Boys6

For the most part, lunch was quiet that day. The guys decided they'd rather order pizza to be delivered at the hotel instead of going out and facing mobs of screaming teenies staring at them while they stuffed their faces. Once they arrived at the hotel, they all headed for the elevator. As they waited, Justin kept noticing JC giving him weird looks and secret smiles that he wasn't sure he liked. Lance also noticed this, JC's looks and Justin's strange behavior, but said nothing.

The bell finally dinged and the doors opened, allowing the five of them to get in. There wasn't enough room for Lonnie and the rest of their security team, so after some reassuring words from Lance and a few "get the hell away from me" comments from Chris, they complied to wait for another elevator. Once the doors closed and they were alone again, JC spoke up.

"Hey, uh, guys?" he asked. "I was wondering if we could switch rooms today. I know we were supposed to do it tomorrow, but I think it'd be best if we did it now."

Joey froze, wondering if this was JC's "subtle" hint that he wanted to share a room. Chris and Justin didn't seem to care and Lance just looked annoyed.

"JC, no," he whined. "Now, I have this all figured out. Trust me, it'll work better if we leave things the way they are."

"Actually, Lance," Justin spoke up. "I think it's a great idea." He
discreetly crossed his fingers behind his back and prayed to be Lance's roommate.

JC beamed and resisted winking at Justin. 'Guess it's time to break the rest of the news to him before he gets his hopes up too high,' thought JC.

"Yeah, so it's settled," he said. "I'll room with Lance, Justin and Joey can be in another, and that leaves the loner room to Chris.

"Woohoo!" Chris yelled, doing a little disco, happy dance in the small space and singing loudly. "Big ol bed! Big ol bed! Gonna get lucky! Gonna get lucky!"

Joey smirked and gave Chris a fake worried look. "Just don't get too carried away," he said. "You're gonna need those hands later."

Everyone else laughed as Chris continued to sing and dance, this time
purposefully whacking Joey in the face with his hand.

"Dammit Chris! Knock that the hell off!"

JC laughed, sneaking a look at Justin's pathetic face. He looked absolutely miserable, and JC failed to see how Justin was looking directly at Lance. 'Don't worry Justin,' JC thought. 'I just need to talk to Lance first and then ... maybe you and I can get some where.'

Lance looked up at JC, ignoring Chris and Joey's loud bickering, and noticed his older friend grin to himself, wondering what the hell was going on.

~*~
JC fell back onto his bed, groaning slightly.

"Oh God, I'm gonna burst," he said. He looked shocked when he burped and he and Lance dissolved into a fit of giggles. After they quieted down, both of them laying side by side and vertical on one bed, JC turned to him.

"Lance?"

Lance opened his eyes and looked at his best friend. JC was biting his lower lip, something he occasionally did when he was stumped over something. Lance sat up and folded his legs under his body, facing JC completely. "What's up Josh?"

JC smiled and sat up. "Okay, here's the deal," he began. "You remember this morning? When Justin said he made coffee and then said he left something 'special' in my bag for me?"

Lance grinned at JC's air quotes for "special" and nodded. JC got up from the bed, walking to his duffel bag on the floor and pulling out the TEENBEAT magazine Lance recognized from the kitchen booth that morning. JC opened it, pulling out a neatly folded piece of white paper and tossing the magazine to the floor. He unfolded it and handed it to Lance. "Here's what Justin put in my bag. I'll be right back, I'm thirsty.

Lance grabbed the paper from JC and watched him walk into the bathroom before he read it. He face grew pale and he read the letter over and over again, making sure he wasn't seeing things. He wasn't. Lance sighed and wasn't all too surprised to feel tears prick the backs of his eyes.

Justin, his Justin, was in love with JC.