chpt9

Chapter Nine

The phone shrilled on the nightstand for the 10th time before two eyes began to flutter open. The small amount of sun coming in through the blinds made the eyes close shut again, the ringing stopped. The person on the bed relaxed again falling into a deep sleep. Again the noise by the bed.

�What the hell do you want?!� She shot up in bed screaming to the ringing phone. She picked it up and brought it toward her ear. �Hello?� She said in a deadly calm voice.

�Oh Alexis sweetie, did I wake you? I�m sorry, but I really think you should go to your front door, there�s something waiting for you there.�

�What?� Alexis shook her head trying to understand what she was being told. �Marissa?�

�Yeah, it�s me, now go to your front door.�

Alexis was too tired to question or even think about the request her best friend was making, she just did as she was told. She threw back the covers and with the phone still in her hand, she made her way to the front door. She unlocked the first bolt, then the second, the door swung open.

�Ahhhh,� Alexis screamed as she saw who was there waiting for her. �What are you doing here?!� Alexis grabbed Marissa in her arms to give her a hug as they both jumped up and down, their voices echoing through the phones they each held in their hand.

�I just got here, I took a cab over here because I wanted to surprise you. Then after knocking on your door for like 5 min. then taking another 5 minutes calling you, you finally decided to pick up your damn phone!�

�I�m so sorry, you know I don�t hear anything when I sleep, I didn�t hear you knocking.� Alexis grabbed Marissa�s bags and led her into the apartment.

Marissa stepped in and took a look around. �Wow this place is really nice.�

�Thanks, oh my god I missed you so much, I can�t believe you�re here!� Alexis said as she gave her another hug.

�I missed you too, that�s why I had to come, I have Mon. off so I figured what the hell.�

�We have so much catching up to do, we have to talk and go shopping and just hang out.� Alexis told her.

�Oh yes I like the talking part, it seems as though one of us has more to spill then the other, and for the first time it ain�t me!� Marissa said.

Alexis laughed at her friend. �What makes you think I have more to share?�

�Well, I can start off by saying that you look like hell right now, I�d say you�re running on practically no sleep. Come on, tell me I�m right.�

�You might be.� Alexis said as she put on some coffee, she looked at the clock on the wall and read it was only 8am, yep she was running on about 4 hours of sleep right now. Better make that two cups of coffee for me, she thought to herself.

�Oh, don�t give me that, I know I�m right!� Marissa laughed.

�Well since you think I have so much to say, let�s start with you, how is everything back home, how�s your job going?�

�My job is going great, a lot better then I ever hoped. I brought some of my new sketches with me so you can see, the ones I will be turning in on Tuesday.�

�Oh, I have to see those.�

�Yeah, everything else is good, I�m still looking around for just the right guy, so nothing to tell in that department. Oh,� Marissa began as she went to look through her luggage. �Your mom gave me this to give to you.� She said with a huge smile knowing Alexis would love what she was handing her.

Alexis�s eyes became wide as she grabbed the bag from Marissa�s hands. �Oh my mom loves me!� She said with a loud laugh as she pulled out some of her favorite foods that could only be found back home. �Remind me to call her later and thank her!�

�I will,� Marissa said. �Hate to dampen the mood and all, but umm.. Well�David,�

�Stop right there, no need to mess up the mood here.�

�David has taken this all really hard, he seems to enclose himself in that apartment and he doesn�t come out. This has affected him more then any of us thought. You know I was, and still am the first person who told you to get rid of him and go for this, but I thought you should know that.�

�Well from my end it doesn�t seem as though he was affected at all, I haven�t heard from him since I left. If he was hurting so bad why hasn�t he called? Why didn�t he pursuit me? But let me tell you I�m glad he didn�t and I hope he doesn�t start now.�

�That�s just the way he is. I�m sorry I brought it up, just thought you might want to know, you did ask how everything was.�

�Yeah I know and I�m sorry, I just don�t want to talk about him, he�s in my past and that�s where I want to leave it, it�s not like we parted on such awful terms any way.�

�True, I guess he just needs some more time, he was really hung up on you.�

�He was hung up on what used to be us, but things changed and he wasn�t ready to accept it.�

�Ok well let�s change the subject.� Marissa said as she grabbed the mug of coffee that Alexis handed her.

