===================================================
Here is the third installment of my first story. Again, thanks to all those lurvely people who have been giving me and continue to give positive feedback!!! It is ALWAYS appreciated. YOU can do it TOO at TrueBlue86@cwcom.net - I love getting e-mails :)
Oh, the usual disclaimers apply - This story has no relevance to anyone in real life and bears no relation to the sexuality of any members of N Sync whatever it may be. I take no responsibility for anyone reading this underage - please make sure your town/ state/ country laws allow you to be reading this. This story is meant for mature people who can make their own descisions about what they read. If love between members of the same sex makes you uncomfortable, please get lost :) Oh and, if you ARE underage and you get caught, you're on your own, baby, okay? :) - Sorry, but I have to say it :)
One last thing, please read these great stories: Search and Rescue, Brian and Me, The Warmest Eyes and Josh and Just - they're all excellent stories with great plots and development. And, once again (PLUG PLUG PLUG) remember what I told you boys and girls... do service to America... buy Madonna CD's :) (And Kylie if you want to get laughed at like I do)
Umm... I think that's it - so keep reading all the great stores. Write me at TrueBlue86@cwcom.net and have fun! Oh yeah, Britney Spears is definitely going to have to be in this story - and let's just see if I can't get Madonna in somewhere too ;)
===================================================
CHAPTER THREE
"No WAY!"
JC looked worried. He walked over to Chris and started to talk, but before he could, Chris leapt on him and gave him a huge cuddle. And I mean a cuddle. It was full of love,
"Now maybe you'll stop looking so depressed all the time," he laughed, "We were getting worried you'd never find anyone. Hey, you kept the straight act up though." - That last phrase made me cringe. I hated "the straight act" - there's no act. You don't suddenly change when you come out. I remembered back to the time when I had confessed to Lia I felt I was bisexual. She gave me a huge cuddle, kissed me on the cheek and told me that I was the same person she had known five minutes before I told her, and it would never matter to her. As if on cue, Lia jumped over to me and kept kissing me over and over.
"Girl, please stop slobbering all over me like a dog." I laughed, "You're going to make me sick." It didn't help, she just did it even more; but that's just Lia. You have to get used to it.
"You little shit." She laughed, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because it happened about twenty minutes ago." I said, matter-of-factly. She always asked the most stupid questions when she was happy.
"Oh, I see how that could pose a problem!" she laughed, and once again, kissed me. Then she walked over to JC and started kissing him too, "Ooh, you're a sweetie" she said, still laughing, "But why not me?" That only gained a look from Chris and a giggle from me. Lia could always relieve tension from a situation.
Coming back to reality, I asked "Where are Lance and Joey anyway?"
"They decided to say on a little more. There wasn't really much point in them coming back with us, was there?" stated Lia, "Anyway, why do you want to know?"
"Well, we've told you two that we are dating, so now we have to tell them too. I just hope they react like you did." Said JC, answering Lia's question which was meant for me.
"Oh they'll be fine." Laughed Chris, "I mean, this isn't some story with cliffhangers and overactive characters, it's Joey and Lance. They'll be absolutely fine with it."
I jolted awake once again and realised that everything was dark, except for a little light from the television. I scanned the room, looking for where I was, when everything flooded back again. I always hated that first second of waking, when you completely lose orientation. I looked around and I saw JC asleep on the couch, and I was sat on the floor - I must have been sitting with my head resting on his legs. I noticed the television was on, from what I could make out there was some film on. My eyes were extremely dry; I'd left my contact lenses in and it was nearing three in the morning. I ripped them out, tossing them to the floor. I knew I had an extra pair in my carry-on bag anyway. I moved closer to the television to get a better look at what was happening on screen and I suddenly realised it was a favourite of mine, "Desperately Seeking Susan" Knowing that I couldn't pass up an opportunity like that I made my way even closer to the screen and sat with my legs crossed and started laughing at Madonna's portrayal of the feisty New Yorker.
"You know, I never got this film" came a very husky, half-asleep voice. I spun my head around and saw JC sat there with the most angelic expression upon his face, "It just confused me." That made me laugh and I had to try and surpress it.
