"Whenever You Call" Chapters 6 - 10

(~) Part 6 (~)

“LANCE WITH THE HANDS ALL OVER THE PLACE!!!” Chris and Lance were in the middle of a comical game of one-on-one - with a few ‘Chris Rules’ added, of course. (Last time I checked, the pulling down of an opponent’s pants was NOT a cause for three free points, the shooting of a basket from BEHIND the backboard was NOT fifteen points, and there was NO reward for the best trash-talker of the game...)

“HEY! Psycho!...Scoop!” A curly haired boy started jogging toward the two on the court.

“J-Dog!! How’d ya find us here?”

“What up, what up?!? And I didn’t...I just wanted to shoot some hoops...ya know, I do that from time to time...” He said with joking sarcasm. With a muttering of ‘Duh’, Lance gave Justin an old fashioned smack down on the back of his head.

“OWWW!!! Jesus, Dude! Yo mama, you is gonna get it!!” Justin took off after Lance and chased him around the court. Finally overtaking him, he put Lance in a headlock and gave him a HUGE noogie before stopping dead in his tracks and gawking at the sight in front of him. “Whoa...”

Lance picked up his head and started ruffling his hair back to its usual perky self, when he saw the same thing. “Whoa...”

A beautiful girl was standing in the shade of a nearby oak-tree, leaning casually against the large trunk. She was wearing a classy black skirt and a posh silky tank. She had dark brown hair with orangish highlights, but the boys couldn’t see her eyes...they were covered by a pair of dark Gucci sunglasses. All three of them could tell, just by the mysteriousness of her character, that she was trouble...but she was simply mesmerizing.

Chris snapped out of his daze first and slapped the other two on their foreheads. “Guys! You’re tied! Stop gaping...Geez!”

The two shook their heads as the girl smiled at them. She started walking provocatively towards the sweaty boys and licked her lips slowly. Justin raised his eyebrows and couldn’t help but send a goofy smile back.

Chris was the first to speak. “Hey! My name’s Chris,” he said cheerily.

“Yeah, great...” She replied coldly, pushing Chris out of the way, and walking right up to Justin. She looked him up and down slowly and then squeezed him on the arm.

“Hey, Beautiful...I’m Adrienne.” She pulled down her sunglasses and revealed a pair of sparkling dark brown eyes. She winked and then pushed the glasses back up on her nose.

“I...I’m Just...” He started.

Adrienne silenced him by putting a manicured fingernail over his lips. “I know, Silly...I haven’t been living under a rock for the past year and an half. You’re Justin Randall Timberlake...Of the mega-pop group ‘NSync...Born January 31, 1981...In Memphis, Tennessee...Six feet tall...180 pounds...Size 12 shoe...Nicknamed Curly, Shot, J-Dog, etc...Likes basketball and baby blue...Has an INCREDIBLY sexy six pack and an AMAZING set of biceps...I could keep going, but there’ll be time for that...later...” She smiled again, this time making Justin feel rather uncomfortable.

“Th...there will?” He stuttered.

She laughed slowly. “Yeah, when you take me out...”

Justin’s eyes popped open. “When I take you OUT?!?”

“Yeah...when we go on our first date. So, when’s good for you?”

He couldn’t believe this. “I...I’m...I HAVE a girl...”

Again, Adrienne interrupted him. “Fine, fine...if you can’t decide on a time, just call me when you do...” She slipped a small piece of paper in his hand and kissed him slowly on both of his cheeks in the polite French sort of way. Before turning to go, she gave him another sly smile and reached around and pinched him on the butt. She sauntered away, shaking her hips in a way that could make any guy slowly go insane.

Justin just stood there, too amazed to move.

Lance couldn’t believe her either. “J...what just happened?!?”

“I...I don’t know...exactly. Good Lord...Is it just me or is she one of the most blunt, straightforward people you have ever encountered?!?”

“Whoa...yeah...And QUITE selective.” Chris shook his head in wonder.

“Wow, she was beautiful...and I’ve always said I like confidence...but I think that was a little extreme...” Justin shuddered a little and then tried to shake off her image. He picked up the basketball and shot it - shooting a complete air ball.

Lance just looked at him. “Uh...J? You OK? You gonna call her?”

“Naw, naw...naw.” He hesitated. “I gotta girl, remember?!?” He wasn’t as convinced as he sounded.

