“CHRIS!” Siobhan yelled out.
Chris looked up and grinned, waving at Siobhan. “I love it when you scream my name!” he yelled back jokingly. That comment caused him to fall into the song that popped into his head immediately after shouting his last statement. “I love it when it when you call me BIG PA-PA,” he bounced rhythmically.
“CHRIS!” Siobhan yelled again, this time making her way over to where he was standing. “Do you always trap yourself in ‘Chris Land’? Or do other people join too?”
Chris stopped singing and bouncing to turn and grin at Siobhan. “Other people join too, care to step into my world?”
Siobhan giggled and shook her head, “Come on oh abnormal one, we have an interview to do!” Siobhan grabbed Chris’ wrist and proceeded to drag him towards the door.
Chris stumbled slightly, then caught his balance quickly, waving over at the rest of the guys, who were stuck in a fit of laughter. Chris blew them a kiss and waved on last time before Siobhan pulled him out the door and around the corner, out of sight.
Siobhan managed to keep Chris barely on balance, all the way to her office, so he couldn’t make any stops. She let go of his wrist after she shut the door after him and walked behind her desk to sit down. Chris stood where she had left him and gave an innocent look.
Siobhan looked up and waited for him to move. When he didn’t, she sighed and shook her head. “Sit down Chris.”
Chris shrugged and nodded, walking over to the seats in front of Siobhan’s desk. He plopped down with a faint “whoosh” of the air coming out of the seat from his weight. Chris giggled to himself and looked over Siobhan, who was watching him curiously.
“Why do I get this feeling this interview is going to take a little longer than expected?” Siobhan asked with a sigh.
Chris grinned, “Because it is.”
Siobhan smiled faintly and nodded her head, “Lucky me.”
Chris laughed lightly. “All right Chevy baby, let’s get started.”
Siobhan raised and eyebrow at him and shook her head. “Ok CHRISSY HONEY, first question, how did you start singing?”
Chris twisted his mouth in thought and started to shake his leg. “Are all these questions going to be like this?” he asked.
Siobhan looked at him, slightly confused, she hadn’t expected that question. “No...”
“Ok,” Chris shrugged. “Just wondering.”
Siobhan nodded her head.
“Well I lived up in the North East when I was younger and me, my mom, and my sister were really poor. We lived off food stamps and everything, it was kind of sad.” He shifted in his seat. “When I was close to finishing high school and entering college, my dad offered to pay for my education, but I had to move down to Florida.” Chris paused, “One day I was sitting in class and I turned my head and looked, there was a sign hanging up for chorus, I think it was that day, that changed my entire life.”
Siobhan smiled at his sweet story. “Then what happened.”
Chris sighed, “Haven’t you read our biographies?”
Siobhan laughed lightly, “Yes I have, so I take it that means you want to get off the regular topics.”
Chris nodded and smiled. “Ask me something GOOD.”
“Do you have a girlfriend?”
Chris sighed, “If I didn’t know any better I would think you were a journalist--oh wait you are and your EXACTLY like all the other ones that have interviewed me with almost the same EXACT questions.”
Siobhan clicked her jaw and stared at Chris. “Oh now you’ve done it.”
Chris grinned slyly, “I don’t get mad...I get even, revenge can be a bitch can’t it?” He blew on his nails chalantly and smiled innocently. “What was the question again?”
Siobhan leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs, starting to rock back and forth in her seat. She threw down her pen and pad and remained staring at Chris. She chewed on her lip gently, in thought.
“Chev, are you going to answer me or what?” Chris asked, smiling sweetly.
Siobhan stayed silent for a moment longer until she finally stopping rocking and focused her glare on Chris so intently, Chris shifted in his seat uncomfortably.
“What is your deepest secret?” she asked slowly, mysteriously.
Chris cleared his throat and shifted again, watching Siobhan nervously. “Wh-what do you mean?”
Siobhan didn’t move. “Exactly what I said, what’s your deepest, darkest secret?”
Chris stared at her, trying to tell if she was serious. When her expression stayed the same he cleared his throat again and narrowed his eyebrows in thought. His expression relaxed and he smiled.