"What? Why are you laughing" he said, smiling at me.
"You just make me laugh, that's all." After saying that, I knew that now would be a good time to start talking serious, "JC, you do know I have to get back to Chester sometime?"
"I don't care." came the stilted reply.
"Well, you should. I need to leave... we could never..." I was interrupted by JC's soft laughter,
"I don't care because we're about to do a promotional tour in the UK. We'll be leaving in two days. We're going to Manchester and then London but before that we were going to do some sightseeing. I guess we can do it in Chester, that's if, Chester is the kind of place you can experience the good old UK in." He said, his face full of hope.
"You mean, you want to stay with me?" I began to get pissed off again, It didn't take me much to get pissed, especially when people just decided to tell me things like this, "When the fuck were you going to tell me you were going to the UK? I hate surprises. I really hate surprises. Any kind. Good or bad."
I did something I didn't want to do. I started crying. I was rocking back and forth on the floor. JC immediatley jumped off the chair and put his arms around me, but I was hurting. I shrugged him off, "Sorry, this isn't against you," I said through my tears, "But I've just built up something about surprises. I was surprised too many times by too many people. And now I hate it."
"I'm so sorry," he said, and I could tell he was really upset, "I just didn't know"
"I know JC," I cried, "That's why I'm not really mad at you." This was the first display of my fucked up head, and I sure as hell wasn't going to tell JC on our first day as a couple, "Look, just forget I did this. I want to be held now, please hold me." I pleaded with him. He obliged, holding me very close and kissing my neck. As much as I didn't want or need that right at that moment, I didn't say anything. It felt good, but it wasn't want I wanted, "I didn't ever tell you JC, that my childhood and school years weren't the best you could have. I won't go into detail, but I warn you that you'll have to break down the barriers I put up. I've developed too many..." I trailed off. I didn't want to reveal any more, but somehow talking to JC made me think it was okay. That just confused me more. I'd only told Lia everything after a year of friendship and here I was with JC on our first night together. It wasn't something that could harm our relationship. I'm not the kind of person who ever dwells on the past but sometimes it just takes over me. Coming back to my senses, I now appreciated the kisses I was receiving from JC, and to show my gratitude, I moved to him and kissed him back.
"Sorry about that." I said, feeling guilty, "It's just sometimes I get so carried away. I really like you and I will make this work. It's just sometimes I can't get things out of my head, it's like my..." I felt a finger on my lips
"Don't tell me any more," whispered JC, "I don't need you to go there right now. Just come and lie on me on the couch and get some rest. You need it. And we'll discuss the UK thing tomorrow"
I felt a lot better lying on JC. His body kept me warm, and I felt a lot safer. Slowly but surely, I felt myself drifting off. I was drifting into a dream, a beautiful dream I've always had...
I woke up and, once again, lost all sense of orientation. I immediately remembered my dream and started to cry. That must have gained a reaction from JC because immediately I felt a sharp jolt followed by him nudging me. "What? What is it?" I asked, not wanting him to see me like this, "What do you want?" "You're crying... again." He said, "And I need to know why you're doing it." "It's out of happiness," I said, completely meaning it, "I had the most beautiful dream." "I believe you." He said, very seriously, "But I don't want you lying to me." "Why would I do that?" I asked. Then I stopped myself. I wanted to say more, but I couldn't. Every part of my body told me to continue, but I couldn't. I knew it was wrong to want to say what I wanted. I wanted to tell him I loved him. Yes. That's right. In one day, I already knew it. And believe me, for the first time in my life, I was glad to be in love. I normally stop myself, but this time, I didn't want to. I wanted to tell him. I just knew I couldn't, not yet. Slowly I feel asleep again. Looking at the windows, I realised it was morning, and a look at my watch confirmed it. It was almost nine am. With that, I stood up and performed my morning ritual. I ran to the bathroom, pulled out my spare contact lenses and started to insert them, before JC walked in and interrupted me... which is something I can't stand when I am putting my lenses in. "So, how's my baby today?" he asked, putting his arms around me, "Shouldn't