Siobhan grumbled to herself until she reached the bus, she then laughed out loud once she fully boarded the bus. She sat down on the couch and knew very well she wasn’t going to be able to get back to sleep, but the look on Justin’s face was classic. She wondered what the reaction would be from everyone else and most importantly from Johnny or any other authoritative figure, but at least she enjoyed herself.
Siobhan leaned back on the couch and sighed. She had to admit that was smart of her and she got her point across, that was the main concern on her part. Little did she know she just initiated herself into the group by playing that prank to get back.
“Thanks for your concern on my well being JC,” Justin muttered, trying to soak as much soda out of his pants with a clump of napkins.
JC grinned, “I think that’s a sign to bet on ME in your little pool you started.”
Justin rolled his eyes and sighed. He stopped for a brief moment and looked at the bus Siobhan had just boarded. “I have to admit, that took guts.”
Chris walked over, holding his stomach from all the laughter. “I’ll say, that girl has no fear and for that I have the utmost respect for her!”
Justin shot Chris a look and continued to soak up soda.
“She’s a feisty one,” Joey giggled.
“Just makes her a challenge and one that we all gladly accept,” Chris smiled.
Justin nodded his head, “Oh it’s definitely on now.”
Chris grinned and patted Justin on the back, “I couldn’t have said it any better, you hear that old crack she spit out on the bus? Oh she’s going down for that one!”
Justin pointed down to his damp front, “Enough said.”
Chris laughed.
Lance and Joey scooted in closer, “Let us have some fun too.”
Chris and Justin smiled and nodded. Justin looked over at JC who was shaking his head slowly.
“Oh I forgot C over here can’t play,” Justin said in a mocking tone.
“That’s right, YOU have a bet,” Chris chimed in.
JC sighed and held his comments back. “I plan to win that bet and since no one else here has faith in me, I’m going to do it just to prove a point to not only her, but YOU guys also.”
Justin grinned and turned to Chris. “He thinks he can last for TWO months.”
Chris laughed loudly, “Yeah right C.”
JC scoffed, “You guys have no faith in me, it’s good to know what our friendship means.”
“Our friendship isn’t included in this! This is strictly between you and Siobhan, we just have a pool to make it interesting on our part!” Justin protested.
JC laughed lightly. “Thanks.”
Justin grinned, “That’s what friends are for.”
Siobhan looked out the window and noticed everyone starting to make their way back to their assigned buses and board. Siobhan sighed and pushed her hair out of her face, she was starting to get bored on this bus. Though she would LOVE to go back to sleep, she knew she couldn’t and that meant she had to amuse herself somehow.
Siobhan stood up and went back in search for her travel bag. She found it and made her way back to the front of the bus. She set herself up on the pull out table and began tapping away at her laptop.
Kim bounced on the bus and grinned. Siobhan didn’t even look up to acknowledge her presence.
“That was funny what you did out there,” Kim giggled.
Siobhan looked up and studied her for a second, “Thanks...”
Kim paused and tilted her head and look at Siobhan. Siobhan looked back down to her laptop and continued what she was doing. Someone boarded the bus and stood in front of the table with her hands on her hips.
“Kim, stop bugging her will you?” the voice said.
Kim looked up and opened her mouth to say something, but shut it quickly. She slipped out of the booth and into the back room to amuse herself.
Siobhan looked up and found a woman she guessed was in her mid twenties, standing by her. She had a intimidating presence but Siobhan didn’t notice, she just stared.
“Thanks,” she said carefully.
The girl slid in the seat across from Siobhan and smiled, “No problem, Kim can get annoying, but if you just tell her to go away she usually does.”
Siobhan wasn’t sure whether to laugh or not, so instead she just nodded her head. She remained silent and continued to stare at the unknown girl sitting across from her.
“Oh!” the girl exclaimed. “I’m sorry I didn’t even introduce myself, I’m Diana, but everyone calls my D.”
Siobhan smiled, “I’m Siobhan, everyone kind of makes a nickname to whatever suits them best.”
Diana laughed, “I’m guessing your referring to Chris.”
Siobhan nodded with a small smile.
“How do you think I got the nick name D?”
Siobhan laughed and shrugged.
“For some reason, they like to narrow down everyone’s name to just letters, I don’t know why but they do it, I guess it’s just laziness on their part.”
Siobhan giggled, “I guess so, I was lucky enough to be narrowed down to Chev.”
Diana nodded slowly, “I see.”
