Wednesday, January 3, 2001

The basketball bounced across the wooden floor of the bedroom and came to rest against the steel leg of the bed. The metallic twang of rubber against wood was loud in the room. A shoe came to rest near the ball, and a pair of shorts flew through the air. They landed in a small lump on the bed.

“There it is,” Justin said quietly to himself. A small grin spread across his face as he backed out of the closet and gripped the blue backpack in his hands. He opened the zipper and frowned as the metal pulley caught on the small teeth. He tugged it open fully, and grabbed the loose papers and the binder enclosed in the black depths.

The papers fell to the floor and scattered across the floorboards. The binder was dropped unceremoniously to the bed as Justin opened the three rings. He pulled out the dividers and binder paper, gently flipping through the notes. There were doodles interspersed with words, but more doodles by far.

He smiled. Definitely more doodles by far.

He took a new package of binder paper off the desk and ripped open the thin plastic. He threaded the three metal rings of the binder through the corresponding holes in the paper and shut the rings with a click.

He stuffed the binder into his backpack and grabbed the textbooks from the previous term, shoving them in the bag as well. The blue nylon was stretched nearly to it's limit. He closed the zipper and hoisted the bag up onto the bed beside the bag with his practice clothes in it.

He looked down at his watch and shook his head in slight amazement. He had twenty minutes before he had to even think of leaving for school. He'd showered, eaten, gotten his stuff ready. Justin Timberlake didn't get ready that fast. Hell, Randy Smith didn't get ready that fast.

He was anxious to get back to school for more than just the reason that his brain was liquifying from lack of intelligent thought. School meant full days, homework, practice, games— and as little time as possible to think about things he didn't want to think about.

Things he didn't want to start thinking about at that moment. With effort he pulled his mind away from thoughts outside Mill Creek and headed out of his room. He pulled open his door and stepped out into the warmer hallway.

Maggie’s door was closed, but Justin could hear the sounds of drawers opening and closing. He walked over to the door and rapped lightly. “Mags?”

“Hold on!” Maggie yelled through the wooden panel. “Be there in a sec.”

Justin crossed his arms and tapped his foot lightly on the floor.

The door opened suddenly and Maggie stood there. Her hair was still dripping wet and she hadn't applied any makeup. “What?”

“I just wanted to say good morning,” Justin said. “I hadn't seen you yet.”

“Sorry,” Maggie said with a sheepish grin. “I'm running a little behind schedule.”

Justin stepped forward into the room and put his hands on Maggie’s waist. “I need my morning kiss,” Justin said. “You know, to get the day started off right.”

“Hmm,” Maggie said. She reached around Justin and closed the door. “We can't have your day starting off badly now can we?”

Justin shook his head and smiled. “No, we can't. Especially since I have to act all platonic like when were down stairs.” He bent his head down and lightly played his lips over Maggie's.

“Randy,” Maggie said when she pulled away. She left her hands resting on Justin's chest. “It's just hard for me to go up to my parents and say that I've... that we're...  you know.”

“No Maggie, I don't know,” Justin said. “So your parents might ask me to move out... it would be okay. I just don't want to have to hide anything. I mean, it's going to get back to them.”

“But I'll talk to them before it does,” Maggie said.

“No, you won't,” Justin said. “We'll be at school today and they'll know by evening or by tomorrow evening when the games over.”

Maggie chewed on her lower lip.

“I'm surprised it hasn't gotten back to them already,” Justin continued. “The way we were carrying on at Stu’s party.”

“Soon, okay?” Maggie said. “Just give me time.”

“How about I just talk to your dad,” Justin said. “I could just go say, 'Sir, may I please ask your daughter out?'”

“Randy,” Maggie said. “I want to do this on my own terms.”

Justin closed his eyes deliberately, before opening them again.. “Please Mags? If he doesn't like the idea then we'll work from there. You never know what could happen.”

“Randy,” Maggie said. Her hands were tense as they fell to her sides. “Please.”

Justin sighed. “Okay.” He stepped away from Maggie. “I'll meet you downstairs.”

“I'll be ready soon, I promise,” Maggie said. She walked back towards her closet. “Thank you.”

Justin smiled. He couldn't do much else.

