Chapter 4
“How can you hate Chinese food?” JC asked in shock. Their pizza had arrived, and the four of them were talking and eating happily. Their conversation had gone to Abby’s reaction when JC suggested they order Chinese food. The two guys soon learned of her dislike for it.
Abby shook her head. “I just never liked it…if that’s ok with you,” Abby said sarcastically, rolling her eyes. She shrugged.
“I’m gonna have to side with Abby on this one boys,” Carolena spoke up. “I’m not that fond of raw fish either.”
Everyone laughed. Justin was just about to say something, but Abby began to speak before he could.
“Alright, when we find out something you hate to eat, don’t be expecting us to drop the subject,” Abby smirked at Carolena. JC was just sitting there, smiling throughout the whole conversation.
“Alright happy boy, do you have anything to say?” she asked, trying to be serious.
“Nope.”
“That’s what I thought,” Abby replied.
“Back to our ORIGINAL conversation, you were saying that all five of you are going to be at Justin’s house this weekend?” Carolena asked, trying to change the subject back to their previous chat about what the guys were doing.
“Yeah. Just as I said before, we are gonna help him out around the house and just hang out together. Then we go back to our own houses, which aren’t even that far away from each other. Just a matter of blocks. It’s nice to have some time off,” JC said, leaning back into the chair. He chuckled. “Maybe you should break your foot more often, J.”
“Naw, how bout’ we break YOUR foot next time,” Justin replied.
The girls giggled at the two as they continued to argue.
“Hey! How about you two come over tomorrow? You can meet the other guys and go swimming…well, except for you two,” JC suggested, making his last comment to Justin and Carolena.
“Sounds good,” Abby replied. JC smiled at her, while Carolena rolled her eyes.
“Great! You and everyone else get to swim, while I’m stuck here with fro boy all day long. Isn’t that just wonderful,” Carolena said sarcastically.
“Hey!” Justin protested. He wouldn’t let the others know, but that comment hurt. He was glad that he might able to spend time with Carolena. “Leave the hair outta this. Many girls find it sexy,” he said, covering up what he was really feeling. Carolena smiled sweetly at him, and all previous thoughts left his mind.
“Oh please,” Carolena said, rolling her eyes. “It’s a damn mess, which needs to be cut.”
“Oh stop Carol. You know you like it. You wanna feel it and maybe do something naughty for once,” Abby whispered to her suggestively raising one eyebrow.
“EWW! Get away from me! No way!” Carolena screamed pushing Abby away with her hand. Abby laughed at her friend’s reaction.
“Why don’t you go and fulfill your OWN damn fantasies over there!” Carolena said, pointing to JC.
“Hey!” JC protested.
“Maybe I will,” Abby whispered, so only Carolena could hear her.
“Ugh! I did NOT need to know that!” Carolena screamed.
JC and Justin looked at each other in wonder. They were completely clueless as to what the two girls were talking about. They watched as the two conversed, Carol making a disgusted face at what Abby had just said. Abby just laughed.
‘Hanging out with these two is gonna be a blast. They will definitely get along with the others.’ JC thought to himself.
It was decided that JC would pick the girls up at noon the next day. Right after JC and Justin left the day before, the girls went out and bought new bathing suits. They couldn’t wait to meet the other three guys in the group. It was just after 11:30 when both girls decided to get ready. Both Abby and Carolena had shorts and a shirt on over their bathing suits.
“Man! I haven’t been swimming in ages!” Abby exclaimed while French braiding her hair. Carolena let out a “hmph” in response. “Aww, come on Carol. You could at least put your good foot in the pool.” This time she got no response from her friend. She nudged Carolena’s shoulder with her own. “Hey, you’re not the only one with a broken foot. There’s also a certain blue-eyed, pop star with the exact same problem as you. Or you can just work your tan. You have been kinda pale lately,” Abby joked. Carol just sighed and put her hair into the bun that fell out earlier.
Before Abby could speak again, the doorbell rang. ‘He had to be early.’ Abby thought to herself, as she got up to answer the door. When she opened the door, there stood JC. He was wearing khaki shorts and a white t-shirt. She got a good look at him before she realized she was staring at him. She quickly shook her head and invited him in.
“You girls ready to go yet?” JC asked.
“Almost. Just make yourself at home,” Abby replied. Just then Carolena came hobbling into the room on her crutches.
“What are you doing here so early?”
“I had to go pick up some snacks, so I decided to come get you since your apartment was just around the corner…if that’s ok with you…” JC said sarcastically, making a pretend bow to Carolena. She rolled her eyes.
“Yeah, yeah… by the way, where’s Justin?” Carolena asked hesitantly, not wanting to seem interested.
“At his house waiting for us with the rest of the guys and…”
“Oh, ok,” Carolena said, interrupting JC.
