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Know your headings: (Vic)toria: following her life. Justin: following his life. In sync: following both their lives at the same time.
(same place) ~~~ Feed your thoughts In sync... “Apparently
denim is hot this season,” Lisa said flipping through YM. “Look at
this jeans, jeans and more jeans.” Toria
laughed, “I don’t know why you’re even reading that magazine. Isn’t it a
little young for you?” Lisa
gasped, “Too young. Never!” They
were sitting in a moderately sized lounge/restaurant, not known by many,
called Mamas. Owned by a little Italian woman, known as mama, the
restaurant was one of the best Italian restaurants in town and was one of
their favourite spots. Toria
glanced around, though the place wasn’t very big, it was comfortable, with
comfy chairs and square tables scattered around the room. She could smell the
fragrant aroma of Italian sauces and freshly baked bread. She
turned to Lisa who was still flipping through the magazine. “So what is it
that you had to bring me here to tell me?” She said tapping her fingers on
the table. Lisa
perked up and a huge grin came over her face. She closed the magazine and
picked it up. “This,’
she said pointing the magazine at Toria. ‘This is my news” Toria
stared at the cover of the magazine. Nsync
stared back, in a plain blue backdrop. “Wow!
Nsync’s on the cover of YM. What news!” Toria noted sarcastically. Lisa,
ruffled by Toria’s tone, glared at her friend. “I’m so amused Tor. Utterly!” Toria
grinned, “I know you like Nsync, but get a grip.” Before
Lisa could reply to Toria’s comment, Mama came bustlingly over, her hands
weighed down with food. “Here you are girls. For you Lisa the house special
the Cannelloni and Victoria the Bruschetta Rossi.” As
she placed the food on the table Lisa and Victoria smiled at each other. Mama
was one of the sweetest people they knew. “Now
you girls eat up and call me if you need something.” She said in her accented
speech as she bustled back in the kitchen. “Aren’t
all models on permanent diets?” Toria looked pointedly at Lisa’s full plate.
It was an inside joke between them. Lisa had always loved eating and
modelling hadn’t stopped her from enjoying one of her favourite pastimes. “Oh
please! You think this is a lot? I’m just getting started.” Lisa said digging
into her pasta. Toria
laughed and also began to eat. --- “Guys
have a little respect,” Joey said as they reached the small restaurant. The
guys, who had been goofing off, paused. “Joey,
is this like sacred territory?” Chris said, his voice in a reverent whisper.
The others snickered. Joey
shook his head. “You guys better behave. Mamas is one of the best
Italian restaurant’s in town and I don’t want to get kicked out.” “Oh
God forbid you should lose admittance to any food establishment,” Lance
mocked. The others smothered their laughter as Joey opened the small
restaurant door. “I’ve
been here a couple times and it’s always very quiet here. It’s not a well
known restaurant so our privacy is ensured.” He explained as they made their
way to a couple tables at the far end of the restaurant. Justin
smiled looking around. Dimly lit and soft music flowing in the background, it
really was an inviting place. He was instantly comforted; It had been a while
since they all had been able to go out and just relax uninterrupted. They
sat, as Mama herself, made her way over to them. “Joseph, I haven’t seen you
here in a while. Where have you been keeping yourself?” She asked, smiling
warmly. “Mama,
I’ve been doing some things here and there.” The guys chuckled, knowing that
“things here and there” meant tours, award shows, and TV appearances. Mama
turned her head and looked directly at the other guys. “Who have you brought
with you Joseph?” She
stepped back, looking the guys over. “Well you are a good looking bunch. All
the girls must chase you.” The
guys grinned. That was about right. “Ah
ha!” Mama said noting their grins. “Menu’s are on the table. You boys, call
me when you are ready!” She smiled and walked away. They hurriedly grabbed
their menus and were ready to order in minutes. --- “Ok!