“Can you keep a secret?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Siobhan was surprised at his question, he was actually going to tell her something AND her tape recorder was still running, though he didn’t noticed. She smiled and nodded her head.
Chris looked around and leaned into her desk. He motioned for her to come closer with his finger and looked around again. Siobhan had butterflies in her stomach and she took a deep breath, trying to play it cool.
Chris leaned in and held his breath. There was a long silent, drawn out pause between them before Chris blurted out, “Good so can I.”
Siobhan leaned back and looked at Chris with a look of bewilderment. “What...?”
Chris giggled, “You can keep secrets, so can I, let’s keep it that way.”
Siobhan sighed and shook her head, “Are you ready to go back to the regular boring questions now?”
Chris made a face and shrugged, “I guess so...”
Siobhan picked her pad and pen back up and studied her notes. “All right next question, what’s your greatest accomplishment?”
Chris began shaking his leg again and tilted his head in thought. “Hmm...that’s actually a good question.”
Siobhan smiled, “Thanks for your approval.”
Chris grinned, “Anytime.” He continued to think about the question and his answer. His eyes finally lit up and he spoke, “I think my greatest accomplishment in my life so far, is discovering true happiness.”
“Explain please.”
“Well it’s not that complicated to understand, but I’ll explain anyway.”
Siobhan shot him a look and he grinned with a small wave.
“I mean when I think about everything sometimes, I wonder how the hell I got here, what I did to deserve the life I’ve built for myself. Then I think about the things that I’ve lived through and I’ve realized that life is so much more complicated than people make it out to be, yet it’s so easy to understand.”
He tilted his head and continued, “Dreaming and building my life to my own comfort gives me a sense of stability and confidence in myself. To be able to sit down and look around, hold my girlfriend and support my family, knowing I have the financial power to support them until my younger sister’s hair turns gray, it gives me a sort of peace I guess.”
Siobhan scribbled down a few notes. Chris was turning out to be a lot different than she had ever imagined him to be. She guessed that even crazy guys have their moments.
“So to answer your question with a short response, like I tried to the first time I answered, discovering true happiness,” Chris said, cutting into Siobhan’s thoughts.
Siobhan smiled and sat back in her seat again. “Well I’m glad you explained what you meant, I just saw a part of you the public doesn’t usually see, the personal side.”
Chris shifted in his seat, “Well that’s the one and only serious answer I’m giving so now you better get ready for some INTENSE sarcasm.”
“Of course,” Siobhan laughed lightly. “All right next question, what was the most traumatic experience of your life so far?”
“No fair,” Chris protested. “This is another serious topic...come on Chev.”
Siobhan smiled, “Well...?”
Chris shrugged. He smiled, “Probably when Busta was almost shunned off our bus and the tour itself! All because of the curly haired boy they call Justin.”
Siobhan sighed, “I had to try.”
Chris grinned, “Sorry Chev. nothing personal on your part.”
Siobhan nodded her head, “I understand.”
“How many more questions do we have to go through?” Chris whined, peeking over to Siobhan’s notebook that she was scribbling notes on.
Siobhan covered her notebook and smiled, “Just a few more impatient one.” She looked back down at her notebook and scanned the words. “I already know you ate Play-to when you were younger and that’s why your like the way you are...soooo...I guess...” Siobhan trailed off. She looked up and found Chris staring at her. “There’s that look again, what’d I say this time?” she sighed.
“The way I am? And what exactly would that be?” Chris demanded.
Siobhan giggled, “I wish I had a camera so you could see the look your giving me.”
“I see nothing funny about this,” Chris said, narrowing his eyebrows.
“Oh loosen up,” Siobhan said, brushing off his looks.
“Tell me Chev., do I intimidate you?” he asked mischievously.
Siobhan took no time to answer, “No, should you?”
Chris’ mouth fell open, “You could have at least thought about it for a few seconds and made me feel a little better!”
Siobhan giggled.
“Ouch Chevy, that hurt my manly pride,” he said, puffing up his chest.
“Pretty puny if you ask me,” she replied casually. “Anyway, next question...”
Chris cut her off, “Puny? Puny? You call these guns puny?” he asked, flexing.
Siobhan watched Chris with amusement. “Looks more like water pistols to me, squirt squirt.”
