'll leave us alone then, right?
- Exactly! Justin said hopeful.
Joan looked at A.J., then at Justin and then at A.J. again.
- I hate you both! She hissed, Fine, Justin, come back tomorrow around 10 a.m. and we'll go...
- Thank you! He smiled.
- Don't thank me, she muttered, thank Boner...
February 6 2002 (Wednesday)
- Turn right here, Joan muttered.
- Okay Joan, A.J. smiled, Are you okay Justin?
- Are you sure she's there? Justin said worried from the backseat.
- Pretty sure, she sighed and looked at A.J., I can't believe I'm doing this... and I can't believe that I let you drive...
- I got my drivers-license now, don't worry...
- After failing three, four times, Joan sighed and rolled her eyes, Are you okay back there?
- Yeah, I'm fine, Justin said and forced himself to smile.
It was quiet for a while before June started searching after a good CD.
- You're real name is Joan? Justin said carefully.
- Yes, she muttered, after Joan of Arc.
- Joan Omega?
- No, both June and Omega is taken stupid, she muttered, my real last name is...
- Caster?
- No, Lady.
- Lady?
- Yeah, Lady, Joan sighed, Doesn't fit me does it? It's from my father's side, my mother's name is Caster...
- She didn't change?
- Nope, neither did any of my aunts...
- How many? Justin said and looked at her.
- Two aunts, two ungles, two sisters and I had one brother...
- What happened to him?
- Change subject please, she muttered.
- Sorry, Justin said quickly, How many cousins do you have then?
- Nine, all on my mother's side.
Joan sighed and pulled out a CD.
- What is it? Justin said and tried to see.
- Garbage, she muttered and placed it in the CD player.
"Hey boy take a look at me
Let me dirty up your mind
I'll strip away your hard veneer
And see what I can find
The queerest of the queer
The strangest of the strange
The coldest of the cool
The lamest of the lame
The numbest of the dumb
I hate to see you here
You choke behind a smile
A fake behind the fear
The queerest of the queer..."
February 6 2002 (Wednesday)
"As far from God, as heaven is wide
As far from God as angels can fly
If holy is as holy does
This house will burn straight down to hell
And take its counscience with it as it falls
Nothing said could change the fact
My trust was blind, you broke the pact
If God's my witness, God must be blind"
Joan turned of the CD player.
- And we are here and... oh no...
- What? A.J. looked at her.
- Nothing, my sisters just happens to be here too...
- How do you know? Justin looked at her from the backseat.
- Cause that's their cars over there, she muttered.
- Okay, what's the big deal? Justin smiled.
- The big deal is... it's, Joan sighed, You know how Tarantella is?
- Hmm, well yeah...
- Good, that's normal for my family.
- What? A.J. stared at her.
- My grandmother was a bitch and my grandfather was a sissy... and therefore all their kids became pretty... bitchy...
- I don't get it...
- You know how it's normally men that's higher in level?
- Okay...
- Here it's the other way around, June sighed, Can you two stay here? I'll go and get Tara...
- But I want to...
- No, Joan hissed to Justin, you are both staying here, get it?
- But...
- Justin, A.J. sighed, we are staying here.
- Fine, he sighed.
- Good, she muttered and closed the door and left.
- Oh my god! Joan!
- Hi Andrea, she forced herself to smile, I came to get Tarantella...
- Oh, why?
- Well her boyfriend is kind of worried...
- But she'll come back when she's ready...
- I know, I've tried to explain it to him but he don't get it...
- Oh my god, Andrea gasped, Is that A.J. McLean and Justin Timberlake?
- Well, yeah, Joan sighed.
- I forgot that stars surround my little sister now, Andrea smiled, I even forgot that you were a star yourself. How is it up at the top now? Can't you come in and tell us all about it?
- Is Sophia here?
- Yeah...
- Then no.
- But J...
- No, you know that we always start to fight, Joan said and rolled her eyes, I just need to get Tarantella back to her boyfriend and...
- Why is A.J. and Justin sitting in your car?
- Cause Justin is Tarantella's boyfriend and...
- And you and A.J. are back together?
- Look Andrea, I know that you'd love to find out all about the latest gossip about the celebrities but, no. I won't tell you anything. Just get Elli down here...
