Fantasy Vacation- Chapter 9



I walked back to the pool after my long talk with Lauren. Jess was still sitting in her same spot quietly talking to Lance. He was also in his same spot. Justin was sitting next to JC. Both of his cheeks were bright red and a little bit purple. I knew it was going to bruise. Serves him right. Nobody makes fun of my friends. And what he did to Lauren was unforgiveable.

I walked over to Joey. He was sitting by himself with his head down. I sat next to him and softly patted his head. That's when he looked at me. I was taken aback. What happened while I was gone?

I gently touched Joey's fat lip. He winced and I moved my hand. "What happened?". My voice was a tad bit angry. But I was really more concerned then anything else. Joey grabbed my wrists with his hands.

"If I tell you what happened you have to promise me you won't go after Justin". I disliked this already. I could tell Justin had done something to Joey. He probably punched him because of me. I felt guilty. maybe I shouldn't have slapped Justin. No...I'm sure that was for the best. It was that stupid little pricks fault I hit him.

"Okay", I said reluctantly.

"After you ran out of the room Justin started hollering about how I should learn to keep my girlfriend under control". He looked at me for a reaction. I was blazing with anger.

"Control me?!".

"Shh...I'm not finished yet". I closed my mouth and stared into Joey's eyes. I could feel his hands tighten on my wrists. Almost like he was protecting me from myself. "Then before I knew it Justin flung himself at me and punched me in the mouth. It hurt like hell but I'll be alright. The other guys don't know what to think and JC...well JC sided with Justin".

"He sided with Justin?". The quizzical expression on my face persuaded Joey to speak further.

"He's just mad at Erin and you're his only association. I'm sorry, Lana".

"Don't be. It's not mine or your fault that a couple of your friends are acting like arrogant assholes".

"Hey now".

"Joey, don't defend them".

"I feel the need to".

"Why?".

"I've known them for years. The guys are some of the few people I can trust".

"What about me?".

"Lana...you know I trust you".

"It's just if you had to chose between me and them you'd chose them". I turned my head slightly. I knew what I had said was true. Joey didn't defend it immediately. He knew I was right also. Even though it made sense it was still disheartening. At this point in our relationship I was ready to die for him. That made me question his motives.

"So...uh...what did you and Lauren talk about?". The fact that Joey didn't even try to deny my last statement worried me. Did he care at all? Was I some convienent fling? Thoughts raged through my head, clouding it. Making everything blurry. I really didn't like that.

"I'm not sure that's any of your business".

"Come on, Lana. I'm your boyfriend...shouldn't you tell me stuff like this?". Now I was really pissed. Maybe the whole day upset me or something...but I had had it.

The glare I gave Joey showed him that he had gone to a bad area. I mean he practically told me my place in his life isn't that big or special. Then he goes off about how I should share stuff with my "boyfriend".

I stood up and walked away. "Lana", Joey called. I could tell he was starting to follow me. I quickened my pace. "Lana!".

Joey tried to grab my hand. I turned around. "Stay away from me. Okay?". My eyes bore into his before I turned around and ran away.

When I was inside my room I slammed the door. I sat down in front of the door and sobbed.

A moment later a friendly hand touched my shoulder. It was Lauren. I looked up at her. "Why is this all happening?".

"Because God can be such a bitch sometimes". I giggled.

"You're such a good friend, Lauren. I don't know what I would do without you sometimes".

"Is that why you slapped Justin?". I giggled again.

"I'm not the only one who slapped Justin. Besides he deserved it more then Joey did". I started to cry again. Lauren pulled me closer to her. Her arm was slung around my shoulder.

"What are you talking about?".

"Justin hit Joey. Oh god...Joey...he hates me...I just walked away from him. I told him to stay away from me. I don't want that, Lauren". I sobbed loudly.

"Oh sweetie. It's gonna be alright. Joey doesn't hate you. I've seen the way he looks at you. He loves you".

"Then why would he chose them over me? Even after Justin punched him for no good reason". I knew I had Lauren stumped.

"You need to think positive". I knew it. I was screwed over. Joey wasn't going to want to see me anymore.

