"Hey, what's wrong with me?"

JC glared at Chris. "Nothing's wrong with you, but why does this person need to come on tour with us to make the site?"

"Listen, JC. Mike said there were no problems with it. He's the tour director. If there was a problem then this wouldn't be a go."

"That doesn't answer my question, Bobby. Why does this person need to tour with us? They can get all this information by staying in an office."

Bobby sighed in frustration. "I know that JC. The person is going to be a college intern and we thought they might like to tour and see the country while they work. That way they also have Chris right there. No phone tag. No leaving messages. No hassles. Got it?"

JC slowly nodded. "I guess, but I think one more person on the bus will be inconvenient."

"JC, you're not here to make decisions. You're here to sing and look pretty."

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

sleepygoof: hey, girl.

senorita78: hi, boy. what's up?

sleepygoof: nothing much. my boss just gave me bad news.

senorita78: sorry to hear that. what happened?

sleepygoof: well, he just told me i'll be working with one more person this summer.

senorita78: i take it that you don't like the idea

sleepygoof: yeah. we have just enough room now. i don't want to know what it's going to be like with him here.

senorita78: i'm sorry to hear you're having a bad day.

sleepygoof: thanks. you hear about that job yet?

senorita78: nope. my advisor e-mailed me that he needs to talk to me. cross your fingers.

sleepygoof: will do. *crosses fingers*

senorita78: lol.

senorita78: thanks.

sleepygoof: np

senorita78: i've gotta go. my advisor should be in his office and i want to see if it's about the internship.

sleepygoof: all right. i've got stuff to do myself. talk to you later.

senorita78: later =)

sleepygoof: =)

sleepygoof: =)

sleepygoof: =)

senorita78: i'm not getting into a smiley face war with you right now.

sleepygoof: why not *whines*

senorita78: bc i got to go. don't whine like a baby.

sleepygoof: all right *whimpers*

senorita78: B Y E!!!!

sleepygoof: adios, senorita

senorita78: ciao

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

Gina shut off her computer with a sigh. She was worried about the possible internship. It was a chance to prove to her parents she could succeed at what she wanted to do.

"All right, Gina. It's time to face the music. If you don't get this job then you have to go into the family business and we all know how much fun that is."

She pulled her fleece vest on as she walked out of her door. As she walked across campus she thought about her parent's reactions when she told them she was not going to take over the fragrance boutique they founded. She shuddered as she entered the building which housed her major.

"Gina, Gina, bo-bina."

Gina turned and faced her close friend, Kristen skipping down the hall.

"Hey, Kris, what's up?"

"Nothing much. Let me be the first one to congratulate you." Kristen reached over and hugged her friend.

Gina had a confused expression on her face. "On what?"

Kristen covered her mouth. "Oops. Didn't you just come from Doc. T's?"

Gina shook her head. "Nope. Wait a sec? Does that mean I got the job?"

"I didn't tell you. It wasn't me."

"All right. I never talked to you." Gina laughed and walked into her advisor's office. "Hey, Doc, you got news for me?"

"Yeah, I do. Come sit down. I have great news for you. Earlier I got a call about that internship you applied for. And I'm proud to say that out of 76 applicants they chose you."

Gina widened her eyes in feign surprise. "Really? You mean I get to travel and work at the same time? Oh my gosh! I have to tell my bother, my parents...oh, and goof."

Doc T raised his eyebrow. "Goof?"

"Oh, someone I talk to over the computer." She blushed. "He's like my talking diary. Since I don't know him we talk about anything and everything."

"Do you know anything about this "Goof" then his screen name?"

Gina shook her head. "Nope. I don't want to know much else. Actually I know he has a brother and sister and he doesn't live at home. That's about it."

"So you have no clue about what he looks like or anything?"

"I don't care what he looks like. He's my friend because of his personality, not his looks. For all I know he could be very good looking. It doesn't matter to me."

"Does he know what you look like?"

Gina shook her head. "No and he hasn't asked for a picture either. Our relationship isn't based on anything but our minds. It's really nice."

Gina's professor gave her a skeptical look but kept his mouth shut. "All right. Now I'll let you tell this person you got the job. See you in class tomorrow, Gina."

Gina stood up and gathered her belongings. "Tomorrow."

As Gina walked across campus she thought about her upcoming summer. I can't believe I'm going on tour with *N SYNC this summer.