- But come on J, you are my little sister, I wanna know how your life is...
- Fine! She hissed and went in, TARANTELLA! GET OVER HERE RIGHT NOW!
- Joan?
- Hi Mary, where's Tarantella?
- She's upstairs...
- Damnit! Joan muttered and hurried up the stairs.
- Joan! She took a step back, Oh my god, I can't believe you're here gain...
- Hi mom, she muttered, I just wanna get Elli with me and I'll leave and we don't have to start fighting.
- No, I wanna know all about how you are now...
- Mom, Joan sighed and looked out the little window in the middle of the stairs, I really have to... ANDREA!
- What? Sophia looked surprised at her and then out the window, Who are those boys your sister are talking to?
- Wait a second, Joan ran down the stairs and out to the car, ANDREA! I told you not to...
- So are you and Joan together? She smiled to A.J.
- Well actually, A.J. said a bit uncomfortable.
- No! We are not! Andrea cut it out!
- Oh, she sighed, so you are free then?
- Andrea! Joan said upset, Okay, fine. Andrea, this is A.J. McLean, my EX boyfriend, and this is Justin Timberlake, Tarantella's boyfriend.
- So you aren't take then? Andrea smiled.
- Leave it! She hissed.
- I've just started seeing someone, A.J. sighed.
- I am so sorry, Joan said and took her sister's arm and pulled her back to the house.
- Weird family? A.J. smiled to Justin.
- They don't seem as horrible as Joan says, Justin smiled back.
- TARANTELLA! GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW! YOUR BOYFRIEND IS OUTSIDE AND I'D LIKE TO LEAVE RIGHT NOW!!!
- FINE! Tarantella walked down the stairs, I'll come, you don't have to yell...
- Elli, Joan sighed, mini-skirt?
- That's coming from you?
- Never mind... can we go now?
- Is Justin out there?
- Yes.
- No.
- Damnit Tarantella! You get your butt out there and in to the car and you and Justin can TALK about your problems later.
- When did you become a mother, she muttered and walked down the stairs.
- You just go out to the car okay?!
- But J, can't you and your friends stay for dinner? Sophia smiled.
- No, Joan muttered.
- Joan...
- No! Mom we'll just start fighting and you know it! It's not worth it!
- We don't always start fighting, it's you who starts using a certain tone and...
Joan muttered a few curses and hurried up the stairs out of old habit.
- Joan? Mary said surprised.
- What?! Joan hissed and slammed the door to her room.
She slowly looked around, nothing had changed. It looked just as it had when she had left it...
- Oh my god, she said and picked up a picture, Anthony...
- Joan? Mary said carefully and opened the door.
- What? She said and wiped away the tears that starting rolling down her cheeks.
- Mom is pretty mad now...
- I don't care, she muttered and took the card out of the frame and put it in her pocket.
- Joan...
- No Mary, I'm sorry, I can't stay here. You know perfectly well why...
- She didn't mean to let you...
- Become a teen star?
- Yeah... she never thought that it would go that well so soon.
- Well it did! I was a star at the age of 14!
- I know...
- I didn't even get a normal childhood! But you know what, she said and left the room, that's just fine. I won't ever come back and live here with her or anyone else in this damn family!
- Joan! Mary hissed, Cut it out!
- No! Joan started walking down the stairs, I am a star now, I will probably be a star for a long while more and I got enough money to live on for the rest of my life!
- And you would have had much more if you just wouldn't have...
- Bought rainforest? Given to charity? Joan stopped and looked at her sister.
- ... been so damn bullheaded! Why can't you just do that duet with Britney Spears?
- Why would I help a silicon bimbo?! She's about to be forgotten too and I won't help her to stay famous!
- She came at the same time as you and...
- And what?! It's my life Mary! I don't care what you got to say about it, Joan walked down to the hallway again, It's my life, and if you'd just showed me some kind of support at any time in my life I might have been generous to you but noooo! The only one that ever was kind to me was Anthony!
She slammed the door and hurried to the car where Tarantella already had sat down beside A.J. in the backseat.
- Let's go, Joan hissed and closed to door.
- What's happen? A.J. looked at her.
- Just go! Justin you know how to drive, just start the damn car!