you be in there with me?" "Joshua, honey" I said, seeing him cringe at the usage of his full name, "Don't talk to me while I am putting these in, otherwise I'll never get them in." "You learn something new every day," he laughed, "I never knew you wore these things..." "These 'things' are my livelihood" I laughed back, "Do you want a blind boyfriend" I shocked myself with that last word, and I think I shocked JC too. He whispered softly in my ear "Boyfriend" and walked out. I guessed that he really liked that, and you know, I really liked it too. I then jumped in the shower and performed the usual washing rituals you do in there, taking extra care with my hair using the conditioner I brought with me (I love doing my hair) I jumped out, dried myself, wrapped a towel around my waist and began brushing my teeth. I then walked out of the bathroom and was greeted by everybody watching television. "Hey, you look mighty fine," laughed Lance, "Give me some sugar" "Yeah Yeah, hilarious I'm sure. If you weren't such a twat I would" I said back "What the hell is a twat anyway?" asked Joey, "I never heard that one." "We use it all the time in Britain," said Lia, again, answering a question meant for me, as JC had done before, "It's like, you know, a derogatory term." "Lia's heard it a lot." I laughed "Well I love it," said Chris, "You used it with me" he said to Lia, before moving in to her and kissing her. I was assuming that everyone knew about them, and that was answered when I saw Lance and Justin looking at each other before laughing. "Could you two keep it down, all those kissing noises are making me wanna puke" laughed Justin, shooting a look at Chris. "Well, I don't know about the rest of you but I can't stand here half naked, I've got to get dressed," I laughed, "And no comments from Joey please?" I waited for a response... nothing came, "Good." I stated. I opened my suitcase which was on the floor in the lounge area and dug out a pair of beige trousers and a dark green short-sleeved shirt. I walked into the bathroom and began putting them on. I noticed I had put my "Beautiful Stranger" clasps (as I liked to call them) on a shelf in the bathroom and so I decided to put them on - they were leather cuffs which went on each wrist. I found a hairdryer and began blow-drying my hair; something I didn't want anyone to see because it looked very strange to many people. Finally, I looked in the mirror, accepted what looked back as myself and made my way back to the lounge. I noticed that Lance and Chris had gone, and when I asked, I was greeted by a mumbled "Shower" from Justin - I hadn't known there were more bathrooms, which was quite a stupid thing to have thought really, because with 5 male members of a pop group you'd need at least three bathrooms. I told JC to switch off the crap that was on the television (It was some chat show) and he did. I instructed him to put on MTV and to my complete surprise, for the second time that day, Madonna appeared on the screen, shaking her hips to "Ray Of Light" "You know Aidan, If you'd have come to the club last night you could have shown us some Madonna dancing," laughed Joey, "I'm sure you'd have looked just lovely" "Hey, I can Vogue, actually, I pretty much know all the Madonna video dance moves." I responded, knowing it was true and that I had displayed them before. On cue, once again, Lia decided to inform everyone about 'the time I did 'Express Yourself' on the stage in a club at home' and more. "Hey, Aidan, I don't mean to be rude but... well... JC said something about staying with you in Chester on our week off in the UK and we were wondering if it was true?" asked a slightly apprehensive Justin, "I'd really like to see a city like Chester" "You can stay with me, If you really really want." I said, "I mean, I have a spare room with two beds in them, plus a pull out couch with space for two people." "So where is the fifth member going to sleep?" asked JC, knowing damn well that it would have to be my bed. I decided to play with him. "Lia has a spare bed in her flat down the road from me. You can stay there" I said, very seriously. Secretly, I was wondering whether or not JC or even Chris had told anyone else about us, "Why doesn't he just sleep with you?" asked Justin The look on my face must have been priceless, because Justin not only cracked up but actually started to roll on the floor. Lia was giggling as was Chris, and JC was smiling at me. "I told them about us whilst you were in the bathroom," said JC, "I didn't think you'd mind... you don't do you?" Secretly, I was quite angry that I wasn't a part of it, but I didn't mind really, and I showed this to JC by shaking my head in a 'no' gesture. I also didn't understand why JC had been so nervous telling