The sun was shining brightly and birds were singing. There was just enough of a breeze to make the day perfect. Coretta walked around for a while before stopping to have a seat. She set the flowers down and began picking at the grass and pulling up the weeds around her. No matter how many times she returned to the spot, she could never really believe she was there. After a few minutes, she began to speak.
"Hi baby, its mommy. I can't believe it's been a whole year since you've been gone. I know I haven't been here as much lately, but so much has happened. Remember how we used to dance and sing together all the time? Well now thanks to some wonderful people, I get to do that all the time now. I wish you could be here, I've met so many people that I know you would just love. I have to go soon, but I need you to do something for me. Please look out for Mike. You remember your Uncle Mike. When you both were here he used to always look out for you. This will be new to him and he'll need someone. Don't worry about me, I'll be okay on my own." She pressed her lips to the stone where her son's name was engraved. "Happy Birthday baby." She had paid no attention to the car that pulled up a few feet from her and drove away a minute later.
"You're not on your own. None of us would let that happen, especially me."
She turned to see Joey standing with his hands in his pockets looking down at her.
"What are you doing here? Not that I'm not glad to see you."
"This is a little odd. I have to admit this is the first time I've ever come to a cemetery to get a girl. First time for everything I guess. I came here for the funeral, we all did. I'm here specifically because I thought you might need a shoulder to lean on, and it just so happens I have a spare shoulder today."
"Funeral?? Oh right, Mike. I'm not going." Coretta said defiantly, daring Joey to tell her otherwise.
"I'm not about to argue with you on this, but I think you're being selfish. You owe it to Mike and his family to be there, not to mention yourself."
Coretta couldn't believe what she was hearing. "I owe it to him?? How am I being selfish?" She began to cry. "He's the selfish one, he left me. He's the one that left when we still had so much to do. He was gone before we could truly make him proud." Joey hugged her as she continued to cry. She cried not only for Mike, but also for herself, and for everything they would miss.
*****************
Hours later Joey and Coretta returned to her hotel room. She opened to door only to find Justin seated in front of the TV.
"First our house, now my hotel room? Do you ever stay in your own place? How did you get in here anyway?"
"That's the great thing about hotels, they always have connecting rooms." Justin answered.
"Okay, I'll buy that, but how did you know which room you needed to connect with?"
Justin walked across the room and put his arm around her. "That my dear, is just one of the many great things about being Justin Timberlake." he grinned
Coretta just rolled her eyes. "Where is everyone else?'
Chris and Becca are visiting some of Mike's family, Lance should be on his way here now, and Dani and JC will be here tomorrow morning. News about Mike has been all over TV, so we thought it would be best of we arrived at different times. Since no one will be here for a while longer, why don't you go get some sleep." Justin suggested.
"Do you think you two can manage to stay out of trouble that long?" she joked
"Don't worry about us, just go to sleep." Justin planted a kiss on her forehead before returning to his spot in front of the TV.
"J is right, you need your rest. It's been a crazy few weeks and I know you haven't been sleeping much." Joey gave her a small kiss on her lips, but as he pulled back and looked into her eyes, something drew him back to her. He kissed her again, this one longer than the last. Soon they were lost in each other.
"Hello?? There are other people in here, you know. Does the phrase 'get a room' mean anything to either of you" Justin said
"Not people in here, person, and that's easily solved. Get out. We have a room, you're in it. Again I say, get out."
"As much as I'm enjoying this, and believe me, I am. You need to go to sleep."
"Geez, now you sound like my dad. I'm going, I'm going." She was part way to the room, when she turned and asked Joey if he wanted to join her.
"Stop stalling and go." Joey ordered.
He collapsed on the couch next to Justin. "Explain to me why did I just send my girlfriend to her room alone?"
"Joey, this trip isn't about you. Your girlfriend?? When did that happen? What happened to playing the field and all that?"
"I don't know man. I had every intention of keeping this like all the others. She was different though, all the other girls were fine with me dating other people, as long as they had a part of me. Not her though, it was all or nothing, and that was very intriguing to me."
Just remember whatever happens, you two will always have to deal with each other on a business level. What about when we go on tour in a few weeks? Are you gonna break up with her like you usually do when we have to leave the country?" Justin questioned
"I completely forgot about that. We'll be gone while Diversity is out with Jessica, we'll miss the opening of the tour. I've got to be there, I can't let her down."
