Chapter 7: Ah, yes, the 'teenybopper' group?

"Hey Justin!" Taylor called into the hallway, "you've got to see this!" She was giggling at the things that people in the chat room were saying. They had been the only ones to go and play basketball, since Joey and Chris had gone out somewhere and Lance and JC were still asleep and didn't want to be woken up.

"Why? Are they talking smack?" Justin asked, his hair still damp from the shower he had taken.

"Nope. Just that they want to sleep with you, and" She squinted at the screen, "oh yeah, have your baby."

"Yeah, that's me. Justin Timberlake, the most sought after, hottest, sexiest guy on earth." Justin said, throwing himself onto her bed and bouncing on it a little bit.

"You forgot to mention most full of himself," Taylor added dryly, still looking at the screen as she typed something out on the keyboard.

"What are you writing?" Justin asked, studying the pictures on her dresser.

"Oh, just that I know you. Right now they're threatening to kill me unless I release your whereabouts."

Justin laughed, "Well get off the 'net then before they actually do track you down and try to kill you and cart me off. Let's go eat lunch?"

"Sure." She turned the computer off and stood up. "Let's go to Mika's restaurant. Are any of the guys still here? Maybe they're hungry."

"Yeah I think JC and Lance are still here." He went downstairs. "JC? Lance?" JC was still asleep in his room, but Lance was sitting in the living room, looking zoned out.

"What?" JC mumbled, sitting up.

"Man, you two have got to get out! It's our vacation time. Taylor and I are gonna go get something to eat. You two wanna come with us?"

"Sure. Give me a couple of minutes to get ready, JC said, getting up and stretching.

"Alright," Lance replied, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

* * * * *

After Mika went into the kitchen, she came out relieved. Nothing was wrong, and everything was running smoothly, like it did usually. She admired for what must have been the millionth time the beauty of the restaurant. Her father had done an excellent job, and she was determined not to let his hard work go to waste. The name, The Gardens, was excellent, for three-fourths of the restaurant was outdoors, overlooking a small man-made lake.

"Ms. Watson?" One of her employees asked.

"Yes?"

"There's a group of people out at the front, they wanted you to seat them. One of them says she's your cousin."

"Oh, okay. Thank you Marie." She went to the entrance. "What are you guys doing here?" She asked, mildly surprised but pleased.

"We wanted to drop by and see your restaurant," Justin said.

"It's gorgeous." JC told her.

"Thank you. My father owned the place." She told them. "Here follow me, I'll seat you guys at our special table."

"Ooh, we get to sit at the special table!" Justin said, smiling as they followed Mikayla to a table that was at the far side of the restaurant, hidden discreetly from the rest of the tables' views.

"Marie will be your server today," Mikayla told them, "I've got a few things to wrap up." She glanced at JC, and to her horror began blushing. She turned away quickly.

"Hmm, what to eat, what to eat," Justin said to himself, studying the menu that the awestruck waitress had given them.

"Ooh, they have Chinese." JC commented, studying the menu. A tall man came out of the employees only area, and JC automatically recognized him.

"Danny!" Taylor squealed happily, giving her cousin a hug. He grinned at her.

"How you doing, Tay?" He glanced at the rest of the guys. "Hi, everyone. I'm Danny, Mikayla's older brother." Justin and Lance introduced themselves and they all shook hands.

"Nice to see you again, Danny." JC said as he shook his hand.

"Yeah, it's been a long time." He answered. "Well, you kids enjoy yourselves, and the tabs on us, so don't worry about it." He said goodbye and walked away.

* * * * *

Mikayla couldn't concentrate on her work. The thought of Josh being in the same restaurant, looking unbearably handsome, flooded her mind when she tried to focus on something else. She wondered if she had been wrong. Maybe she should have let him explain. He still kept the lion pendant around his neck, but it could be just because he liked the way it looked and not because he was still in love with Mikayla.

That was why she stayed with Bill, but lately he had been beginning to get on her nerves. When you're not in love, your heart can't get broken, She thought to herself. She knew he was only dating her because of her restaurant's success and his mother's incessant badgering for him to get married.

"Mikayla!" She heard his voice call to her. She saw him standing by the entrance, as if he had materialized because she was thinking of him. He held a wide grin on his face, and a handful of flowers in his right hand.

"Hey, Bill!" She said, smiling cheerfully. She came over and gave him a hug. "I thought you were going to be in Washington D.C. for at least another week." She asked, confused.

"I was, but we got everything worked out. Aren't you glad to see me?"

"Of course I am, I'm just surprised that you're here!" She said, trying to cover up her annoyance. Having a Bill-free week had been a relaxing idea, but now he was back. "I'm just busy, that's all." He kissed her.

* * * * *

"Oh dear," Taylor said, cringing, "here comes Boring Bill."

"Who's that?" Lance inquired.

"That's Mikayla's boyfriend," Taylor told Lance, not noticing JC tense up. "He's the most boring, self-absorbed…ugh!"

"I thought you said I was the self-absorbed one," Justin teased.

JC studied the guy that Mikayla was bringing over to them. He was as tall as JC, and his hair was cut preppy-like. JC hated him immediately.

"Hey, guys," Mikayla said, smiling at them. "This is my boyfriend, Bill. Bill this is Justin, Lance, and JC from 'N Sync. And of course, my cousin, Taylor."

"Ah, yes, the teenybopper group? Nice to meet you." Bill commented smugly, not even waiting for a reply. "Well, I've got to run, Mikayla. Dinner at my place tonight?" He kissed her and waved at the rest of them and left.

"Sure. Bye!" Mikayla called after him. She turned back to Taylor and the guys, "Sorry about his 'teenybopper' comment, you guys. He didn't mean it. You want to go rent a movie or something?"

"Sure." They all answered, all of them still angry at the comment but refusing to show it to Mikayla.

The Lion Pendant Contents | Chapter 6 | Chapter 8