Chapter 2- Big news and first meetings

The bell rang and Rachel quickly left the classroom and made her way through the chaos towards the lunchroom. Somewhere along the crowded hall she met up with Liz and they continued on there way together. When they reached the cafeteria Rachel immediately noticed that one of the secretaries was delivering a message to Mrs. Patterson, her very confused looking principal. She nodded her head and thanked the secretary. Then she made an announcement over the cafeteria PA system. Rachel groaned out loud when she heard her name called.

“God, what did I do know?”

“I dunno Rachel, you tell me. You weren’t out corrupting the innocent again were you?”

“hahaha, very funny Liz. Besides, that's way more your style.”

“ouch! I’m wounded. You go straight for the heart.” She just had to giggle at her friends antics.

“Time to face the firing squad I guess.”

She sighed and strode over to where Mrs. Patterson was waiting for her. She had a feeling that something big was about to happen. Like the news she was about to get could possibly be life altering. It was hard to describe but lately she felt like she was at a turning point. She rolled her eyes and shoved the thoughts to the back of her mind. I am such a drama queen. Get real Rachel!

“You wanted to see me Mrs. Patterson?”

“Yes, Rachel. Apparently, there is someone here to see you. He’s waiting outside for you.”

“oh, um... ok.” She was very confused as to what this meant. “ Do you have any idea who it is?” The message was beyond vague, but it had gotten the best of her curiosity.

“No, but he says he’s a friend of yours.”

“well, ok then.” She walked back over to where Liz was standing. “Apparently I have a mystery visitor.”

She raised her eyebrows curiously. “sounds intriguing.”

“It sounds like the beginning of a bad slasher movie.” she giggled and headed out the main entrance to see a car parked in front of the school. As soon as she was gone, Liz ran across the room to the giant window at the front of the building. She watched as Rachel walked over towards the car and a tall blonde guy wearing sunglasses got out and greeted her warmly. Liz’s eyes lit up with recognition and her jaw hit the floor.

Rachel was still puzzling over who could possibly be visiting her in the middle of the day and trying to decide if anyone could hear her scream if she was attacked. By the time she reached the car she was bursting with anticipation to find out who was inside. She was shocked when the door popped open and out climbed the ever smiling Lance Bass.

“Hey Rachel. It’s great to see you again. How are you?”

She was more then a little shocked to see him there, and it escaped her why 1/5 of the worlds most popular group would show up at her school, but she managed not to let it show.

“I’m fine. Things have been going great lately, and you?” She flashed him a huge smile and was amazed at how easy it was to talk to him.

“Well, things have been really busy lately. We finally wrapped up our tour and we’re going to record our next album. Plus, I’m already going crazy trying to get this movie rolling, so things have been a little hectic lately. But I’ve been doing really well lately.“

“I’m glad. Wow, you sound really busy. That's gotta be stressful. So, what brings you to Wootton High School?”

“Oh, right. I’m sorry to pull you out of class, but I wanted to give you the good news in person.”

“Don’t worry, I was on my way to lunch anyway.” She paused and waited for him to continue, but he stood there grinning evilly and saying nothing. “Well don’t leave me hanging! Spill it!”

They were both unaware that by now the entire cafeteria was pressed up against the window trying to get a better look.

“Alright, alright!” He threw up his hands in mock surrender. “I just came down to let you know that you got the part. Congratulations. I’m looking forward to working with you.”

For a moment Rachel sat there frozen, eyes wide and jaw dropped almost to the ground. She was trying to comprehend the words and their meaning. Slowly her eyes lit up with recognition and a smile spread across her entire face. That smile could have lit up an entire city. “Ahhhhhhhhhhh!” Lance quickly tried to shield his ears from the shrill feminine squealing, but it was no use. “Oh...My.....GOD!!!! omygodomygodomygod!”

“Breathe Rachel. Inhale, exhale. remember how that works?” He tried not to laugh, but she was just to much. He laughed so hard that he was gasping for breath and he had to lean on his car for support.

“Breathe Lance. C’mon, inhale, exhale, remember how that works?” She raised an eyebrow playfully.

“oooooo, a smartass. You’ll fit in perfectly.”

“Glad I can be of service.” she stood at attention and saluted. She couldn’t help giggling. She was just too excited about her new role. “This is sooooooooooooo beyond cool. I can’t believe this is happening.” She reached over to hug him quickly.

“Things are gonna get crazy really quickly. We’ll have a huge meeting with all the cast and crew, and anyone else related in anyway to the film. Filming will start almost immediately after that. It’ll probably happen in the next few weeks, but I’ll call you and give you the details.”

“Great. I can’t wait. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

“Take care of yourself, ok?” he squeezed her hands and then got into his car.