He headed back out to the hall and back down to his room. He picked up his bags and walked back to the stair case. He had fifteen minutes before they had to leave. He hadn't read the newspaper yet that morning. And he could always eat more cereal. That would be a definite good way to waste time. It would put him in a better mood too.

He thumped down the stairs, but slowed down when he saw Bob at the table with the newspaper spread out in front of him.

Bob turned around as Justin walked into the room and smiled. “Randy, you're up and about early this morning.”

“Anxious to get to school sir,” Justin said. He sat down at the table across from Bob.

“Good, good,” Bob said. “That's what I like to hear. Games are starting tomorrow, huh?”

“Yeah,” Justin said. He smiled. Games were a safe topic. “We're ready.”

“I hope you are,” Bob said. “I still don't trust this coach much, but after the way ya’ll pulled out against Parker... It should be a good season.”

“Yes,” Justin said. “It should be.”

Bob nodded and looked down at the paper. He flipped the pages and didn't look back up at Justin.

Justin stared at the man across the table from him. He was alone with Bob. It would be so easy to just talk to him, feel the subject out. But he'd promised Maggie.

“I'm glad Josh came back to the team,” Justin said. He had to fill the silence somehow. “We wouldn't be the same without him.”

“Huh?” Bob said as he looked up from the paper again. “Oh, yeah. Josh is good. I always said that.”

“Our offense would be shot without him,” Justin said.

“He made the district's first team his sophomore year,” Bob said. “I miss having him around sometimes. He used to be a good kid.”

“Was he over here a lot?” Justin asked.

Bob nodded. “He and Maggie and Nick were inseparable.”

“Yeah,” Justin said. “That's what I heard.”

“Good kids those boys,” Bob said. He looked at his watch. “You waiting for Maggie?”

Justin nodded.

“Maggie!” Bob yelled. “Get going. You're going to make Randy late.”

Justin could barely hear her yelp of reply. “We've still got time,” he said.

“She always likes to keep the boys waiting,” Bob said. “Josh used to be waiting down here for hours.”

Justin nodded. He was afraid that his smile had turned into a grimace. Even though he'd brought up the Josh topic he didn't want to discuss it anymore. The smile became genuine as he heard feet quickly coming down the stairs.

“Looks like she's ready,” Justin said. He stood up and picked up his backpack. He slung the bag with his practice clothes over his shoulder. “Enjoy the rest of the newspaper.”

Maggie came to the bottom step of the stair and smiled at Justin. Her hair was dry and she'd done her makeup. “I'm ready.”

“We got plenty of time,” Justin said.

“Have good days,” Bob said. “You coming back here after school, Maggie? Or are you going to be working at the video store?”

“Ill be back here,” Maggie said. "Let's go.”

Justin nodded and followed Maggie out of the room. They grabbed their coats and they made their way through the kitchen. Justin shivered slightly as the air from outside hit his face.

He looked at the girl walking beside him. Her hands were stuffed in her pockets and her face was pointed towards the ground.

"Don't look too excited," Justin said.

"I'm excited," Maggie said. She grinned fakely. "Can't you just feel it?"

"Uh huh," Justin said. He looked back at Maggie's house.

"What were you guys talking about?" Maggie asked. "You looked sort of relieved when I came in the room."

"Nothing really," Justin said. "The game tomorrow... Josh..."

Maggie turned to look at Justin. "Why were you discussing Josh?"

"I said I was glad he came back to the team and your dad said that he sort of missed having him around and the conversation just progressed from there."

"Oh," Maggie said. She looked back at the ground.

Justin let his hand dangle by his side, but Maggie made no move to grab it.

"Can't you just leave it alone?" she asked.

"Leave what alone?" Justin asked. "I wasn't saying anything."

"I'll tell them soon, okay Randy?"

Justin's eyes narrowed. "I didn't say anything Maggie. I wouldn't do that without telling you first."

Maggie sighed heavily and her breath formed a white cloud in front of her face.

Kentwood, Louisiana

Her hair was pulled into a short ponytail, the feathery strands tickling her neck.  She shook her head and felt the tail of hair flip.  Her feet were propped up on the edge of her white lacquered desk, her hemp sandals just barely catching the corner. Her fingers lightly held a small silver picture frame. It was an old frame, blackened by tarnish. The picture was glossy and bright in that way that only photos from the eighties could be.

