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| Chapter Six | ||||||
| "Well that was fun," I said as we went out to the limo where Lonnie was waiting witha bouquet of flowers. "Justin, these are for you," Lonnie said witha huge grin that seemed out of place on his usually tough face. "Not her again!" Justin exclaimed, reading the card. "Ugh! Why won't she get it? I am never gonna go out with her!" Chris patted Justin on the back as he climbed into the limo. "Hehe, what can we say man?" "You got skills," Lance said with a laugh. "No guys, seriously-how do I get rid of her?" Justin asked as the limo started up and Lonnie shut the door. "HOw about reverse psychology?" Joey suggested. "Uh-uh, no way." "Oh come on...just hit on her and come on really strong.." "No! Ew! This is Britney Spears we're talking about here...I am NOT gonna even go there." Justin shuddered. "What about you, Rain and Osh? Got any ideas?" "Just tell her very nicely that there is nothing between you two-the past in the past and it's all over and that's all there is to it," Rainbow said. "Or you could tell her to go to um...H E double hockey sticks," I said with a smile. Chris laughed. "Hey that's a good one. Hey Britney, why don't you go to H E double hockey sticks?" We all laughed. "I've tried that-all of it-but she won't go away!" Justin exclaimed. "Aww, poor baby," Joey said. "Why don't you just ignore her?" JC suggested. "If she talks to you, just go 'Okay, who are you?', throw the flowers away, don't take her phone calls..." "That's a good idea, JC. Thanks," Justin said. "That means these can go." He tossed the flowers out the window of the moving limo. "Where are we going next?" Rainbow asked. "A CD signing, then we gotta go to MTV to do a few other interviews and shows," Lance said. "And then tomorrow-FANatic! Woo hoo!" Joey hooted. I dropped my stuff on the floor in Rain and my hotel room and flopped onto the bed. "I never realized how tiring this must be for the guys." "I know, tell me about it...I am *pooped*," Rain said as JC poked his head into the room. "Not too pooped to eat dinner I hope," JC said. "JC, you're gonna have to help me up," Rain groaned, holding up a hand that JC took and pulled her up by. "I'll be out in a second," I said, closing my eyes. "Osh, come on-we're going to the Hard Rock," Lance said. "I can't move!" I exclaimed. "I can't walk!" Lance walked over to the bed and picked me up. "Lance, what are you doing?" "You can't walk, so we're gonna carry you around all night," Lance said as we entered the hallway where Justin was waiting. "I can walk Lance, really, I'm just exaggerating," I said. "No, no, I insist," Lance replied with a grin. "Hey Justin-catch." I shrieked as Lance threw me to Justin who caught me securely. "What-did you think I wasn't gonna catch you, Osh? Gee, thanks-you've got a lot of faith in me," Justin said with a laugh as he carried me to the elevator. "Sorry Jay, but when I'm being tossed through the air with no fair warning, I get kinda freaked,"I replied as Lance, Justin and I entered the elevator. Lance laughed. "I am gonna LOVE tonight." "Oh geez, what happened?" JC asked as Justin set me in the car. "She can't walk," Lance said. "So we're carrying her around tonight." "Ah...I see," Chris said slyly. We arrived back at the hotel around midnight-the guys carrying me everywhere.. . . . fjeioruwoiure To the Hard Rock, out of the Hard Rock, to the door of the ladies room-everywhere. "Osh, JC and I are gonna take a leisurely walk around the hotel-we'll be back in awhile, okay?" Rainbow said as I changed into red flannel pj pants and a black tank top. I nodded. "Yeah, have fun, Rain." I decided I should call my parents and tell them what was going on, so I dialed their number. My mom answered. "Hello?" "Hey mom, it's me-Ocean." "Hi, Ocean! You haven't called in so long!" "Yeah, I know. I've just been really busy with school and stuff lately...remember Mad TV?" "Yeah...that show you always watched?" "That's the one...well anyway, mom, Rain and I auditioned for it and we got the parts!" "Really? That's great, Ocean! Good job-oh, talk to your dad...Hello?" "Hey dad." "So you're on Mad TV now?" "Yup, I'm gonna be." "That's good...you're not dropping out of school are you?" "No dad, I'm staying IN school-I wanna be cool." "Good. Are you coming home for spring break?" "Um, no. Actually,I'm going to Mississippi-" "For what?" "To meet my boyfriend's family." "What boyfriend?" "His name is Lance Bass...remember N Sync dad?" "Oh...is he the one I always called Dopey-the one with the vacant look in his eye?" "Yes, he's the one-that's my boyfriend...and he doesn't have a vacant look in his eye." "Are you sleeping with him?" "Dad!" "Are you sleeping with him?" "*What?