| *Written by Nicole* The bright sunlight cascaded through the windows and caused the young girl to stir in her comfortable sleep. Kate rolled over and pulled the covers up over her head to drown out the sunlight. Just then she realized something. How did I get in bed? Just then Kate sat straight up and rubbed her eyes looking around her. She let out a sigh of relief when she looked around and noticed that she was in her room, in her bed, with Erin in the other. The two girls decided to room together for this stay to get to know each other. Kate thought it was a good idea because she really liked Erin and wanted to get to know her. Kate was now totally awake and knew she wouldn't be able to get back to sleep so she looked at the clock that read 7:30am. She had to be up in thirty minutes anyway, so Kate got out of bed and headed into the bathroom to take her morning shower. As she exited the bathroom she noticed Erin sitting up in bed. "Hey Er. Good morning," Kate said while towel drying her hair. "Morning," Erin replied. "By the way how did I get in my room? I don't remember coming back here," Kate said. "That's because Justin brought you here. He said you two where down stairs at the piano and you feel asleep. He didn't have the heart to wake you so he had Mike carry you up here," Erin replied with an evil grin. "Oh that was nice of him," Kate said feeling a blush creep up her face. "Nice? That's all you have to say? Girl what is up with you? Justin obviously shows some interest or he wouldn't waste his time on you but he is and that has to say something,� Erin replied shocked. "I don't think so Er. The only reason why Justin spends time with me is because were somewhat friends and I�m Josh's cousin," Kate argued. "Whatever, think what you want but you'll see," Erin said as she went into the bathroom. Kate just sat at the vanity in the room drying her hair in the mirror. He doesn't like me. Why would he? He can have any girl he wants he will never go after me especially with my past. Yet I haven't even told him about that... A pounding on the door then shook Kate out of her thoughts. She ran to the door and pulled it open. "Good morning, Kate," the young man said as he entered the room. "Morning." "Where is my girlfriend?" "Well, Lance she got up a little late and just went into the shower." "Oh okay well we have to leave in ten minutes so tell her to hurry up and meet us down stairs into the lobby so we can board the buses," Lance said. "Okay,� Kate said as she shut the door to her hotel room. Erin exited the shower and the girls headed downstairs to meet the guys. "Hey guys," Erin said as they approached the five men who were waiting for them. The five guys grunted in response. "Okay well let�s get on those buses. We got a long day ahead of us." Everyone loaded onto the busses and went off in different directions. JC, Lance, Erin, and Joey all headed to their bunks to get some more much needed sleep while Chris and Justin went off to play their Play Station 2. Kate decided to stay in the kitchen area. After a couple of minutes, Kate heard someone enter the kitchen, and she turned to see who it was. "Hey. Whatcha doing?" Justin asked sitting across from her. "Just thinking about some stuff." "Anything you wanna talk about?" "Nah. It's not that important." Justin gave a slight nod. �So what have you been up to since I last saw you?" Justin asked catching up on their past and flashing her that famous smile of his. "Well let's see. I just graduated from high school as the valedictorian, and that's really about it," she replied. "Wow, that�s great. I actually just got my diploma too. It was hard because I had tutors and stuff, but it all worked out,� he said. �Anyway what I really came into to tell you was that today is Johnny's birthday and were all going to this party tonight if you wanna come." "I don't know, Justin. I don't wanna be in the way." "In the way? Kate you�re never in the way and don't ever think that you are. We�re all happy that you are on this tour, especially me because now I have someone else to talk to." "Well in that case I�ll go to the party tonight." "Really?" Justin asked hopeful. "Yeah." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Hello?" the woman asked picking up the phone. "Mom? It's Kate. How are you?" "Oh Kate, it's so good to hear from you. I was getting worried." "Why were you getting worried? I'm the one that should be worried." There was a moment of silence then and Kate began to feel uneasy. "Mom? What's the matter?" "Huh? Oh nothing hunny. Don't worry about me. I'm doing fine." "How's Dad?" "He's umm, well he's not taking your absence too well." "I shouldn't have left," she said, regret in her voice. "No hunny it was the right thing to do, but listen I have to go. Your father will be home soon. I love you. Bye." Kate looked at the phone as it clicked and the dial turn returned. She felt sorry for leaving her mother behind but knew that it was best. She just wanted to cry and so she put her head in her heads and did so. Justin heard her weeping just as he was about to knock on the door. He slowly and quietly opened it and was surprised at the picture before him. There was Kate sitting on the bed head in her hands crying. He wasn't sure what do, so he went over and took her in his arms. Kate was startled at first but realized it was Justin, and she relaxed in his arms. After a few minutes Kate pulled away, and Justin wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Are you okay?" he asked. "Yeah, I just got off the phone with my mom and I just...well I miss her," Kate said feeling guilty about not telling him the whole truth. "Well we all get like that but the best way to feel better is to partay," Justin said causing Kate to laugh. "Let me just get cleaned up." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "What took you guys so long?" JC asked with a stern look as they got into the limo. "Oh well you see Justin over here took advantage of me and forced me to partake in sexual relations with him," Kate said completely serious. Justin's mouth dropped open and JC�s eyes widened like saucers as the others in the limo burst out laughing. After everyone recovered, the limo driver announced that they were there. Erin and Lance got out of the limo first with the press shouting things to get their attention while fans stood yelling theirs names. Kate was the last out and as she was going down the carpet, people were yelling to her asking who she was. Just as she was about to go to the door, a fan caught her arm and pulled at her violently. "Who are you?" the fan asked. "Let go of me!" Kate screamed. Justin turned as he saw Kate scream. He noticed a couple of fans were grabbing her and she looked terrified. "Excuse me, excuse me," Justin said pushing through the people trying to get to Kate. Finally he got to her. Kate looked up at Justin with pleading eyes. "They're hurting me!" "Guys let go of her," Justin demanded, but that only caused them to hold tighter. "Who is she Justin? Is this your girlfriend? How long have you two been together?" the press hounded. Justin finally got Kate free, grabbed her hand and pushed through the crowd to get inside. "Are you okay?" he asked when they finally got inside. "Yeah. I was just scared," Kate reassured, rubbing her arm. "Thanks Justin. I appreciate it." "You don't have to thank me I was just helping out a friend. But you see now you have to dance with me," Justin said with a smirk. "Oh I do, do I?" Kate asked with the same smirk. "Yep," he said as he grabbed her hand and led her to the middle of the dance floor. A familiar song started to play. Justin pulled Kate close and she laid her head on his shoulder embracing the moment. It was so nice to just put everything aside. She was surprised that she allowed herself to do so, but Justin brought that out in her and she liked it. There�s a place in my heart That I go when I dream A place that nobody can see Every night I see love I see someone who�s waiting Waiting for someone like me He must be out there Somewhere, someone for me Chorus: Tell me how long �Till I�m not just dreaming How long, �til somebody cares How long, �til I meet an angel And give him my heart, When can I start How long �till I fall in love I sit every night By my window just wishing And searching for one perfect star Can anyone hear me Dunno if you�re listening Please send him right here To my arms He must be out there Somewhere, waiting for me Tell me just how long, will it be... Chorus: Tell me how long �Till I�m not just dreaming How long, �til somebody cares How long, �til I meet an angel And give him my heart, When can I start How long �till I fall in love Bridge: I�ve always believed That my dreams would come true That one of these nights He would appear He�d be here in my arms I see it all, so clearly How it could be I wish he was kissing me now... Chorus: Tell me how long (how long)� Till I�m not just dreaming How long, �til somebody cares (�til somebody cares) How long, �til I meet an angel (my angel...) And give him my heart (heart...) When can I start How long �till I fall in love (in love...) How long �till I fall in love... How long �till I fall in love... How long �till I fall in love... (How Long, Dream) Erin noticed the pair in their own little world in the middle of the dance floor. �Lance,� Erin said poking him. �Yeah?� �Look,� she said. �They look so cute together.� �Aww guys look at them,� Lance said to others. Every one of the guys focused on the couple on the floor wondering if something was brewing between them. As the song ended Kate picked her head off Justin�s shoulder. �Thanks Justin. I really needed that,� Kate said. �Anytime. I�m gonna go get something to drink. I�ll catch up with you later.� Kate wandered around the party and finally found a seat to herself off to the side. She was tired but not ready to leave yet. People were gathered in the middle of the room watching the boys dance. �Shake it fast. Show me what you�re working with,� someone said causing Kate to jump. She turned around and noticed Erin laughing at her. �Don�t think you got away with it. I saw you watching the guys shake it,� Erin said. Kate just laughed at her knowing that she was definitely drunk especially when she almost missed her seat. As the party died down the guys came over to get the girls. Lance helped Erin walk to the limo while Kate followed close behind with Chris. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- �Okay guys I�m tired so lets divide these rooms up,� Joey said. �Oh, oh, oh!� Erin said jumping up and down. �I�m rooming with Lance,� she said grabbing a key. She then ran to the room opened the door put the DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door and shut it. Kate burst out laughing. �She does realize that that�s not Lance�s room, right?� Just then Erin walked out carrying the sign gave the key to Joey and went into another room. �That wasn�t his room,� she said as she shut the door. Everyone burst out laughing and Justin couldn�t help but notice how beautiful Kate looked while she laughed. I was like she let go and let all her emotions show. �Justin. Yo, earth to Justin. Here�s your room key.� JC said handing it to him. Everyone then split up and went into their rooms, yet Justin still had Kate on his mind. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |