"Impossible," was everyone's reply.
"Good answer. Ok then, a small place with not a lot of people? Or a place with no people?"
"No people would be good," Justin said and glanced down at Chenelle who smiled back at him.
"Ok. C'mon then, I've got just the place. Although, I don't know about privacy."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Chris yelled from the front door.
"Nothing. You'll see when we get there," I replied nonchalantly and walked out the door to my Jeep.
"Ah, a woman after my own heart, a Jeep owner," JC joked.
I grinned and looked toward everyone. "So, who's riding with who? Cause you know everybody ain't gonna fit in here!" I yelled and gestured toward the Jeep.
"Oh, so true," Lauren remarked. "Ok, me, JC, Justin, and Chenelle can ride with you, and the rest can go with Chris."
"Aww, thanks Laur! Stick me with the wild ones!"
"Come on! We're losing precious daylight you know," I trailed off, anxious to get on the road.
We piled in the cars and were on our way.
"So, where we goin?" JC asked from the passenger seat.
"You'll see, you'll see."
I turned up a curvy gravel road that looked like it led to nowhere. After nearly 15 minutes of driving through heavy brush and overgrowth the trees thinned out, revealing a large blue horizon ahead.
"Whoa! What's that? Where are we?" Lauren, whom had gotten stuck in the middle of Justin and Chenelle, questioned.
"In due time y'all will find out."
Stopping the Jeep, I jumped out and waited for everyone to catch up. "Only a few more feet," I mumbled to myself.
We stepped out on the beach and onto golden white sand. It was hot on bare feet, but not hot enough to burn the skin. Out in front of us was clear, blue water that seemed to stretch on forever and a cloudless blue sky.
"Wow," JC breathed. "Mel, this is amazing. How'd you ever find it? And why didn't you tell us to bring swimming stuff?" he shouted, already pulling his shirt over his head and jogging toward the water.
"Oh...my...gosh." Now that's a body to die for."
"Um, Mel?"
"Yeah Laur?"
"That was out loud."
"Oh my gosh! If you say anything...I mean, I didn't...I was just..."
"Admiring?"
I blushed deeply. "No, I just had never seen anyone so ripped before..."
"Sure, sure. Well, if you won't tell, then I won't. Now come on, and let's get in that water!"
That evening, I had to admit, was one of the best nights of my life; if not the best. All of us swam in what clothes we had, but that didn't ruin our fun. Every once and a while I'd catch JC looking my way, but tried to forget about it, knowing it couldn't happen and I wasn't sure whether I wanted anything to or not.
The nine of us were sprawled out across the golden san, letting the setting sun dry our clothes and warm our skin.
"Mel?" a voice to my left said.
"Hmm?"
"Wanna go for a walk?"
"Umm, sure I reckon. Who else is going?" 'Ok Mel, dumb question. Who else would be going? But...if I go with him alone, will I be able to control myself?'
JC merely smiled. He hopped to his feet and extended his hands to help me up.
"Ugh, thanks," I told him while pulling myself from the ground.
"Aww, aren't they the cutest?"
"You're telling me. You know that boy likes her. But it's always 'his career' or 'my job'. Blah, blah, blah. That stuff has gotta take a backseat to somethin' one day," Justin remarked to the others.
Justin's comment on the situation caused everyone to laugh, but Lauren took it more seriously than anyone knew.
"Guys, I don't think it's funny. Mel's the same way. They'll never get together unless one of them realizes that your job, your career isn't everything in this world."
"Jeez Laur, come off it," Chris said, keeping his voice low. "We know all that, but we're just saying it. I mean, look at them over there holding hands. They'll realize it sooner or later."
"Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of. They'll notice it later rather than sooner."
*****************
"My God, how far does this beach stretch?" JC exclaimed, trotting ahead of me over the sand.
I giggled softly. "Who knows. If we keep going, we could end up in China by tomorrow morning."
"C'mon!" he ordered, coming back to grab my hand. "Jeez, you're one slow walker..."
"Oops, sorry. Guess I like to take in the scenery," I said sarcastically.
We walked down towards the water and let it rush up over our feet.
"Oh!" I yelped. "That's cold!"
"You think that's cold? Well, I guess you'll really think this is cold then!" That said, JC picked me up, slung me over his shoulder, and ran out into the water until it was waist deep.