"How could you find someone else?" Britney asked quietly.

They had both been smiling. Her hair had been pulled into two ponytails on the top of her head and his curly hair had been shaved on the sides. His cuteness could only be compared to that of a puppy dog.

Justin had always said she was the only girl he'd even consider dating. Of course that hadn't been true. He'd dated lots of girls. She'd hooked up with a lot of guys. He'd always said when the time was right they'd know.

The time hadn't been right. They'd both agreed on that. Hooking up after rumors of your supposed engagement was not a smart thing to do in career politics.

But now he'd found someone else apparently according to Lance's little hinting comment. How could he find someone else?

Where would he find someone else? They'd know he was Justin and they'd freak. It was always what happened. Even with the girls Justin really liked. Why would he find someone else?

Britney ran a hand through her ponytail. It wasn't supposed to be like this. He was supposed to show up at her door and profess his undying love. Then they'd kiss, make out a little in public, and let the media figure out they were a couple on it's own.

She gently set the picture on her desk and lowered her feet to the floor. She moved the mouse across the screen of the computer and went to her mail program. Josh had said it couldn't hurt to email Justin.

Her fingers clicked along the keys as she stared at the screen. They remembered the familiar patterns of typing Justin's name. She used to type it a lot.
 

Dearest Justin...

Orlando, FL

JC looked at the blue screen behind him. It had been a long time since they'd used a blue screen in filming anything. He was warm and the form-fitting white wool sweater they'd stuck him in wardrobe was itching. He scratched his arm furiously.

"I hate wool," he said.

"Ha ha." Chris pointed his finger at JC and laughed. His arm was encased in a puffy, white, down jacket. "I get tah be all dope in mah drug dealer jacket."

"You look like the marshmallow from hell," JC retorted. He stuck his hands on his hips and scowled.

"Well for once I'm the sexy one," Joey said. "All this time I thought Justin just got to be sexy because all the girls wanted his body. Here it's part of this being the lead singer shit."

"Can we just get started?" Lance asked. His voice was raw and makeup was covering his red nose. "Please?"

"Yeah," Chris echoed. "Come on Bruce. We're ready to start. Please can we start our hours of agonizing work? Puh-leeze?"

"It's not going to be agonizing hours of work," Bruce said. "I'm hoping for five hours."

"That's hours," Chris said. "See hours signifies a plural number of hours."

"I know what it signifies," Bruce said. "Five is better than the 36 we spent on your last video though."

Chris nodded and hugged his jacket around him. "Think you can turn on the air conditioning? I'm going to broil in this jacket."

Bruce looked at Chris for an instant before turning around and yelling, "Can we get some air on the set?"

The guys all heard the whoosh as the air started coming out of vents.

"Finally," JC muttered. He pushed up the sleeves of his sweater and relished the feel of the cooler air on his arms.

"We're ready Bruce!" one of the stagehands called. "We can start!"

Bruce clapped his hands together and the sound amazingly carried through the sound studio. "Places everyone!"

The four guys walked over to the stage in front of the blue screen and hopped up onto the black floor. Black boxes added depth and variations of height to the stage. A thick white smoke floated near the floor of the stage.

Chris immediately ran and jumped on top of one of the boxes, while the other guys walked to another box and sat down, one on each side.  Their white outfits contrasted sharply with the blue screen and the black boxes and blended in with the fog creating an ethereal aura.

"I'm king of the world!" Chris crowed. He stuck his arms out in the Leonardo DiCaprio pose.

"Come on Chris," Lance croaked. "Let's get this over with, please?"

"Who decided to make him the marshmallow?" JC asked Joey as they positioned themselves on the box. "Why couldn't he be the one in the itchy wool sweater?"

"I heard that," Chris said as he hopped off his box. He bounced over to the other box and sat down on the forth side. "We can start now."

"Thank you," Bruce said. "Cameras ready?"

"Ready," a man called from over to the right side.

"Cue the music," Bruce said. He raised his hand and brought it down. Familiar notes filled the air, muffling the sound of the camera moving along its tracks.

Joey opened his mouth and sang quietly along with the song. He hated lip-synching. Their lips were always off just slightly. "Are you gonna be there when the rain comes? Are you gonna be there with a warm touch? Can you say you'll be there with the real love? Are you gonna be there?"

