Summer ended and it was time for Erika and her friends to go back to school and the guys to back to their hectic schedule.
Erika sat at her desk in the stadium-seating classroom when the secretary’s voice came over the loudspeaker. “Please send Erika Wheaton to the office. Thank you.”
She stood up and walked out of the class. What the hell did I do now? She opened the door to the office and saw the secretary who called her down minutes before.
“There you are, the principal will be out shortly to talk to you. There is a really nice boy that is here to see you too.”
Oh my God, please don’t let it be...
“Justin Timberlake, I’m so glad you came to join our lovely high school. Oh, her she is. I’ll be going now; I have a meeting I must attend to.”
Justin walked over to where Erika was standing and gave her a hug. “You don’t seem very happy to see me.”
“Umm... well...no offense, but...what the hell are you doing here?”
“Johnny said I could go to public school for the first semester if I can keep up with my grades and to be able to go to all the Nsync stuff like photo shoots and that stuff.” It began to make more sense to her now. They walked out of the office and down the hallway.
“Ok, but why was I called to the office?”
“Um...you’re the only person I know here, except for Liz, Rachel, and Elyssa and um...here’s the good part...I asked to be in all you’re classes!” She stopped right there.
“WHAT? How are you supposed to go to public school being, well, being YOU and having girls that would do any thing for around you?”
“Any thing huh?”
“Shut up you sicko. You know what I mean. You can’t exactly go around saying ‘Hi, I’m Justin Timberlake and I go to high school with you’, you would get killed.”
“Don’t worry, the principal told all of my teachers to never say my last name and to call me Jay.”
“Ooooo, Jay...how original. So I take it the freak look is part of your disguise?
“Uh huh.” He said it proudly as he stuck out his chest. They finally reached the classroom and Erika reached her hand out to open the door. They walked in and everyone turned to stare at the two.
“Erika, would you like to present us to the new student here?” The teacher asked.
“Um...yea...sure, why not...this is...uh...Jay.”
“Pick a seat Jay and welcome to Wootton High School.”
Erika walked up the steps and sat back down in her chair. She noticed Justin walking behind her and she prayed that he wouldn’t sit down near her. Of course, he picked the seat directly behind her. Liz sat next to Erika and turned around to face Justin. She knew it was him because, well, she was a friend with him.
“Ooooo, we got a new hottie on our hands.” She winked at Justin and turned back around.
The class finished and the three of them walked out of the room together. They all went to their lockers to get their stuff for their next class.
“Uh...Justin? If you’re in all my classes does that mean you’re in my dance class?”
“Oh hell no! While you’re in dance, I’m in basketball. And as for baking, I’m in your class.”
“You’re kidding!”
“Nope, I’ll be the only guy in a class full of girls. I love school.” He finished talking with a huge grin on his face. Liz decided to put in her two cents.
“Oh that’s just wrong!”
School ended and they got home. “Damn it why does school have to be so hard!” Erika cried out as she dropped her stuff. “I mean it’s only the first day of school and we’re already pilled with homework.”
Just then Justin had a little plan. “I got an idea,” he had the all too mischievous look on his face, “what if, I help you with math and history, and you help me with Spanish, which you are fluent in! I really don’t understand why you’re taking that class. Any way, Spanish and English.”
“Easy ‘A’, by help you mean...”
“We do each other’s homework.”
“Ok...um...speaking of help...” Justin had a look of worry on his face.
“Why do you need help? Did something happen? What happened? Tell me what happened!”
“J, nothing happened. It’s just, well you see I’ve had this huge thing for JC and I was wondering if maybe you could....um”
“You want me to hook you two up, don’t you?”
“Please?”
Justin would do any thing to help her out, but he had this feeling inside of him and he didn’t quit know where it was coming from. It could be that he felt awkward for hooking up his two best friends, or it could be because she was almost like his little sister, or it could be he liked her more than he thought he did.
******
(The Next Day after School)
Justin, Erika, and Liz are walking down the hall to the parking lot.
“Liz, how come you didn’t tell me you were a cheerleader?” Justin said making fun of her.
“I’m not a cheerleader; I’m a pom. BIG difference. Poms have talent, cheerleaders don’t.”
JC pulls up in his car to pick up Justin and Erika and Erika lets out a huge sigh.
“What’s wrong?”
“I forgot to tell JC he didn’t have to come pick me up ‘cause I’m staying after school.”
“Yea, well, he came to pick up Justin too so its not a complete waste of time. Any way, c’mon Erika, were gonna be late for practice. It would look pretty bad if the two captains of the squad were late.” JC and Justin both turned around in shock. Justin could say so many things to make fun of them, but he just bit his tongue and let JC talk.
