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The next morning I headed into my office at the Teen Magazine office in California a little bit early, knowing that the moment my engagement was known I wouldn’t get a minutes rest. As I predicted, from the second my friend, Marie, noticed the rock on my left hand my office was buzzing with people who wanted to know all about the event.
My morning was a flurry of congratulations and questions about the details, such as my dress, hair and setting a date. By the afternoon it had slowed down a bit and I was free to get some work done.
I was looking over some proofs when my boss, Derek, stepped into my office.
“Yes, it’s true and no, we haven’t set a date yet,” I told him without looking up.
Derek chuckled. “I see you’ve been through the paces today,” he commented, “but that’s not why I’m here.”
“Oh, then sit down,” I said, gesturing to the chair in front of my desk. “What can I do for you?”
“I have a project for you,” Derek said. “Of course, it will take you away from your beloved.”
“What kind of project is it?” I asked, leaning closer.
“Well, it’s more than I usually give an intern, but I think you can handle it,” he began. “There is a new boyband out this year and they’re taking the country by storm. They’re called 'N Sync, have you heard of them?”
I thought I had heard something on the radio by them, I Want You Now or something. “I think so,” I replied.
“Well, we’ve arranged for someone to travel with them for three months to take a few pictures and write a report,” he continued. “So, can you do it?”
“Keith won’t be happy about it,” I said, slowly. “Can anyone else do it?”
“Everyone else capable is either married or has children,” Derek told me. “You’re our only hope.”
I sat back in my chair. This would be a great opportunity for me. It would definitely secure my place in the magazine after I graduated.
The thought hit me like a ton of bricks. “I have collage, I can’t go.”
“I’ve already talked to the Dean,” Derek informed me. “He said that it would count as a credit.”
“I’ll do it.” Keith wasn’t going to be happy. He would just have to understand.
“What?” As I had expected, Keith did not take the news well. “They’re just sending you on the tour with five strange guys? I don’t think so!”
“Keith,” I said impatiently. “I have to go. It’ll be a great experience for me.”
“But, what about us?” he asked.
He was whining. I hate it when he whines.
“We’ll still be us,” I assured him. “I’ll call you every night.”
“But, we just got engaged,” Keith complained. “We have so much planning to do!”
“We can put it off for five months,” I said. “We haven’t even set a date yet.”
“I’ll miss you,” he told me.
I looked up from my packing. “I’ll miss you too.”
Keith leaned forward, planting a soft kiss on my lips. “Do you really have to leave in three days?” he asked.
“Yes, but I’ll call you from the first hotel,” I answered.
“You swear?” Keith prompted.
“I swear.”
Keith leaned forward to kiss me again. I knew that he would give in eventually.
Three days later I found myself on an airplane on my way to Orlando, Florida where the tour was going to begin.
I’m am terrified of flying, always have been. I spent this particular flight sound asleep with the help of some extra strength Valium.
When I reached Florida there was a limo waiting to take me to the tour bus. We would be leaving immediately after my arrival. Not that I minded, I hated Florida, too humid and too many bugs.
I paused momentarily outside the door of the tour bus. What would these guys think of me? I was there to take away the little privacy they had left. That couldn’t make for a good first impression.
A thickly muscled bodyguard answered the door when I finally got up the nerve to knock. I introduced myself quickly, flashing ID as I spoke. The moment I stepped onto the bus I was bombarded by silly string.
“Do you like my new webshooter?” he asked, gesturing to the gun like contraption straped to his wrist.
“It’s just great,” I answered dryly.
“I’m Chris Kirkpatrick,” he announced, holding out his hand.
“I’m Gwen Logan,” I replied. “I’m from Teen magazine.”
“Oh.” I could tell by the way that his eyes darkened that my presence wasn’t exactly welcome. “Nice to meet you.”
“Yeah, nice to meet you too,” I answered in the same emotionless tone.
Just then two more men emerged from the narrow hall that led back to the rest of the tour bus. The taller of the two caught my attention. His bright blue eyes studied me in a frank, but friendly manner and his thick, golden curls seemed to beg for me to run my fingers through it.
“Hello, I’m JC Chasez,” the shorter, darker one introduced himself.
“Hi, my name’s Gwen Logan,” I answered, taking his offered hand. “From Teen magazine.”
“Oh, nice to meet you,” he replied politely.
“Likewise,” I told him.
The taller one stepped forward smiling broadly. “I’m Justin Timberlake." I grinned. “Nice to meet you.” It was the only time I meant those words all day.
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