“Tyler, are you ready?” Katlyn yelled walking down the stairs into the living room.
Tyler ran out of one of the downstairs rooms. “Yes! But Jon isn’t here yet.”
“When is he getting here?”
“Soon.”
Katlyn sat on the couch and turned on the TV. Five minutes later Tyler went running to the door yelling, “He’s here! He’s here!”
Katlyn stood up and walked to the door. “Hey Jon.”
“Hi Katlyn!” Jonathan and Tyler went running into the house.
She looked up to see Justin slowly approaching. “Hey.” He said softly.
“Hi.”
“I was just dropping him off. If he starts being a problem, just call me and I’ll come pick him up.” Katlyn nodded and tried to look anywhere but his face. “Hey Jon? I’m leaving now. Have fun and listen to everything Katlyn says.”
Jonathan and Tyler came running out just as Katlyn was going to close the door. “WAIT!”
Katlyn stopped and Justin turned around. “What’s wrong?”
“Justin, can’t you come with us?” Jonathan pleaded.
“Katlyn’s going with you.”
“But we want you to go too.” Tyler added with a pout.
“I don’t know guys.”
“Please?” They both begged.
Justin glanced at Katlyn, who just nodded her head. “Ok....lets go.”
They all got into Justin’s car. Katlyn was hesitant about getting in the front seat but finally did. They were soon driving down the road to a park. As soon as the car stopped, the two boys were off and running.
“Be careful you two!” Katlyn said stepping out of the car.
“Their eight, Kate. Let them have fun.” Justin said walking up next to her.
“I didn’t say they couldn’t have fun...I told them to be careful.”
They walked to the sidewalk and then down to the grassy area.
“So, how are you doing?” He asked putting his hands in his pockets.
Katlyn folded her arms over her chest to keep warm. “I’m ok, you?”
“I’m holding up.” They stopped at a tree. “So how is everything going?”
“Ok...things are kind of crazy right now.”
Justin nodded and they both looked to see Tyler and Jonathan chasing each other.
“So how has the new tour been?” Katlyn asked.
“It’s been ok so far. What about you? Did you like coming out with us again?”
“Not really.” She muttered.
“What was that?”
“Nothing.”
“That was not nothing. You said ‘not really’.”
“Ok, so you caught me.”
“Why are you so mad at me?”
“I don’t know. It’s just that every time I see your face now, my blood starts to boil.”
“It must start boiling a lot then, huh?”
“What?”
“Well since you spend most of your time working for us and then everywhere else you go their is pictures of us and then we’re all over TV.”
“Didn’t we talk about the cocky thing you little-“
“Watch your language, there’s kids around.” Justin smirked.
“And you’re lucky for them, otherwise I’d kick your ass right now.”
“How many times do I have to tell you I didn’t kiss her?”
“And how many times do I have to tell you that nothing happened between JC and I?”
“The difference between me and Jennifer and you and JC is that Jennifer kissed me...you and JC have your own little thing going on.”
“God forbid we be FRIENDS!”
“Friends my ass.”
“There’s kids around.” Katlyn mimicked.
“Do you know how much it hurts to see you mad at me? Do you know how much pain goes through me when I see you with JC? I still love you, Katlyn. I don’t know why considering how much you bitch at me, but I do.”
“Thanks for the heartfelt speech.”
“You know what? Why don’t I just hand you a knife and you can cut my heart out and stomp on it?...I’ll make it easier for you.”
“Really? So where’s the knife?”
Justin’s face saddened. “I seriously can not believe you.”
“Well here I am, what can’t you believe?”
A tear ran down his cheek. “You’ve changed. I can’t believe I dated you.”
“I haven’t changed, I just got stronger.” Katlyn reached up and wiped his tear away. “Don’t be so emotional.”
Justin swatted her hand away and pushed her against the tree they were standing next to. He leaned down over her until he was inches away. “You win, ok? You hurt me enough. God knows WHY I love you, but for some fucking reason I do! And don’t give me some stupid excuse about being stronger, because you’re not. I watch you put up a front to make you look strong, especially when I’m around, but I see you run and cry on JC’s shoulder. I can see it in your eyes, right now even, you are hurting inside. The fight in the airport was cute but I could tell you didn’t mean any of those words you said. And my thought was proven when I hear you talking to JC on your phone in the plane.”
