"Oh really? What might that be?" Justin asked as he backed closer to the wall.
"Just this..." Becca went to slap him in the back of his head, but he caught her unexpectedly by the wrist and swung her around to where she was now the one against the wall.
"Hmmm, I always wondered what this would be like, but I have to admit it's a little different than in my dreams though."
"Oh let me guess, in your dreams I have on some wet see through pajamas??"
Justin looked away embarrassed. "Damn, Coretta told you about that?? I need to remind that girl certain things should be kept just between us."
"Yeah well that was something that she needed to let me in on. Now I have to remember to never wear them around you again. Are those the only clothes you have theories about? I don't want to change my whole wardrobe, just because you have too much time and not enough to do with that time."
"I know what I want to do with the time right now."
Coretta turned away from her conversation with Joey when she noticed Kathy staring off in the corner with a look of surprise. There she saw the opportunity she had been hoping would come up for a long time. Justin was just about to make his move, she sidled up in between the two.
"Hey, what's up? This is new, is there anything you want to tell me about?"
Justin took to banging his head against the wall. "I should've known this was not going to happen with you around."
Coretta laughed. "I seem to remember a certain fro-headed Blondie that made his presence known at some of the most inopportune moments I've had in the past few months. I just wanted to return the favor."
"Woman, you are just evil, and I will get you back for that."
"Yeah, yeah keep talking buddy. I hear the same thing from you all the time."
Justin walked with the guys' back to the phone room. Becca looked at Coretta.
"What?" Coretta asked innocently.
"Girl, I'm not even gonna go there with you right now. Let's just finish up this interview."
Kathy announced it was time for the top five countdown. "Okay y'all, tonight we're gonna do things a little differently. I've got some special guests in the house. Some of you may have already talked to them if you called in. So, instead of you giving me all five of tonight's songs to win, if you can guess who our guests are, you'll win some really cool stuff."
Each of the guys introduced a song. They of course tried to disguise their voices, with not much luck. Kathy and the girls laughed as they all did their intros.
"There you have it, all five songs. Since tonight's prize is kind of a big one, I think I'll take the ninety -sixth caller, so start calling now. Let's get back to Diversity. Tell us how the crowd reaction has been on the first half of the tour."
"Amazing" Becca answered immediately. "Everyone has been really responsive to our music and what we do. Hopefully that'll show in the CD sales when the CD comes out on Tuesday. Just wanted to make a quick plug."
"Girl, plug all you want, that's what you're here for. "What has been the best part about the tour so far?"
"I think that goes back to the crowds." Coretta responded. "We were so nervous at first, but these people have made this the easiest thing in the world. They are loving what we bring to the stage, and we of course loving that. Jessica has so many fans, we've had the chance to meet some incredible people."
"Oh really? Kind of like the ones you brought with you here tonight?"
"Well, they're incredible in their own right, but we didn't meet them on this tour. They've been around us since we got signed, and I have a feeling they'll be with us for a long time to come."
"Well, I'm dying to know, and I know the listeners are too, who have you met so far?"
"Well, for obvious reasons, Nick Lachey is around quite a bit. We've also met the other members of 98 Degrees. All of them were very sweet."
"I'm just gonna come right out and ask. I've gotten a lot of calls on this, and a ton of email too. So here it goes, what about a certain group of guys from Orlando."
Coretta laughed. "Can you be a little more specific? I mean, we live in Orlando, so of course we've met lots of guys from there."
"The guys I'm talking about aren't exactly everyday run of the mill guys. In fact from what I hear, two of them were backstage the other night at the Memphis concert."
The NSYNC guys looked at each other in confusion since they knew only Justin was at that concert, and he didn't go backstage.
"Oh, you mean the guys from O-town. Erik and Trevor came out to see us that night. They show up every once in a while." Becca answered.
"We love those guys." Coretta added. "We just met them at the beginning of the tour, but in that short amount of time, they've been some of our biggest supporters. They call all the time just to check on us to be sure we're okay." She saw Joey looking at her and wondering how much more O-town praising he would have to listen to.
