"I know, where's JC and Mika? They're usually so lovey-dovey," Lance said, peeking into the kitchen. Joey walked past him and into the den.
"Looks like you two made up," Joey said, smiling, when he came into the den and found Justin and Taylor sitting on the couch watching television. Justin had his arms around her, and she had her head resting on his shoulder.
"Yeah, but it seems like Mika and JC got into one big-assed fight," Justin commented.
"Are you serious?" Joey asked, his jaw dropping, "the two of them never fight. And we're leaving tonight!"
"I know," Taylor said, her expression solemn. "But it seems ultra-serious. They aren't even talking, and Mika slammed her door earlier."
"Ouch." Lance checked his watch and cursed. "We're leaving in two hours!"
"Aww," Justin said, getting up, "I guess we'd better start getting packed." He kissed Taylor on the cheek and went with the rest of the guys into their rooms.
"Mika? Babe, you alright?" Taylor asked cautiously, coming into the basement.
"Tay, what have I told you about coming in here?" Mikayla asked exasperatedly.
"You said not to, but I know you didn't mean it because you love me," Taylor said, curling up in one of the bean bag chairs.
"Oh, okay." Mikayla answered, not in the mood to argue with Taylor.
"You and JC have a fight?"
"You can say that again," Mikayla answered, tuning a string on her guitar. "I am so angry at him I could break something," She began to play the guitar, her rapid hand movements not impressing Taylor because she already knew that Mikayla was a talented guitarist.
"Don’t be, Mika." Taylor pleaded, "he leaves in an hour and a half! Don't be a hypocrite, follow the advice you gave me."
"I don't want to this time," Mikayla answered stubbornly, "if JC loved me as much as he said he did, and if he believed in me as much as he claimed to, then he wouldn't have had to be worried that Brian was hitting on me or not! And Brian's not!"
"Well, he's just jealous! Can you really blame the guy?" Taylor pointed out, "I mean he's loved you for like six years after some serious misunderstanding, and he's scared to lose you again."
"He should have said it before then," Mikayla answered, "right now I'm angry."
"Y'all ready to leave?" Lance called from his room.
"Yeah." Joey answered, coming out of his room, pulling a large suitcase.
"I'm ready," Justin answered, coming out of his room with a suitcase, duffel bag, and a backpack.
"I don’t know how you can pack so much," Chris said, eyeing all of Justin's luggage.
"Hey, he likes to look good," Taylor said, grinning as she came out of the room and put her arms around him.
"I guess we'd better go if we don't want to miss our flight," JC said, taking a moment to stop and glance at the closed basement door.
"Don't worry, she'll come around," Justin said assuringly, giving JC a friendly clap on the back. Mikayla came out of the basement, and JC searched her eyes but found no emotion there.
"I hate to see you guys leave," She said, her eyes sad for a moment as she gave everyone, except JC, a hug. Everyone successfully managed to hide their discomfort.
"Call me as soon as you get there, ok?" Taylor asked.
"You bet." Justin said, pulling her away from everyone to give her a final kiss. "Oh, and the MTV Music Awards are a week away, will you go with me?"
"Are you sure?" She asked hesitantly, "I mean, do you think all you're fans out there are ready to meet Justin Timberlake's girlfriend?"
"I don't care," Justin said truthfully, "they aren't the ones who matter to me."
"Then I'll be there." She said, smiling. He kissed her and headed with the rest of the guys out of the door and into the SUV they had rented. JC took one final look at Mikayla, who seemed to be distracted by something.
"Bye." He mumbled.
"Bye," She answered, her eyes not looking into his. As much as she wanted to tell him not to leave her without making up, she couldn't bring herself to say it. His shoulders slumped defeatedly, he got into the car next to Chris and the other guys waved at the girls as they left.