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

JC walked into the conference room and sat down. "So what's this big meeting about? Finally found the poor soul that has to learn all about Chris this summer?"

"JC, just stop right now. This is going to happen and no matter what you do or say she will be touring with you this summer."

Five pairs of eyes turned toward Bobby in surprise.

"She?" JC, Chris and Justin called out.

Bobby nodded his head. "Yeah, she. Her name's Gina Gacona. She's about to finish her junior year at UMASS. She's the best qualified and we think she'll fit right in with you guys."

"Fit right in? I gave in to another guy coming along for the ride but a girl? Can't we talk about this, Bobby?"

"She's coming, JC. No ifs, ands or buts. She'll be joining us a week before we hit the road again. You have a month to get used to the idea."

JC stood up and walked to the door. "All right. Whatever. If that's it I'm leaving now. I promised Heidi lunch this afternoon. See you all later." He waved and left the room.

Bobby turned to the other guys. "So what do you think about Gina coming on tour this summer?"

Lance scratched his head. "Well, it will be different to have a female on the bus but I have no problems with it."

Chris stood up beside Lance. "Lance is right. It will be different but I'm willing to try it."

Justin took a sip of water from his glass and looked up. "I'm cool with it."

Bobby turned to Joey. "What do you think, Joe?"

A slow smile spread across Joey's face. "How old did you say she was? About to finish her junior year? That would make her 21. Good age."

"Joey Fatone, you are not to mess with this girl. Got that?"

Joey looked around at the disbelieving looks the other four men were giving him and laughed. "I was just kidding, guys. I won't make any unwanted passes at her. If she starts flirting with me I'll flirt back but I won't instigate anything."

Lance stood up and put a hand on Joey's shoulder. "Good. I'm getting a feeling about this girl and..."

"And?"

"And I can't put my finger on it but I think she belongs on tour with us and something's going to happen but I don't know what."

"Well, that was informative. I've got to go food shopping for the week. See you all later." Chris pulled his keys out of his pockets and walked out the door.

Lance and Joey walked out of the room leaving Justin behind to talk to Bobby.

"So, Lance, are you really getting a feeling about this girl?"

Lance shook his head. "Yeah, and it's weird because I haven't met her yet and the feeling is so strong."

"What do you think there will be love in the air this summer?"

"To tell you the truth I think there will be. But..."

"But what?" The two turned a corner and walked towards the exit.

"But it's not going to be me." Lance opened the door and followed Joey to his car. "I hate that.

"Are you sure it's not going to be you? You never know. She could be your dream girl." Joey slid into the driver's seat.

"You're right. You never know," Lance replied as he sat in the passenger seat and closed the door. I know it's not going to be me. But who?

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

Beep Beep

JC honked his horn at his girlfriend’s house.

Why did they hire a girl to come with us? Don’t they try to understand our point of view? Being on the bus is the only time we have to ourselves, away from fans. Away from females. I wonder how this is going to effect our chemistry?

JC saw Heidi close her door and wave at him as she walked towards his truck.

How am I going to tell Heidi? JC thought as he smiled at his approaching girlfriend.

"How’s my baby doing?" Heidi leaned over to kiss JC’s cheek.

"I’m doing fine." JC turned his head and gently pressed his lips to hers in a soft, brief kiss. "What did you do so far today?"

"Oh, I just did some laundry and little things around the house. You get a day off and the only things you can do are chores. What kind of a day off is that?"

"It’s the kind where you feel like you accomplish something and it’s the kind that make the next few days so much easier because you don’t have to worry about doing the things you are getting done today."

Heidi reached over and ran her hand along JC’s arm. "I knew I loved you for some reason."

JC arched his eyebrow and glanced at her while he stopped at a red light. "You love me?"

"Of course I do. Nothing could ever stop me from loving you."

"Nothing?"

"Joshua Scott Chasez, why are you questioning my love for you? Are you unsure of your love for me?"

JC laughed. "No, honey. I know exactly how I feel about you."

"How do you feel?"

JC sighed. "How do I feel? I just told you I’m doing fine."

Heidi shook her head. "No, how do you feel about me?"

"Oh. How do I feel about you?" JC pretended to ponder his answer as he pulled into the restaurant parking lot. "Hmm. Let me think about that."

"You’d better not have to think about that, JC."

