Happiness Is: Chapter 1
"Can you hurry up?" Joe Fatone asked the cab driver, while hitting the seat in front of him, before leaning back and running a hand through his short red hair.
"We'll be there soon sonny, hold your horses."
Joe leaned back in his seat and sighed, causing the young man beside him to laugh. "Don't worry, we’ll be back to the venue in plenty of time. They probably won't have even missed us." Justin Timberlake smiled, pleased with the way the plan was going.
Joe turned and glared at his for all his brown eyes were worth. "J, if we're dead, it's all your fault."
Justin shrugged. "No worries."
"I can't believe we snuck out of the venue to go and buy a magazine."
Justin sat up straight, causing his curly dirty blonde hair to bounce and his blue eyes to widen in shock. "It's not JUST a magazine. It happens to have the love of my life on the cover this month."
Joe rolled his eyes. "Yeah, the love of your life that doesn't even knows that she is. Not to mention, has a boyfriend…"
Justin rolled his eyes. "Technicalities. Just wait, my friend. By the end of this tour, she'll be eating out of the palm of my hand."
Joe shook his head with a wry smile. "Right and my name is Pooh Bear."
Justin smiled. "Okay, pooh bear."
Joe shot him a dirty look. "I am going to beat you down so hard if you keep calling me that."
Justin laughed and jumped out of the cab, just as the driver stopped at the magazine stand and Joe lunged for him. "Don't worry, pooh bear, I'll let everyone know your new nickname."
Joe just grumbled as the two walked up to the stand. "So which magazine did they say they were going to be on?"
"Rolling Stone." Justin said, scanning the racks, his eyes lighting up when he found it. "Five copies please."
"Five?"
"Yeah, one for each of us and then we'll get them to sign them when we surprise them tomorrow at the studio." Justin said, walking back to the cab.
"Surprise them?"
"Yup." Justin pointed to his head. "I've got a plan."
"Why am I even more frightened?"
"I don't know why are you?"
"Just give me one of those." Joe flipped to the cover article and smiled when the three women that they had been traveling with for the past month graced the first page. Dolphin's Cry was the opening act for NSYNC's new summer tour, No Strings Attached. NSYNC consisted of Joe, Justin and three other guys, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick and Lance Bass.
Justin began to read the article. "Hey, did you know they've only been together for a year?"
Joe smiled. "Yeah, but technically, longer. They've only been signed a year."
"Oh…"
Joe focused more closely on the girls and shook his head. What a mixed up bunch, they were. Dolphin's Cry was an all girl's band with three members. Katherine "Kat" Stephenson was their lead singer and lead guitar player. The girl had a set of lungs on her that definitely matched her extreme personality. She even gave himself a run for his money where flirting was concerned. She was also, Justin's new crush even though she was older by two years and had a boyfriend that she dated on and off. She had long red hair, brown eyes, and a body to die for. She was tall, able to look most of his group in the eyes, and knew that she looked good. Out of the entire group, she was the one that would probably go solo when their gig was up.
Next in the group was Danielle "Dani" Zatylny. She was the complete opposite of Kat. Where Kat was tall, Dani was short. Where Kat had long, straight red hair, Dani had brown curly hair. Kat had brown eyes, Dani had green. Kat was outspoken, Dani was quiet and withdrawn, although Joe was fortunate enough to hear her actually giving Kat a bad time once, so he knew she could be spunky when she was comfortable around the person. The girls called her elf and it definitely fit. Dani was the bass player of the group and sang back up on most of their songs. She was Justin's age but the two, he didn't think had even spoken one word to the other.
Last, but certainly not least, was the engima of the group, as they referred to her. Taylor Richards. Taylor was gorgeous in Joe's opinion, but she didn't talk to any of them. She was tall, blonde, blue eyed and never seemed to have a problem with anyone. She was the peacemaker between Kat and anyone, having gone to high school with her. No one knew much about her and rarely ever saw her, but when they did, she always treated them as she would a good friend, even if it was always small talk. She was the key person in the band, playing drums, back up sometimes and keeping everyone on track. Also, he noticed as he read the article, she was one of the key songwriters for the group.
