When we got back to her house she showed me my room and to my surprise it almost was identical to my old room, panted the same color and everything. It looked the same because Aunt Lindsay had wanted a new house all to her own and she loved the layout of ours so she got one exactly like it.
“Lindsay this is so great, it’s like I never left home.”
“That was the goal! All you have to do is put your stuff where it was at your house and ta da you’re back in Maryland.”
“I’ll work on it later today, Lance and I only got 2 hours of sleep before we got on the plane so I’m gonna take a little nap.”
“Ok, if you need help later just give me a holler.”
“You know I will. Thanks again Aunt Lindsay this was so cool of you.”
“It’s nothing. We’re gonna have a lot of fun.” I smiled as she shut the door. I laid down on the bed and fell asleep with the greatest of ease. Hours later I woke up and looked at the clock, 2 in the afternoon already. I got up and went to the bathroom and washed my face and returned to finish unpacking all of my stuff. By 6:30 I was moved into my room 100%. I was pleased with the appearance and looked forward to Florida life. I went downstairs to find Lindsay and I heard laughter so I followed the sounds to the living room.
“Hey you, how’s it going?” Lindsay asked.
“Hi, I’m all unpacked, feeling a little different but I’m getting use to this.”
“Good. Jen, I want you to meet my friend Tracey and her 2 kids, Devin and Hannah.”
“Hi.” I said politely taking a seat on the couch. Devin looked to be around my age maybe a little older, muscular and very attractive, and his skin shinned with a gorgeous Florida tan. Hannah was as sweet as can be she seemed rather mature. Tracey and I were talking about Maryland where she also grew up. Tracey excused herself for a moment and things grew quieter so I spoke up.
“Aunt Lindsay would you terribly mind if I went on a trip from like 2 weeks of now through the end of September? I know it’s a kinda long time but ya know the guys asked me to travel around with them, ya know what I mean.”
“Sure it’s fine. You just write and call so I know you’re safe.”
“Thanks Aunt Lindsay you’re the coolest.”
“How old are you Jen?” Hannah asked.
“I just turned 17 a few weeks ago, how about you?”
“I turned 11 on June 29th. You’re the same age as my brother.”
“You’re kidding me. We have something in common Hannah, my birthday is June 29th too.”
“Cool. What kind of music do you like?”
“Oh I listen to it all but I’m a big fan of *NSync and Backstreet Boys and all those other boy groups.” I saw Devin roll his eyes with this conversation.
“Me too, *NSync is my favorite band ever, I’ve seen them 3 times in concert. Have you ever been to a concert?”
“Yeah I saw Hanson once, a Backstreet Boys once and *NSync about 7 times and I’m going to see them a whole lot of times this summer.”
“Wow, you’re lucky. I’m lucky too cause I met them before.”
“I heard about that. Which one is your favorite?”
“Justin!” she screamed. Tracey walked back into the room.
“Oh no you got her talking about *NSync didn’t you? Now she won’t shut up for like 3 hours.”
“That’s fine. I can talk about them all day.”
“Me too, Jen and I have a lot in common don’t we mommy?” her mom nodded and laughed at her hyper child.
“You’re such a cutie Hannah. Are you going to there concert here in 2 weeks?”
“Yup I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Do you have good seats?”
“No they suck they’re 56th row. I always have like 10th row.”
“It’s ok. I bet I could get you way better tickets though, if you want that is.”
“YOU CAN? HOW? OH PLEASE OH PLEASE!!!!!” She begged. I got up and went to the kitchen to write myself a note to mention something to the guys about getting some more tickets. Back in the living the room Hannah was going crazy.
“Lindsay how can she get me better tickets? How???”
“Well I probably should let her tell you how.”
“Oh please oh please. I can’t wait, please Lindsay.”
“Ok, Jen is good friends with the guys. Really good friends.”
“She is?” just then I walked into the room. “Jen you know *NSync?” she said.
“Umm who told you that?”
“Lindsay did, are you really friends with them?”
“Yeah, that and a little more.”
“Huh?” she asked, she was obviously confused.
“I’m friends with all 5 of them but I’m going out with Lance.”
She was silent for the first time in 15 minutes.
“Tell you what, why don’t you hang out here for a few hours like I dunno till 10 or so and we can talk all about it.”
