FTGWHE1

Chapter One

�Yes, I realize that it�s an important affair.......No, I am not trying to be difficult.......I�m twenty-five, I can make my own decisions.......Do I really have to go?.......Can�t you tell them I have a show?.......Yes, I know I�m not on tour, but still......Fine, what time?......I�ll be there.......Yeah, bye.�

With a click of a button, the cell phone shut off. The young man stuffed the phone forcefully back into his pocket. He turned around to be faced with four pairs of curious eyes.

�So what did you get suckered into doing this time?� Chris asked his friend.

�Formal dinner,� JC said with a sigh and a roll of his eyes.

�That doesn�t sound so bad,� Lance said, trying to be helpful.

JC just shook his head at him. �It is when it�s with the Worthington�s.�

The four pairs of eyes all widened at the mention of the family JC was to be having dinner with.

�You�re going to be having dinner with the Worthington�s?� Justin asked, impressed.

�Unfortunately,� JC said, flopping down in the chair next to Joey.

�Would you mind telling me what the problem is with having dinner with the most important family in Orlando?� Chris asked.

�Not to mention the hottest girl in Orlando. What I wouldn�t give to have dinner with Alicia Worthington,� Joey added.

�Ding, ding, ding. There�s the problem,� JC said, grimacing at hearing Alicia�s name.

�Since when is Alicia Worthington a problem?� Joey asked.

JC thought back through his life at all the issues he�s had with Alicia. �Since always,� he responded. �Ever since we were little she has tried to make my life a living hell.�

The guys all looked at JC disbelievingly. How could they have not known that he was on close terms with the most influential family in Orlando? If JC had known the Worthington�s his whole life, surely it should�ve been brought up at some point in time.

�How do you know the Worthington�s and how come we never knew you did?� Lance asked.

JC sighed. He hated talking about the Worthington�s. Granted, Bill and Jackie were nice enough, he just couldn�t stand Alicia. How this one girl could infuriate him so much was beyond him. He had never brought it up before because he hated how everyone gawked over Alicia and asked questions about her. In his opinion she was just another spoiled brat that didn�t deserve all that she was given.

�My mother and Alicia�s mother, Jackie, were roommates in college. Unfortunately, they kept in touch and so now they�re �friends of the family�. We�ve been having these kinds of affairs ever since I can remember. I never brought it up before because I never felt the need to.�

�But it�s Alicia Worthington!� Joey exclaimed, still in shock that one of his best friends knew the most attractive girl in, probably, all of Florida.

�Believe me, she�s not all she�s cracked up to be,� JC smirked. �Besides she�s got a boyfriend. How she got one, I will never know, but she does.�

Joey pouted at hearing that bit of information.

�So what time is this shindig tonight?� Justin asked.

�Seven-thirty,� JC groaned. He only had a few hours to retain as much of his sanity as he could.

�Need company?� Joey asked hopefully.

JC just shook his head at Joey. He would do anything to meet a beautiful girl.

�I think I can manage on my own. Maybe it won�t be so bad. Oh, who the hell am I kidding? I�d rather have a lobotomy,� he moaned.

The guys all looked sympathetically at JC.

�Well have fun buddy,� Justin said, getting out of his seat. �I have a date to go get ready for.�

�So where are you and the Silicon Queen going tonight?� Chris asked, giving Justin his best �I really am interested� look.

Justin threw Chris a menacing glance before replying, �For your information, Britney and I are no longer together. We�ve been separated for at least a month now.�

�Well then. So who is his royal highness escorting this evening?� Chris asked in a haughty voice.

�Remember that girl from New York? She�s in Orlando for some kind of competition so I told her I�d take her out,� Justin replied, matter of factly.

�Well you kiddies have a good night,� Chris said to Justin�s retreating form. �You too JC. Good luck.�

�Thanks, I�ll need it,� JC said as he got up to leave. �I�ll need all the luck in the world.�

********************

�Looks like they got to you too.�

JC mumbled something unintelligible as he hung up his jacket in the hall closet.
�I don�t see why we all have to go to this,� Tyler, JC�s brother, complained. �Who cares if Alicia graduated from Harvard, top of her class?�

�That�s what this dinner is about?� JC asked incredulously.