Dolphin's Cry was the one band, that the guys hadn't seem to be able to become friends with out of all the opening acts that they'd had in recent past. The three tended to stick to themselves and were rarely seen out of their hotel rooms, unless they were allowed to go places that the guys weren't able, which was very unlikely due to their recent success on the charts. Their debut album had only been out in stores for six months but even after a month, they had climbed to number one and were still battling for that position, now that No Strings Attached was out in stores. Because of that, the guys had picked them to tour with them, they couldn't let the competition out of their sights, so why not bring them along.
Joe smiled remembering their first meeting. JC had wanted to ask them in person, so he, Justin and Joe had drawn the straws to go to their concert and talk to them. Dani and Taylor had sat back and listened to the guy's spiel while Kat had asked, question after question, from hotels, to free time, to what security was like, to would there be guys at the concerts. They had left with the agreement for three months and if the girls were enjoying themselves, they'd stay on for the rest of the tour. Justin had gone back to the hotel, practically bouncing in his seat after getting a close up look at Kat. For two months non stop, she was all the guys heard about… Kat this…Kat that…what they were going to do on their first date…blah blah blah…the kid still hadn't scored on that one and if he didn't get her on a date soon, he was going to owe Chris some big money.
"We're here, boys."
Justin tipped the cab driver and the two ran quickly back into the venue, hoping that Mike or Lonny hadn't noticed them skipping out before soundcheck.
~*~
Taylor came running on stage, having just woken up from a nap on the bus and was late for soundcheck to boot. "Sorry…" She called out.
Kat looked at her half closed eyes, bed head and rumpled clothing. "Planning on wearing that to the concert tonight?"
Taylor skidded behind the set and sat down, running a hand through her hair. "No, are you?"
Kat looked down at her outfit. "What's wrong with this?"
"Nothing." Taylor said smiling, while picking up her sticks and twirling them.
Kat looked to Dani. "Hey, don't look at me. If you choose to wear leopard print with a purple shirt, don't let me stop you?" She giggled.
Kat glared at her groupmates before laughing. "You two…when I get my hands on you…"
"What, Kat? You'll want us to dress you respectably?" Taylor called out while warming up.
Kat turned and stuck her tongue out at Taylor before turning back to their manager and nodding. "We're ready."
"Why don't you run through 'I Want You' and then 'Cruel to be Kind'…" Rich, their manager called out.
Kat nodded before turning to look at Taylor. "Uh 1…2….Uh 1..2..3..4.." Taylor called out while counting off on her sticks.
Their opening song for their set was the cover of "I Want You To Want Me" that became popular after the band Letters To Cleo made it big. It was a great song that all the girls enjoyed playing, and plus it was a kick to open the evening with as most of the crowd knew it and sang along.
The song began with a drum solo for three measures before the other two girls came in to start the song.
"I Want…You…To Want Me, I Want….You…To Want Me…" Kat crooned into the mic. Taylor watched her sway with the music before motioning the sound technician to turn up her mic. Taylor adjusted her seat and moved the top hat over a little. The technicians who brought their equipment on stage, always managed to set the drum set up wrong, but Taylor noticed they did a pretty good job this time. "Cut." Kat called out, as the last note rang in the auditorium.
Dani and Taylor stopped playing. "What's wrong?" Taylor called out.
"I broke a string. Damn."
"No problem." Dani called. "See if you can use Chris' guitar until we can re-string it tonight."
Kat looked between the two girls before hurrying backstage. Dani laughed. "She's too serious about the music."
Taylor smiled. "She's always been driven. You should know that by now…"
Dani chuckled. "I know, but I would've thought by now that she would've loosened up."
Taylor shook her head. "Not a chance. She's been that way since we were kids."
"You mean…." Dani clutched her chest. "We're going to have deal with her majesty like she is forever?"
Taylor cracked up and ended up falling off her stool just as Kat came back on stage. "I found my spare in the..."
She looked to Taylor who was wiping off her eyes to Dani who was smiling innocently. "Elf…"
She pointed. "Don't make me take you down."
"Who me?" Dani winked.
Kat laughed. "Yeah you…what'd you say now?"
"Absolutely….positively….nothing."
"Right…Tay?"
Taylor giggled. "She didn't say anything, Kat, we just had a bet about whether you'd get your other guitar or borrow one of the guys and looks like I won. Pay up Elf."
