Chapter Thirty Six

The next day, Chris and JC went to the signing at Sam's. They left early, before anyone else was awake.

***

Later that morning, Lance, Justin, Joey, Eryn and Sasha sat down for breakfast. Sasha had woken up early and made breakfast, then she woke everyone up.

"Thanks Sasha," Justin said, his mouth full of food. "This is great."

"No problem," Sasha said. "I had a little trouble sleeping, so I got up early and made this."

"Is anything wrong?" Joey asked, concerned.

Sasha forced a smile. "Just the usual. JC and stuff."

"Oh," Joey said. "Sorry."

"Thanks," Sasha smiled. "So what is everyone up to today?"

"Well, I was going to ask you if I could take a car, because I know I can drive, and I just wanted to visit the guys at Sam's," Justin said.

"Sure, you can," Eryn said. "Am I invited?"

"Sorry, Eryn," Justin apologized. "I don't think you should. The fans would go insane."

"Okay," she said. "Have fun."

"Use my car," Sasha said. "The top goes down. That way if you want some air, you know, if you are feeling sick or anything, you can just put it down."

"Thanks, Sasha," Justin told her.

"So what about everyone else?" Sasha asked.

"I was just going to stay in," Joey said. "I don't have much to do."

"Same with me," Sasha said. "Maybe we can grab some lunch and rent a movie. Eryn, Lance... are you two doing anything?"

"No..." Eryn said. "I think I am staying in, too."

Lance hesitated. He didn't have plans, but he didn't want to stay in with Eryn. "I don't have much to do. Maybe I will go... somewhere."

"Okay," Sasha said. The phone rang and Sasha put down her fork. "I got it." She got up. "Hello?" she said.

"Sasha? Or Eryn..." the voice hesitated, then sneezed.

"Sasha... who is this?" she asked.

"Shane," he answered.

"Shane! What's wrong? Are you sick?" Sasha asked.

"Yeah, very sick. And there's a problem. I called Diane and she said that today was really busy. So she needs someone to cover. Mark is on vacation, remember... I would have called him. I feel really bad calling you, I know you wanted to spend time with your company, but..." Shane stopped.

"Don't be silly, Shane. Of course I will cover you." Sasha said.

"Thanks," Shane said, gratefully.

"Well, don't worry," Sasha said, "I have it covered. What time do you work?"

"From 11 to 8," Shane replied. "I know it's long but..."

"No buts," Sasha said. "Get off the phone, eat chicken noodle soup, and rest. I will call you tomorrow to see how you are doing, okay?"

"Yes Ma'am!" he laughed. "Thanks Sasha. I owe you."

"Blah, blah, blah," Sasha said. "Whatever. Bye."

"Thanks," he said again. "Bye."

Sasha hung up the phone and turned around. "I have to work at 11..." she said.

"So you need your car?" Justin asked.

"No that's okay," Sasha said. "Go, have fun. I will figure out something different."

Eryn helped Justin to the car, and then he left. Eryn walked back into the house.

Sasha looked at her watch. "Well, I have to go change my clothes now that I have to go to work. I will see you guys tonight at around quarter after eight."

Lance, Eryn, and Joey said bye to her as she walked upstairs to get ready. About 15 minutes later she came back down.

"I just remembered..." Sasha smiled. "I don't have a car, and you might need yours today, Eryn."

"I have an idea," Eryn said. "Why don't I drive you to work, and then I will just pick you up? Us four can even go out for lunch if you want to."

Sasha was about to agree, when Lance interrupted. "Eryn... I don't want to go anywhere..." he said.

"Okay," she said looking at him. Lately all Lance is doing is keeping to himself... we used to be such good friends... maybe he's mad at me. Eryn thought.

"How about I bring Sasha to work and pick her up," Joey offered. "That way, Lance can stay home and Eryn can have a break."

"And how about we go for lunch, too, Joey," Sasha suggested. "Since we were going to before."

"Sounds great," Joey said.

"Okay, my lunch will be at 2. I know it's later, but it is because I start at 11." Sasha told him.

"I don't mind," Joey said. "Let's go." He took the keys from the hook, and Sasha and Joey walked out the door.