- Okay, okay, Justin said and started the car.
- Sophia? Tarantella said.
- Mary.
- Oh.
- What? A.J. looked at Joan and then at Tarantella.
- Just some family problem...
- But...
- Leave it!
- Okay, sorry...
February 7 2002 (Thursday)
- Hi, A.J. said to the receptionist, we'd like... eh...
- Two rooms, said Justin.
- Three rooms, Tarantella muttered.
- Three rooms, Joan sighed.
- Okay, we'd like three rooms...
- Um... I'm sorry but we only got one available...
- WHAT?! Tarantella stared at the man.
- I'm sorry Miss... That's all we have and if that's not good enough I guess you have to keep on driving, but there aren't many motels in this area...
- No, this will be fine, A.J. sighed.
- I recognize you guys...
- No you don't, Joan sighed.
- Yes, you're June Omega, Backstreet Boys-A.J., *NSync-Justin and... I recognize you too...
- I'm June's cousin, Tarantella muttered, Can we get the key?
- Yes of course, I'm sorry, he sighed, It's just, we don't normally have celebrities here... Would you mind leaving an autograph for my daughter?
- Sure, A.J. smiled.
- I just wanna go to bed, Tarantella sighed, Can you guys hurry up?
February 7 2002 (Thursday)
- Isn't it amazing, Joan muttered, we got to sleep a whole 5 hours before those two started fighting...
- It's not my fault, A.J. sighe.d
- TARANTELLA! She yelled in the same second that Tarantella threw a glass at Justin.
- OUCH! Justin screamed.
- Tara! A.J. got up from the bed and hurried over to Justin, Are you okay?
- I am bleeding!
- DAMNIT ELLI! IS IT SO DAMN HARD TO BE NICE FOR A CHANGE?!
- WELL HE STARTED IT!
- Girls...
- YOU ALWAYS GET MAD AT SOMETHING THAT ISN'T EVEN WORTH IT!!
- GIRLS! A.J. yelled.
- WHAT?!
- Justin have to get to a hospital, I think he got glass in his wound... Tara succeeded in hitting him in the head, again...
- Not much that can get damaged, Tarantella sighed and rolled her eyes.
- Cut it out, Joan hissed.
They walked out of the hospital and Joan turned to Tarantella.
- Okay, now when he's patched up again, would you please stop it?
- Fine, she muttered.
- Are you okay? A.J. looked at Justin.
He just nodded quietly.
- Elli if you have to keep on throwing things then would you please throw something soft at a wall or something.
- No.
Joan grabbed A.J.'s arm.
- I'm going to kill her if she goes on, she hissed, I swear...
He looked at her, not surprised at all.
- Try to control yourself, he smiled.
- I am not joking... I hate hospitals and I hate going there with Justin, to tell you the thruth I hate going anywhere with Justin, he whines all the time!
- I've noticed that, and I think that Justin knows that you hate him...
- Good, she muttered.
February 8 2002 (Friday)
"Hanging by threads of palest silver
I could have stayed that way forever
Bad blood and ghosts wrapped tight around me
Nothing could ever seem to touch me
I lose what I love most
Did you know I was lost until you found me
Stroke of luck or gift from God?
The hand of fate or Devil's claws?
From below or saints above?
You came to me"
A.J. looked at Justin who was driving, he hadn't said much since the morning when he and Tarantella had fought again and all. Tarantella and Joan was sitting in the backseat quietly, listening to the music.
"Here comes the cold again
I feel it closing in
It's falling down and all around me, falling
You say that you'll be there to catch me
Or will you only try to trap me
These are the rules I make
Our chains were meant to break"
- Is it just me who thinks it's a bit quiet? He said.
The others just looked at him.
- Fine, he sighed.
"You'll never change me
Here comes the cold again
I feel it closing in
You're falling down and all around me, falling
Stroke of luck or gift from God?
Hand of fate or Devil's claws?
From below or saints above?
You come to me now
Don't ask me why
Don't even try
Stroke of luck or gift from God?..."
February 8 2002 (Friday)
"I came to cut you up
I came to knock you down
I came around to tear your little world apart
I came to shut you up
I came to drag you down
I came to tear your little world apart
And break your soul apart"
- Okay, it's getting pretty dark now, Joan sighed, can we just find somewhere to stay for the night?