Both girls laughed.
“So why are you on this tour?” Siobhan asked.
“I’m their hairdresser,” Diana replied. “You would think that would be an easy job, get their hair washed, add in a little gel, then scruff up their hair and boom you’ve got the new popular hair do on every guy around. But NO, not true. JUSTIN has to be in the group.”
Siobhan giggled. “Is his hair hard to handle?”
Diana rolled her eyes, “Hard? Those beautiful curls are as soft as they come, but when he gets lazy, THEN the trouble comes.”
Siobhan smiled, “And how would that be? They look easy to tame.”
Diana laughed, “I WISH they were easy to tame.”
“Well then from the sound of that, I pity you.”
Diana grinned, “FINALLY someone does!”
Both girls giggled.
“So I hear your rooming with Kim,” Diana said, changing the subject.
Siobhan sighed and nodded, “Yes I’ve heard that too.”
“Don’t fret, I’m right next door in the connecting room and maybe we can pull off switching,” Diana suggested.
Siobhan looked up hopeful, “Oh please, please tell me that’s possible...it’s not that I don’t like Kim because I don’t even know her, but I already have this gut feeling she’s going to annoy me easily. Tell me...is she a morning person?”
“The only one on this whole damn crew,” Diana replied.
Siobhan groaned.
Diana laughed, “Don’t worry we’ll find a way around it.”
Siobhan sighed, “I hope so.”
Diana placed her arms on the table, “So tell me what you do on this tour.”
Siobhan glanced down at her laptop, “I get to construct the web site, write up biographies, stuff like that.”
“Ah I see, so your the one who took Melinda’s place.”
Siobhan nodded.
“Well welcome aboard and strap yourself in because your in for the ride of your life,” Diana smiled slyly.
Siobhan raised and eyebrow, “Why do I get the feeling I’m in for a lot of surprises?”
Diana smiled knowingly, “Because you are honey, oh are you ever.”
After what seemed like hours, the line of tour buses and trucks reached their first destination, Bilioux Mississippi. Lance climbed off the bus first, bubbling with energy.
“Ah home sweet home,” he crooned, looking around himself.
The rest of the guys climbed off one by one, squinting their eyes from the sunlight and smiling tiredly.
“Hey Poofoo are your parents coming to the concert tonight?” Chris asked, from behind Joey and Justin.
Lance nodded excitedly, “My whole family is coming!”
No time was wasted in unloading the luggage from the buses. The trucks sped off to begin setting up at the arena. Lance looked around happily, feeling good to be home. Everyone looked around for the rest of the crew members to get off their buses and find their own luggage.
Siobhan walked off the bus, laughing over something with Diana. All the guys turned around to see where the loud laughter came from. Siobhan and Diana stopped laughing and looked at all the faces staring at them.
“What?” they shrugged.
“I see you met the infamous D!” Chris exclaimed, walking over to them.
Siobhan nodded. “Why didn’t you tell me about her?”
All the guys shrugged.
“We figured you’d eventually meet all the people on the tour, ON THE TOUR.”
Siobhan shot Chris a look, “Thank you for that smart analogy you thought up.”
Chris grinned, “Anytime.”
Siobhan rolled her eyes and adjusted her travel bag on her shoulder. Diana continued to walked towards the hotel and stopped in front of Justin.
“You feeling better now? All dry?” she asked with a smirk.
Justin gave her a challenging look and nodded, “Much better thanks.”
Diana smiled. Her smile fell and she squinted her eyes accusingly.
“What’s that look for D?” Justin shrugged innocently.
“Take off that hat,” she ordered in a low tone.
Justin backed up and laughed nervously, “Why?”
“Take...it...off,” Diana repeated slowly.
Justin shook his head and continued to back up.
“Justin,” Diana said calmly. “Let me see what you did to your hair.”
Justin laughed again, “I didn’t do anything! I just put a hat on.”
Diana groaned, “WHY must you make my life hell?”
Justin grinned, “Aw it’s all in fun.”
“You guys sure have fun in a odd way,” Siobhan muttered.
Everyone turned to look at her. Siobhan looked up and a smiled with a nervous laugh. She waved shyly and looked around her to find something interesting to look at.
Lonnie quickly approached the guys and began escorting them into the hotel as the rest of their body guards came up to help. Siobhan was pulled off to the side by Diana and she gave her a curious look.
“What?” she asked.
Diana smiled, “We have to wait for them, fans are around and if we’re spotted by them rumors WILL fly.”