"Well, I've heard the rumors, and so of course I have to ask, especially after hearing you speak so highly of them. Is there really anything going on between you and Trevor?"
"What? Where did you hear that? I'm really just getting to know him. He's going through the beginning stages like we are, so talking to him it good. He understands a lot of things other people have kind of forgotten about when it comes to just starting out."
"That's a lot to say about someone you're still getting to know, but I'll leave that alone. So then is there anyone special right now?" Kathy asked
Coretta wasn't sure if she was ready to answer that question quite yet, but decided to just go with the flow. "I guess you could say that. I really don't want to get into that right now though."
"That's cool. Since I'm your friend I know who it is, but I gotta tell you, I've been getting a lot of calls about you and a certain member of NSYNC."
"That's one of the first things I've learned in this business, you get linked to all sorts of people. It seems like I've heard that a lot."
"Is that so? So then, I guess there must be some reason people would think that, huh?"
"I have no clue where people are getting this idea about Joey and I."
"Oh, so now there's a name attached to the rumor. Interesting...."
Coretta laughed. "I don't know what you're getting at Kathy. I'll give you the standard we are just friends line and leave it at that."
"So you won't say you are dating, but you won't say you aren't either."
"Yeah, something like that." Coretta shook her head and laughed again.
"Enough of that, I understand we've got our contest winner on the line. Hello? Who is this?"
A young voice could be head squealing into the phone. "Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God did I win?? Oh my God!!!! I can't believe it!"
Kathy had to laugh. "Okay hon, calm down, you haven't won anything yet. Why don't you tell me who you are, and where you're from."
The girl was able to calm herself and talk to Kathy. "Oh right, my name is Lisa, and I'm from Philly. Can I say hi to Diversity? Hi Becca, hi Coretta, I love you guys!! I can't wait to get your CD! I've been telling my friends to get it as soon as it comes out."
"Thanks, we love you too." Becca said
"Well Lisa, you are caller 96, do you know who are special guest DJs are tonight?"
"Oh yes I do!! I could never mistake those voices. Oh they just make me melt thinking about them."
"Well for everyone listening, why don't you tell us who it is."
"NYSNC!! It's gotta be NSYNC! You can't tell me it's anyone else. I know my boys!"
Kathy was loving the enthusiasm of Lisa. "Well yes actually, you're right, it is the one and only NSYNC. For being the correct caller, and having the right answer you win a special NSYNC chosen prize."
"Is it a date with them?? Or even a date with one of them? Joey, hopefully? I love him, and I know he would love me if we went out."
"Okay, and how old are you?"
"Well I'm fifteen, but almost sixteen, so it's all good."
"I'm not too sure how that will work out, but I can let you say hi to the guys if you want to, so go ahead, here's your chance. Say hello to NSYNC."
"Hi Lisa!!" The NSYNC guys all said in unison.
"Hi guys!!!! I love you!!! Joey I really love you!! Is it true you have a girlfriend? I hope not."
Everyone looked to Joey and waited for his answer. "Yeah, it's true. I do have a girlfriend. She's very special, and we're very happy together." He kept his eyes locked on Coretta the entire time.
"So are you like in love with her or something?" The girl asked.
This caught Joey off guard. He never thought about how deep his feelings went, he just knew the feelings were there.
"That's something I don't feel ready to share with everyone right now. I'm just in a place where things are good for me."
What about you Justin?" The girl asked.
"Umm, what about me?" Justin said into the mic.
"Well everyone has been talking about you and Britney, and now about you and Becca. I just want to know if any of the rumors are true."
Justin laughed, "Well, that all depends on what you've heard."
"I think I can help Lisa out a little here. Are you or aren't you dating either of these two ladies?" Kathy questioned.
"That's just direct and to the point." Justin said
"That's the only way I do things." Kathy countered
"In answer to the question, and hopefully to stop all the questions, again I'll say at this point I am just friends with both of those beautiful ladies."
"Right, just friends. So let me ask you this, are you friends like Coretta and Joey are just friends or just friends in a Will and Grace kind of way?"
Justin shook his head. "I can't believe you just went there. I guess I'd have to say in a Will and Grace kind of way, except I'm not gay."