“Mom? Lindsay? Please?” She asked. They nodded their heads and agreed. It was now 7 p.m. and Tracey had to go home to her house which was 3 houses down from Aunt Lindsay’s. Devin and Tracey left the house and Aunt Lindsay called and ordered pizza. The pizza arrived within the hour and we quickly ate. Around 7:45 the phone rang.
“You live here now so you can start answering the phone too.” Aunt Lindsay said to me as I got up and went across the room to pick up the portable phone.
“Hello?”
“Jen, it’s me.”
“Hey sweetie how did rehearsal go?” I asked as Hannah picked up another phone not too far away and listened in.
“It’s not over yet. We got a late start. We started about 2 hours ago and we’re running into the night till around 11.”
“Oh that sucks.”
“We’re only doing vocal rehearsal now but we’re going to do dancing in about an hour but we are on a hour break right now, so I thought I’d call.”
“I’m so glad you did, I miss you already. Are the guys around by chance?”
“Yeah hold on and I’ll put Justin on.” I heard Hannah slightly scream.
“Hey Jen wassup?” He asked.
“OH not much. Listen my little friend Hannah, the girl you guys met before is hanging out here for a few hours and I was wondering if you all would say hi to her.”
“Sure thing put her on.”
“She’s already on listening in, right Hannah?”
“Yeah, Hi Justin. I really love you, you’re so hot.”
“Thanks, just don’t say that around my girlfriend she might get a little jealous.”
“Your girlfriend?” she asked.
“Yeah you can ask Jen about her, she’s one of her best friends. I’ve gotta go here’s Joey.”
Joey, JC, Chris and Lance briefly talked to her and then Lance asked her to hang up her phone and let me talk to him.
“Ok she’s off.”
“I was wondering if you, Hannah and your Aunt want to come down and watch rehearsal for a few hours or so. I mean I know it’s not that fun but you know.”
“Really, I’d love to but, oh wait a second.”
“Lindsay, wanna go watch the guys rehearse for awhile?” she agreed.
“Yeah we’ll be there in about 15 minutes ok?”
“Great.”
“Bye” I hung up the phone and ran up to fix my hair and grab my purse. I stopped to think for a second Tracey would be expecting Hannah in a few hours so I got her number from Lindsay. I called and told her and she said she would send Devin down to the studio at 10 to pick her up.
We grabbed Hannah and got in the car without telling her where we were going. When we pulled up to the studio the guys were sitting outside.
“Long time no see.” I said as I got out of the car. Hannah was in shock and wouldn’t get out. “Hannah come on now.” I said pulling at her arm. After a minute of pulling I gave up and tickled her and she loosened up and I was able to get her out. “Guys, I’d like you to once again meet Hannah.”
“Hi.” she said shyly.
We all went into the studio and sat around for awhile till they got called to start rehearsal again. It took a few guys but the guys were picking up the new choreography rather rapidly. Shortly before 10 p.m. I saw Devin walk in and look around. Aunt Lindsay and Hannah were attentively watching the rehearsal so I walked over to him and brought him over where we were sitting.
“Hannah come on we really need to get going it’s late.” Devin whispered to Hannah.
“Devin come on 5 more minutes, that’s all.”
“Fine, but ONLY 5 minutes.”
5 minutes passed.
“Ok Hannah time to leave now.”
“OH man, fine. Jen will you walk me to the car?” “You better believe I will.”
The three of us walked outside. I gave Hannah a hug.
“We’ve got to hang out again sometime Jen.” Hannah said to me.
“Oh we will, trust me. See ya.” I said shutting her door on the passengers side.
“So what grade are you going to be in next year?” Devin asked.
“I’m going to be a senior, hopefully switching schools won’t be too hard for me.”
“Me too, It shouldn’t be too hard. We should hang out sometime and I could introduce you to some people before school starts.”
“Really? That would be great, but I’ve only got like 2 weeks to do that cause I’m leaving till the end of September.”
“Yeah I heard. Why would you want to go on tour with those pricks?”
“I dunno, let’s see those pricks are my friends, I can spend time with my boyfriend, see sights, I dunno why! Kinda stupid question to ask. And where do you think you can go around calling them pricks? You’re just jealous that’s it.”