�Ok, what do you want to talk about?� Alexis asked trying to hide her smile as she sat next to Marissa at the kitchen counter.

�Humm� let�s see what do I want to talk about? Maybe I want to talk about the fact that my best friend is dating a guy from a huge pop group,� she practically screamed those last few words as they both began giggling like schoolgirls.

�What was the last thing I told you? Oh yeah that kiss in the gazebo.� Alexis�s face turned a light shade of red and her eyes sparkled as she remembered that night.

�Yes that would be it.�

�Ok well this past week he�s called me everyday, we went out for lunch a few times, and dinner. Then yesterday I only worked till like 1 so he picked me up and I went to the studio with him.�

�So you saw all of Nsync there, what were they doing?!� Marissa asked excitedly.

�They were practicing their choreographed dances, have you seen those guys move?�

�No I haven�t had the privilege of seeing it live.�

Alexis laughed. �Well anyway after that we stopped by his house, I think I got myself into trouble with his mom, but that�s another story. He then took me out to dinner, and then we walked along the beach for the rest of the night just talking. I must have gotten in at like 4am.�

�Just talking that was it, nothing else, you sure? You know you can tell me.�

�Yes I know I could tell you but that was it Marissa, we just talked for hours. I can�t get tired of hearing his voice.� Alexis was all dreamy as she said this.

Marissa was about to ask is her best friend was in love, but figured it was too early in the game so she kept her mouth shut. �So tell me, how is it dating someone as famous as he is?�

Alexis had to stop for a minute and think. �Well he always has to have at least one security guard with him. But other then that there is no difference, well when we go out he has to cover his face as much as he can, and we have to sit in the back of restaurants so he won�t be seen. And there�s always that occasional fan who does catch him.�

�Oh man how has that been like?�

�I�ve been so worried about that, I know these fans don�t like it when they date, but so far it has been no big thing, but last night, the girl was so, so, I don�t know but it freaked me out.�

�I�m sure it�s worth it though right?�

�So far yes it has been, I just hope I�ll still be saying that three months from now when he gets back from tour.�

�No way they�re going on tour for three months?�

�Yeah, we haven�t talked about it much, he just told me yesterday. We have all of a month before he leaves.�

�Well all I have to say is you better make the best out of it.� Marissa told her best friend as she wrapped an arm around her to hug her. �You sound so happy when you talk about him, you light up this whole room with that smile that�s on your face when you just mention his name. I�m so happy for you, this is great!�

�Thanks, I�m happy for me too. Ok enough of this, what do you want to do today?�

�Care to take me for a tour of the town? I�ve never been here ya know.�

�Well I haven�t been here too long either, but we can go downtown scope things out, do a little shopping, you know the usual.�

�Sounds good to me.� Marissa said with a smile. �You�re gonna need a lot of make-up to cover those dark circles under your eyes.� She told Alexis as she headed into her room.

�Oh shut up and come here, you have to see the rest of the apartment.� She laughed.

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�Hey now you�re an star get your game on go play...� The two girls sang as Alexis drove, headed toward downtown. The top to her silver eclipse was down, their hair blew in the wind, and the radio was on full blast to compensate for the loud roar of the wind. Alexis hiked up her sunglasses on her nose as she made a quick right along with traffic.

The girls laughed at their singing as the song ended and the DJ�s voice took over the airwaves.

�Here�s for all you young ladies out there, Nsync, baby.�

�Ahhh,� Alexis screamed laughing as her hand moved to the radio to change the station.

�Oh no you don�t, I�m sure you wanna hear your man singing.� �He�s not my man,� Alexis began

�Yet.� Marissa cut in.

�And yeah I wanna hear him but not if you�re gonna start up again.�

�No I promise,� Marissa said as she raised the volume on the radio just a little bit.

�Never seems enough for you, you don�t wanna loose it again, but I�m not like them.� Marissa began singing elbowing Alexis in the side, urging her to sing along.