"Okay, good to know, I guess. So why are you guys here in Chicago? Did you come just to check out the show?"
"I don't know about the other guys, but I'm just here to keep an eye on my investment." Chris joked, ducking just in time to avoid being hit by the plastic cup Coretta threw across the table.
"Hey! What was that about? Did y'all see that? She's throwing things at me. The abuse I take around here."
"Sadly, that's all the time we have the girls have to get back to rest up for their next concert. Don't forget to catch Diversity opening up for Jessica Simpson tomorrow night at the Allstate Arena. Thanks to Diversity and NSYNC for stopping by."
Kathy set up a few songs and commercials so that she would have time to say goodbye to her friends.
"You'll be at the show tomorrow night, right?" Becca asked as the group walked to the door.
"I wouldn't miss it. I'll call you before I head over to the venue." She turned to shake hands with each of the guys. "I appreciate you guys coming on the show, I know it wasn't really planned or anything."
"The pleasure was all ours." Chris replied. "Some of us more than others." He added looking at Lance.
"Chris, shut up and get in the van." Lance turned to Kathy, "I look forward to seeing you tomorrow."
Becca and Coretta looked at each in shock. "Looks like Lance found something he liked on this trip."
"No doubt." Coretta agreed. She headed over to where Joey was standing by the door. "So what did you think of the interview?"
"You mean besides the little ode to Trevor?"
"It was not even like that, I just answered the question that was asked."
"Oh right, just answering the question. Telling the world you can't rely on your boyfriend to support you, but some guy you barely know is the only one that understands."
"That's not how I meant it, and you know it."
"Whatever. Let's just go."
The ride back to the hotel was quiet. Coretta was trying to figure out how she managed to get herself in trouble with Joey yet again. She thought she handled the situation fairly well. He, on the other hand, obviously thought otherwise. Coretta was so deep in thought, she didn't even hear Becca's phone ring, or the conversation Becca was attempting to have with her after that.
"Hello?? Are you listening to me?"
"Huh, what did you say?"
"Just telling you that Donna probably won't be with us much for the rest of the tour, and that our favorite girls are already at the hotel. I don't know what floor they're staying on, but hopefully not ours. Just try and stay calm. We're halfway through the tour, so you can make it."
"Angela is there? Now?? Why is it she always shows up when Joey and I are fighting? I guess we aren't really fighting, but he's not real happy right about now. I just don't know how we can not get upset with each other when it comes to Trevor. I don't understand why he can't see we're friends and nothing more."
"Just like you see how he and Angela are just friends. Yep, that makes complete sense."
"Becca, do me a favor, and stop trying to help."
They got off the van, and were surprised, yet thankful that there were hardly any fans around. Unfortunately, Angela and the rest of her group were signing autographs in the lobby. Becca just looked at Coretta and shrugged her shoulders before following Jimmy inside. A girl who looked to be about fifteen approached the girls. She asked them both for an autograph.
"Who should I make this out to?" Becca asked
"Make it for Brian. He's my brother, he thinks you're hot. I personally don't really like your music. I'm more of a Synchronicity fan, no offense."
Coretta tried to keep a straight face. "To each her own I guess. There's no accounting for taste."
The girl thanked them and left. Angela was standing off to the side watching, and couldn't help but comment on what had just happened.
"Wow, looks like you have a pattern going for you."
Coretta rolled her eyes. "What in God's name are you rambling about now? I'm sure it's nothing as usual."
"No, nothing important, like I said, I'm just commenting on the way you seem to constantly end up with my sloppy seconds. Of course there's Joey, but we all know how that's gonna end. The autograph thing just tops it off."
“Am I supposed to be bothered by some little girl liking your music over ours? Please, I have more important things to think about, like performing and the VMAs next week. Oh that’s right, you wouldn’t know anything about that. I hear Synchronicity wasn’t invited. Too bad, maybe we’ll send you a shout out while you watch from your hotel room. As far as Joe and I are concerned, don’t even worry about it.”
