We landed around 2pm that same day. We were quickly taken away into a limo and then to a hotel. Out front legions of girls were screaming and chanting *NSYNC's name; how did they know they would be here that soon? Justin put his arm around my waist and led me past the guards to a corner. I hadn't exactly told him I had forgiven him yet, so I suspected that was why he brought me over here. I was right. Why did he have to be so damned predictable? "Yeah Justin, I partially forgive you, we are still a little shaky on your issues with decency though," I said with a sly smile. I could never be mad at him forever. "Alright, if that's how you want it," he replied. I stared at him for what seemed like an eternity and then it just happened. We kissed. I felt tingles run all along my body, and I liked that, maybe too much. Justin parted from the moment and what also seemed to be a daydream. He had kissed me and I wasn't leaving it at just what it was. He knew about his girlfriend and about my remaining feelings for Rich, however long it had been since his death. He knew, yet he gave up everything for that kiss. Did I really matter that much to him or was he playing with my mind? I barely had time to think about any of this because the doors flew open and Justin was pulling me to safety as hordes of girls raced in….
~MINUTES LATER~
I didn't hang with the guys long. They had a press conference just 20 minutes after we dropped our bags in the hotel. They only had time to spruce themselves up and then they headed out. I took the ride with them but couldn't accompany Justin or the others; it was a rule not to be seen in public with a girl because it may hurt the aura of availability with the group. I gave Justin a half-hearted smile. I wanted to know what the kiss had meant, but he was gone for the rest of the day. Instead I hung out with the band, and they were pretty cool. We went out for lunch and ordered drinks. I got white wine and Ruben, the drummer, got a few beers. There was a concert tonight and I was invited. I didn't really want to go, but if it gave me something to do, then I guess I'd go. Then it would give me the chance to sort things out with Justin and our kiss.
I was just finishing my hair when Justin called for me. "Hurry up Nikki! We can't be late for our own concert!" he said. I looked at my watch; it was only 5:32! I ran out of the bathroom and caught up with the rest of the guys. Each had a water bottle in hand and were doing voice exercises. We stepped out of the elevator and walked to the limo.
Two girls saw them and rushed up to us. They were very calm, the calmest I had ever encountered thus far. Pictures and autographs were quickly exchanged and then we loaded up into the limo. We arrived at exactly 6:00 PM. We were late by a half an hour and Lou wasn't happy. He gave the guys a quick reprimand, and said they'd talk later. I felt responsible for it and apologized. "There's no need to do that Nicole. We kinda had it coming," Lance replied. I just sat on the stage's end as they performed sound check after sound check and then went over dance moves and entrances one last time. I got bored and wandered over to a keyboard at the far boundary of the stage. I played a few notes beautifully, then wondered why I had lost interest in continuing to play. Then I remembered. When Justin had moved to Florida I was determined to join the entertainment business with him. I tried and tried to take piano, voice, and dance lessons before it landed me with a strained voice, a broken ankle and two weeks of endless crying. I shuddered and backed away from the instruments. All I needed was some other instrument to remind me of my foolish ways.
It was so quiet. All you could hear was the prayers of everyone involved in the concert. When that was over, I went over to give Justin one last hug. He took it graciously and whispered in my ear " Tell me if this sounds alright…" he began to say then broke out in his best singing voice "If you want me to, I'll sacrifice my world for you, and show you the way loves supposed to be, yeah, yeah". I nearly melted. "That was great," I replied meekly. He smiled and ran off to go perform. I left and took my seat in the front row seated next to Joey's mom and Chris' girlfriend. We chatted and then took our seats. Suddenly the lights dimmed, the music began and cheering and screaming echoed in my ears. Their songs started to pour from their energetic bodies. I unwillingly danced around to the beat, noticing that every time Justin came close to where I sat he was looking right at me. I felt special to know Justin was my best friend. That he cared just as deeply for me than any other girl in the world. I smiled back and never left his fiery gaze.
I heard a girl yell behind me. That was the only way you could hear each other with all the massive frenzy. This is what she said: "OMG!!! Did you see that?! Justin just smiled at me! I just know he's gonna marry me now, before I wasn't so sure…but I just have this feeling Kimberly!!" I laughed out loud, maybe too loud. The girl and her friend Kimberly turned to give me a look. "Is something funny?" Kimberly asked me. "No" I said. I hadn't realized my reply was tainted with attitude. They stepped forward and said: "Well missy, I heard you laughing' at me. So I don't think that was right…" she began. "Right Kimberly?" Kimberly gave a nod. "Yeah Ariyanna. We don't like bitches laughin' at us. Cuz we are the ones that do the laughin'" Ariyanna said pushing me. I pushed her back. She pushed me again, so I pushed her back-this time even harder. Ariyanna arched back her fist to swing when I ducked and swept my foot under her. She fell and got up screaming. I ran from her. It wasn't that I was afraid, I just didn't want to get arrested for disturbance of the peace! She followed me in hot pursuit. I raced out of the venue into the long hall. Running towards the bathrooms I ducked into one of the stalls, ready and waiting for her to come at me.
"Hey Kim, did you see her come in here?" Ariyanna whispered. They hadn't figured it out that I was standing on one of the stalls, trying not to breathe heavily. "Well when she comes out we'll get the bitch…she think she can get with Justin I bet," Kimberly said. I got tired of waiting in suspense and jumped out of stall yelling. "Call me a bitch will you," I said punching Ariyanna square in the jaw. Kimberly came back with a kick in my stomach and I had to catch my breath before scrambling away. I ran backstage quickly showing my pass and speeding to Justin's dressing room. I fell to the floor and gasped for air.
"I can't believe I just did that," I said to myself. Taking a long strong breath I got up to face myself in the mirror. I didn't like what I saw to say the least. I had dropped out of school and completely cut my mother off. I had nobody else and maybe that was why I clung to Justin so badly. I had an awful pain shooting all through my stomach and without warning the room turned dark.