“Don’t worry about her. She’s just upset that she can’t go swimming,” Abby said, putting a hand on his shoulder.
“You can still talk to Justin. He can’t swim either,” JC said, suggesting the same thing Abby did earlier.
“Oh yay! I get to hear him talk about how great his hair is and watch him frown when he gets splashed on,” Carolena replied sarcastically.
“Oh don’t worry, Justin and Carolena will be just fine. You haven’t met the other three members of this crazy mess we call a group. Trust me, they won’t leave her out of the fun, water or no water,” JC whispered to Abby. Abby smiled and nodded.
“I can’t wait.”
“Ok, I’m ready,” Carolena spoke up, interrupting their conversation.
“Alrighty then, let’s get going,” JC said, pulling his car keys out of his pocket.
“Wait a second,” Abby said, as she turned and picked up her and Carolena’s keys and driver’s license of the table. “Ok, now we’re ready to go,” Abby said smiling and heading towards the door.
There was barely any traffic. It took about 15 minutes to reach Justin’s house. Abby and Carolena had no idea that Justin Timberlake and the other guys lived so close to them. When JC pulled up to the gates, the girls were in absolute awe. Never, had they seen a mansion so beautiful. ‘Man if this is what Justin’s place looks like, I can’t even imagine what the other guys’ mansion’s look like.’ Abby thought to herself. Carolena was thinking the same thing. Then, out of the corner of Carolena’s eye, she noticed a few girls hanging around on the outside of the gates holding signs saying “I LOVE YOU” and “JUSTIN, WILL YOU MARRY ME.”
“Do they always hang out in front of your houses like that?” Carolena asked.
“Not always, but sometimes they do, just like today. Justin probably already called security on them. We love our fans to death, but sometimes they just get to be too much.”
“This is crazy. How do they find out where you guys live?”
JC shrugged. He knew that a lot of his fans were really determined to find them one way to another, even if it evolved following them, or other things even he didn’t know about.
“Don’t worry about it; a lot of our fans are really respectful,” JC punched in the security code and smiled at the fans through his window. The gates opened and they pulled into the driveway. Once the gates were safely closed, the three of them got out. The fans screamed at the sight of JC. He waved. Just then, two huge, black men came out from the side of the house and started walking towards the gate. ‘Must be bodyguards.’ Abby thought to herself. The two men politely shooed the fans away and nodded towards JC and the two girls.
JC went around to the back of his car and pulled out several bags.
“Need any help?” Abby asked, following him.
“Sure, thanks,” JC replied, handing her 2 bags.
“Hey! I can take some too!” Carolena protested. “I may have a broken foot, but that doesn’t mean my whole body doesn’t function!”
“Are you sure?” JC asked, unsure if she really meant what she said. Carolena nodded. He shrugged.
“Okay,” JC answered. He handed Carolena a bag, and both JC and Abby watched as she struggled with the bag up to the front door. The two giggled and followed.
When they got to the door, JC pulled out his keys and opened it and all three of them headed inside.
“Whoa,” said Abby in absolute awe, as she was looking around the living room. Carolena let out a low whistle. In the background, they heard the sounds of laughter and the splashing of water.
JC chuckled. “So I’m guessing you girls want the grand tour?”
Both girls nodded their heads excitedly.
“Alrighty, follow me upstairs, and to your right you’ll see…”
‘Aww, come on Jayce and get back here. I’m tired of watching these dorks play this sorry-ass game of water volleyball.’ Justin thought to himself. For the past hour, he was on the side of the pool in his favorite chair, watching Chris, Lance, Joey, and Saige, Joey’s girlfriend, who also happened to be one of his childhood best friend’s, play in the water. Earlier in the year, Saige suffered through a harsh breakup with her boyfriend of 2 years. Joey was always there for her and soon they discovered new feelings for each other. So for the past 4 months, they were boyfriend and girlfriend. Lance and Chris were on one team while Joey and Saige were on the other. Right now, Joey and Saige were winning. Every so often, Justin would here a “Yes!” or a “Whoo-hoo!” from them when they got a point. ‘Hopefully I’ll get to know Carolena a little better since she’s going to be sitting with me.’ Justin thought, a smile coming to his face. He continued to think about her, when all of the sudden, he felt a splash of water. All of his thoughts drifted away when Chris’ face came into view.
“What do you want old man,” Justin said with a smirk.
“When’s JC gonna be back?”
“He said after the store, he was gonna pick up Abby and Carolena at their apartment. He must’ve gotten lost or something, because JC’s been gone since eleven and it’s almost twelve now,” Justin said, looking at his watch.
“Well he better get here soon ‘cuz Lance ain’t getting better at this game. Hopefully one of the girls can help me cream Joey and Saige Bush,” Chris said, using Saige’s nickname.
“I heard that!” Lance screamed, splashing water at Chris.
“Me too!” Saige said, referring to the use of Chris’ nickname for her.