“Yeah, sure. See ya around.” He drove off and she turned around and sauntered back into the building.

Liz grabbed her at the door of the lunch room and pulled her over to the table. “ok, I’m not an expert at lip reading, but did Lance Bass just say he’d call you?!”

“yea, he did, but that's not the best part. I got the part. I’m gonna be in his new movie. No, I’m STARRING in his new movie!”

“ahhhhhhh! go girl! I told you, you would get it!” They jumped up and down hugging each other for a second.

“Liz, this is by far the best thing that's ever happened to me in my entire life! This could be my big break. O my god, its actually happening! I think I’m gonna pass out!”

“By this time next year we’ll be watching you give an acceptance speech at the Oscars.”

“I don’t know about that, but right now I don’t care. I couldn’t be happier right now, its just not possible. My head would explode.”

From the dreamy look on her face, it was probably the truth. She practically floated through the rest of the day. Rumors were all over the school. News of Lance’s visit spread fast, and knowing the high school gossip mill it wasn’t a bit surprising.

In seventh period Erika quickly grabbed the desk next to Rachel.

“Hey girl, you’re in a good mood. There are some crazy rumors going around about you. Everything from you are dating Lance, to you are Nsync’s new groupie, to you are gonna be in Lance’s next movie. Some people will believe anything.”

“Oh so you heard. Isn’t it great? I’m still in shock, I think. it should be illegal to be this happy.”

“Wait, hold up. Explain this to me. I missed something here somewhere what the..?”

“I got the part. I’m gonna be in his new movie. Me, in a movie, as the star, its, its, unreal.” She sighed and smiled out the window. She didn’t seem to notice that Erika was choking on her gum.

“cough cough, ahhh, air. Now what were you saying? O my god girl, are you for real? we have to go celebrate.”

As if on cue, the bell rang just as Erika finished talking. She grabbed Rachel’s arm and pulled her out of class and down the hall to find Elyssa and Liz. They practically ran to the parking lot and all piled into Rachel’s convertible. She cranked the radio, and they were off.

“So, where are we going? The Edge isn’t open for a few hours. We have some time to kill.”

“We are taking you out to celebrate. Remember?” Erika called out from the back seat.

“I was thinking we should go to...” Liz was cutoff when Rachel’s cell phone started ringing.

“Sorry guys. Hold on a sec. Hello? Hey! How are you?... Really?....uh-huh...yea...the new recording studio...yea, I know where it is.....I’ll be there in 20 minutes...yea, sure...see ya!” she hung up the phone with a click. “ok girls. slight change of plans. I gotta make a quick stop to pick up some scripts before we go out. Is that ok?”

“yeah, no problem.” they all said in unison. Rachel laughed and they sped down the interstate. Fifteen minutes later they arrived in front of Jive’s newest recording studio. Walking in the front doors they entered an impressive lobby. The secretary looked up as they came in.

“Can I help you?”

“Yes, I’m looking for Lance. I’m supposed to get some stuff from him.”

“Name, please.”

”Rachel McKinnley.”

“Allright Rachel, he’s expecting you. Down the hall and to your left.”

“Thank you.”

The four girls quickly made their way down the hall and were shocked to hear voices coming from the studio on the right.

“They must be recording. o my god, are you hearing this? Wow!” They silently turned the corner and found themselves facing five guys through the sound proof glass. They were amazed at how beautiful their voices were. Erika, Liz, and Elyssa sat down on the couch next to them, but Rachel couldn’t move from where she was standing. She closed her eyes and let the music fill her senses.

And my heart gets no rest over you, you, you, yeah.

You can call me selfish, but all I want is your love,

And you can call me hopeless, baby, cuz I’m hopelessly in love.

You can call me unperfect, but who’s perfect? Tell me what do I gotta do?

To prove that I’m the only one for you.

So whats wrong with being selfish?

I’ll be taking up your time, till the day I make you realize,

that for you there could be no one else, I’ve just gotta have you for myself.

Baby I would take good care of you,

no matter what it is you’re going through.

I’ll be there for you when you’re in need.

Baby believe in me.

Cuz if love is crime, then punish me.

I would die for you.

Cuz I don't want to live without you....

What can I do?”

By now they guys had all noticed her and the way she was totally enchanted by the song. She sat there swaying slightly to the music. When it got to an intense part her forehead would crinkle slightly. It was obvious she was experiencing every emotion, every note, right along with them. It was amazing to watch, and it pushed them to put everything they had into it.

Why do you keep us apart? Why won’t you give up your heart?

You know that we’re meant to be together.

Why do you push me away? All that I want is to give you love,

Forever and ever and ever and ever.

It was the most hauntingly beautiful thing she had ever heard. The voices, the passion behind them, and the meaning behind the words that were sung almost brought tears to her eyes.

