Head Over Heels..continued
part 16~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They went to Jen's room, since JC was sharing one with Justin and Joey. As soon as they got in the door, Jen started jumping around the room.
"What are you so happy about?" JC asked her with a slight smile on his face.
"I got the job!" Jen shouted at the ceiling. "Johnny told me this afternoon before you guys got back."
"That's great Jen. Now we'll get to be together a lot." JC said. He took her into his arms and gave her a big bear hug. They collapsed back onto the bed and just laid there for a little while. They were enjoying being together. And each one of them, unknown to the other was thinking about the remaining weeks of the tour. Jen would be touring with NSync now and her and JC would be spending a lot of time together. JC was happy about this because there was something about Jen that was different from any other girl he spent time with and he wanted to get to know him better. Jen was a little nervous because she was afraid that once JC got to spend more time with her, he would get bored and move onto to someone else. Where would that leave her? She'd be stuck on the tour all by herself and have to watch him drool over some other girl. She hoped that it wouldn't come to that, but she would keep her guard up so that she wouldn't be surprised if it happened.
**The next morning**
Johnny called Jen's boss just like he promised and then came to her room.
Jen answered the door and Johnny told her that her boss had said that he understand and she was free to start immediately.
"I'll need to go home and get some clothes and stuff." She told Johnny.
"Okay. I'll send JC with you, then I'll have a flight waiting for you two so that you make it to the next venue in time."
About an hour later, Jen and JC left for her house. When they got there, Jen packed her clothes and some other things she couldn't live without. She made sure to grab her laptop computer just in case. She let her neighbors know that she would be gone for a few months and asked them to keep an eye on the place. Finally, her and JC drove to the airport. They got there about 15 minutes before their flight boarded. JC hadn't thought to disguise himself in any way and it took all of about 2 seconds for someone to recognize him. A group of 5 or 6 teenage girls came running up to him asking for his autograph.
He graciously signed and asked them not to tell anyone else that he was here.
"Is that your girlfriend?" One of the girls asked.
JC looked at Jen. "Yes it is." He told them, then felt bad as their faces fell.
"You sure are lucky to be dating him." Another one of the girls told Jen.
She blushed and said, "Thank you."
By the time the girls left Jen and JC alone, it was time for them to board the plane. After they got settled in their seats, JC told Jen that Johnny and Lou probably wouldn't be happy with him for saying that he had a girlfriend.
"Why not?" Jen asked.
"Because they think that if the fans know that we have girlfriends, they'll start losing interest and stop coming to concerts and buying records. That's why you always hear one of us saying that we're 'single and ready to mingle'."
"Oh, I see." Jen said. "I hope that I don't lose the job over this."
JC was a little hurt that she was worried about the job, but he didn't say so. They both got comfortable in their seats and waited for the flight to be over.
part 17~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All during the flight, the only thing that JC could think about was what Jen said about losing her job. He had thought she would be happy about him calling her his girlfriend, but she was more worried about her new job. He knew that it was a big step for her in her career and everything, but he wondered what would happen once she actually got into the job. Would she totally forget about him and what they had shared just because of some high titled job? He laid his head back on the seat to try and catch a little nap. Just as he closed his eyes, he heard the announcement over the speaker system telling everyone to fasten their seatbelts. Sighing, JC sat up again and fastened his belt, then nudged Jen.
"Hmmm...?" She murmured sleepily.
"Wake up gorgeous. We'll be landing in a few minutes and they just told everyone to fasten their seatbelts." JC told her.
Jen sat up and rubbed her eyes. She stretched, accidentally elbowing JC.
"Oops sorry."
"That's okay. You're forgiven. We'll chalk that one up to being sleepy." JC smiled and put his arm around her shoulders, but she shrugged it off.
JC frowned, but decided not to say anything. The plane landed and they came out of the gate and looked around. JC saw their usual driver standing there waiting. He went and got their bags and Jen followed him to the limo. They rode in silence to the hotel. When they got there, they went to their respective rooms and got settled in.
**Jen's room**
'Man, why does this have to happen now? Why aren't I happy that he told those girls I was his girlfriend? What if Johnny fires me already?
Jen was laying on the bed thinking to herself. She was mad at herself for thinking about the job before she thought about JC's feeling, but she couldn't help it. This was a big break for her career. Possibly the biggest she would ever get. She hoped that she hadn't ruined it already.
**JC's room**
JC and Lance were sharing a room. When JC had gotten there, Lance was unpacking. He looked up and saw JC storm into the room.
"Hey man. What's wrong?" Lance asked.
"Oh nothing. Other than the fact that I probably just pissed Johnny off by telling two girls that Jen was my girlfriend, possibly jeopardizing her job in the proccess. Therefore, she's pissed at me and won't even look at me." JC spat out sarcastically.
"Jeez. I'm sorry I asked." Lance said.