Dani looked back at her with a dumbfounded expression. "Huh? What? Why, you little sneaky…."
Taylor held out her hand. "I was saving to buy this new shirt but looks like I won't have to now."
Dani stomped over and stuck the only bill she had in her pocket in Taylor's hand. "I want that back when we get back to the bus." She whispered.
"No chance. I saved your butt, again. You owe me."
"Fine." She stomped back to her mic before turning to Kat. "Wanna run through it again or move on…"
"How's it sounds down there?" The sound technician called down from the booth.
Taylor gave him a thumbs up then checked her watch. "Almost time for the guys….you gals ready to split?"
Kat nodded. "I still don't understand why you don't want to get to know them…"
Dani nodded. "I mean…they are so adorable…if I could get my hands on that one curly haired, blue eyed babe…"
Kat turned to Dani and shook her head. "And to think people actually believe that you're the quiet one."
Dani laughed so hard, tears came to her eyes. "I know, isn't it great? And then when I do speak, the shock value is priceless."
Taylor shook her head. "Sometimes, I think you're worse than Kat."
"Worse than Kat?" Dani's mouth dropped open. "I'm not even close." Her mouth turned into a mischievous grin. "Speaking of the boy wonder… has he asked you out yet?"
Kat's smile turned into a frown. "No. But the way he stares at me…and follows me around…it's like having a puppy dog around."
Taylor and Dani both laughed as they gathered up their gear. "And now you know why I don't want to be around five hormonal guys."
"But if you did hang around us, you'd find out that there were only two." A new voice rang out through the auditorium causing the girls to jump.
Kat looked to find who it was and smiled. "Kirkpatrick… you just about gave me a heart attack. How are you?"
Chris waked out, running a hand through his short brown hair. Brown eyes twinkled at the girls as he walked over to where the three were standing. "Kat…can you hunch down a little please, you make me feel short."
"You are short." She laughed, grabbing her guitar and sending a look toward Taylor who was fidgeting with her sticks.
"Hey! So now….back to what we were discussing…."
Dani smiled shyly up at him. "You weren't discussing anything…we were…so have a good soundcheck."
She turned her back and headed off stage, away from the group carrying her bass.
Chris' mouth dropped open in shock. "The girl has claws."
Kat nodded. "That she does, so if you'll excuse us?"
Taylor and Kat both turned and walked off, to head to their dressing room to get ready for that evening's performance, leaving Chris in shock yet again.
"Hey old man! You'll catch flies like that, if you leave your mouth open that way." Justin called out, grabbing a mic as he walked on stage.
Chris shook his head. "Those girls…"
Justin's head swiveled around, taking in the entire arena. "Where?"
"They already left, youngen."
Justin sighed. "I always miss them."
"They plan it, you know."
"Huh?" Justin looked at him puzzled.
"I overheard them talking and spooked them. I think they're a lot different than what we assumed they were like."
Justin waved a hand. "Nah…Kat wants me."
"Okay, youngen…if that's really what you think, don't let me pop your imaginary bubble."
"Chris…quit teasing the boy and let him live in his little imaginary world." JC called out as he came on stage. His blue eyes laughing as they focused on the other two men on stage.
Joe came running and jumped on JC's back and the two tumbled to the ground in a big heap. The two sat up and brushed themselves off. Joe smirked as he caught JC trying to fix his short brown hair. "I happen to like it when he teases the boy."
Justin groaned. "Do you guys EVER give up?"
The other three thought about and frowned before looking at one another. "No, I don't believe we do…do you?" Chris asked turning to JC and Joe who were standing up.
They shook their heads. "Nope." JC grinned.
Justin sighed. "I need a back up here. Where's Lance when I need him?"
"Right here." His deep voce rang out through the auditorium.
Justin smiled and opened his arms wide in welcome. "I'm so glad you're here."
Lance smirked at him, his green eyes dull but for the small twinkle of amusement. "Save it, fro boy. You won't get any help from me."
Justin sighed. "I get no love…"
"OH!" Chris called out. "If that's what you wanted…"
The four of them dived onto him, burying him in a mountain of limbs and bodies. "Ooooof! Guys…I'm done now." Justin called out wearily.
"Guys…time to warm up!" The sound technician called out.