Chris stopped flexing and stared at Siobhan. “Damn girl where the hell did you get all these jokes?”
Siobhan smiled, “I learn quickly.”
Chris grinned and smiled proudly. Siobhan opened her mouth to spit out another crack but decided against it, she was getting off topic and she needed to ask a few more questions.
“Can we continue?” she asked.
Chris shrugged, “I guess so, but can we go somewhere and do something else? I’m getting bored.”
Siobhan shook her head, “Only a few more questions and I’ll let you go.”
Chris sighed heavily and nodded his head, “Go ahead.”
“Do you like the group No Doubt?”
Chris’ mouth curled into a smile. “A little,” he said, trying to act casual.
Siobhan watched him for a second before he couldn’t contain himself anymore and burst into conversation, standing up.
“I love them! No you know what, I love Gwen! Gwen is so hot, ohmigod have you seen her!?” he exclaimed.
Siobhan shrugged and nodded, “Isn’t she married to Gavin?”
Chris narrowed his eyes, “No, don’t mention his name in my presence, Gavin is NOT important, he’s just a distraction until she meets me!”
Siobhan nodded her head again with a small laugh, “A distraction huh?”
“Yeah only a distraction because Gwen loves ME, she just doesn’t know it yet,” Chris said matter of factly.
“Interesting...you know you sound like someone when you tell me this...I just can’t think of who...oh wait I know!” Siobhan exclaimed in recognition. “You remind me of a teeny bopper!”
Chris’ smile fell and he frowned. “I’m having a moment here, do you mind?” he asked.
Siobhan laughed, she cleared her throat, “Sorry of course, go on.”
Chris gave a sarcastic smile and continued, “ANYWAY before I was so RUDELY interrupted, as I was saying abut Gwen--”
“What’s your favorite color?” Siobhan asked, ignoring Chris talking.
Chris stared at her for a second before talking, “Silver now about Gwen--”
“Favorite food?”
Chris sighed, getting frustrated, “A personal favorite of mine is Taco Bell, but as I was saying--”
“Ew Taco Bell?” Siobhan asked, making a face.
“What’s wrong with Taco Bell?” Chris asked, placing his hands on his hips.
“What ISN’T wrong with Taco Bell?” Siobhan shot back.
“Nothing,” Chris said.
Siobhan shook her head, “Yeah right.”
“No, come on tell me what you’ve heard about Taco Bell, because I guarantee you all the stories are fake,” Chris challenged.
“I’m personally a fan of Wendy’s,” Siobhan said, ignoring Chris’ challenge.
“Oh god you and Justin,” Chris said, rolling his eyes.
Siobhan shrugged, “What? That placed is so much better, better food, better service, not to mention SO much CLEANER.”
Chris sighed, exasperated, “Are you gonna keep arguing with me about which is better? Wendy’s or Taco Bell?”
“Not unless you admit I’m right,” Siobhan said.
“HA!” Chris laughed. “Never!”
“Your so stubborn,” Siobhan muttered.
Chris smiled, “Damn proud of it, your not the easiest, laid back person I’ve met either you know.”
Siobhan smiled sweetly, “I’m what I like to call ‘flexible’.”
Chris laughed, “Flexible my ass, I’m going to prove that I’m right.”
Siobhan sighed, “Whatever suits you best.”
“Well it DOES suit me best, so I’m going to do it!” Chris said, turning around for the door.
“Well good, then do it!” Siobhan replied, looking down at her notes.
“Well fine!” Chris said, reaching the door.
“Fine!” Siobhan called back.
“Fine!” Chris said, opening the door.
“FINE!”
“FINE!” Chris huffed, shutting the door behind him.
Siobhan looked up at the door and sighed. “Fine,” she muttered her herself. “He can just leave and-- Oh damnit Chris! I’m not done with your interview!” she said out loud. She got up and ran over to the door, she swung it open and ran right into Chris.
They collided with a low “Oof!”
Siobhan backed up and rubbed her head, “Jeese Chris, your already giving me headaches.”
Chris grinned, “I wondered how long it was going to take you to come get me.”
Siobhan sighed and turned around, heading back towards her desk. “All right Chris, enough games for today, let me finish this interview and let you get out of here so I can take come aspirin and get my nerves under control.”