“OK...well, let’s play HORSE then!” Chris picked up the ball and started the game.

Justin went on through the game, trying desperately to forget the entrapping look she gave him. He kept reminding himself of Jen.

Meanwhile, from afar, Adrienne deviously watched, satisfied that she had made a LASTING impression on Justin Randall Timberlake.

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(~) Part 7 (~)

Joey sat on the bed of the hotel for a good hour before he could find the energy to move. After sighing heavily, though, and wiping his eyes, he felt a strange, sudden urge to do something for the evening. He thought about his options.

“All right...what can I do?” He started out loud. “Well, I obviously CAN’T do anything with Caroline; JC’s out - God knows where; I no long SPEAK to Chris, Justin, or Lance; Maureen’s MIA; Amy’s with Lance; Jen’s with Justin...Wait! Maybe I can chill with Kristin! She’s not seeing JC anymore. Maybe she’s home!”

He picked up the phone and dialed her number.

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Jen walked up to Caroline’s door and rang the bell.

“Coming!” Caroline yelled as she broke Aaron’s grasp and ran for the door.

She flung it open and stood with the good-looking boy behind her.

“Hey, Caroline!; hey, Aaron...”

“What’s up, Jen?” Caroline replied cheerily and Aaron nodded.

“Not much. Look, I was wondering...do you still have those three sweaters you borrowed from me a while ago? I wanna pack them.”

“Yeah, yeah! I forgot about those. Come in.”

Jen followed the two into Caroline’s house. She strained a smile at Aaron as she walked past him. He returned the smile and...smacked her butt lightly as she started up the stairs.

Jen spun around in the staircase and glared at him. He just grinned a little evil grin and winked.

‘Why does he have to DO that...?’ She thought to herself as she quickened her step and nearly ran into Caroline’s room.

“Jenny? What’s the matter? You look spooked...or mentally disturbed or something!”

“Noth...nothing.” She gulped hard as she glanced over at Aaron, who had just meandered into to room. He looked at her menacingly and shook his head ‘no’ while making the cut-throat motion with his right hand. Caroline, who was searching through her closets with clothes flying everywhere, never noticed.

“HEY...HERE they are!!”

Jen jumped a mile at the loudness of Caroline’s voice.

“Whoa, girl...you sure you’re all right?” She looked at her friend, concerned.

Jen grabbed the three sweaters and hurried towards the door. “Yeah, yeah...fine...just fine. Just stay there and clean up that mess - I’ll let myself out. Thanks...”

She ran out the door...and Aaron followed.

He slid himself in front of the door before she could ‘escape’. Jen just stared at him with a pleading look in her eyes.

“I’ve always thought you were beautiful...” He hissed.

“Uh...thanks. Now can I go, please?” She replied hurriedly.

He grinned again. “Not before a little kiss...”

“Aaron, no, ple...” He silenced her with a deep kiss, forcing his tongue down her throat and pulling her towards him.

“You...are...an...asshole...” Jen hissed, wiping off her mouth. “WHY are you doing this to Caroline?!?”

He laughed. “That’s funny...Caroline’s NEVER gonna find out about it...so I guess it doesn’t matter...now DOES it?” He shook her roughly.

“Nnn-nnooooo...” She stuttered, terrified.

“Good! Now I’ll be seeing YOU...later.” He smiled sickly and moved aside to let her pass.

Just then, Caroline appeared at the top of the steps. “Everything OK?” She asked skeptically.

Aaron reached around and pinched Jen’s arm...hard.

She caught his drift. “Yeah! Aaron was just letting me out,” she replied as cheerily as possible.

“Oh, OK! Bye!” Caroline disappeared back into her room.

“Bye...” Jen whispered miserably as she flew out the door. Hot tears sprung from her eyes. Sadly, this wasn’t anything new to her, though...it happened nearly every time she went over Caroline house...but she was just too scared to ever say a word to ANYone.

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Kristin and Joey had spent the evening walking up and down the wings of the nearby Bridgewater Commons Mall. They really hadn’t had any reason for going to the mall, but they couldn’t come up with anything better. After chatting and laughing for most of the night, they decided to start heading back.

The cool air outside was chilling and Joey took off his jacket and placed it around Kristin’s shoulders...his hands lingered on her shoulders for a few moments. Kristin felt a chill down her spine at his warm touch.