“You never told us you were a cheerleader.”
“Yea, well that wasn’t an accident. But seriously, how stupid are you? I have a corner in my room full of trophies and my old uniforms.”
“That’s what all that stuff was?” Justin asked when it all suddenly made sense to him.
The guys drove away in their car as the girls went to practice.
That Saturday Erika and Liz were running around the house scrambling to get their bags and uniforms for a pom competition that day. All the guys were sitting in the living room watching the girls running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Chris opened his mouth to talk, but Joey beat him to it.
“Can we come to the competition?”
Both girls stopped what they were doing and yelled at the same time. “NO!”
It ended up that all the guys went to watch the competition. They thought it was going to be a bunch of girl running around looking pretty. They arrived at the high school and Erika and Liz went into the gym to lead warm ups and were followed by the guys. In the gymnasium were all the teams. The guys all stopped when they realized how many teenage girls there were.
Justin’s jaw dropped. “We’re in PARADISE!”
There was a vending machine in the corner near where Erika’s group was stretching. JC walked over with a few coins in his hands but fumbled putting them into the machine and dropped them. Erika looked up and graciously offered to pick them up.
“Oh, I’ll get them for you.” Being the absent-minded girl she is, she bent over and her skirt went up. She was wearing bloomers but her skirt went up none the less. When she stood up, she saw JC staring with his mouth open.
“Here’s your money Jace. Jace, your drooling.”
“Drool, what drool? I’m not drooling.” He took the change from her hands and reached into his pocket to take out a handful of change and throw them on the ground. “GO TO TOWN!”
******
Erika and Liz were instructing the squad what to do while they walked around making sure they were doing it all correctly.
“Ok girls, straddle stretch!” The girls all groaned but went into the stretch.
Justin shout out, “Ooooo, straddling sounds good!”
“Shut up Jay, we’re not gonna straddle YOU!”
“Damn”
The squad all laughed and one girl asked a question. “Liz, why is Nsync here?”
“Nsync? You think THOSE guys are Nsync? PLEASE! They’re no way near being as good-looking as Nsync! No, they’re just retards that followed us here.”
“Oh, I see. Yea, you’re right. That blonde one isn’t anywhere as cute as Justin is.”
“Like I told you Trish, those guys over there are NOT Nsync.” Justin looked offended and the rest of the guys all laughed at him.
Erika left the squad for a moment and walked over to JC. She was about to say something but he did first.
“Cute outfits, they’re a bit...um...well, kinda...”
“Just say it.”
“Skanky. Did Liz pick them out?”
“Can you tell?” The uniforms were red mini skirts and a white and blue turtleneck top. The top was long sleeved but cut off right below the boobs.
“JC, you guys can all go over to the bleachers to watch, it’s a better view than from back here.”
“By better view are you talking about...?”
“Men and their one track minds. Just go over to the bleachers.” JC leaned down to give her a kiss on the cheek to wish her luck and turned to walk away.
“Why does he do that to me?”
The guys sat through five teams before Erika’s squad was announced.
“Ooooo, there she is! There she is!” Shouted out Joey as he held up a sign that read ‘Marry Me Eri’.
The music began and the routine started. Lance began to comment on the show. “Wow we don’t give them enough credit, those girls are...”
“Lance, are you ok? Finnish your sentences.” Justin was snapping his fingers in front of Lance’s face to get him out of the daze.
“Huh? What? I was speaking?”
All the teams performed and the trophies were handed out. The guys went back to the gym to congratulate both Erika and Liz for leading them to first place. As the guys walked back to the gym, Chris bumped into somebody.
“Oh, sorry man my bad. Wade? What are you doing here?”
“Yea, nice to see you too dude.”
“Huh? Oh, sorry. Hi.”
“Yea, well, I helped Erika and Liz choreograph the routine. How else do you think they one first prize?”
All the guys at the same time respond. “Ohhhhhh.”
“I could have sworn I saw a little bit of ‘Tearin’ Up My Heart’ in there.”
“Yea, well since you guys butcher my routine, I figured I’d have talented people present it well.”
“Oh that hurt Wade that hurt right here.” Justin said as he had his hand over his heart.
They all walked over the squad in the corner huddled around their trophy. Wade quieted the group down and made an announcement.
“Ok, girls that was great and I’m very proud of all of you...”
“But...”
“But, that routine had the potential to be a perfect ten but noooo, you made it a 9.6 routine.”
Of course Liz started talking back to him making a huge scene. “What the hell are you taking about? If you haven’t notice, we WON!”