�Baby when you finally, get to love somebody, guess what it�s gonna be me!� They both sang together.

�Man I missed this so much.� Alexis told her best friend, taking her eyes off the rode for a second to look at her.

�Me too.� Marissa said as she pushed her dirty blonde hair away from her face with one smooth movement of her hand.

The streetlight turned red a few yards ahead and Alexis began to brake, she also turned the radio down considerably so she wouldn�t disturb the cars around her.

�Why did you do that?� Marissa asked, defiantly turning it back up. She looked toward her right to find two guys staring at them. �Hey,� Marissa elbowed her friend so she could see the two guys who were staring at them so intently. �Remember what we used to do to guys like them back home?� Marissa couldn�t control her laughter

�How could I forget?� Alexis said already beginning the seductive stare. Both of them now starred at these guys like they wanted them and those two guys ate it up. Out of the corner of her eye Alexis noticed the light had just turned green, �Green,� she shouted and they both began waving their hands good-bye and blowing kisses as Alexis sped off.

�Ow man look at that, they�re still back there!� Marissa said as she grabbed her stomach and leaned forward from laughing so hard. They knew it was a childish thing to do, something they had done when they were teenagers, but to go back to that time, even if it was just for a minute was worth it.

�Did you see their faces? Man we get better at this every time. Watch one day the car will follow us.� Alexis said. They both looked at each other and began laughing even harder remembering the day when they thought the guys really did begin to follow them.

�Too funny.� Marissa said as she sobered up and ran her finger right below her deep blue eyes to wipe away the tear that had formed.

�How long has it been since we�ve done that?� Alexis asked.

�Too long,� was her friend�s answer as Alexis gently pulled into a parking space.

�Well here we are, the heart of downtown Orlando. Here we can do some shopping have lunch, even catch a movie if you want to.�

�Shopping sounds good to me, I wanna use some of my hard earned cash. You know the first pay check from the new job.� Marissa said with a chuckle.

�Or you can just spend it before the check comes in, which is what I�m about to do.�

�Oh shut up it�s not like you can�t afford it!�

�No comment?� Alexis said with a laugh as the two walked down the street peering into windows as they made their way.

The phone call came around 1 that afternoon.

�Are you gonna eat that?� Alexis asked as she slid her fork toward Marissa�s plate.

�Ok you�re supposed to ask before you take it.�

Alexis was chewing on a fry that she had just taken from her friend as her purse began to ring. Her eyes became wide and she grabbed her purse, excusing herself from the table and stepping outside. She always hated those people who took phone calls while they were in a restaurant eating so why should she do it now.

�Hello?� She said as she swallowed the last piece of fry.

�Hey sweetie, it�s JC.� The angelic voice came over the phone line.

�Hey, how are you?� Alexis said in a soft voice, as her face lit up and she leaned against the wall holding the phone closer to her ear.

�I�m doing good a little tired but good,� he said with a snicker. �I called your house and no one was home so I called you here, hope that�s ok.�

�Yeah that�s fine, I did give you this number for a reason.� Alexis told him

�Yeah well� the guys want to go out tonight, but I mean really got out in style and I was wondering if you�d like to come with us?�

�Sure I would love to. Oh wait my best friend Marissa is in town, she just got here this morning.�

�Well bring her along, the more the merrier.� JC told her

�Ok then, question, where are we going so I know what to wear?�

�Dress for a nice club type thing, that�s all I�m allowed to say, heck that�s all I know.� He said with a laugh. �We�ll pick you two up at 8:30pm.�

�Ok we�ll be ready,� Alexis, said as she smiled although he couldn�t see her.

�Can�t wait to see you.�

�Same here.� There was a moment of silence

�Ok then I have to go now, see you tonight, bye.� JC finished as she heard voices in the background.

�Bye.� Alexis hung up her phone and with a permanent smile and walked back into the restaurant.

