It was a Friday afternoon. Marie sat in the back of her class waiting for the bell to ring. It was the day of the ‘N Sync concert she had been waiting five months for. Her sister Claire had promised to take her. They were bringing along Claire’s best friend Lacey.
The bell finally rung. Marie bolted out of the classroom. She ran for the back entrance. Marie dashed for her sister’s car. Inside she found Lacey and Claire laughing.
"Why are you laughing?" – Marie
"Well, nothing. It’s just that you’re the first one out and the bell only rang 30 seconds ago." – Claire.
"Oh, well can we go now?" – Marie
"Ok, don’t be so pushy. Lacey are we meeting Terra, Wendy and Susan there?" – Claire
"I don’t know. They are going to be there but it is going to be complete madness, so I don’t know." – Lacey
"Ok, Marie where do you want to eat?" – Claire
"McDonald’s I guess. Is Drew going?" – Marie
"No he said had to work." – Claire
"Oh." – Marie
After they got their food they headed to the Rose Bowl, where the concert was being held.
"How much longer till we get there?" – Marie
"Another 45 minutes, calm you horses." – Claire. They drove on.
They finally arrived at the venue. There were slutty 16 year-old girls everywhere.
"My lord did everyone forget to wear clothes?" – Claire. Lacey laughed in agreement.
"Can we go now?" – Marie
"Ok, ok we’re going." – Claire
They all walked out of the parking area and over a cement bridge. They found themselves in a crowd of girls. Most were lined up against a fence that had barbed wire on top for any monkeys. A series of screams moved down the line of girls at the fence. Claire, Lacey and Marie rushed to the fence. In the middle of a group of security guards, Lance walked steadily, not looking to acknowledge the crowd. Lance slipped behind a tarp wall.
"Oh my god Claire did you see him?" – Marie
"Yea, I saw him." – Claire. Marie drifted off into her town world, still pressed against the fence waiting for the next appearance. The crowd started singing; "It’s Tearin’ Up My Heart." It soon died down. After about six more minutes the screaming started again.
"Who is it? Claire who’s coming?" – Marie
"I don’t know. I don’t see anyone." – Claire. A group of security guards walked by. Lacey shrieked.
"Oh my god it’s security guards!" – Lacey. Some girls screamed in confusion. Lacey and Claire broke out laughing.
"You guys shut up. You’re playing with my emotions." – Marie. Lacey and Claire started laughing again. Marie turned from the fence and glared at Claire.
"Look there’s what’s his face." – Claire
"Claire that’s not funny." – Marie
"I’m serious-" – Claire. Then the screaming started again. Marie whirled around.
"It’s Chris!" – Marie. Chris came from the darkness driving a golf cart. He disappeared behind the green tarp.
"I told you." – Claire
"Well how was I supposed to know."- Marie
"Common let’s get in line." – Claire
"But what if Justin comes?" – Marie
"Ok stay here, get lost. I’m getting in line." – Claire
"Ok I’m coming." – Marie. They stood in line for fifteen minutes then they started letting people in. Marie walked beside Lacey who was beside Claire. Claire had a camera in her hand. They walked to find their section. Then out of nowhere a man walked into Claire knocking the camera out of her hand. It landed with a loud crash. The camera popped open as it split in half. The camera lay on the ground in pieces. The man was wearing a red hat and a white muscle shirt.
"Oh my god, I’m so sorry Miss." – Man. He stood over the broken camera looking down at it. He bent down to pick up the pieces. Claire knelt beside him. He looked up and shock struck his face. ‘My god she’s beautiful.’- Man.
"I’m Steve Fatone." – He stood and held out his hand.
"Claire Saunders." – She shook his hand and looked at him confused, he was smiling quite oddly. Marie tugged at Lacey’s shirt and whispered; "That’s Joey’s brother." – Marie
"I’m really sorry, I can get you a new camera." He looked around and walked in closer. " I might even be able to get you in to meet ‘N Sync." – Steve. Claire looked back at Marie who was slightly shaking and nodding her head.
"Oh I don’t know." – Claire
"It won’t be a problem, I promise." – Steve. Claire hesitated.
"Well I guess." – Claire
"Ok come with Me." – Steve. He led Claire, Lacey and Marie down a hallway where they found the green tarp. Steve spoke to the two security guards. One nodded while the other one opened the tarp slightly and handed him something. He motioned for the girls to follow him. Behind the tarp there was somewhat of a party going on. He led them to a table.
