She instantly recognised the people on one of the posers that took up most of the board, one of the faces was her own.

the other picture was of the guys she had auditioned for that went by the name 'Nsync' there were two brunettes, a red head, and two blondes. She liked them all, but she had taken a special liking to the two blondes.

The thing she always remembered about people where their eyes,because they were the window to the soul, and she believed that you could tell alot about a person and there intentions and sincerity-- these two where no different.

One had the deepest of blue eyes; almost a shade of midnight blue while the other had bright jade colored ones. They had both been very sweet to her, making sure that she was comfortable.

While performing, they had made her feel the most at ease with their gentle smiles and goofy expressions. They were what looked like to be a great group of well-rounded guys that she was eager to get to know better.

But with that thought in mind, her stomach gave a small lurch, as she remembered the performance she'd have to make tonight. There were no smiling reassuring faces, but screaming girls who wanted their favorite Boyband.

She felt as if her whole life had been leading up to this one performance. Whether she liked it or not. Don't think about it. Thinking about it won't stop it from coming. Relax. She told her self. She returned her focus back to the picture of Nsync that was gracing the top left hand corner, and then glanced to her picture in the bottom right hand corner, next to an 'interesting' looking fellow which turned out to be Ron Irrazzary. In the center was a notice in dark bold print, it read:

She wondered what would happen if she ever did reach the point that she couldn't leave her house and had to stay cooped up all the time. It was a sad thought, but at the same time, the mental image of her at home with a hundred cats was a good laugh. She was in the business as a living and a way of survival, and she enjoyed the music she made, it was her therapy, but she doubted that people would ever pay attention to her let alone start stalking her.

But she knew as well as any other music veteran that it was only but so long that you stayed in the loop. When you're hot, you'd better take advantage of it, because once you're forgotten, there's no chance of reincarnation.

To her, the idea of people wasting their time and money to see her sing a couple of songs seemed hilarious. She laughed at the thought alone. She held a hand up to muffle the noise somewhat, since she was receiving stares from personnel and passersby, but she was still doubled over in a fit of giggles.

She tried to find her way to the wall, where she could regain her breath once more. But instead of backing into the wall, she felt something-make that someone. And judging by it's frame it was a guy.

When she looked up to see what she had collided with, she was at a lost for words. There hovering above her was a very attractive blond haired young man, who was trying to gain his footing back as well as looking for something he must've dropped.

"I...I...I'm sorry I didn't see you there."

"Apparently" he mumbled, steadying her as she lost her balance. "Woah… you okay there?" At his words, Karla could feel herself blush a brilliant shade of magenta.

He stooped down to pick up something off the floor that looked like his cell phone. "Yeah, thanks…" She said, looking up and making eye contact for the first time. Immediately, she recognized him, and it seemed that he did the same.

"Don't I…" They both started at the same time. He laughed, which softened his features, as opposed to the hard look of concentration he had while coming down the hall. She studied him a bit more and came upon his green eyes, which illuminated by the florescent light above them glowed slightly yellow…The same pair of olive colored eyes that where on the poster behind her.

She turned her head to make sure. By now the young man had stopped laughing and followed her gaze, where he saw a black and white head shot identical of the teenage girl in front of him. He scanned the advertisement and 'opening act' caught his eye Of course! I remember her from the day we auditioned her he thought, mentally cursing himself for not figuring it out sooner.

"I know you!" They exclaimed simultaneously. He laughed again. "Okay-let's take this from the top. Hello. My name is Lance Bass." He said extending his hand.

"Karla Reid- Pleasure to meet you…Again." She said placing her hand in his; and then as if a jolt of electricity shot between them, an odd sensation flew through the tip of their fingers, the sensation made it's way up her arm, giving her goosebumps. They raised their eyes to meet one an other's questioning gaze.

Lance cleared his throat significantly and patted her hand with his free one before releasing his grasp. They stood there awkwardly for a moment, each deciding what to do next, and planned their move at the same time. "Well, se ya around…" they said in unison. Karla laughed "Will you stop that?" they said together again. They chuckled.

