“Very good! Very good! We’ll call you.”
Rachel lifted herself up from her knees and thanked the casting director. She loved Shakespeare and when she heard that the lead part of Juliet in his famous play, Romeo and Juliet , was an open audition at her performing arts magnet school, she jumped at the chance. She had dreamed of being an actress ever since she was a little girl and now, her senior year in high school, her dreams were finally coming true. Her parents had never supported her goals in life...they thought they were petty dreams of an immature little girl who didn’t have what it took to become successful. Rachel had won several awards in various forensic tournaments and displayed the trophies proudly on her parents mantle, but they still went unnoticed. She had even been cast in small roles and mediocre characters in other school plays, but her parents were still blind to her obvious talent. She had heard the rumors around school that some big-name agents could possibly be at the performance, so she rehearsed the script daily. She felt right with the part and something told her that the character was made for her. She drove home from school beaming because she couldn’t wait to get home and call her best friend, Lauren. She locked her doors as she neared her neighborhood. Her parents didn’t give a damn about her, and both of them were alcoholic. They spent all of their money on booze, and the only shelter they could provide was a small home in the projects of Nashville. The slums there were dangerous and littered with drug dealers and their paraphernalia. Every night Rachel sat in her room and listened to the sounds of gunshots ringing in her ears and then the blaring sirens coming to take care of the bloody mess. Her only hopes were her best friend and her acting career. It was what kept her going through the struggles she faced. As she pulled into her driveway, she frowned as she saw her Dad’s car parked in the driveway. She parked her 1981 Ford Escort in its spot and slowly walked up to the door, preparing herself for what she knew was going to be a rough night. She opened the door and immediately had to dodge a scotch bottle being thrown in her direction.
“Where the hell have you been, you little bitch?” Her Dad yelled.
“I was at an audition--”
“For what? Slut of the month?” He laughed at her and gave her a drunken smirk.
“No. An acting audition.” She braced herself because she knew what was coming next. Her father slammed down his glass of scotch and walked over to her, throwing her onto the floor. He kicked her in her side and cussed at her while her mother sat on the couch laughing and watching her husband beat her daughter. Her father picked her up and threw her against the wall, and slapped her hard. She watched in horror as her father began unbuckling his pants.
“Please....Dad...please don’t do this....” She begged him, but to no avail. Her grabbed her throat and pinned her to the wall.
“This is what bad little girls get.” The smell of the alcohol on his breath was unbearable and she held her breath and prayed that he would hurry up and finish so she could go to bed. This wasn’t the first time he had raped her. He did it when she was little and continued to do it to the present day. He was a sick bastard and sometimes she would cry herself to sleep, wishing that she could escape him. Her mother had cared earlier in her life, but eventually after her father beat her enough, she became just as alcoholic and cold-hearted as her father had always been. Her father finished up and threw her on the floor, spitting on her before he walked away.
“Get up bitch and get out of my face.” Rachel slowly got up and walked into the bathroom, taking a cold shower to wash away the gross feeling that had seeped into every pore and crevice of her body. She leaned against the wall and slowly slid to the floor, crying.
“God,” she prayed. “Please make him stop. Give me the strength to get through this. I don’t think I can take it anymore...”
She wept while letting the water run all over her body and promised herself that she would never let anyone in her heart except for Lauren. She was the only true friend she had and the only one she had ever trusted or ever would from that point on. She finished showering and walked into her bedroom, locking it and positioning a chair under the doorknob to prevent her father from repeating the night’s past episode in the middle of the night. She climbed into bed and said a prayer. Before turning off the light, she took the cross from her neck and held it in her hand like a child does a blanket, sending her comfort enough to be able to sleep through the night.

“Rach!!” Lauren ran up to her friend in the hallway in between classes. “Wait up!”
Rachel turned at the sound of her friend’s voice and smiled. She walked over to where Lauren was and gave her friend a hug.
“Hey babe.”
“So...how did it go?”
“I guess it did okay. Lauren, I really hope I got the part. I need this chance so bad.”
“I know you do. And I bet you did great. You are awesome!”
“Thanks, Lauren. I just wish other people thought that, too.”
“Sweetie, they do. Don’t worry about it.”
“Oh, and Lauren, I gave them your number to call if they need a recall or hopefully to tell me I am the new Juliet. You know my father won’t give me the message if they call there.”
“I understand. And don’t worry about it. It’s all taken care of. Hey listen, do you think maybe you can go out with me tonight?”
“Umm...I’m not sure...” She knew in her heart that she wanted to, but she knew the consequences she would face if she did indeed go out.
“Come on, Rach. You really need to get out and do something. Live a little bit.” Lauren smiled at her friend, hoping she would say yes.
“Oh alright. Fine I will go out with you. But so I don’t have to go home and face my parents beforehand...do you think I could borrow something of yours to wear?”
“Sure! That’s no problem at all. Shoot!” She said as she heard the late bell. “That’s my hundredth tardy in Mr. Plankers’s World Civilization class. You know what that means...detention!” She groaned out the last word, acting like it was going to be her death.
“Well get going so you at least pass the class, Laur.” She hugged her friend one last time before heading off to her chorus class. She prayed that the day would go by fast so that she could go out and maybe enjoy at least one day out of her life.

The rest of the day went as Rachel had hoped and she met her friend outside in the courtyard.
“So where are we going tonight, anyway?”
“It’s a surprise!” Lauren smiled wickedly at her friend.
“Lauren...you know I hate surprises.”
“Don’t worry. You will definitely like this one. Trust me.”
“Alright..I’ll trust you on this one. I guess.” She grinned at her friend and then took off running to Lauren’s car so they could get ready. Lauren laid out her whole closet on her bed so that they could rummage through and pick something out. She told Rachel to dress casual but cute.
“Lauren! I hate looking cute. Why can’t I just wear these black pants?”
“No!” Lauren said, grabbing the pants out of Rachel’s hand. “Please....can you wear a dress this one time?”
“What? Am I meeting Ben Affleck or something?”
“Could be...”
“Alright fine. I’ll wear a dress. But I want you to understand that this will not be a reoccurring thing.”
“Understood. Now go get dressed.”
Lauren decided on a light blue cotton summer dress that came right above her knees. She wore a white 3/4 sleeve length oxford over it to add a little flavor and pulled her hair up in a twist. She took her white cardigan with her just in case she got cold later that night. Rachel chose a black satin slip dress with a black cardigan to wear as a jacket whenever she got cold, as she knew she would. She pulled her hair up in a bun because she couldn’t stand it being down and walked out of the bathroom and into Lauren’s bedroom where she was anxiously awaiting.
“Wow! Has anyone ever told you how nice your legs are?” Lauren was amazed at what her friend looked like in the dress.
“Oh shut up.”
“No...seriously! You look amazing. You really should think about doing this--” Lauren noticed her friend’s eyes warning her to cease talking and stopped.
“Don’t get your hopes up, missy. Alright let’s go.”
The girls ride was only around ten minutes because of the proximity of their homes to their destination. Rachel looked confused as Lauren pulled up at the front of the Ryman Auditorium.
“What the hell?”
“Ok...time for me to confess. We are going to a concert.”
“A concert? Who?”
“NSYNC.”
“You have got to be kidding me, Lauren.”
“Rach...it isn’t that bad. It could be worse.”
“They aren’t bad themselves, but goodness, Lauren. I really don’t want to spend my only night off of work listening to pre-pubescent girls scream at guys who sing and dance.”
“Well if that isn’t a negative attitude.”
“Sorry.”
“Oh well...you are stuck with it. Besides, I have the keys!”
Lauren laughed and took the keys out of the ignition, quickly locking the doors and grabbing her purse to make a run for it. Rachel grudgingly got out of the car and followed Lauren. It looked like a lost flock of sheep trying to find their shepherd outside of the venue. Lauren found a place in a line that wasn’t so long and pulled Rachel along with her.
“This better be worth my agony.” Rachel almost growled as she said it.
“Like I said earlier. Trust me on this one.”

Rachel’s eyes almost popped out when Lauren finally showed her where their seats were located.
“FRONT ROW???!!!”
“Yep!” Lauren beamed at her friend’s obvious enjoyment. They took their seats and waited for the opening act to finish. As soon as she left the stage, roadies came out to prepare the set for NSYNC.
“Lauren, they better be good.”
“Rach! Will you stop? I am nothing short of obsessed with this group and I wouldn’t drag you here if I didn’t think you would find something to enjoy.”
“Fine. I’ll stop. Sheesh.”
“Good! Now, dammit, sit back and relax and wait for the show.” The house lights went down immediately after she finished. “Ok...well we’re done waiting! It’s show time!”
Rachel found herself immediately taken away by the group’s performance. They came out in black light reflective suits and looked as if they were imitating Jedi training with their glowing Neon light sticks. They finished the routine and quickly came back onto the stage, putting on a fabulous show. It seemed like it went by too fast and Rachel didn’t want it to end. The guys said their good-byes as they finished the last part of “Tearin Up My Heart” and then left the stage. Rachel almost felt as if her heart was being broken.
“Now don’t even tell me that wasn’t fun!” Lauren said, as they walked towards the exit of the venue.
“Okay. I admit. I had a freaking blast.” Rachel hugged her friend and thanked her for taking her to the show.