The camera moved around the block, showing all the guys sitting with relaxed posture and gloomy looks on their faces. They were all singing along with the chorus.

"Cut!" Bruce yelled. "Next scene."

The guys hopped off the box and began walking towards different boxes on different parts of the stage. The song started over again. They mouthed along trying to keep in time with the music. They ran through it seven times trying to get different expressions on the guys’ faces.

"Cut!" Bruce yelled again. "Mary, we need some makeup on the set."

It was amusing how fast four makeup artists ran onto the stage with their portable makeup stashes. They began dusting the guys faces with powder and reapplying natural lip color so their lips would look damp and unchapped.

Lance sneezed as the fluffy brush ran over his face. His eyes began to water, but he blinked away the tears.

Bruce walked onto the stage and sat on one of the front boxes. "I want you all to meander around the stage, okay? Don't worry about coming together and singing lines with each other, okay? Just do it natural like. Start back at the first box and get up at my signal okay?"

The four guys went back to the box and sat down in their places.

The music started all over again.

"You know it feels like we've never been gone," Stu said as he and Justin walked down the crowded hallway. "I got through the first ten minutes of Lark's class before I felt as if the last month might as well have been nonexistent."

"I know," Justin said. "My head hurts from history. I thought it would be easier starting on the same page as you all, not a month behind. Wrong."

"He lives to make that class awful," Stu said. "It's not just you. Believe me." Stu looked around the hall. "Where's your other half? I haven't seen her yet today."

Justin shrugged. "We had an argument."

Stu stopped for a moment in the middle of the hallway. He quickly started walking again. "Trouble in paradise already?"

"No," Justin said. "It's just we haven't told her parents any of what's going on yet, and I'm getting impatient."

"Woah," Stu said. "Why haven't you told them yet?"

"She says they'll freak," Justin said. "I don't think they'll be happy, but I don't think they'll freak. She's sure they'll kick me out of the house."

"Well, you're corrupting their innocent daughter," Stu said. "You're the parent's worst nightmare."

"Do you think I'm being unreasonable?" Justin asked. "Is it so much to want to cuddle up to her while we're watching tv?"

"Cuddle my ass," Stu said. "You done too many of those teeny—" he stopped when he realized what he was saying, and where. "That's why all the girls want you my man, because you know the right thing to say."

"Am I being unreasonable though?" Justin asked. "I mean..." he trailed off.

"No," Stu said. "She's your girl. You're a teenage boy." He looked around the hallway and lowered his voice. "Here she comes."

Out of the corner of his eye Justin saw the bright red hair that only belonged to one person in the school. "Emily!" he called. "Where you been hiding?"

"With the twin terrors from hell," Emily said as the two girls approached. "Never let me do another month long baby sitting job again, okay?"

"Okay," Stu said. "What do I get to do to make you remember that, huh?"

"Hey," Justin said to his girlfriend. She smiled tightly as he put an arm around her shoulder. "You've got government next, right?"

Maggie looked down at her schedule and nodded. "Shall we?"

Justin nodded in return. He turned to the redhead and Stu who were bickering playfully. "We're gonna go to gov. See you guys at lunch."

"Bye," Stu cooed. "Make sure you guys don't get stopped in a closet on the way to class, okay? I heard they lock from the outside and the doors like to close by themselves."

Justin flipped his middle finger at Stu and walked in the direction of the government classroom, Maggie still surrounded by his arm.

"How was your morning?" Justin asked.

Maggie shrugged. "Yours?"

"It doesn't feel like we ever had a break," Justin said. "Can you stop being mad at me now?"

"I'm not mad Randy," Maggie started. She paused. "I'm just frustrated, okay?"

"At me?" Justin asked.

Maggie shrugged again. "I don't think so. It's just the whole situation."

Justin dropped his arm. "The whole situation how? The us being together situation?"

"No," Maggie said quickly. "Not really. It's just... I know how my dad's going to react and it's not going to be pretty."

Justin wanted to repeat what he'd said that morning. He could feel Bob out, get an idea of what his reaction would be. He didn't say anything though.

"I'm here for you Mags," he said. He stopped in the middle of the hallway and wrapped his arms around Maggie. "Whatever you want to do, okay?"