When the guys finished the song they came out and Lance introduced them to Rachel. She introduced them to Erika, Liz, and Elyssa.

“O my god you guys, that was amazing. I’ve never heard anyone sing like that. Its like 5 voices coming out of one person. That was amazing. And you sing so passionately.” Sure, she’d heard them sing on cd or the radio, but that just didn’t do them justice.

“Yeah, You looked really into it. What did you think of the lyrics.?” JC asked.

“The lyrics are incredible. They’re so romantic. Any girl who hears this will totally melt.”

“I’m glad you like it. I wasn’t sure if I was being overly sappy or...”

“Hold up, you wrote this?” JC laughed at her shocked expression. “Thats amazing!”

“Well I try.” he was being modest, but it was obvious he was proud of his song. She couldn’t even begin to imagine how much effort had gone into creating it.

“Um, Rachel. As cool as this is, was there some reason for us to be here other then you drooling all over JC?” Liz cut in. JC blushed and looked away, but Rachel just laughed.

“Don’t mind her, she has this tiny little problem with sarcasm. Its not all that noticeable but every now and again it slips out. I swear I’m always trying to tell her how totally not cool it is, but the girl just won’t listen to reason.”

“I see this problem is contagious?”

“Now, what would make you say that?” She raised an eyebrow and they both laughed.

“I have no idea what would make me think that.”

“You catch on quick, I’m impressed. Oops, I’m supposed to meet with Lance. Now where did that boy go?”

It seemed that all the guys had managed to disappear. All of a sudden her feet left the floor as a pair of arms grabbed her around the waist and lifted her up, and she let out a small scream. She felt herself being twirled around a few times before she was returned to the ground. JC, Elyssa, Liz, and Erika were all leaned over clutching their sides. They could barely breathe from laughing.

“What I wouldn’t pay for a picture of your face just then.” Elyssa got out between giggles. Rachel was glaring daggers at all of them. She turned around and came face to face with Joey.

“oh, you did not just do that! Please tell me this isn’t how you always say hello to people. I don’t know if I can handle that. Have you ever heard of a handshake?”

Chris was bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet. “ooo, joey, she looks mad.”

Joey ignored him, and walked over to Rachel. He slung his arm casually over her shoulder. “Aw, you know you love it. By the way, do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?”

Lance walked in and rolled his eyes. “O my god Joe, are you hitting on her already?”

Chris whistled under his breath. “oooh, shot down!” He and Joey walked over to the couch. Chris perched on the arm of it, but Joey stretched out across Liz and Erika and put his head in Elyssa’s lap without hesitation. He smiled up at them charmingly. He saw them look at each other with each other devilishly. It made him just a tiny bit uneasy.

“Uh, guys? you wouldn’t...” He didn’t get to finish his sentence because they all reached up and pushed him off at the exact same time. He rolled off them and hit the floor with a thunk.

“Owies!”

“oh my god, did he just say owies?” Liz asked incredulously. “Erika, I think you have found the only other person on this earth who says owies.”

“Shut up, Liz.” she leaned down and patted Joey’s hand sympathetically.

Elyssa turned around and started beating her head against the wall. "I...see..stupid...people!”

“I have some very strange friends,” Rachel said, shaking her head.

“Join the club.”

“Why Lance, was that a sarcastic remark just then? I think we’re rubbing off on you.”

“Oh, I almost forgot, here is the script. Be sure to read it over carefully before the meeting. If you have questions about anything in it, just ask me and I’ll help you out if I can.”

“Wow. This is so incredible. I can’t believe I’m standing here holding the script to my new movie. Its like I’m holding all of my dreams here in my hand. God that sounds corny! I never thought I would make it this far, but at the same time I always new I could. I’m not making any sense here am I?”

“No, you make perfect sense. Its the same feeling I had when *Nsync started getting big. Hang on tight because you are in for one hell of ride. This is just the beginning.”

Just then Justin walked into the room.

“Ah, there’s the curly-haired wonder. We were starting to wonder where you went. Actually, I don’t think anyone really noticed you were gone, but its all good, right?”

He ignored Chris and walked straight towards JC.

“JC, buddy, please tell me we are done for the day.” He gave him a pitiful look. “I can’t stand anymore time in that studio, I need to get out and par-tay!”

“Actually, we were planning on going clubbing later. If you guys wanna come, you can.” Rachel casually suggested.

Justin ran across the room and hugged her. “thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! She has the right idea. I like this girl already.”

“I can give you directions to my house and you can pick us all up there in an hour. Is that cool with everyone?” She asked.

“Yes!” they all said in unison. Everyone laughed and the girls got up to leave.

“Later guys!” Rachel called out over her shoulder. They all got into her car and headed back to her house.