Lauren took Rachel home and told her she would see her Monday morning at school. Rachel drew in a deep breath and walked into the house, knowing what was going to happen and hoping it would be over quickly. Her mother and father were standing in the living room waiting on her return.
“Well lookie, lookie lookie who decided to finally grace us with her presence...”
Her father stood in the middle of the hallway, twirling his belt in one hand and holding an open tequila bottle in the other. He slowly walked to her and threw her into her bedroom. Her mom came in and held her down on the bed on her stomach as her father beat her. He used the end that had the belt buckle and after forty lashes, he broke the skin on her back. The sight of Rachel’s bleeding back didn’t phase him and he continued to beat her until he passed out on the floor. Rachel lifted her head and pleaded with her mother through teary eyes to help her, but her mother lifted her father’s tequila bottle and poured the tequila on her daughter’s open wounds, causing her to scream in pain. She left the room laughing and enjoying the anguish she was putting her daughter through. Rachel laid on her stomach for awhile, trying to gain enough strength to walk to the shower. She finally did and stepped out into the hallway quietly, relieved to see that her mother had tuckered out on the couch. She winced as the water hit her back, but finally adjusted to it and washed her wounds. She put Lauren’s dress back on and pulled her hair up, and tiptoed out of the bathroom being careful to not wake her parents up. She walked into her bedroom and grabbed a few plastic bags, filling them with clothing and other little personal belongings. She quietly gathered all of the trophies and plaques that were scattered everywhere in her room and put them in bags by themselves. She upturned the small flower pot that sat on the window sill, displaying a silk daisy and rummaged through the dead soil, grabbing a plastic bag filled with money and stuffing it in one of the bags. Rachel gingerly stepped over her Dad’s body and crept back into the hallway with her make-do luggage and picked up her keys and purse from the floor by the doorway. She eased herself out of the door and closed it quietly and ran to her car, throwing the clothing into the passenger seat and speeding off. She drove to downtown Nashville and went to Centennial Park, her favorite place to go when she needed to think. She parked her car and strolled across the grass to the lake. Sitting down on a bench, she stared out into the still, black waters of the lake. Slowly, memories of all of the times her parents had made her suffer came rushing back to her mind and she cried. The cigarette burns, empty glass bottles being thrown at her head, her father kicking her until she passed out....she sobbed as the pain that she felt from those beatings flooded back into her memory. It seemed like she cried for hours, before she heard a voice behind her.
“Are you okay?”
“Does it look like I am okay?” She snapped without even turning around.
“I don’t guess so. Sorry...”
“Look if you are some homeless man looking for money I don’t have any. So go away and leave me alone.”
“Nope. Not homeless or in need of money.” She heard the person move to sit down beside of her and she scooted away, trying to keep a safe distance from any human contact.
“What do you want from me, then?” She still looked towards the ground, not bothering to see the person who was talking to her.
“I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I was on a walk and saw you crying...”
“Look. I am thankful that you are a good Samaritan and all, but I would really like to be alone. So if you don’t mind, could you please move to another park bench? There are plenty where this one came from. Thanks.”
“I’m not moving.”
“Then I am.” Rachel stood up abruptly and began walking away when the arm grabbed her.
“DO NOT TOUCH ME!!!!!” She screamed and turned around to hit the bastard who had laid his hands on her when she recognized the face. “Aren’t you in NSYNC?”
“Yeah...hi..I’m JC. Nice to meet you.” He extended his hand slowly to her, and after pondering a few moments she finally shook it.
“Hi.”
“Mind telling me your name?”
“Anna.”
“Ok...well, Anna, is there anything I can do to help you?”
Rachel felt bad about lying to him and for being so rude to him, but she couldn’t afford to let her guard down.
“Nope. I am just going to go. Okay? Thanks for worrying about me. Have a nice career and a nice life and I enjoyed your show...bye.”
“Wait. You went to the show tonight?”
“Yes.” She turned to walk away again but JC stopped her.
“Ok...now I have to intervene. If you are a fan then I am obliged to help you.”
“You aren’t obliged to do anything.”
“Yes I am.”
“Look JC. I am honored that you care so much about your fans, but I really do not need your help. I am fine on my own.”
“You were crying and I am concerned. Please let me help you..” He reached out and started to stroke her back, but snapped his hand away when she let a small cry of pain escape her lips.
“What happened?”
“Oh...I am sunburnt.”
“In December? I don’t believe you.”
“Well do it okay? I have got to go.”
“Please, Anna...please talk to me...I don’t like seeing people in distress and I don’t know how I can prove to you that I am sincere...”
Rachel turned around and looked at him intently. She gazed into his eyes, remembering how Lauren said that you can tell exactly how a person is by their eyes. All she saw looking at her were soft eyes and she knew that he was genuine. A tear fell down her cheek as she continued looking at him. JC reached his hand out and wiped it away, taking her hand in his and leading her back to the bench.
“Please...tell me what happened. Maybe I can help you.”
“No one can help me...” Rachel began sobbing.
“At least let me try? Please?”
Rachel looked at him and saw the concern bleeding from his eyes and broke down. She told him about what had happened after the concert and about the beatings she always got from her parents. She sobbed while telling him the whole story and he gently caressed her arm in an effort to comfort her. She was too ashamed about the rapes so she didn’t bother to tell him that, for she was certain he would get disgusted at the mere thought of that. When she finished she looked up at him, and saw the tears that had formed in his eyes.
“I don’t know what to say, Anna. I wish I could say something that would make all of your pain go away...”
“You don’t have to, JC.”
“But I want to...I am so sorry that this happened to someone like yourself. I mean, it shouldn’t happen to anyone, but especially to you...”
“What do you mean?”
“Well...I have only known you for an hour, but I already feel like I know you. And from what I can tell you are an intelligent and beautiful young lady that has a lot to offer the world. Just keep the faith and that beautiful smile of yours on your face, and you will get far in life.”
“I’m not anything, JC. I used to have this dream of being this huge actress, but now I know it isn’t going to happen.”
“Why isn’t it?”
“I don’t know...I just don’t have the drive anymore. I have given up.”
“Now that is something that you don’t need to do. Anna, you are a strong woman. If you weren’t, how would you have made it through what you have been through? You couldn’t have. You have worked hard to get to the point you are at, and to throw something like that away would be absolutely stupid.”
“I know it would. But there is no hope for me...”
“Don’t say that...there is hope for you. You have to trust me on that.” He squeezed her hand tightly as if he was emphasizing his point. Rachel looked at him for a minute and then responded.
“I don’t know why I trust you, but I do.” She let a small smile form at the corner of her mouth.
“Have you eaten tonight?” At first Rachel was taken aback by his question, but she told herself that he was just trying to reach out at her, so she decided to go along with whatever path life was taking her along for the moment.
“No I haven’t.”
“Well why don’t you go somewhere with me? I want to get to know you a little better...”
“Ok. Sure.” She got up and led him to her run-down car and apologized for it being such a mess and looking so bad.
“No it’s ok. Really. I don’t mind at all.” He smiled at her and climbed into his seat. Rachel drove to a Waffle House because she knew it would be the only thing open at 2 in the morning. They ate and talked for hours and laughed whenever the sun began to rise.
“Wow...we have been talking for three hours...and it only seems like five minutes.”
“It’s all of the coffee. It fries your brain. You can take my word on that.” JC smiled at her.
“Don’t you need to be getting back to your hotel? Aren’t there people who are going to worry about you?”
“Yeah I guess. I need a ride. Know anyone who would be willing?”
“Hmm...I think I can probably give you a lift.”
“Great!” JC picked up the check and paid for it, and led Rachel to her car. He opened up the door for him and she just grinned at him for being such a gentleman to her. She dropped him off outside the Renaissance Hotel, and he leaned on the open window to talk to her.
“Don’t take this the wrong way or anything..but do you want to come up for a little bit?”
“Umm...well I really should get going...”
“From the looks of the bags stacked in the backseat, it doesn’t look like you have anywhere to go. Please? I want the guys to meet you. You can shower and all that, too, if you would like.”
“Alright..but just for a little bit. You need to sleep.”
“Ah..don’t worry...I can do that on the bus.”
Rachel parked her car and breathed deeply, worrying about what the guys would think of some strange girl showing up in their hotel room looking like hell. “Here goes nothing...”