He felt Maggie nod against his chest. He stroked her hair and let his eyes travel over the hallway. From the looks they were getting he knew it wouldn't be long before her parents knew. They had until the game the next night, maybe. His eyes rested on one person walking their direction. Laura.

She did not look happy.

"Oh my god I'm going to die," Lance croaked. He rubbed a hand under his nose again. "Why'd I have to get sick now?"

JC patted him on the back and squeezed his shoulder lightly. "Better now than the first leg of the tour."

Lance nodded and groaned as his head started to pound. He leaned back in the limo and let his mouth hang open. "This sucks."

"Just don't get us sick," Chris said. "Then it'll really suck."

"Can I go to bed when we get home?" Lance asked.

JC scrunched up his cheek. "We're supposed to meet with Johnny and decide the play list so we can start getting everything ready."

"Tonight?" Lance asked. "Can't you guys do it without me? You can anticipate my choices."

"No," Joey said. "We're doing this together. Everything together."

Lance closed his eyes. "Can we do it after dinner? I need to sleep guys." He felt tears welling up in the back of his throat. "I really don't feel good."

"Poofu," Chris said as he leaned across the limo. He put a hand on Lance's knee. "If you're about to start crying because you don't feel good, we'll put the meeting off until after dinner."

Lance nodded and felt the tears recede slightly. His head fell over to one side and his cheek rested against the window.

"I don't want to say that you guys will win," Coach said as he paced the gym floor. The ten guys were sprawled across the bleachers. They'd gotten changed already. "I think you're as ready as you can be though."

"We're going to kick their asses!" Brent yelled.

The nine other guys sat up and yelled. The gym resounded with their shouts.

"Get a lot of rest tonight," Coach said. "It's going to be a strenuous game. Eat well before you come. And don't stress about it, okay?"

The guys all nodded as they got up from the benches and grabbed their bags.

"Hey Cross?" Kevin said as he came up to Justin and Stu. "You want a ride home?"

Stu looked at Justin and nodded. "Yeah dude, that'd be good."

"You?" Kevin asked Justin.

Justin shook his head. "I'll walk. It's a nice evening."

"You sure?" Stu asked. He raised an eyebrow. "It's freezing dude."

"Honey, I'll be fine," Justin said as he batted his eyelashes. He grinned broadly. "Really. It's cool."

"Okay," Kevin said. He twirled his keys around his finger. "See ya tomorrow Randy."

"Bye guys," Justin said. He started walking towards the door of the gym and pulled his puffy jacket on. He walked out the door and started down the road towards Maggie's house.

"Randy!" a female voice called to him. "Smith!"

Justin turned around and saw Laura walking quickly towards him.

"Laura," Justin said. The fan grin spread across his face with very little prompting. "Hey. How are you?"

"Good," Laura said. "I didn't see you around over break."

"Yeah," Justin said. "I was around."

"Must have been busy," Laura said. "I heard you left town for a few days. We heard you weren't coming back."

"I'm back," Justin said. He stared at the road in front of him.

"So I heard something funny today," Laura said. "Someone told me you and Maggie were an item."

"You saw it with your own eyes," Justin said. "Yes, we're very much together."

"I'm not trying to sound trite, or petty, or anything," Laura said. "But what do you see in her?"

"A person who's made my whole stay in Mill Creek worthwhile," Justin said. "She's the reason I came back."

"Well lucky her," Laura said. Her voice had taken on a spiteful tone. "Don't get too attached Smith. She moves around."

Justin narrowed his eyes and then pointedly smiled sweetly. "Not as much as some other people I've heard about." He looked to the right and saw Maggie's house approaching. "This is my stop. It's been good to talk to you Laura."

Laura humphed and continued down the street.

Justin walked up the walkway to Maggie's house quickly. Molly bounded up to him and shoved her nose into his hand.

Justin smiled and rubbed his hand quickly over the soft golden fur. "Hey girl," he murmured. He retracted his hand and began walking towards the door. His feet sounded loud as they went up the stairs. He drew a breath in quickly when he touched the metal handle of the door. He quickly opened the screen door and then the wood door and let the breath out as he stepped into the overly warm kitchen.

"Hi," he said.