They all sprang to their feet and grabbed their mics and immediately broke into 'No Strings Attached'.
~*~
After that evening's concert, she sat in her bunk and stared at the wall. Pictures of her and her groupmates adorned the ceiling above her but even the pictures couldn't bring a smile to her face this time.
She rolled over and grabbed her cell phone and dialed the number that was as familiar to her as her own parent's. "Hello?" A voice answered sleepily.
"Hey, Sandy. It's me."
"Oh honey…what's wrong now?"
"Just…thinking again."
"About what?"
"Life."
"You know if you want to get better, you have to help me by talking."
"I know…it's just hard to get out."
"I understand. So tell me about your day?"
"Well…it started out with…" She talked until she could tell Sandy was getting tired and was yawning a lot.
"I'm sorry."
"No dear. Don't be. Sounds like you're opening up more at least."
"I'm trying…that's all I can do, right?"
"Exactly. How's the writing coming?"
"I sent my first letter last week."
"You actually mailed it? I'm impressed. I figured you'd write it, then tuck it away in a box."
"No, I actually took a deep breath and dropped it in the slot."
"I'm so proud of you. I know that was a big step for you. Keep writing. I think it'll be good for you."
"Thanks for putting up with me, Sandy."
"You make it sound like a chore, which it's not. So don't say that. Good night."
"Night and thanks again."
"You're welcome."
She hung up the phone and smiled. Sandy always was able to make her feel better, even if it was for a short time. She rolled over and grabbed her journal, stationary and pens. She knew that using her stationary could cause problems down the road, but it was the only thing she had. They didn't know her so she didn't think there was a threat by using the dolphin stationary but…there was always a chance. A chance of getting caught. Maybe she wanted to? By them? She couldn't even talk to them. She knew their reputation of becoming friends with people and being able to read them without anyone saying a word. She couldn't handle that. She was too private.
She stuck the end of the pen in her mouth as she thought of what to write this time. Her brow knit into a frown and she rubbed her forehead as she felt another headache coming on. She lay back down, trying to will it away but she knew it wasn't going to. They never did anymore, the only relief was when she was asleep. But, sleep would have to wait until she was done. She was going to get better if it was the last thing she did…and it might just be.
"We'll be there soon sonny, hold your horses."
Joe leaned back in his seat and sighed, causing the young man beside him to laugh. "Don't worry, we’ll be back to the venue in plenty of time. They probably won't have even missed us." Justin Timberlake smiled, pleased with the way the plan was going.
Joe turned and glared at his for all his brown eyes were worth. "J, if we're dead, it's all your fault."
Justin shrugged. "No worries."
"I can't believe we snuck out of the venue to go and buy a magazine."
Justin sat up straight, causing his curly dirty blonde hair to bounce and his blue eyes to widen in shock. "It's not JUST a magazine. It happens to have the love of my life on the cover this month."
Joe rolled his eyes. "Yeah, the love of your life that doesn't even knows that she is. Not to mention, has a boyfriend…"
Justin rolled his eyes. "Technicalities. Just wait, my friend. By the end of this tour, she'll be eating out of the palm of my hand."
Joe shook his head with a wry smile. "Right and my name is Pooh Bear."
Justin smiled. "Okay, pooh bear."
Joe shot him a dirty look. "I am going to beat you down so hard if you keep calling me that."
Justin laughed and jumped out of the cab, just as the driver stopped at the magazine stand and Joe lunged for him. "Don't worry, pooh bear, I'll let everyone know your new nickname."
Joe just grumbled as the two walked up to the stand. "So which magazine did they say they were going to be on?"
"Rolling Stone." Justin said, scanning the racks, his eyes lighting up when he found it. "Five copies please."
"Five?"
"Yeah, one for each of us and then we'll get them to sign them when we surprise them tomorrow at the studio." Justin said, walking back to the cab.
"Surprise them?"
"Yup." Justin pointed to his head. "I've got a plan."
"Why am I even more frightened?"
"I don't know why are you?"
"Just give me one of those." Joe flipped to the cover article and smiled when the three women that they had been traveling with for the past month graced the first page. Dolphin's Cry was the opening act for NSYNC's new summer tour, No Strings Attached. NSYNC consisted of Joe, Justin and three other guys, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick and Lance Bass.