Angela laughed. “Oh, I’m not worried at all. I told you already, we know how that’s gonna turn out. You don’t really think everyone will be as accepting as the few people who do know about you, do you?” Angela saw the look on Coretta’s face, and continued. “Oh you do, that’s so sweet. Actually, it’s kinda too bad. It’ll only make things worse when Joey comes to his senses. You know as well as I do, that music is what makes him who he is, and anything that gets in the way of that won’t be around for long. The problems this is gonna cause him are definitely things that’ll be in the way.”
“Do you actually listen to yourself when you speak? I guess not. You’re truly delusional, so what if some teenybopper prefers your music to ours. Lord only knows why, but we both know how young girls change their minds. Tomorrow she’ll think something else is cool. Judging by the audience reactions to your set, I think it’s safe to say you need all the support you can get.”
Angela was getting madder by the minute. “Oh you want to go there?? You both should be thanking me. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t even have a deal with Chris, and his company. I decided to pursue other things instead of working with Chris like my father wanted.”
“I’m guessing vocal training was not of those things. The only thing it seems like you were pursuing was Joey, and trying to find the way to invade his life. I think the vocal training would’ve been much more productive. Anyway, what does that have to do with us? Chris heard us and liked us, end of story.”
“That’s what he wants you think, but I suggest you ask him about it sometime. You might be surprised about what you find out. In reality, he needed a quick replacement for me and you two just happened to be there.”
“I don’t know why I’m even having this conversation with you. I’ve got better things to do.” Coretta pushed past Angela and headed toward the elevator, just as the guys headed inside followed by Jimmy who had been waiting outside for their van to arrive.
“He’ll come back to me, you know.” Angela yelled. “As soon as he comes back to his senses and gets over that jungle fever.”
“Oh no she didn’t.” Coretta said to no one in particular.
“Girl, don’t even bother with her.” Becca said as she tried to pull her friend back. “Hey Justin, grab her.” By the time Justin figured out what was happening it was too late. Coretta stood less than a foot away from Angela.
“I’ve tried to be civil, and I’ve tried to ignore you, but nothing seems to work. You just keep trippin off the fact that he doesn’t want you. Let’s just get this over and done. I’m not about to sit here and let you get away with this. Don’t hate on me because you aren’t as important to him as you thought.”
“I knew it was only a matter of time before you let your true colors show. No pun intended. Joey always had a fascination for you people. It started with the music and the dancing, but I guess you were just the last little piece of the puzzle. Hopefully soon he’ll have it out his system, and he can come back to the real world.”
Things were happening so fast, everyone just stood in amazement. “Someone should stop her before something really bad happens.” Justin suggested.
“You go right ahead. I don’t have “security” stamped across my head, and even if I did, I don’t have “stupid” there too. Someone might get hurt in the process, and I sure the hell don’t plan on it being me.”
Coretta knew what was going to happen, more importantly, she knew she should walk away before it did. Something else inside her seemed to take over. It was as if she was standing outside her body, watching the events unfolds. She watched herself lunge at Angela, she could hear the commotion, yet she couldn’t stop. The next thing she knew, she was being carried kicking and screaming to the elevators. Jimmy had a tight grip on her and it seemed he had no intention of loosening that grip.
“Damn Jimmy, put me down! I can walk you know.”
“Yeah right, you need to settle you ass down. You’ve gotten yourself in enough trouble for the night.”
“Right now my only problem is that you won’t put me down. I am not a child.”
“Not a child, but sure the hell not an adult either. Not the way you just acted downstairs. Good thing I came inside when I did, who knows what would’ve happened otherwise.”
“I would’ve gotten a few more good shots in, that’s for sure.”
“Right, and the first few worked out so well for you, didn’t they?”
“Whatever. Just put me down.”
“Fine.” Jimmy threw her onto her bed. “Now you are to stay here and calm down. Enjoy the room, it’s all you’ll be seeing until its time for us to leave for the venue tomorrow evening.” He turned to leave, and as an afterthought, he called over his shoulder. “I’ll be sitting outside the room all night, so don’t even think about trying to leave.”
“Wonderful, I’m being held captive.” After trying to calm herself, Coretta knew she needed to talk to Becca. She tried Becca's room and got no answer, so she called her cell instead.
“Hello?”