Cathy and Maggie were both standing in the kitchen preparing dinner.

"Hey," Maggie said. She smiled warmly. Just a little bit too warmly. "You're later than usual."

"Coach gave us an inspirational speech," Justin said. "It took awhile."

"Well go get showered," Cathy said. "Dinner'll be in forty five minutes."

Justin nodded and headed through the kitchen with one last look at Maggie. He headed to the dining room and then up the stairway to his room. He dropped his bags on the floor and looked around the room. The papers were still scattered on the floor that morning and his old notes still sat on his bed. He looked at his desk and noticed his computer. He should check his email.

He turned on the computer and busied himself picking up the papers on the floor. The electronic clickings alerted him that the computer had finished booting up. He stood up and placed the papers on the bed beside the stack of old notes.

He clicked on the email program. He didn't want there to be any new messages. They only brought back memories that he didn't want to think about.

There was one new message in his inbox. He clicked on the inbox and felt his mouth go dry as he registered the name of the person who had sent him the email.

Britney. What the hell was she doing emailing him?

He moved his mouse over the finger pad lightly, not wanting to open the email, but needing to at the same time. He opened the message and swallowed hard.
 

Dearest Justin...

So I don't really know what to say in this. I guess I should say hi and ask how you're doing. So, hi! How are you doing? Good I hope.

I think now's the time I'm supposed to say that I'm worried about you. Where are you Justin? You're scaring me. I need you here.

I made a mistake Justin. We made a mistake. I shouldn't have pulled away and we should have followed what was in our hearts. Screw the media, screw the fans. I want you.

I know you probably don't feel the same way. Lance hinted that you may have found someone new.

Don't go getting mad at him, okay? He's looking out for you. I think he knows more than he's been letting on. I won't tell the guys that though. I won't tell the guys that he thought you might have found someone new.

Did you though? Are we going to start another one of those never liking each other at the same time cycles? I'm tired of it Justin. I want you back and I want you. I'm not going to lie to myself or anyone about that. I won't lie to the media either.

Sending this email may have been a bad idea. JC said it wouldn't hurt. Lance discouraged me. I just had to try. I mean, you called me Justin, and I did nothing. I haven't been the friend you needed. I didn't even call JC until two days later. That's ending now though. I've put in a request to open for the new 'N SYNC tour. I think it'll go through.

Hugs and kisses and hoping for a swift response.

B

He exited the message window and opened a new message. He typed in a familiar email address.
 

Dear Lance,

Way to keep things on the DL. But thanks, I guess, for looking out for me.

Justin

He pressed send and stared at the computer for a few moments. He went back to Britney's message and pressed reply.

Dearest Britney...

To say I was surprised to receive your email today would be an understatement. Here's the deal, yo. We didn't make a mistake. We were smart not to start anything. It wasn't the time then, and it still isn't the time now. Yes I've found someone. No, I'm not going to tell you about her. Just know that I'm happy and I'm not going to be back soon. Your letter didn't change that.

I'm sorry for sounding like a bastard. It's not my intention. It's just that every time I get settled something else pops up and throws my world off it's orbit. I'm not going to let you do that to me. Not again.

You can email me back if you want. Just don't expect a response. I'll see when the time comes. If it comes.

Hugs.

Justin

Half an hour later, the only sign that Justin had moved from the chair in front of his desk were the damp curls sticking out from his head in odd directions.  The fingers of his right hand were resting on the desk, tapping out an odd rhythm while his eyes scanned the screen over and over again.
 

I made a mistake Justin. We made a mistake. I shouldn't have pulled away and we should have followed what was in our hearts. Screw the media, screw the fans. I want you.

Justin rested his chin on his right hand. "Fuck."

He jumped as a knock echoed on his door.

"Randy?" Maggie's voice came through the wood.

"What?" Justin asked. His voice had a harder edge than he'd intended.

Maggie opened the door and stuck her head in. "Dinner's ready."

"Oh," Justin said. He quickly closed the window with Britney's message in it. "Yeah."

"You okay?" Maggie as she walked over to Justin.

Justin looked up at her and smiled tightly. "Yeah, I'm fine. Why?"

Maggie rested her knees against Justin. "I'm sorry for my attitude earlier."

