| Chapter 3 |
| Push it out, fake a smile Avert disaster, just in time I need a drink, 'cause in a while Worthless answer From friends in mind It's dumb to ask, cool to ignore Lance bit his lip nervously, wondering if bothering JC so close to Christmas was a good idea after all. He knew his friend would be home, so that wasn't a problem. A week ago, when the guys were all discussing their plans for the break, JC had said that his parents would be visiting relatives out of the country. "So why don't you go too Jace?" Joey had asked. JC shrugged. "I don't know," he said. "I've got a cold and I really have to get some more work done in the studio. *Somebody* has to do it!" Chris, Justin and Joey were indignant and started laughing as they tried to prove how responsible they were. Lance had frowned because he realized that JC had just completely changed the topic. Lance took a breath and rang the doorbell. A few seconds later, a yawning JC opened the door. He rubbed his eyes and looked at Lance, his eyes widening. "Lance?" he asked, shock evident in his voice. "What are you doing here?" Lance smiled and looked down at his feet. "Hey Josh," he said. "Could I maybe, ya know, stay with you over Christmas break?" JC was by his side in seconds, wrapping a comforting arm around Lance's shoulders. "Of course you can stay here," he asked quietly. "Come on in, it's cold out here." She makes me feel Like it's raining outside And when the storm's gone I'm all torn up inside "And then, as soon as he saw Britney, he dropped my hand and practically made out with her in the middle of the airport," sighed Lance, rolling the bottle of beer between his hands and staring at the floor. "I'm just so sick of it Josh. I'm not going back." JC nodded sympathetically and pulled Lance's head down on his shoulder, rubbing little circles on his back with his hand and letting him vent. "I mean, he just drives me crazy," said Lance, his voice starting to choke up. "One day he's all over me, and the next he's out for hours with Britney. And the worst part is, he comes home after those nights with her and expects me to put out. And I do!" I would wish upon a star, But that star, it doesn't shine So read my book With a boring ending A short story of a lonely guy Tears were running down Lance's face now, and JC wiped them away with his hand. When Lance looked up at him with wide, hurt eyes and a quivering lower lip, JC's heart broke all over again. "I'm just," hiccup, "tired of," hiccup, "being lonely," said Lance, licking away the tears that had run over his lips. I'm always nervous on, Days like this like the prom I get too scared to move, 'Cause I'm still just a Stupid worthless boy "It's okay Lance," said JC, hugging the younger man to his body portectively. "I won't let you be alone anymore." Lance coughed and sniffled loudly. "Really?" he asked in a tiny voice. JC smiled and cautiously kissed the top of Lance's head. "Yeah, really." Lance hugged him tightly. "Thanks Jace," he mumbled into JC's chest, "you're the best friend a guy could have." JC's smile faltered, but he kept rubbing Lance's back until the younger man fell asleep in his arms. "Yeah," he sighed, "that's what I thought you would say." *Song used: Blink 182 - "Story Of A Lonely Guy" |