“It’s, uh...pretty cold, isn’t it?” He asked rubbing her arms lightly in an attempt to stop what he thought was a shiver from the cold. In fact, though, it was a tremble from his presence.

“Yeah...it is...” Kristin looked up at him and smiled.

The two reached Joey’s Acura and drove the short distance back to Kristin’s house in silence.

Kristin stared out the window, confused by the rush of emotions she was experiencing.

Joey snapped his fingers in her ear. “Earth to Kristin...we’re here!!”

Kristin snapped out of her daze and swung her head around to look at Joey. She felt her own eyes lock into his gentle brown ones as he smiled sweetly and patted her arm. She started off quietly: “Sorry...I’m kinda tired. Thanks for a great night. I really had a good time...”

He returned the smile. “Yeah, me too...me too...”

Again, she felt a warm chill as he enveloped her small hand with his own and squeezed it. He leaned over and kissed her gently on the cheek.

Blushing slightly, and immensely confused over her own emotions, she smiled again and slipped out of the car.

As she ran up to her door and sighed contentedly, Joey pulled away - just as contented - with a HUGE goofy, blissful smile reaching from one side of his face, all the way to his ear on the other side.

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(~) Part 8 (~)

“Chris! Stop it! I’m SOO ticklish...AAAHHH!!!” Megan squirmed all over her floor as Chris ravenously tickled her sides. It was near 12:00 a.m. and they had spent all evening basically goofing off and talking. For the first time, Megan had actually found someone who could relate to her personality to a ‘T’. He was so much fun to be with, but he was also such a sweet and compassionate person. She only had only known him for a few hours, but yet she felt so comfortable she could tell him almost anything. Her thoughts were interrupted when Chris picked her up over his head and attempted to body slam her on the couch.

“I will break you...” He said is his best impersonation of the Drago, the Russian from ‘Rocky IV’.

“Nice accent, nut-case...” She managed sarcastically between squeals of delight.

“INCOMING!!!” He yelled as he raced down the hallway into her bedroom and literally CHUCKED her onto her bed.

Huffing and puffing, he fell down onto his stomach next to her. Megan continued to giggle and Chris propped himself up on his elbows and hung his head with a chuckle. He heard her giggling cease and he looked up to see her staring right at him. He felt himself lost in her sparkling blue eyes.

Megan smiled a little. “You’re so much like me, Chris, it’s frightening.”

“Yeah...it IS pretty scary, isn’t it?” He returned the smile. Noticing a stray, curly lock stuck to her damp forehead, he scooted forward on his elbows and brushed it out of the way. He was right over top of her now, looking straight down on her face. He stayed in that position, smoothing the rest of her rumpled hair. As the corners of her lips turned up into a huge grin, Chris slowly started to move his face towards hers...

“AAARRRGGGHHH...FREAKIN!!!” Chris slammed himself face-down into her pillows in frustration, and Megan giggled as she rolled over to pick up her phone.

“Who in creation is this, and what the HELL do you want...?!?” She asked, trying to be serious, but continuing to giggle as Chris stood up and comically stabbed a ‘dagger’ (a.k.a. the tampon she had on her dresser) into his heart and fell to the ground in writhing agony.

“It’s Amy...what up, girlie? You said you’d call by 10:30...it’s now 12:00! I was gettin’ kinda worried. Geez...what’s going on over there?!?”

“Nothing...I, uh...I kinda have some company...Can I call you later?” She pleaded quietly.

Now Amy was REALLY interested. “Meggers...does this have anything with that boy I introduced you to today?!?”

“YESSS!! Now can I PLEASE call you L-A-T-E-R?!?” She hissed...but then cracked up all over again as Chris realized what he actually ‘stabbed’ into his chest and flung it across the room with a nauseous look on his face.

“Yeah, Chickie! Geez...This sounds good!! I expect a full report when you call!”

“FINE! Bye...” “B...” Amy didn’t even get a chance to finish the word before Megan slammed down the phone and rolled over onto her back and sat up.

Realizing that the ‘mood’ was kind of killed, Chris stood up and reached for his jacket.

She just shook her head and laughed a little. “Um...sorry about that...”

“No prob, Meg. It happens. Um, so, uh...yeah! I’ll be seein’ you...”

