"Kenz," Joel said, waving his hand in front of the raven haired girl's face. "Mack... Mackenzie Grace Duckworth," he shouted.
Mackenzie jumped. "Joel. What?" she asked, pushing him for starling her.
"I've been calling your name for like twenyt minutes," Joel lied.
"Well, what do you want?" Mackenzie asked, looking passed him at the television. "Damn it, now I missed it!"
"Missed what?" Joel asked, turning aorund to look at the television.
"Nothing, nevermind," Mackenzie sighed. "Now did you want something or are you trying to prove that you'd make a shitty ass window?"
"What crawled up your ass and died?" Joel asked, sitting next her.
"You made her miss JC Chasez," Benji laughed.
"Shuddup, Benji," Mackenzie exclaimed, kicking him.
"JC? Joel questioned.
"Our girl Kenz is in love with him," Benji teased.
"No, I'm not, whatever," Mackenzie rolled her eyes. "Now since you've both ruined like the five seconds MTV actually plays music for me, did you need something, Joel?"
"No, not really," Joel mumbled.
Mackenzie was silent for a moment, changing the channel. "I'm sorry, Joel," she said after she found something else to watch. "You're still my buddy, right?"
"Of course," Joel nodded, laying his head on her shoulder.
-
"Kenz, you've got a package," Joel said coming into the living room of the house he shared with Mackenzie and Benji. "Since when are you and Chris Kirkpatrick such good friends?"
"Friends my ass, I can barely stand the guy," Mackenzie replied, accepting the package from Joel.
"Then why are you getting packages from him?" Joel questioned.
"He promised me advance copies of Chasez's and Fatone's solo ablums," Mackenzie answered.
"You're still going to the release party for JC's album with me-- us, aren't you?" Joel asked.
"Of course," Mackenzie said. "It's a free trip to LA for me, man."
"It's all about the free trips for you, huh?" Joel joked.
"And the access to JC Chasez," Benji said. "Don't forget the JC Chasez access."
"Shut the fuck up, Benji," Mackenzie exclaimed. "For the last time, I don't love JC!!"
"Chill, Kenz," Benji said. "I'm just playin."
"Sorry, Benj," Mackenize said.
"It's a'ite, Playa," Benji grinned. "Did you tell Joel about the guy from the club last night?"
"What guy at the club last night?" Joel asked.
"Nothing, no one," Mackenzie shook her head. "I just danced with some guy a couple of times."
"When she says dance, she means dry humped. And when she says a couple of times, she means all night," Benji laughed.
"When she says Benji, she means asshole," Mackenzie replied.
"Did you get his number?" Joel asked, knowing she never gave theirs out.
"Wasn't number worthy," Mackenzie said.
"You need to start dating again, Kenz," Joel said.
"I will," Mackenzie replied, opening the package she got from Chris.
-
"Benji, Joel, hey," Chris called out when they entered the party. "Hello, Mack."
"Don't call me Mack," she snapped.
"Sorry," Chris replied. "You enjoy the Cds?"
"Yah. Thanks," Mackenzie said.
"You owe me big time," Chris said.
"I won't beat your ass for loosing my shoes," Mackenzie said. "As I see it, you still owe me."
"I'll introduce you to JC," Chris offered.
"Sounds fair," Mackenzie nodded.
Chris looked around the room until he spotted JC. Then he led them over to where he was standing talking with some of his friends.
"C, this is Benji and Joel's roommate Mackenzie, the one I've told you about," Chris said.
JC looked at Mackenzie. "Nice to meet you."
"You too," Mackenzie said. "I like your solo disc."
"Thanks?"
"You should feel proud about that. She hates that type of music usually," Benji said.
"When these two arehome, it's impossible for me to get to use the system. Benji wouldn't know what I listen to these days," Mackenzie said.
-
"Have you seen Kenz, Chris?" Joel asked coming up to him.
