Unknown Reunion
Jamie Elizabeth Tearsome and her best friend Veronica Jewels were working their usual shift at Norma's Café, laughing and waiting for orders to be ready. The waitresses were talking until they heard the ding of the door. Veronica looks over, her mouth agape.
"O my. Jamie. Five total hotties, my twelve o' clock." She says still staring. Jamie turns around, grinning at her boy crazed friend. She stops grinning when she sees them.
"Ver, 'hottie' doesn't do those fine specimens of men justice." She grabs five menus and heads over to them.
****
Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, JC Chasez, and Chris Kirkpatrick, the boys of *NSYNC, are talking as they enter a local diner.
"This place seems nice. Quaint to." Says Lance.
"Yeah, I guess. But can we hurry, I'm anxious to get to Memphis." Says Justin.
"Don't worry Justin, we'll be there before the day's over. You WILL be in Memphis before your birthday's over." Says JC.
"I know. It is just that it is rare that we are in our hometown on our birthdays and this is my eighteenth too. I wanna be home." They all stop talking as a waitress comes over. They watch her as she approaches. Her curly sandy brown hair is pulled up into a ponytail. She is also wearing a black baby tee shirt that comes about an inch above her belly button exposing a belly button ring piercing. Blue jeans, a black short waitress' apron and tennis shoes complete her outfit.
"Good day gentlemen. How many?" Being at the front, JC answers her.
"Five, please. Non smoking."
"Alright then. Right this way, please." She shows them a booth and they sit down. She passes out the menus. "Okay, my name's Jamie. Just look it over and wave when you're ready to order." Just then Veronica's voice causes her to turn.
"Jet! Come over here!" Jamie just smiles.
"O no. Not this. Excuse me gentlemen. Torture time." She says with wary in her voice. She leaves them and heads to the middle of the restaurant, leaving them with quizzical looks on their faces. Veronica gets a mike and as she speaks her voice is heard all over the restaurant.
"Excuse me ladies and gentlemen. I am Veronica Jewels. Those of you who live here know of this lovely young lady by me. Those of you that don't…" She says looking at the guys. "This is my best friend, Jamie Elizabeth Tearsome, or as we call her on the basket ball court, Jet. Anyway, as today is January 31, 1999 so is it Jet's birthday. So all together now…"
Happy Birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear Jet
Happy birthday to you
Veronica gets the whole diner to sing Happy Birthday as Jamie just blushes in emabarressment.
"18 years ago she was brought into this world screaming. How about we conclude 18 years with a song? Come on people, let's give Jet some encouragement." The diner starts shouting giving her encouragement and she finally relents.
"Okay, okay. Ver, you win." She whispers something into Veronica's ear. Veronica nods her head, goes over to the jukebox and Vitamin C's Graduation starts to play. "This is for all the members of the class of 1999!" She starts singing.
And so we talked all night about the rest of our lives
Where we're gonna be when we turn 25
I keep thinking times will never change
Keep on thinking things will always be the same
But when we leave this year we won't be coming back
No more hanging out cause we're on a different track
And if you got something that you need to say
You better say it right now cause you don't have another day
Cause we're moving on and we can't slow down
These memories are playing like a film without sound
And I keep thinking of that night in June
I didn't know much of love
But it came too soon
And there was me and you
And then we got real cool
Stay at home talking on the telephone with me
We'd get so excited, we'd get so scared
Laughing at our selves thinking life's not fair
And this is how it feels
As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
Come whatever
We will still be
Friends Forever
So if we get the big jobs
And we make the big money
When we look back now
Will our jokes still be funny?
Will we still remember everything we learned in school?
Still be trying to break every single rule
Will little brainy Bobby be the stockbroker man?
Can we ever find a job that won't interfere with a tan?
I keep, I keep thinking that it's not goodbye
Keep on thinking it's a time to fly
And this is how it feels
As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
Come whatever
We will still be
Friends Forever
La, la, la, la…
Yeah, yeah, yeah
La, la, la, la…
We will still be friends forever
Will we think about tomorrow like we think about now?
Can we survive it out there?
Can we make it somehow?
I guess I thought that this would never end
And suddenly it's like we're women and men
Will the past be a shadow that will follow us 'round?
Will these memories fade when I leave this town
I keep, I keep thinking that it's not goodbye
Keep on thinking it's a time to fly
~Vitamin C~ 'Graduation'
Jamie stops singing and the diner erupts into applause. She just blushes and thanks everyone. She goes over to the table where the guys are.
"Okay, torture session is over. Can I take your orders?"
"You have a great voice." Says Lance.
"Thanks. I never really thought it that great. My dad always says it is though."
"Well he's right. You do." Says Joey. "And it's our pal, Justin's, birthday today as well."
"Oh really?" He nods, setting down the menu. "I have this huge cake that Veronica bought over at my party. You guys can have some if ya want." They nod their heads thanking her. "No problem, too much for all of us anyway and dad will have a fit if I bring that huge thing home. Veronica and my shifts are almost over. Us and a couple of friends and my dad are heading to the sport center next door, we're going to cut it then. You guys can come over and get some, I don't mind. Now, how about those orders?" She says with a smile on her face.
"Watch out for the Tearsome's charm. She's lethal with it." Calls a male voice entering the diner. She just rolls her eyes, take the orders, hands it to the cook before heading over to the male. The guys just watch as they wait.
