******
JC stared out the window. The guys had asked him earlier if he wanted to go to the movies with them, but he declined, citing the need for sleep. They'd bought it, and left him alone. Alone. That's what he was. He sighed, wishing it would rain so that the weather matched his mood. Instead, it was sunny. He sighed again. He couldn't believe the position he was in. Recording for an album. Famous in Europe, so famous that they couldn't go out without security. They came back here, and no one knew them, and that was nice. He had turned twenty-one just a few weeks ago. He was supposed to be out getting drunk, partying, having fun with girls...
Girls. That was the problem. They just didn't interest him anymore. And it scared the hell out of him.
*****
"What do you mean, Lou?" Chris asked.
"That was MTV. They say they want the I Want You Back video like...yesterday. So we're re-filming it."
"Why?" Joey asked.
"Because, if you hadn't noticed, you all look completely different now than you do in the Europe video. And by the time it's all set, we'll be releasing your album."
"When will that be?" JC asked excitedly.
"March."
"Seriously?"
"Yes. The Backstreet Boys album is selling well, and we want to challenge that..."
Lance wished he would stop comparing them to the other group.
"So when are we filming?"
"Next week."
"You know, my mom is getting a little upset at all the short notice trips we're taking," Justin pointed out.
"Well, soon, you'll have a schedule that tells you all of that." Justin sighed, but nodded in response.
"So what's it gonna be about?" Lance asked.
"Well, we think that we're gonna have it be sort of a 'Get to know 'Nsync' type video," Lou said. "Show you guys having fun and stuff."
"But the song doesn't talk about us having fun," Joey said, bewildered. "We're supposed to be wanting someone to come back."
Lou shrugged. "How many videos do you see that follow the song?" Joey blinked. Lou smirked. "That's what I thought."
*****
"JC, you coming with us?"
"Naw, thanks Joey," JC said.
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
"What about you, Lance?" Joey asked.
Lance looked at JC worriedly. "I think I'll stay here."
"Sure?"
"Yes, Joey," Lance said. "Have fun."
"Your loss," Joey shrugged. "Bye."
"Bye," Lance said.
"You could've gone," JC said to Lance.
"You don't do anything with us anymore," Lance said. "Why not?"
JC shrugged. "I just haven't felt like it."
"Wanna talk about it?"
"Not really."
Lance sighed. "All right. But when you do, let me know." He walked to the door, but stopped when he heard JC's voice.
"When did you first know?"
"Know what?" he asked, puzzled.
"That you were gay?"
"When did I know, or when did I accept it?" Lance asked ruefully.
"Know, I guess..."
"Probably when I realized that my beautiful friend Sarah wasn't so beautiful to me," he said. JC smiled. "Why?"
JC sighed in response and looked out the window. "Just wondering."