"I'm sorry I bit your head off dude. I just got a big reality check that's all and it kinda got to me." JC apologized.
"Sounds to me like you oughta just keep your mouth shut about the whole girlfriend thing as far as Johnny is concerned. I mean, like he's ever gonna find out. Those two girls can tell their friends anything they want, but it'll just be another rumours. There's hundred of them out there anyways." Lance was trying to make him feel better.
JC looked up, realizing what Lance was trying to do, and smiled. "Thanks Lance."
"Don't mention it. Now go talk to your woman and try to calm her down."
JC walked out of the room and down the hall to Jen's door. He took a deep breath and knocked.
part 18~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jen heard a knock at the door and knew it was JC. She decided not to answer it and just lay on the bed until she knew he gave up. She didn't really know why she was doing this. She cared for JC, but right now, her career was the most important thing. She tried to go back sleep.
**JC and Lance's room**
JC walked back into his and Lance's room and plopped down on his bed. Lance was laying on his bed reading a book.
"I take it that it didn't go well." He said without looking up from his book.
"Nope. She wouldn't even open the door." JC mumbled. "Maybe she really wasn't in there."
"Maybe not. Goodnight." JC rolled over and closed his eyes trying to get some sleep before the show that night.
Later that night:
Jen was following the current PR person around until he quit in two weeks so that she could get the feel of the way things were done. He was explaining something about reporters to her when she caught JC watching her out of the corner of her eye. She pretended not to see him and tried to be interested in what the guy was saying.
JC stood there watching Jen for a minute. She was talking to the guy whose job she was taking over. She was turned sideways and he saw her stiffen and knew that she had seen him. But she didn't make any kind of move or eye contact that confirmed it. Why was she ignoring him? After a few minutes, he turned and walked away to go and find the guys.
Jen let out a sigh of relief. JC had finally left. She was hurting inside knowing that she was hurting him, but she knew that it was for the best. Things weren't the same as they were before. She was working for him now. Besides, it would probably have turned out like this in the end, she told herself. He would have gotten tired of her sooner or later and moved on to another girl anyways. She was just saving herself the hurt by dealing with it now before she got any more attached.
Soon it was time for the show to start. Jen took her place backstage. JC kept looking at her and he missed a few of their moves and was off on a couple high notes. Jen felt bad because she felt that she was the reason his performance was 100%. She was standing there thinking about how she was going to apologize to him when Johnny walked up behind her.
"Hello Jen. You learning everything you need to know from this guy?" He asked her.
"Yes sir. I'm doing just fine and he's a good teacher." Jen replied.
"That's good to hear. I wanted to ask you about something, or tell you rather. I know that you and JC are close, possibly even dating. And I don't know if he's told you or not, but that is a no no for these guys. I'm sure they're gonna date and stuff but it has to be kept under wraps, and as far as the fans are concerned, these guys are all single and ready to mingle." Johnny was looking at her intently.
"Yeah. JC told me. And there's nothing going on between us." Jen said softly.
"That's what I like to hear." Johnny clapped her on the shoulder and went on about his business.
Jen stood there after he left thinking to herself. 'It's a good thing that I'm doing this before he told me. Now I just have to make myself talk to JC.' She made a mental note and went back to watching the show.
part 19~~~~~~~~~~~
The guys got done performing and went to the afterparty, but Jen went back to her room at the hotel. She was lying in bed thinking about what she was going to say to him when she heard a knock on the door. She got up to answer it, praying that it wasn't Johnny coming to give her another 'pep talk'.
When she opened the door she was surprised to see JC standing there.
"What are you doing here? Don't you have a party to be at?" She asked without inviting him in.
"I came to see you. And yes, I'm supposed to be at the party, but I told everyone I wasn't feeling good." JC was looking down at the floor and shuffling his feet. He had hoped that she would invite him in, but since she wasn't, he asked, "Can we talk?"
"There's really nothing to talk about JC. Johnny told me this afternoon that he didn't want anything going on between us and I intend to respect that." Jen tried to keep her voice steady.
"Don't I get a say in this?" JC's voice was soft and pleading. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eyes.
Jen noticed this and purposely avoided his gaze. She knew that if she met it, then she would give in. She wanted things to go on the way they had been, but she also didn't want to make Johnny mad at her already.
"No, you don't. I'm sorry JC, but it has to be this way. It's better for both of us that this happened now. You probably would have gotten tired of me soon anyways, Johnny just made it easier to quit now." She couldn't stand the hurt look on his face and shut the door. She stood there leaning against the door, listening to him breathe on the other side. After a few minutes, she heard his footsteps fade away down the hall and she went back to lay on the bed, tears streaming down her face.
