Chapter 4

"Kelly you need to schedule those appointments for me. The deadline for the Westlife article is tonight, we’re going to have to work overtime." – Claire. Someone was standing by Claire’s desk while Claire was frantically running about trying to keep things under control. "I looked at the 'N Sync photos and the ones we’re going to use are in my box." Claire’s phone rang. She turned and walked to her desk. "Hello?" – Claire. JC looked at Claire amusingly. "No they need to be done today. Your deadline was yesterday- "Uh huh, --- fine." Claire hung up the phone and looked up. She gasped. "huuuuh, I almost forgot. JC hold on. Kelly I’m leaving for lunch. When I get back you can take a break. Bye." – Claire

"Bye." – Kelly. Claire grabbed her purse

"Let’s go." – Claire. JC followed Claire out of the office room, into the hallway.

"Busy?" JC smiled.

"Just a little." Claire returned his smile. They walked together out of the building. Lance watched them from inside the car.

"What took them so long?" – Lance

"They were sucking face." – Chris. Lance glared at Chris and gave him the evil eye.

"I was just kidding geez, don’t be so uptight. She probably already has a boyfriend anyway." – Chris. ‘Oh my god, what if she does have a boyfriend?’ – Lance

----

"Hello Everyone," Claire greeted as she entered the car.

"Howdy there." – Justin

"Where’s Lacey?" – Claire

"She couldn’t come her boss wouldn’t let her off." – JC

"Oh." – Claire

"Well let’s get going. I’m hungry!" – Justin. They went to the Hard Rock Café. The six of them sat down at their table. After the waiter took their orders they began to start conversation.

"So do you go to school or do you work full time?" – JC

"Well right now I’m on summer break but I go to San Diego University. I work full time, even when I’m at school. My boss is a little more flexible during the school year cause she knows how hectic things get. So virtually I’m always busy." – Claire. JC stared in amazement.

"So when do you sleep?" Chris asked casually.

"I don’t." Claire replied while laughing. "I’m kidding. Some days I have classes and some days I don’t so I work and sleep around my school schedule. I usually leave work at around quarter past 10." – Claire

"That’s not that bad." – Joey

"Well probably not what you’re used to. Usually when I go home I write my papers for school so I initially don’t get to sleep till around 11. Sometimes it’s worse but people stay up that late for leisure purposes so it isn’t a bad schedule." – Claire

"True." – Joey

"What is your record label?" – Claire

"JIVE. Why?" – Chris. Claire glared at JC who was looking down pretending not to pay attention.

"No reason. Just wondering." – Claire. Then their food came.’ I wonder why she asked that and why she was looking at JC when she asked it.’ – Lance

"So Claire are you music experienced at all?" – Justin

"Well I’ve been told I can sing but every time I do my sister tells me to shut up so I have my doubts." – Claire

"What about switch boards? Can you mix tracks?" JC asked with interest.

"In high school I had this band and we did a cheesy independent album so I’m aquatinted with one." – Claire

"Really? What happened to the band?" – Lance

"We are all still really good friends but Alana moved to New York to go to college and we couldn’t carry on with out her so we decided to give it a rest." – Claire. Soon they were finishing their food. Claire looked at her watch.

"I have to go back to work and relieve Kelly." – Claire

"I’ll drive you." – JC. ‘How come you get to do everything?’ – Lance

"Great, ok let’s go. So long everyone. I’ll talk to you all later. Thanks for taking me." – Claire

"No problem. See ya later Claire. Oh tell your sister I said hi." – Justin

"Ok." Claire said smiling at him. The rest all said good bye and Claire and walked to the door as she left her part of the bill on the table. JC followed her out the door. Once they were out she smacked his arm.

"Ow, what was that for?" – JC

"For being a good friend and getting me those jobs without me knowing." – Claire

"Heh, that was pretty sly wasn’t it?" – JC

"You scared the hell out of me. I thought God actually answered my prayers." – Claire. They go in the car. Jut then she suddenly remembered Lance’s wallet.

"Hold on. I’ll be right back." - Claire. She ran out of the car and towards the building. The doors flew open and Lance came out.

"Here." – Claire handed him his wallet. He looked at her and smiled. It was the first time he was alone with her.

"Thanks." He said taking it form her. Claire being the bashful person she is and not knowing what to do next said;

"I’ll talk to you later." She turned back to the car.

"Wait Claire? Can I ask you a question?" – Lance

"Sure." – Claire ‘ Better sooner than later’ – Claire thought. She knew what he wanted to ask.

"Claire do you have a boyfriend?" – Lance. Claire looked down at her feet.

"Yes. Yes I do." – Claire

"Oh." – Lance. He became sullen and timid.

"Lance I’m sorry. Look I really have to go, I’ll call you later." – Claire

"Uh huh." – Lance

"Bye." – Claire. Lance didn’t answer or bid her farewell, he just stood there. Claire returned to the car. Chris walked up behind Lance and put his arm around his shoulder for he had witnessed the moment of sadness.

"Don’t worry about it. She is one of many." – Chris

"I don’t know. She just seemed so innocent and caring." Lance sighed.

"Let’s go home." – Chris

---Meanwhile---

Claire returned to the car with certain sadness on her face.

"Ok." – Claire

"What happened?" – JC

"I had to give Lance back his wallet he left in my car last night." – Claire

"Oh. So about the jobs at JIVE, you accepted them right?" – JC

"Not yet. I don’t think I’m going to." – Claire

"What? Why not?" – JC

"Well I can’t just quit my other job. And what is going to happen when school starts?" – Claire. JC looked at her with pleading eyes.