"Don’t worry. I don’t. Okay. Here’s how I feel about you. I don’t know anyone like you."

"You don’t know anyone like me? JC, what kind of answer is that?"

"The kind when I’m giving a hard time about saying how much I love you."

"One of these days, Joshua Chasez."

"One of these days what?" JC asked as he got out of his car.

"One of these days you are going to get what you deserve." Heidi met JC in front of the car and took his hand.

"And what is that?"

JC opened the door and followed Heidi to the hostess stand. "Patience, my dear boy. Patience."

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

"So, Gina? How are classes going?"

Gina looked up at her date and smiled weekly. "They’re going good. You know how classes are. You are in half of them."

"I know. I just enjoy hearing you talk."

Me too. Then I don’t have to hear you. Gina thought as the waiter placed their dinner on the table. She smiled politely and thanked the waiter.

They ate dinner with small talk between and by the end of dinner Gina knew this date, like countless others before it, was going nowhere.

Dean paid for their dinner and they walked outside the restaurant. Dean looked down the street and up at the sky.

"It’s a beautiful night. Do you want to take a walk?"

Gina looked up. It was a beautiful night for a walk but that meant spending more time with her date. She quickly thought of an excuse not to walk.

"I’m sorry , Dean, but I have to help Kristen study for a test. She helped me with MIS last week and I kind of promised her I’d help her with this one."

"All right." He held his arm toward his car. "You’re chariot awaits."

Gina had to turn away so he could not see her try to suppress a laugh at him calling his 1979 Chevy Nova a chariot. She climbed into the barely working car and wishing they had taken hers. On the way home Gina gave Dean one word answers as she waited to end the date. That pattern changed as the conversation turned to summer jobs.

"So. Do you have a job for the summer yet?"

"Uh-huh." Gina nodded her head as she answered.

"Is the job back home?"

"Uh-uh."

"You lucky devil. Where is it?"

"Umm… it’s in Florida."

"Florida! Now you’ve got to let me come visit you down there."

Hearing Dean say he wanted to visit her snapped Gina back to full attention. "I don’t think that’s such a good idea. Why would you want to visit lil’ ol’ me?"

"I think you just answered your question. I would be down there to see you. Are there any problems?"

"Well just that the job starts in Florida but after a few days we’re going to start traveling around the country."

"Travel around the country? Wait a second. Did you get the *N SYNC job?"

Gina nodded. "Yup. How did you know about it?"

Dean pulled in front of Gina’s dorm. "I know about it because I also applied for it. I was really mad but at least I know the job went to a great person who deserves it. Plus, I’m not much into their music."

Gina blushed slightly at the compliment. "Thanks, Dean."

"No, problem, Gina." He leaned over and tilted Gina’s head towards him and kissed her fully on the mouth. He continued to kiss her amidst her struggles to get away.

Gina finally broke loose as he was trying to open her mouth. "Dean, I promised Kristen."

"Right. You’re helping her study for a test." He looked down and sighed before walking around the car to open her door. He reached down and helped her out of the passenger seat.

"Thanks, Dean."

"No problem. You know how us Italian guys are. See you in class." Dean gave her one more quick kiss before returning to the driver’s seat and driving away.

Gina watched as his car departed. Yeah I do know how you Italian guys are and you’ve acted like one all night. She entered her building and went to her room prepared to spill the details of her bad date to the person she trusted most.

sleepygoof

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

sleepygoof: how was your hot date tonight?

senorita78: must we talk about it?

sleepygoof: that bad, huh?

senorita78: next time i’m about to go out with an italian please shoot me.

sleepygoof: lol. what’s wrong with italians?

senotrita78: let’s just say my family is full of them and i should know better than to think that any random italian guy i meet is going to be different.

sleepygoof: that’s right. you’re italian. i forgot.

senorita78: i just got home so give me some time to calm down and then i will be ready to spill my guts about my horrendous date. while i’m doing that why don’t you tell me about your day.

sleepygoof: first of all i’m lying to my girlfriend.

senorita78: you naughty boy you. what about?

sleepygoof: you know how i’m going to be working with someone new this summer?

senorita78: yeah

sleepygoof: well it’s going to be a girl and the rest of us are guys and I don’t think that my gf is going to like that very much.

senorita78: i see the problem. you’re afraid that she won’t trust you?