“Aww Chevy baby, I so happy I’ve caused your headache!” Chris crooned playfully.
Siobhan swung around and looked at him curiously, “What?”
“For awhile there I thought I was losing my touch, I caused Melinda to have one the first day, you took a little longer,” he explained with a grin.
Siobhan sighed and rubbed her forehead, “Whatever Chris, sit down again.”
Chris jumped up and down in his place, “Can I just stand?”
Siobhan sat back down at her desk, “Do whatever you want.”
Chris continued to jump.
Siobhan scanned her notebook again and tried to find a good question. She finally gave up and threw her hands into the air.
“Just go Chris, I can’t think of anything else and if I need more information I’ll come get you,” she said.
Chris stopped bouncing, “That’s it? No more questions?”
Siobhan shook her head, “No more, all done, GO!”
Chris gave a hurt look. “The party always ends when I just begin to have fun.”
Siobhan look at him curiously, “What party? It was an interview, you gave me a headache, achieving your weekly goal, managed to make me run after you, then run INTO you, also insulted me, and challenged me to see what fast food restaurant is better, Wendy’s or Taco Bell.”
Chris stood there in thought for a brief moment before responding. “And all in a period of a half hour, DAMN I’m good.”
Siobhan narrowed her eyebrows and studied him. “Were you...oh never mind.”
Chris giggled, “I think it went well, one of the best interview’s I’ve ever had. I’d love to stay and chat some more, but I have things to do, people to see, you understand right?”
Siobhan sighed and nodded slowly, “Bye Chris.”
Chris walked over to her and reached across the desk, pulling her into a big hug. “Thanks Chev. see ya later!”
With that he bounced out the door and left it hanging open.
“Chris shut the--” Siobhan started. She heard him bounce all the way down the hall. “Door,” she finished.
She stood up and walked over to the door to shut it, pausing in the doorway. She peeked her head out and stared after Chris. She saw him bounce once more, then round the corner and disappear. She leaned back into her office and sighed.
When Chris hugged Siobhan she was thrown off. She hadn’t expected to him to hug her and was clearly surprised when he did. Had he actually showed open affection as a friend? Siobhan shook her head and laughed to herself.
“Your just making this all up,” she laughed out loud. “Besides, why would you care? It’s not like your becoming all buddy buddy with them INTENTIONALLY.”
She walked back over to her desk and sat back down, beginning to sort through all her papers and notes, also to play back the tape she just had used to record Chris’ interview.
Siobhan didn’t know it, but Chris had just done something wonderful for her. He had just showed her someone cared.
(The Next Day)
“Siobhan?” a voice squeaked from the door.
Siobhan looked up from her laptop and peeked at the door, “Yes?”
Justin poked his head in and smiled, “You wanted to see me next?”
Siobhan smiled warmly and nodded, “Come on in and sit down.”
Justin swung the door open and walked in. He shut the door behind him and took a seat in one of the seats in front of Siobhan’s desk. He looked around her office and smiled. He looked back up at Siobhan and found her watching him.
“Ready?” she asked.
Justin nodded and Siobhan pressed record on her tape player, “I was informed earlier today that I didn’t have any original questions, so I hope you bear with me.”
Justin smiled, “Of course.”
“All right first question, why did you let your hair grow out?”
Justin seemed thrown off guard by her first question. He collected himself and began to explain. “I was with my best friend Trace one day and we were talking about my fans and my public image. We got into a small disagreement, I told him that my fans don’t care about my appearance, they care more about the music, but he thought otherwise.”
Siobhan nodded her head.
“So I made a bet that if I grew my hair out my fans wouldn’t stop liking the group or me just because I changed a part of my appearance,” Justin said. “So I did and so far I’ve gotten mixed reviews.”
Siobhan smiled, “Did Chris have the same idea when he added dreds last year?”
Justin laughed lightly, “No Chris just wanted something different, I think he thought he looked cool.”
Siobhan giggled, “Did anyone tell him the truth?”
Justin shook his head and laughed, “Nope.”
They both laughed.
“I thought about dying my afro blonde, then I got a letter from the peroxide company telling me they had a low supply and couldn't support my desire to dye my BIG head of hair.”