“You’re right Justin. I don’t hate you.”
Justin smirked. “I’m always right.”
“I despise you! Yes I hurt inside too, BUT that makes me stronger. And as for putting on a front, HELL YA I do, because I’m tired of people asking me about how I’m doing! Don’t pretend you can read me, because right now I want nothing to do with you!”
“What happened to each one of those times you said I love you to me? What happened to all of those times you said that I was the one for you and you couldn’t live without me? What happened to all of the memories we shared and the beautiful relationship we built? Answer that, Katlyn!”
“I did love you. I did say that you were the one for me and I couldn’t live without you. The memories will still be there but as for as that ‘beautiful relationship’ goes, its over. People change.”
“People don’t change over night. And what about all of those nights we spent together?”
“Sex?! You’re worried about sex? I’m sure there are millions of other girls out there who would love to be with you.”
“I don’t care about the million of others, all I care about is you.”
“Well stop caring.”
“I can’t just stop. It’s not that easy.”
“But it is, Justin. You’re just not trying.”
“I don’t want to stop.”
“Well you have to.”
“Why are you both fighting?”
They both looked down to see Jonathan and Tyler standing there.
“Uh...we were just talking.” Katlyn answered.
“But you were yelling at each other.” Jonathan spoke softly.
“We were just talking loudly, we weren’t yelling at each other.” Justin added.
“Katlyn, why do you want Justin to stop loving you?” Tyler asked innocently.
Katlyn opened her mouth to answer but then closed it, not thinking of anything.
“Because that wouldn’t be fair. You still love Justin. I heard you talking to Michelle about how much you love him.” Tyler continued.
“Tyler-“ Katlyn started.
“No Katlyn! Because if you get mad at Justin then he is going to stop coming over and then I’ll miss him. And then you’ll make Jon and I stop being friends.”
“Ty, this between Justin and I. I would never make you and Jon stop being friends.”
“All you and Justin do is fight now.” Tyler pouted.
“We’re tying to work things out right now. We’ll probably argue a little longer and then things should be back to normal.” Justin reasoned.
Katlyn turned and faced Justin. “Why would you tell him that?”
“Because it’s true.” Justin shrugged.
“But things will not be back to normal!”
“Stop fighting!” Tyler yelled.
“Ty, we’re not-“
“Stop it, Kate! You’re being mean to Justin and then you two aren’t going to love each other anymore. You’re going to mess everything up!” Tyler turned and started running away from them.
“Tyler, where are you going?!” Katlyn started to run after him but Justin grabbed her arm.
“I’ll talk to him.”
Katlyn ripped her arm away from him. “He’s my brother.”
“Just let me talk to him. You stay here with Jon.”
“And let you tell him more lies? No, I’ll talk to him.”
“Katlyn, just stay here with Jon, I’ll talk to Tyler.” Justin started to jog away after Tyler. “Ty, wait up!”
Tyler stopped and turned around. “Why is she so mean to you?”
“I usually get her mad at me. Don’t blame it on her.”
“Why is she mad at you though?”
“Well, you know that we use to be boyfriend and girlfriend, right?” Tyler nodded. “Sometimes when people are in love, they do get in to some arguments. Katlyn and I are having a little problem right now.”
“Do you still love her?”
“Of course I do. I’m not going to let her stay mad at me.”
“Does she still love you?”
“I think she does, she just doesn’t want to admit it.”
“Why not?”
“Because she thinks I did something that I didn’t do. I also thinks she likes to make me suffer.” Justin let out a little laugh.
“Why would she want you to suffer if she loves you?”
“You’ll understand when you fall in love.”
“Eww...Never!”
Justin laughed. “I’ll remember that.”
Tyler grabbed Justin’s hand and they started waking back.
“Don’t tell Kate what I just told you, ok?” Justin whispered.