“Where the hell are you? I need you, they’ve got me on lock down.”
“Yeah, I know. Right now I’m down in Justin’s room.”
“Who’s that I hear in the background?”
“That would be Justin. Needless to say, he’s not exactly in the best of moods now.”
“What did he just say?” Coretta had never heard him sound so mad before.
“I think that was something about stupid, childish behavior. Don’t quote me on that one though.”
“Great, now he’s pissed, that’s all I need.”
“He’s not pissed, he’s just….” Becca took another look at a red faced Justin pacing from one end of the room to the other. “Okay, scratch that, pissed is probably a very good description.”
“I guess I’ll deal with that later. Is everyone else there? Where’s Joey?”
Becca answered quickly. “Yeah we’re all here, trying to figure out what the hell happened down there.”
“Becca where is Joey?”
Again Becca avoided the question and rambled on about how worried they are were. Coretta had a feeling she knew the answer, but asked the question again.
“Becca. Where. Is. Joey?” She asked in a slow even tone, making each word it’s own sentence. The silence on the other end of the line answered the question for her.
“That’s what I thought. I’m going down there.”
“You don’t even know exasctly where “there” is.” Becca tried to reason with her friend.
“I don’t care, I’m gonna find him one way or another.”
The door flew open and hit the wall the same time she was hanging up the phone.
“Woman, you aren’t going anywhere!! Not until I say a few things, and probably not even then.” Justin said angrily. He crossed the room to stare at her. After what seemed like an eternity, he finally spoke.
“Forget it, I’m still to upset with you to even talk. I don’t trust myself with what I might say.” He headed for the door and came back and got in her face again.
“I can’t believe you!!” Again he headed to the door. One more time he turned back around and back to her.
“How could you do something so stupid?!?!” He made yet another trek to the door, this time actually getting his hand on the doorknob before turning around.
“What the hell were you thinking? You obviously weren’t thinking!! I can’t even look at you right now!! Get out!!!” He pointed to the door.
Coretta looked at him, waiting for him to figure out where he was. “Oh, well I guess that would’ve been more effective if this wasn’t already your room. Fine then, I’ll leave.” With that he left and slammed the door behind him.
Coretta sat in her room trying to come up with any sort of logical explanation for Joey being with Angela. Even if he was still upset with Coretta, there was no reason for him to be with her. When she could come up with nothing else, she decided she needed to talk with the others face to face. Explaining to them what happened was going to be difficult, especially if they were all as angry as Justin was. She went to open the door and found Jimmy sitting directly in front of the door.
“I told you that you weren’t going anywhere.” He said without even turning around.
“C’mon Jimmy, I have to go down to Justin’s room.”
“Are you talking about the same Justin that stormed in and out like a maniac twenty minutes ago? Girl, you’re crazier than I thought, and believe me, I didn’t think you were all that stable to begin with.”
“Okay, then you understand how important this must be if I’m willing to deal with Justin right now.”
“I also understand how important it is for me to keep my job. Chris said to keep you here, and that’s the end of this discussion. Now you can either stand there staring at the back of my bald head all night, or you can go back in your room and get some sleep. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a very long day for you.”
Coretta closed the door and sat back on the bed. She had to find a way to get out of the room. Then it hit her, connecting rooms were a Godsend. She quickly crossed the room and opened her door, praying that Becca hadn’t locked hers. She was relieved to find it open. Feeling very confident she had gotten around the rules, she flung the door open and practically fell on top of Frank. He was seated in front of Becca’s door just as Jimmy had been seated in front of hers.
“Security’s a bitch, ain’t it?”
Coretta slammed the doors and yelled. “You can’t keep me here, how many times do I have to tell you, I am not a child!!”
“Could’ve fooled the rest of us.” Chris said from his spot in the corner of the room.
“You scared the crap out of me. What are you doing here? Don’t bother yelling at me, Justin already did that.”
Chris let out a little laugh. “You think that was bad? You have no idea. Yeah, I could yell, and scream. I could even tell you that was the most immature thing I’ve ever seen in my life, but it wouldn’t do any good or change what’s already happened.”