"You better think fast, we go into rehearsal as soon as we get back to Orlando."
*****************
The six people slowly walked into the chapel, no one completely sure of what to expect. Soft classical music played throughout the building. As soon as they entered the room heads turned and some of the people began to whisper to one another. Becca and Coretta looked around for some familiar faces. It wasn't long before they found one. Mike's younger brother, Alex, approached the group. Though he hadn't seen them much, Alex had always been very close to the girls.
"There's my favorite girls. The most beautiful women in music today." He gave each girl a hug.
"Hey Alex, how are you holding up?" Becca asked
"I'm okay, but I've been better, obviously. Things are just really strange. It's almost like it's not happening, like I'm watching this happen to someone else's family. I'm just trying to keep it together for everyone else."
"Alex, you don't have to be strong for anyone. He was your brother, it's okay to be emotional. Lord knows I have been lately. You don't look like you've been eating. Have you slept at all? I swear, I'll stand over you to make sure you sleep if I have to."
All but Becca were surprised by Coretta's sudden change in attitude. Around Alex she became this completely different person. She acted almost like his mother. She always looked at him as her little brother, and now with Mike gone, she felt now she really needed to look out for him. She knew no one else would. The guys looked questioningly at Becca who mouthed, "I'll tell you later."
Alex rolled his eyes. "Always in parental mode, aren't you? Yes, I've been eating, and no, I haven't slept much. Besides Mike, there's been some other things going on, but we can talk about that later. Not to be rude, but who are these guys, your bodyguards or something?"
Coretta laughed loudly at the question, but had to calm herself as she remembered where she was. "These guys, our bodyguards?? Now that is truly funny. If we go anywhere with them, then we have to have bodyguards. For them, not us."
"Hey, it's not that funny. I'm Justin by the way." He reached out and shook Alex's hand. "This is Chris, Lance and Joey." he pointed to each guy, and they in turn also shook hands with Alex.
"Oh yeah, you guys are NSYNC, right? I don't really listen to your music, but I should have recognized you. I remember Mike mentioning he had been working with you a lot. Aren't there five of you?"
"Usually, yes, JC will be here tomorrow." Chris informed him.
"Okay well I have a small favor to ask. You are more than welcome to say no, but it would really mean a lot to me if you would say yes. Don't feel like you have to say yes for my sake though. I mean it's not really that big of a deal, well it is sort of a big deal. I guess it all depends on how you look at it....." Alex continued to ramble until Coretta put her hand over his mouth.
"In all the time you've been talking, you haven't once mentioned what it is you want us to do. In all my life I have never met anyone that rambles on more than you do."
"I have." Justin said loudly, looking at Coretta.
"Boy...." She said giving him a warning look
"Woman...." He replied trying not to laugh.
"Anyway, " Coretta turned back to Alex. "What do you need? You know I'd do anything for you."
"Glad you said that. I want you and Becca to sing at the service tomorrow."
"Anything but that." Coretta responded before anyone else could speak.
"Please hear me out before you decide. I was you to sing for a couple of reasons. The first one being, as we all know, Mike loved music. The second is that he loved the two of you very much, even if he did have a strange way of showing it sometimes. What better tribute to my brother than a combination of the things he loved most? It's especially fitting since so many people thought he was wasting his time and now they see the success you girls are beginning to have."
"Sure Alex, no pressure there or anything. I'm glad you thought to include us, but is your family okay with this?" Becca asked
"I'm the one that put this thing together. No one else seemed ready to deal, so it's my choice, if they don't like it too bad. Sam was the only one that even took part in any of this, but she won't be here until tomorrows."
"In that case, we would be honored." Coretta and Becca agreed
"That's great, because I already put your names in the program." Alex smiled
"Same old Alex." Becca said shaking her head. "Where is Sam anyway? Why won't she be here until tomorrow? I wanted a chance to see her before we left."
"What do you mean before you left? There will be plenty of time after the funeral. She's staying for a couple of days to help finish getting Mike's affairs in order."
"We've got to get back and start rehearsals. I already took time away from that since I left before everyone else. We only have a month before we go out on tour, actually less than a month now."