“Ok. It will be our secret.” Tyler whispered back.
“Good.” They walked back over to where Katlyn and Jonathan stood.
“I’m sorry for getting mad at you, Kate.” Tyler gave her a hug.
Katlyn patted his back. “It’s ok. Are you ready to go?”
“Yes!” Jonathan and Tyler both said. “Can we get ice cream?!”
“It’s freezing out though.”
“So?...Please?” They both started jumping up and down begging.
Justin laughed. “How can you say no to that, Kate?”
“What about hot chocolate?” Katlyn reasoned.
“Good enough.” Jonathan shrugged. “Let’s go!”
The two started running over to Justin’s car. Katlyn wrapped her small jacket tighter around her and slowly followed the boys with Justin.
“I don’t know what you told him, but thank you.” Katlyn said softly.
“No problem. I’m sorry for starting the fight.”
“Yeah...well, we should probably go a little faster, they’re getting antsy.” She hesitantly looped her arm with his to keep warm.
“Are you two in love again? Justin you were right!” Tyler cheered.
“Right about what?” Katlyn asked confused.
Justin started motioning for Tyler to stop but he went on. “Justin said that you did love him and would be nice to him again.”
Katlyn took her arm away from Justin’s. “He did?”
“Yep! I’m glad you’re not mad at him anymore.”
Katlyn turned and glared at Justin when the boys had gotten in the car. “What he doesn’t know won’t kill him.” She hissed and got in the car.
Justin sighed and rubbed his face with his hands. “Thanks, Ty.” He walked around the car and got in the driver’s seat.
They drove to a little café.
“Four hot chocolates please.” Justin asked the guy behind the counter.
“That will be seven dollars.”
“I’ll pay.” Katlyn said already opening her purse.
“No I will.” Justin quickly pulled out his wallet and handed the guy the money.
“So how much money do I owe you now?”
“You don’t owe me any.” Justin said taking the change and putting it in his pocket.
“Yes I do!” Katlyn said stubbornly.
Justin grabbed the tray of hot chocolate and sat down at the table Jonathan and Tyler were already sitting at. Katlyn was pretty much forced to sit next to Justin being it was the only chair available at their table.
“So anywhere else?” Justin asked.
“Can we go see Santa?” Jonathan asked.
“Santa is busy at the North Pole right now.” Katlyn quickly said now wanting to spend more time with Justin.
“Nah uh, Kyle said he saw Santa at the mall.” Tyler added.
“We’ll stop by and see if he’s still there.” Justin said with a smile.
Katlyn glanced at Justin, who just shrugged. She put her head in her hands with her elbows resting on the table.
“Kate, are you ok?” Tyler asked patting her back.
“I think my head is going to explode.” She muttered.
“Are you getting sick?”
“I think so.” Katlyn spoke softly. ‘Of Justin.’ She thought.
“I’m sure Justin will take care of you. Right, Justin?”
“I sure will, Tyler.”
Katlyn let out a soft groan. To make it even worse, Justin wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer.
“You better let go of me right now.” She whispered so only he could hear.
Justin kissed the top of her head. “My poor Angel.”
Katlyn elbowed his and sat up. “Well, why don’t we take these hot chocolates to go and go find Santa?”
“Yeah!” Jonathan and Tyler picked up their cups and started for the door.
They all got back in Justin’s car and drove to the mall down the street. After ten minutes, they finally found parking. Justin held both Jonathan and Tyler’s hands and Katlyn held Tyler’s other hand. They soon found Santa and waited in the long line.
“What was with all that crap at the café?!” She had leaned up to whisper in his ear.
“I was just trying to make you feel better, sweetie.”
“I’m going to kick your ass. Badly.”
“I love you too.” Justin smiled.
Katlyn elbowed him and stayed quiet the rest of the wait. Once the two young boys went up for their turn, Katlyn and Justin waited off to the side.
“Oh my god! You’re Justin Timberlake!” They heard someone say.
They both turned to see a girl approaching. Justin pulled his baseball cap down.
