Falling Apart©

By Meg Galganowicz

Chapter 3: For The First Time

“Al, I’ve got a proposition for you while you’re here,” Chris told her.

“Why don’t I like the sound of this?”

He laughed, “Actually, it was Justin’s idea, so I’ll let him ask.”

Justin took the phone and grinned wildly. “Would you do me a big favor?”

“Maybe…”

“Go out with this friend of mine?”

“First off, how old is this friend of yours?” Aly giggled.

He paused, and then replied, “About 20.”

“Who on earth do you know who’s 20?”

“Oh come on, Aly, please??”

“I’ll see once I get out there okay? Put Joe on the phone little buddy.”

“Hey, I ain’t so little any more!”

“Give me the phone, Curly!” Aly heard Joey cry. “Hey Al, what’s up?”

Aly sighed as she flopped backward onto her bed. “Packing actually, nothing fascinating. How’s practice and everything going?”

“Good, it’s a work out, but we’re loving every minute of it.”

“Well I’d be jumping out of my skin to see y’all but I’m exhausted.”

“Got that much stuff to do recently, hm?”

“Yeah,” Aly nodded, “I had a big paper due for one class, and I was running into problems at work with my boss – and I don’t want to get into that at all.”

“Got it. Ah, you’ll be here in two days! Yay!” Joey exclaimed.

She had to laugh at his antics, and it warmed her heart to know that it mattered to much to all of them that she’d get to visit. “It’s only for two or three days,” she reminded him.

“Oh, spoil sport. Damn, I gotta go, Lance is about to chuck something at me if I don’t get going. Another interview,” he sighed.

“Hey, you love it, and we both know it, so stop with your sighin’.” Aly cleared her throat. “Say hi to Lance and JC for me.”

“I will. Sleep well Al, and I’ll check in about flight stuff tomorrow afternoon or so, okay?”

“Got it. Talk to you then, Joe, bye Smiley!” she giggled.

Joey grinned at his nickname, “Bye Hun.” He hung up and grabbed his jacket and ran out the door. “Sorry, I’m all go now,” he told the guys, who were all waiting in the hall. Glancing at Lance and winking at JC he added, “She says hi.”

“Can we get going?” JC asked hurriedly. Justin and Chris exchanged looks as they began heading down with their bodyguards.

“This won’t work if we tell him, Curly,” Chris asserted quietly.

“But he’s in pissy moods lately, and it’s beginning to get on my nerves!”

“Well deal with it! We all had to deal with some of your moods when you were younger, and you still have them!” Chris retorted.

Justin glared at his friend and continued following everyone out of the hotel and past the hoards of screaming girls that had somehow managed to find out where they were. At least JC has someone…he’s not alone…Justin’s thoughts wandered as he plopped himself down in the limo and closed his eyes.

Aly had her carry-on in one hand, and her jacket draped over the other. “Thanks for getting those Eric, they aren’t too heavy?” she inquired.

“No, Miss Grey, it’s fine.”

“Please don’t call me that!” she whimpered childishly as she glanced up and the big black man who had picked her up at the airport.

“What would you prefer?”

“Aly at least!” she laughed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. They made it up to the tour’s floor and he told her she was supposed to meet up with the guys in about a half hour.

“Right in here,” he told her, opening a door with the key card he had been given earlier. “This is Joey’s room. He said they’d come here. Anything else you need?”

“No thanks, Eric, I’m good.” Aly smiled warmly at him and dropped her bag on the bed. “I’ll just hang in here and watch some TV, that okay?”

“Of course. I’ll be four doors down and across the hall at a meeting if you need anything.”

She nodded and began to pull out a notebook and something to read. About fifteen minutes after she was settled on Joey’s bed the phone rang. Jumping up she went to pick it up, but then wondered if she should because it might be family or something. “Oh what the hell,” she muttered, picking up the receiver. “Hello?”

“Al!” Justin shrieked.

Holding back the phone she exclaimed, “Are you trying to make me go deaf?”

He laughed loudly, “No! I’m just glad you made it okay. Listen, the date is for tonight, k? The guys and I have been held up and won’t be back for another hour and a half maybe, and by then it’ll be about 6. I was hoping you and he could be out soon after that. That okay?”

