Yeah, Right...
Chapter 10: Moses
Lance and JC flashed their ID’s to the large bouncer, who gave them each an approving nod which allowed them to enter the smoky club. JC had all he could too to keep from springing from wall to wall like a twelve year old kid in line for Splash Mountain. He couldn't believe he was here.
Lance had found the add for the concert two days ago, on Tuesday morning, while flipping casually through the Austin Chronicle. He didn't know why he hadn't heard of it before then, but he wasted no time in reaching for the telephone and ordering two tickets, he was lucky there were a few left.
They had arrived early, since it was standing room only, they wanted to make sure they were pressed up against the stage; as close as possible. JC glanced down at his watch, willing the hands to move ahead a half-hour unsuccessfully.
“God, I can’t wait.” He bounced anxiously from one foot to the other.
Lance chuckled lightly. “Do you want a drink or anything?” Lance suggested.
“Nope. I wouldn't want to have to go to the bathroom during the show.” JC shook his head.
“Always thinking ahead.” Lance sighed.
“I never did anything like this with Bobbie. It was always basketball games or parties or teenie movies, where all she wanted to do was make-out. God, this is so much more fun. She never really asked me what I wanted to do, ya know.” JC smiled.
“Well, I’m glad you dumped her then. Doesn't sound like she was a very good girlfriend at all. You deserve better, man.” ...You deserve me.
“You're right. Speaking of girlfriends, though, how are you and Beth doing?”
Lance coughed. He had completely forgotten that he was ‘dating Beth’. Shit. Now or never.
“Well,” his hands dove deep into his pockets, “I was..uh..thinking of breaking up with her.”
“What?! Why?” JC looked shocked.
“Well, its just that we don't ever spend anytime together alone, and-”
“Listen, Lance, if you wanted some alone time, you just should've told me-”
“ NO. No. That's it. I don't. I mean, our friendship right now is really important to me, and I just wanna concentrate on that. And, anyway, I think that me and Beth would just get along better if we were friends. I think she’ll agree too.” Yup, she’ll definitely agree and so will her boyfriend.
“Wow. God, Lance, our friendship is really important to me too. You have no idea.” JC pulled Lance into a tight hug. If it wasn't for the roaring of the crowd behind them neither would've noticed that Patty Griffin, guitar in hand, had taken the stage. They pulled apart and both started cheering and clapping along with the rest of the crowd. About two songs into the concert Patty began a song about a gay boy who committed suicide, called Tony. Lance noticed the opening riff, and the usual lump began to form in the back of his throat. Lance felt a familiar hand rest gently on the small of his back, and felt his warm breath tickle his neck.
“This song always really upsets me. Its just so sad.” JC whispered into Lance’s ear. Lance nodded in response, and caught JC’s blue eyes with his green. Lance wanted to kiss him. No. Stop. He told himself, and quickly turned his attention back up the small stage, and Patty Griffin, who plucked relentlessly at her bass guitar, her head bobbing to the music she was making. But it was useless. He couldn't pay attention. Not with JC’s hand still resting on the small of his back. Why doesn't he move his goddamned hand? The contact was sending small shivers up his spine. Joey’s words came flooding back to him. Maybe JC was flirting...Maybe he had a chance. Who the hell was he kidding? Maybe I should at least tell him the truth. The song ended and JC removed his hand to clap, Lance was finally able to focus back on the stage.
“Goddamnit.” JC growled into the mirror. He had been trying to work his hair into spikes for the last ten minutes, and it still just looked like a scrambled mess. Hannah was suppose to be picking him up for the Bash in about five minutes, he was so frustrated he could scream. Lance, placed Harry Potter: And the Chamber of Secrets down on his night-table, he huffed as he got up from his warm spot on his bed. He had been listening to JC whine and curse for the last ten minutes or so, and he just about had it. He walked over to the bathroom and stood in the doorway.
“Can I help?” Lance offered, pushing his wirey-framed reading glasses up his nose.
“I’m gonna shave my head.” JC said simply.
“Don't you dare, Jayce.” Lance laughed, as he walked over to the scowling JC.
“Jayce?” JC raised his eyebrows, “Hm, I like it. At least when you say it. Its cute.”
“Good. Now let me see that hair-gel.” Lance ordered. JC obeyed and handed him the bottle.
Lance squeezed some of the pinkish gel onto the palm of his hand, then began working it into JC’s hair, twisting the brown lockes. Three minutes later, a satisfied grin spread across JC’s face, and his hair stood on end.
Lance washed his hands. “Perfect” JC admired his reflection.
“Let’s not get too cocky, Romeo.”
“Oh, Lance, what am I going to do without your constant wit tonight.”
“Shrivel up and die.” Lance smirked.
“Seriously, though, I wish you were coming..”
“Don't be ridiculous. A nerd like me. You don't want to seem that uncool right off the bat.”
“I don't think you're a nerd.” JC stated.
“Jayce, I’m staying home to read Harry Potter.”
“Well, maybe a little...” JC complied.
