Press release. Justin’s debut album was just released nine hours ago. I’ve forced myself to wake at dawn to make the party. He looks good. For some reason taller, and has filled out in places that I never paid much attention to. He is smiling and for the first time in the last four years, it’s actually a smile of happiness. He’s grown up.nextI linger in a corner sipping a glass of champagne which causes me to have a headache. Cheap. I snack on little finger sandwiches and chips until I notice Justin has spotted me. I wipe my fingers on the leg of my pants and extend my hand out for a handshake. He takes it firmly, pulling me into a hug. He whispers in my ear that he wishes to talk with me later that night. I nod slowly and take a moment to look into his eyes. The faded blue eyes I used to avoid were bright, full and deep. Swiftly, he kisses the side of my cheek and heads back towards the group of photographers.
There’s a bar just down the street that serves great Irish beers. Plenty of foam to last the whole glass. Now that’s a beer. Unlike the cheap ones that come in a can. Not as great. I’ve been watching a college football game that has quickly just turned into noise in the background. After three bowls of peanuts, seven glass of beer and four bottles of water, I have finally admitted that I need to take a piss.
The restroom is quite clean for a bar, and that surprises me. But then I remember this is New York and there is a certain reputation that must be held. However, it is a bar and it is New York. There’s a couple in the corner on the verge of having sex on the floor but the guy controls himself when he notices my stare. He questions me with his eyes as if he is trying to scare me. Doesn’t work. He doesn’t know what he’s dealing with. I’m tempted to walk over and smash his head into the sink and rape the girl, but my phone starts vibrating.
Justin’s here.
I found him sitting at a booth flirting with a rather young waitress. I walked towards him, his smile fading a little as I came closer. He gave the girl a wink, sending her on her way as I took a seat. I nodded towards the girl, “Thought you were still in love with Britney.”
He let out a weak laugh, “I’ll always love her. Even you know that.” He took a drink, looked around the room and then faced me again. “What’s going on with you? How‘s Wade?”
“I wouldn’t know. Stopped talking to him months ago.” I felt oddly uncomfortable. Justin wasn’t himself to me. I stopped pretending like we were old friends and let everything out, “What the fuck happened to you?”
Justin started to squirm in his seat, “You left. Every one is different now that ‘the great Joshua Chasez’ has left. You’d be surprised. Where did you go?”
“Joey will never change. Chris is a fucking drug--”
Justin reached over and pressed his cold fingers against my lips. He smelled of lemon. Clean, new, fresh. He held that position for a few seconds longer before sitting back, “Don’t start with all of that. You went off and did God knows what and we all got better. I haven’t sold myself to anyone in months. Joey actually has a steady girlfriend and believe it or not, Chris has completely cleaned up.”
“Bullshit.”
“You can’t believe it because you can’t believe yourself. JC, you need help.”
“That’s what you wanted to talk to me about?” I felt a sudden urge to reach over and slap the bitch. I hated him.
“No. I wanted to see if you got through all the fame like the rest of us. You haven’t.” Justin stood up and headed towards the bathroom. I jumped from the table and rushed after him. He was about to take a piss, his head shot up and stared at me. I lunged towards him, locking his mouth with mine.