“Chris!!!! Your blasted dog did it again! Ugh!!!” Justin stood by the television, pointing at the pile of poop that Chris’s beloved dog, Busta, had graced them with this morning.
“Awww...hey fellow...do you feel better now that you found some relief? Yes you do...oh yes you do....” Chris picked up his pup and cooed to it, only making Justin angrier.
“It’s because you treat him like a human baby that he thinks he can crap all over everything! My bunk, the hallway in the bus, hell, EVERYWHERE in the bus, and now in a hotel room.”
“Cool it, Justin. Looks like ‘happy little Busta left you a happy little doo doo’ because he loves you soooo much.” Chris grinned at him and laughed as Justin scowled at him for mimicking what he said on the Rosie O’Donnell show for the thousandth time.
“Whatever, Chris. I need some fresh air.” He walked to the door and opened it just as JC and Rachel came up.
“Hey Justin.”
“Hi, JC...and...” He looked at Rachel like he was asking her name.
“Anna.”
“Hi Anna. I’m Justin.” He extended a hand to her and she shook it.
“Yo, JC. Busta is up to his old tricks again and Chris refuses to clean up after him, so before I puke, I am going on a walk for some fresh air. The rest of the guys are inside. See you later.”
“Bye Justin.” He said as he looked at Rachel. “Ladies first.” Rachel walked inside cautiously and looked around the suite and at the pairs of eyes looking at her.
“Hey guys. This is my new friend, Anna. I met her at the park last night while I was walking. Anna, this is Joey, Chris, his dog Busta, and Lance.”
“Hi.” She gave a small wave and then looked down at the floor again, obviously self-conscious.
“Make yourself at home. We don’t bite.”
“Speak for yourself, JC. I do, but only when people ask me to.” Joey spoke up and grinned, making a joke hoping to ease the tension in the air. Rachel laughed at him and felt more comfortable. The phone rang and Lance answered.
“Hey, JC. It’s Olivia for you.”
“Alright. I’ll get it in my room.” JC walked away and left Rachel with the other guys.
“Who’s Olivia?” Rachel questioned, hoping she wasn’t prying.
“That’s JC’s girlfriend. If that’s what you want to call it. All they do is fight, anyway. I bet you he comes out of that room screaming because they just finished their upteenth fight.”
Joey shrugged his shoulders, not really caring anymore. Rachel knew instantly that JC and Olivia’s fights must have been a usual happening in their world. Joey got up from his place on the floor and sat down on the couch beside of Rachel.
“Tell me about yourself. You must be interesting if JC picked you up. He’s quite picky about the people he talks to.” Joey smiled at her and Rachel laughed.
“I’m really not that interesting.”
“Everyone has something interesting to tell.”
“Well...I just turned 18. In two months I graduate from high school. I go to a performing arts magnet school and adore acting. I am hoping to get a drama scholarship to some school someday. I work part-time and that’s about it.”
“No family or anything?”
“Nope.” Rachel didn’t want to tell anyone else about what had happened so she lied instead.
“That’s too bad. Don’t you ever feel lonely?”
“Not really. It’s one of those things you grow used to as the days go by. It’s the only thing I know. It might be different if I had actually known my family.”
“Do you have a lot of friends?”
“Not really. I have one good friend that I trust with my whole heart, but other than that, no.”
“Why not? You look like you would have tons of friends.”
“I am a really private person. A lot of people get on my nerves and I don’t bother associating with them. I am not very high-schoolish.”
“High-schoolish?”
“Yeah. I don’t really enjoy talking about whose best friend slept with her best friend’s boyfriend and getting into stupid arguments about who likes who and who doesn’t like who...and fighting over student council and head cheerleader positions. It’s not me.”
“Wow.” Joey said laughing. “You remind me of a human version of Daria with just a little bit more personality.”
“I am going to take that as a compliment, thank you.”
“No problem. So, are you a fan--” Joey was about to ask another question when JC came storming back into the sitting area.
“Dammit!” He slammed his cell phone down on the counter and looked obviously flustered. Rachel and Joey tried not to laugh but couldn’t help themselves.
“Told you so.” Joey stuck his tongue out at her and she playfully shoved him. She didn’t know what it was about the guys but she really liked them.
“What’s so funny?” JC walked over to where they were.
“Nothing, man. Inside joke.”
“Damn I hate those.”
“As much as you hate Olivia?”
“I don’t hate Olivia.” JC said rolling his eyes.
“Oh..it’s just a strong amount of dislike?” Joey loved teasing him, but JC was tired because he hadn’t had any sleep and it made him cranky.
“No, Joey. And stop. I don’t dislike or hate my girlfriend. Geez. Give it a rest.” Joey threw his hands up in defeat and laid back on the couch.
“What time are we leaving today anyway, JC?”
“Not until later. We don’t have a show tomorrow, but Johnny wants to get on the road tonight sometime so we can have time to relax in St. Louis on our day off.”
“St. Louis, huh?” Rachel looked at him.
“Yeah. That’s our next stop on our lovely tour of the United States.” JC grinned at her.
“Must be nice.”
“Sometimes. But then again it can be a complete bitch, too. No serious girlfriends, or girlfriends who we can actually get along with. Not enough sleep...sometimes not enough time to tour the towns we are in.” Joey offered.
“Joey just complains because he hasn’t had a girl in awhile. He has a good boy image to uphold.”
“Joey? A good boy? Now that’s comic relief!” Lance had been watching a show on the television, but upon hearing JC’s comment he had to butt in. Joey just rolled his eyes and got up.
“I am going to get a shower. See you guys in a bit.” Rachel tried to respond, but yawned instead.
“You want to go lay down?” Rachel started to shake her head no, but yawned again. “Come on. You can sleep on my bed.” JC helped her up and led her to one of the rooms in the suite. He showed her to a bed and helped her get tucked in. “Sleep tight. I’ll wake you up, later, okay?” Rachel yawned again and nodded her head. She closed her eyes and was instantly asleep.
JC sat on the bed, watching her sleep. He noticed a couple of bruises on her arms and felt his heart go out to her. He didn’t understand how parents could be so cruel to their own children. And especially someone like Anna. She had so much to offer the world, but kept getting beaten down every time she got ready to spread her wings and fly. He hated that. He tried to imagine how he would have felt if his parents had ever been unsupportive of his dreams, much less beaten him, and he couldn’t even come close to how he knew Anna was feeling. He smiled as he looked at her features. Her shoulder length, straight reddish brown hair framed her face. She had a beautiful complexion and smile. Her personality and the fire inside of her only made her even more beautiful. The sad thing was that she didn’t even realize that she was even attractive. JC wanted to reach out and help her so much, but he was afraid that if he did, it would push her away. She was running away from her parents and her heart had already hardened somewhat. He knew she didn’t have anywhere to go and wished he could help her. That’s when the idea popped in his head. She had seemed so intrigued about the tour. Maybe she would want to go with them and finish up the rest of the tour. Olivia would get pissed, but that was the last of his worries. He had grown extremely close to Anna in the past few hours that he had known her and he wanted to take care of her. He wanted to make sure she would be alright. Surely she wouldn’t say no. She needed a ride out of this place, and since JC would be offering, she would be sure to say yes. He started yawning and looked at the empty place in the bed beside Rachel that had his name on it. He slowly laid back so he wouldn’t disturb her and watched her sleeping peacefully for a few more moments before drifting off into his own world of sleep.

Rachel woke up a couple of hours later and smiled as she saw JC sleeping peacefully next to her, with a small smile formed at the corner of his lips. She slowly got up and put her shoes back on, looking at him one last time before quietly walking out of the room and shutting the door behind her. She hoped that none of the guys would be in the sitting area of the suite, and looking around, she was glad they weren’t. She was going to be forever grateful for what JC had done for her the night before, but she didn’t want to weigh him down with her problems. She knew in the long run he would run away from her, too. Everyone always did. But there was something that she liked about JC. Actually, she liked everything about him. She didn’t want to put her heart out on a limb and have him break it again, like so many other people did. That’s why she was running away from him. Besides, he had a girlfriend. And there was no chance in the world that he would even return her affection. Guys just didn’t like Rachel. And she was sure no one ever would. She walked out to her car and sat inside for a few minutes, contemplating on whether or not to go back upstairs and give JC a formal goodbye. She decided against it, knowing it would be hard and she didn’t want anything convincing her otherwise. She drove past the hotel and blew JC a kiss, hoping that somehow, someway he would catch it. She drove the five minute treck to Lauren’s house and knocked on the door loudly so she could wake her up. Lauren sleepily answered the door for her friend and noticed she was still wearing the clothes she had worn the night before.
“Did you even go home last night girlie?”
“Yep. And I am not going back.”
“Oh, sweetie. Did he do it again?” Lauren’s eyes filled with concern for her best friend.
“Yes. I am tired of it. I packed up all of my stuff and left.”
“Where are you staying?”
“Well, I have a little bit of money that I saved up in case I ever did leave, so I will probably stay in a hotel somewhere until the end of school.”
“No way. You are going to stay here with me. Mom already thinks of you as a second daughter, anyway, so I am sure she won’t mind.”
“Lauren--”
“Rach. Don’t even argue this with me. Oh, and by the way, you have a message.” Lauren’s eyes glowed as she said the words.
“What??!! From who??!!” Rachel already knew, but said it anyway.
“Oh God give me a break. You know who!” Lauren grinned.
“Where??”
“On the answering machine.” Rachel ran over to where it sat on the end table in the living room and pushed the blinking red light.
“This message is for Rachel Wilson. This is David Alford calling. It is very important that you call us back. We need to discuss rehearsal times with you as soon as possible. The number is 555-8876. Once again, on behalf of the casting team with Mockingbird Theater, congratulations.”
“Congratulations??? I am Juliet??? OH MY GOD!!!!!” Rachel ran to where Lauren was standing and hugged her tightly. “Do you know what this means?? Wow!”
“I know! Mockingbird is a big producer of plays in the Nashville area. The local paper just did an article on them not too long ago. Supposedly some big name actors have been associated with them.”
“Yes!! I have got to call them now!” Rachel picked up the phone and got the information she needed. Seeing that the rehearsal times would conflict with her work schedule, she had Lauren take her to the McDonald’s where she held a part-time job and told them that she would no longer be working for them. Lauren asked her about money and Rachel assured her that she would have enough to get her through the spring at least. Lauren dropped Rachel off at the Performing Arts Center in downtown Nashville for her first rehearsal and told her she would pick her up later. Rachel walked in, wearing a big smile on her face, knowing that her life may have been looking up finally.