"Garret!" She says hitting him aside the head before giving him a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek. "You're back!"
"Yeah well, my favorite person is turning 18 today. Memphis will just have to wait."
"I'm sure. I bet you had nothing to do and the sound of free cake was way too appealing."
"You know me too well Jet. But I did bring you a present."
"OMGosh! What?"
"You mean seeing me isn't enough?" She gives him a look.
"Listen, I got work to do. But you know Ver, there is a party right afterwards over at the sports complex next door."
"Where else?"
"Really, my reaction. You really don't need an invite and I'll see you there?"
"Wouldn't miss the free cake."
"I know. I got work to do. Stay over here, out of trouble, and don't annoy Ver today. She's in a good mood."
"Can do. I'm out of the way till party time."
"Good." She goes over to the kitchen area and grabs the five hot lunches before heading back over to the boys. Jamie hands them out. "So that's that. Since you guys know my friend's name and mine. I've got time. Can you tell me yours?"
"You mean you don't already know us?" Says JC.
"No, can't say that I do. Should I?" They all hide secret smiles.
"Not really. Ever heard of the group *NSYNC?"
"Um…Yeah. Veronica listens to pop. That 'Tearin' up my heart' song right?"
"Yeah." Says Chris. "That's us." He points to each of them introducing his friends.
"Oh. Cool. So you're a boy band?" They all groan.
"For the most part, but we're trying to shake that."
"But you're still a boy band?" She says with a grin. They roll their eyes. "Okay, okay. I get the point. Anyway, I've gotta go. It's 12:30 and I'm off. I'll see you guys later at my party?" They all nod and start eating their lunches.
****
The five guys finish up their lunches, pay and head over to the sport center.
"So you're not as anxious to get to Memphis anymore?" Says Joey, recalling earlier events. Justin smiles.
"Nope. I guess not." They enter the complex to find two basketball courts decorated and about 25 people in all. One had food and people dancing and the other had a girl going one on one with a guy with people cheering. "Guys! That's Jamie going one on one with that guy Garret and looks like she's crushing him." They all go and watch the game, cheering Jamie on. After the game finishes, Jamie gives Garret a huge hug and kiss on the cheek. She then notices the five guys from earlier. She waves to them, dragging Garret along.
"Hey, glad you decided to join us. And Happy Birthday Justin. Guys, this is Garret." Garret nods and shakes their hands eyeing each one of them. "Well since you're here it's time to cut the cake. Come on! We just gotta find the knife." She says letting go of Garret's hand and grabbing Justin's, pulling him over to were a foot by foot cake was.
"She's not going to hurt him, is she?" Asks Lance to Garret.
"Nah. Jet's just having fun. So what's with your friend?"
"His birthday today as well."
"Oh. Okay." They go back to watching Justin and Jamie, where she had finally found a knife.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen, we're cutting the cake." Shouts Jamie's voice. "And today is not only my 18th but my new friend, Justin's here as well. So he's going to cut the cake with me. Is that alright with all you happy people?" Everyone laughs and says yes. "Okay then, let's get this birthday on the road." She takes the knife, puts it in Justin's hand, sets hers on top and they ceremoniously cut the cake. The small group applauds and the party continues.
****
Justin and Jamie sit outside the complex, while inside Veronica and Garret try to teach Justin's friends the art of tennis after the party.
"So thank you for inviting me to your party. You sure it wasn't an intrusion?"
"Nah. It was fun. And I wouldn't have asked if it was."
"Well thanks again. So I have a question, who is Garret?"
"Um, hard question. Garret Lewis is just Garret. I've always known him as such. Garret's not my boyfriend if that what you're asking. He's kind of like my best friend…no, my brother, I guess. He's kind of like the brother I never had."
"You never had a brother?"
"Well I don't know." She looks at his face and smiles. "Weird. I know. I live with my dad. My mom died when I was seven. But the thing is, I was adopted. So I don't know. Dad is dad and Garret's kind of like my older brother. And I don't know why I'm telling you this." She says looking away from him, blushing and smiling.
"It's okay. I'm just interested. It's not everyday I meet someone with the same birthday as me, who is as nice as you. Do you know where you were born?"
"Yeah. Dad told me it was St. Katherine's in Memphis."
"Really? Me too. Weird."
"Really." A crash comes from inside and they look at each other before running inside to see what happened. They rush inside and find Veronica and Garret laughing with Chris and JC in a pile on the floor.
"What happened?" They ask at the same time. The six on the court look at the two.
"Okay that was eerie." Says Veronica. "And to answer your question, these two peanuts went after the ball at the same time and had a head on collision."
"Well, it's two. I think we probably need to go. Everyone's expecting us." Says Lance looking at his watch.
"Um, yeah. Guys you can go on. I'll be at the bus in a sec." Asks Justin. They all nod and head outside to the bus. "Um Jamie. I was wondering. We have a concert tomorrow. If I gave you some backstage passes, would you come?" He asks in a nervous voice. She thinks for a moment.
"Sure. If I can have one for Garret and one for Veronica as well."
"Deal." He reaches in his pocket and pulls out three passes. He hands them too her and gives her a quick kiss on the cheek. "See you tomorrow then. Bye!" He says running outside to the bus, not giving her a chance to say bye. She just smiles before challenging Veronica to a game of Basketball.
Part 2
Back to Reunited