"You burn and burn to get under my skin
You've gone too far, now I won't give in
You crucified me, but I'm back in your bed
Like Jesus Christ coming back from the dead
I nearly died
I nearly died
I nearly died"
- What do you think Tara? Justin looked at her.
"I came to knock you up
I came to cut you down
I came around to tear your little world apart"
- What? She looked up.
"I came to knock you up
I came to shut you down
I came around to tear your little world apart
And break your soul apart
I nearly died..."
- What do you think if we...
- JUSTIN THE ROAD! A.J. yelled, CAR!!!
Justin quickly turned back to the road and was just able to avoid them from crash right in to the truck that was coming.
- LOOK OUT!
- BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP...
A.J. slowly sat up and realized what had happened. They had escaped the truck but crashed right in to a tree.
- Joan? He said and turned back.
- She's breathing, Tarantella muttered, how is Justin?
- He's... breathing, A.J. sighed and moved him away from the steering wheel.
- I think I chipped a tooth...
- My head, Joan mumbled and sat up.
- Are you okay? A.J. looked at her.
- Yeah... um... Boner?
- What?
- My hair... it's read... um... I'm bleeding... gross...
- Let me see, Tarantella sighed and looked at the wound.
- It's just a little nick, no big deal... A.J. please try to wake up Justin...
- I'm sorry, Justin said and looked at them, This is all my fault...
- No it's not, A.J. sighed and looked at the girls, Right?
- Well actually it is, Joan said and rolled her eyes.
- I'm sorry, he mumbled.
- It's okay...
Joan and Tarantella looked at each other.
- Do something or I swear I'll hit him, Tarantella muttered.
- Okay, she walked over to Justin, Get up, stop crying and let's go! I need to wash out the blood from my hair, Tarantella need to get to a dentist, Boner needs to get a brain and you need to pull yourself together. Let's go!
- I'm sorry, it's all my fault...
- Fine, if you wanna cry, cry, she muttered, but walk and cry at the same time then, okay? It's dark and I wanna get home, now preferably...
Justin nodded and got up.
- My mobile is completely wasted, Tarantella sighed and left it in the car.
- And my battery is out, A.J. sighed, we are out in the middle of nowhere...
- Yes, but we won't be in the middle of nowhere if we start walking, Joan sighed and took her jacked, then we'll get to the edge of nowhere...
- I did chip a tooth, Tara sighed, Can we go now? Please? I wanna get it fixed as soon as possible...
February 9 2002 (Saturday)
- Nick, Shirley looked at him.
- Yes? He smiled.
- What did we do last night?
- We made love, he smiled and kissed her.
- Made love, she sighed, do you know how silly that sounds?
- Okay, we had sex then...
She smiled and kissed him.
- You don't regret it? He said and looked at her.
- No, she smiled, cause I trust you.
- FINALLY! Joan hurried over to the petrol station, Something else than the road and stupid trees!
- Do you think they got a phone? A.J. said hopeful.
- I am hungry, I've chipped a tooth and my right heal just broke of...
- Oh my god! The expedite stared at them when they stepped in, What happened to you?
- Car-accident, A.J. sighed, Do you have a phone?
- And a toilet? I need to clean the blood out of my hair, Joan sighed.
- Yeah, sure...
- I'm hungry! Tarantella whined.
- Here, Joan handed her wallet to Justin, make her shut up.
- I will, he sighed, What do you want Tara?
- Food! Any type of food! Except for fish, I'm not that hungry yet...
- Okay... what is... Who is this? Justin handed the picture to Tarantella.
- That's Anthony...
- Who? A.J. looked at the picture.
- Her brother, he committed suicide when he was 17...
- Oh...
- Put it away before she gets back, she'll just get upset again then... Is there any not too fatty food here?
- They got hotdogs...
- That's practically swimming in fat...
- You're always so damn...
- What? What A.J.? What? Tarantella looked at him.
- Nothing, he muttered.
February 12 2000 (Tuesday)
- We are in the paper, Joan sighed and handed it to A.J.
- Mad?