"Not to mention a video to shoot, and an album to finish." Justin added
"And dancers to audition, and security to hire." Lance piped up
"And anything else we can think of to drive you insane." Chris finished
Alex laughed as the girls made faces. He could see they were going to be in good hands.
"Man, you are good." Justin said referring to how Alex had gotten the girls to agree to sing just by saying it was already done. "If I would have done something like that they would have gone nuts, not just smiled and went along with it. You gotta show me how to do that." Justin said.
"There's a big difference Justin, we actually like Alex." Coretta explained jokingly.
Justin put his arm around Coretta. "Stop playin' girl. You know you really love me, that Joey thing is just a front. It's alright, you can admit it. It's not like you'll be the first or the last to want me to rock your world"
They all laughed at the expression on Coretta's face, all but Alex who looked to Coretta for an explanation about Justin's comment on Joey. Coretta made a mental note to get Justin back later. She hadn't told Alex about her and Joey yet. Her plan was to wait until after she went back to Orlando. She could tell by looking at him there was no way to put off telling him. She turned back to Justin who still had his arm hanging loosely around her.
"Justin do you like that arm of yours?" she asked him
"Yeah, and I know you do too, baby." He said giving her a tight squeeze.
"Well if you would like it to remain attached to your body as opposed to me handing it to you, later, I suggest you remove it." she said sweetly.
Again Alex laughed at their antics. "If you'll excuse me, I've got some other people I need to see you later." He gave Coretta a look that she knew meant he wanted an explanation later.
Becca and Coretta spoke with a few of the people they knew throughout the room. They paused to look at the many sprays of flowers that adorned the room. There was one from Darrin, one from Donna, and even Johnny had sent one. There were also quite a few from the artists and record company people they had met the night of the showcase. Coretta was the first to see the casket as they moved closer to the front of the room. She slowly walked away from the others. Becca stopped Joey when he moved to follow her. "She has to do this on her own."
*****************
The casket was close and had roses as well as pictures of Mike at various ages covering it. Coretta smiled as she looked at the last picture taken. It was of Mike, Ales and their father. She remembered taking it just before she and Mike had returned to Orlando. Even though it was just a few months ago, it seemed light years away. She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer over the casket. Her solemn moment was disrupted by a loud commotion coming from the back of the room.
The entire room turned around. Coretta could see Becca's mouth drop, and Alex covered his face with his hands and let out a slow groan.
"Let me go!! I can walk on my own damn it! I'm not an invalid."
Coretta cringed at the sound of the voice. It could belong to only one person. The person she had hoped would not be there. She quickly said another prayer as the woman came stumbling toward her. Soon she was face to face with Mike's mother. though she could smell her long before the woman was actually in front of her. The woman reeked of alcohol. She kept walking until she was only inches from Coretta's face.
"You." she spat. She stepped back a little nearly falling, but quickly regaining her balance. "I'd like to make an introduction, I want everyone to meet the girl that killed my Mikey. All of this, " she waved her hands around the room almost toppling over again. "All this, " she repeated, "Is because of that little girl right there." She pointed her finger in Coretta's face.
"You're wrong Pam, this was not my fault." Coretta said doing her best to maintain her calm demeanor.
"HA!" Pam said as she stumbled into a chair. "My Mikey was always a good boy that took care of his mother until you came along. You lost your son. so you had to take mine, and now he's gone too."
"I will not be made to blame for your son following his dreams. Maybe if you spent more time with your kids, and less time with your bottle of choice, you would have understood what Mike truly wanted."
Pam staggered back to where Coretta stood. "You of all people is giving me parenting advice? Tell me what kind of mother sends her only child halfway across the country to a father he hardly even knows?"
Fighting not to explode with emotion, Coretta responded. "That has nothing to do with this."
"Oh you're wrong there. You killed your son and mine by making them go places they really didn't belong."
Mike's father finally pushed his was to the front of the room. "Pamela, that's quite enough. You will not come in here and harass people that came to pay their respects to our family and our son! I only allowed you to come because you promised no drinking." He gave everyone an apologetic look as he escorted Mike's mother from the room. Soon everyone went back to what they had been doing before the outburst. Alex rushed over to apologize for his mother.
"I'm so sorry, I should have warned you."
"Warned me? You mean you knew she had been drinking again? " Coretta asked in disbelief.
