It was Christmas Eve and everyone couldn't wait until that night so that one present could be opened.
"Ready for Christmas Eve dinner Britney?" Madison asked her.
"I don't feel like going Madison." Britney said shocking Madison. Every year Britney would be the reminding everyone of Christmas Eve dinner. Now with Britney not going, it was a complete bombshell.
"I can't believe I am hearing this from you. You're the one who's always ready to go hours before dinner." Madison said.
"Well, maybe things have changed." Britney said trying to go back to sleep.
"What are you going to do in the house all by yourself with everyone gone?" Madison asked.
"I had planned to call Brooke today and wish her a Merry Christmas." Britney lied.
"You can do that tomorrow morning." Madison said.
"No I can't. It has to be done tonight. Everyone at her house is so busy that I won't be able to talk to her. So I would rather have a chance to talk to her then for someone to give her a message." Britney said. At this point, lying had become Britney's new best friend.
"Well, all right. But Mom is going to be really disappointed that you aren't making it an effort to come." Madison said walking out. Britney felt so guilty. She was rejecting her own family to be with Justin.
"See you at Christmas dinner tonight Justin?" Madison asked meeting him in the hallway.
"Actually I won't be able to make it tonight. I have some things I have to do for school that are do on the day I get back. I don't want to spend Christmas day worrying if I'll have enough time to finish my work." Justin said.
"What a coincidence. Britney is staying home too. Did you two plan this or something?" Madison asked.
"Maybe she knows." Thought Justin.
"Hmm. That's weird. Well I guess I'll have some company then." Justin said.
"Yeah. In more ways than one." Madison said.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Justin asked her.
"Are you and Britney sleeping together?" Madison asked.
"NO!" Justin shouted. Madison was never screamed at by Justin so she just left when he did so.
"Justin, how long are you and Britney going to keep up this charade?" Kerri asked when Justin walked into his room.
"Can I have a little privacy please?" Justin asked while getting out a shirt.
"I'm your sister. The word privacy doesn't mean a thing to me." Kerri said.
"I don't know. I mean I want to tell everyone, but at the same time everyone is going to expect us to do stuff and I don't want to be always living up their expectations with my girlfriend. I'll feel like someone's eyes are always on me." Justin said.
"They're your family. It's not like the press is going to be hiding in your bushes or taking pictures of you from outside your window." Kerri said.
"Yeah. Imagine how awkward that might be." Justin said.
"When are you going to go public?" Kerri asked him.
"I don't know. I mean I want to tell everyone that Britney and I are more than just friends, but in all the while I'll feel like we're always being watched. It's just so complicated." Justin sighed.
"Whatever you and Britney decide, I'm here for you.
"Thank you Kerri, that means a lot." Justin said hugging his sister.
"What are your plans with Britney tonight?" Kerri asked.
"What do you mean?" Justin asked.
"Well since both of you have coincidently planned to stay home tonight, which mom is upset about, I was just wondering you are planning." Kerri asked.
"We need to talk about a lot of things. Especially how we are going to present our feelings to the world. We can't very well hide forever. So probably after Christmas we'll tell everyone." Justin said.
"You better do it soon. Madison is already suspecting something." Kerri said.
"Madison doesn't worry me that much. Everyone's used to Madison making weird accusations anyway. Why would this sound different then any other time?" Justin asked her.
"You do have a point there Justin. But now Laura Lynn and I both know. Just watch yourself." Kerri said. Justin took Kerri's advise into consideration.
"Justin, I just got finished talking to my mom and she talked me into going to Christmas Eve dinner." Britney said.
"But I thought.." Justin began.
"I know. But this is the one true time that we have to spend with our families. They already feel bad for us not coming. I would hate to miss out on the whole family being together and having fun. We can try to negotiate sitting together if that would ease you up?" Britney asked.
"This is kind of a shock to me. I thought I was going to have you all to myself. But I guess we can wait until tonight." Justin said.
"I can get Laura Lynn to sleep in your room. So when everyone goes to sleep Laura Lynn can sneak into your room and you can come up into the attic." Britney said.
"Sounds perfect." Justin said kissing her.
"We're leaving!" Paul called upstairs.
"I guess we should be going." Britney said grabbing her coat.
"Wait, I still need to change." Justin said.
"How long will that take you?" Britney asked.
"Depends if I find something I like." Justin said rummaging through his closet.