"Wait here, I’ll be right back. If anyone gives you trouble tell them you’re friends Fatone." – Steve.
"Ok, thanks. You know you didn’t have to do this." – Claire
"I know but I owe you for your camera." – Steve. Claire smiled and Steve seemed to have swooned. "I’ll be right back." Steve turned and talked to a man who pointed down a hallway. Steve ran in that direction. Marie squealed in delight.
"Oh my god! I’m going to touch Justin!" – Marie. Some turned their heads and looked at Marie.
"Shh, Marie you’re gonna get us kicked out. Don’t get in over you’re head. We probably won’t even meet them. We’ll probably just get an autograph." – Claire
Meanwhile found himself among the member of ‘N Sync.
"I don’t know Steve, we have to get ready for the show." – Lance
"Common you guys, this girl is gorgeous. Plus I broke her camera." – Steve
"Well if she’s hot then get her over here!" – Joey. The guys laughed and agreed. Steve appeared in the hallway in which he had been directed.
"Ok guys, come with Me. " – Steve led them down the hallway and through a walkway lined with trees and bushes.
"This is backstage and over there are the trailers. The guys are kickin’ it over here." Steve walked over to a kind of pavilion that had lights and switch pads everywhere. He led them around a corner and there they were, all five of them sitting in lawn chairs. They stood up together almost as if on Que.
"Guys this is Claire and Lacey and Claire’s sister Marie." He turned his head to look at JC. "This is JC, Lance, Justin, Chris and my brother Joey." – Steve. They all shook hands and exchanged hellos. Marie instantly went up to Justin. Joey watched and joined in amusement. Lacey stood a few feet from Marie. Claire stood with Lacey in front of JC, Chris, Lance and Steve.
"So where you guys from?" – JC broke the silence.
"We’re from Arcadia." – Claire
"Oh that’s not far from here." – Lance
"Nope." – Claire. Lance stared at Claire, smiling. Claire was beginning to feel uncomfortable.
"So how old are you guys?" – JC
"I’m 21 and Lacey is 22." – Claire. Lacey had now lost interest and was watching Marie attempt to flirt.
"Wow you only look 17 or 18." – Lance. Claire blushed slightly and smiled. ‘She blushes, cute.’- JC
"Lance come over here you have to see this," – Chris said laughing. Lance walked over and Lacey followed. JC looked at Claire then at the guys. He motioned her to move father from the group.
"Look we’re going clubbing after the show. Do you and Lacey want to come?" – JC
"Well I don’t know. I have to take Marie home. And I have to work tomorrow." – Claire. JC frowned and thought for a moment.
"Has Marie ever been in a limo before?" JC smiled devilishly.
"I dunno-" – Claire
"We’ll all go with you and then we can leave, the show ends at 10:30 and we’ll cut traffic so I promise you’ll be home by 1:30." – JC. Claire looked at JC and hesitated.
"Oh ok." – Claire
"Good." He grabbed Claire’s wrist and walked over to the crowd.
"Hey Marie how would you feel if I gave you front row seats?" – Justin. Marie gasped and searched for Claire.
"Claire please!?" – Marie. Claire nodded and Marie jumped with joy.
"Yay!" – Marie. Someone yelled for the guys.
"Well make-up awaits us. We’ll se you guys later." – Joey. They exchanged their good-byes and turned around and left. Marie turned around and looked at Claire, confused.
"What did he mean by see you guys later?" – Marie. Lacey looked at Claire waiting for the answer.
"Oh nevermind." – Claire. Steve returned from the direction which ‘N Sync had gone.
"Common I’ll take you to your seats." – Steve. The girls followed him through a corridor. They came out on the other end to find themselves in on the floor of the stadium in the front row. They were on the left side of the main walkway in the middle. Steve glanced at his watch.
"Look I gotta go. I’ll see you guys later." – Steve. He gave them their tickets and wristbands and left.
"This is almost too good to be true." – Lacey
"He could have just given me another camera." – Claire. Lacey, Claire and Marie tried to look for Susan, Wendy and Terra but were unsuccessful.
"Oh well we tried." – Lacey
"They are going to be mad." – Claire. Lacey smiled.
"Oh well." – Lacey. Claire laughed and put away the binoculars since they weren’t going to need them. Soon the show started and the crowd was screaming. Ron Izziary got on stage and did an excellent performance. Then Pink and Sisqo did their think (Which was awesome!). Finally ‘N Sync came one. The crowd roared. It was truly amazing. Lance periodically searched the crowd. He was looking for Claire.