Starla smiled, amused at Chasity's excitement. She had probably seen the show countless times and yet she was still excited about seeing the performance. Either N*Sync was really, really good or Chasity was a really dedicated friend.

A few seconds later the two girls had managed to push themselves to the front of the room, much to the dismay of the other guests. Starla had a great view of the guys and decided to take a moment to study them and try to figure out what it was about them that made even the sanest girls go wild.

Well, that has to be Justin, she told herself as she studied the curly blond whose eyes were locked intensely with Chasity's. Starla could practically hear the electricity that was crackling between the couple. With his gorgeous looks and boyish disposition she could see why Justin was considered the heart-throb of the group. And there was something vaguely familiar about him too. And it was more than just the fact that she'd probably seen pictures of him plastered all over the place; it was this sense of deja vu, like she'd actually encountered him in person before. But that was ridiculous.....wasn't it? Oh, well. Don't strain your brain over it Star, she told herself.

Her eyes moved on to the next guy, a handsome Italian. He had a flirty smile playing on his lips and he exuded an air of sensuality that Starla was sure many girls fell prey to. This, she thought to herself with an amused smile, must be the one and only Joey. Chasity described him perfectly!

Standing next to Joey was a rakishly handsome man who looked to be in his early to mid twenties. His brown hair was exactly in place and he had a perfect, chiseled face. He looked like a romantic, sensitive guy - the kind of guy almost every girl dreams about.

As the next song started Starla looked up with a start. She couldn't believe that sound that was coming out of the short, adorable looking, brown-haired guy. He could hit higher notes then she could! Starla felt laughter bubble up inside her but it was cut short at the next sight that greeted her. She gasped out loud. Standing right on the stage, singing and dancing, was HIM - the guy who constantly visited her thoughts, whose pale hair and beautiful eyes reminded her of an angel, the guy she had never expected to see again - except for in her dreams. Lance.

Starla knew she should look away from him but she couldn't. He was just so.......perfect. I really hope he doesn't see me, though, she thought to herself. He'd probably think I was stalking him or something. Being famous, he probably has people stalking him all the time. I mean, running into him two times in less than 24 hours is strange enough. Especially in such a big city. And now we're both at the same party?! That's just too weird. Oh, well. Maybe I can sneak out after the show.

As the last song finally faded away Starla turned, ready to bolt. She was stopped short, though, by Justin's next words -

"If you guys - and girls - will wait a few more minutes we have another song we'd like to sing for you. It's a song that touches me deepely and which I'd like to dedicate to my girlfriend. Chasity, baby, I love you more than life itself and I know, deep down, that we'll be together forever. We've had our share of rough times but we always manage to get through them. As I sing this song to you I want you to know that I mean every word with all of my heart."

The music started up and Chasity felt her eyes fill with tears at the unexpected, yet beautiful, dedication Justin had just made. As his sweet voice filled the room she closed her eyes, letting the music take her away.

When visions around you,
Bring tears to your eyes
And all that surrounds you,
Are secrets and lies

I'll be your strength,
I'll give you hope,
Keeping your faith when it's gone
The one you should call,
Is standing here all along...

And I will take
You in my arms
And hold you right where you belong
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you
This I promise you

As Chasity listened closely to the romantic, meaningful words of the song she was taken back to the first time she'd met Justin. They hit it off immediately, quickly becoming the best of friends. Then, before she knew it, their friendship starting growing into something more. She had almost ruined it, though, by backing away; too afraid to let herself fall in love again. Luckily, Justin never gave up on her, although sometimes it was very hard on both of them, and when she finally realized how much she loved him, he was right there waiting for her.

I've loved you forever,
In lifetimes before
And I promise you never...
Will you hurt anymore

I give you my word
I give you my heart (give you my heart)
This is a battle we've won
And with this vow,
Forever has now begun...

Just close your eyes
Each loving day (each loving day)
I know this feeling won't go away (no..)
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you
Ooh.. I promise you..

Starla, overwhelmed by the beauty of the song, didn't even realize that her eyes had strayed over to Lance and that she was gazing at him with a sort of adoration. There was something about him that drew her to him. She felt it every time they were in the same room. It was so weird; she had never experienced something like that before. It kind of scared her.

Over and over I fall (over and over I fall)
When I hear you call
Without you in my life baby
I just wouldn't be living at all...