�Yeah. There was something else too, but mom and dad didn�t say what it was,� he explained.

�So in other words it�s the �Alicia Show� tonight. Oh fun.�

Every time they had one of these dinners it was to celebrate one of Alicia�s accomplishments. As successful as JC was, Alicia always found a way to top him. When JC had got into the Mickey Mouse Club, Alicia was moved up a grade. When JC was accepted into Nsync, Alicia graduated a year early as valedictorian. Now that JC had just completed a huge tour, Alicia had just graduated from Harvard, top of her class. It never failed; she always had to out do him.

JC walked farther into the house and found his sister and his mother chatting away at the kitchen table. Both looked up in surprise as he entered the room.

�Hello honey. How are things at the studio?� his mother asked as JC took a seat next to her.

�Things are going well. It�s nice to finally be back after touring for so long,� he responded.

She looked over her son with a scrutinizing eye.

�You look kind of thin. Are you eating enough?�

JC rolled his eyes. �Yes, mom. I�m eating fine.�

�And your hair looks like it�s getting too long. Would you like me to make an appointment for you to get it cut?�

He was about to respond when his father cut in.

�Karen, would you leave the boy alone? He looks fine,� Roy Chasez said.

JC smiled at his father, thankful for the interruption. �So are we ready to go?� he asked. The sooner they got this thing over, the better.

Roy looked at his watch and nodded. �Yeah, let�s head out.�

********************

�Karen! Roy! It�s so good to see you!� Jackie Worthington exclaimed as she opened the front door. �Please, come in.�

Everyone shuffled into the large foyer where the butler took their jackets from them. Following Jackie, they were led into the parlor where Bill was situated, reading the paper.

�Bill, put that away. Our guests are here,� Jackie reprimanded.

Bill folded the paper and set it on the end table next to the chair. He stood up and extended his hand to Roy.

�It�s good to see you all again,� he replied heartily, then taking Karen�s hand and kissing the back of it lightly.

�Likewise Bill,� Roy said. �So where is the girl of the hour?�

JC coughed to hide the snicker that escaped his lips.

�Excuse me,� he said sheepishly.

�Alicia is out with Connor. The two of them should be arriving shortly,� Jackie replied. She then turned her gaze to JC. �Tell me Joshua, how is your little singing group going.�

JC wanted to groaned. He hated it when she referred to Nsync as his �little singing group�. Instead he forced a smile and said, �It�s going great, Mrs. Worthington. We just finished touring and are now back in the studio.�

�How lovely,� she replied.

There was an awkward silence then the creak of the front door signaled someone�s arrival.

�Looks like the little princess is here,� Tyler whispered to JC. He snickered at his brother�s comment and watched as Alicia and her boyfriend, Connor, entered the parlor.

JC had to admit, she was a stunning young woman. She stood at about five foot six and had a very slender, but athletic frame. Her shining golden hair flowed halfway down her back. Her sea-green eyes shimmered above her dazzling smile. She easily could�ve passed for a super-model.

�Mr. and Mrs. Chasez, it is so delightful to see you again,� she charmed as she made her way over.

�Congratulations Alicia. It is quite an achievement to graduate from Harvard top of the class,� Karen said.

Alicia�s smile broadened considerably.

�Oh, it�s really nothing, Mrs. Chasez, but thank you so much.�

She then turned and set her sea-green eyes on JC. He hastily avoided making eye contact with her, but it was too late. She was on her way over.

�Hello Joshua. How nice of you to come tonight,� she said, sickeningly sweet.

�Hello Alicia. Connor,� he replied, eyeing the two.

�I suppose by now you�ve heard the news,� Alicia commented, smiling mischievously at him.

�Yes. It must be something to graduate from Harvard top of the class,� JC responded, a bored expression on his face.

�That�s nothing. I�m talking about what I�m going to be doing now,� she beamed, elated that JC had no clue.

�Oh, do tell Alicia. I�m just brimming with excitement,� JC responded sarcastically.

Alicia smiled widely. This was just going to be too good.

�I�m going to be working for Jive Records,� she said, watching gleefully as JC�s eyes nearly bulged out of his head. �As the assistant manager of Nsync.