Justin began to read the article. "Hey, did you know they've only been together for a year?"
Joe smiled. "Yeah, but technically, longer. They've only been signed a year."
"Oh…"
Joe focused more closely on the girls and shook his head. What a mixed up bunch, they were. Dolphin's Cry was an all girl's band with three members. Katherine "Kat" Stephenson was their lead singer and lead guitar player. The girl had a set of lungs on her that definitely matched her extreme personality. She even gave himself a run for his money where flirting was concerned. She was also, Justin's new crush even though she was older by two years and had a boyfriend that she dated on and off. She had long red hair, brown eyes, and a body to die for. She was tall, able to look most of his group in the eyes, and knew that she looked good. Out of the entire group, she was the one that would probably go solo when their gig was up.
Next in the group was Danielle "Dani" Zatylny. She was the complete opposite of Kat. Where Kat was tall, Dani was short. Where Kat had long, straight red hair, Dani had brown curly hair. Kat had brown eyes, Dani had green. Kat was outspoken, Dani was quiet and withdrawn, although Joe was fortunate enough to hear her actually giving Kat a bad time once, so he knew she could be spunky when she was comfortable around the person. The girls called her elf and it definitely fit. Dani was the bass player of the group and sang back up on most of their songs. She was Justin's age but the two, he didn't think had even spoken one word to the other.
Last, but certainly not least, was the engima of the group, as they referred to her. Taylor Richards. Taylor was gorgeous in Joe's opinion, but she didn't talk to any of them. She was tall, blonde, blue eyed and never seemed to have a problem with anyone. She was the peacemaker between Kat and anyone, having gone to high school with her. No one knew much about her and rarely ever saw her, but when they did, she always treated them as she would a good friend, even if it was always small talk. She was the key person in the band, playing drums, back up sometimes and keeping everyone on track. Also, he noticed as he read the article, she was one of the key songwriters for the group.
Dolphin's Cry was the one band, that the guys hadn't seem to be able to become friends with out of all the opening acts that they'd had in recent past. The three tended to stick to themselves and were rarely seen out of their hotel rooms, unless they were allowed to go places that the guys weren't able, which was very unlikely due to their recent success on the charts. Their debut album had only been out in stores for six months but even after a month, they had climbed to number one and were still battling for that position, now that No Strings Attached was out in stores. Because of that, the guys had picked them to tour with them, they couldn't let the competition out of their sights, so why not bring them along.
Joe smiled remembering their first meeting. JC had wanted to ask them in person, so he, Justin and Joe had drawn the straws to go to their concert and talk to them. Dani and Taylor had sat back and listened to the guy's spiel while Kat had asked, question after question, from hotels, to free time, to what security was like, to would there be guys at the concerts. They had left with the agreement for three months and if the girls were enjoying themselves, they'd stay on for the rest of the tour. Justin had gone back to the hotel, practically bouncing in his seat after getting a close up look at Kat. For two months non stop, she was all the guys heard about… Kat this…Kat that…what they were going to do on their first date…blah blah blah…the kid still hadn't scored on that one and if he didn't get her on a date soon, he was going to owe Chris some big money.
"We're here, boys."
Justin tipped the cab driver and the two ran quickly back into the venue, hoping that Mike or Lonny hadn't noticed them skipping out before soundcheck.
~*~
Taylor came running on stage, having just woken up from a nap on the bus and was late for soundcheck to boot. "Sorry…" She called out.
Kat looked at her half closed eyes, bed head and rumpled clothing. "Planning on wearing that to the concert tonight?"
Taylor skidded behind the set and sat down, running a hand through her hair. "No, are you?"
Kat looked down at her outfit. "What's wrong with this?"
"Nothing." Taylor said smiling, while picking up her sticks and twirling them.
Kat looked to Dani. "Hey, don't look at me. If you choose to wear leopard print with a purple shirt, don't let me stop you?" She giggled.
Kat glared at her groupmates before laughing. "You two…when I get my hands on you…"
"What, Kat? You'll want us to dress you respectably?" Taylor called out while warming up.
Kat turned and stuck her tongue out at Taylor before turning back to their manager and nodding. "We're ready."
