| JC knew that what she was about to lay on him wasn�t good. He slowly sat down beside her in the bunk as she rested her elbows on her knees and ran her hands through her long hair. She was almost on the verge of tears already and JC saw it. �JC things aren�t just fine and dandy back home.� A blank look registered on his face and she let out a breath of frustration. She raked her small hands through her soft hair and shut her eyes tightly. �Why does this have to be so hard?� she mumbled to herself. A million questions were racing through JC�s mind, all wanting to be answered. He never had seen his cousin so out of it. She seemed mentally exhausted and it bugged the hell out of him to not know the cause of it all. He pulled Kate�s hand away from her face and gave it a small squeeze of reassurance. She slowly met eyes with him and his were pleading with hers to open up to him. �It�s not that simple.� �I�ll try my best to understand.� Inside she just wanted to throw a pillow over her head and hide herself away from everyone for the next couple of months, but she knew JC wouldn�t let go of it that easily. Only one thing could pull him away from the situation at hand and she thanked her lucky stars when she heard the sweet ringing of a cell phone. He gave the usual roll of the eyes as he answered and Kate found it as the perfect opportunity to make an escape. JC gave her a stern look as she quickly made her get away. Quietly walking into the back of the large bus, she found the youngest of the bunch silently gazing out of the tinted windows. Unaware of her presence, he continued to stare out into the mass of chaos surrounding him. Kate studied the young man carefully and could already see the worn out look clearly written on his face. She shifted her stance and Justin quickly turned to see Kate standing in the doorway. A soft smile came upon his face. �Hey.� �Hey,� she quietly replied. She sat down beside him and looked out the window, curious to see what caught the popstar�s attention. �Some crowd out there, huh?� He leaned his head against the window and turned back to the sight before him. Family and friends were still saying their goodbyes as screams of farewell were heard from the hundreds of fans who came to catch a last glimpse of their idols. A single word wasn�t even uttered and Kate bit her bottom lip, a habit of hers that always occurred when she was in an uncomfortable situation. She was slightly relieved to hear the voices of the other members and Erin coming closer and she looked at Justin one last time. The look to him was somewhat different then before. His shoulders weren�t slumped anymore, his face didn�t have that sunken look, and he plastered on a fake smile as the others entered the room. The only thing that was missing from his fake ensemble was the twinkle in his eyes. All of it was confusing to her and she was worried by it. �Hey chica!� Chris yelled out to Kate and she raised her eyebrows curiously. �What?� She let out a small giggle as he sat down on the other side of her. �Oh nothing.� �Whatever!� he replied as he made his fingers into the shape of a W. �Chris, I think you�re scaring her,� Lance commented as he turned on the TV. �You really need to lay off on the Pixie Stix,� Joey added as he snatched the remote out of Lance�s hand and switched the channel. Lance just looked at him incredulously. Joey slowly turned to see his friend was still staring at him. �What?� he asked as if nothing happened. �I was watching that.� �Now you�re not.� Kate�s jaw almost dropped as she looked back and forth between the two. One looked on nonchalantly as the other looked as if he was ready to breathe fire. Chris started laughing uncontrollably and everyone diverted their attention to him. Erin giggled a little bit as she snuggled closer to Lance. �Sweetie, you look so cute when you�re mad.� �I�m with Chris on this one. It�s is going to be one long tour,� Kate silently mumbled to herself. Justin smiled and patted her leg. �And just think...this is only the beginning.� -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- �Why did we stop?� Kate asked obviously confused. �Pit stop,� Lance answered. Joey held his hand out for Kate to take and JC gave him a look of warning. He just smiled happily as Kate took his hand and then linked arms with him. Chris was overly excited when he saw the place they stopped at and he couldn�t have thanked their driver, James, enough for stopping at a Taco Bell. Kate shook her head with a smile as she walked in with Joey. Lance and Justin had already grabbed a place to sit at while Lance and JC stepped in line to get everyone what they wanted. The two made their way over to the table and Kate slid in next to Justin with Erin sitting on the other side of her while Joey sat across from her. Justin and Kate sat in silence as Joey and Chris poked each other with white, plastic forks and Erin watched their little �fight� in amusement. Kate cleared her throat and was the first to break the odd silence between them. �Ahem...so look at you now popstar...