"JC, oh God, please don't!"
"What? You think this is cold?" he teased, letting my feet deep into the water.
"Don't you dare drop me in this! You do and you'll regret it!"
JC chuckled. "Yeah, well, I'm willing to take that chance!" He released his grip on me and I splashed into the freezing water.
After surfacing, I splashed JC and shoved his head under the water. "That'll teach ya..."
I ran from the water and up the beach towards the others.
JC was right behind me and gaining fast. "You little...you wait until I catch you!"
"Boy that'll be the day..." I told him tauntingly.
I stopped abruptly when I realized JC was no longer behind me. "JC? JC, where'd you go? Oh funny, what a joke!" I resumed walking up the beach, but at a brisk pace. Wherever he went, I'd find him sooner or later. "I just hope it's sooner rather than later," I mumbled to myself before being tackled to the ground from behind.
*****************
"Hmm? Place a bet on whether it's sooner rather than later Laur?" Chris challenged after seeing the scene JC and Mel were making on the beach.
"No."
"Laur? What's wrong?"
She sighed. "Nothing. I just wish I had someone that I connected with. Like those two," she told him sadly, while pointing at JC and Mel.
Justin and Chenelle had finally told each other their feelings toward one another. Even though they knew rumors would be flying by the time they both resumed touring, the two could care less.
"Justin?" Chenelle breathed as Justin was placing kisses up and down her neck.
"Hmm?"
"Stop." 'What? Why are you telling this boy to stop? It's all you ever wanted!' she thought to herself.
He stopped and leaned back into a sitting position. "What? Chenelle, is something wrong? I mean, something I did?"
"No. No, huh-uh. I just don't think we should be doing this here." She couldn't believe she was telling Justin this. Ever since she had first set eyes upon him, this moment was all she'd ever wanted.
"Oh...well, how about we take a walk?"
She smiled faintly. "Ok. But it better be a short walk. It's getting dark and I do not wanna be away from everyone after dark."
"Aww, I'll be there to protect ya babe," he said, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her forehead.
"Mm, I like that idea. C'mon!" Chenelle pulled him away from the others and in the same direction JC and Mel went in.
*****************
"Hey!" I yelled at the figure that landed on top of me. "JC! Ugh, I knew I couldn't lose you for long," I said, smiling.
He got up and brushed himself off. "Yeah right, you know you missed me. You're just too proud to admit it."
"Yeah, that's it," I told him sarcastically. "But you know...I really did miss you," I added quietly.
"That's what I thought. C'mon, we better get back. It's getting dark and I sure don't want to get lost out here!" he cried in mock fright.
I shivered and quickened my pace to keep in step with him. JC noticed and handed me his shirt, he'd been carrying in his hands. "Here."
"No thanks. I don't think that's keep me very warm," I joked, handing the soaking wet shirt back to him.
"Well, we'll just have to do something about that won't we," he whispered and pulled me to a stop.
"JC. I...I don't think," I stammered, looking into his eyes.
"Mel, ever since I first saw you and Lauren told me that your job was more important than anything, I knew I wanted to be with you. I...I...I don't know. I mean, I know I haven't know you that long, but there's something about you."
"What are you saying?"
"I guess...well...this," he said softly and advanced his lips toward mine.
"JC, no. I...I can't do this."
His lips hovered over mine. So close that I could feel his warm breath on my lips. "If you want me to stop just say the word.
I paused. Did I really want him to stop? I didn't, but I knew saying yes would be the best answer. If he kissed me, God only knows what I'd feel after that.
"Y-"
"Too late." His lips captured mine in a sweet kiss. It was a soft, passionate kiss that I'd never experience with anyone else. His lips were so soft, so...so perfect.
We pulled away and I had the distinct feeling that I was beginning to fall in love.
*****************
"Oh my gosh! Justin, look!" Chenelle whispered loudly as she watched JC and Mel in the distance.
"What? I don't see anything!"
"Jesus Justin! Look at Mel and JC."
"Wh- holy crap! I told y'all they'd realize it..."
"Yeah, but...should we tell the others?" Without giving it another thought, the two ran back to the group, who were gathering their belongings and told them the story.
Back to Picture Perfect Index
Back to JC Stories
Back to *N Sync Stories
Back to Story Index
Home