So what really is your big news?” Victoria asked putting down her napkin. “It
really has to do with Nsync.” Lisa leaned back in her chair and the excited
look came over her face again. “Well Nsync’s recording a new album and
because they’re doing this album, the NSA tour is ending in a few weeks. So
they, Nsync, decided to release a new song and video off the NSA album. It’s
kind of like, a way, to keep people sated until the new album comes out.” “Umm,
Lisa? How do you know all this?” Toria asked amused. “No
I’m not stalking them, if that’s what you’re thinking.” Toria
placed an innocent look on her face, “Me? Think that? About you? No way!” Lisa
tilted her head sceptically. “Yeah right! Anyway, my big news is coming up so
be quiet. Okay, Dana’s going out with Chris Kirkpatrick who’s in Nsync. And,
you’ll never guess, she got him and the other guys to agree to putting me in
the new video. Aaahh! Can you believe it?” Toria
broke out into a huge grin, “Oh my God, that’s great news. I can’t believe
it. Congrats.” She got up and gave her friend a huge hug. She
knew how hard Lisa worked and what a music video like Nsync’s would do for
her friend’s career. Besides Lisa was practically obsessed with the guys,
she’d be in heaven. “And
I met Chris, Joey and Justin at the club that night. Oh shit, I’m sorry I
shouldn’t have mentioned that night!” Lisa said as she saw Toria grimace. “No
really it’s okay! Did you just say you met three members of Nsync?” “Yep,
can you believe it?” “Holy
shit. I guess you’ve been a good girl this year. Well I had some news too,
but now I think it’s not going to be anywhere as good as yours.” “Tell
me,” Lisa demanded. “Well
I just acquired a pair of Nsync concert tickets, for the last show.” “No
way! This is great! Things are looking up.” Lisa began to do a little dance
on her chair. Toria
burst out laughing at her friend’s movements. She was alive, she was doing
what she loved and she was happy. Yeah, things were definitely looking
up. --- “That
was too good!” Chris patted his stomach. “Uh
huh,” JC agreed. “I
told you. Mamas is the best.” Joey gloated. Mama
made her way over, smiling as she heard Joey’s last comment. “You put me to
blush, Joseph. Now here is your change,” she said putting the bills on the
table. The
guys looked askance at the money. “No, that’s for you,” Lance said. Mama
shook her head. “It is too much. I cannot!” Joey
picked the money up and put it into the pocket of her apron. “Mama, no
arguing. Please, take it!” She
looked at them and finally nodded her agreement. “Now
Mama,’ Justin said putting his arm around the tiny woman’s shoulders. ‘After
eating your food I've come to a decision. Will you marry me?” He said
completely straight-faced. Mama
giggled like a schoolgirl. “You are the charmer I see. No I cannot I am
afraid. I am a happily married woman.” Justin
grabbed his chest dramatically. “You’re breaking my heart. But I don’t give
up easily, I'll be back.” And with a kiss on her round cheek, he left the
restaurant. The guys while laughing hysterically said quick goodbyes and went
after Justin. --- “See
you later Mama.” Toria said as she and Lisa got up to leave. Mama waved from
the other side of the room as she took care of a bill for a group of guys.
They both waved back and idly made their way to Lisa’s car. Suddenly
a guy ran out of Mamas and passed by them. Toria stopped. He seemed
familiar. A sudden flashback of the guy on the airplane came to her. That was
it. No, it couldn’t be. She remembered him distinctly having curly hair; this
guy’s hair was completely buzzed. Lisa
turned to see Toria had stopped. “Tor, are you alright?” “You
know that guy that I was telling you about. The one on the airplane.” “Oh
yeah, Pavarotti. I remember.” Lisa said referring to his singing. Toria
laughed, “Well, what I didn’t tell you is that, I could have sworn I saw him
in the hospital. And just now I thought I saw him again. Lisa, I think I’m
losing it.” “Tor,
I think you are too. Seriously, I think it’s because you want to see him,
that he keeps on appearing to you.” “Yeah,
you’re probably right.” She said, but she wasn’t quite sure if she believed
it. They
began walking again, but this time a group of guys came running passed them. One
called out, “Justin.” And the guy up ahead, the buzz cut one, laughed and
turned the corner. The guys went after him and soon they all disappeared. “Ok,
that was weird.” Toria noted, as she and Lisa made their way to Lisa’s car. “You
know what? I think, whatever it is you have, is rubbing off on me,” Lisa said
as she got into the car. “Oh?”
Toria said making herself comfortable in her seat. “Yeah,
I could have sworn that those guys running were Nsync.” They
looked at each other and burst out laughing. Nsync right! |