She sighed, “Yeah I guess, I was hoping to get to spend some time with you guys though.”

“I’m sorry Al, it’s just that he’s only going to be in town till tomorrow mid-day, so..”

“Fine.”

“I’m really-“

“Oh would you shut up, put someone else on.”

A new voice came on and made Aly sigh and a generous smile spread across her face. “Hey, how’s my little girl, hm?”

“Hey Dad, what’s up? Justy said you had more stuff to do this afternoon than he originally thought?”

“Let’s just say he didn’t check with Lance before he left the message on when we’d be back,” he chuckled.

“Aha…little Mr. Disorganized strikes again. I guess I’ll just get to say hi to y’all and then I’ll be heading out then.”

Her dismayed voice saddened him and he tried to cheer her up. “Aw Hun, you’ll have fun, I promise. And if you don’t then just come back to the hotel and we can hang out or something, k?”

“Okay.”

“Alrighty, I gotta go. Take a shower all that good stuff, those are Justin’s last orders I’m hearing.”

“Well yeah, I kinda planned on that originally, it’ll be easier with more time now. I wouldn’t want y’all walking in on me or anything,” she chided.

Chris choked and Joey laughed at him, grabbing the phone, “We’ll see you later babe!” he cried.

“Bye Smiley!” she returned, and then hung up. Letting out a low moan she stared at her reflection in the mirror. “What are you going to do tonight, Grey, hm?” An idea helplessly grasped her next thought and she stood up. Going down the hall she knocked twice.

Eric opened the door. “Everything alright, Miss Aly?”

She blushed, “Yeah, it’s fine. Do you think you could, I mean…can I get into JC’s room?” she asked timidly.

Eric paused, then smiled at her, “Sure thing, hang on.” He went back to the meeting with a few other bodyguards and excused himself, then returned and closed the door. “Just over here,” he said, pointing to a door that was three down from Aly’s. “Chris is across the hall from that other one.” He slid the card through and let her in.

“Thanks Eric, I’ll only be a few minutes.” He nodded and left her to herself. Aly wandered in and slowly took in the room. There was a small kitchenette that was dark. A dim light shed across the room between the closed blinds that draped over the windows, landing on a few bags and carelessly strewn clothes. Stopping by one of his suitcases she couldn’t help but glance in. A long-sleeve shirt hung partially out one side and she reached out a ginger hand to touch it. The fabric was worn and soft, much like him. After hesitating for a moment, Aly pulled it out and admired its stripes of different shades and hues of gray. Closing her eyes she held it up to her face. A delicate mix of cologne and Tide whirled around her, intoxicating her system. Reaching overload on all her senses she sighed raggedly and put the shirt down. “I’m sorry,” she whispered as tears stung at her eyes. She walked quickly from the room and back down to Joey’s. Climbing into a hot shower she tried to push aside the dreaded feeling of guilt and anxiety that tore at her chest. She couldn’t understand what had made her agree to this date, there was someone she was sure to hurt – beside herself.

“Aly!” Justin whined, stomping his foot in frustration.

“Oh stop acting like a child,” she scolded.

“He’s sixteen!” Joey cried, laughing.

“No excuse,” Aly replied, trying not to smile. “He’s a bright, mature kid - well most of the time.”

Justin grabbed her hand and jacket and ushered her toward the door. “We’re going to Chris’ room, let's go.”

“Joey!” Aly exclaimed. “Get him off me...”

“Is there some way we can shut her up?”

“Excuse me? You’ve sent me plane tickets to come visit you, then tell me you’ve got some hot date for me. After insisting that I get dressed up - which mind you I’m not fond of - you want to drag me off for a blind date. I think not, thank you no...”

Justin pouted and looked over at Joey hopelessly. “Joe, help me out here.”

“Oh don’t go whining at him, that’ll get you no where,” Aly laughed. “Neither of you can convince me to walk out that door.” I don’t want to walk out that door.

The two stared young men stared at her in pure astonishment and frustration.

“My guy friends used to do it tome all the time in high school, and I’ve had enough,” she informed them.

“Fine. We’ll forget the blindfold,” Joey consented, tossing it on the bed.

She frowned, “That’s a start.”