Siobhan narrowed her eyebrows and shrugged, “But I don’t date any of them...”
“Of course you don’t and your not romantically involved as far as I know, but I know a LOT more than the few hundred fans stalking the front doors of the hotel lobby,” Diana replied with a smile.
Siobhan got the hint and nodded. “All right.”
“I’m sure you got the wonderful lecture by Brian,” Diana grinned.
Siobhan nodded her head again. “That I did.”
Diana looked around and nodded to someone, nudging Siobhan gently to catch her attention and point in the direction of the elevators. They both walked over and waited patiently with a few other members for the elevator door to open. Someone came up and handed Diana a key, then looked down at the piece of paper in their hand. They looked up at Siobhan and handed her a room key also. Both girls thanked the guy and he spun around in the other direction to hand out the other keys. The elevator finally opened and five people including the two girls climbed aboard. They were taken to their floor and stepped off, going their own ways.
“So where would my room be?” Siobhan asked, studying the room numbers on the door.
Diana began making her way down the hallway, “Follow me.”
They both made their way down the long carpeted hallway and finally reached their rooms, next door to each other. Siobhan unlocked her door and Diana flashed her an encouraging smile, knowing she had to room with Kim.
Siobhan let herself in and peeked into the room. She found no one in there but bags settled on a bed. Siobhan slipped in and walked in, breathing a sigh of relief. She dropped her bags in a corner and peeked out the curtains to the scope out the view. She wasn’t prepared to see the signs and patient fans waiting in the front of the building. Siobhan narrowed her eyes and wondered how long they had all been standing there.
“HI SIOBHAN!”
Siobhan jumped and spun around to find Kim standing there with a grin on her face.
“I didn’t hear you come in!” she said happily.
“Yeah well...I’m not a very loud person,” Siobhan mumbled.
“I’ll say, you hardly talk...” Kim began.
“I like quiet,” Siobhan cut in, trying to hint to her point to Kim. Kim didn’t receive it the way Siobhan wanted her to.
“Well then it’s a mistake coming on this tour! Wait until you go to the concert tonight...your in for it then!” Kim said nodding her head, as if agreeing with herself.
Siobhan studied Kim carefully, “I...oh never mind.”
Kim tilted her head in curiosity and shrugged when Siobhan remained silent. Kim bounced over to her bed and hopped on, giggling with every bounce she created. Siobhan closed her eyes and sighed.
“Lord give me patience,” Siobhan said to herself.
Kim smiled when she saw Siobhan talking to herself, clueless to what she said. Siobhan smiled weakly and walked over to the connecting doors. She opened her door and knocked gently on the door to the other room. She heard a loud voice making their way to the door, she guessed that was Diana. The door suddenly swung open and Diana looked down in slight surprise.
“Already?” Diana asked.
Siobhan nodded miserably, “I can’t even take a greeting from her...what’s wrong with me?”
Diana laughed, “You’ll get used to her eventually, sooner or later your going to learn how to block out her voice and you’ll feel much better.”
Siobhan couldn’t help but giggle. “Thanks for the tip.”
“No problem, but until then you can hide out in my room and act like your doing something important,” Diana offered.
“Your a saint,” Siobhan said gratefully.
“Not a saint...but pretty damn close to it,” Diana grinned, stepping aside to let her in.
Siobhan laughed and walked into Diana’s hotel room. She shut the connecting doors behind her and sat down on the bed. Diana walked into the bathroom and continued to get her bathroom accessories out.
Siobhan sighed and thought about the tour ahead of her. Day one and she couldn’t stand her room mate, it was just something about perky happy go-lucky people that made her want to crawl under a rock and keep as far away from them as possible. That sounded incredibly cruel and harsh, but she wasn’t a bright sunny looking or acting, person.
“Are you ready for the concert tonight?” Diana called out from the bathroom.
Siobhan looked up, breaking her thoughts and shrugged. “I don’t know...should I prepare?” she asked.
Diana laughed. “No but I have to admit it IS quite an experience...these guys put a lot of hard work into touring and I’m sure you’ll see the fans appreciating it.”
“Well the fans appreciate everything they do don’t they?” Siobhan asked.
There was a pause, “Yes they do, but sometimes I don’t think they know the capacity and lack of limits those guys pass in order to keep their fans happy.”
“What do you mean by that?” Siobhan asked.