“And you’re Katlyn! Are you two back together?”
“Not really.” Katlyn answered before Justin could.
“Thank god!” The girl said excitedly. “No offence.”
“None taken.” Katlyn said with an annoyed smile.
“So if you’re not a couple, why are you two here together?”
“Are brothers are friends.” Justin answered.
“Oh.” The young girl smiled at Justin. “So, since you’re single now...” She took a step closer to him.
Tyler tugged on Katlyn’s hand. “Who is that?”
“It’s a fan.” Katlyn whispered.
“What is she doing?” Tyler questioned.
Katlyn looked back up to see the girl practically throwing herself at Justin. She tried not to laugh. “Um...she’s just being funny.”
“Can we go now?” Jonathan asked impatiently.
“So, did you want an autograph?” Justin took another step back away from her.
“I want more than that.” She whispered.
Justin’s eyes widened. “Um, just out of curiosity...how old are you?”
“Sixteen.” The girl shrugged.
“Really, well...um...” Justin stuttered thinking of what to say.
Katlyn rolled her eyes and decided to confuse the girl and help Justin out. She walked over to him and wrapped her arm around his waist. “Ok, Juju...the boys are getting antsy. So can you just sign her an autograph so we can go?”
Justin looked down at her briefly and then back up. “Yeah, do you have some paper?” He asked the girl.
The girl looked back and fourth between them confused. But...I thought you two weren’t a couple?”
Katlyn shrugged and forced out, “We’re off and on.”
“I can not believe you!” The girl yelled.
A few people turned to see what was happening.
“Did you want an autograph?” Justin asked again.
“No! I wanted you, but for SOME reason you keep going back to her!”
A flash suddenly went off causing everyone to turn.
“Justin, we need to go...and now.” Katlyn whispered seeing the crowd gathering.
“Justin, are you and Katlyn back together?” Someone called out.
“What are you both doing here together?” Someone else said.
“Can you confirm that you two are back together?”
Justin picked Jonathan up, who was started to get scared. “Jon, it’s ok.” He turned to the crowd. “Excuse us.”
Katlyn picked Tyler up and followed Justin. Justin started by pushing through the crowds with one arm while the gripped Jonathan, but when Katlyn called for him, he stopped and turned to see that she was having trouble getting through. He took a few steps back, wrapped his free arm around her and Tyler and started walking again. He could feel Katlyn slightly shacking and could hear both Jonathan and Tyler whimpering. He picked up his pace to try and escape the crowd, but they kept coming.
When they finally got to his car the crowd had lessened some but still was there. He quickly unlocked the doors, set Jonathan in the backseat then took Tyler from Katlyn and set him next to Jonathan He opened the passenger door for Katlyn and closed it behind her and then ran around the car and got in. When people started pounding on the windows and screaming, Justin turned up the music to drawn out the noise. He slowly backed out of the space and started driving away.
Once stopped at a light Justin turned around. “Are you both ok?”
They both nodded and wiped their tears away with the back of their hands.
He turned to Katlyn, who was facing the window, and placed his hand over hers. “Are you ok?”
Katlyn sniffled. “I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?” He asked worriedly.
“Yes, just worry about them.” She gestured to the back seat where the two whimpering boys sat.
“We’ll go to my house first.” Justin said without giving it a thought.
The rest of the trip was quiet. Once at his house Katlyn slowly got out of the car and then opened the back door to help Tyler out. They all walked into Justin’s quiet house, which was slightly decorated for Christmas. Jonathan and Tyler walked over to the couch and sat down. Justin waked into the kitchen. When Katlyn followed him in there, she saw him hunched over the counter, his head lying on his arms.
She gently touched his back. “Are you ok?”
“What kind of brother am I?” His answer was muffled.
“A great one. Jon looks up to you and loves you very much. Why?”
Justin stood up and turned around to lean on the counter. “If I’m so great, why is my brother sitting in the living room scarred to death?” Not only him but Tyler and you too. I’m endangering the lives of the people I love most.”
