Chapter ~ `15

~The Next Day~

~Toni~

Yet another morning of Angela and I rushing to get to work. It was Saturday and we had to do some more dances for N Sync. Their tour was starting in a few weeks. They would be in Europe for a couple months then coming to the states for promos of their CD.

"Angela let's go!" I yelled up the stairs. I assumed she had a good date with JC. She came home around midnight and went straight to sleep smiling the whole way.

Angela came bounding down the stairs. "I'm so sorry I overslept." She apologized.

I waited for her in the foyer holding my gym bag and keys. "How was your date last night?" I asked her.

She stopped and looked at me with a smile. "Wonderful." She answered. "He is such a great guy! We went to see a romantic movie. None of that action crap. Then we went for dinner on the beach. And after that ice cream at the pier. Last but not least, a stroll along the water. It was so romantic and so incredible." Angela explained.

I nodded my head in approval. "Well I guess Nick isn't the guy for you then, huh?" I asked her. She stopped from zipping up her gym bag, abruptly. I knew this would trigger a nerve. She looked up at me.

"Now why did you have to go an mention Nick? I was doing so well." She said miserably. "I'm trying to move on Ton. I can't be with him. He doesn't want oo. All he wants is to be friends. What am I supposed to do about that? Some say holding onto someone is what makes you strong. But sometimes it's letting go."

I looked down at her. She was so confused. I know that she wants to be with Nick. But she keeps telling herself that she doesn't. She's trying to convince herself that she wants to be with JC. And I can see right through her.

"Let's just go to rehearsal. Ok?" She asked hopeful. I could tell this subject was closed. We left the house and drove to the studio.

~At the studio~

"Alright guys. Break for lunch." I yelled as the clock struck noon. They had all been working real hard all morning and were grateful for the break. "I think another hour and we can call it a day. You all look exhausted anyway." I said looking at the 5 guys. I went to my purse and grabbed some change. I headed for the vending machine. As I pressed the button for a coke I felt a tap on my shoulder. I whirled around to see Justin. "Oh hey Justin. What's up?" I asked and grabbed my coke.

"Nothing much. What's up with you?" He asked. "Just chilling. How do you like the dances? I think they're pretty cool but-" I was cut off by his lips on mine. What the hell was happening? I backed away and looked at him strangely.

"I'm so sorry Toni. I just needed to do that. I'm so sorry."

Sorry? He was sorry? "You know I'm going out with AJ. And yet you still kissed me. I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, but I'm happy with AJ. I lost him once and I don't want to do it again. Understand? You kissing me was completely uncalled for. Don't let it happen again." With that said I walked back to the studio. I couldn't believe he kissed me! What a jackass.

We practiced for another hour and called it a day. Angela and I went home and I saw AJ's car in the driveway. Angela said she was going to go to the store. I went in the house and saw AJ sitting on the couch in the front room.

He got up and gave me a hug. "How was your day?" He asked with his arms still around my waist. I looked him in the eye. I couldn't lie to him. I couldn't hurt him.

"Sweetie?" He looked at me confused. "What's wrong?" I couldn't take it. I couldn't lie to him. "Alright! Alright! He kissed me!" I blurted out. AJ let go of me.

"He kissed you?" He repeated. "Who kissed you?" He asked me.

I looked at the ground and mumbled, "Justin."

I looked back up at AJ. He was furious. "That son of a bitch!" He yelled.

"AJ I backed away. I didn't want him to kiss me. I don't know why he did it. I told him I was seeing you. But he just kissed me. I'm so sorry baby. Please don't be mad at me. I can't lose you again." I went to give him a hug but he brushed me away.

He shook his head. "I need to think." He stated simply.

"But it's not my fault! I didn't do anything. I didn't want him to kiss me. Don't you believe me? Don't you trust me?" Now I was a little ticked off. This was not my fault. I didn't want Justin to kiss me. UGH! Men! "I don't know what kind of a past you have with Justin. I know it's something big though. I just want you to know that I would never hurt you. I care about you a lot. And I love you very much."

"I love you too Ton." AJ said. He walked toward me and wrapped me in his arms. "I'm just pissed at Justin. I shouldn't take it out on you. That fucker will pay though."

I looked him in the eye. "No AJ. No fighting. You hear me? I don't want this to turn into a big thing. Promise me you won't start anything."

He looked at me in the eyes. "I promise." He answered. But I could tell he wasn't going to keep this promise...