“Well think about it, once you see life on tour you’ll realize how much those guys WORK for their fans, not just themselves...but I don’t think the fans always realize that...some of them do and some don’t, I really have no place to judge that because I don’t know each and every one of the fans personally.”
“Well how do the guys feel about all of that? Do they ever feel like the fans UNDER appreciate their hard work?” Siobhan asked curiously.
Diana let out a little laugh, “Oh no honey, I think the fans appreciate every little thing they do, say, or BREATH for that matter and the guys love them for that. But sometimes people OUTSIDE of the tour crews think it’s so easy when in reality it’s not.”
Siobhan sighed, “I’m a little confused.”
Diana walked out of the bathroom, shutting off the light on her way. “Don’t worry about understanding it...I didn’t think you would and I shouldn’t have tried to explain that, you’ll see things as they come along.”
Siobhan nodded and shrugged.
Diana sat down on the opposite bed and faced Siobhan. “So tell me about this bet you made with JC.”
Siobhan looked up, slightly surprise and laughed. “Has he told EVERYONE?”
Diana smiled, “No he told Justin...enough said.”
Both girls laughed.
“I see, well YES I have made a bet with JC and it’s a TWO month bet at that,” Siobhan grinned.
“And what are the winnings?” Diana asked with a smile.
“If I win...he has to tell me anything I want to know...if HE wins, which he won’t by the way, I have to do whatever he says.”
“Whatever he says? Oh girl you just stepped onto dangerous grounds,” Diana said with a sly smile.
Siobhan raised an eyebrow at her comment. “I don’t have to worry about it, he won’t win and he’ll have to bow down to ME,” she said jokingly.
Diana laughed, “Hmm...I just might have to join the pool they’ve got going.”
Siobhan gave her a curious look.
“Oh yeah, Justin already started a pool between the guys on who’s going to win and who’s going to break down first.”
Siobhan laughed, “Well well, now the stakes just became more interesting didn’t they?”
Diana laughed, “I guess so...and what are you going to do about it now?”
Siobhan smiled mischievously, “I’m going to do what all the guys do, have a little fun.”
“JC!” Justin yelled into the bathroom.
“What!?” he yelled back.
“Come on, we’re gonna be late for sound check!”
JC sighed frustrated, “All right all right I’m coming.”
Justin shook his head, “I’m leaving without you in five seconds...one...”
“WAIT!”
“Two three four five bye JC!” Justin yelled out quickly, slamming the door behind him.
“No patience, no patience at all,” JC muttered to himself.
He finished getting dressed and took one last look in the mirror before stepping out of the steaming bathroom, still fogged up from his previous shower. He dropped the towel on the floor by the bathroom door and ran a hand through his hair. He ran out the door and slammed it quickly behind him.
“Sound check? Do we HAVE to go?” Siobhan asked.
Diana nodded, “I’m afraid so, it’s not half bad once you get used to it, then you can check out the meet and greet.”
Siobhan smiled sarcastically, “Great.”
“Come on girl, no getting lazy on the job it’s your first day and Kim is going outside to walk around--”
“Well then what the hell are we waiting for let’s go!” Siobhan said suddenly, standing up and grabbing Diana’s wrist, dragging her towards the door.
Diana laughed and grabbed her room key in the process of being dragged out the door. She managed to shut her room door behind her and finally fell into step with Siobhan.
Siobhan almost ran down the hallway, as if she couldn’t get away quick enough. She rounded the corner and slammed right into a body. The both of them let out a little “Oof”, then was followed by Diana’s own “Oof”.
Siobhan rubbed her head and looked up to see who had just so rudely run into her. Her eyes slid up the person’s body and met up with a pair of confused blue eyes. Siobhan smiled sheepishly and mumbled an apology under her breath. She looked up and waited for JC to respond.
JC took a deep breath and was about to say something when he stopped himself. He thought about his next comment and shook his head.
“It’s quite all right Miss Westing, it was my fault, I wasn’t watching where I was going,” he finally responded.
Siobhan had watched him carefully as he had stopped himself yet AGAIN from making a smart comment in return of her action. She shook her head in disappointment and smiled.
“No it was my fault, sorry,” she said in a low tone.
“Before this turns into a pointless argument let’s get JC down to the bus so he can get to sound check before people start to think things and WE get in trouble,” Diana cut in, motioning towards the elevator.
Both of them nodded in agreement and began heading towards the elevator together. JC began whistling a soft tune and swung his hands gently by his sides. Siobhan kept stealing glances over at him to see if he was secretly making faces behind her back or something else to lose the bet. Childish if he did and childish for her to be thinking that, but she had to be sure, this bet meant access and that’s exactly what she needed.