JC groggily woke up and rubbed his eyes, yawning. He slowly turned over, hoping to see Anna lying in the bed next to him, but was surprised when he didn’t.
“Where did she go?” He thought to himself for a moment and then got out of the bed. He walked into the living room and asked Justin and Joey, who were playing a game on their Playstation, if they had seen her, and they shook their heads. He walked into the kitchen area and saw Lance and Chris and asked them both if they had seen her at all, and their answers were both ‘no’ also. Frustrated, JC left the room and ran to the elevator, going down to the lobby and asking the front desk and the doormen if they had seen her. One said he had seen her leave earlier and when JC asked if he had seen where she had went, the man said he didn’t. JC ran out of the hotel and walked all over the streets of Nashville, hoping that maybe she would be there, and couldn’t find her. He hailed a cab and went over to the park where he had met her the previous night, hoping he would find her, but nothing turned up. Sadly he returned to the hotel. He was met by four worried friends and one angry manager.
“JC! Where in God’s name have you been? You walked out and didn’t tell any of us where you were going and four hours later you decide to show up?” Justin was obviously annoyed and concerned at the same time.
“Sorry. I just had something important to do. That’s all.”
“Next time you need to tell us, son.” Johnny told him.
“Ok.” JC shoved his hands in his pockets and walked back to his bedroom, closing the door and sitting on the bed, with his face in his hands. He kept trying to think of how he could find her, but nothing would come to mind. He felt his heart breaking. Surely he didn’t love her. He only knew her for a few hours. But in that short time she had made an indention on his heart. He knew for certain that if he spent more time with her he could definitely grow to love her. She was amazing. Although she had been through hell and back, she had this fire that didn’t die in spite of everything. She was beautiful, intelligent, and a wonderful person. She could be serious if the situation called for it, but then she could be absolutely witty and funny. She was everything he had looked for in a girl. And she didn’t freak out about his fame. It didn’t even seem to matter to her. In the whole time they had talked, she maybe mentioned NSYNC two or three times, and even then it was only in passing conversation. He really felt as if she saw the real JC, and not just the JC from NSYNC that all of the little girls loved. Why had she left him? Had he done something wrong? He tried his hardest to figure it out, but no absolution could be met in his mind. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
“JC?” Justin asked through the door.
“Yeah?”
“You need to get your stuff ready. Bus call for St. Louis is in fifteen minutes.”
“Alright. Be out in a few.”
JC got up and packed all of his clothes and things he needed and walked down to the bus and boarded it. He immediately went to his bunk and closed the curtains, wanting to be alone and think about the only thing he could...Anna.

Rachel’s first rehearsal went amazingly well, and the run-through of the script already displayed her talents as an aspiring thespian. The director of the play, as well as the lead casting director, David, seemed very impressed with her performance and made sure to tell her about it, before they called it a night.
“Hey, Rachel. Can we talk for a bit?” Rachel nodded her head and ended her conversation with Matt, the guy who was playing Romeo and walked over to where David was standing.
“Did I do something wrong?” She looked concerned as she asked.
“Oh, no.” David smiled at her. “Actually, you did a wonderful job. That’s what I wanted to ask you about. Are you sure this is your first major role? You seem so...so experienced.”
“Yes.” Rachel blushed.
“Wow. And you are so young. That’s amazing. You have a true talent and I am very proud to have you on board for this production.” He smiled at her and walked off, leaving Rachel smiling. She said her good-byes to the rest of the cast and called Lauren to come pick her up. She arrived in less than ten minutes and Rachel nearly jumped into the car.
“I am assuming it went well?” Lauren laughed at her overly-enthusiastic friend.
“Oh my God. Lauren, this is going to be so wonderful! Heck, I already know my lines. After all, I am a Shakespeare freak!”
“I am so happy for you, Rach. Really I am. When is the play?”
“We have about three months of rehearsals and then opening night is March 29.”
“Well I will be there with bells on. I wouldn’t miss it for the world!”
“You better not.”
“So, um, how’s Romeo? Hot?”
“God Lauren. You know I don’t really look at things like that. But um, now that you ask, he isn’t hurting too much in the looks department.” Rachel said laughing.
“Rach it’s so great to see you smiling again. What do you say we go out and celebrate the old way? Chinese food on me!”
“When was I ever the one to turn down food? Let’s go!”

Lauren drove over to their favorite Chinese restaurant and they ate to their hearts content on the open buffet. They talked while they ate plate after plate of lo mein, fried rice, and sweet and sour chicken.
“So,” Lauren said, swallowing a bite out of her egg roll. “Where were you all night if you didn’t stay at home?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” Rachel said, smiling.
“Try me.”
“Alright then. What would you say if I told you I hung out with that JC guy from NSYNC?”
“No way!”
“See? Told you that you wouldn’t believe me.”
“You aren’t serious!”
“Yes I am. I, Rachel, hung out with JC from NSYNC last night.”
“Oh my God! Girl, details!”
Rachel told Lauren about how she had met JC in the park while he was on a walk and how they talked and then went to Waffle House and talked for several more hours. She told her about how she went to their room and rested and got to meet the other guys and everything. What she didn’t tell her is how she ran away from JC without telling him goodbye. She knew Lauren too well and she knew that she would get ridiculed for doing something so ridiculous.
“Wow! That’s so cool. Do you think he’ll remember you?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. Who knows. It was a great experience no matter what happens.”
“I bet. God girl I am so jealous of you!” Lauren finished her meal and grabbed her fortune cookie.
“Time to open up the cookies!” Rachel grabbed hers and ripped open the package at the same time as Lauren did. Lauren read hers first.
“Good things will come your way in the future.” Lauren read hers aloud. “What in the hell? I always get the vague ones.” Rachel just laughed at her friend and read hers.
“A smile on your face and a positive attitude will carry you far.” Rachel’s eyes about popped out of her head when she read it.

**Flashback**

“But I want to...I am so sorry that this happened to someone like yourself. I mean, it shouldn’t happen to anyone, but especially to you...”
“What do you mean?”
“Well...I have only known you for an hour, but I already feel like I know you. And from what I can tell you are an intelligent and beautiful young lady that has a lot to offer the world. Just keep the faith and that beautiful smile of yours on your face, and you will get far in life.”

**End Flashback**

“Rach? What’s wrong?” Rachel snapped out of her trance.
“Oh, nothing. Someone has said that to me before, that’s all.”

“Dude, I am really worried about JC.” Justin sat on the couch in the lounge of the bus talking to Lance.
“Yeah. He hasn’t seemed like himself in a while.”
“In a while? Man, it’s been three months! Ever since that day when he ran off from us in Nashville he hasn’t been the same. I wonder if anything happened...”
“Justin. You’d think if anything major happened JC would have told us by now. After all, we are his best friends.” Lance tried to reason with Justin, whose over-imaginative mind was racing with ideas as to why JC was acting the way he was.
“I’d hope so, Lance. But he is just...acting so weird. His performances aren’t bad, thank goodness, but as far as he goes, he is acting so strange. He hardly talks to any of us, he hardly ever eats anymore...doesn’t talk to the fans like he used to...something is wrong.”
“I see where you are coming from. But you know how JC is, Justin. If he wants us to know something he will tell us. We just have to wait for him to come to us.”
“I don’t know about you, but I can’t take much more of this. It’s like some alien life form has taken control of JC’s body...”
“Control yourself, boy.” Lance laughed at Justin and playfully nudged him in the arm. Justin laid his head on the back of the couch and sighed.
“We better find out soon. Real soon.”

JC was lying in his bunk with the curtains drawn, thinking to himself. Everyone thought he was sleeping, but he wasn’t. He didn’t even know what sleep was anymore. He laid in bed whenever he could, trying to rid his mind of thoughts about Anna, but they wouldn’t go away. He chided himself for falling for her in such a short time. It almost frightened him how quickly he had gotten so attached to her. He didn’t know what it was and he didn’t understand it, but he knew he liked what he was feeling about her. He wished he had a picture of her or some keepsake, but he didn’t. All he had was the memory that he held close to his heart. Her smiling face, her beautiful shining eyes, and her warm smile. She was so genuine and he loved that. He had even broken up with Olivia because she couldn’t compare to the wonderful person Anna was. She didn’t understand JC the way that Anna did. No one could possibly understand him the way she could. Not even his best friends. He knew he had to find her somehow. The tour would be over in a couple more months and then maybe he could go and see if he could stake her out. He had to see her. Just one more time.