Coretta started to explain. “Chris, I…”
Chris held his hand up to stop her from finishing. “I really don’t want to discuss this now. I just came down here to see how you were.” He got up and walked to the door. “As your manager, I’m very disappointed, and we’ll be dealing with this in great length later.”
“And as my friend?” Coretta asked just before the door closed. Chris stuck his head back in the room. “What?”
“Well you said as my manager you were disappointed. What about as my friend.”
“I’ll only say this, it was a long time coming.” He winked and smiled a little, then closed the door.
“That wasn’t so bad, hopefully dealing with the others will go as smoothly.” Coretta thought to herself. She figured Jimmy was right, and decided to take a long, hot shower before heading to bed. She flipped through her CDs to see what fit her mood. She smiled when she found the perfect one. The shower turned out to be very relaxing. She exited the bathroom in a cloud of steam. She got to the CD player just as the last notes of “Break Stuff” were fading out. “Nothing like Fred and the boys to calm me down.”
“I really never figured you for much of a Limp Bizkit fan.”
“Okay damn it, why does everyone feel like it’s okay to be all up in my room without me knowing? I can’t get the hell out, but everyone can feel free to waltz right in? I don’t think so!”
“Didn’t you just say you were calm?” JC questioned
“Look JC, I’m not in the mood for a lecture, so save it. I’m sure I’ll do something else stupid at some point, you can lecture me then.”
“Hey, hey now, don’t get all defensive. I’m here as the voice of reason. I thought maybe if we talked now, I could help you figure out how to handle everyone else. Actually just two of them.”
“Oh yes, fury and wrath, thy name is Justin. I already had a little run in with him. Joey, I’m guessing is still with Angela, for what reason I don’t know. I really don’t want to know actually. Good to see where I stand with him. Although it would’ve been nice to know this before I fell in….” Coretta stopped herself from finishing the sentence that described feelings she had never really taken the time to analyze within herself. “I just wish I would’ve known, that’s all.” She quickly added. A smile slowly crept across JC’s face.
“What?” Coretta asked.
“Nothing, nothing at all.” JC replied still smiling.
“Then are you standing there grinning like you just figured out the meaning of life?”
“Maybe I just figured out the meaning of life for some people. You aren’t quite ready to talk about it, and I’m really not the person you need to talk to once you are ready, but I’ll leave it at that.”
“Well thank you for that confusing explanation. So what’s your angle gonna be? Justin yelled, Chris didn’t say much, and you said no lectures. What’s up?”
“I already told you, I just want to talk to you.”
“Okay, talk away. I’m not going anywhere for awhile, trust me, I’ve tried.”
“First of all, lose a little of that attitude. That’s part of what got you in this mess to begin with.” Coretta rolled her eyes.
“See, that’s what I’m talking about. This whole thing could turn into a very serious deal if we don’t find a way to resolve it pretty quick. The media is already gonna go crazy when they get word of this.”
“What am I supposed to do now? It’s not like I can turn back time. Even if I could, I don’t think I’d want to. I know it was stupid, and wrong, but it felt good to let it all go.”
“That was the wrong way to let it go. Don’t you think at some point in time, we’ve all felt that way? We deal with it, we don’t go around tackling the first person that pisses us off. If that were the case, us five guys definitely wouldn’t be the group we are today. We would have killed each other that first week. Instead, here we are years later still going strong. You think Justin is bad now, think about him at age fourteen or fifteen.”
“I would’ve hurt him severely.”
“My point exactly, but you see we all made it through just fine. Well except Chris, but I think he had issues before we ever met him.” JC joked.
“What now? I can’t see myself being nice to that girl even for Joey’s sake. I know how she is, and now she’ll go out of her way to get under my skin. Next time there’s no promise that security will be around.”
“Oh, I guarantee security will be with you all the time from now on. Especially when you have to be around Angela. If you really love Joey, ….”
Coretta started to protest. “Wait a minute now, where did that come from? I never said I…” JC put his hand over her mouth.
“As I was saying, If you love Joe, you’ll find a way to handle her, preferably a less violent way.” JC kissed the top of her head, and left her to deal with the reality of her feelings.