"She was doing so well. She even went back to rehab, she said it was really going to work this time. Things were fine until Sam left, and then Mike left. She didn't have anyone to look out for her anymore."
"How dare you make excuses for her. This woman was never there for you, the whole time I've known you. She has a few sober moments and all of a sudden she gets the best mom award? I watched her put the three of you though too much to even try and understand the reasoning behind that. Mike worked his ass off to make up for her problem and your father's denial of it. I won't allow you to give her any credit for anything." Coretta paused and looked around as if just realizing where she was. "This is not the time or the place for this discussion. I need to get out of here. I'll see you all at the hotel later."
"You want some company?" Joey asked hopefully
"Not this time. I need to be alone, please don't be upset with me."
"I understand. " He kissed her hand that he had been holding, and let her walk out the door.
*****************
After talking some more with Alex and some of the other family members, Becca and the others set off on their short walk back to the hotel. It was quiet until Chris spoke.
"That was definitely the most interesting thing I've seen in a long time."
"No doubt." Justin agreed. "Becca what exactly was that all about?"
"I'll give you the quick Reader's Digest version. Coretta met Mike at a club when she was 16. They hung out a lot and she became like a part of the family. Mike's mother had been battling a serious drinking problem for a lot of years, and wasn't around much for the kids. Especially Alex, who needed her most. That's why he's so close to Coretta. She was always there not matter what. A few years later, I entered the picture, and started spending a lot of time with Alex too. He reminded me of my own little brother in a lot of ways. This kid was seriously neglected and being around him helped me not to miss my brother quite so much. His older sister Sam left because she just couldn't take it anymore. Then I guess as Alex said after Mike left to move with us, Pam couldn't take it anymore and freaked out again."
Becca opened the door and held it open for the guys to enter behind her. They decided on a late dinner, but Becca wanted to change first. The suite was dark except for the light of the sun, which had almost completely set. Lance turned on the TV while Chris and Justin also went to change. Joey walked to the sink to get some water. Out the corner of his eye, he saw Coretta on the balcony. She was so deep in thought, she didn't even hear them come in. Becca came out of her room and peered out the sliding glass door before going to talk to Joey.
"She'll be okay." she told him
"What makes you so sure?"
"We've been through harder times than this. Give her some time and she'll be back to driving us all crazy. Now let's go, I'm hungry."
"You guys go on ahead, I think I'll stay here."
Joey waited until everyone was gone before making his way out to the balcony. He stood for a minute just watching her. He was unsure of what to do. Coretta didn't acknowledge his presence, just continued to stare out into the horizon. He walked up behind her, put his arms around her, and rested his chin on her shoulder.
"I don't know what you want me to say, or do. I don't know how you feel or understand what you're going through. I do know you are hurting, and like you told Alex, it's okay. I wish there was something I could do to make it all go away, but I can't. Just know that no matter what, I'm here and I always will be."
Finally he felt her body relax against his. They stood there in silence watching the sun as it finished setting. He still couldn't think of any other comforting words, so he said nothing. Little did he know, in Coretta's mind that said more than any words ever could.
The morning was quiet and somber. No one said much until the arrival of JC and Dani, even then it was limited to small talk. Dani watched as they practiced the song that they would be singing at the funeral. She always enjoyed watching the guys sing. Now with Becca and Coretta added, their sound had a whole new dimension.
Alex had offered the girls a spot in the family limo, but Coretta quickly declined. She wanted to avoid another scene with Pam. When they arrived at the church, Mike’s father greeted them. He immediately apologized again for the commotion of the previous night. The service was a beautiful one. Coretta laughed as she recalled many of the moments of Mike's life people shared. The time came for Diversity and NSYNC to sing. As the family was being led from the front of the church, they sang their rendition of "One Sweet Day."
Six hours later they found themselves at the airport. Once again NSYNC fans had managed to find out when they were leaving. The airport terminal was swarming with young screaming girls.
"I'll never figure them out. No matter where we go, there they are." JC commented
"Good thing we're not leaving together," Justin added
After putting on their disguises, the guys said quick good-byes and went their separate ways. Joey and Coretta made it to the gate without being noticed as anything other than normal travelers. They sat facing the window just to be sure they weren't recognized. Suddenly Coretta turned to Joey.