“JC? You awake?” Johnny’s voice spoke softly through the curtains. JC thought of ignoring him and making him think he was asleep, but decided against it.
“Yeah?”
“Can you come into the lounge area? We are having a quick meeting.”
“Sure.” He climbed out of his bunk and walked into the lounge, glancing at the rest of the guys and sitting down on one of the couches.
“Ok. I got a phone call today and it involves a really important move in your careers.” The guys ears perked up as Johnny spoke. “Do any of you know the country group, Alabama?”
“I do!” Lance being the country music buff he was, was quick to answer. The rest of the guys slowly nodded their heads waiting to hear what else Johnny had to say.
“Well, they are going to cover ‘God Must Have Spent.’ And...they want you guys to sing background vocals and harmony.”
“YES!” The guys all were excited at the news. They loved getting their feet wet in new musical experiences and they had yet to work with a country artist. In fact, Alabama was a country music legend, so it was going to be a very cool experience for all of them.
“When are we doing this?” Lance asked.
“Well, we are scheduled to do a show in Nashville--”
“Nashville??” JC interrupted and was embarrassed by his outburst. “Nevermind.”
“On the 30th of this month.” Johnny continued. “We were thinking about getting there the 29th to record it.”
“Sounds good.” The guys all agreed and ended the meeting. JC sat in the lounge, dumbfounded by the news.
“Nashville?” he thought to himself. “I wonder if she will still be there. God, I hope she is. I have to find her. I will have to do some research...” He got up and went back into his bunk, thinking about the show in a couple of weeks and what he would do if he saw her.

Rachel was pacing in her room at Lauren’s house, smoking a cigarette trying to get rid of her butterflies. Lauren knocked on the door and let herself in, walking over to Rachel and taking the cigarette out of her hand.
“You know this isn’t good for you. I don’t know why you started in the first place.” Lauren scolded her.
“God, Laur. I am so nervous. The play opens tonight. What if I mess up? What if I forget my lines? What if I completely suck and people laugh at me?” The look in Rachel’s eyes was definitely a Kodak moment and all Lauren could manage was to laugh. “What are you laughing at? I am sitting here about to pee on myself or puke...either one...and you are laughing at me? Ugh!”
“Sorry...sorry...” Lauren said trying to stop laughing. “Look, Rach. You are going to do fine. You are great at this. Trust me! And I’ll be there rooting you on 110 percent.”
“I hope you are right.” Rachel said, looking at the time. “Shit....it’s 12:30...I have a final dress rehearsal and then show time at 7. I have got to go.” She gave Lauren a hug and then headed out the door over to TPAC for the show.

**Meanwhile at the Studio**

“Okay...let’s listen to that.” Don Cook, the producer of Alabama’s album and the song, said through the microphone. The guys crowded into the sound room and stood in various places, listening to the vocals they had just recorded. They had been going at it since 7 that morning and it was already going on 4 in the afternoon. The deep, soulful voice of Alabama’s lead singer, Randy Owen, began the song and the guys smiled, hearing the latest version of their hit song. As the chorus started, the harmony that the five guys in NSYNC sang came into the song and added it’s own special touch to it. The voices of Justin and JC singing the main background vocals added extra character to the song, and as it ended it was met with praise by Alabama and the producer.
“Well that sounds like it’s a wrap! Thanks guys for a job well done!” Don thanked them and went back to work at the sound board, to finish any last minute touch-ups to be done. JC joined him and offered his help and Don let him stay. Joey was about to walk out when he saw JC sitting there helping out Don.
“Hey, JC...”
“Yeah?” JC said, turning around.
“I have two tickets to a Shakespeare play tonight if you want to go with me...”
“Umm...well I was going to stay here and help Don out...”
“Well it doesn’t start until 7 and it’s only four now...if you meet me at the hotel at six, we’ll have plenty of time to get there.” JC thought for a moment and then told Joey that he would go.
“Alright...I’ll meet you up in the room at six. See you then.” Joey smiled and walked out, glad that JC was finally letting someone reach out to him. He had been a stranger way too long.

JC finished up with Don around 5:30 and grabbed a cab back to the hotel. He met up with Joey and made a quick change into a nice pair of jeans and a beige turtleneck sweater. He put on his leather jacket and they decided to walk the few blocks to the place where the play was going to be held.
“So how did you get these tickets?”
“Oh, just some friends. They knew I liked Shakespeare and hooked me up with some. Tonight’s the opening for the play. It’s Romeo and Juliet and supposed to be really good.”
“Sounds cool. I haven’t been to a play in awhile.”
“Neither have I. Thanks for coming with me.”
“No problem, man.” JC fixed the collar on his jacket and hugged it closer to his face, fighting the bitter wind that was blowing. They briskly walked over to TPAC and went inside. Once they reached their seats, they sat down and waited for the performance to start. After a few minutes the lights went down and the play started. As Juliet came onto stage, JC squinted from their balcony seats trying to get a good look at the actress. Her hair was long and in curls for the play. She had on a gorgeous white gown that fit in all of the right places. As her line started, JC instantly recognized the voice and bent forward in his seat to get a closer look. His eyes grew wide and his heart pounded as he watched her. There she was. Anna.

JC sat in awe as he watched her from afar. She was so talented. Every move, every facial expression, every word that she mouthed came out so perfectly. She embodied the soul of what Juliet should have been and he knew that Shakespeare would have been proud. As the lights came up for intermission, JC shot up from his seat and hurriedly made his way through the seats.
“Where are you going?” Joey asked after him.
“To the bathroom!” JC said, running off. He ran as fast as he could down the stairs and strained his neck looking for a backstage entrance. To his dismay a guard stood blocking the way to the door.
“You can’t go back there.”
“Please....I am begging you...” JC pleaded with the man.
“I’m sorry. Only performers and crew are allowed...”
“Please...look, do you know who I am?” JC absolutely hated using that line to get what he wanted, but this time he hoped it would at least get him backstage so he could see her. The guard looked at him for a few moments trying to recognize his face.
“Yeah I’ve seen you before...”
“Look. I am JC from NSYNC...”
“Oh yeah! My daughter loves you.”
“Ok...ummm...what’s her name?” JC felt around the pockets of his jacket and found a ticket stub and a pen.
“Amanda.”
“Ok...” He scribbled a quick message to the man’s daughter and signed it ‘With love, JC.’ “Please...you have to let me back there. It’s urgent.” The man looked around and seeing no one was watching, quickly motioned his head towards the door and grabbed the autograph from JC’s hand. JC ran through the backstage area until he found the Jackson Stage area. His heart was pounding and his breath was ragged. He had no idea what he was going to say to her, but he would come up with something. The butterflies in his stomach were giving him a nauseated feeling, but he swallowed hard and flexed his palms in an effort to calm down. He searched through the crowd of actors and actresses looking for her. He had to tell her that he loved her. He had no other choice. Before, he had doubted that he could fall in love so easily, but Anna had proved him wrong. She had his heart and he had to let her know. He weaved his way through the mass of people and finally saw her. His heart skipped a beat and he drew in a sharp breath as he walked over to her. He put a hand on her shoulder and she jumped as she turned around. Her eyes widened as she looked at him.
“JC??!!” He smiled at her and brought her in for a hug. He hugged her tightly and felt the warmth shoot through his body. She felt so good to hold. He never wanted to let go. Slowly he loosened his grip on her and looked at her.
“Hello.”
“What are you doing back here? You can’t be back here!” She looked around.
“No it’s ok. Security let me back. I just wanted to see you.” He smiled softly at her.
“JC--”
“Sshh...just let me look at you.” He caressed her cheek with his thumb and stared into her eyes. He wanted to kiss her so badly, but stopped himself. Before he let himself get too carried away he had to know how she felt. “Can you meet me somewhere tonight? I really need to talk to you.”
“Umm...well I will be busy because of opening night parties--” The look in JC’s eyes was too much to bear so she changed her mind. “But I can fit you in, I guess. What time and where?”
“How about the park? At midnight?”
“Ok. I’ll be there.” The lights went down again and she had to go. It was time for her to go on again. She held his hand for a quick moment and squeezed it before hurrying off. JC quickly walked back to his seat and found Joey.
“That was some bathroom break you took.” Joey smiled at him and returned to watching the stage.
“Yeah. It was.” JC smiled and watched as Anna took command of the stage again. He couldn’t wait to tell her how he felt.

Rachel pulled into a parking space close to the entrance of the park and shut the engine off. She sat inside for a few moments, wondering if she should leave.
“No,” she thought to herself. “You owe this to JC.”
She got out slowly of the car and walked towards the lake. She was sure he would be where they had first met three long months ago. She smiled as she saw him. He was sitting on a bench with his arms propped up on his knees, staring out at the beautiful, still waters. He was so beautiful. She stood there in silence for a few minutes watching the moonlight shine onto his face and smiled. She slowly walked over to where he was and stood behind him.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” JC jumped and turned around at the sound of her voice.
“Yes it is.” He smiled. She walked around the bench and sat down next to him, looking at him.
“I didn’t think you were going to come.” he said, as he looked at her face. It hadn’t changed from the way his memory stored it. Her eyelashes were still long, her green eyes still sparkled, and her smile was absolutely amazing.
“To tell you the truth, I didn’t think I was, either. But here I am.” JC looked at her and grabbed her hand, staring into her eyes for what seemed like forever. “JC...I’m sorry--”
“Sshh. You don’t have to be sorry for anything. Dance with me?” He stood up and looked at her. “But there’s no music--”
“I can help with that.” He pulled her to her feet and guided her to the shore of the lake. He wrapped both arms around her waist and she did the same on his neck. He pulled her close to him and she rested her head on his shoulder. Softly he started singing into her ear.