�That took you long enough, who was it?� Marissa asked as she looked up and watched Alexis sit down. �Wait a minute, with that smile on your face it must have been JC.�

�Shh, don�t say that so loud!� Alexis said as she looked around to make sure those younger girls at the table near them hadn�t heard. �Yes it was him, and it seems as though we�ll be going out tonight.�

�With all of them?� Marissa was excited and her voice had gotten louder then usual. �We�re going out with all of N��

Alexis�s hand flew across the table to cover Marissa�s mouth. �Are you crazy?� She said in a whisper as she smiled over to those girls who were looking at her like she was a psycho. �Do you want to get us mobbed or something?� Marissa was just giggling uncontrollably now. �God, do you know you look like some teenage girl who can�t get her hormones in check right now, you better not act like that when you actually meet them. And I don�t get it, it�s not like you�re such a huge fan.� Alexis told her.

�Girl have you seen how fine they are? Anyone would be as happy as I am right now so shut up!� She laughed. �Humm.. let�s see, JC would have been my first choice, but you have him, Justin, well he�s about two years younger then me, that could be ok I guess, now Joey, Joey could work, he could definitely work. He is single right?�

Alexis sat in her chair, with both elbows on the table and her head in her hands, shaking her head back and forth as her friend rambled on. �He�s single.� She said under her breath.

�What time do we have to be ready?�

�8:30� Alexis said, her head still in her hands, she was afraid to look up.

�Where are we going?� The interrogation continued

Alexis shrugged her shoulders. �All I know is that they want to go out in style, whatever that means, and to dress to go to a nice club thing.�

�I didn�t bring any clothes for that! Ok, let�s go back to that mall we didn�t get to finish walking through.� Marissa began gathering her things and taking out her wallet to pay. As Alexis thought about it, she too had nothing to wear, and she thanked god that Marissa was with her because with her great fashion sense she was bound to find something good.

********************************************************************

�Can you hurry up?� Alexis asked as she stood in front of her friend in the bathroom with her eyes closed as she finished up her eye make-up.

�This is an art and it can�t be rushed so shh.� Marissa told her as she stuck out her tongue in concentration as she applied the eye shadow just right.

Alexis sighed and shifted her weight to her other leg. �What time is it?�

�I don�t know, 8 I think, we have time don�t worry, he�ll probably be here late anyways.�

�No, when JC says 8:30 he means 8:30.� Alexis told her.

�Oh, well it doesn�t matter we have time, there finished with your eyes, take a look.�

Alexis opened them and stared into the mirror. She had to hand it to Marissa, she had done a great job. The colors she had chosen matched perfectly with the outfit, and it accentuated her emerald eyes. �You did a great job, as usual.�

�I know, I try.� Marissa said with a laugh as she began applying her own make-up.

Alexis stepped out of the bathroom and into her room to find the clothes she had bought today for the outing. She saw it hanging there on her closet door and smiled at how nice it was and what a great bargain she had found it at, well actually that Marissa had found it at. She took the thin straps off the hanger and held up the dress to examine it again. It was a dark red dress and its length went down diagonally, making the longest part just passed her knees and the shortest part around her thigh. The dress was low in the front and dipped in the back. Something she definitely would not have grabbed to try on if she was by herself, but Marissa insisted she would look great in it, and she was right. The moment Alexis put it on she fell in love. The color, the style, it was un-like the person she had been for a while, and yet so like the person she always was. She laid the dress on her bed and stepped back into the bathroom to finish applying the make-up she needed.

�I can�t believe I�m standing here getting ready to go out with *Nsync.� Marissa said.

�Well believe it, and believe me when I tell you that they are just normal guys who want to be treated normally so don�t get all teeny-bopper on me ok?�

�Yes mom, I will behave and try not to throw myself on them. But if any of them throw themselves on me, well then that�s a different story.�

Alexis laughed and lightly hit her on the shoulder. She then stepped into her room again, and put on her dress. �So what do you think?� She spun around for her friend to see.

�Gorgeous, and the make-up wow, it�s awesome, who did it for you?� Marissa laughed.

�Oh you like it, thanks, I did it.� Alexis shot back as she began looking for her purse and shoes and the things that she would need.