Katlyn reach out and rubbed her hands up and down his arms and then reached up and gave him a hug, something she hadn’t done for a long time, then pulled back to kiss his cheek. “Don’t stress over it.”
Justin looked down at the floor. “How am I not suppose to?”
Her hands were still resting on his shoulders. “How about you drop me and Tyler off at home and then you can spend the rest of the day with Jon?”
“What if I don’t want to?” Justin said raising his eyes to meet hers.
“You don’t want to spend time with your brother?”
“Not that, I was talking about dropping you off.”
Katlyn’s hands slipped off of his shoulders and rested by her sides. “Justin-“
“Don’t say it. I haven’t spent any times with you since September!”
“That’s what happens when two people break up.”
“Katlyn, I need you here.” Justin pleaded with a lost look in his eyes.
Katlyn took a stop back. “Justin don’t start this again.”
“Start what again? Tell you that I love you and need you in my life? Why, Katlyn? Are you scarred to hear that?”
“Fine, Tyler and I will walk home.” She walked back out into the living room. “Ty, we need to go.”
“Why?”
“Because we do.”
Katlyn grabbed Tyler’s hand and started leading him to the door.
“Katlyn, wait...I’ll take you.” Justin said following her.
Katlyn opened the door and started walking outside.
“Kate? It’s going to take you an hour to walk home and it’s like forty degrees out.”
“We’ll take the bus then.” Katlyn said still walking.
“Kate, I don’t want to walk or take the bus.” Tyler whined.
“That’s too bad.”
Tyler ripped his hand away from her and ran back over to Justin.
“Tyler, let’s go...now.”
“But Justin will take us home.”
“Tyler, we don’t want to bother Justin. We can walk.”
Justin opened the back door and let Jonathan and Tyler in the car and then closed it behind them. “You’re not bothering me. I’m not letting you walk home.”
Katlyn gave up and waked to the car. After putting on her seatbelt, she turned to look out the window.
“Don’t start pouting.” Justin said with a little laugh.
Katlyn leaned over and turned up the music, then went back to looking out of the window.
When Justin pulled up to her house, she was quick to jump out and went straight for the door, mumbling a “thank you” as she passed. She walked into the house and right up to her room.
Minutes later there was a knock at the door.
“What?”
Tyler walked in holding a wrapped box.
“What is that?” Katlyn asked sitting up in her bed.
“It’s a present from Justin.”
“I don’t want it. Give it back to him.”
“He already left.” Tyler set the present on her bed and left the room.
Katlyn curiously reached for the gift and opened it. There was a folded piece of papr at the top, so she read that first.
Dear Katlyn,
I’m sorry for the pain that I caused you, but I will make it up to you. It’s taking a lot to get you back, but I will continue to try until I can call you mine again. If I have to wait forever, I will. Only because I love you and I know deep down inside of you, you still love me too. Don’t listen to what’s going on in your head, listen to your heart.
Merry Christmas,
Justin
Katlyn set the note aside and continued opening the present. Inside sat a heart shaped picture frame with the words “I’ll be good for you” written around it, similar to the one she had given him much earlier. Inside the frame was an old picture of the two of them. Then, in a little black box, sat a necklace with a silver hear with diamonds around it and then the word “forever” in it.
She pushed the gifts aside and laid on her bed. She reached out to grab her phone off of her counter and pushed in a few familiar numbers.
“Hello?”
“Hey Jace.” Katlyn replied.
“Katlyn, how’s your Christmas going?”
“It was going great until today.”
“Uh oh, what happened?”
“I’ll tell you later. So how’s your break?”
“It’s great. I haven’t seen all of my family for a long time.”
“That’s nice. I haven’t seen most of my family for about a year.”
“Why didn’t your family go back to California?”
“I don’t know. Dad and Johnny had some work to do or something.”
“Work? But it’s Christmas!”
“Yeah, well tell them that.”
“Katlyn? We’re going out for dinner in five minutes.” Tracey called up to her.
Katlyn sighed. “I gotta go. Talk to you later.”
“Ok...Bye.” They both hung up and Katlyn walked down to meet her family.