“Yeah jealous of what? I feel sorry for them having to have your stupid ass around you bitch. And I called them pricks cause they fucking are.” he said getting into the car. I gave him the finger and turned away. I didn’t know that boy very well but from my first impression of him being a total stud I now thought he was an arrogant asshole. I walked back in the studio and the guys were on a short 10 minute break and hanging out around my Aunt I ignored them at first so I could tell her what a jerk he was.
“Lindsay, that has to be the rudest guy I have ever met. You better hope I never have to be around him again or I am going to kick his ass.”
“Who? Devin?”
“Yes, Devin.”
“Why?”
“Ok he was like saying how maybe we could get together and he could introduce me to a few people in my grade and I said that would be great but it had to be within 2 weeks cause I was leaving and he was like asking why I was going with 5 pricks and I was like just going off on him and I was just like you are just jealous and he was like saying of what and that he felt sorry for them having to have my stupid ass around and get this he had the nerve to call me a bitch.”
“You’re kidding me. Devin is such a sweet boy. What did you say after that.”
“If he kept his mouth shut and didn’t say a word I’m sure he would be sweet. But all he did after he said that was got in his car and shut the door. I just flicked him off and came in here. My first day here and I already want to go home. Is that so bad?”
“No honey. Things will get better. I know they will.”
“ I sure hope so. I hope his ‘friends’ aren’t as bad as him or I’m going to have to go back to Maryland and go to school. I miss my friends and everything too much already.”
The guys went back to rehearsal moments later and I watched for awhile until I fell asleep. I was awaken two hours later.
“Jen, wake up.” Lindsay said tapping my shoulder. “They’re done sweetie.” I opened my eyes slowly.
“Ok I’m up. How long have I been asleep?” “Not too long after you sat down you were out.”
“Wow, sorry I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
“It’s ok. I guess we should be going.”
“You guys want to come down again tomorrow?” Joey asked.
“I’d like to but how am I ever going to learn to do with out you guys?”
“You would manage fine. But if you don’t want to come down, that’s fine.” he fakely cried and I rolled my eyes.
“Damn you, I’m such a sucker. What time?”
“We start at 7 a.m. and go till around noon.”
“Ok sounds good, but I really need to get a goodnight’s sleep and kinda get a little more into things so we’ll be here say 9 or 9:15 a.m. is that ok?”
“Yeah that’s fine.” Lance said. “After we’re done here we can all go out to lunch and show you around a little.”
“Great, I really need to know where I am and where I’m going to.”
“I’ll meet you out in the car Jen, try not to be too much longer.” Lindsay said walking out the door.
“Guys thanks for helping me feel a little more at home here. This is so hard for me to just pack up and leave my life behind me, but hey this is the start of a better one right.”
“You got it.” JC agreed.
“Well I guess I best be on my way, see ya later.” I said.
“Wait up and we’ll walk you out, we’re on our way out of here too.” Lance said.
I waited a few minutes for the guys to get there stuff and then we left. Chris, JC, Joey, and Justin rushed out the door while Lance and I took our time. Once the guys were out the door we quickly shut the door leaving the guys outside. I reached in and kissed Lance’s warm lips.
“Please tell me you will help me through this. I need you so much.” I said.
“Jen, I’m here for you, any time and any thing, just let me know.”
We reached in for one last good-night kiss. Our tongues intertwined with one another as we stood there in the semi-dark room. The guys opened the door and we continued to kiss not letting any interruptions come between us. My Aunt saw the light from the building glare on the black pavement and she watched us with a smile on her face. We finally pulled away and smiled at one another. Hand in hand we emerged from the building. He walked me to the car and opened the door and gave me one last kiss then shut the door. With a quick wave we were gone.
“Weren’t you two having fun back there?” Lindsay joked.
“Yeah lots. Sorry I took so long in there, it’s been hard for me to say good-bye even for a few short hours recently.”
“I understand sweetie, it’s no problem. You take your time, don’t ever let me make you feel like I’m trying to hurry you up. I want you to enjoy every moment of life. So is he a good kisser?”
I rolled my eyes, “The best.”
Moments later we were home again. I slowly climbed the steps and changed into my favorite PJ’s and got into bed and had a most relaxing sleep.
At 9 a.m. I was up and showered, still exhausted though, so I laid back down. I thought these few days before the tour started I wouldn’t be seeing the guys at all, but it didn’t look like I would be going any longer than 24 hours without seeing them, not like I was complaining but I had just thought seeing them everyday for 3 1/2 months could get a little crazy.