*the next morning*
Jen woke up and crawled out of bed. She looked at herself in the mirror and noticed that she was wearing the same clothes from the night before. She made a face at herself in the mirror and jumped in the shower. When she got out, she didn't feel like putting her make-up on but she made herself do it because she didn't want anyone, especially JC, to see her this way. She wanted to give the impression that everything was just fine and that her heart wasn't breaking in her chest. She got dressed and went down to the hotel restaurant to grab some breakfast before they left for the next venue.
When she walked into the small cafe, she saw JC and the rest of the guys sitting at a corner table. She quickly looked away and walked to the buffet. She grabbed a bagel and some cream cheese and went to the cashier to pay for it. She could feel JC's eyes on her as she walked out into the lobby to catch the elevator back up to her room.
part 20~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jen sat on her bed waiting for it to be time to leave. She was glad that she was riding on the bus with the crew and not with the guys. She didn't think that she could stand being that close to JC right now. Before too long it was time to leave. She gathered her bags and took them downstairs. She watched as another crewman loaded them onto the bus. She started up the steps and turned her head for some reason. Her eyes locked with JC's and it took all her inner strength to tear them away and board the bus. Once inside, she sought out her designated bunk, thankful for being able to be alone.
***
Nearly 2 months passed like that. Jen and JC both going out of their way to avoid each other. Jen threw herself into her work and was soon ready to take over the reins of the PR job. Likewise, JC concentrated on the songs and the dance routines, trying not to think about her. Then towards the end of the tour, when JC was having a pretty crappy day....
***
"JC! Man you gotta wake up. We've got a show to do tonight and you have to snap out of this little trance of yours!" Justin said and smacked JC in the arm to emphasize his frustration.
"Take your hands off me Timberlake." JC's voice was quite and steady, but all the pent up hurt and anger was boiling towards the surface quickly.
Justin seemed to sense this and backed off from JC.
"Dude. You need to chill out a little Chasez." Chris stepped between the two.
"I don't want to hear it Chris." JC replied, glaring at Justin and Chris.
"I really don't care JC. You've been a total ass to all of the past two months. Whatever the hell is going on with this girl has got you all fucked up in the head. We're your friends man. If it's bothering you that damn bad, go confront her and get it off your chest. This is our last show and I, for one, want it to be good. So do what you want, but fix your attitude." Chris told JC in practically one breath.
Lance and Joey were looking on in fascination. They'd never really heard Chris be so serious. He was usually the one to make a joke about everything. But he was right. JC's attitude had been getting on everyone's nerves.
JC looked down at his feet, realizing that Chris was right. He sighed and looked up at the guys. "You're right Chris. I'm really sorry guys. My head has been kinda messed up lately. I really cared about Jen and she broke it off and wouldn't even give me an explanation."
No one said anything. JC's emotional condition was clear by the dark circles under his eyes. JC saw the understanding in their eyes and walked off to find Jen. He was determined to make her listen to him this time.
He searched the venue and finally found her in a little room, looking over some papers. She hadn't heard him walk in and he cleared his throat.
Jen looked up a little startled. "What do you want JC?"
JC cringed at the cold edge on her voice. But he kept his courage. "We need to talk."
Jen put down her papers and looked at him, keeping her face unreadable. "What could we possibly have to talk about?"
He was a little irritated that she was trying to dismiss him. "How about the fact that you refuse to talk to me or be anywhere near me? Or maybe that you wanted to do this little stop seeing each other thing without even bothering to give me some sort of explanation." His voice was steadily getting louder.
Jen was visibly shocked and sat there looking at him. But her face might as well have been made out of marble. If she was feeling any emotion at all, she was doing a good job of hiding it. "I have my reasons." She replied calmly.
"That isn't going to cut it Jen. What did I do to you to make you act like this towards me? Just tell me and I'll do anything to fix it."
Jen forgot what Johnny said for a minute and looked into JC's eyes. The second she did, she was lost and her will to get through this was gone. She melted inside and her heart ached for him and the pain he was feeling.
He was begging her with his eyes and everything came spilling out of her in a torrent. She told him about what Johnny had said, that she was afraid he'd get tired of her, and that she was scared she was gonna lose the opportunity of a lifetime because she'd fallen in love with him.
Then she stopped as suddenly as she had began, realizing what she had just said. JC was looked at her through widened eyes. Then he began laughing and her heart sank. She turned away, not wanting him to see the tears forming in her eyes. "Why are you laughing?" She asked, her voice breaking a little.
"Because this is wonderful. All along I wondered why I fell for you when you obviously didn't feel the same way about me. Don't you see?" JC took hold of Jen's shoulders and turned her back around to face him. "It's all been just a big misunderstanding. What Johnny doesn't know won't hurt him. What matters is that you love me and I love you."
"But...you mean..." Jen started, but JC interrupted her with a kiss.
After a minute, he pulled away. "Say it again. Tell me you love me."
"I love you JC Chasez." Jen said, smiling herself now.
"I love you too." He replied and kissed her again.
THE END
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