"You look fine. Well, here. Put on this tie and blazer and you'll be set." Britney said throwing him a tie and a coat.
"Thanks, you're the best sweetie." Justin said kissing her again.
"Yeah, I know." Britney smiled.
"I'll meet you out in the car in a minute." Justin said getting ready.
"Okay." Britney headed on to the car.
"Where's Justin?" Madison asked.
"Justin needed to change what he had on so I helped him out a little." Britney said out from the window.
"Get in the car Britney, it's freezing." Her mother advised.
"Actually Justin and I are going to take his Mercedes to the restaurant." Britney said.
"Do you know where this place is?" Lynne asked.
"Yeah. It's Becker Street." Britney said.
"Well, okay. See you in a few minutes." Lynne waved and drove off.
"Where's everyone going?" Justin asked when he got outside.
"Oh I convinced them that we should ride together since everyone else was already situated and comfortable in the car." Britney said.
"You little devil." Justin smiled.
"What do you have planned for us tonight?" Britney asked on the way there.
"That's something for me to know and you to find out my dear." Justin said.
"Come on Justin. You know I can't wait." Britney whined.
"Too bad, you'll just have to." Justin said.
"One hint. PLEASE!!!" Britney pleaded.
"Okay, here's one. A sleeping bag." Justin said when they turned into the restaurant.
"A sleeping bag? What does that mean?" Britney asked.
"You said one hint. That's all you got." Justin said.
"You are so sneaky Justin Timberlake." Britney said as they walked into the restaurant.
"How many?" The hostess asked.
"Actually our party is already here. It's under either Spears or Harless." Justin said.
"Of course sir. Right this way." The hostess led them to the table.
"It's about time you two got here." Madison said.
"It didn't take us that long." Britney said sitting down.
"Anyway. Who wants to say grace?" Lynne asked. No one spoke up at first.
"I will." Britney spoke up. Everyone bowed their heads and put their hands together.
"Dear Lord. We thank for this wonderful meal that you have blessed us for the nourishment of our bodies. We would like to thank you for bringing us all together to share another wonderful year of memories. Amen." Britney said. They ordered after saying grace.
"Britney, Justin. How did the two of you do on your exams?" Paul asked.
"I did okay I guess. I studied really hard just so I would have a passing grade. My classes are so hard this year." Britney said.
"I just got my grades back the day before I came here. I did fairly well." Justin said.
"How well is fairly well." Lynn asked.
"I got nothing lower than a 'B' mother." Justin smiled.
"Good." Lynn said eating her food. Throughout dinner Britney and Justin kept eyeing each other. Every minute seemed like an hour to Justin. He wanted Britney so badly that he didn't care who saw his affections towards her. But Britney was set on not having anyone find out, and Justin respected her wishes.
"Excuse me. I have to visit the ladies room." Britney said getting up.
"Oh! Justin! You have a big spot on your tie. You better clean it off." Kerri mentioned. Justin checked his tie and had no idea what Kerri was talking about.
"Kerri, there's nothing on Justin's tie." Lynn said.
"Oh! That spot! Thanks Kerri. Excuse me, I'll be right back." Justin smiled at Kerri. As Britney was walking out of the ladies, Justin's lips soon met hers.
"That's best taste I've had all night." Britney smiled.
"I would sure hope so." Britney said holding her.
"I better get back before they suspect something." Britney said.
"Wait." Justin said giving her a big passionate kiss on the lips that left a smile from ear to ear. Justin went into the restroom and put a little water on his tie to make it look like it was dirty and he cleaned it.
"Did you get that spot out?" Lynn asked finding something weird as to why he went to the restroom.
"What spot?" Justin asked innocently.
"You know, the one on your tie." Kerri said.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah. It's all gone." Justin smiled.
"Anyone ready for desert?" The waiter asked and everyone declined while patting their stomachs.
"I think we should be going." Lynne mentioned and everyone followed her out the restaurant.
"You know it was kind of crammed in the car ride up here. I think I'll ride with Justin and Britney." Madison said walking over to the Mercedes.
"No! You can't!" Kerri said grabbing her arm and pulling her back to Lynne's car.
"Kerri, why the hostility?" Lynn asked.
"Oh, because I didn't scoot over enough when Madison got in. There's more room." Kerri said. Madison didn't understand Keri's reasons, but went along with her excuse anyway.
Chapter 5
Chapter 7
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