- Well, Boob Job Spears is doing a new single that's 'going to be a hit', she muttered, Wonder what she's done now... 'I'm your personal slave'?
A.J. smirked and read the article.
"February 8, Friday night, June Omega, her cousin Tarantella Caster, Justin from the boyband *NSync and A.J. from the Backstreet Boys almost got killed in a car-accident. 'We were close to crashing in to this truck but escaped that but ran in to a tree instead' Justin Timberlake says. The reason behind the trip is unknown since the four refuses to say anything about it. The more interesting part is that June Omega used to be together with popstar A.J. McLean and they both have been saying that it was over. However they took in to the same motel room the night earlier and have been seen several times together after their relationship was said to be history. But none of the starts wants to say anything about their relationship.
Tarantella is the former girlfriend of Brian Littrell, also member of the Backstreet Boys, but they broke up after several fights, which had ended with Tarantella getting physical. A month after she and Brian had broke up Jusin, from *NSync competing band to BSB, pronounced that he had a girlfriend, that girl was Tarantella.
The two couples was seen leaving a hospital the day before the accident, Justin and Tarantella had been in a fight according to the owner of the motel they had stayed the night on, and she had hurt him bad enough to be taken to a hospital. 'June and A.J. had been very upset over her behavior' he says 'They had all been very tired when they got here that night, but they were all friendly. In the morning hours however they had been a lot of screaming and they left after asking for the directions for the nearest hospital'. "
- Well, aren't we lucky, A.J. sighed, they even got pictures...
- I know, she sighed, nice isn't it... I don't think I've ever looked worse in my whole life...
February 19 2002 (Tuesday)
- Shit, she muttered and looked at the calendar again, that's just great...
Shirley sighed and looked around in her room.
"It's probably nothing" she thought "It's nothing... but what if it is? I don't want a child..."
February 23 2002 (Saturday)
Nick and Shirley stared up at the roof.
- What if, he started.
- It's probably nothing, she interrupted him.
- You're right...
- But...
Nick looked at her.
- If you are pregnant, he said, I swear I'll be there for you... I'll do my best to be a good father...
She nodded.
- Do you want a child? Shirley looked at him.
- I don't know... do you?
- No... not yet anyway...
He nodded quietly.
"I've ruined her life" he thought "If she's pregnant I've ruin her life... She's only 18 years old... I'm 22 and I'm not ready for a child, and she's just 18..."
Nick looked at her for a while, he could see that she was worried, really worried. It was pretty clear that she didn't want a child, he couldn't say that he didn't want a child either, that would be plainly mean if she was pregnant... He sighed and looked up at the roof again.
- But we used protection...
- They don't always work, she sighed.
He took her hand but didn't say a word.
February 24 2002 (Sunday)
She slowly opened her eyes and looked at him, he had his hand on her stomach.
- How could we fall asleep? Shirley muttered and looked at him.
- I don't know, he mumbled.
- How long have you been awake? She sat up and looked at him.
- For a while, he said and moved his hand.
- Have you seen what it is?
- No...
She nodded.
- If it's positive, she said, do you want to keep the baby?
- If you want to keep it then yes, he looked her in the eyes.
- And if I don't?
- Shirl, he smiled, I'll support you no matter what your decision may be...
- Okay, she said and forced herself to smile, I'll go and look...
- Do you want me to go with you or...?
- No, stay here... please?
He nodded and watched her when she walked in to the bathroom.
It was quiet for a while, until he heard crying.
- Shirley? He got up and walked over to the bathroom, Shirl?
She looked at him with the tears streaming down her cheeks.
- Can I come in?
She nodded quietly.
Nick stepped in and looked at the test.
- Blue, he mumbled, blue means...?
- Positive, she cried, I'm pregnant...
- It's okay Shirley, he said and forced himself to smile.
She didn't answer him, instead she sat down on the floor and covered her face with her hands.
- Shirley...
- GO!
- What? He said surprised.
- GO! LEAVE ME ALONE!
- Are you sure Shirley? He looked at her carefully.
- YES I AM SURE, she got up, JUST LEAVE ME ALONE! GO AWAY! I DON'T WANNA SEE YOU!!
He looked at her surprised and nodded.
- I'll be at Brian's if you need me...