“Jen come on you’re going to be late” Lindsay hollered.
“They won’t go anywhere they’re just rehearsing they probably won’t even notice if I’m late. 30 minutes more, please.”
“Fine, you win, I’m not going to argue.”
As soon as I shut my eyes the phone rang so I answered.
“Hello?” I said groggily.
“Well don’t we sound all happy this morning?”
“Tiff, hey how have you been?”
“Ok I guess, missing Justin a lot though but I’m feeling back in the real world. I went to this party Saturday but other than that stuff has been was too dull. How are you liking Orlando?”
“I’m not too sure I mean its been two days and I miss Maryland already.”
“Oh come on it’ll get better at least you’re going to be able to see your boyfriend a lot while here I am hundreds of miles away from mine. Thank god for e-mail and the phone.”
“Yeah. I know he’s thinking about you. This girl who’s my Aunt’s friend’s daughter, Hannah, came over yesterday and you should have seen her face when I told her I knew them and then Lance called and I let her talk to the guys and she told Justin how hot he was and when he said he had a girlfriend I thought the poor kid was gonna break down and cry.”
“Aw, that’s adorable.”
“She’s cool and we took her to rehearsal for awhile and the child was on cloud 9.”
“You went to rehearsal?”
“Well yeah. Lance invited us down and I’m going later like in an hour or something like that.”
“Cool, well tell my Justy I said ‘I love you’ ok?”
“Gotcha, well I wanna rest. I’m so exhausted from coming down here still. But I’ll call you later or talk to ya online or something, k?”
“Ok, See ya.”
Half an hour later I woke up from my mini power nap and got ready. At 10 a.m. we pulled into the studio parking lot. We slowly crept inside where the guys had just started rehearsal on a new song. So we sat down as quietly as possibly.
“Well there you are. I thought you were gonna ditch us.” Joey said.
“Nah, just really tired and Tiffany called , oh by the way Tiffany said to say I Love You to her Justy Poo.”
“I guess I should call her I haven’t talked to her in almost a week.”
“Communication problems? You don’t seem to have those problems in the bedroom do ya? I’m kidding you know.” I joked. “So how’s it going?”
“Not too bad a few morehours and we’re out of here.”Lance informed me.
Aunt Lindsay and I watched the rest of the rehearsal which was looking better than yesterday. I could tell this tour was going to out due any tour this summer.
“Do you boys have any plans for this evening after you take Jen around town?”
“No” they all replied.
“Well you’re all coming over to my house for a little party tonight. So you all be there by 7, got it?”
They all agreed.
“I didn’t know you were having a party.”
“Well you don’t have to know everything. Anyways it’s a few people in the neighborhood and Tracey of course.”
“And let me guess Devin also, what fun this is going to be. I’m sticking with you guys.” I said pointing to Lance, JC, Justin, Chris and Joey.
“Don’t you start acting like that missy or you can go back up to Maryland and be miserable. There are a lot of people your age coming over this is the perfect opportunity for you to get to know people and meet some hot guys.”
“I don’t need any hot guys, I have one and that’s enough to keep me busy.” I pouted and walked outside and everyone followed.
“Do you guys need any directions or anything?”
“No I know exactly where it’s at. We’re going to shower and change but we’ll be out in no time.” Lance said.
“Ok I’ll be right here thinking of ways to kill people.” I said as I sat down and put my head on the table. Lindsay just left and drove home to get ready for the party.
I felt a tap on my back, “Jen, we’re ready.” Lance said grabbing my hand.
“Great, I was thinking why don’t we make an appearance at this “party” then get the hell out of there and go somewhere.”
“Jen, it’s your Aunt you can’t just up and leave like that.”
“It’s going to be nothing but that Devin guy, and probably people who are just like them. I can’t deal with jackasses.”
“Ignore them and get on with it, now come on we have to go.” Chris said rushing us out the door.
Hours later...
“So what do you think?” JC asked as he drove us around.
“I think I wanna see more.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” I said looking at the clock and saw it was 7:00 “about 3 hours more.”
“It’s just one annoying guy Jen you don’t have to act like this over him.”
“Oh yeah I do. He’s just like the a-holes back in Maryland.” I commented as JC made a left turn onto my street.