Siobhan laughed. Justin grinned.
“You have a really good sense of humor about that,” she commented.
“You have to when your in this business, I mean people look at you with a magnifying glass, they tease you and make jokes, so that leaves you with two choices,” Justin said holding up two fingers. “One you can either laugh along with it and have a sense of humor about it,” he said holding one finger. “Or two you can get mad and offended by everyone’s comments and jokes, then just waste good energy getting worked up over a harmless joke,” he said holding the other finger.
Siobhan nodded her head, “Well some comments can be taken a little far.”
Justin shrugged, “True, so that's when you keep cool, comment maturely, then brush it off and forget about it the next day.”
“My my, I must say your a very mature nineteen year old,” Siobhan said, nodding her head in approval.
“You grow up quickly when you live our lives,” Justin said in a low tone.
“What exactly do you mean by that?” Siobhan asked.
“Well when I first started off in this business, I was pretty young, I missed a lot of normal things that a teenager does in their life, but at the same time I learned so many more of life lessons. I mean I even missed graduating from middle school,” he said. “But I got to pursue my dreams, I worked hard to be here today. I think a lot of people underestimate the things artists have to sacrifice.”
Siobhan leaned back in her chair and listened intently.
“I mean, we practically give up our lives, our images are put up at stake, our pride is battered and bruised, our families and loved ones can even be put in some sort of danger, this may sound a little conceited, but we sacrifice A LOT.”
Siobhan didn’t respond.
“Sometimes I wonder why I go through all of it, then my mind goes to the two more important things in this business that makes it all worth it.”
“And what would that be?” Siobhan asked.
“The music and the fans,” Justin said softly. “Just wait until you go on tour Siobhan, wait until you see all the people and the faces, the noise they make and the smiles we can put on their faces. Wait until you see how they sing along to all the words and know almost every movement and extra ‘oh’ or ‘ah’. It’ll blow you away, no matter how many times you see it, it’ll blow you away all over again each time,” Justin said with a soft look and a twinkle in his eye.
Siobhan caught her breath by the passion that was unfolding Justin’s personality just as he spoke about his life. The look on his face was irreplaceable and the sparkle in his eye showed his loyalty and compassion. He was truly, deeply passionate about his music and his fans, he even appreciated the crazy life he led, this baffled Siobhan.
“W-wow,” she choked out after a long driven silence.
Justin looked up, breaking out of his daze. “Sorry,” he blushed. “I get carried away sometimes.”
Siobhan smiled, “No need to apologize.”
Justin smiled and looked back down at his fingers thoughtfully. “Are we done with that question?” he asked.
Siobhan nodded, “Yeah...all right, next question...what were your thoughts on the whole legal mess you guys went through this past year?”
Justin took a deep breath. “My thoughts...hmm...there was a lot of them. First thoughts were disbelief and betrayal, then I suppose I felt anger and frustration, lastly I felt scared.”
Siobhan was thrown off by his answer. “Can you explain those emotions and the reasons for them to me?” she asked softly.
Justin nodded slowly and took another deep breath. “Lou...Lou Pearlman, the guy who started us off...” he trailed off. “Someone you wouldn’t expect to be so greedy.”
Siobhan focused her stare in Justin and his expression while his mind clicked with thoughts and words he wanted to use to express his opinion.
“I’ll be completely honest with you, I trusted Lou,” Justin began. “I really did, I thought his intentions were all good and that he really cared about the group and it’s success...I guess he did in a way, but not the way I wanted him to or thought he did for that matter.”
He paused for a moment before continuing, “You know the saddest thing is, we really trusted that guy and he didn’t seem to care. When everything was exposed and the legal issues became public it made me mad to see the show he put on to act like he was such a caring person, then he would walk into the courtroom and try to end our careers.”
“I was just so surprised the way he could transform into someone completely different when he was in the public eye. If only people could have seen the truth and the other side of him that he threatened us with,” Justin said, shaking his head sadly. “I trusted him and it was almost like he brushed that factor off his shoulder and only cared about his own intentions.”
Siobhan began to stiffen up and grow uncomfortable. It was almost like he was describing her and fear began to wash over her body immediately. She swallowed the lump in her throat and continued to listen to Justin and pray she didn’t show any of her anxiety or fear.