And I will take (I will take you in my arms)
You in my arms
And hold you right where you belong (right where you belong)
Till the day my life is through
This I promise you baby

Just close your eyes
Each loving day (each loving day)
I know this feeling won't go away (no..)
Every word I say is true
This I promise you

Every word I say is true
This I promise you
Ooh, I promise you..

As the song came to an end Chasity quickly blew Justin a kiss before grabbing Starla's arm and dragging her out of the ballroom. "We're gonna meet the guys out here, away from the crowd," she explained as she saw the puzzled look that crossed Starla's face.

"Oh, okay," Starla replied. Clearing her head of all thoughts of Lance, at least for the time being, she carefully studied Chasity's radiant face. What Justin had done was so romantic, and the way the two of them looked at each other made Starla wonder if maybe she was wrong - maybe they truly loved each other. And not just puppy love, either, like Starla first suspected. Maybe it was the real thing. And that was quite a revelation to Starla because she wasn't even sure if she believed in 'the real thing'.

She didn't have long to ponder over it because, before she knew it, loud footsteps, accompanied by the sound of masculine voices, were echoing down the hall.

"Yo, Chris, did you see that cute blonde that was checking me out? I'm definitly gonna have to find her again and get her number."

"I can save you some trouble; Her number is 1-900-Bimbo#5"

"God, Chris, that was cold," Chasity laughed as the guys finally reached them.

"Yeah, well, I call'm as I see'm," he teased.

"You're just jealous that no one was eyeing you," Joey told Chris with a smirk. He happened to glance over at Starla, who was quietly watching them, and his eyes widened. "And who do we have here?" he asked, openly admiring her. "How rude of me not to introduce myself. I'm Joey," he continued, extending his hand for a handshake.

"Hello Joey," she said softly, cautiously putting her hand in his. "My name is Starla."

"Starla - a beautiful name for a beautiful lady," he murmered with a wink.

"Oh, god," Chris groaned, rolling his eyes. "You think by now you'd have picked up some better lines." He looked over at Starla, who was smiling in spite of herself, and he offered his hand. "By the way, I'm Chris."

"Hi, Chris," Starla replied, shaking his hand. Usually she felt very akward around members of the opposite sex but there was something about Chris that put her immediately at ease. He just seemed so open and down-to-earth.

As they stood there talking two other guys made their way to the little group. Justin, his eyes locked on Chasity, pulled her to him in a tight embrace and kissed her deeply. He didn't even notice Starla, who had a slight blush rising to her cheeks. She never knew what to do in such situations so she just averted her eyes, praying the kiss would hurry up. JC, who had come in with Justin, noticed her discomfort and gallantly came to her rescue.

"You'll have to excuse Justin's rudeness," he said with a charming smile. "It's just that whenever Chasity's around everyone else seems to disappear for a little while. I guess that's what you'd call real love," he added, his eyes lit with amusement. He could tell that Starla was feeling a little nervous and ill at ease so he flashed her a bright smile and introduced himself, hoping to make her more comfortable.

As the kiss finally ended Justin happened to glance over at Starla. He studied her thoughtfully before asking, "Do I know you from somewhere? You look awfully familiar?"

She was saved from answering by the appearance of Lance.

"Hey, guys, sorry I'm late. I had to -" his words trailed off as his eyes fell on Starla. "Starla?" he asked incredulously. "I wasn't expecting to see you here." Or anywhere else for that matter, he added to himself. He couldn't believe his good fortune of running into her again.

"I didn't know you two knew each other already....." Chasity said, confused.

"Oh, I remember you now! You're the girl from the cafe!" Justin suddenly exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I...ummm...I was invited to the party," Starla stammered, self-consciously. Her face was burning with embarassment as all eyes were on her. She felt so conspicuous!

"That's right," Chasity said somewhat loudly, trying to take some of the attention off of Starla. She could tell she was feeling uncomfortable. "Unable to stand the mean-spirited girls and the glares they kept directing my way, I walked outside and ran into Starla sitting all by herself. I figured she'd brush me off like everyone else but she was extremely polite and, before I knew it, we were talking like the best of friends. She kept me company while you guys went off and did......umm.....well, while you guys did whatever it is you did."

"Well, in that case," Justin said with a grin, "I'm really glad you were here, Starla. I'd hate for Chas to be bored. Especially since I'm the one who begged her to come tonight. And who knows," he added with a conspiratorial wink at Lance, "Maybe you and Lance can get to know each other better tonight. You know, keep each other from being bored."

Starla's blush deepened and Lance silently cursed Justin for being so crude. She was already nervous enough around him as it was; now she'd probably be terrified of him!