"Thank you for everything this week. I know I've been kind of a pain in the ass."
Joey looked surprised. "I didn't do anything, I just stood there. Whatever you need though, I'm here for you."
"Hmmm, so many ways to take that, I don't know where to start." she joked "Whatever I need?" She asked softly.
"Whatever you need." Joey answered with a wink
"So you're saying whatever I need?" she asked again cupping his face in her hands and bringing him closer to her.
"Whatever." he said. Just as they were about to kiss, there was a flash of a camera. They panicked as a voice behind them squealed. "Oh my Lordy, you really are here! They kept saying you were somewhere around, but I didn't believe them, now I've found you."
The two turned to see a girl of about fifteen standing with her camera. Just as Joey was about to speak she rushed toward Coretta.
"You're from Diversity, right? I can't believe I'm talking to you? Where's Becca?? I listen to your song all the time. My friends heard you were both here with NSYNC, so they are running all over the place looking for them."
Coretta was suddenly glad Dani had insisted on the guys wearing disguises. "Well, I'll let you in on a little secret. They were in fact here, but JC, Chris, and Lance left with Becca a few hours ago. Joey and Justin are still at the hotel because they'll be leaving tomorrow." Joey started to laugh and tried to cover it up with a cough. The girl seemed to just then notice his presence.
"Is that your boyfriend?" she asked remembering how close they were when she had first approached.
Coretta looked at Joey before answering, "Yeah, you could say that."
"Hi, I'm Joe...uh George, nice to meet you." Joe said avoiding the girl's direct gaze.
"He's cute, but if I were you, I'd go for one of the NSYNC guys, they are really hot." the girl said to Coretta in a loud whisper.
"I'll keep that in mind." Coretta said with a laugh. "I always thought Joey was nice to look at."
"He's a cutie, but you should go for JC, he's perfect." the girl advised.
"I just realized I don't even know your name."
"My name is Jamie." she said shyly.
"Well Jamie, I'll be sure to give JC your recommendation. Since you have your camera, want to get a picture? I'm sure George over there won't mind."
"Are you serious?" Jamie asked excitedly. "Could I get an autograph too?"
"Sure, not a problem." Coretta posed next to the girl as "George" took the picture. "Now I'll give you an autograph on one condition."
"Anything" Jamie replied
"Since this is my first time ever giving anyone an autograph, you have to give me yours too, so I can always remember my first fan."
"Okay" the girl giggled. After the autograph was signed the flight to Orlando was called. Coretta hugged Jamie and thanked her for supporting Diversity. Joey had put his foot up on the seat to tie his shoe, Jamie walked by and noticed the NSYNC flame, and Superman tattoo on his ankle. She grasped in shock as she realized who he really was. Joey winked at her and boarded the plane.
*****************
"I can't believe she told you to go for JC over me." Joey complained after recalling the story for the others as they ate dinner.
"The girl can't be blamed for knowing perfection." JC reasoned
"Shut up man." Joey tossed a pillow at JC.
"Would you both knock in off, we have a lot to talk about." Chris said. "First, I talked to Donna and we've agreed to share management duties for Diversity for now. Also while we were gone Darrin found the dancers, and he's started on choreography for the songs you'll be doing for the tour. It'll either be a three or four song set, we haven't decided yet. Donna also hired your security, and you'll meet them tomorrow. One of the guys used to work for us, and I know he'll do a good job. There's also one more song to decide on before the album is complete. That has to be done soon since the album is scheduled for release soon. The video shoot will also begin the day after tomorrow. We've only got two days for that."
"Sounds like you've thought of everything." Becca said still trying to absorb all the information Chris was giving them.
"Well we wanted to have it all planned since we're going back into rehearsal too."
"Back into rehearsal for what?" Coretta asked
"While your out on tour, we've got a few weeks of a promo tour to do overseas."
"That means you won't be with us." Becca complained "We have to do this on our own?"
"You'll be fine. You've got your dancers, and Donna. You need to do this alone. Did you think we'd always be there?"
"Yes." both girls replied
*****************
Becca and Coretta arrived early at the studio and went directly into rehearsal with Darrin and their new dancers. There wasn't even time to say hello to the guys. A few times they would look up to see one or two, or all the guys watching them rehearse. The dancers Darrin had chosen were people he worked with on previous videos.