� she started nudging Justin slightly in the arm. �It only seems like yesterday when you and Josh were singing M-I-C-K-E-Y to a bunch of Disney fans.� She smiled inwardly when she saw a slight smile start to form on Justin�s face. His face suddenly had a sunken look again and he was staring at something in the distance. She followed his gaze and her eye caught a trio of teenage girls, only a couple years younger than herself, walk in. Kate looked back at Justin and saw that he had considerably tensed up. She leaned in and whispered, �Justin, relax. This is a fast food restaurant, so I�m sure they came to get some food, just like we did. Don�t worry about it.� He looked at her briefly and turned his gaze down at his hands, which were ripping off tiny bits of napkin. �You�re right,� he said letting out a small chuckle in the process. Kate wasn�t totally sure if this was the whole reason behind why he acted like he had two different personalities, but she was leaning toward this possibility more than anything. True, she hadn�t seen him for God only knows how long, but she saw the toll it took on JC and she was right there to help him through it all. Lance and JC came to the table, each with a tray full of food, and squeezed into the tiny space left on each side. Kate was being crushed against Justin while JC made himself more comfortable on their side. She looked across the table to find Joey and Chris trying their best to make more room for themselves, but Lance was preventing that from happening. She watched in wonder as Joey and Chris whispered their plans to one another before finally using all their strength and pushing Lance out of the booth. She craned her neck and saw that he was sprawled across the floor laughing right along with the others. �Aww, you guys...� she started trying to contain her own laughter. Lance climbed back up onto his seat, only half of him actually sitting on the seat. �At least I know someone cares about me,� he said giving a glare at his girlfriend. �Oh you know I love you,� Erin replied with a laugh. Kate shook her head slightly with a smile. The more she got to know these people, the more she liked them. This was exactly what she needed in her life right now. She left home for several reasons, but one was so she could find herself again. She had never been the same since a couple years ago and she couldn�t believe that she had to go to these lengths to get back her normal self. It was sad, but she had a feeling deep inside that everything would turn out for the best. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (The next day, Atlanta, Georgia) The bus came to a slow stop and everyone stood up to stretch. JC looked down at the sleeping girl and smiled to himself. He shook her gently and she stirred a bit. He shook her again and Kate slowly opened her eyes with a small groan. �Are we there yet?� she asked as she sleepily rubbed her eyes. �You bet,� he replied. �So get up. You don�t want to miss all the action, do you?� JC held out his hand for her to take and she placed hers in his. He pulled her up from her seat and she leaned against him, still trying to wake up. Her feet scuffed the ground as she made her way out of the bus, and she winced when the bright sunlight hit her eyes. As if on cue, both her and JC put their sunglasses on and started walking toward the arena. Once again, people were running around as fast as they could transporting everything into the venue and once again, Kate was amazed by it all. She felt someone grab her hands and before she knew it she was being dragged into the arena by Chris and Justin. �What in the world are you two doing?� she yelled at them, now wide awake, as they pulled her along an empty hallway and into a large area filled with thousands of seats. They all stopped and Kate stared in awe at the sight before her. �Oh my,� was all she could get out. �Pretty amazing, huh?� Justin said giving her a little nudge in the side. She responded with a slow nod of the head as Chris went off on his own to check everything out. �Before you know it, all this junk you see lying around will be one big stage and all these seats will be filled.� �I�ve never been to a concert before.� Justin�s eyes widened at her last statement. �You�ve got to be kidding me.� She just gave him a look and shook her head. �Girl, you�ve been deprived.� She laughed slightly. �Tell me about it,� she mumbled, her statement having a double meaning. Justin grabbed Kate�s hand and pulled her into another hallway. �Where are we going?