“...But we know you’ll enjoy yourself,” he finished, grabbing her around the waist and carrying her out the door that Justin held open.

“Ah, this is ridiculous!” she cried. “PUT ME DOWN JOSEPH!”

He cringed and put her down. “Yikes.”

“I’ll go, if only to satisfy your sad matchmaking skills,” she snapped, grabbing her suede jacket from Justin and slipping it on. “Well let’s go, I can imagine Chris, JC, and Lance aren’t having much fun keeping this guy occupied.”

JC’s laughing eyes glanced away from Lance as they sat on the couch, and to the door as he heard Chris let someone in. “Hey Curly!” he cried.

“My man, you are in for a gorgeous evening.”

“How is it that I agreed to be set up with one of your friends?” he whined, running a hand through his hair as he stood up.

“Hey guys,” Joey said, walking up to them, with Aly beside him. He winked at Chris.

JC stared at Aly; captivated by the way her long hair fell gently across her left shoulder. His eyes helplessly roamed over the rest of her, appreciating the black pants and deep v-neck wine-red top that was partially visible under her jacket. “Aly?”

She nodded excitedly and held out her hands to him.

Ignoring her hands he engulfed her in a firm embrace, her head resting on his shoulder. “It’s so good to see you, but what are you doing here?” he asked, stepping back. “You look like you’ve got a hot date?” he added, winking playfully. Is she going out with someone and didn’t tell me? He kept a warm smile on his face as it fell from his heart.

She blushed lightly at his awkward compliment. “I really wouldn’t know. These twats here,” she replied, hitting Joey and Justin respectively. “Trapped me into a blind date tonight. Didn’t you know I was coming?”

He shook his head and his gaze flitted nervously to Lance and Chris, who immediately stepped back from him. “Oh really...”

Joey and Justin stepped back and Aly let out a small gasp of surprise. “Oh you’ve got to be kidding me...”

All the guys flashed the pair angelic smiles, and Chris tossed his friend the keys. “Don't be home too late.”

JC caught the keys and let an impish grin cross his face. “Right.” After his friends had made themselves scarce by going back to Joey’s room he turned to Aly, a small smile catching his lips. “I think I’m allowed to tell you that you look incredible,” he commented quietly.

“And I think it’s safe to say I’ve got a hot date.” Aly eyed him for a moment, but neither made a move to leave. “This may sound silly, but...could I have another hug?”

His nervous expression softened as he leaned over and swept her up in a hug. “It's so good to see you,” he told her, his voice muffled in her hair.

“Same here.” She stepped back and smiled shyly. “Shall we?”

He paused a moment, “Do you know where we’re going?”

Giggling, Aly replied, “No, haven't a clue, the tweedledee and tweedledum failed to mention that to me.”

“How does dinner and a movie sound?” he asked, tilting his head and watching her.

“Sounds good,” she purred, slipping a hand into his as they walked toward the door.

“Oh my God, I can’t believe the nerve of that waiter!” Aly cried, as she and JC walked through the parking lot toward the car.

His lips twitched as he twirled the keys on his finger.

Aly glanced up at his face, the tall lights resting across his cheek. “Oh will you stop, jeez, I can tell you’re about to explode. Just say it.”

“I personally think it was hysterical,” he replied, still stifling his laughter to a chuckle.

She glared at him playfully as she got into the passenger side of the car. Staring out the window, her lip slid out and she pouted childishly. She began to daydream and her thoughts drifted, and in the few minutes it took JC to get in the car and leave the lot, she was gone.

JC, on the other hand, kept glancing at her anxiously, she’d been quiet for too long. “Aly, I didn't mean to...” he trailed off.

“Wait, what? I'm sorry, did you ask me something?” she asked sheepishly.

He smiled weakly. “No, I thought you were mad at me about laughing at the waiter thing...”

Aly covered her face guiltily. “Jez, I'm sorry, I...I started daydreaming again. Nasty habit I've developed,” she added, averting her eyes out the window, on her hands, anywhere so as not to look at him.

JC grinned slyly as he shifted and merged with traffic on the expressway. “Long as it was ‘bout me.” He concentrated on the road more now, but his pulse raced when she rested her hand over his on the gearshift.