"Hey Darrin, you think you can stop torturing them for an hour or so? I need them for some other stuff." Chris yelled from the doorway across the room.
"That's cool man. I'm just about to let them go work on their own anyway. I was actually headed next door to work with you bums. I know your choreography has gotten sloppy since y'all haven't been working."
Chris put his hand over his heart and leaned against the door dramatically. "Darrin, you wound me. You know we've been working hard lately."
"Chris please, I know you haven't once attempted to do any of the steps."
"Alright, you got me. Just give us an hour and then we'll be all yours to run ragged for the rest of the day."
"Remember you said that." Darrin said throwing a towel at Chris
*****************
In the conference room Chris again talked about the plans, although not much had changed. Since everyone was pressed for time, it was decided the last song on Diversity's album would be the song Justin had written. Some of the vocals would have to redone, but most would stay just as they had been recorded earlier.
Donna went over the different concepts for the video. and they discussed which ones would work best. She planned for the shoot to take no more than two days. Since NSYNC had to take care of business in New York, so they offered to personally drop the video off to Carson for its premier. Donna introduced the girls to their new security team. It consisted of three men, Jimmy, Frank, and a man that was simply referred to as Z. They were still amazed that they even needed security. Chris and Donna were both insistent on it.
"Now I know you both feel this is unnecessary, but believe me as time goes on, you'll be very thankful to have them around. They are there to protect you. From now on, I don't want you either of you going anywhere without at least of one of them with you. They should be aware of your whereabouts at all times." Donna explained
"At all times? Donna, you can't be serious. How are we supposed to live normal lives with these guys around? They aren't exactly the most inconspicuous guys around." Coretta complained
"You might not like it, but you'll get used to it, because that's the way it's going to be."
The guys then left to meet up with Johnny to finalize the tour details and take care of other business. Joey stuck his tongue out and winked at Coretta as he walked out of the room. This of course did not go unnoticed by Donna.
"What?" Coretta asked innocently, hoping Donna wasn't going to question the nature of her relationship with Joey. That of course was not going to be the case.
"I noticed the looks you two were passing each other in here, and I was wondering if there was something going on that I should know about."
Coretta looked around the room nervously. "Something like what? We weren't looking at each other any differently than we usually do."
"That's what I was afraid of." Donna walked around the table and sat in the empty chair in between Coretta and Becca. "I've been in this business a long time. In that time, I've seen a lot of things, both good and bad. From personal experience, I know how hard it can be to maintain a relationship in this business. Especially one like yours."
"Donna, I know you're here to look out for us and everything, but you're way off on this one."
"Just hear me out." Donna continued. "I know there's something there, and that's great. Of course it makes my job as well as Johnny's a little bit harder, but we can talk about that later. All I'm saying, is be careful. Both of you." she added before she left the room.
"Well, you heard the woman, you and Joey need to stop staring each other down all the time." Becca said laughing.
"I know you didn't just go there with me. What's the deal with you and Justin?"
"Nothin at all, at least not yet. He's playin this game with me, and I'm going crazy."
"You know you love every minute." Coretta said to her friend
Becca nodded her head in agreement. "I didn't say I wasn't enjoying it, I just said it was driving me crazy. That boy is so fine, he could make a nun reconsider."
"I just got the worst visual ever. The only thing that will make me happy now, is to see the look on Justin's face when I tell him it wasn't you he was playing footsie with under the table a minute ago."
*****************
As the next few weeks went by, Diversity and NSYNC were both extremely busy. Diversity was just finishing up a photo shoot with Chris. A magazine was doing a feature on his company. The girls acted as models for some of the clothing line, and then did other pictures since they were also artists on the production side. Chris and the girls were clowning around for the camera when the door opened to reveal Jimmy, the head of security for Diversity. Chris was glad to sort of be working with Jimmy again, he knew he would take care of the girls.
"Sorry to interrupt, but you ladies have that Radio Disney appearance and another interview after that, so we need to get going real soon." Jimmy called from the doorway.
