Even though Justin was talking to JC, laughing at something, I could see his eyes on the Backstreet Boys, who were across the room. As I followed his eyes, I could see they were on Nick. JC gave me a look. I guess he knew too.
And sometimes I wonder about Justin. Why he never wants to hold my hand and he only kisses me in front of cameras. Then when 'N Sync is in the same room as the Backstreet Boys, Justin can't seem to take his eyes off of Nick.
I shrugged back at JC, I really didn't care. Even though he was dating me, and I told everyone I loved him and everything, I didn't. As a friend, yes. But nothing more than that. I think he knew it too.
Nick's eyes went to JC, and obviously JC was unaware since he was now concentrating on talking to Chris. Nick looked JC up and down before grinning to himself, nodding approvingly, until AJ poked him in the ribs with his elbow. Probably telling Nick not to go for 'N Syncers. I could really imagine a love triangle between JC, Nick, and Justin.
I saw a blonde girl in the corner of my eye, and I knew who it was before seeing exactly. I turned to face her, and she looked disappointed for a second. "I was going to come behind you and scare the shit out of you, but you ruined it." She laughed and jumped on me, hugging me tightly, and for a second I couldn't believe she was real. I was so used to seeing her face on magazine covers, even though I've known her since I was eleven and we were best friends back in the day, I was sort of used to her being pixels in a picture, and it felt weird to touch her. She was solid, she was human. And she was all a dream to me.
"Christina." I kissed her cheek softly, and she held me for a few more seconds before letting go, a huge grin on her face.
"It's great to see you, Britney! How've you been?"
"I was bored, but now you're here so, great." I couldn't help but feel attracted to her, as I had for the past ten years. But these past few years I've tried to push her out of my life, I tried to ignore these feelings. I realized I can't though, she'll always be a part of my life, and I'll always feel this, whatever it is, for her.
"You're sweet," Christina couldn't even force the smile down from her lips, and it was obvious. "Why are you standing here alone?"
I shrugged, and pointed at Justin, who was still staring at Nick, who was checking JC out. Christina frowned. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I've always suspected it." Honestly, I didn't care at all. Except for the fact that I was bored, and lonely.
Christina looked back at me. "Why are you in New York right now?"
"Well, you know, promotion. I had all these interviews and press conferences today. And they all ask me the same thing," I sighed. "It's getting sort of annoying."
Christina smiled gently, and put her arm around my shoulders. "The problem is, you're too nice to them."
I smirked at her, then the same question popped into my mind. "Why are you here?"
"Promotion too. I'm here for a few more days."
"Oh, same here." I shrugged and realized I couldn't stop the tingle from the butterflies in my stomach, caused by her closeness, and her arm around me.
Two photographers came by, snapping pictures of Christina and I, followed by a reporter asking us about our supposed rivalry.
I giggled, and Christina answered the reporter's question, as another photographer snapped a picture of us. But I guess they were too involved with their cameras to even notice Justin's eyes on Nick, and Nick's eyes on JC, so after a few minutes, they left, and I stood there with Christina, her arm still around me.
"Hey Christina, as long as you're here for a few days, which is how much I'm here. Do you want to come over to my hotel room for a sleepover or something? It'll be like old times." I asked her, and her face lit up.
She nodded. "I'd love to, Britney."
I smiled at her as I felt another flash of bright light snap a photo. And then Christina's eyes seemed to get sad, or something that I couldn't comprehend at that moment. I looked to where her eyes were staring, and saw Justin. She seemed depressed that Justin had came up to us. Justin smiled, oblivious to Christina's expression.
I felt Justin's hand on mine, and Christina suddenly took her hand off of my shoulders. "Hi Christina."
She nodded at Justin, forcing a smile which was obviously fake, but just as before, he was completely unaware.
"JC, Chris, Lance, Joey and I have to be in Pennsylvania tomorrow, so we are leaving right now. I'll see you in a few days?" I saw his eyes spot a camera and he leaned over and gave me a peck on the lips, enough time for the camera to flash and take a picture.
I saw Christina bite her lip in the corner of my eye as the camera flashed, and for a brief second, I wondered how many copies of her face filled with jealousy would be in magazines and scanned on internet sites tomorrow.
Justin smiled at me, and then let go of my hand. Then he smiled at Christina and she tried to smile back, but couldn't. "Bye Brit. Bye Chrissy." I hadn't taken my eyes off of Christina, and when I looked back to where Justin was standing a minute ago, he was gone. I spotted him rushing out the back door, followed by Joey.
I felt Christina's eyes on me, so I looked back at her. "This party is boring. Wanna go?"
Christina nodded automatically, and soon we were out the same door Joey and Justin were leaving a minute ago, cameras flashing behind us.
For a minute I felt sick, I knew what would be on the frontpage of the newspaper tomorrow. Some bullshit about us. We ripped each other's hair out in a fatal catfight, or we got drunk and fucked.
I must of looked nervous, because Christina grasped my wrist, and looked at me with a worried look in her eyes. "You okay?"
I nodded. Just looking in her eyes made everything better. And maybe that was the reason I had invited her over.