“I’ve got to do something about that ego of yours, Mr. Chasez,” she murmured.

And unless he was mistaken in the dim light, he could have sworn he caught her blush.

“Pleeeease don't make me go to that movie,” Aly pleaded.

“Come on, it's fun. Plus it's the only one we can catch and be back before midnight. And you know Chris and Joey would kill me if you got home late.”

“Fine. But you and your arm will pay dearly.” She pouted and grabbed his arm tightly as they walked into the theater. “That’s somewhere guys have the advantage on a date!” she exclaimed, referring back to their debate at dinner. JC had said that women had it easier on a first date, but Aly had strongly stated otherwise.

“What?”

Aly sat down and continued. “You can just play Mr. Hero in scary movies and you get the girl all over you.”

JC laughed. “Yeah, I guess. Unintentional.” He held up his hands in defense.

“Hush...previews,” she scolded, settling back.

Half way through the movie JC had lost feeling in his hand and was getting worried by the expression on her face. “Al, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you did’'t like them this much,” he whispered guiltily, bending over.

When his lips brushed her ear she immediately looked at him, and although she was honestly terrified she put on a feeble smile. “I'm...I’ll be fine.”

His eyebrows came together as they went down and he gazed at her in concern. “Do you want to leave?”

Stubbornly shaking her head, Aly turned her own gaze back to the movie. To her surprise JC gently ran his thumb back and forth across the back of her hand as she held tightly to his. A shy smile tugged at her mouth when she glanced to the right and found him watching her, instead of the movie.

JC stared at the floor and shuffled his feet outside Joey’s door. “I had fun,” he breathed, looking up.

“Me too, it was great.”

“I guess that was the first semi-blind date that’s ever gone well for me!” he cracked, lightening the mood.

Aly let out a soft laugh and he became fascinated by the sparks he saw in her eyes. He reached over and tilted her chin up and slowly leaned over to kiss her. She pulled back ever so slightly, but JC hesitated at her reaction. “Aly?” he questioned, his breath tickling her lips. She stared up at him for what seemed like an eternity, searching his eyes, before smiling timidly at him. His eyes drifted closed as his lips delicately brushed against hers. Taking a breath he let his hand slip to the nape of her neck as he claimed her lips once more. Aly responded by gently touching his cheek, unconsciously sending a flame through him, as her chest tightened.

The door flew open and they jumped apart. “Wow, now that was poetry.”

“Joe, I swear to God you are dead when I get back in that room,” Aly threatened, as she leaned against the wall.

JC was blushing furiously as Joey closed the door again. She stood up again and looked up at him. “Aw, how cute...”

“Shut up, you’re pink yourself, Miss Anti-Feminine.” He slid an arm around her waist and pulled her to him once more. “Too bad, I like the feminine side,” he whispered.

Aly moved up to meet him halfway for one last kiss, then stood back. “Thanks for a great evening, JC.”

“Met you halfway on that one, remind me not to hurt them too badly, k?”

“Right, will do. Now, I’ve got to go slap Joey several times. See you in the morning.” She smiled demurely at him as her hand slipped over the handle.

“G’night Aly, sweet dreams.” JC watched her go inside and the door close. After a moment he snapped out of his daze and walked back to his room. When he opened the door he found three pairs of eyes on him immediately. “Aw guys!” he whined, as he flopped into a chair.

“Details buddy,” Chris said slyly, edging forward in his armchair.

JC grinned secretively as he stood up. “I’m not the kind to kiss and tell, you know that.”

Chris moaned. “Do I have to pin you down in the chair?”

“Excuse me?”

“Tell us something!” Justin cried.

He sighed as he looked at each of the faces of his friends. “Fine. It was incredible. We both had a lot of fun. If you want to know anything else - unfortunately – I’m sure Joey can help you out. Now if you’ll excuse me I’d like to go to bed,” he finished. Running a hand through his hair he went into the bathroom. He leaned back against the closed door and a tender smile spread across his face as he remembered the softness of her lips against his. Don't get yourself into anything, Chasez...not yet, he sighed. Then again, who’s to say you’re not already in? A lone ache in his heart began to grow, but he tried to ignore it by brushing his teeth and washing his face.