sleepygoof: not exactly

senorita78: then what’s the problem?

sleepygoof: well she’s kinda protective of me and i’m afraid she’ll overreact and break up with me or something.

senorita78: if she trusts you you’ll be fine. if you promise to stay faithful then she should have no worries.

sleepygoof: what would you say to your boyfriend, if you had one, if you were in this situation.

senorita78: well, i’m kind of in that situation this summer myself except i’m going to be the female in an all male environment.

sleepygoof: really?

senorita78: yup. male egos and such all around me.

sleepygoof: as part of the male species i resent that. Wait a sec… is that the job you were waiting to hear about?

senorita78: yup. i got it. i start in a month.

sleepygoof: congrats. you made this sound like a big job. would I know the name of the company?

senorita78: it’s not really a company. i’m going to be going on tour with the group *n sync. ever hear of them?

User sleepygoof is not available.

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

JC looked at his computer and grunted. I can’t believe this is happening. Right in the middle of talking to senorita too.

He tried to hook back into the Internet with no success.

"I can’t believe this. Tyler’s never on this late," JC exclaimed. He was able to connect but another name on his account had signed on. JC sighed and turned his computer off.

"I’ll find out tomorrow about her job and her date."

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

Gina waited for sleepygoof to come back up for fifteen minutes. When he didn’t she turned off her computer and turned to get ready for bed.

"So you back from ‘sleepygoof land?’"

"What are you talking about?" Gina asked innocently.

"Come off it, Gina. How long do you think I’ve been in the room?" Gina’s roommate, Lisa, challenged her.

"I don’t know. I’ve been in about an hour and you weren’t here then but I didn’t hear you come in."

"In other words you don’t know."

Gina shook her head guiltily. "No I don’t. I have absolutely no clue how long you’ve been home."

"Oh," Lisa looked at the clock, "I’ve been home about forty-five minutes."

"That long?"

Lisa nodded. "That long. So how is our guy sleepygoof?"

"Well he’s having a little trouble telling his girlfriend something."

"What? Does he want to break up with her?" Lisa asked, intrigued.

Gina shook her head as she shut down her computer. "No, nothing like that. He’s going to be working in close quarters with a female and he’s sure she’s not going to like it."

"Ah, afraid she’ll be jealous or something."

"Yeah, but he won’t admit to that. Not in those words. He asked me what I would do and I told him I was kind of in the same boat this summer. Working with all guys and all."

"So you told him about working with *N SYNC? How’d he respond?"

"I didn’t exactly tell him. He got off before I sent the message," Gina responded as she turned her computer off.

"Maybe you shouldn’t."

"Why?"

"You know how people react when you tell them you are going to be working for *N SYNC and going on tour with them. They make fun of them and give you sympathy," Lisa reasoned.

Gina sat on her bed deep in thought. "I never thought about him reacting like that. Now I don’t think I will tell him I’m working for *N SYNC. Thanks for reminding me of that."

"What are roomies for?"

"Other than hassle I don’t know."

Gina quickly ducked as a pillow was flung in her direction. She returned the favor and soon the friendly battle turned into an all out war.

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

"Hey, Tyler, why were you on the computer so late last night?" JC asked his brother the next day on the phone.

"How did you know I was on late last night?"

"Because I got disconnected and when I finally could get through I couldn’t log on because you were on." JC looked around his room packing a bag to go to a photo shoot.

"Oops. Sorry about that, bro. I didn’t interrupt anything did I? Maybe a convo with a certain senorita?"

"What are you talking about?" JC stopped what he was doing to listen to his brother’s explanation.

"I remember the last time you were home we had to leave a gathering early so you could get on the computer and talk to this person senorita78. I think it was 78."

"Yeah it is, but why are you making such a big deal out of her?"

Oh, I don’t know. My brother brushes anyone and everyone off for this chick he’s never even met and I’m supposed to let you off the hook on this one? I bet I’ve even called and you told me you’d call me back when you could and you were on with her. Am I right?"

JC was glad Tyler could not see the guilty expression on his face. "You’re my brother. I would never to anything like that to you," JC lied.

"Uh-huh. I believe that one. Does Heidi know about this senorita person?"

"No and she doesn’t need to. Senorita’s just a friend I talk to on the net. Nothing else." JC scanned his room for anything he might have forgotten.

"Whatever, big bro. What’s this I hear about a female being added to your bus this summer?"