**Two Years Later**

“Rachel! Rachel! Quick question! Rachel!” Rachel bent her head down and walked through the throng of reporters that had gathered outside of her house. Finally she reached the door and went inside, quickly closing it and leaning against it. She sighed and then walked into the kitchen to check her messages.
“Beep--Hey Rach! It’s me, Lauren! I have some great news to tell you so give me a call back when you have time. I know you have been busy! Love you girl!--Beep--Hey Rachel. It’s Tommy. Listen, I have some new scripts for you to look over. When you can give me a call so I can know what time to bring them over. Thanks.--Beep--::dead air::--Beep.” Rachel frowned slightly at the last sounds the answering machine had recorded. Only close friends and her agent knew her phone number, so it was unusual to have a strange message like that waiting on her. She shrugged it off and walked up the stairs to her bedroom and collapsed onto it.
“God. Another tiring day. Just one quick nap...”
Rachel closed her eyes and drifted off into sleep.

“Damn!” JC silently chided himself for not leaving a message. He had gotten her number through her best friend, Lauren. He had tracked her down while she was in school in Orlando and she eventually had given him her number. At first, Lauren had no idea who he was talking about but then slowly realized what was going on. Rachel must have lied about her name to him. She had a way of doing that if she didn’t want someone getting too close to her. It was too bad that she had done that to someone as sweet as JC, too. JC had called her about four times and had never left a message. He couldn’t think of anything to say. She had wanted him to leave her alone and he did for almost two years, but he couldn’t stand it any longer. He had tried desperately to move on with his life but it didn’t happen. He had dated other girls, but every time he found himself comparing them to Rachel. He didn’t hear anything about her for almost a year and then, almost overnight it seemed, she started reappearing. He had done some research and after the rave reviews she had gotten from her performance in Romeo and Juliet, top agents had been on her tail. She finally signed with someone out of Los Angeles and moved there to start her debut in movies. Her first movie had been a success and she was one of the hot stars in Hollywood. At only 20 years old, she had come a long way. JC was proud of her. He knew she would be something in life. And now she was. He laid his head back onto the sofa and clicked on the TV.
“I can’t get away from you, can I, Rachel?” He smiled to himself as he saw her face on the screen, doing another promotion for her movie on another talk show. He turned up the volume and listened to what she was saying.
“What’s the best advice that you have ever been given?” the interviewer asked. Rachel didn’t even have to think.
“Just keep the faith and a smile on your face and you will get far in life.”
JC smiled as he heard her say it. His heart warmed a little knowing that she had at least carried one small part of him along with her. He turned off the TV and stared at the ceiling wondering what she was doing at that same moment.

Rachel turned restlessly in her bed and sat up. She couldn’t sleep. She looked around her room and noticed the picture of him that sat on her nightstand. Lauren had given her a 5 X 7 of him a few months before and she had framed it, displaying it by her bed. She loved seeing him before she went to sleep at night and first thing when she woke up. After she had left him for the second time that night in Nashville, she had went home to Lauren’s and cried herself to sleep. She loved him, too, but she didn’t want to bring him down. She still had so many problems to deal with in her life and that was the last thing that JC needed to bother with. She had dated a few people and it had been all over the papers, but no one could love her the way that JC professed to. She longed to get in touch with him and tell him how she was feeling, but knew she couldn’t. He was a great guy and was probably taken already by a wonderful girl who deserved him. She had her chance and blew it. Now her only choice was to move on and carry him in her heart. She sighed and let her mind drift off to JC more. She wished she could close her eyes and see him at that very moment. She wondered if he ever thought about her or if he still loved her the way she loved him. Slowly she fell into a deep, peaceful sleep, dreaming about him.

“Hello?”
“Hey you.” Rachel said.
“Hey babe! What’s up?” Lauren recognized the voice and was happy to hear from her friend.
“Well I got your message yesterday afternoon and curiousity got the best of me, so I wanted to see what you were so excited about. Spill the beans.” Rachel smiled. She missed her friend a lot.
“Well...I have saved up enough money and in about a month I will be able to fly out there for a couple of weeks to see you.”
“What??? Really?! Yes!”
“I take that as good news?”
“Obviously! I have missed you so much, babe.”
“Same here. Listen, I have to get going...finals week. But I’ll give you a call later in the week to finalize plans. Alright?”
“Ok. Love you.”
“Love you too. Bye.” She hung up the phone smiling.

Lauren hung up with Rachel and called JC immediately. “JC?”
“Yeah?”
“Hey...it’s Lauren.”
“Oh hey there. What’s up?”
“Well I just got off the phone with Rachel and a great idea popped into my head.”
“Uh oh.” JC smiled.
“Alright, mister. Do you want to hear this idea or not?”
“Shoot.”
“Ok. Well in a few more weeks I am going to be flying out to LA to see her and I was wondering if maybe you would want to tag along with me?” Lauren crossed her fingers hoping he would say yes.
“I don’t think that would be a good idea--”
“Why not?”
“Well...Rachel wouldn’t know I would be coming, first thing. Secondly, how am I supposed to know she even wants to see me?”
“Look, JC. I have a good feeling about this. Please? I know you have been wanting to see her and I have a feeling that she wants to see you just as bad.” JC thought for a minute.
“Alright.” he sighed. “If you insist. But you have to promise me that it won’t make her hate me.”
“I promise.”
“Ok. So when are we going?”
“Ummm...it looks like the third week of June. Is that cool?”
“Right now anything is cool with me.”
“Alright Well I have to get to class to take my last finals, but when I get the final plans I will call you.”
“Ok. And Lauren?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks.”
“For what?”
“For caring.”
“No problem.” They hung up and JC smiled his first big smile in months. He was finally going to get to see her again. He hoped that everything would run smoothly.

“Flight 4007 from Orlando on American Airlines has arrived.” Rachel heard the announcer and felt like jumping with excitement. She couldn’t wait to see Lauren. It had been too long. She watched all of the passengers file out of the plane and grinned as she saw Lauren. Lauren ran down the rest of the terminal and hugged Rachel.
“Oh my God, it is so good to see you!” She hugged her tightly once more and then began frantically looking around. “Where’s my bag? I think I left it on the plane! Hang on, I’ll be right back!” Rachel laughed at her friend as she watched her run back down the terminal to catch a flight attendant so she could retrieve whatever it was she was missing. After a couple of minutes she came running back out with a grin on her face.
“Whew! I found it.” Rachel looked around and noticed that she didn’t have anything.
“Umm...Laur? You don’t have it...”
“Oh...it’s really heavy, so a kind gentleman offered to take it for me...” Rachel looked back down the terminal and saw him walking towards her, Lauren’s bag in hand. She felt her heart stop and grudgingly start again as she watched him.
“JC?” The tears started to form in her eyes and she looked at Lauren.
“Yep.” Lauren smiled knowing she had done the right thing. JC saw Rachel and felt his breath catch. He slowly put down the bag and looked at her, waiting for her to make the first move. Rachel just stared at him for what seemed like forever. He was still so beautiful. Nothing had changed about him. The way he carried himself, his smile...his eyes. She dropped her purse she had been carrying and ran over to him, hugging him tightly. JC picked her up off the floor and hugged her with his strong arms, burying his head in her hair. He felt her body trembling from the emotion of the moment and put her down on the floor. He looked at her and smiled. She could see the tears slowly watering his eyes as he looked at her.
“JC...”
“Sshh...don’t say a word.” He leaned down and kissed her gently, letting his lips linger on hers for a moment before pulling away. “I’ve waited too long for that.” She laughed and kissed him again.
“So have I...so have I...” She turned and smiled at Lauren and walked away from JC to hug her again. She whispered in her ear softly.
“Thank you babe. This is the best thing you could have ever done for me.” She gave Lauren a kiss on the cheek and all three of them walked out of the airport. As they got in Rachel’s car, she turned on the radio station and smiled as the strains of a familiar song filtered through the air waves and into their ears. She turned and looked at JC sitting in the passenger seat and silently mouthed the words. “Everything I do, I do it for you.”

Rachel’s house was modest for being a celebrity. It was located in a small division of Hollywood Hills and it was the tiniest of the houses located on her street, although it wasn’t small by any means. She had three guest bedrooms and two guest baths, and several other nice-sized rooms that were decorated with pieces of art and furniture from several countries around the world. She had definitely been doing well for herself. Lauren decided to take the only guest bedroom located on the first floor, obviously leaving JC staying in one of the spare rooms on the top level. They all went out for dinner and then came home because both JC and Lauren were a little tired from the flight earlier that day. Lauren retired herself to her room and soon after both JC and Rachel did the same. Rachel was sitting at her antique cherry vanity brushing her hair when she heard a soft knock on the door. She tied the robe on her nightgown tighter and answered. JC stood there, leaning his head and his body against the doorframe, softly smiling at her.
“Hi,” he whispered.
“I thought you were sleepy.”
“I lied. For once I am not.” He smiled bigger this time, happy to be in her presence again. They stood there quietly for a few minutes, contemplating what to do next. Rachel stared into his gorgeous, hypnotizing hazel eyes forever it seemed like, not able to break her gaze from them. They seemed as if they could stare right through her very core....deep and sensitive...full of compassion, and last but not least, love for her. It almost scared her, knowing that someone she loved was actually returning that love back to her.
“I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but umm...do you want to come in for a little bit?” Rachel bit her lip, desperately hoping he would say yes. JC slowly shook his head 'no' but mouthed the word ‘yes’. She opened up the door from him and let him step inside, closing the door behind him. She watched every move he made...his hand gestures, the way he walked, the way small wrinkles formed at the corner of his mouth whenever he smiled, and how perfect his imperfect teeth were. He was beautiful in every way that he could possibly be. He walked over to her and held her in his arms for several minutes, enjoying the feeling of her in his arms again. He wished it would never stop because he knew that he belonged in her arms forever. No one else could possibly even compare to her. He held her face in his hands and kissed her softly and pulled away looking at her. She had her eyes closed and he smiled. He leaned in again and kissed her once more. She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him with the passion that had been locked inside of her for two long years.
“Stay with me tonight?” She looked at him almost pleading and JC nodded his head. She turned on her side and he wrapped his arms around her waist, cuddling with her and holding her in his arms while they both slept.