“Yea, but...but...do better next time ok?” He turned and walked away to avoid Liz because, to be honest, he was scared of her.
(Three Months Later, December)
The group of friends was all walking down to the school commons to eat their lunch. The school commons was an open area in the middle of the school where people could go during lunch or just to hang out.
“I can’t wait for tonight, the winter formal is going to be so much fun!” Screeched an all too perky Rachel.
Justin was sitting quietly eating his lunch. He was a little upset because Johnny wouldn’t allow him to go to the formal because it would give it away that he attended the school. Erika looked over at Justin.
“You ok Curly Cue?”
“I’m just a little pissed I can’t go the dance.”
“You’re not the only one.”
“Huh?”
“I mean, it would have been fun having you there. How many girls could say they’ve danced with thurstin’ Justin?” Justin leaned in to give her a hug as they laughed.
That evening all the girls were over at Erika’s house, actually it was JC’s house but she was permanently living there since the accident. They were all getting dressed and doing each other’s hair and make-up. They walked down stairs one behind the other to meet the guys before they left. They were greeted by hooting and cat calls.
“Ow! Ow!”
“Strut that stuff!”
“More leg! More leg!”
The catcalls finally finished when JC spoke up. “You girls look amazing. And to think none of you are legal. DAMN!”
The girls grouped together and posed as pictures were taken. They said their good-bye and walked out to the dance.
******
The dance was held at a near by hotel in two ballrooms. One larger one with tables on the outskirts so people could dance and sit down to talk or eat. The other smaller room was so people could also eat and talk but in a quieter place. The group of girls spent the entire time in the ballroom dancing with a different person at each song. Erika was dancing with a good friend of hers named Ian. She had a perfect view of the doorway from where she was and could see any one who walked in. Erika froze when she noticed a tall handsome figure in the doorway scanning the crowd. The first thing that drew her attention was the curls.
“Ian, I’m really sorry, but I need to talk to someone. I promise I’ll give you another dance.”
“You promise?”
“I promise. I’ll see you later.” She walked over to him and jumped into his arms wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Oh my God, Justin what are you doing here?”
“Hahahaha, I was looking for you in the crowd but you’re not only younger, you’re a lot shorter. Speaking of, damn girl you ate your vegetables. Weren’t you only up to my chin before? You’re up to my nose now!”
“The wonder of heels.” She said proudly as she showed him her black strapped heels. She was wearing those shoes with a short red and black velvet dress. When she was standing, the dress fell mid-thigh. When she was sitting, well, she had to cross her legs and lean them to one side.
“You never answered my question Justin.”
“Oh yea, well we couldn’t miss our girls’ winter formal. Plus, it’s my dance too, “ he said with a pouty face.
“We? Where are the rest of the guys?”
“I guess I got here early, like I said before, this is my dance too.”
Another song began and Justin grabbed Erika’s hand and dragged her onto the dance floor. The talked over the loud music as they danced.
“How did you manage to get Johnny to let you come?” She didn’t realize how loud she had said that and wasn’t surprised when Justin didn’t answer her. The song finished and they headed over to a table where Elyssa and Rachel were sitting.
“What did you ask me out there?”
“Oh, I asked how you got Johnny to let you come.”
“I pulled out my charm and...”
Elyssa started choking on her water and finally blurt out; “you begged and pleaded didn’t you?”
His head dropped down and he answered in a whisper. “Yea” His head popped up and he finished what he had begun to say before. “Johnny told me I could come, but I had to come as Justin Timberlake and not let any one know that I go to school her as ‘Jay’”.
“What about the rest of the guys?”
“We have to make an announcement and say that we are here and that we just came looking for a good time and don’t want to be bothered.” T
he rest of the group showed up and made their announcement. Erika danced with all of the guys at least twice, but she danced with JC the most to be able to flirt with him. She was dancing with Chris when she couldn’t handle it any more.
“Ok Chris, you’re a little too much right now, I can’ keep up. I’ll dance with you later.” She turned to walk to the other room to talk to a few of her friends. She sat down between Tanya and Craig. Erika didn’t really like Craig, but she was nice to him nonetheless. She also knew that Craig wanted to be more than friends with her but she always made it clear that she wasn’t into that idea.
Erika was talking to Tanya about how great the dance was when she felt something on her knee. She looked down and saw Craig’s hand on her knee and his thumb caressing her soft skin.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“I was just...um...just...”
“You were being an ass that’s what you were doing.” She grabbed his hand and pushed it away thinking that that was a good enough way of explaining she didn’t want him to touch her like that.
A few minutes later she felt the same ice-cold hand farther up on her leg trying to get under her dress.
Erika stood up and yelled at him not caring who was watching. “You son of a bitch! I don’t want you near me ever again!” She leaned over and smacked him across the face before turning to leave.
She walked back onto the dance floor in search for Justin. She finally found him dancing with Rachel.
“Jay, I wanna go home NOW.” He walked away from Rachel and over to Erika, grabbing her hand over to an empty table.
“What happened? You know you can tell me any thing Er.” He hand his hand on her leg while he was speaking trying to comfort her, but all she could look at was the hand on her leg.
“I...I know that J. I just don’t feel like talking about it right now. Can you please take me home?” He knew something bad must have happened because she had a look of helplessness on her face and she usually tells him everything that goes on in her life.
“Ok, I’ll take you home, but can I have one last dance?” He stood up in front of her and held his hand out for her to take. She slowly put her hand in his and walked to the middle of the dance floor. ‘God Must Have Spent’ began to play and Justin held her close to him as they swayed to the music.
“Why do they always play one of our songs for slow dancing?”
“Probably ‘cause they know you guys are here. And because you guys have awesome slow songs.”
The conversation ended and they continued to dance. The song was just about to end when Justin put some space between them. He grabbed both of her hands and sang the last line of the song to her.
“God must have spent, a little more time...on youuuu.” Justin bent down and gave her a light and quick kiss on the lips. She let go of his hands and wrapped her arms around him while a huge smile spread across her face.
“Thanks J; you’re the best.”
“What are best friends for?”
Erika felt a tap on her shoulder so she turned around only to see Craig standing there. Just as quickly as the smile appeared on her face, it disappeared even faster. Before a single word was spoken she turned around to face Justin again.
“Can you take me home now?”
“Yea, I wanna get out of here too. I’ll meet you out at the car, I’m gonna tell they guys that we’re leaving.” Justin waited until she completely left the room. Once she was out of sight, he went up to Craig.
“Look, I don’t know what you did or said to her, but it must have been pretty bad if she won’t even tell ME.”
“What I want to know is how do you expect her to open up to you when you, the all mighty Justin Timberlake, only just met her tonight.”
“That’s none of your business, but all I know is that that girl deserves the best and the utmost respect. In other words, she doesn’t need you.” Justin gave him a light shove and walked out of the room.
Both Justin and Erika walked into the house and sat down on the living room couch.
“I wanna get out of this friggin’ dress.”
“Then go.”
“All my clothes are dirty; I just have a pair of sweatpants.”
“Put on the sweatpants and go into my room to get a shirt. Actually, I‘ll give you a shirt, I‘m gonna get changed too.”
They went up the stairs to get changed and came down a few minutes later. Justin was done changing before Erika was and was already down stairs back on the couch. He was wearing a pair of dark gray sweatpants and a white wife beater.
“Oh my God! You look so cute! My shirt is like a dress on you.”
“Yea, I know I’m short.”
Justin was lying across the sofa so Erika climbed up on top of him and lied down. She rested her head against his chest and wrapped her arms around him. He just put his hands on her back rubbing soothingly. It was nothing sexual or flirtatious. They were just there for one another.
“Erika, do you wanna talk about what happened tonight?”
“Not really, but you’re gonna make me so I might as well talk about it.” She told him exactly what had happened to her and she could feel Justin’s muscles tighten underneath her.
“I’m so sorry.” He said barely above a whisper.
“Why are you sorry?”
“I’m sorry because I feel like I should have been there with you, and then none of that would have happened.”
“Justin, please don’t think like that. You can’t always protect me.” The conversation ended there and they just laid there on the couch in each other’s arms watching television.
A few hours later the rest of the guys came home along with Elyssa, Rachel, and Liz. The girls were going to sleep over because all of their stuff was already there from earlier that evening when they were getting ready. They all noticed the two already asleep on the couch, but didn’t think anything of it because they were best friends. Elyssa walked over to wake Erika up so she would go upstairs to her room.
“Er, c’mon let’s go up...” she stopped mid sentence when she noticed her tear stained face in Justin’s chest. Justin had his hands in her hair as if he was trying to comfort and calm her down. Elyssa was the only one that had noticed the tear stains on her face. Everyone else thought they looked adorable together.
“Maybe we should just let them sleep there.” Said Elyssa as she walked away from the sofa.
“Awwwww, they’re so cute! I wanna take a picture.” Whispered Liz.
Rachel cautioned her, “No, don’t the flash would wake them up.”
They stood staring for a few moments.
“Thank God for video cameras.” Said Lance as he waved the video camera in his hands.
“Not only is this a cute picture, we could use it as blackmail!” They all giggled and went up to sleep after a long night.