JC laughed. "Do you ever not think about girls?"

"Nope. I’m seventeen, almost eighteen, and that’s all I’m supposed to be thinking about."

"That’s right. You and Justin are the same age and he’s like that also."

"Yup we are. So back to this girl. Have you seen a pic of her."

"No, I haven’t and if I did I don’t care what Gina looks like. I have Heidi." At least I hope to after I tell her about Gina.

"Gina? Nice name. I might have to come on tour with you guys at some point this summer."

"TJ, she’s twenty-one. A little bit old for you."

"What? That’s three years. Now if I do my calculations correct you and Nikki were how many years apart?"

JC sighed at being out maneuvered by his own logic. "Okay, you’ve got me there but I still don’t think you’ll have a shot at her."

"You always have to deflate me ego don’t you?"

"That’s what big brothers are for. Glad to know I’m doing my job right."

"I can feel the love through the phone."

JC looked at his alarm clock. "Listen, Tyler, I have to leave in a few minutes. Can I talk to mom?"

Tyler sighed dramatically. "If you must. Let me get her."

"Thanks. Talk to you soon."

"Bye, JC. Here’s mom." Tyler handed the phone over to his mom and mouthed, "It’s JC."

"Hey, Josh. How’s my baby doing?"

"Fine except I have to tell Heidi something she might not like and I thought you might have some advice.

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

"I need love. You need love. We all really need love. What kind of lyrics are those?"

Lisa sighed and looked at her roommate. "The kind that make little girls swoon."

"And big girls right, Lisa?" Gina smiled ruefully.

"Hey, I happen to think they are really talented. No matter how sugary some of their lyrics are."

"Or pornographic. Ride it and giddy up in the last song does not mean to do those things on a horse."

Lisa laughed. "Okay, you win. But one thing you can’t argue with me on is their looks. I mean just look at them."

Gina took the cd case out of Lisa’s hands and studied the covers. She then proceeded to look through the jacket cover and groaned.

"What? What’s wrong?"

"Him," she pointed to a face, "he’s Italian, isn’t he? With a name like Joey I’m thinking he is but just tell me if he is or not."

Lisa looked at the jacket. "Joey? Yeah he’s Italian. His full name is Joseph Anthony Fatone, Jr."

Gina groaned. "You mean I’m going to be stuck on this trip with an Italian guy? Just shoot me now."

"Now, don’t prejudge. I’ve heard he’s a really nice guy. Why do you have such an Italian grudge? Don’t forget you’re Italian."

"I know. That’s why I don’t like being around them all the time. They can be okay every once in a while, but their egos are bigger than most. Now who is that dork? Look at the shirt he’s wearing. They let him get away with that?" Gina pointed to another guy.

"Hmm, that’s JC. I’ll admit those aren’t the best shots of him but bad shots are rare of him. He’s beautiful. Dark hair, blue eyes…"

Gina waved a hand in front of her roommate’s dreamy expression.

"Hello, Lisa, you in there?"

Lisa shook her head. "Sorry, he’s just so scrumptious I loose my train of thought when I think of him."

"Him? You are talking about this guy, right?" Gina pointed at JC again.

Lisa nodded. "Oh yeah. JC Chasez. My dream guy."

"Well, I think he’s going to stay a dream. He looks like he’s a little overbearing to me."

"He is considered the ‘dad’ of the group but there’s so much more to him than just that."

"Such as?"

"Well, I’ve heard he’s nice, he’s smart, talented, serious and as I’ve said before he’s not bad looking."

Gina shrugged. "Well I still think he and I will butt heads this summer."

"You and who will butt heads?"

Gina and Lisa turned to see who had interrupted their conversation.

"Come on in, Kristen. Gina thinks she and JC will be butting heads this summer."

"I wouldn’t mind butting heads with him. Talking about butts I wouldn’t mind grabbing his myself."

Gina groaned. "Am I the only one who isn’t nuts over this guy?"

Lisa and Kristen nodded. "Yes."

Gina rolled her eyes as her friends laughed at talking simultaneously.

"You’re making a web site on who? Chris?"

"Yup. Which one is he again? Now I know which one is JC and I know he’s not the Italian so which of the other three is he?"

Kristen picked up the cd and showed it to Gina. "That one."

"That’s right. The one with the real funny hair."