The bright rays of the sun shown brightly through the double French doors and JC slowly opened up his eyes and groggily looked out at the morning light. He gingerly climbed out of the bed and stepped out on to the terrace, leaning against the railing and looking out over the view of the city. Rachel smiled to herself as she watched him. The sun shone over every one of his beautiful features and he seemed to be glowing. She watched him for a few minutes, before pulling herself out of the bed and walking out to join him on the balcony. She wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed his back softly.
“Good morning...” She whispered. JC smiled and turned around, pulling her close to him and kissing her forehead.
“Good morning to you, too. Did I wake you?” He kissed her nose gently and she shook her head.
“No...I was already awake.” She yawned and breathed in the crisp, morning air. “So what do you want to do today?”
“I don’t care...as long as I get to spend some time alone with you...” He hugged her tightly and breathed in the apple scent of her hair.
“That sounds like a plan. Tell you what...you go get ready and I will get ready and meet you downstairs.” JC nodded and walked to the door. As he opened it, he turned around and smiled at her.
“I love you.” He watched as Rachel smiled at him and turned her back to him. He frowned slightly and closed her bedroom door, walking to his room. Why couldn’t she tell him that she loved him? Did she feel the same way about him that he did her? She had to, because he couldn’t possibly spend his life knowing that she didn’t. He sighed and walked into the bathroom, preparing for the day ahead.

“Just where are we going?” JC asked Rachel as they came to a stop at one of the many red lights on the busy strip in Hollywood.
“Do you trust me?” Rachel looked at him and gave him a grin.
“I trust you.” The cars beeping behind him let JC know that the light had changed green and he sped off on the two-seater motor bike through the streets of Los Angeles. Rachel absolutely refused to tell JC where they were going and on the way they had passed a motor bike rental place and JC stopped and rented one for the rest of the day. About 30 minutes later, Rachel pointed him to a few back roads which eventually led to an old, abandoned guest house. Rachel jumped off the bike and left her helmet on her seat and ran up to the door. JC took his helmet off and placed it on one of the handlebars, following her up to the entrance.
“What is this?” Rachel only smiled and ran inside, expertly maneuvering herself around old crates and boxes that were strewn across the building’s floor. JC followed her up a ladder and into a loft area. He looked around and then continued pursuing her through a door that was off its hinges. Rachel climbed through a hole in the wall and stopped JC.
“Close your eyes.” JC did as she told him and she led him out onto a flat surface. He could smell salt water and hear gulls chirping so he knew he was definitely near the ocean. “Now open them.” JC looked around him and was in awe at the sight. A huge grove of redwood and cedar trees framed the guest house and the surrounding grounds and to the far off distance, the Pacific lazily crashed into the shore.
“It’s so beautiful...” He smiled and breathed in the air.
“I know..” She took his hand and led him over to a small blanket, sitting down. “I come here all of the time to relax. It’s my little spot.” JC got up and moved between her and the wall, laying her down on his chest and in between his legs. They sat there for several minutes listening to the wind blow with their arms intertwined around the others.
“JC?” Rachel finally broke the silence.
“Yeah?”
“Sing to me.” It was more of a question than a command and JC smiled.
“What do you want me to sing?”
“I don’t know...you pick...I just want to hear you sing..” JC thought for a moment and couldn’t think of anything. “You wanted me to sing, so come on...I know there is something you want to hear...” Rachel thought for a moment and then smiled.
“Well there is one song...” JC looked at her expectantly and she continued. “But you are probably sick of singing it so I won’t ask.”
“I think I know which one you are talking about...” He laughed lightly and cleared his throat. “It’s tearin up my heart when I’m with you--”
“JC!” Rachel laughed. “Come on, be serious.” She playfully slapped his knee and laid her head back down on his chest.
“Ok, ok. Can this be true? Tell me, can this be real? How can I put into words what I feel...” JC’s soft, angelic voice floated through Rachel’s ears and she smiled. She loved hearing him sing and the melody of this song was perfect. She listened to the words and felt sure that JC was singing it to her. He always told her how much he loved her and cared for her, but for some reason she just couldn’t believe him. She tried her hardest, but she found it hard to believe that someone could actually love her. She hadn’t been capable her whole life of being loved, so why should it happen now? Besides, she would be bringing him down. She still had so many problems to sort out in her heart and mind, and she couldn’t bear to cause him the pain she knew she would eventually do. JC finished the song and lifted her chin so that he could look in her eyes.
“Did you listen?” Rachel nodded. “No....did you really listen to the words of the song? Rach...that’s how I feel about you...” Rachel felt the tears coming into her eyes and tried to hold them back, but couldn’t. JC saw the tears begin to fall out of her eyes and wiped them away with his thumb. “Baby, what’s the matter?” Rachel only shook her head and got up abruptly, running out of the house and out towards the bike. JC ran after her and found her sitting on the seat, crying.
“What did I do? Please tell me...” JC looked at her with pleading eyes and she turned her head.
“JC, please take me home..”
“NO! You have to tell me what is wrong? Why won’t you let me love you?” Rachel turned her head around and faced him.
“Because you can’t, JC! You cannot love me!” JC fell to his knees and looked at her.
“Why can’t, I, baby? Please, tell me why I can’t love you?”
“No one can love me, JC! I am not capable of being loved!” She was sobbing hysterically now, letting all of the pain that she had pushed to the back of her mind pour out of her soul. JC grabbed her hands and squeezed them tightly.
“Rachel...yes you are capable of being loved...because I do love you!”
“Why do you love me, JC? Why? Is it because you feel sorry for me and my sorry ass past? The past that I can’t run away from no matter how hard I try? JC, you can’t love me. I have too many problems to deal with and I don’t want to get you involved!” She was almost screaming at him.
“Rach...listen to me, please...I do love you. And yes, I do feel sorry about your past. But I do not love you out of pity. Your past made you the person you are....strong and determined...you have this edge about you that I love, Rachel.”
“JC, stop...please?”
“No I won’t. You need to know why I feel the way I do about you. That day that I first met you stirred something inside of me that I didn’t know existed. I was alone, that’s what I thought. I have told you this already, but I will tell you again. Rachel, that night...that night you made me realize just how lucky I was. You made me realize how stupid I was for feeling so sorry for myself when there really was no reason to feel that way. This light shone in your eyes...you had this fire inside that attracted me to you. You are beautiful, inside and out--”
“JC NO I AM NOT!!!!!! NO I AM NOT!!!!” She screamed out at him and he pulled her into his arms hugging her tightly.
“Yes you are, baby. You are beautiful to me...”
“JC...you have too much going on in your life and I can’t be the next burden--”
“Burden? Is that what you think you are? No, baby....you aren’t a burden..”
“I will bring you down, Josh! You don’t need to deal with my problems!”
“Baby, what if I want to?” He pulled away from her and held her face in his hands. “What if I want to?” He repeated and looked at her through eyes filled with compassion and love. Rachel shook her head furiously.
“No...I won’t let you...No...please...take me home...” JC sighed deeply and drove the half-hour trek to the motor bike place and picked up his rental car. The ride to her house was silent as they stared out the windows, afraid of what was happening between them. JC parked in her driveway and she ran up to her room and locked herself inside. JC sat down on the sofa and held his head in his hands, feeling tears come to his eyes. He didn’t know what was going on with Rachel, but he knew one thing for sure. The one woman he only wanted to be with, refused to be with him and it hurt. It hurt so bad that he couldn’t even describe it. He sobbed quietly, desperately trying to think of a way to prove to her that his love was unconditional. Some day she had to understand.