It was Marissa�s turn to go get dressed, she had bought a knee length skirt with a slit on each side, the top was one that tied in the back and left her whole back exposed, the color was a deep blue. Now that outfit was 100% Marissa, in- style and daring, just how she liked it. �Ok my turn,� Marissa began as she gave a twirl for Alexis. �What do you think?�

�You look beautiful, I love that color, it�s totally you.� Alexis told her as she looked to the clock on her nightstand and saw that it was almost 8:30pm.

Marissa followed her gaze, �See told you we�d have enough time. I�m ready are you?�

�Yeah, I just have to find my cell, know where I left it?� Alexis asked as she walked out to the living room.

�Yeah hold on like I know where you left it,� Marisa told her from the room. With that there was a knock at the door. �Doesn�t seem like you�ll have time to find it!� Marissa said as she realized they were about to leave.

Alexis took in one deep breath and opened the door. Her eyes widened in appreciation as she saw JC standing in front of her. He looked absolutely handsome. He had on black slacks; a fitted shirt with a sports jacket on top, everything matching perfectly, Marissa would be proud. Alexis just stood there and stared, unable to get a word out. JC was the first one to break away from the trance that Alexis had cast on him.

�You look gorgeous Alexis.� JC said as he took her hand and lowered himself to give her a light kiss on her lips, lingering to smell the scent that he was becoming to love.

Alexis found her voice again, �Thank you, and you, you�re looking very good yourself.�

�Thank you,� he said with a grin.

As if on cue Marissa stepped out of the bedroom and made her way to where the two were standing. Alexis turned around to face her

�JC this is Marissa, my best friend from back home, she came in this morning.�

�Hi nice to meet you.� Marissa said as she shook JC�s hand.

�Like wise.� JC told her. �So you two fine ladies ready to go? Everyone else is waiting in the car.�

�Yes we�re ready,� Alexis said as she gave one last look around the apartment, they then stepped outside and she locked the door behind her.

�So this is the famous Marissa huh? I�ve heard a few stories about you.� JC said

�Hopefully all good ones.�

�Yes, all good, Alexis also told me that you�re a fashion designer.�

�Yes, yes I am.�

As they approached the parking area Alexis�s jaw dropped as she saw a stretched limo there waiting, and through the sunroof was Chris�s head with half his body. A cat whistle reached her ears as she heard the words: �Wow, look at those two hot girls walking there with JC, someone get me a hose cuz I think I need it!�

�Is that what happens in your dreams Chris, you get hosed down by the hot girls?� Alexis asked laughing.

�Well no actually what does happen�� Chris was unable to finish his words as he was pulled back into the limo from below. Both girls laughed at him and JC just shook his head.

�Told you they wanted to go out in style tonight.� JC whispered into Alexis�s ear as they stepped inside the limo.

Alexis had to admit that these boys knew how to dress to go out and have a good time. As her eyes went to each one of them she noticed that they each had their own style and they all looked great. �Hey, everyone, this is my best friend Marissa from back home in Chicago.� Alexis said as she gestured over towards her.

�Hey,� they all told her.

�Hey guys, nice to meet you all.� Marissa said with a smile, she was seated next to Justin, the only open space, and was liking the view almost as much as he was. Although her eyes constantly wandered to where Joey was seated.

Alexis was sitting next to JC, he soon found her hand and placed his within hers. They both looked at each other and genuinely smiled, as Alexis got comfortable next to him, by moving closer.

�You all ready to party tonight?� Joey asked.

�Just a little curious here Joey, where are we headed exactly?� Alexis asked

�Ha, we don�t even know.� Lance informed Alexis.

�It�s a surprise, but trust me we�ll have a great time. And this isn�t just any old club.� Joey�s eyes wandered over to Marissa as he said this.

Alexis took this opportunity to turn toward JC, she whispered quietly in his ear, �have you talked to your mom yet?�

�No, no I haven�t had the chance.� JC told her.

�Please JC make sure you do.�

JC looked at her with a strange face and once again saw the pleading in her eyes. �Ok I�ll do that, I promise I will.�

The stretch limo pulled up to the front doors of Clearly Magic an hour after the journey began. The conversation inside had been non-stop since then, ranging from the guys� crazy adventures to the girls talking about their lives back in Chicago.

