The Game

Author's Note- Second story for Veronica and Erin, Enjoy!

By Emily

Year 2000

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"I have good news for you," the principle announced to the gym filled with students.

"I have better things to do," Erin mumbled to Veronica.

"The results of the school's ACT tests came back yesterday, and well, this is the top school in the country!" the principle's voice echoed through the gym, although he now had everyone's attention. The teachers clapped, while the students tried to figure out why they had to cram in the small gym just to hear that. "…And, I made a few contacts, and as a reward for you all, I have arranged for a group that you all will enjoy, if what I hear in the halls is accurate," he laughed to himself.

Now he had everyone's attention, including the reluctant Erin and her best friend Veronica.

"What is it?" an anxious student called out, making the principle continue his speech.

"Well, we also have the a good football team, not the best, but good. So, I've arranged for pop group Nsync to have a concert on the field and play our top five players this Saturday!"

After a brief, stunned second, the school erupted into cheer. The girls excited, high-pitched screams drowned out the few guys that were brave enough to cheer in front of their friends. The principle smiled, then continued. "All I have to say is thank you, and cheerleaders, you better come up with a kick-but routine!"

Erin and Veronica were among hundreds of other girls that were too busy screaming to hear him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Oh my God, Nsync is coming to our school!" Erin squealed, bouncing down the hall next to Veronica.

"I know, how cool is that?" Veronica replied, smiling. "See, it pays to be smart!"

"I can't believe it! Oh my gosh, I gotta start making a new routine for our squad!" Erin replied. "I wonder if I'll get to meet J.C.?"

"Yeah, right," Veronica laughed. "Keep dreaming!"

"Hey, it could happen," Erin said, spotting another girl on her cheer leading team. "Well, I'll talk to ya later," she said, running ahead.

Veronica smiled; watching her friend spread her enthusiasm.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Days later, the big day arrived, and the whole school was pumped. All the local news stations were lined up on the football field, ready to tape the whole game. The coach had chosen the five boys that were going to be playing by pulling numbers out of a hat. The cheerleaders spent the whole week on their routine, getting it down so perfect they could do it tied up and blindfolded while sleeping. The school made sure everything was perfect, and they event held a last minute fund-raiser to get enough money for catering.

It was now show time, and the big spotlights lit up the field in anticipation. One end had been painted for the school's team, and the other goal had a perfectly painted Nsync logo, complete with the flame. The guys had already got there, and were using the empty girl's locker room as the home team used their own.

Everyone waited anxiously for the game to begin, and in the meantime, the DJ from the top local radio station was hosting a pre-game music party. Not one Backstreet Boy song was played during that time, and the crowd was no longer limited to just the students of that school.

Finally, the game started, and the boys ran out from the locker room. The other teenage boys rooted them on, while the girls held their cheers for Nsync. The cameras had started recording, and then Nsync ran out from their locker room, causing a massive, singular shriek from all the girls.

They were dressed in black tear-aways and Nsync Jerseys with their last names on the back. Their helmets sported a bright orange-red flame on the side, matching the one of their logo. They waved not at the cameras, but at the audience that so deserved this game.

Erin and her squad started their dance, moving through t mechanically as their eyes were glued to the pop stars that ran to the center of the field. The guys tried not to look obvious as they scanned the group of cheerleaders, and the girls were soon caught checking out the guys.

Erin watched as J.C. quickly went down the row of girls, and his eyes stopped briefly on her. She forced herself to keep moving, but adding a quick smile. Chris ran into J.C.'s crocked run, pulling J.C.'s attention back to the other guys. Erin smiled, feeling warm inside.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Erin noticed every time J.C. stole a glance in her direction. She smiled sweetly in return, even getting a little seductive in her smile and hand motions. While sometimes it tripped him up and a teenager nailed him, other times it made him play twice as hard and they would actually score.

The score was pretty much even, and everyone could tell that the boys were giving the 'old timers' a small break. Nsync tried to play fair and seriously, but the game ended up like a game of MTV's Rock and Jock, and the guys were mostly goofing around. The game was a huge hit, and it earned lots of viewers at home, as well as an ever-growing crowd on the field.

After a long first two quarters, half time finally arrived. While the other group members went to greet the audience, J.C. ran over to Erin, making her go numb. "Hey," J.C. smiled, taking off his helmet.

"Hi," Erin replied, blushing.

"I noticed you during the game," he smiled. "You girls are good."

"Thanks," Erin said, glancing at the girls behind her. "You guys are…pretty good. For older guys," she teased.

"We'd be a lot better if we had practiced," J.C. said, watching the others sign autographs.

"Well, maybe there'll be a next time," Erin said hopefully.

J.C. looked in her eyes as he replied, "Yeah, maybe."

"J.C.! Get over here! You got fans too, you know!" Justin yelled, waving J.C. over.

"Well, I guess I better get going," J.C. sighed, brushing Justin off.

"Yeah, I don't want to hog you or anything," Erin said, looking to the ground. In reality, she wouldn't mind at all.

"I'll see you after the game, I guess," J.C. smiled, starting to run towards the others.

"Sure will," Erin called after him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The game proved more comical then serious, and in the end, no one could tell who the winners were. Between Nsync's uncoordination and the school team's hysteria, not many points were scored. Those that were were scored illegally by tickling or sitting on opposing team members.

It was a big hit among everyone that watched, and the end of the fourth quarter left the crowd yelling for more. The ten guys would have gladly kept playing, but they were all too tired to move. Slowly, people began to file off the field, and J.C. returned to Erin.

"You seem like a nice girl," J.C. smiled, his blue eyes blazing with charm.

"Thanks," Erin replied.

"I'd like to get to know you some more, but we got to get on our way for the tour," he said apologetically.

"Oh," Erin sighed. "Well maybe I'll get to go to a concert."

J.C. watched her look away disappointedly. "Here," he said, reaching behind him. "Oh, wait a minute, I don't have my pants on. Well, not the right pants," he corrected. "Um, here," he said, taking his helmet off. At the same time, Chris ran by on his way to the locker room. J.C. reached out and grabbed him, nearly scaring Chris half to death. Wordlessly, J.C. took a permanent marker out of Chris's hands, then released him. Chris shot J.C. a look, then continued on his way. J.C. smiled at Erin, then scribbled his autograph and phone number on the helmet and handed it to Erin. "There," he said, smiling. "Now, you can call me anytime."

Erin looked at the helmet and beamed. "Thank you so much," she said, looking back to the helmet.

"No problem," J.C. said, starting to go. "I'll be waiting for your call," he said.

"Not for long!" Erin called after him.

Finnis!

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