"Lauren?". I paused. I wasn't sure how to say this without it coming out wrong. "If you could take it all back...everything...would you?".

"You mean my situation?". I nodded. "Lana, this is my problem. You shouldn't have to go through any of this...".

"Would you?".

"In an instant".

"That's what I thought".

"It's just...I...I'd...I'd like to know what it'd be like to have children one of these days. And...I want to trust people again...and not be so shy...and be able to let people, specifically guys, touch me. I know that because of this I have a lot more experience in life ... but the hell I've been through shouldn't be wished on anybody".

"You know the names could be just a coincidence".

"I'm not so sure. How many Justin Randall Timberlake's are there out there? I should have realized it earlier. I never thought...I didn't know he had a son...I thought it was all a lie when he told me...I certainly didn't think that David's son was in 'N SYNC...I never thought I'd meet him". She sighed deeply. Lauren had just taken the biggest step ever. She said his name. For years she had been calling her step dad him or other variations. Now Lauren had said David.

The question now was what to do about this. Lauren obviously needed to do something. I think she should talk to Justin. Maybe he didn't realize he said that to Lauren. And maybe he didn't realize the way his hands lingered...How could he? Justin couldn't be like his biological father...right?

I got up and walked to the bathroom. I washed my face. 

"Are you okay?", Lauren asked.

"Yeah. I'm gonna go downstairs. I need to talk to somebody".

"Joey?".

"Yes". It was a lie but Lauren couldn't tell. I needed to talk to Justin. I knew the pain Lauren was in. Justin brought that all back. Indirectly it was all his fault. I was going to straighten the whole thing out.

After saying goodbye to Lauren I waked back to the pool area.

I saw Justin and started walking towards him. I felt a hand on my arm and stopped.

"You're not going to attack him, are you?", Joey's voice asked.

"No, of course not. I just want to talk to him".

"What about me?".

"What about you?".

"Don't you want to talk to me?".

"Joe, I asked you to stay away from me. Please respect that. I don't mean forever. Just a couple of hours". I walked away. Joey's voice stopped me.

"I'm really sorry, Lana. I don't know what I did or said but I can't take this". The pain in Joey's voice was sincere. I felt sorry. I walked back to Joey and pulled him into a tight hug.

"I'm sorry, Joey. I just need to talk to Justin for a while. I'll talk to you later. Don't be sad. You are way too pretty to be sad". He giggled, which made me smile. "We're okay". Joey sniffled. That almost made me break down. I knew I had been wrong in my thoughts of Joey earlier. He obviously cared a lot about me.

I pulled away. "Don't be too long", he whispered. "I love you".

"I love you too". I then walked over to Justin. He was still sitting next to JC. They were both brooding and by the looks of them going over there wasn't going to be my idea of fun.

"Hey guys", I said barely above a whisper as I approached. "Can I talk to you, Justin?". He nodded. "Alone?". Justin stood up and walked to an unoccupied side of the room. I followed him and took a seat on the chair next to the on he sat in.

"Talk", he grumbled. Already this was going down hill. I took a deep breath and began.

"Justin, I want to talk to you about what happened earlier".

"With Lauren?".

"Yes. And I'd like to apologize for the way I acted. It was irrational even though I don't regret it".

"I understand why you slapped me and you are forgiven. So what did you wanna talk about concerning Lauren".

"Are you adopted?".

"How does that concern Lauren?".

"It does. Just answer the question".

"Yes. My fathers brother adopted me. I never knew my biological father. I only know that we have the same name". They share a lot more then that.

"Earlier...the reason Lauren freaked...let me start from the begining. Lauren's father died when she was really young. She never knew her real father either. But she knew yours". Justin looked stunned. He also had a questioning look about him. He was confused.

"Okay...go on".

"When Lauren was seven years old her mother married her boyfriend, your father". This new info only shocked Justin more. I continued. "He was very abusive...he...he...oh...god...Justin he used to sexually abusive Lauren and her brother". Justin gasped.

"Please continue", he said shakily.

"Lauren had to have surgery and she can't have children. It was very bad. Her brother, Peter, had to see a shrink for a while but he's okay now. Lauren on the other hand is older and was subjected to it longer. That's why she was shy. She isn't comfortable with men especially".