"Why don't you run through 'I Want You' and then 'Cruel to be Kind'…" Rich, their manager called out.
Kat nodded before turning to look at Taylor. "Uh 1…2….Uh 1..2..3..4.." Taylor called out while counting off on her sticks.
Their opening song for their set was the cover of "I Want You To Want Me" that became popular after the band Letters To Cleo made it big. It was a great song that all the girls enjoyed playing, and plus it was a kick to open the evening with as most of the crowd knew it and sang along.
The song began with a drum solo for three measures before the other two girls came in to start the song.
"I Want…You…To Want Me, I Want….You…To Want Me…" Kat crooned into the mic. Taylor watched her sway with the music before motioning the sound technician to turn up her mic. Taylor adjusted her seat and moved the top hat over a little. The technicians who brought their equipment on stage, always managed to set the drum set up wrong, but Taylor noticed they did a pretty good job this time. "Cut." Kat called out, as the last note rang in the auditorium.
Dani and Taylor stopped playing. "What's wrong?" Taylor called out.
"I broke a string. Damn."
"No problem." Dani called. "See if you can use Chris' guitar until we can re-string it tonight."
Kat looked between the two girls before hurrying backstage. Dani laughed. "She's too serious about the music."
Taylor smiled. "She's always been driven. You should know that by now…"
Dani chuckled. "I know, but I would've thought by now that she would've loosened up."
Taylor shook her head. "Not a chance. She's been that way since we were kids."
"You mean…." Dani clutched her chest. "We're going to have deal with her majesty like she is forever?"
Taylor cracked up and ended up falling off her stool just as Kat came back on stage. "I found my spare in the..."
She looked to Taylor who was wiping off her eyes to Dani who was smiling innocently. "Elf…"
She pointed. "Don't make me take you down."
"Who me?" Dani winked.
Kat laughed. "Yeah you…what'd you say now?"
"Absolutely….positively….nothing."
"Right…Tay?"
Taylor giggled. "She didn't say anything, Kat, we just had a bet about whether you'd get your other guitar or borrow one of the guys and looks like I won. Pay up Elf."
Dani looked back at her with a dumbfounded expression. "Huh? What? Why, you little sneaky…."
Taylor held out her hand. "I was saving to buy this new shirt but looks like I won't have to now."
Dani stomped over and stuck the only bill she had in her pocket in Taylor's hand. "I want that back when we get back to the bus." She whispered.
"No chance. I saved your butt, again. You owe me."
"Fine." She stomped back to her mic before turning to Kat. "Wanna run through it again or move on…"
"How's it sounds down there?" The sound technician called down from the booth.
Taylor gave him a thumbs up then checked her watch. "Almost time for the guys….you gals ready to split?"
Kat nodded. "I still don't understand why you don't want to get to know them…"
Dani nodded. "I mean…they are so adorable…if I could get my hands on that one curly haired, blue eyed babe…"
Kat turned to Dani and shook her head. "And to think people actually believe that you're the quiet one."
Dani laughed so hard, tears came to her eyes. "I know, isn't it great? And then when I do speak, the shock value is priceless."
Taylor shook her head. "Sometimes, I think you're worse than Kat."
"Worse than Kat?" Dani's mouth dropped open. "I'm not even close." Her mouth turned into a mischievous grin. "Speaking of the boy wonder… has he asked you out yet?"
Kat's smile turned into a frown. "No. But the way he stares at me…and follows me around…it's like having a puppy dog around."
Taylor and Dani both laughed as they gathered up their gear. "And now you know why I don't want to be around five hormonal guys."
"But if you did hang around us, you'd find out that there were only two." A new voice rang out through the auditorium causing the girls to jump.
Kat looked to find who it was and smiled. "Kirkpatrick… you just about gave me a heart attack. How are you?"
Chris waked out, running a hand through his short brown hair. Brown eyes twinkled at the girls as he walked over to where the three were standing. "Kat…can you hunch down a little please, you make me feel short."
"You are short." She laughed, grabbing her guitar and sending a look toward Taylor who was fidgeting with her sticks.
"Hey! So now….back to what we were discussing…."
Dani smiled shyly up at him. "You weren't discussing anything…we were…so have a good soundcheck."
She turned her back and headed off stage, away from the group carrying her bass.