� �We�re just gonna check out this place,� he said pulling her along. �So what have you all been doing these past four years?� he asked opening the door to a dressing room and poking his head in. �I don�t know. I�ve just been doing the normal teenager things, I guess,� she said bending the truth slightly...okay, a lot. He sighed when he closed the door. �You make it sound so exciting,� he said, his words full of sarcasm. She just shrugged. �Well, what am I supposed to say?� she asked as Justin opened the door to another dressing room. She peeked into the room this time. �That I had the time of my life when I really didn�t?� Justin looked at her strangely and she quickly realized her slip. He was about to question her when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to find a large man looking down at him. �And what do you think you�re doing?� the man asked with his arms crossed over his chest. A smile came over Justin�s face, and he pulled Kate from the door and closed it. �We�re looking for buried treasure, Lonnie. Wanna help?� �Cute. You�re supposed to be at sound check in a couple minutes so get a move on.� �Yes sir,� he replied to his bodyguard with a salute and started to walk away when Lonnie pulled him back. �What now?� �What kind of gentlemen are you? You don�t even introduce me to your friend here.� Justin let out an exasperated sigh and put his hands on his hips. �Lonnie, this is Kate. Kate, this is Lonnie,� he quickly mumbled. Lonnie gave him a hard look and Justin smiled brightly. �Don�t be a pain in the ass,� he said before turning to Kate with a smile. �It�s a pleasure to meet you,� he said as he shook Kate�s hand. He then leaned in and whispered to her. �If he ever bugs the hell out of you, you come and find me.� He then turned back to Justin with a smile as Kate covered her mouth to contain her laughter. �Nice talking to ya Justin. I�ll see you later,� he said with a pat on Justin�s back and walked away. Justin looked over his shoulder at Lonnie and then turned back to Kate when he was far enough away. �What did he say to you?� She laughed once more and grabbed him by the wrist. �Nothing. Come on, you�re going to be late for sound check.� -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kate looked up from the seats below and watched dreamily as she let the beautiful sounds hit her ears. She had watched these five perform on television and she was constantly amazed by their voices when she heard them on CD, but there was just something about seeing and hearing them live in person. �You think this is good, wait till you see them in concert.� Kate turned to find Erin sitting next to her, watching the sight before her. Kate just smiled and turned back to the huge stage. �You mean it gets better than this?� Erin smiled when Lance winked at her and patted Kate�s hand. �Honey, you�ve haven�t seen anything yet. If this tour is as good as their last, then I guarantee you, you are in for one hell of a show.� Kate laughed and Erin got up. �Hey I�ll catch ya later. I�m going to get me some grub before these five pigs raid the cafeteria and eat everything in sight.� �See ya,� she replied with a wave before turning back to the stage again. She sighed and brought her knees up to her chest, clasping her arms around them. Before she knew it, she was singing right along with the song they were singing. JC adjusted the earpiece in his ear and looked over at Kate. The image he saw brought an immediate smile to his face. He was surprised that they weren�t brother and sister because they shared so many of the same qualities. They both had an amazing talent for music, and they both loved it more than anything. There was just one problem. �Kate...� She looked up to see who called her name and a microphone was tossed her way. She caught it with ease and looked at JC like he had lost his mind. He waved for her to come up onstage with the rest of them and she shook her head furiously with wide eyes. Justin turned to Kate and motioned her to come join them. She shook her head once again and Justin gave her a disappointed look. He then grinned evilly and hopped off of stage. Her eyes followed him as he sat down beside her. He leaned over the armrest and took Kate�s hands in his. �Please...� he pouted with his most pitiful look. She laughed and turned away from him. �No, I�m not falling for it!� He turned her head so she would look back at him, and he gave the look again. She stood up trying to get away, but she couldn�t get very far because he was still holding onto her hands. �Stop that! What, do you stare at yourself in the mirror every day so you can get that look down to perfection?