"It's fine Maggie," Justin said forcefully. "Really." He stood up. "Let's just go eat dinner, okay?"

Maggie looked at Justin with a slightly hurt expression before nodding and following Justin out of the room.

'N SYNC Compound

"Play list guys," Johnny said as he leaned back in his chair. "What do you guys want to sing?"

The four men looked at each other.

"The new one," Joey said. "That's a must."

"BBB," Chris said. "We have to do that as the closing again. Besides we already know the dance."

"Yeah," Lance said. He coughed weakly and hugged the pillow tightly to his chest. "The less choreography the better."

"How about some covers," JC said. "Do some stuff that symbolizes Justin to us."

Lance pushed himself up off of the couch cushions. "I like that idea."

"But what?" Joey asked. "We haven't covered anything in forever."

"Okay," Johnny broke in. "Tell me this is stupid and you don't want to do it, because I know that's going to be your response anyway."

"It's stupid and we don't want to do it," Chris said. "What's so stupid that we don't want to do it?"

"Do 'Everybody'," Johnny said. "Just change the words. I'm sure the boys would let you use it."

"A Backstreet Boys song?" Joey asked. "You're joking, right?"

Johnny shook his head. "It says everything you want to get across."

"It said everything the Backstreet Boys wanted to get across," JC said. "That's just... the fans aren't going to be paying to see a Backstreet Boys concert, they're paying to see 'N SYNC."

"That's just it," Johnny said. "It's got energy and it's got the not so subtle message that you're staying around. That you aren't going to leave."

"How's it go?" Lance asked. His voice cracked as he talked.

Johnny paused for a few seconds. He hummed a few notes. "I think it starts out, with Everybody."

"Yeah, yeah," Chris threw in tiredly. "Rock your body."

"Yeah, yeah," Joey said.

"Everybody, rock your body right," Chris finished.

"'N SYNC's back alright!" Johnny said. "It gives you a chance to sing and jump around the stage."

Lance groaned and lay down again.

"And then in the full version there's something along the lines of 'as long as there is music we'll be coming back again.'"

The room fell silent.

"It's the Backstreet Boys though," Joey said. "That's just like, incestuous, taking their song and stuff."

"It does say what we want to prove though," JC said. "I mean I'd prefer to say it covering someone else's song, but..."

"Think about it," Johnny said. "What else are you going to be doing besides "Are You Gonna Be There" and "BBB" and "I Want You Back."

"Drive Myself Crazy," Chris said.

"Makes Me Ill," Joey said.

"Gonna Be Be," Lance croaked.

"Tearin' Up My Heart," JC said. "I love that song."

"This I Promise You," Johnny said. "It was your last single. You have to do it."

"Two covers," JC said. "If we do two covers that makes ten. That's enough, right?"

"Video montage," Lance said. He coughed again. "We should do a video montage to a cover."

Chris started laughing suddenly. "What was that song that they used in the Seinfeld finale? That one which everyone thought was the sweetest song ever, but it was really written as a mean song?"

"Time of Your Life?" Joey said. He smirked. "Good Riddance."

"That's mean guys," Lance said.

"I didn't mean it in a bad way to Justin," Chris said. "It's a good memory song."

"But don't you think he might pick up on the other name of the song?" Lance said. "That would hurt his feelings."

"So?" Joey said, suddenly serious. "How considerate was it of him to just walk out on us?"

"Let's not start this again," JC said. "We're over this guys."

"We want him back though," Lance said. "Why would he come back if we do a video montage to 'Good Riddance'?"

"It's a good song Lance," Joey said. "It seems appropriate." He paused as Lance opened his mouth. "It was the number one graduation song that year. It brings back fond memories."

"Besides, maybe it would kick some sense into him," Chris said. "I bet he's going to freak when he sees us on tour without him."

"Fine," Lance said. He lay back down. "Fine."

"And 'Everybody,'" Johnny said. "Good. That's ten. I'll get the video montage underway and let Wade know what's up."

The guys looked at each other as Johnny left the room.

"Why does he want 'Everybody' so bad?" JC asked. "It's our rivals song."

"It does sort of work though," Chris said. "In that weird BSB way."

"Can I go back to bed now?" Lance asked. He sat up for the final time. "I think I'm going to puke."