�Jeez, Joe, it took us long enough to get here.� Lance said looking down at his watch.

�Exactly where is here?� JC said looking out the window at the oddly shaped but intriguing building. He was getting worried at the fact that they had stopped right in front where they could be spotted by the huge amount of people waiting outside to enter the club.

�It�s a new place, only been open for about a week, I�ve heard great things about it, so here we are.� Joey said with a smile as he kept looking out the window as a child who was about to enter a candy store would.

�What are we waiting for? Let�s go!� Chris said placing his hand on the handle to open the limo door.

Justin had noticed JC�s worried expression and the way he was looking at Alexis. �Don�t you think it�s a better idea if we go through the back? You know that way we won�t be seen.�

�But we always do that, it�s not as fun, this is a new place, let�s make�.� Chris trailed off as his eyes landed on the two ladies sitting in the limo with them.

Alexis was now catching on. Her relationship was too new for her to step out of the limo with JC, for two girls to step out of Nsync�s limo period was too dangerous. She cut in, �you know what guys? If you really want to, and I know you do, get off here. Marissa and I will stay and enter through the back.�

The guys were all quiet and looked at her with wide eyes, as if in disbelief, she understood perfectly what was going on.

�For real?� Chris asked, being the first to recover from the shock. �Cool, thanks for understanding, JC you caught a good one, let�s go guys.�

Before JC had time to argue that he wanted to enter through the back Chris had opened the limo door and found security waiting there. �Are you sure sweetie? You�re ok with this? I�ll go in through the back with you, I want to.�

�JC the rest of them are out there, you have to go too, it won�t look right if you show up in the club with me later, we�re not ready for that, not yet.�

�I don�t care what it looks like.� JC said truthfully, looking into her eyes. �Go, I�ll see you inside ok,� Alexis put her hands on either side of his face and kissed him.

�JC, come on let�s go!� Mike yelled sticking his head in the door.

JC gave her a small smile as he licked his lips. �I think you�re understanding too much, and it scares me a little.�

He was going to continue but Alexis cut him off. �Just go JC.� Alexis said with a slight laugh.

�We�ll talk about this, later,� he blew her a kiss as the limo door closed behind him. The screams of the people around him finally reached his ears, he looked around at the people with their surprised faces and stunned expressions. A few cameras flashed in his face and a few called out his name. Mike then lightly grabbed him by the arm and led him to the front doors. He could see Justin ahead of him entering the enormous glass doors. A glass that was transparent but could not be seen through, it was that bumpy, rigid kind that you might find as a bathroom window, but much more extravagant. The handles were gold with incrusted diamonds in it. But JC�s attention was not on the glamour that surrounded him once he stepped inside the opulent club, but it was on finding the back door that Alexis would soon walk through. JC pulled his arm out of Mike�s grasp, but Mike just caught it again

�Boy, where do you think you�re going?� Mike asked as he led him to some elevators located to the left. �You guys decide to make an entrance then expect to roam free in the club? Sorry, it doesn�t that work that way, come on, to the VIP room we go.�

�But Alexis, she�s supposed to come in through the back I have to meet her there.� He protested

�I�ll personally make sure she and her friend get up here ok JC? And at least you boys were smart enough to make them go through the back�� Mike mumbled the rest under his breath, JC couldn�t understand what he said, nor was he interested.

The limo pulled around the back and Marissa and Alexis got off, to their surprise one of Nsync�s security guards was there waiting for them. �This way ladies,� he said. They walked inside undetected.

Alexis�s eyes practically popped out of her head as she saw the club called Clearly Magic from the inside. All the walls, from floor to ceiling, were made of glass with a tint of light blue. As she looked toward the middle of the club she saw the main bar, but this wasn�t just any normal bar. The bar itself was a fish tank, and inside it were colorful fish swimming around. The direct center was where the dance floor could be found. The floor was made of Plexiglas in this area, and if you looked down into it you saw the scene of the sky, it was like you were dancing on clouds. The lights were very dim, and that went well with the surroundings.

�Oh my god Alexis, look at this place, I�ve never seen anything like it.� Marissa said in awe as she stood there staring, unable to move.