They all reached the elevator and climbed on. When they reached the lobby Lonnie was patiently waiting for JC and already had a look of tiredness on his face.
“Sorry Lonnie,” JC mumbled, hanging his head down.
“Doesn’t matter now, just get on the bus so we can leave,” Lonnie replied, pointing to the bus door.
JC nodded without a word and climbed on the bus. Siobhan stood for a second, debating where she was going to go, but Diana interrupted her thoughts and pulled over to another bus.
“We have to take this one, MTV is making a document for their All Access show that’ll air in a few months,” she explained. “So we have to stay out of the way.”
Siobhan nodded her head and let Diana take her away. They boarded a different bus and greeted a few of the other crew members. When they were all settle and on their way to the arena Siobhan was introduced to a few new people.
“So what are you going to do to Justin’s hair?” Kevin, the musical director, asked.
Diana laughed, “I need a hair do that will be safe and less work on my part!”
They thought about for awhile before Ruben, the guitar player spoke up, “What about dreds?”
Diana shook her head, “Chris had them last year, they won’t want JUSTIN to do that and beside I don’t have enough time to put dreds into Justin’s hair.”
Ruben shook his head, “Do white boy dreds.”
“Chris HAD white boy dreds! Do you listen to ANYTHING I say!?” Diana asked, exasperated.
“No...put in...what do they call them...umm...CORNROWS!” Ruben finally remembered.
“Cornrows?” Diana repeated.
Ruben nodded, “Cornrows.”
“Now why the hell would I do that? Justin would never go for that!” Diana said, shaking her head.
Ruben shrugged, just a suggestion...and by the way THOSE are white boy dreds!” he laughed.
Diana shook his head, “I think you’ve known those guys for a little TOO long...no correction, WAY too long!”
Ruben laughed and flashed a smile as Siobhan sat silent and listened to the conversation. So far she had noticed a few things on this tour. EVERYONE worked together in this “project”. She hadn’t found a person yet that wasn’t included and didn’t work their ass off for the guys of *N SYNC and she wondered what was so special to do that for them. Siobhan guessed she would learn that later.
The buses reached the arena a few minutes later and everyone began climbing off the bus. Siobhan followed Diana off the bus and into the arena, straight to the back rooms.
“Right through there is the seats and view of the stage, you can sit wherever you like, I have to go into the back and get ready to take on all the guys and their hair,” Diana said pointing to a door entrance.
Siobhan giggled at her tone of voice and comment, nodding her head and making her way to the door. She waved to Diana and watched her turn around and walked away. Siobhan walked into the door way and looked around the stadium in awe. She couldn’t believe this many people would be attending the concert but she had heard that the show was sold out. Her gaze ran across the many seats and finally settled on the stage.
She found the guys walking around while the crew members busily carried in the things they needed and set up the stage gradually in the process. Siobhan took a seat nearby and watched everyone work.
JC walked off the bus and was immediately ushered into the arena. He hated being rushed like that but he was used to it. He sighed wearily and said a silent prayer that everything would be all right for the first performance.
JC made his way into the arena and walked into the stage area, watching some of the crew members set up the stage. He talked to a few people and helped others. JC finally sat down on the edge of the stage and sighed. His eyes traveled around the large arena and imagined the place filled with people, screaming their lungs out. He smiled at that thought and hoped that, that would happen that night. If their music and dancing could make the audience scream, dance, and cry out for joy, then he had completed his job for the night.
JC’s eyes finally settled on a silent figure hidden in the shadows towards the back of the arena. He squinted his eyes in curiosity and finally made out the shadowy figure as Siobhan. He tilted his head to study her and tried to read her expression but she was barely visible and he knew he couldn’t see her well enough to study her facial expressions.
He had almost slipped twice already and it was only the first day. He had to admit, he was having his own slight doubts about keeping his end of the bet. Though he showed confidence to anyone that asked, he was a little nervous about this whole thing, but there was no way he was going to back out, he didn’t want to anyway.
He was going to enjoy this and besides, it was a new challenge he hadn’t accomplished. He liked Siobhan and he liked any challenge she was willing to dish out. There was something about her that interested him, but he didn’t think to much about it. JC smiled to himself and knew the next three months were going to be quite interesting on his part. Hopefully, if he planned and acted right, it would be on Siobhan’s too.