“Hey! It’s not my fault you suck!” Chris replied to Lance, and then stuck his tongue out at Saige.
“Well, it’s certainly ain’t my fault that whenever I try to hit the ball, you push me out of the way.”
“That’s because I can’t take any chances.”
“Well, if your sooo talented Mr. All High and Mighty, why aren’t we winning?”
“Umm….because…”
“Because you BOTH suck!” Joey and Saige said at the same time, splashing water at both Chris and Lance.
“Alright, you know this means war!” Chris shouted, imitating one of Bugs Bunny’s quotes. “Every man for himself!”
“HEY!” yelled Saige.
“Ahem…every person for his or herself.”
“That’s better,” Saige said with a big smile.
No sooner than she said that, all four people were spraying and splashing each other, totally forgetting about their game of water volleyball.
‘Why me?’ Justin thought, while shaking his head and laughing at all the madness around him.
“... and that is the official, grand tour of the house,” JC said, taking the girls back to the front room.
“Aww!” Both Carolena and Abby said at the same time, pretending to pout.
“But!” JC said, putting his hand up. “We still have one more place to go.”
“Hmmm, I wonder what it could be,” Abby said sarcastically.
“Let’s go and find out,” Carolena said, playing along with Abby.
“This way, m’dears,” JC said, walking towards the backdoor where the pool was. Abby and Carolena noticed the laughter and sounds of water getting louder and louder with each step they took. ‘Man, this is gonna be a blast!’ Abby thought.
‘Where are they?’ Justin thought to himself. To nobody in particular he said, “If they don’t get here soon I’m gonna…”
“You’re gonna what? Fro boy,” said a familiar voice.
“Carolena! You’re here!” screamed Justin, as he hobbled over to meet the girls. “It’s about time you guys got here…hey Abby,” Justin said as he gave both Carolena and Abby hugs.
“Sheesh Justin, you’re acting as if you haven’t seen us in a year,” Carolena said, after she pulled away from her hug.
“Well after watching these dorks for an hour and can’t even join the fun, you would go crazy too,” Justin replied pointing to the 4 people getting out of the pool to greet the girls.
“Yeah, whatever J,” JC said, rolling his eyes. He already could tell that Justin had a crush on Carolena.
“Hi,” said a new voice. “My name’s Joey. Nice to meet ya.” Abby looked up to see a man just a little taller than Justin. He had golden brown eyes and brown hair. He extended is hand out to greet her.
“Nice to meet you too. My name’s Abigail but just call me Abby,” she said shaking his wet hand.
“And my name’s Carolena, but everyone calls me Carol,” she said, shaking Joey’s hand after Abby.
The next person to greet them was a girl that looked to be no older than Abby. She had shoulder-length light brown hair and blue eyes. “My name’s Saige.” All three girls shook hands.
“So you’re Abby and Carolena,” said another new voice. This man was just about Abby’s height with brown eyes and brown hair too. “I hope you can play water volleyball because…”
He was interrupted by yet another voice. “Yes Chris. We all know you can’t play.” Abby and Carolena giggled. Abby looked up to see a man with dirty blonde hair and green eyes. “Hey there. My name is Lance and it’s a pleasure meeting you,” he said, shaking their hands, completely ignoring Chris’ dirty looks. Justin started walking back to his chair while Carolena followed him.
“Well, now that we’re all introduced, lets go back into the pool and have some REAL fun, now that we have more people,” said Joey.
“Well, since me and Joey won water volleyball, do you have any suggestions of what we should play, Abby?” Saige asked.
“Hey! Who says the game’s over? How ‘bout we finish it with three people on each team? You up for that, JC?” Chris asked.
JC just shrugged. “I don’t care.”
Chris turned to Abby. “How bout you, Abs?”
“No, I think I have a better idea in mind,” Abby said, a smile coming across her face.
“So, now that we’re sitting here, what do you wanna talk about?” Carolena asked, as she and Justin sat down into the chairs.
“Well, I was wondering if we could get to know each other a little better.”
“Ok, sure.”
“You’re in college, right?” Carolena nodded. “What are you majoring in?”
“Well, ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always dreamed of being a singer. So right now I’m majoring in singing. Later on, I wanna learn how to dance.”
“One of these days, you gotta come over and show me what you got.”
“Maybe…I don’t know.” Carolena didn’t want to let Justin know she had a boyfriend already. He was out of town for the week, so he still didn’t know about her injury or going to Justin’s house.
“Why not?”
“I have finals.” It was true that she had finals but the main reason was because of Jack. He really didn’t like Carolena hanging around with other guys. He had finally said “I Love You” to her. But Carolena still hadn’t found the courage to say those three little words back to him. She cared for him; just the way he cared for her. But she still wasn’t ready.
“Oh ok. How about after? Because I’m going to be stuck here for the next three weeks.”
