Chapter Five

Best Week Ever - Chapter 5
Friday

As the bell rang, students flooded into the noisy hallway.

�I am so glad we got that over with without poisoning anyone.� Britney giggled through her smile.

�Oh I know!� Laura Lynn added. �I never even got a chance to taste that Pineapple upside down cake, thank god everyone liked it.�

�I think it went pretty well, Ms. A totally loved my gourmet fruit appetizer.� Justin said proudly.

�Gourmet? It was fruit salad dude�� Joey laughed as he slapped Justin on the back roughly.

Justin narrowed his eyes at Joey, looking offended.

�Awww,� Britney said sweetly as she looped her arm though Justin�s, �I thought it was a very intricate part of the meal J.�

Justin smiled smugly and hugged her arm closer so that they were walking shoulder to shoulder down the hall.

�So, ya know there�s a game tomorrow�� Justin said casually, referring to his basketball game against Rancho Fe High.

Britney gave him a weird look, everyone knew about the game. �Yea.�

�You�re going right?�

She smiled, �Of coarse.�

�Okay cool, then I�ll pick you up after it, around 7:30?� He had to give himself enough time to get ready for their big date after his game.

�Sounds good.� She took a deep breath, just thinking about their date brought a wave of excited anxiousness over her.

�

Britney, and Jessica arrived together. The high school gym was already packed. Their home team, the Cooper Cougars, were warming up on their side of the court while their opponents, the Rancho Fe Falcons, did the same on theirs.

Britney immediately spotted Justin out of the crowd, number 02, same as her. Lucky for her, he was too focused on the drill they were running to notice her gawking at him. She had to admit, he looked very cute in his baby blue basketball jersey.

Jessica yanked Britney by the arm and dragged her around the court. The two girls stopped to chat with Laura Lynn and her fellow uniformed cheerleaders.

A few minutes later they found seats next to Camille and a few other girls� on their team.

Justin stared up into the large crowd in the bleachers. It was packed, the entire school must have been there, how was he going to spot Britney. He saw his mom immediately sitting a few rows back with JC�s mom. She waved to him and he smiled before continuing to search the crowd.

A moment later he nearly jumped out of his skin when something slammed into his shoulder. He snapped his head around to see a basketball rolling away that Chris had tossed to Justin.

�Dude.� Chris laughed. �You better get you head in the game bro! Coach is gonna ream us if we fuck up our undefeated season to Rancho Fe.�

�My head is in the game.�

�Well looks to me like your eyes are busy scouring the crowd for a particular hot blond you have a hot date with later tonight.�

�No!�

�Whatever bro, you can day dream all you want about Britney but first lets win this game.�

�

With a minute left in the game it was all tied up, 24 � 24. Lance passed the ball to Matt who ran it down the court, he stopped half way and chucked it to Joey who maneuvered his way around a Falcon and tossed it behind his back to JC.

With 20 seconds left in the game JC had to shoot, a Falcon was running up on his right so he ran left and made a shot.

The ball flew through the air heading, it hit the back board and flew off to the right. The crowd gasped, it looked as if the ball would go out and the game would end in a tie.

But before the ball could fly 2 feet away from the basket Justin came out of no where, he leapt through the air and smashed the ball through the hoop. A second later the buzzer sounded, signifying the end of the game.

Justin whipped around to read the score board then broke into a grin when he realized they had won the game. Immediately after he was bombarded by his cheering teammates. The Cooper Cougars had won, 25-24, protecting their undefeated season.

Britney quickly stood up and clapped along with the rest of the gym.

People began to make their way out of the bleachers, they congratulated the team and coach then hurried home to get ready for Tod�s party, which had slowly evolved into a celebration for the team.

As Britney moved across the gym toward the exit her eyes met Justin�s for the first time that night. She motioned for Laura Lynn and Jessica to go on without her and waited for Justin to finish accepting praise from other students.

Justin finally got away and hurried over to Britney, but as soon as he did his eyes moved from Britney to a figure coming up behind her. She followed his gaze to his mother.

�Sweetie you were great out there!� Lynn said as she walked up next to the couple.

�Thank you mamma.� He glanced sheepishly at Britney. �Mamma, this is Britney.�

Lynn turned her attention to the pretty blond. �You�re Lynne�s daughter. I�ve heard a lot about you, it�s very nice to meet you.� She said kindly and touched Britney�s shoulder.