Eryn sat at the table with Lance in silence. "Aren't you going to talk to me?"

"Nope," he said, standing up and walking into the living room.

Sighing, Eryn walked upstairs and went into her room to get her new issue of Glamour. She opened her bedside table drawer. She found her magazine and took it out. A small envelope fell out with it. She picked it up and read it.

"Oh shit," she said out loud. "I totally forgot how I blew off Lance... no wonder he won't talk to me." She grabbed her magazine and the card, and ran downstairs.

***

"Thanks for the ride, Joey," Sasha said, flashing him a smile, "it was really nice of you."

"No problem Sasha," Joey said. "Anything for you."

"Yeah, sure," she said. "Well, thanks again... I'll see you at two?"

"Yes you will," Joey said. "Bye."

"Bye," she said, opening the car door. She looked back at him. "Joey?" she asked.

"Yeah?" he replied.

"Um... never mind," she said. "See you later."

"Okay," he answered, confused. "Bye."

She got out of the car, and Joey watched her walk to the store. I really want to tell her how I feel, but it's probably too soon, he thought. He put the car in drive, and drove away.

***

Eryn walked into the living room. "Lance, we need to talk."

"No we don't," he answered, not looking at her.

"Yeah, we do," Eryn said. "We used to talk about everything."

"Sorry, Eryn," Lance said. "I don't want to talk to you."

"Why not, Lance?" Eryn said. "If you give me a legitimate reason, I will leave you alone."

Lance turned and looked at her. "Okay. I tried to get with you. You got with Justin. It hurt. It hurts to see you every day. It hurts when I hear your voice. I miss you. I liked you a lot. I wanted us to get together for the longest time. I was very upset but all you did was lust over Justin. So that's why, Eryn. Because I liked you, and you didn't like me, and it hurt. That's why I don't want to talk to you."

Eryn sat in silence.

"See, and now you can't even talk to me, after begging me to tell you." Lance shook his head. "Eryn, I think I am going to leave tomorrow."

Eryn quickly regained her voice. "No!" she said.

"Why not?" Lance said. "You give me one good reason why the hell not."

Eryn panicked. "Um..."

"See?" Lance shook his head. "There's no point."

"Lance?" Eryn said.

"What?" he asked, looking up at her.

"This is why the hell not," she said, pulling him close and kissing him.

***

"JC! I LOVE YOU! Look, look!" a girl named Rebecca rolled up her sleeved. They were covered in JC tattoos. "Will you marry me? I love you!"

"Um, here's your autograph," JC said tiredly. "Bye."

"But JC! You haven't proposed, what am I supposed to do?" Rebecca cried.

JC called for the bodyguard, who carried Rebecca away, kicking and screaming.

Chris bent down to pick up his marker he dropped on the floor. When he sat back up, he was staring at the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

"Hey," he said, smiling. "Who can I make this out to?"

"My niece," she said. "Right here." A little girl poked her head from behind the women.

"Hi Chris," she said. "You are my favourite N Sync guy. Can I have your autograph?"

"Sure," he said. "That's why I am here. What's your name?"

"Jenny," she said. "Well, Jennifer. But I like Jenny." She smiled, revealing her missing front teeth.

"Well, Jenny," Chris smiled and signed the picture. "Here you go," he said, handing it to her.

"Thanks," Jenny giggled. She looked up at her aunt. "Auntie Anna, don't you think that Chris Kirkpatrick is absolutely handsome?"

She smiled at Jenny. "Why yes I do, Jenny. But there are people waiting for his autograph like you. We have to go now."

Jenny and Anna began to walk away. "Wait!" Chris yelled.

Jenny turned around. "Yes Chris?"

"How about you guys wait here? We are done in a half an hour..." Chris offered. "I mean, if you want to..."

"Oh my gosh, yes!" Jenny screamed.

"Great," Chris said, smiling at Anna.

End Of Chapter Thirty Six

Author's Note: Okay, I know, I know... the kiss, shouldn't have happened. What was Eryn thinking? You'll see... keep reading. (To tell you the truth, I don't even know what's going to happen with that yet.) But this is exciting! I love writing!