Carolena sighed. “Ok.” She really did want to come over, even if Justin was only a friend. But she would have to think of a way to tell Jack.
“No! Absolutely not!” JC said, shaking his head no.
“Aww, come on C, it’ll be fun. I like how this girl thinks,” Joey replied, putting his hand on Abby’s shoulder. JC sighed.
“Pwease JC,” Abby asked, sticking out her bottom lip. “I’ll be your partner.”
JC sighed again. “Oh, alright. ‘I give in WAY to easily.’ he thought.
“EWW! That means I’m stuck with you!” Lance screamed, pointing at Chris.
“Aww, come on Poofu. It’ll be fun,” Chris said, sticking out his bottom lip.
“That definitely isn’t going to help,” Lance replied, crossing his arms.
“Poofu?” Abby asked, noticing Lance turn red.
“Don’t even ask,” was Lance’s reply.
Abby shrugged it off and suggested the 6 of them play chicken fight. Joey and Saige automatically were partners. Soon JC and Abby became partners. All who were left were Chris and Lance.
Finally, Lance nodded, agreeing to play. “You owe me BIG old man.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever, now let’s play,” Chris said jumping into the pool.
“I wonder what they’re up to,” Carolena said, noticing the 6 people bunched together discussing something.
“Me too,” Justin replied, seeing both JC and Lance shaking their heads no.
“Alright, I’m getting on Joey’s shoulders, Abby’s getting on JC shoulders and…what about you two?” asked Saige, pointing to Lance and Chris.
“I guess I’ll get on top of Lance’s shoulders since I’m lighter,” Chris said. Lance let out a “hmph”. “Don’t worry Scoop, I’m not that heavy.”
Lance sighed. He then held his breath and went underwater for Chris to get on top of him. Abby giggled at the two of them as she got settled on JC’s shoulders. Saige and Joey were already set.
Everyone ready?” Abby asked. When she saw everybody nod their heads she shouted, “READY. SET. GO!”
Justin was just gazing at Carolena, when he heard her laugh. “What’s so funny?” he asked her.
“Just look at our wacked out friends playing chicken,” Carolena said, laughing at the people in the pool.
“Who? Them? I don’t know them; they’re just strangers that came into my house.”
Carolena laughed again. “Whoops. Looks like Joey and Saige just lost.” Justin laughed along with her, as both of them watched the game.
“OH YEAH! IN YOUR FACE!” Chris shouted, as he made the final push at Saige, making both her and Joey fall backwards.
“You still have to get through us!” Abby shouted, coming behind Lance and Chris.
“Yeah!” JC shouted.
Lance turned around and was face to face with JC while Chris was in front of Abby. For the next few minutes, all was heard were grunts and struggling sounds. Finally with one final push, Chris pushed Abby and JC over.
“WE WON! WE WON!” Chris shouted, trying to jump up and down, while still on top of Lance’s shoulders.
“You cheated! Guys are naturally stronger than girls!” Abby yelled.
“It was your idea. Deal!” Chris replied.
“Hmph!” was the reply.
“Hey! Try not to break my back, ok?” Lance screamed, feeling the pain from Chris, who was attempting to bounce on his shoulders.
Out of nowhere they heard Justin shout out, “And the winners are…Poofu and Chris!”
Chris leaned over so he was face to face with Lance. “I’m so happy, I could just kiss you,” he said, trying to pretend kiss him.
“Ugh! Get off of me you freak of nature!” Lance shouted, throwing Chris off his shoulders.
Everyone started to laugh. Abby and Carolena were truly having a great time. ‘Thank goodness finals are going to be over and done with this week. I can’t wait to hang out with these guys again.’ Abby thought.
“Ok people, who’s in the mood for a BBQ?” Joey asked.
Everyone raised their hands and screamed, “I AM!”
“Looks like they’re getting along well,” Fate said, turning to Destiny as the game ended.
“Yes. Things are progressing nicely,” Destiny replied, smiling at her husband. She leaned over and kissed him passionately.
“Mmm…Not that I don’t mind or anything, but what was that for?” Fate asked, once they pulled apart.
“For working on this with me. I absolutely love you for it.”
“Well if that’s what I get for teaming up with you, then maybe we should do this a bit more often.”
Destiny, once again smiled at her husband. “My darling Fate, if we did that, no one would be able to tell us apart. It’s already hard enough for them.”
“I guess,” Fate said, as he sighed. “So what’s next in our Grand Master Plan?”
“We’ll leave the humans be for now. How about we rest for a while? I have to get all the sleep that I can right now. I won’t have the opportunity later.”
“Alright. I could use the rest, and so could my baby girl,” Fate replied, rubbing Destiny’s stomach. Destiny rolled her eyes as they walked over to the bed, momentarily forgetting their “Grand Master Plan” as Fate put it.