Chris thought for a moment. "I think she left with C. Lemme ask Lance," he said. "Lance, did you see who C left with?"
"The girl Benji and Joel brought with them," Lance said. "They'll be back before the party's over."
"You think so?" Joel said.
"No offense, she seems like a cool girl," Lance said, "but she's not really JC's type."
Joel was about to reply, but saw Mackenise enter the hall again.
"I've got to go," Joel said, cutting across the room to Mackenzie.
"Your brother's got it bad for that girl," Chri said, turning to Benji.
"Totally," Benji agreed, watching Joel grab Mackenzie's arm.

"You all right, Kenzie?" Joel asked, leading her out of the hall again.
"I'm fine," Mackenzie nodded. "Why?"
"What happened between you and JC?" Joel asked.
"Nothing. It's none of your business," Mackenzie shook her head.
"But it is. I've seen you do this before," Joel said. "You meet a guy you kinda like. He looks into it, but he messes with your head--"
"JC isn't messing with my head," Mackenzie said.
"Promise me you'll be careful?" Joel asked.
"Yah, of course, whatever," Mackenzie nodded.
-
"Hello?" Joel said answering the phone.
"Is this where Mackenzie Duckworth lives?"
"Can I ask who's speaking?" Joel asked.
"JC... Chasez."
"Oh, I'll get her," Joel said. "Kenz, phone@"
"Got it, thanks, Joel," Mackenzie shouted from her room.
Five minutes later, Mackenzie was headed for the door.
"Kenz, where are you going?" Benji asked, coming into the house.
"To see JC. I'll see you guys later," she replied.
"Bye, Kenz," Benji offered. "So she got a call back, that's good, right?" he asked Joel.
"Sure, of course," Joel said.
"Maybe Bass was wrong. Maybe he really likes her," Benji said, plopping down in his favorite chair.
"I hope so," Joel said.
"No you don't," Benji said. "So why don't you just tell Kenz or get over it?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Benj," Joel replied. "I just want Kenz to be happy."
"With you," Benji added.
Joel didn't reply.
-
"Aren't you supposed to be at work?" Benji asked, laying down next to her on the bed.
Mackenzie burrowed deeper into her blankets. "I just got home. I caleld in sick."
"Late night with JC?" Benji asked, yawning not having been home much longer than Mackenzie.
"He called after he left the club," Mackenzie replied.
"Booty call. Mackenzie Grace Duckworth, you did a booty call!" Benji teased. "Joel! Guess what--"
"Don't tell Joel," Mackenzie stopped him.. "I know he doesn't want me seeing JC. We'll just keep it away from him."
"Keep it from him? Nice try," Benji shook his head.
-
"Kenzie, what's wrong?" Joel questioned. It was never a good sign to find Mackenzie standing in his room at 4:35.
Mackenzie didn't answer, just climbed into his bed. Joel allowed her to clam down before trying again. "Kenzie?"
"He has a girlfriend, okay?" Mackenzie said. "I'm just so fucking stupid. I always do this!"
"You aren't stupid," Joel exclaimed, pulling her to him. "You'll find omeone who will love you and do you right."
"What's the expression? You have to kiss a lot of frogs?" Mackenzie said. "I've kissed more than my fair share. I'm just sick of it. Cause I know if he calls tomorrow I'll go back, girlfriend and all."
"So don't go back," Joel said.
"I can't not go back," Mackenzie said.
"Yes, you can. I'll help," Joel promised.
"Thank you, Joel," Mackenzie sighed, laying her head on his chest.
-
"You should be more careful about opening your door," JC said when Joel opened the door.
"I've been watching you since you pulled into the driveway," Joel replied, gesturing at the monitor. "What are you doig here?"
"I came to see if Mackenzie was around. She hasn't answered her phone," JC explained.
"She's not here. And you have about five seconds to get outta here before I beat your ass," Joel said.
"He doesn't even have that," Benji said, coming into the foyer. "I'll give you the time it takes me to get to the door to leave or I'ma kill you."
