Chapter 15
**Flashback**
Spending thirteen years sitting in a desk learning algorithms and chemical equations is enough to make you go bonkers. You deserve some sort of award for getting through the hassle of daily homework, ridiculing peers, snowy football games wearing spandex.
Spending countless hours on the internet, as she always did, Shannon sat there waiting for her friends to get home from school on a warm day in early May. She decided she didn’t want to go to school that day. As a matter of fact, she was rarely at school the entire year. Mandi was the first person to come online. She comes online, telling me about how she hated Mr. Spuck and his stupid Space Science class. Who could blame her? Everyone, mostly seniors, hated Mr. Spuck. He seemed to have this idea there the real world was sitting around all day researching topics that no one really cares about. She quickly changed the topic, "Hey, do you think your mom would let you drive to Cincinnati?" Shannon thought before she wrote back, "For what?" All Shannon could think about was what Mandi wanted to do. She had heard about the road trip to NYC, but Cincinnati? What was in Cincy? Shannon hears the silly laugh on her computer, telling her that a message is coming through, and she reads, "well, ya know how we both want to see an NSync concert..." Shannon is really confused by the whole statement. What about an N Sync concert? Mandi went on to tell her that there was a concert in Cincinnati and that if they could find someone with a credit card, we could get tickets. Shannon thought it was so cool, but she had her doubts. She thought it would fall through like all her other plans.
They frantically tried to find someone. Shannon could only think of one person who would get the tickets for them. The only thing was that this person already bought 4 tickets for the concert in Pittsburgh. She asked her aunt anyways, hoping for the best, but there was no luck. They were disappointed until they found out that if they go to a Ticketmaster Outlet, they can get them with cash.
The day after graduation, Mandi and Shannon set out for Millcreek Mall, a really nice mall in Erie, PA. Mandi’s dad told her the wrong store, but they soon found Kaufmanns, and they sniffed out the trail to the Ticketmaster Outlet. They were as happy as can be as they purchased their tickets, and a ticket for Tracy, who had to work that day. They were actually going to see N Sync, even if they were really bad seats.
A month goes by and the excitement builds. They couldn’t wait for the concert, after all, it was something they had wanted for a long time. They left early on July 14th, setting out for a road trip that was nearly 700 miles just to see five guys who set their hearts on fire.
The trip went well, and they finally arrived in Cincinnati. Unfortunately, they ended up in Kentucky, but they could still see the field from where they were. They arrived at the field and put the top up on the Tracker. They walked around the field for a while; it was only 1 in the afternoon, and it didn’t start until 7:30. They just talked as they walked around, with the occasional outburst of laughter coming from Shannon as Mandi fell off the curb.
At around 3:30, they are greeted by a funny, little man who had a strong german accent. He asked if they wanted to work for N Sync. Who would pass up that offer?
Finally, it is 4:30, and the guys are getting ready to do sound check. This finally cheered Mandi up after she practically cried because it was storming. Suddenly, a little go-kart goes driving past and they see Chris Kirkpatrick sitting there. He pulled up to Shannon, who was wearing her Oliver shirt, and pulled her down onto the go-kart. "Ohmygosh! What are you doing?," She asked him frantically. Chris smiled and said that she was going backstage. They were pulling away when she yelled stop. "I can’t go without Mandi and Tracy!" So they pulled them down on the cart and away they went.
They waited backstage as the guys were doing sound check. It was only 5, so there was still time before Meet-n-Greet. The guys finished, and went back stage. They all greeted the girls and Mandi was in hysterics. Tracy just kind of stood there, staring at Joey. After all, she did want that back and neck rub. Maybe she would get it. Justin came upon Shannon, who was standing there shyly, trying not to seem as if she was an obvious teeniebopper, even though she was standing there with different articles of clothing representing a few of the N Syncers. Her Oliver shirt was for Chris, because he was in the play 14 years before she was, and at the same school; she was wearing a baby blue Tarheels hat for Justin; and she had face paint on her body, saying "Chris" and "7". Justin smiled at her and started making small talk. His eyes were twinkling as he spoke. He whispered something to her and she covered her mouth, trying not to scream.
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