“Yeah, see ya...” She hung her head, disappointed. Chris leaned over, picked up her chin, and kissed her softly on the tip of her nose.

“Smile for me...”

Megan produced a huge grin and Chris returned it. “Thanks...I needed that....”

He gave her a little wink and flew down the hallway and out the door before Megan could even reply.

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(~) Part 9 (~)

It had been an entire week since Michelle had met THE JC Chasez...and she simply could NOT stop thinking about him. It was amazing how much she had fallen for him in such a short amount of time. And NO...it wasn’t because he was a part of a world-renown pop group, all you shallow people(!) She loved his crystal blue eyes; she loved his perfect wavy hair; she loved his sweet disposition and compassionate personality; she loved they way he flirted so subtly; she loved the way his right nostril flared when he chewed...basically everything about him.

But no one knew.

Amy knew that she had a crush on him, but for some reason, Michelle couldn’t bring herself to tell anyone how serious it was. She had a difficult time even admitting these strong feelings to herself, let alone an outsider. She felt so silly to be basing such a strong crush on an hour and a half long meeting - but she just couldn’t control her emotions for anything.

She sat on her bed in silence for a while staring at a small pinup of JC that she had found in a teenybopper magazine. Dramatically flinging herself onto her back and letting out a huge sigh, she rolled over and picked up her remote for her CD player. She flipped it onto the song that she had been listening so much the past few days, she was surprised there weren’t grooves in the CD. The words brought tears to her eyes every time she heard them. They were so true...except for the last verse, unfortunately - she always shut it off before that part came on.

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The other people involved had been having a rather uneventful week. Chris and Megan had had a LONG talk, and they decided, for the time being at least, that they’d spend a little more time getting to know each other before rushing into anything. Megan respected this - although she didn’t really want to hear it! She liked Chris more and more every day, and she was pretty sure he felt the same...but then again, guys are so difficult to read that she could have been completely wrong. She DID know that Maureen was still a hang-up for him, though. He confessed to her during a particular late night conversation that he still thought about her often and strong feelings remained in the back of his heart. He “just needed some time...that’s all...”. That was his quote exactly - those words ran through her mind often. However, she appreciated his honesty and the two spent nearly every waking moment together and continued to grow closer every day.

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Another pair that was getting along well was Amy and Lance. They enjoyed every moment of each other’s company and they were practically joined at the hip. All feelings of doubt had dissipated from Amy’s mind after Lance returned...his sweet compassion and loving personality were enough to rid them completely. The two had discussed the band’s problems...but for once, Amy had drawn a blank. She really had no concrete advice to give to him - or any of the guys for that matter. She HAD spoken to the other four guys briefly about the conflict, but no real progress was made. They really didn’t care at the time, though...they had each other, and that was all that mattered.

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Nothing had (yet!) become of the incident between Joey and Kristin. They hadn’t mentioned the evening to each other, nor anyone else actually. However...they HAD made plans to see each other again this evening...only time will tell how that turns out. Both had decided personally, though, that a relationship wasn’t really in order for the time being...but that didn’t mean a little fooling around WASN’T...

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One couple that was actually NOT doing too well was Justin and Jen. They had been having some problems...just petty arguments at first, though...nothing TOO major. BUT, that was until a certain SHE (Adrienne) decided that it was time to surface again...and a certain HE (Aaron) decided that it was time to REALLY put the moves on Jen...with REALLY bad timing...

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(~) Part 10 (~)

“Coming...!” Kristin had just finished putting the last clip in her shoulder-length blond hair. She had it down and just pinned up on the sides, revealing her pretty blue eyes.

She stormed down the steps of her parent’s house and flung open the front door. “Hi, Joe,” she said shyly.

“Whoa...Hey, Kris...” Joey raised his eyebrows and stared at Kristin. He had never seen her look so good before. She was wearing a long black skirt, with light purple and white flowers, and had slits up to her lower-thigh. On top, she had a matching purple cardigan over a slinky white tank. She was...an angel...

Kristin waved her hand in front of Joey’s awestruck face. “You, uh, wanna...um...get goin’ or somethin’?” His staring was making her almost uncomfortable.