“I think the one emotion that was overcame me the most was fear,” Justin continued, not noticing Siobhan shift nervously in her seat. “I mean when Lou threatened to take away everything we had worked so hard to gain, it was like someone was taking my soul and cutting it up, piece by piece.”
Justin paused again, “I wondered how someone could do that and continue to sleep comfortably at night. I mean music is my life, if someone took away my dream with just one stroke and they could live comfortably, guilt free, then I think I would literally break down.”
Justin sighed, “Think about that, someone you thought supported you in everything you did and especially something you loved, then all the sudden they turn against you and try to take that all away, just so THEIR satisfied.”
Siobhan inhaled slowly and exhaled quickly. She was trying to hide all her emotions that were being pulled out by every crucially true word Justin was uttering. She took another deep breath and tried to control herself.
“It was sad to say the least, but to have music taken away from me was probably the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced. I know that sounds funny, but fear can come in so many different shades, just like colors.”
Siobhan smiled weakly and nodded her head. She cleared her throat and spoke, “I don’t what to say, except that your one courageous person to go through all of that and still keep your head high.”
Justin smiled, “My head wasn’t always held high, but whenever it fell my family and friends were always there to lift up my chin.”
Siobhan watched Justin talk and for a moment she envied him. They way he talked about his family and friends made Siobhan sick and jealous at the same time. Even if he had lost his musical career, he would still have a home to return to with family members waiting for him with open arms. Or he could fall into the arms of his friends and they would support him until he felt he found the strength to stand up again. She swallowed hard and shook her head of her thoughts.
“Were the fans a big help in that certain period of time?” Siobhan asked.
Justin’s face lit up and he beamed. “The fans were the best part of the whole thing,” he began. “Their constant support, rally’s, petitions, e-mail’s, signs, everything...they didn’t know it, but they brought the sun out on the rainy days of the legal issue.”
His expression grew even softer, “I remember reading through some of the letters and e-mail’s we received and looking at all the people’s names who signed petitions to fight for us, I couldn’t believe the confidence they had in us even when were having our doubts. It blew me away.”
Siobhan took heavy breaths and watched him talk.
“I know we tell them a million times, but I don’t think that we could say it enough, without the fans, we’re nothing.”
Siobhan couldn't believe the emotions he was stirring inside of her and she tried her best to hold them in and hidden. She wasn’t a person who could sit down and spill her heart out to just anybody, yet here was a guy who was betrayed by a authoritative figure he deeply trusted, and he was willingly talking about it to her, almost a complete stranger. Siobhan was left speechless and for a brief moment, she felt special for his faith in her.
Justin licked his lips and laughed lightly, “All right Chev., give me an easy question.”
Siobhan broke out of her thoughts and smile weakly, “I’d say you deserve one after that answer.”
She scanned her notebook when a question popped into her head. She smiled and looked up at Justin.
Justin gave her a curious look, “What...?”
“Tell me Justin, which is better...Wendy’s or Taco Bell?”
Justin grinned, “Having a debate with Chris are we?”
Siobhan nodded, “How did you know?”
“Chris and I are STILL having our debate,” Justin replied.
Siobhan groaned, “And how long have you known each other?”
Justin thought about it, “A little TOO long to be having this argument.”
Siobhan laughed lightly, “Well which is it?”
“Wendy’s of course,” Justin answered with a smile.
Siobhan nodded her head, “Of course...just proves that people with GOOD taste, think alike.”
Justin grinned, “That would be you and me of course.”
Siobhan nodded, “Who else?”
They both laughed.
Siobhan’s laugh died down and she watched Justin. For a brief moment, something inside of her flickered. She had a second thought about writing her article for the LA Times. She shook her head and pushed her thoughts out of her head and reminded herself of all the praise and respect she would get, not to mention Mike’s approval.
Siobhan was going to go through with it, she just had to stop getting so close to these guys, though that was her job, she was getting a little uncomfortable.
She looked over at Justin and smiled to hide her thoughts, she actually felt bad, she was going to betray his trust all over again. It was wrong, but it was her job, she couldn’t let friendship interfere with that. That wouldn’t be professional.