Chris but had so easily done it this time. "We caught you two sleeping together on the couch last night," remarked Lance, still surpressing laughter, "So when we questioned JC about it, he was more than happy to confess." "They got me!" said JC, laughing once again at the look that was still on my face... I had my 'I'm not impressed' look on my face. "Yeah, well, hilarious as you all are, and the fact that I missed this whole 'coming out' part two thingy, which by the way loverboy means you are not in my good books, what's actually going on today with you guys?" I asked. I didn't really know what they were doing. "Well, first we have a photo-shoot to attend, then we've got some rehearsals for a show but after that we'll come back and we want to go out to a club. And this time, YOU'RE coming" stated Justin, who obviously couldn't wait until the day was over, "You and Lia can come along if you want" "We'll be okay," I said, "We've got stuff to do anyway, like phoning parents and going shopping for extra presents for those who will be annoyed at us..." I said, looking at Lia "Shit, my mum is going to kill me!" She said, and she knew it was true too. "MUM... M U M?" asked Joey, laughing again "Yes, mum," I said, "Not... Mom like you say... that's just misuse of the language - typical Americans." With that, I had three pillows thrown at me. "Well, anyway, we'll see you later" I saidI looked at the clock, looked away, and looked back again. Damnit! Why was it only 5:30. JC wouldn't be back for 30 minutes yet and, as much as I hated to admit it, I loved him and I needed him here with me. This whole whirlwind romance had been stupid and something out of a book, but it was happening and I was letting down my guard. Lia could tell I was tense so she came over to me and started cuddling me again,
"In love, huh?" She asked, "I might have known you'd grow up someday."
"Actually, missy, I don't know" I said, lying completely. Lia must have picked up on that because I got a look thrown back at me. She walked into the bathroom with her beautiful silver, gleaming dress on her arm, ready to get changed into it.
"Aidan, you are... you really are in love. I can tell these things you know. Anyway, he likes you too..." she trailed off, knowing she'd set me off.
"Excatly... likes. That's why I don't want to let down all of my guards," I said, knowing damn well I already had, "I'll be cool about this." She poked her head around the door, smiled at me, a genuine smile, and then went back in.
"Just remember Aidan, people can't wait forever. Life is just a precious minute, time waits for no-one. Take your chances while you can. That means... try a little harder with JC. I've chatted with him this morning and I think he's in love." She confirmed to me.
"State Lia," I said, "Look, how can you tell?"
"The way he looks at you, the way he smiles when I mention your name." She answered.
"I won't believe it until he says it," I stated, "I mean..."
I heard Lia singing... she was singing one of my favourite Kylie Minogue songs, "Time Will Pass You By" - I knew damn well she was doing it on purpose so I just ignored her and looked in the mirror again. "Damn fine" I thought to myself. At that moment, Lia walked out in her silver dress. It clung to her body like a dream. The silver glints were picked up by her silver bracelet, silver necklace and diamond (fake, however) earrings and her beautiful glittering silver shoes. She'd been saving the outfit for something really special, just in case, and she knew this was it. As a final touch, her beautiful shoulder-length blonde hair was slightly curled and sprayed with a little glitter.
"Wow," I managed, "You're really pretty, you know?"
"Thank you." She smiled at me. She looked in the mirror, and I knew what was coming next, it was trademark Lia...
"But I'm completely fat..."
At that, I jumped up and started tickling her stomach. I could feel her punching me on the leg but it didn't bother me. I hate it when she says she is fat. If there is one thing that never fails to piss me off it is Lia going on about how "completely fat" she is. In fact, If I had a Madonna CD for every time she said it...well, I'd have a lot.
Finally it was 6:00. Myself and Lia were cleaned up and the showers and bathrooms were free for the guys back from rehearsals. As we were watching MTV, we heard chatting coming from the hall and we both looked at each other knowingly as within a split second they came bouncing in, chatting and laughing. Justin immediately ran for the shower, as did Joey and Chris. JC realised that he had missed out on his opportunity to get cleaned up and had to wait, as did Lance. JC came over to me and kissed me on the cheek,
"Ewww... sweetie, you're all sweaty," I laughed, "But from what?"