Justin blushed, hoping that Britney wouldn�t realize that it was him who rattled on about her, not her mother.

�You too.� Britney smiled.

There was a short moment of awkward silence between the three of them. Lynn glanced back and forth between the two teens. �Well honey I�ll see you at home.�

�Okay.� He nodded.

�Britney please tell your mother I said hello.�

�I will.�

Lynn smiled and gave Justin a kiss on the cheek before walking away.

Justin moved closer to Britney. They started to walk towards the gym exit in silence.

It was almost 7 and dark out as they walked up the grassy hill towards the parking lot. It was noisy also, everyone was pumped about the game and the party.

�I�m glad you came.� Justin said abruptly.

�So am I. You guys were great.�

�Thanks.� He said and wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they walked through the parking lot towards Britney�s ride.

�So I�ll see you in a bit?� Justin said after they stopped at Camille�s car.

�Right.� She stared into his eyes trying not to conceal her excited.

Justin leaned down and wrapped his arms around Britney�s waste in embrace. They eventually broke apart when hoots erupted from the other side of the car. Justin looked over Britney�s shoulder to the handful of cheerleaders and goofy girl basketball players �Ooooh�-ing at them.

Britney�s cheeks flushed in embarrassment and Justin made a weird face at the girls before bring his gaze back to Britney.

�Bye.� He said quietly and walked in the opposite direction towards his car.

Britney turned around to face all her friends who began to howl and hoot at her once again. She rolled her eyes and reluctantly got in Camille�s car knowing full well they�d get her even more nervous about her date with Justin then she already was.

�

Justin hopped out of his Ford pickup and walked up Britney�s steps to her door. He rang the doorbell and shoved his hands in the pockets of his blue jeans as he waited for the door to open.

�Hi Justin. Come on in.� Lynne said with a warm smile as she opened the door for him. Justin stepped into the house. �Britney�s still upstairs, I�m sure she�ll be down any minute. I have food in the oven so I have to get in there before it burns, living room�s that way,� she said pointing past the stairwell, �make your self at home sweetie.�

�Thank you ma�am.� He said as she disappeared through the kitchen doors. Justin slowly made his way into the living room. He moved to the mantel above the fireplace, observing the pictures of Jaime Lynn and little Britney, her brother�s football trophies, then his eyes moved to the small �best teacher ever� glass apple he had given Lynne Spears when she was his 5th grade teacher. He chuckled lightly. Next to it was a more recent picture of Britney from a school play last year.

She was beautiful. She was beautiful and she didn�t even know it. Everything about her was beautiful, her soft golden blond hair, her big brown eyes, her dazzling smile. That smile was contagious, almost as contagious as her laugh. Her laugh echoed through his head like music that vibrated in his ears.

But pretty girls were a dime a dozen. She had that special kind of beauty, that rare beauty that flowed inside and out. She had the biggest heart he had ever seen, how was it possible that some guy hadn�t snatched her up yet? She never put on the phony act. She was never pretentious about who she was or who he was. How could he have gone all that time, attending the same school as her, and not even tried to start up a conversation, not tried to get to know her. He was an idiot.

Before he realized much time passed by, a voice behind him made him nearly jump out of his skin.

�Hey!� A small voice squealed happily. Justin turned around to see Jaime Lynne smiling up at him.

�Hey.� He chuckled out nervously. �You shouldn�t sneak up on people like that��

�Justin!� She half sang as she grabbed his hand and yanked him over to the couch. They plopped down and Jamie Lynn cuddled up to his arm.

�So, you�re taking out Britney on a date?�

�Yep.� He smiled proudly.

�What are you doing here?� She asked as she played with his fingers in her hands.

�Didn�t we just go over that�?� He raised an eyebrow and let out a small laugh.

�Britney doesn�t go on a lot of dates.� She said abruptly.

�Really?� Justin was a bit taken aback. He always assumed Britney would have had tons of dates, not that she got around or anything, just that she had a lot of offers and probably accepted one every once and a while.

�Only a few times she went out with boys. And they never came in the house. They would honk and just wait in the car for her to come out.�

�Oh�� Justin furrowed his eyebrows. �Well I�m different.� He smiled down at Jamie Lynn.

�I know.� She said before giggling and hugging Justin�s arm tighter.