"Is that why she slapped me?". Justin looked so hurt and confused and I pitied him. More then I had ever pitied anyone in my entire life. The next part of the story wasn't going to make him feel any better.

"Justin...Lauren's step dad had always said that he had a real son. He would talk all the time about his son, Justin Randall Timberlake...". Justin cut me off.

"What was his name?".

"David Justin Timberlake. I'm not sure if that's his real name or not. He might have been adopted too. I think that's what screwed him up".

"What did I do to Lauren?". More pain was in his voice. So much I wanted to cry for him. He was in fact several years younger then me. Fine it was only like three, but still. He was too young to deal with this. Nobody is old enough to deal with this.

"Justin...the things you said, the way you said them, and the way you slightly touched her...that was...your father...he used to do that...before he would assault her. It was bad because not only are you his son but it brought back terrible memories. Lauren's afraid of you".

"She's afraid of me?".

"You look a lot like your father".

"What can I do?".

"Well...Lauren doesn't want to come downstairs anymore. Not with you around. I think if you talk to her you can show her that you're nothing like David. I don't really know you, but I think it's obvious you don't want to be like him or are like him. It was just a silly little coincidence".

"What happened to David?". I was glad Justin didn't call him his father. Justin's biological father isn't nearly as important as the one that raised him.

"After Peter and Lauren ran away for the third time they told their mother what was happening. She didn't believe them at first. But she accidently saw it one day. She had David arrested and got the kids some help. I only wish that he never gets out".

"He's still in jail?".

"I hope so". The look in Justin's eyes told me the same thing as I had said. It was a tough way to find out about one of your parents but he needed to know.

Justin wiped at his eyes. The tears seemed to keep on coming. I pulled Justin into a hug. He immediately leaned on me and sobbed openly. Of course it drew some surprised glances from around the room. Especially since I had slapped Justin earlier.

I stroked the top of Justin's head gently. It was a comforting motion. Justin soon stopped crying and tried to compose himself. I wiped the tears off of his cheek and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"I am really sorry I hurt you, you know?".

"You already apologized, Lana".

"I know".

"I don't hold grudges. Especially after what you just told me".

"Are you going to talk to Lauren?".

"Definitely. I need to apologize. I want to be her friend. I have the need to correct David's wrongs".

"Justin...nothing you can do can take back what David did to Lauren".

"I can try to make her life just a little bit more worth living". I smiled. Justin stood up and gave me his hand. He helped pull me up and we walked over to the elevator.

"You're gonna need this". I reached into my pocket and pulled out the key to my room. "Promise me you won't push her. If she refuses to talk to you leave her alone. Please she's been through a lot and I don't think she'll be very comfortable with you around".

"I'll just tell her what I need to and leave if she wants me to". Justin stepped on the elevator. He gave me a little wave as the doors shut. I walked over to Joey.

I put my hands on his cheeks and softly kissed his forehead. "My lips aren't broken you know. I think they just need to be kissed to feel better". I smiled at Joey before placing my lips on his.

"Is everything getting better now?", Joey asked after we broke apart.

"I hope so. I explained to Justin what had happened earlier and why. He's going to try to talk to Lauren. I talked with Lauren earlier and tried to slay some demons. She talked with me when I came back upstairs all upset. That's what convinced me to talk to Justin".

"What about JC?".

"Do I have to fix everything?". My voice sounded very whiney. I moved and sat on Joey's lap. "Don't you do any fixing?".

"It's just not right to interrupt the master".

"I'm not the master. Can you believe I've never had to deal with something like this before? I'm more of an instigator then a referee". Joey chuckled.

"Wanna instigate something now?". I rolled my eyes.

"Do you really think that's appropriate?".

"You didn't seem to mind when we were in Justin's room this morning".

"What were you guys doing this morning anyway?".

"Setting up something for JC. We wanted to do a little bit of celebrating for his birthday before hand".

"Cuz y'all will be separated when the big day arrives. I get it".

"It's going to be a big surprise. I just hope JC appreciates it".

"Why wouldn't he?".