�The guys are up in the VIP room, follow me.� The same security guard said as he led the way to the room.

The room upstairs was just as beautiful as the rest of the club if not more. As Alexis walked off the elevator she saw the guys leaning over the balcony checking things out, pointing out the ladies that would be their target for the evening.

�Alexis,� JC said with a sigh of relief and a smile as he walked up to her. For some reason she knew what he was going to say so she put her finger on his lips. �Later, we came here to have a good time and that�s what we�re gonna have.� She grabbed him by the hand and led him to a table by the balcony where everyone else was seated. �Have you seen how awesome this place looks?� She asked enthusiastically.

For the first time since JC had walked in he looked around the place and had to admit it was something unlike he had ever seen.

�Wow Joey you found some place here.� Marissa said looking to her right where Joey was seated next to her, the seat that Justin had fought for but then realized there was another seat on the other side of her. Marissa didn�t seem to be star struck or too impressed by his charms, she seemed a little more interested in Joey. �Two beautiful girls in the span of a month and I didn�t get either one.� Justin thought to himself as he sat there and watched Joey work his magic on Marissa. He put his hands behind his head leaned back in the chair and began scooping the crowd below, elbowing Lance every once in a while when he spotted a beautiful girl.

Joey and Marissa made their way down to the dance floor first, followed by a bodyguard. Pretty soon everyone had made their way down, scattering around in different places, hoping they could keep it low for a while, although that was virtually impossible since they had made such an entrance. Justin was dancing in the middle of the floor with about 4 girls around him as Lance danced in a corner with one girl. Chris was seated at a table drinking, missing Dani who was unable to come and hoping they would soon resolve their problems, while JC and Alexis sat at the bar.

�Is this a salt water tank?� JC asked the bartender as he stared at a fish that swam directly under his drink.

�Yes sir it is, some of the best and most expensive exotic fish you�ll ever see are right here.� He tapped the glass for effect

�The colors on those fish are amazing, they just jump at you.� Alexis said as she took the last sip of her margarita.

The DJ decided it was time to change the mood of the music, now the beat was slower, and the lights dimmed just a tad more as each pair moved closer together on the dance floor.

�Care to join me for a dance?� JC asked holding out his hand for Alexis to grab.

�I would love to,� she responded with a smile.

He led her to an open space on the dance floor. He wrapped his arms around her waist and Alexis lazily wrapped her arms around his neck. He pulled her closer to him and she rested her head right below his shoulder.

�What did you mean when you said I understood too much and it scares you?� The words came out before Alexis could stop them.

JC chuckled and Alexis bounced off him with the movement of his chest. �Weren�t you the one who hushed me before, you wanted to have a good time.�

�Yes I was, and just as easily as I had done that I can just as easily bring the topic back up.� Her mischievous yet demanding eyes looked up to meet his gaze, and then she placed her head right back where it was.

�I said that because it�s the truth, you understand so much of how I must live my life in this business, and you just go with it, without question, without worry it seems.�

�Without worry, is that what I�m giving off? Well let me tell you I wish it were without worry. Let�s just say I�m aware and I know it wouldn�t be a good idea if I walked out of that limo with you.�

�Yeah it wouldn�t be a good idea, but that doesn�t mean it�s what I want. I hate having to be careful and hide things, but for now that�s how it has to be and you understand that and I thank you for it.�

�To tell you the truth I�m scared of what might happen, what would happen if your fans were to find out about, about us.�

�When and if they do find out I will be there with you every step of the way, don�t forget that, we�re in this together. I will try my best to keep them from finding out though, you know I will right, your privacy, our privacy is important to me.�

Alexis looked into his eyes, she saw the truth in them and she saw something she never wanted to let go of. �I know you will, and I know I can relay on you with whatever they decide to hit us with.�

�I�m glad you know.� He said with a grin as his head bent down to meet her lips. Those luscious full lips he wanted to devour, to taste their sweetness and not let go. Alexis gave into him completely, inhaling his cologne and feeling his tongue within her mouth, she was in heaven and the world around her did not exist at the moment.

Chapter Ten