A few minutes later Britney came down the stairs and into the living room to find Justin and Jamie Lynn laughing on the couch together. Britney�s heart warmed at the sight. One, Justin was in her house, waiting for her like a gentleman; and two, he had Jamie Lynn completely enchanted and laughing hysterically at his goofy jokes.

Jamie Lynn smiled up at Britney when she saw her walk into the room. Justin followed the small girl�s gaze to her sister.

�Hey�� He said in a husky voice as he slowly stood up from the couch trying his best not to stare at her too obviously. She looked amazing. She was wearing a denim skirt and a tummy bearing, low cut, pink Abercrombie top.

�You look purty�� Jamie Lynn read Justin�s mind.

�Thank you baby.� Britney said, smiling down lovingly at her little sister. Justin could only stand there speechless, mesmerized by her beauty.

�Should we get going?� Britney said trying to contain her excitement.

�Yep.� Justin finally came to and grabbed his letterman�s jacket off the arm of the sofa.

Jamie Lynn quickly jumped up from her seat. �Can I come?� She said in a tiny voice staring up at Justin.

�Next time kiddo! I promise.� He said and flashed her his crooked smile. She grinned brightly, nodding at him. Britney�s heart instantly began to flutter when her little sister wrapped her arms tightly around Justin�s waste. Justin returned her affection and wrapped his free arms around her shoulders.

Justin smiled to himself when Britney bent down to give her sister a kiss and exchange �I love you�s. She held so much love for her little sister, and visa versa.

They walked though the house and stopped when they reached the kitchen�s doors.

�Bye Mamma.� Britney yelled into the kitchen.

�Oh, bye sweetie be careful okay?�

�I will.� She said letting the doors close. Justin opened the front door for her and then the door to his truck.

�You chariot awaits ma� lady.� Justin said in a goofy accent, bowing his head as he held the door open.

�Thank you sir.� Britney mocked his accent and giggled as she climbed in.

�Nice truck, this yours?� She said once they are both in the vehicle.

�Thanks. And yea� well kinda. It�s my dads, he sorta gave it to me, I�m the only one that ever drives it, he has a new one.�

�I see. Why don�t you drive it to school?� She asked curiously.

�Well I only drive this puppy when I�m trying to pick up hot chicks�� He said and winked.

�Oh yea? Any luck finding any so far?� She giggled.

�Just one.� He glanced at her, noticing her smile. �Actually it doesn�t fit in our garage, my mom�s that is, so I keep it at my dad�s place.� Justin looked over to Britney who was listening intently to what he was saying. �They got divorced�� He mumbled.

�I�m sorry.� She said quietly, afraid she may have asked to many questions and upset him.

�It�s okay. They got divorced when I was like 10, both my mom and dad are re-married. It�s coo.�

His smile puts her at ease.

�So, sorry about Jamie Lynn. She can get�� Britney trailed off, searching for the right word.

�Adorable?� Justin smirked, his eyes remaining on the road.

�That�s one way of putting in.� Britney giggled, �But she really likes you.� She said seriously and Justin smiled.

�So I met you sister, your brother, and your mom, when am I gonna get to meet the old man?�

�I don�t know if you ever will�� Britney chuckled out sadly. Justin�s eyes softened as he glanced at her and noticed her grim expression.

�Is he�?� Justin said quietly, afraid to finish his sentence.

�No,� Britney said quickly, knowing what Justin was thinking, �he�s just� not around much. He owns this big Construction Company in Tennessee that my grandfather left him. It�s really important to him� usually more important then us.� She said softly, looking out the front window, lost in thought.

�I�m sorry�� He wanted to say more, make her feel better, but he didn�t know what else to say. It was their first date and he didn�t want to screw it up by making her uncomfortable.

�No, it�s fine, really.� Britney snapped out of her thoughts to look at Justin. She didn�t want him didn�t feel bad for accidentally bringing up such a touchy subject.

She slid her hand in his right one that rested on the seat between them. He smiled and squeezed her hand gently.

Britney switched on the radio to Brown Eyed Girl.

�I love this song!� She squealed.

�Really? You like Van Morrison?� He looked surprised.

�Yea!� She exclaimed. They continued their conversation about music all the way to Tod�s house.

When they pulled up to his house they could hear the wild party from outside. People walked across his lawn into the loud mansion.

�Is it just me or has this house gotten even bigger since the last time I was here?� Britney said as she observed the 3-story chateau in front of her.