“Yeah! I’m sorry...I, uh...Wow! You just look incredible...” He smiled and held out his arm for her to take. Nodding in thanks, she returned the smile gratefully and took his arm. The two headed out to Joey’s car for their awaiting reservations at Espo’s, the greatest Italian restaurant in town, neither knowing what good stuff loomed ahead of them for that evening.

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Justin had decided to plan a romantic evening for Jen as kind of token of his REAL appreciation of her. He knew that she sensed a difference in him...and it was all because of that Adrienne girl. He couldn’t stop thinking about her...she was amazingly captivating, actually. But he loved Jen...and that was the way it was meant to be. If he could avoid it at all, he was never going to see Adrienne again, and that was just fine with him. He still had no idea what had occurred (or had BEEN OCCURRING) between Jen and Aaron...but that was about to change...

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“Lance, Sweetie...dinner’s ready!!” Amy shouted across her apartment. She had decided to cook for him tonight...for this special evening and all. They had been discussing this activity for a few days, and they decided that it was time - time to just go for it later that evening...it WAS what they wanted...

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Justin gave himself one last look in the mirror, smiled, and jetted towards the door. He did a quick 180, though, when he realized that he forgot something. He didn’t know WHAT...he just knew it was something. He looked in the mirror again. ‘What the...what did I forget?’ He thought to himself. He checked his wallet - it was there; he checked his hair - he didn’t look like Maxwell or anything, so it couldn’t be that. ‘What IS it?!?’ He scratched his head and looked around the dresser. He saw some loose change, a brush, his cologne, his...THAT WAS IT! Justin smiled to himself as he reached for his Abercrombie & Fitch ‘Woods’ cologne. He splashed a little on his pressure points and smiled once again. NOW, he was ready. This time, after heading towards the door, he actually went THROUGH it and headed down to his NEW Mercedes M-Class SUV. (We can’t forget what happened to the FIRST one, now can we?!?)

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“Joey...this has been SO nice. I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun just talking to someone...” Kristin gave him a warm smile as she got up from the table and Joey walked around and put her jacket on her shoulders.

“Me too, Kris. You’re so easy to talk to...but...” He paused as the two of them started walking outside. The air was cool, but they had decided to take the relatively short distance back to Kristin’s on foot.

“Joe...you seem distracted. But what...?” She turned to him and stopped on the sidewalk.

He sighed and turned his back towards her before saying anything. “Kristin...I hate to say this, but I really DON’T want a relationship...and...”

“Me neither...” She whispered quietly.

“And, well, you know, I...wait, you what?” He spun around and faced her with a confused expression.

“I, uh...I really don’t want anything binding...but...”

“See, now YOU’RE distracted...but what?” He gave a little smile and brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes.

Kristin shook her head and laughed a little. “Well, I, uh...I CAN’T BELIEVE I’M GONNA SAY THIS!...I don’t want a RELATIONSHIP, but I...uh...kinda want...well, you know...” She blushed deeply and looked away.

Joey got the hint. He reached his arms around her waist and when she turned towards him, he kissed her sweetly. “You, uh...you want...that?”

She gave him a huge smile. “Yeah...I want that...”

“Good...me too...” He returned the smile.

“Really? You don’t mind just foolin’ around and not having any ties?”

“No...I don’t, actually. I’m just not READY for any ties...and...” He paused.

“Joey...d-i-s-t-r-a-c-t-e-d...hmmm?”

He laughed. “Sorry...and...I still think about Caroline...like, a LOT...”

“Yeah, me too...”

“YOU think about Caroline?!? Ooo, GIRL, I’m likin’ this!” Joey’s eyes brightened.

“NO, you loony...About JC!!” She slapped him playfully on the cheek.

“Oh...sorry! Naw, I’m not THAT dumb...I knew what you meant.” He kissed her again, quite deeply this time. Kristin felt a contented chill run down her spine.

“So, uh...I kinda think we should keep this quiet, though. It might cause some, ya know, upsets...doncha think?” Kristin looked at him with a pleading look in her eyes.

“Yeah...I agree. We don’t need conflicts over THIS, too...”

She breathed a sigh of relief. “Glad we’re in agreement. SO, uh, you wanna come over? Maybe just talk some more?” She gave him a little wink.

“Yeah...we’ll just talk some more. We’ll, yeah...talk...”

He didn’t even look at her, but just held out his arm and the two quickened their steps back towards Kristin’s house.

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