"Bed Lance," JC said. "I don't want to see you until tomorrow."

Lance nodded. "Good. Cause you aren't going to." He stepped out of the room without saying good bye.

"He really isn't feeling good is he?" Joey asked.

JC shook his head. "I think it's more than just a cold."

"Yeah," Chris said. "Something's up."

"And why do I have a feeling it has to do with Justin," JC said.

"Because everything has to do with Justin," Joey said. "We thought he was the center of attention before... now he's the center of the world."

"Hi Randy," the twelve year old said as she opened the door. "Did Stu know you were coming over?"

Justin shook his head. "Is he not here?"

"Oh, he's here," Shelly said. "He just didn't mention it, that's all."

"Is he in his room?" Justin asked.

Shelly nodded. She motioned Justin into the house and shut the door. "Good luck tomorrow," she said as Justin started down the hallway.

Justin smiled his thanks and knocked on Stu's door.

"'S open," Stu called from inside the room.

Justin turned the knob and walked into the room.

"Hey Bro," Stu said. "Didn't expect to see you."

"I didn't expect to be here," Justin said. "I just had to get out of the house for a little bit."

"Everything okay?" Stu asked with a concerned look on his face.

Justin started to nod and then stopped. "No."

"Did her dad freak?" Stu asked. "Do you need to stay here?"

Justin shook his head. "She hasn't told him yet." He stopped and waited for Stu to say something. When he didn't, Justin continued. "I got an email from Britney today."

Stu's mouth dropped a little bit and he blinked slowly. "Britney Spears?"

"Yeah," Justin said. "She wants to hook up with me."

Stu continued blinking. "Fuck'n A Dude, that's like... well, just fuck!"

"I told her I didn't want to, but I liked her so much..."

"You already emailed her back?" Stu asked. He narrowed his eyes. "What'd you say?"

"That I'd found someone who I liked a whole lot and I wasn't going to run back just because she beckoned."

"Harsh," Stu said.

"That's the only way to be with Britney," Justin said. "She doesn't take hints well."

"If only Maggie knew you were passing up Britney Spears for her," Stu laughed. "She would freak."

Justin looked at Stu seriously. "Maggie will never know, okay Stu?"

Stu shrugged. "Whatever."

Justin stood up quickly and placed his hands on Stu's shoulders. "You can't tell her Stu, not even when the truth comes out."

"Fine," Stu said. "I won't tell her."

Justin let go of Stu's shoulders and sat back down. "I don't even know why I'm over here. We promised never to talk about any of this again."

"We aren't talking about it," Stu said. "We're just talking about a former love interest who happens to be an international pop star."

"Something like that," Justin said. He looked down at his watch. "I gotta get back to the house. Got to do homework."

"Yeah," Stu said. "I'll see you tomorrow Bro, okay?"

"Peace out," Justin said. "Yo."

Stu laughed as Justin opened and closed the door. He walked down the hallway and back towards the front door. He left the small house and walked down the nearly empty main street.

Lance stared at the clock by his bedside. 11:13

He sniffled and rolled over in the bed, again.

"Fuck," he mumbled into the pillow. He pushed himself up and pulled his laptop up onto the bed. He couldn't sleep, he couldn't concentrate on management stuff, he hadn't written anything to Justin for a few days.

What was there to say though? That they were planning the tour. That they'd finished filming the video. That he was sick. That he'd screwed up and told Britney. Justin wasn't going to want to hear that.

He opened up his inbox and was surprised to only see one new message. He smiled when he saw that it was from Justin. Any news was good news, right? His smile fell though as he read the one line message.

He didn't need this, not now. Not while he was guilt ridden and sick.

He clicked reply.

I thought it was for the best Justin. If you could have heard her at the New Years thing you'd know why I did what I did. The rest of the guys were encouraging her to write you. I guess she did. I was trying to get her to leave your life alone. That's why. I'm sorry.

It's tour time. We're getting the play list ready. We're going to cover BSB. It's Johnny's bright idea. We'll see if it  flies.

'N SYNC's back alright! Or something like that.

I'm sick and you know how I get when I'm sick.

Miss you Curly.

Lance

"I'm sorry Justin." He shut the computer down and closed it. He set it on the ground by the bed. "It's your life. I'll let you live it."