�Not just you, they added a second wing on the other side of their 4 car garage last spring.�

�Oh��

Tod�s family invented like cue tips or owned a chain of cardboard box factories� something. But he was loaded, a little stuck up, but he loved to throw huge blowout parties. This was the third one he had that school year already. He threw these parties at least twice a month, he made up random occasions like his dog�s birthday, or Secretary�s Day, or Canadian Syrup Appreciation Day, anything really.

Justin usually got dragged there by the team, who were always up for a insane Tod Miller kegger.

Britney usually avoided these kinds of parties, where she was vulnerable to getting felt up by drunken horn balls. But this time was different, she was there with Justin, she trusted him and knew she�d have a good time. She always had a good time when she was with him.

�Hey Justaaaaaaan the man!!!� A drunken Jeffery yelled over the blaring music as they stepped through the doorway.

�Hey Jeff�� Justin said, slapping his hand.

�Whoa, who�s the hottie?� He slurred looking Britney up and down. Justin opened his mouth to say something but was cut off. �Is that Britney Spears!? Hahaha! I didn�t know you partied!� Jeff yelled as he moved closer.

�You should party with me�� Some guy standing next to Jeff mumbled before taking a swig of beer and nodding his head at Britney.

Justin scrunched up his nose at the guys and glanced at Britney, who was staring wide eyed at them. He could tell she was growing uncomfortable already, 2 seconds into the party.

Justin smiled reassuringly at her as he grabbed her hand and intertwined their fingers. She smiled back and Justin lead her though the hallway and into the living room.

It was packed, seemed like ever jock, cheerleader, rocker, prep, stoner, and �gangsta� were at the party. They had turned the spacious living room into a huge dance floor, or what looked to be a moshpitt without the moshing. It was only 8pm but the unruly crowd seemed to already be hammered.

They looked around the crowd, both of them knew many of the people there, but neither could spot any close friends. Justin held on to Britney�s hand tightly as he slowly pushed his way through the crowd, with Britney trailing closely behind him. She got a few dirty looks from girls she�d seen around school when they notice whose hand she was holding.

As they inched their way though the crowd, Britney gripping Justin�s hand tightly, she began to wish she had worn something a little less skimpy. It was a sea of people and guys kept purposely bumping into her or brushing against her ass.

Britney pushed one guy away just to have another grab her waste and pull her towards him.

�Hey!� She shouted, pushing against his chest as he drew her in closer by her waste. This guy was obviously drunk and much stronger than she was, he looked to be about 20.

�This is a dance floor� so dance.� He said in a creepy slurred voice as he moved her tiny waste with his. She tensed up when his hand slowly traveled down her back.

Justin felt a tug on his hand when Britney was pulled away. He glanced back and noticed some guy with his hands all over her.

�Dance with yourself shit head!� She growled under her breath. She struggled to get away but it was so packed she was sandwiched between people and just kept getting bumped back into him.

Justin grabbed the guy�s hand and ripped it off Britney�s back, then pushed him away as hard as he could. The guy was quickly devoured into the thick crowd. Justin placed his hand on the small of her back and pulled her in front of him to continue their journey through the mass of people.

�Thanks.� She said and flashed him a half smile. He just nodded. She took both his hands from behind her and brought them in front of her, pulling his body against hers. He rested one hand on the side of her hip and used the other one to gently push people out of their way.

When they got out of the pit they walked through a dining room that was being used as the pizza room, there were about 30 large pizza boxes spread out over the long table. People were sitting around eating, talking, and playing cards.

�Want some?� Justin said into Britney�s ear, motioning to the pizza. Britney shook her head and pulled him along until they reached a back door.

Out back was an Olympic size swimming pool, it was lit up for the girls in skimpy bathing suits who were flirting around with topless guys.

The cement patio had a large bar with a few kegs and a bunch of tables and chairs scattered around.

Justin and Britney looked over to their left and found all of their friends lounging around a big circular white patio table.

�Hey Cowboy!� Chris yelled from the table when he spotted the couple.

�Hey guys.� Justin said.

Britney and her friends subtly exchanged excited glances, they all knew how happy she must be on her date with Justin.

Justin snatched the last empty chair from the table next to the one they were all sitting at and slid it over in front of Britney for her to sit down. Britney shook her head and pulled him down to sit in the chair and then slowly sat down on his lap sideways, facing Laura Lynn in the chair next to theirs. Justin brought his right arm around her back and locked it with his other, encircling her waste with his arms. She did the same, wrapping her arms around his neck, leaning sideways into his chest.