"They had us dancing for hours and hours and hours and..." he started, but Lance was quick to interrupt.
"It was not that long, and you know how psyched out you get on stage JC. Even when there's no-one watching." With that, he walked over to his door and walked in, shouting from inside, "I'm just picking out my clothes."
"So, is this what you're wearing?" JC asked me, "You look gorgeous." The way he said it made me believe it was geniuine and not just a simple compliment.
"You too," I said, "Even though you're really sweaty.
We watched MTV for a little while longer, myself and Lia really enjoying the squirming when "Tearin' Up My Heart" happened to come on. JC tried to turn it off, but I wouldn't let him. After that, a few more acts popped up and Chris, Joey and Justin returned dressed and JC and Lance went to shower and get dressed. After a little more idle chatting and MTV watching, Lance emerged in quite a cute outfit followed by JC. He looked gorgeous. He was wearing a silver shirt with black trousers and a great-fitting black jacket. His hair was gelled back and he had a nice covering of stubble on his face.
"Hey hun'," I said, "You look wonderful" I meant it too.
"Thanks." He said, smiling at me.
"What about me?" questioned Justin, "You never said anything about me." He put on a baby pout and I walked over to him and surprised him completely by kissing him and telling him he looked nicer than JC, I just wasn't allowed to say so.
"Hey, that's mine," said JC, "Give it back"
"That and It?" I asked, referring to the fact that he didn't use my name, "Gee, now I know how much you care."
"I guess we should get going now," said Joey, anxious to get dancing, "I can't wait to request some Madonna. I have to say, were going to make sure that you're going to get drunk!"
"He always does anyway, regardless of what other people do with him." laughed Lia, as we made our way out of the hotel room and down to the lifts. JC grabbed my hand as we walked to the lifts and just as it pinged open he let go. I felt sorry for him, and I suppose myself. I'd never really thought about how hard it would be, because he was in the public eye. I didn't want to at that moment anyway, I was having too much fun with it.
The club was perfect. It was just the kind of club I always loved. The music was loud and clubby, the decor was tasteful and yet also bright. The lights were pulsating with the rhythm and it wasn't too full nor too hot. Immediately, I walked over to the bar and began to order a double Vodka with lime for myself, when I realised I should get one for JC. Then it suddenly dawned on me. Here I was with someone I didn't even know what their favourite drink was. I got a little upset and decided the best way to combat it was to down my drink, and order another the same. After ten minutes, I looked to the dancefloor and realised they'd all been dancing without me. I turned back to the bar, finished my seventh drink and realised that I had passed that tipsy limit, and I was now officially drunk. I walked over to the dancefloor, tapped JC on the back and we danced together. Lia and Chris walked over and joined in, and soon all the group were with us, dancing in a circle. I saw Joey dissappear for a while, and then come back again with drink in hand and smirk too. JC and Chris dissappeared to get drinks, and then came back smiling even more. Suddenly, I realised I really recognised what was coming through the speakers too well. Lia ran up to me and started shouting "Madonna Madonna Madonna Madonna!" hysterically and dragged me onto a large podium so that I could strut my stuff. I soon realised it was a club mix of "Beautiful Stranger" and I decided that I may as well do the dance, I couldn't make that much of a fool of myself. I danced like crazy to that one, until I heard it start to mix into another song. As I got to get off the podium, I realised I recognised that song too, and my thoughts were confirmed when the DJ said, "This is from Josh, with love... 'Better The Devil You Know'" I screamed and ran down to JC who was beaming at me. I shouted in his ear, "How did you get this Kylie song, and how did you know it was one of my favourites?" "I took the CD from the stereo before we left," he said, "You left it in there. I asked Lia which one you liked" I gave him a huge kiss on the cheek for being so thoughtful and returned to *my* podium. I danced and danced until all the songs blended together and so did the people...Well, that's the end of that one... I hope you liked it. Remember to mail me with comments or questions at TrueBlue86@cwcom.net - I don't mind. See you soon :)