"Oh I forgot about that. You two hurry up and get ready. I don't think the guys and I will be able to make it. There will be too many people, and our security won't be back with us for a few more days." Chris told them
The performance was great. Diversity was a hit with the crowd. They couldn't believe the rush they got from being onstage. It was incredible yet altogether unexplainable. The energy was amazing. They knew it was going to become an addiction. After performing the final song, they rushed off stage. They were met by Donna and an older gentleman who looked as though he wanted to be anywhere but there. Donna introduced him as a columnist from a small independent entertainment magazine. He was doing a feature article on them, and he was none too thrilled to be doing so. Donna excused herself to let the interview begin.
The interview was fairly typical in the beginning. Suddenly the interview took a strange turn. "How close are you really to the guys of NSYNC? I did some research and from what I've read about you, they always seem to be involved. Why is that? Is there more going on than you tell people?"
Coretta sat not quite knowing how to answer. She and Joey hadn't talked about when or if they would make the relationship public. She recalled the rumors that went along with Justin and Britney for such a long time. She knew her situation was different on many levels. The thought of how fans would react hadn't crossed her mind until that very moment.
"I'm not sure what you're getting at." Coretta said in a confused tone
"Let's be real for a minute." The reporter said. "You girls come from all out of nowhere, being backed by one of the most popular groups in the county. Most artists’ struggle for years to get to the position you are in. How is it you girls managed that? Was there something going on or is there something going on now to justify that?"
The girls were shocked and confused by the accusations. Becca summed up both of their thoughts. "People see us with them and automatically assume something is up. We hang out a lot just because we get along well. We are new to this business and we don't know a lot of people. Just like when kids start in high school, in the beginning they stick with the people they know until they are comfortable, then they branch out to new friends. When you work so long on something as personal as your music, you tend to develop close relationships, and people can take that any way they choose. No matter what we say, anyone can distort things in their favor."
****************
Chris entered the practice room to watch the last of Diversity's rehearsals before the tour would start in a few days. He was a little upset to be missing the first shows, but he knew his first priority was NSYNC. Johnny wanted them to do a two week promotional tour for NSA before the world tour took off later in the year.
"Hey if you two aren't too tired, there's something I want to show you both." he said as they were gathering their things.
What is it Chris? I hope it won't take too long, I'm supposed to go out with Joe later since you are guys are leaving tomorrow."
"It won't take long, I promise. I just think it's something you guys need to see as soon as possible."
Coretta and Becca exchanged confused glances, but finished getting their stuff together and followed Chris down to his office. They sat quietly while Chris dug through some papers on his desk before he finally found what he was looking for. He sat on the edge of his desk with two papers in hand. The first was a tabloid, he handed it to Coretta.
"Aliens impregnated me with Leo's love child." Coretta read the headline. "That's great Chris, mind telling me what that has to do with...well anything??"
"Turn it over, and ask me that again." Chris answered
Coretta did as she was told and gasped as what she saw. "I can't believe they used the pictures of me in a dress!! I wore three other perfectly decent outfits and they use the ones with me in a dress!"
Chris looked at her astonished. "Let's not focus on the dress, let's focus on the part of that picture were you and Joe are looking a little more than comfortable together, or the part where an "insider" claims you two were inseparable."
"I don't see what the big deal is," Becca said after looking at the picture. "It really doesn't look that bad, not to mention the fact that most people who read those things in them anyway. I mean really, if they wanted to see those two in action they should have been at the house the other night, good Lord, they were out of control." Coretta shot Becca a glare. "Oh, but that's not what we're here to talk about, huh?" Becca asked wanting to change the subject.
"I don't even want to know about the other night. Anyway, no it's not a big deal, but I want you to be prepared for what might be ahead for you. Even the most innocent thing can be turned into something scandalous."
"Enough about me and my tabloid debut, what is the other thing?"
Chris frowned slightly, he wasn't sure how they were going to take this one. "Remember the interview you did the other day after that Radio Disney show?"
"Yeah, I remember. That guy didn't very interested in us as musicians. We spent most of the time defending our friendship with NSYNC, not much of an interview really."
"This guy didn't think so either. What I heard from Donna and others who were there, was nothing but good things. Apparently he attended a totally different show. Not exactly the nicest review I've seen. I wouldn't worry too much about it. "
Coretta shrugged. "Remind me to send him a big thank you, and an invite to the next concert we have in the area. Now if that's all, I need to get showered and changed. I'll see y'all later."