"What's up with you two?" JC questioned.
"You're fucking with Kenz and now you get to deal with us," Benji said.
"Whatever. Tell Mackenzie I came by," JC said going back to his car.
"Thanks, guys," Mackenzie said, coming out of the living room.
"Tell him not to call you anymore," Benji said. "I'd hate to see this come to blows."
"He'll get the point," Mackenzie said.
-
"Hello?" This is her.. Oh hi. I can't. I-- okay. Fine, I'll be there," Mackenzie said.
"Work?" Joel questioned?
"Naw, Tara, you've met her, right?" Mackenzie said. "Her boyfriend broke up with her so we're gonna hang out. I should be back in a couple of hours."
"See you."

"Who did Kenz say she was going out with?" Billy asked.
"That Tara chick. Her boyfriend dumped her or something," Joel answered. "Why?"
"Cause she's over there grinding on JC Chasez," Paul said.
Joel looked to where Paul was pointing. They were right, Mackenzie was dancing with JC. Before Benji could stop him, Joel was standing next to him.
"Kenzie," he shouted over the music.
"Joel?" Mackenzie exclaimed.
Joel looked at her and shook his head. "Maybe you should go to Benji with your broken heart this time cause I'm through."
"Joel--"
"No, Mackenzie. I'm not putting up with it this time," Joel stopped her. "Have fun."
-
"What's Joel deal?" Mackenzie asked the next afternoon.
"He's sick of seeing you get hurt," Benji said. "You've been going to him since third grade when Josh Lang broke up with you."
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize going to my best friend was so wrong," Mackenzie exclaimed.
"It is when it's because you keep going back," Benji said. "You should think of Joel's feelings sometime."
"What about his feelings?" Mackeznie asked.
"He'd kill me if he knew I told you, but I'm getting tired of watching him deny it," Benji said. "Joel is so fucking in love with you, it's almost sicken.
Mackenzie looked at him, then excused herself, going back to bed.

"Are you mad at me?" JC asked, while they were driving back to his house.
"I've just got a lot on my mind," Mackenzie replied.
"Oh. If y ou aren't in the mood, I can take you home," JC offered, already thinking of who to call.
"Why don't you like me?" Mackenzie asked.
"I like you," JC said, deciding to give Bobbie a call if Mackenzie decided to go home.
"No, you like fucking me, there's a difference. Why don't you want to date me?" Mackenzie asked.
"I've got a girlfriend," JC said.
Mackenzie sighed. "Can you take me home?"
JC nodded and did a U-turn toward her home. "If you change your mind, call."
"I don't think so," Mackenzie said.

"You're back early," Joel said when Mackenzie returned.
Mackenzie didn't say anything. Instead she pushed Joel down on the couch and got on top of him. Leaning down she kissed him softly.
"Hello to you too," Joel said.
"How long have you been in love with me?" Mackenzie asked.
"What?"
"How long?" Mackenzie asked.
"I'm not--"
"You are too. I'll start," Mackenzie said. "I've been in love with you since were sixteen and I woke up at 3:30 to find you standing by my bed because your dad had left. Now you?"
"That's--"
"No. How long then we'll talk," Mackenzie stopped him.
"Third grade when Josh Lang broke up with you," Joel said.
"Wow? Why didn't you say anything?" Mackenzie asked.
"Why didn't you?" Joel countered.
"Because you never showed any interest," Mackenzie answered.
"How's this for showing interest?" Joel asked, kissing her.
"About fuckin time," Benji exclaimed startling them.
"For real," Billy agreed. "Looks like you won the pot, Benji."
"Pot?" Mackenzie questioned.
"On how long it'd take for Joel to admit it," Paul said.
"He didn't actually, Benji told me," Mackenzie said.
"Kenz! I was gonna share the money," Benji exclaimed.
"Sure you were," Billy said.
Joel laughed and kissed Mackenzie again.