"This is becoming a habit we might have to break," Said a smiling Lance. Karla smiled back at him and turned on her heel. As she turned she yelled "See ya around" At the same time Lance did. As she walked down the corridor, she could hear his laughter fading away. That was strange. She thought as she bounded for the elevator.

"I'll meet you down here in 5 minutes okay?" Justin said as he headed outside the dining hall to get on the elevator. He, Joey, Jc and Chris had decided to catch a quick movie at a nearby cinema, but that required disguises, which was what Justin was going to get. When was the last time I really just 'hung out' with the guys? He asked himself. Every time he tried to go somewhere, there was always a big uproar. He sighed. Why couldn't he just be like normal 19 year olds? Why'd he have to be "THE Justin Timberlake"?

He was just as much of a horny teenager as the next.

But as looked up from his thoughts, and saw a stunningly pretty young girl with reddish hair about his age at the elevator, he realized just how much of life he had missed out on. He missed his graduations, his proms, his family… all in the sake of music. Hell, he couldn't even hit on chicks because chances are, it'd be in a tabloid faster then he could say 'crunk'.

"This sucks" He mumbled. Karla looked up startled. "Excuse me?" Justin shot her a glance, but held his eyes there his interest sparked by her persona. "No..n..nothing. Just pondering" He said rocking back and forth on his heels avoiding her eyes. "I see" She said, also averting her gaze.

Now's your chance! He thought to himself. C'mon! she won't tell anyone, just turn on the charm a little…He debated silently. Yeah but what if she thinks I'm some kind of womanizer? It was almost like having a conversation with himself as both sides of him conflicted Your reputation is already super inflated… a small voice in the back of his head insisted. Damn that-it's time for a little fun!

While Justin had been absorbed into his thoughts, Karla had sneaked a couple of glances in his direction. He looked familiar…just as Lance had when she first saw him. She stared at her shoes, twisting the edge of her shirt nervously as she reminded herself how stupid she was being. You meet strangers every day… what make's him so special? She wondered.Maybe it's an Nsync thing.. Well don't just stand there! Say something you idiot! But what do I say? she thought frantically. HI would be a nice start… part of her said sarcastically

Justin smiled at her. SAY SOMETHING YOU MORON! He thought. Great now that you've gotten her attention, you have nothing to say. Flirting is not supposed to be this hard! He thought distractedly. SAY SOMETHING-ANYTHING "So great weather we're having! Are you going to the concert?" UGH! ANYTHING BUT THAT! He thought disgustedly. He just blew his cover. Her Idea of flirting was probably asking for backstage passes or something. Karla noticed him shifting uncomfortably and cleared her throat "I …um might make an appearance" He looked at her strangely, not getting her double meaning.

What is she playing at? Karla sensed his stare and changed the topic. "I wonder why the elevator's taking so long" she speculated aloud.

Justin flashed her his famous golden grin and pushed the button which had sat there neglected while they had been lost in their thoughts. "That always helps" He said furtively.

"Yeah-" She started but was interrupted by the bell of the elevator. Justin stood back and gestured into the elevator "Ladies first"

"Thank you" She said politely, stepping onto the elevator pushing the button that lead to her room. "Floor?"

"Sixteen, thank you" he said letting the elevator doors close.

"You're a floor above me" Karla said interestedly.

"oh really? Maybe I'll see ya around" he said cooly. Nice going Timberlake-she's gonna think your distant now!

The elevator chimed as it came to a halt at her floor. "Maybe" she said with a coy grin. " the next time I see you we'll exchange names" With that she stepped gracefully out into the hallway and took a left.

Dumbass! I suck at this flirting thing, I'll just stick to smiling and autographs..That's like.... Flirting rule number 1…or was that number 3? I'll have to ask Joey…He shook his head and chuckled as the elevator began to rise once more.

Chapter 3
Chapter Directory