James walked down the hallways of his high school, the place he had attended for the past two years, head down. He was trying to blend into the scenery, knowing he'd have to go by the gym like he did everyday. He hated the gym. Absolutely loathed it. Only because HE was always there, and HE couldn't stand James. James didn't know why, only that he didn't. And the HE was Josh Chasez, or Joshua Scott, as James had known him since kindergarten. Josh was THE Golden Boy. He was popular, talented in sports, dancing, singing, academics, everything. Josh was the vision of perfection. Smart, funny, good looking, and all around nice guy. To everyone but James that is.
Josh had hated James since they were young. From the time James' family had moved to Riverside, Josh had made James' life a living hell. He'd picked on him, taunting him, teasing him, playing tricks on him, since as far back as James could remember. All James had to do was breath, and that was enough to make him a target for Josh. Unfortunately, James wasn't able to hold his breath until Josh went to college.
"Hey, Bass!" a loud vice called down the halls.
James' shoulders slumped. He'd almost made it.
"I just have a question for you, then you can catch your bus home. I wouldn't want you to miss it on the last day of school." Josh said, grinning at his friend Joey while he walked up behind James.
"What is it Joshu�Josh? I'm in a hurry." James said, catching his slip before damage was done. Josh hated being called Joshua, or Joshua Scott.
"I was just wondering. Since you probably know a lot about the subject. What kind of dresses are 'in' this season?" Josh asked, he and Joey dissolving into laughter as James turned and made his way down the halls, ignoring the comment.
James pushed his glasses up on his nose, and winced as he remembered why he'd stopped biting his lip. His braces got in the way. James knew he didn't look good. He wore glasses, had braces, a ridiculous bowl-cut that his mom insisted on giving him. He was decent in height but scrawny, and girlish looking. His aunt always commented that he was "so darling." James couldn't stand that.
It was time for a change. A drastic one. The upcoming year would be different. He refused to get picked on anymore, by anyone, about anything. It was time to make a new life for himself, with a new image. Justin could help with that.
Justin Timberlake was "The Sex Symbol" for the upcoming freshmen class, if eighth graders had sex symbols. He was also James' next-door neighbor and best friend. They'd been friends since forever, and neither had had the thought to question it. The most popular and talented boy in Junior High and the least popular or noticed in High School, best friends 'til the end. And they liked it. Both of their families were like one big family. James wouldn't have it any other way.
James looked up as he neared the bus parking lot, just in time to see his bus pull out and head down the road. Damn Joshua Scott Chasez. Things were definitely going to change.