"Cuz he's all pissy that Erin left. That's why I wanted you to fix him".

"Make Jess do it".

"Does Jess fix things?".

"All the time. Didn't I tell you she was the mother of the group. Except when Lauren's around. She tends to get a tad bit crazy when their together. You'd think they were best friends. Did I mention that Jess and I are best friends and Lauren and Erin are best friends".

"Y'all are opposited".

"Opposites attract".

"What about us?".

"We're kind of opposites".

"Not even. We have a helluva lot in common, Lana".

"Liar!".

"Okay, fine. We have a lot of differences to. But I think the scale is even".

"You would".

"Hey! What does that mean?".

"What do you want it to mean?".

"That Joey is fabulously attractive and you can't keep your hands and eyes off of him. You think that in a perfect world Joey could be naked all the time so you could stare at his body and do your worst. You would of course also be naked all the time. For when Joey needs loving. You feel like your main purpose in this world is to keep Joey happy. Afterall he has the body of the most beautiful Greek God". I laughed.

"You want it to mean that? Are you insane?".

"Possibly. I was just rambling on about a bunch of crap a moment ago. I think it had to do with us breaking world records for the longest orgasm". I raised my eyebrow at him.

"That was the first time I've heard you use the word orgasm. Thank god you didn't use it in your little speech earlier. Are you trying to scare me off?".

"No. I was kind of hoping to get you all hot and bothered".

"You little skank".

"I am not a skank. I'm Joey. That'smy excuse".

"That's your excuse for everything".

"Not everything".

"Oh really?".

"Yeah. My excuse for going out with you is that I feel bad because you worship me so".

"I worship you?". I raised my eyebrow again. Joey smiled.

"It's pretty hard not to admire me, Lana. I feel your pain". I playfully smacked his stomach. Then I turned on his lap so I was straddling him.

"I think I'm pretty irresistable myself".

"Not nearly as much as I am, though".

"If that's the way you feel...I guess I'll have to stop kissing you, and other stuff you like to do. I mean I am really easily resisted. You won't miss me at all".

Ten minutes later I had Joey kissing my feet. Oh yeah, I'm irresistable. It definitely gave me a boost of self esteem.

It was dinner time when I next saw Lauren. Somehow Justin had convinced her to go to dinner with him... alone. I was a little bit worried. Afterall it was a complete change in character for her, but I assumed they had lots to talk about. Although I wasn't sure how close I wanted them to get. If they were to form a real relationship Lauren could seriously get hurt.

The problem I saw was that Lauren would get caught up in Justin's niceness and think it was more then it was. After all Lauren had never been in a relationship before and didn't know what to expect.

I was also afraid that Justin would start something and go to fast. He had obviously liked Lauren's appearance. He did whistle.

But then again I shouldn't get into it much. It wasn't my life and Lauren wasn't my daughter. She is older then me afterall.

"Are you going to stop worrying about Lauren or what?", Joey asked later that night. "It's not like Justin's going to do anything that would make her feel uncomfortable". I nodded.

"I'll try to stop worrying but I make no guarentees".

"I could always distract you".

"How?".

"There are several ways to go about a distraction. I could do this". Joey softly kissed my neck a few times.

"That one is good", I agreed.

"Or I could do this". Joey kissed the spot behind my ear that always made me moan. I of course did moan. Which in turn made Joey smile cockily.

"That one is really good".

"Or we could get naked and host a private party".

"Can we invite Mathew Perry. He's a great acter and I bet he looks real good na-...". Joey stopped my talking with a soft kiss.

"I was thinking we each should only invite one other person".

"Good. That means I could still invite Math-...". Joey kissed me again. This time taking a longer time to do so.

"But If I invite you and you invite Mathew Perry who will invite me?".

"Can he invite someone?". Joey laughed.

"Let's keep this a one on one sort of thing".

"Alright then I tell Mathew you won't be coming".

"Why would you chose him over me?".

"He doesn't pick on me".

"You pick on me".

"That's different".

"How so?".

"I'm allowed to pick on you but you can't pick on me".

"Oh now that that's all cleared up can I stay?".

"Fine. But you might have to fight Mathew off".

"I'll do my best".