“Shut-up. And don't worry, you'll have fun tonight without me. I promise.” Lance reassured him, with a pat on his shoulder.
“I’ll try...” There was a knock on the door, both Lance and JC sprinted towards the front door.
“Hannah. Hey.” Lance greeted the blonde girl as he opened the front door.
Lance could've sworn she sucked in her breath at the sight of JC, he looked especially beautiful tonight in brown corduroys and a dark green turtle-neck. And Lance knew the feeling.
“Well, I’ll see y’all later.” Lance said to both of them, as JC joined her outside. He couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy as her car started and JC left for the evening, with his date. He wobbled back to his bedroom to cozy back up to Harry Potter.
“Hannah!” yet another high-pitched voice squealed, this one belonged to a petite, pretty blonde girl, with huge brown eyes.
“Britney!” Hannah squealed back, then took her friend in a light hug.
“Oh, my god...this must be...Josh, right?” Britney asked.
“JC. Nice to meet you Britney.”
She giggled at her mistake. “God, Hannah hasn't been able to stop talking about you for the past 2 weeks.”
JC smiled politely. “Anyway,” Hannah rolled her eyes, obviously embarrassed.
“So,” Britney continued to ramble, “Tell me- what's it like living with Lance Bass. Is he, like, trying to pawn his show-tunes off on you.” She giggled at her own joke. JC didn't see why this was funny.
“No, Lance doesn't listen to musicals...” It occurred then to Brit and Hannah and JC didn’t know. Hannah decided that their conversation would end there for now.
“Brit, I adore that halter, is that Express or Wet Seal.” Hannah changed the subject quickly.
“Honey, this is Contempo. Seriously-”
JC could've sworn that Bobbie and her friends had had this same conversation.
“Listen-” he cut Britney off, “Hannah, I’m gonna go get a drink. Do you want anything?”
“Sure, just get me some punch, honey.”
Honey? He really hoped the punch was spiked.
He grabbed the two cups and began pouring the red punch into both. A slap on his back made him spill some of the refreshment onto the table.
“Shit.” he swore.
“Oops. sorry ‘bout that, man.” A smooth voice spoke from behind him.
JC turned, an annoyed look plastered his face.
“Justin Timberlake.” A boy with blonde curls, and big blue eyes, stuck his hand out to him.
“JC Chasez.” His face suddenly grew brighter when he remembered what Joey told him.
“Hannah told me you were over here. Guess I kinda startled ya.” he said, his eyes darting towards the spilled punch.
“Its no problem, really.” JC waved his hand.
“So you already met Britney. She’s somethin' ain't she?” Justin glanced back towards his girlfriend, her obnoxious laugh filled the room.
“Yeah, sure is.” JC tried to sound convincing. He wasn't really all that interested. He didn't know why anymore. Except for the fact that Britney and her friends, including Hannah, reminded him of Bobbie and Maryland, and despite the fact that it was a familiar situation for him, and he knew he could fit right in, he wasn't sure if he wanted to anymore. He kinda wished he was at home right now. Home? Home. With Lance, watching a dumb movie or playing Clue....
“So,-” Justin pulled JC out of his thoughts “-I heard you play basketball.”
“Yeah, I do, actually.” JC beamed. Something he liked.
“Hey, whaddya say we go to the court I have out back. I wanna see what you got. Maybe if you're any good, I can get Coach Kirkpatrick to try you out.”
“I’d love to.” JC completely forgot about the drinks. He followed Justin's lead through the crowded house and out back. Once they stepped outside, suddenly it was really quiet, and there was a slight chill in the air. JC was grateful for his turtleneck. Justin grabbed the basketball and started dribbling the ball naturally, and tossed it up, the ball slipped with ease through the net. JC ran under the net and caught the ball, dribbled it back to where Justin stood, and repeated the same motions as Justin, making an easy basket.
“Joey was right, you aren't half bad.”
“Are you kidding. That was nothing.” JC instantly felt more at ease. He could play this game.
Lance had read the past two chapters of Harry Potter without actually reading one complete sentence. He threw down the book in frustration. The quiet was killing him. He grabbed his remote and pressed play on his stereo. His Patty Griffin CD began filling his room. Shit. Lance thought. This is definitely not gonna help. He couldn't do anything without thinking about JC. Without thinking about these past two weeks, and how he’s never felt anything so strong towards one person in such a short amount of time. He thought about him comforting JC, about the extra-friendly touches and glances and sighs and isolated stares. The gifts, the unnecessary compliments. Oh. My. God. Joey was right. I was flirting and so was he. There was no other way to describe their actions, other than by flirtatious. Lance grabbed spontaneously for his telephone. Dialing Beth’s phone number as fast as his fingers would let him.
“Beth?” He spat out as soon as someone answered the other line.
“Yeah?”
“One: We broke up.”
“Oh, you heart breaker, you.” She added dryly.
“Two: Get your ass over here. We need to talk.”
“Sir, Yes, Sir.” Beth hung up her line, and Lance knew she would be arriving any minute. He needed her help. This was big.
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