� He stopped for a moment and pondered her question. �Hmm...it must be a gift,� he replied with a shrug before picking her up and setting her on the stage. She rolled her eyes and reluctantly stood up. She made her way over to JC and glared at him. �What?� he asked innocently. �Oh don�t give me that,� she started in a whisper. �You know, I hate singing in front of other people.� �You sang in front of me before.� �That�s because you�re family and I know you won�t cut me down.� �That�s not true. Kate, you have a beautiful voice...� She waited for what she knew was about to come. �...like me.� �You egotistical bastard.� �Ooo...feisty.� The two stopped their playful bickering and turned to look at Chris. Kate was about to say something, but JC covered her mouth in time. He suddenly ripped his hand away from her mouth and she gave a mischievous grin. �Eww. Dude, that�s gross!� he yelled wiping his hand on his shirt. �What did you have to lick me for?� She smirked at him and just shrugged. He hmphed and shoved a microphone in her hand. She looked down at it like it was a foreign object and then shifted her gaze back up to JC. She sighed in defeat and tapped on the microphone to make sure it worked. �A cappella?� she asked. �Hmm...no I think we can stir something up real quick. Kevin, can you start us off?� Their piano player gave a simple nod and the first few notes of the song filled the entire arena. Kate looked over at Justin and he gave her a quick smile and a wink before holding the microphone up to his lips. You'll never know What you've done for me What your faith in me Has done for my soul... You'll never know The gift you've given me.. I'll carry it with me (yeah...yeah...) Through the days ahead I think of days before You made me hope for something better (yes you did) And made me reach for something more You taught me to run You taught me to fly Helped me to free the me inside Help me hear the music of my heart Help me hear the music of my heart You've opened my eyes You've opened the door To something I've never known before And your love... (love) Is the music of my heart.. (music of my heart) A smile was brought upon Kate�s face as she listened to her cousin and his bandmates. She felt more at ease now, but she was still a little hesitant to bring that microphone up to her own lips. She took one last look at JC and smiled inwardly before closing her eyes and letting go. You were the one Always on my side (always on my side) Always standing by (always standing by) Seeing me through Her eyes wandered to Justin�s as they sang with each other. You were the song that always made me sing I'm singing this for you (singing this for you baby) Everywhere I go I think of where I've been (think of where I've been) And of the one who knew me better Than anyone ever will again You taught me to run You taught me to fly Helped me to free the me inside Help me hear the music of my heart Help me hear the music of my heart You've opened my eyes You've opened the door (you opened the door) To something I've never known before... And your love...(your love) Is the music of my heart The song ended beautifully and Kate slowly opened her eyes after a few moments. She looked around and saw five pairs of eyes starring at her. �What?� she asked confused. �Psh...I can�t sing,� Chris imitated her as he snapped his fingers and stuck out his chest and a hip. Lance looked over at JC. �Can I keep her? She�s absolutely perfect for my management company. Hey, I�ll even give you ten percent of what we make off of her,� he said nudging him with his elbow and wiggling his eyebrows . JC scratched his chin and pondered the offer. Kate looked at him shocked and slapped him playfully in the arm. �Josh!� He tried to shield her slap and laughed. �I�m just kidding.� Erin came back into the arena and Lance immediately took notice. �Hey where have you been?� �I just got done eating. Why?� �There�s food somewhere and they haven�t told us yet?� Joey asked already rushing off the stage. �I�m with ya brother,� Justin called out to him as he, Lance, and Chris followed. Erin rolled her eyes and made her way back to the direction she came from. JC shook his head and laughed at their antics. �You gonna come along?� She yawned and stretched with her arms above her head, allowing most of her stomach and the bottom of her rib cage to show. �Oh my god, Kate. How did you get this?� he asked obviously concerned. She looked down and quickly pulled on her shirt. She looked away and the tears were already starting to make their way out. �Oh no you don�t. You�re explaining this one no matter what.� She bit down on her bottom lip trying her best to hold back the tears. JC�s eyebrows furrowed and his question came out more like a demand. �How did you get that bruise?� |