Chris' mouth dropped open in shock. "The girl has claws."
Kat nodded. "That she does, so if you'll excuse us?"
Taylor and Kat both turned and walked off, to head to their dressing room to get ready for that evening's performance, leaving Chris in shock yet again.
"Hey old man! You'll catch flies like that, if you leave your mouth open that way." Justin called out, grabbing a mic as he walked on stage.
Chris shook his head. "Those girls…"
Justin's head swiveled around, taking in the entire arena. "Where?"
"They already left, youngen."
Justin sighed. "I always miss them."
"They plan it, you know."
"Huh?" Justin looked at him puzzled.
"I overheard them talking and spooked them. I think they're a lot different than what we assumed they were like."
Justin waved a hand. "Nah…Kat wants me."
"Okay, youngen…if that's really what you think, don't let me pop your imaginary bubble."
"Chris…quit teasing the boy and let him live in his little imaginary world." JC called out as he came on stage. His blue eyes laughing as they focused on the other two men on stage.
Joe came running and jumped on JC's back and the two tumbled to the ground in a big heap. The two sat up and brushed themselves off. Joe smirked as he caught JC trying to fix his short brown hair. "I happen to like it when he teases the boy."
Justin groaned. "Do you guys EVER give up?"
The other three thought about and frowned before looking at one another. "No, I don't believe we do…do you?" Chris asked turning to JC and Joe who were standing up.
They shook their heads. "Nope." JC grinned.
Justin sighed. "I need a back up here. Where's Lance when I need him?"
"Right here." His deep voce rang out through the auditorium.
Justin smiled and opened his arms wide in welcome. "I'm so glad you're here."
Lance smirked at him, his green eyes dull but for the small twinkle of amusement. "Save it, fro boy. You won't get any help from me."
Justin sighed. "I get no love…"
"OH!" Chris called out. "If that's what you wanted…"
The four of them dived onto him, burying him in a mountain of limbs and bodies. "Ooooof! Guys…I'm done now." Justin called out wearily.
"Guys…time to warm up!" The sound technician called out.
They all sprang to their feet and grabbed their mics and immediately broke into 'No Strings Attached'.
~*~
After that evening's concert, she sat in her bunk and stared at the wall. Pictures of her and her groupmates adorned the ceiling above her but even the pictures couldn't bring a smile to her face this time.
She rolled over and grabbed her cell phone and dialed the number that was as familiar to her as her own parent's. "Hello?" A voice answered sleepily.
"Hey, Sandy. It's me."
"Oh honey…what's wrong now?"
"Just…thinking again."
"About what?"
"Life."
"You know if you want to get better, you have to help me by talking."
"I know…it's just hard to get out."
"I understand. So tell me about your day?"
"Well…it started out with…" She talked until she could tell Sandy was getting tired and was yawning a lot.
"I'm sorry."
"No dear. Don't be. Sounds like you're opening up more at least."
"I'm trying…that's all I can do, right?"
"Exactly. How's the writing coming?"
"I sent my first letter last week."
"You actually mailed it? I'm impressed. I figured you'd write it, then tuck it away in a box."
"No, I actually took a deep breath and dropped it in the slot."
"I'm so proud of you. I know that was a big step for you. Keep writing. I think it'll be good for you."
"Thanks for putting up with me, Sandy."
"You make it sound like a chore, which it's not. So don't say that. Good night."
"Night and thanks again."
"You're welcome."
She hung up the phone and smiled. Sandy always was able to make her feel better, even if it was for a short time. She rolled over and grabbed her journal, stationary and pens. She knew that using her stationary could cause problems down the road, but it was the only thing she had. They didn't know her so she didn't think there was a threat by using the dolphin stationary but…there was always a chance. A chance of getting caught. Maybe she wanted to? By them? She couldn't even talk to them. She knew their reputation of becoming friends with people and being able to read them without anyone saying a word. She couldn't handle that. She was too private.
She stuck the end of the pen in her mouth as she thought of what to write this time. Her brow knit into a frown and she rubbed her forehead as she felt another headache coming on. She lay back down, trying to will it away but she knew it wasn't going to. They never did anymore, the only relief was when she was asleep. But, sleep would have to wait until she was done. She was going to get better if it was the last thing she did…and it might just be.