JC gently closed the door to his bedroom, and slung his bag over his shoulder. He put on his black Ray-bans and walked down the stairs, hoping he would make a quiet exit from the house and not be heard by anyone. He had almost made a clean escape before Lauren caught him.
“JC?” JC took a deep breath and turned around to face her, half out the door and the other half still inside. “Where are you going?”
“I’m leaving.”
“YOU’RE WHAT?” Lauren shouted in a whisper.
“Ssshhh.” JC quieted her and motioned with his eyes towards the stairs, not wanting to wake up Rachel.
“Yes I am leaving.”
“But why?” Lauren had a complete look of confusion.
“I just have to, okay. You wouldn’t understand.”
“I wouldn’t understand what, JC? That you leaving Rachel is going to hurt her? That I am her best friend and I have to deal with her broken heart after she finds out that the one she loves left her?”
“I am the man she loves? She certainly has a hard time telling me that.”
“Come on, Josh. You know she loves you--”
“I do?” JC answered, rather harshly. “No Lauren I don’t. I told her two years ago how I felt and I still have YET to hear those three words come from her. I tell her how much I love her and she doesn’t believe me. I don’t know what else to do.”
“JC--”
“No, Lauren. No. She obviously needs her space and I am going to give it to her.”
“Alright.” Lauren sighed in defeat. “I’ll get in touch with you when I come back.”
“Ok. Bye, Lauren.” She watched as JC climbed into his rental car and drove off. She walked back into the kitchen and sat on one of the bar stools, holding a cup of coffee in her hands and thinking to herself. She could see how much JC loved Rachel, and vice versa. She knew about all of the things that had happened in Rachel’s past, but she thought if anyone could help her overcome her doubts and fears about love and relationships, it would be JC.
“Good morning.” Rachel walked into the kitchen, stretching her arms and yawning.
“Hey.” Lauren said without looking up from the counter.
“Where’s JC?” Rachel absentmindedly searched through the refrigerator looking for something to eat.
“Huh?” Lauren was almost in shock because she didn’t know how Rachel would react.
“I said, ‘Where’s JC’?” Rachel turned around and faced Lauren, eating a bite out of a cup of yogurt. “He left.” Lauren held her breath, waiting for Rachel to make the next move. Rachel sat the yogurt down on the kitchen counter and walked over to the bar where Lauren sat.
“What do you mean he left? Where did he go?” Rachel propped herself up by her arms and looked at Lauren expectantly, waiting for an answer.
“He went home.”
“Home? To Orlando?” Rachel watched as Lauren slowly nodded her head. “What??!!”
“I’m sorry, Rach....” Lauren looked at her best friend, hopelessly, unsure of what to say.
“What? I mean, why, when?”
“He left this morning. He said you needed your space so you could work through things...”
“Oh shit...” Rachel knew that JC had most likely decided to leave after the events that had unfolded the previous afternoon. She had locked herself in her room all night long, thinking about what she could do. She thought about the time he first professed his love for her under the stars that night in Nashville. It wasn’t that she doubted JC’s love for her, but she knew for sure that she was scared to death at the thought that someone could actually care for her and not want to hurt her in return. At first, she had a hard time even beginning to believe that JC would be gentle with her heart and give her the love and compassion she had wanted her whole life, but as time went on she began to realize more and more that he really did genuinely love her. It took her two years to realize just how much she did love him and trust him, and it was only the night before that it dawned on her just how much she cared for him. She was prepared to tell him about it today and now he was gone, to give her the space he thought she needed. “I have got to go get him...”
“Rachel..he’s gone..he left over an hour ago..”
“Then I have got to go to him--”
“Are you serious?”
“Lauren! I love him! It wasn’t until now that I realized that I cannot live my life without him. I can’t let him go.” Lauren smiled as she heard her friend say the words.
“I am so happy to finally hear you say it.” She got up and hugged her friend tightly.
“Call the airport and get me the next flight to Orlando. I have got to pack.”

The five hour flight seemed like it took centuries and the taxi ride took even longer. Rachel had packed hurriedly and Lauren had taken her to the airport. Rachel would return in a few days, so Lauren decided she would stay in L.A. and let them have their own time to sort out everything in their lives without having her in the way of things. Lauren had given Rachel JC’s address and she gave it to the driver of the cab, anxiously waiting to talk to him.

JC sat on the back porch of his house in an Orlando subdivision thinking about her. It had almost killed him having to leave her and separate himself from her once more, but he knew he had to. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel smothered by him and eventually tear herself apart from him because she was sick of him. He knew in his heart he had done the right thing. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t shake her from his mind. She had a permanent place in both his heart and his memory and he knew there was nothing he could about it. He sat back and closed his eyes, relaxing in the warm afternoon sunshine. He thought he heard the doorbell, but disregarded it, knowing that the guys were all on vacation. He hadn’t even told anyone he was back yet, so no one could possibly be visiting him. After a few more moments, the ringing sound of the doorbell drifted into his ears again, and he slowly got up, and paced to the door, opening it up.
“Hey, stranger.” His heart stopped as he looked into her eyes. His lungs threatened to cease working and his whole world teetered on the edge of lost control.
“Hi...” JC stared at her, and she at him.
“Listen if you want me to go, I will.” Rachel felt the pain tugging at her heart. She hoped he didn’t hate her for pushing him away so harshly.
“NO! I mean, No. Please stay...” JC opened his door further, motioning her in with his head and closing the door behind her. He walked up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders, gently massaging them. He turned her around at a leisurely pace and lifted her chin with his hand, gazing into her eyes through his own. He leaned down and placed a tender kiss on her lips and pulled away, softly smiling at her.
“Why did you come after me?”
“Easy. Everything I do, I do it for you.”

"I love being here with you...too bad I have to go back in two days..." Rachel and JC sat on his back porch, lounging in the warm Orlando sunshine.
"Don't think about it then." JC kissed the top of her head and leaned back. They sat in silence for several more minutes, enjoying the closeness before Rachel sighed out loud and turned around to face JC.
"What would you do if I told you that I loved you more than 3,000 lifetimes of love combined?"
"I'd kiss you." He smiled at her and kissed her gently and then pulled away.
"Okay...what would you do if I told you I loved you more than infinity lifetimes combined?" She whispered to him and placed a soft kiss on his lips before pulling away and gently suckling on his neck. JC moaned quietly.
"I'd kiss you infinity times..." He trailed off as warm sensations filled his body.
"Okay...well then what would you do if I just kept doing this?" Rachel started a harder more erotic suction on his neck and JC sighed.
"I'd do this." He pulled her up to him so that she was straddling him on the lounge chair and began massaging the small of her back. Slowly he leaned down and placed feather kisses all over her bare stomach and around the edge of her bikini top. She ran her hands through his thick hair and unconciously began to grind into him. JC moaned and rolled his eyes into the back of his head, losing himself in the moment. He let her continue for a few moments before stopping her.
"We need to stop this..." Rachel continued grinding and looked into his eyes.
"But I don't want to...this feels so right." She kissed him softly.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Rachel answered him by kissing him. JC slowly moved her off of him and stood up, taking her hand and leading her inside to his bedroom. Rachel brought him into her embrace and kissed him, their tongues deuling in a heated frenzy. JC moaned against her mouth and took her hand and placed it on the crotch of his pants. She sighed and began rubbing softly, slightly unsure of what to do. She had never been intimate with a man she loved and she wanted to make sure to do everything right. JC moaned and she smiled, satisfied that she had at least done that correctly. JC bent down and kissed her shoulders, moving the straps of her top down as far as he could. He leaned further and kissed her breasts through the fabric of her suit, and Rachel moaned, loving the weird sensation she felt as his lips devoured her. He came back up and felt around to the clasp of her top and smiled.
"May I?"
Rachel nodded her head and felt a slight flush of embarrassment as her top fell to the floor. JC removed his wife beater and stood before her only in his beige cargo pants and kissed her urgently. He knelt down and took one of her breasts in his mouth and she cried out, shocked by the jolt of pleasure that ripped through her body. JC began a soft suction on the nipple, causing Rachel to moan loudly.
"Don't stop...oh God...JC...don't stop."
JC suckled a little while longer before heading further down south and pulling off her black board shorts. He kissed her inner thighs and tugged at her panties before slowly peeling them off. He moved back up and kissed her, before lightly laying her back on his bed and crawling between her legs. He softly began grinding into her and the fabric of his pants mixed with his hardness caused an erotic friction. Rachel tried reaching between her legs to stroke him but JC stopped her.
"No this is all about you, baby. All about you..." He moved down and spread her legs open, leaving Rachel to wonder what he was going to do. She didn't have to imagine too long before she felt him on her most private parts. She squirmed with delight, but JC held her pelvis down with one of his hands and continued pleasuring her with his mouth. After a few moments, the tingles and spurts started and Rachel's breathing became more rapid. JC just grinned and softly whispered to her.
"Do you like that? Do you want me to stop?" Rachel furiously shook her head and beat her fists into the bed as the buildup to her release became more intense. She screamed as the explosion hit her full force. JC let her calm down and then came back up to face her.
"I love you." He kissed her softly and she smiled.
"Ssshh...I just want you to make love to me..."
"Then I am shutting up." JC smiled and began kissing her neck and stroking her thigh. Rachel's hands travelled down to the button of his pants and undid it and the zipper. She was pleasantly surprised to see that JC had went commando and took his manhood into her hand, tingling as he moaned at the feeling of her touching him. She slowly began stroking him and before long she had him in an excited frenzy.
"Come on...make love to me..." JC's eyes met hers as he slowly entered her and he kissed away the tears that slowly began sliding down her cheeks.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm wonderful." She smiled at him and kissed him, finding a rhythm with his body. They moved together as one, making love for the first time slowly and lovingly. JC made sure to let Rachel get her pleasure and as she found her release, he found his, slowly calming down and collapsing on her chest. She ran her fingers through his sweaty hair and smiled. She felt so complete with JC. He had given her everything she had ever longed for and helped her leave her past behind. Now there was nothing left to do but move forward and she planned on doing exactly just that, with JC in tow.
"I love you, baby." JC said breathlessly as he drifted off into a content sleep.
"I love you more."