�I propose a toast!� JC announced as he stood up. �To our cap-i-tan�!�

Everyone on the patio raised their glasses.

JC chuckled before continuing, �For leading us to our 4th consecutive victory this season and because I know he will take us all the way!�

�Here here!� They yelled, �To Justin!�

Justin turned beat red and nuzzled Britney�s shoulder trying to hide behind her. Everyone continued to cheer.

Justin smiled and held up his plastic cup of soda. �Thank you guys, but our team is the best so I have no doubt we will win the playoffs and make it to the finals. That 1st place Cup will be locked securely in the Cooper Grove trophy case by February!�

They all broke out into hoots.

Several minutes later the booming music cut out and an extra light shined down onto the large grassy area next to the pool.

Tod walked out onto the clearing of grass down the small hill on his estate. Two of his buddies followed behind him, carrying big brown shopping bags. They put them on the ground and proceeded to empty their continents.

�For those of you that are still conscious I�ve got a very special surprise!� Tod yelled at everyone in his back yard. He bent down and picked up a long object from one of the bags. �A light show.� He grinned and took a few steps back from his friends. �Tommy if you would�� He said motioning towards his bag of tricks.

Tommy bent down and from the bag he pulled some fireworks the size of paint cans. He set them up away from the others and carefully lit their string. The cannons rocketed into the air then exploded, lighting up the night�s sky.

Justin looked at Britney and noticed her amusement as she smiled up at the colorful fireworks.

Their friends around them watched as well as they chatted amongst themselves. Justin slowly nudged Britney to get off his lap, she did. He grabbed his jacket off the back of the chair.

�Where are you going?� She asked curiously. Justin simply smiled and took her hand in his. He motioned towards a quiet place on the edge of the small hill above Tod�s firework-launching area. Britney didn�t say a word as he led her over to the grass.

When Justin found a spot he liked he laid his jacket out on the grass and sat down next to it, bending his knees towards his chest. Britney sat down on his jacket and scooted over close to him, hugging his arm.

�Best seat in the house.� Justin said, referring to the fireworks Tod continued to fire off into the sky.

The party was still raging behind them but it was peaceful where they were sitting.

They watched as Tod and his friends set up another firework at the bottom of the hill. Britney and Justin followed the next comet that whistled into the air, turning the sky red, green and white with beautiful large chrysanthemum bursts. The white bursts also produced blue stars and red hearts.

When Britney looked back down from the sky at Justin he was staring at her with the same love struck gaze he�d had the entire night. She smiled shyly as her cheeks begin to flush. Britney rested her head on Justin�s shoulder and snuggled up closer. He tilted his head to meet the top of hers as they both watched the display of bright lights in front of them.

They sat there in silence, enjoying the moment, enjoying each other, for about 10 minutes until the lights faded away into the dark night.

�All rights kiddies, that�s all we got for tonight!� Tod yelled from the bottom of the hill and all his guests �Awwww!� sadly.

Britney lifted her head from Justin�s shoulder and turned to him.

�That was beautiful.� She said smiling at him.

�You�re beautiful.� His voice was shy. Those words surprised her, Britney�s smile grew serious and her eyes flickered as they latched on to his. Everything else seemed to fade away.

Her heart started racing, pounding in her throat. She licked her lips and slowly inched her face closer and closer to his.

Justin�s stomach was about to explode with butterflies, his eyes grew wide when he felt her warm breaths on his face. He could smell her shampoo and perfume. She smelled like cream and wildflowers. It was intoxicating.

They closed their eyes as their lips met, slightly parted and fitting together perfectly. Justin kissed her top lip then captured her bottom. A moment later they heard faint whistles of more fireworks and muffled crackles erupting from above.

The kiss grew deeper as Justin�s tongue lightly licked her bottom lip. She tasted like raspberry lip-gloss and Dr. Pepper, which instantly became his two favorite things.

They broke apart and slowly opened their eyes. The multitude of colors illuminating from the sky gleamed gentle tints on their faces.

A single strand of hair fell into her face, before she had a chance to brush it away Justin found himself doing it for her. His fingertips grazed her cheek, sending a small shiver up the length of her spine.

Britney was at a lost for words, a surge of electricity swept through her body that she had never felt before. Moments like these didn't come along very often, at least not for her. But in their hearts knew that they would do anything for more moments like this.