* No! I am NOT sleeping with Lance! I have morals you know!" "So you're telling me you're dating a member of N Sync." "YEs that's what I'm telling you." "Ha! I'll believe it when I see it. Talk to your mom...Hello?" I was close to tears. "Hi Mom." "So your boyfriend is Lance from N Sync?" "Yeah." "When do we get to meet him?" "I don't know yet...maybe I'll have him talk to you guys on the phone sometime...I have to go-it's almost one here." "Okay, bye Ocean." "Bye." I hung up the phone and began crying. I heard a knock on the door and I quickly composed myself, wiping tears from my eyes as I opened the door. "Hey Osh-I just came to say good night...what's wrong?" I shook my head. "Nothing." "Have you been *crying*, Osh?" "No..." "Yes you have-what happened?" "It's just my dad...he-" I burst into tears and Lance came into my room, shutting the door behind him. "Sit down, sweetie...calm down...what happened?" I took a deep breath. "I called my mom and dad to tell them what was up...I told them about you and Mad TV...my dad doesn't believe me about you." "Why not?" Lance asked. "I don't know...maybe cuz you're famous and I'm not...then he asked me all these stupid questions..." "Like?" "Like am I sleeping with you, am I dropping out of school..." Lance laughed. "Why did he ask stuff like that?" "I don't know..Lance he always makes me feel like a reject, no matter what-like I'm not good enough to be going out with you, and just cuz I'm on Mad means I'm dropping out of school...what's wrong with me?" I started crying again. Lance took me in his arms. "Nothing, Osh. There is nothing wrong with you...I'm sure your dad doesn't mean to make you feel like that." "Sure," I said. "No, really, sweetie...there is absolutely nothing wrong with you...don't let stuff like that get to you, okay?" Lance replied, stroking my hair. "It's okay, don't cry. Do you want me to talk to your parents on the phone or anything?" I sat up. "Would you?" "Of course." "Oh that would help so much Lance..." "Well pick up the phone and dial the number first," Lance said with a grin. I laughed. "Right...hi mom, it's me again." "Hi Ocean, why'd you call again?" "Well, I thought you and dad might want to talk to Lance and he came to my room to tell me good night, so I thought you all could talk." "That sounds great, honey. Why don't you put him on?" "Okay, here he is...Lance, it's my mom," I whispered as I handed him the phone. Lance nodded. "Hello? Hi Mrs. Griggs, this is Lance Bass...yes Ocean is my girlfriend...and I'm from N Sync...no I didn't know that...I'm in New York right now...she's not missing anything, it's just for the weekend...okay, nice talking to you Mrs. Griggs...Hi Mr. Griggs, how are you this evening?...I'm fine, thank you...Yes I'm Lance Bass...from N Sync...yes, I'm dating your daughter-she's a wonderful person..." Lance bit back a laugh. "No sir...we've talked aobut that and decided to save that for when we're married...that's okay...your wife told me that a minute ago but Ocean never mentioned it...*haha* did she really?...well okay, Mr. Griggs, it was nice talking to you...would you rather I come and meet you during spring break or have Ocean meet my family...are you sure?...okay, maybe during Thanksgiving...sooner I hope...have a nice night...goodbye." Lance hung up the phone. I looked at him hopefully. "So-how'd it go?" Lance grinned. "They believe you now..and your dad asked me if we were sleeping together." I groaned. "He didn't." "Don't worry, I told him exactly what we had said-we're waiting til we're married, right, hon?" I nodded. "What else happened?" Lance laughed. "You never told me you had a crush on me in high school." "They told you about that?" "Yup- posters of me all over the place�" "Oh no! You weren't supposed to know that!" I blushed. "So, do you still have a crush on me?" "Hmm, what do you think?" "You tell me." "I have a huge crush on you-" Lance kissed me. "Good, cuz I've got an even bigger one on you." "Thanks Lance." "For what?" "Talking to my parents. Being here for me�" "You don't have to thank me for that�I'd do anything for you," Lance said. "I love you, Osh." JC and Rainbow came into the room. "Hey, you two- what are you two still doing up?" "Same question could go for you guys," I said. "So, what are we doing today?" "Um, FANatic and then we have pretty much a free day up until about six tonight�we're going to a party- huge thing. Famous people left and right," Lance said. "And, um, it's kinda a formal thing," JC added, his eyes on the ground. "JC! You know I hate dressing up, especially in dresses!" Rainbow exclaimed. "I know. I'm sorry, Rain�I should've told you about it," JC said quietly. "Oh come on, Rain, it wouldn't kill you to wear a dress for once in your life, would it?" I said. Rainbow was silent for a minute. Then shook her head. "No, but I didn't bring any dresses." "We'll go shopping tomorrow," Lance said. "We've gotta buy stuff too." "I guess we better get to sleep then so we look ravishing for the party," I joked. Lance laughed. "Okay, sweetie. I'll come and wake you up in the morning." I nodded and Lance kissed me goodnight, then left. There was a knock on my door at precisely six that morning. I groaned and rolled out of bed to answer the door. Lance stood there in his boxers and a gray t-shirt with his hair looking especially cute, yawning. "Morning," I mumbled. "Morning, baby," Lance replied and kissed me. "Hmm�this day is starting out pretty well," I said with a grin. "I know�not every morning I get a wake-up kiss," Lance replied with a grin. An hour later, we were all dressed and heading down to Times Square to start taping FANatic. "I am really hoping this chick doesn't come on to us like the last one did," JC said. "I wouldn't mind," Joey objected. "Of course you wouldn't, Joe," Justin said. "Here, you two will need these," Lonnie said, handing Rain and me MTV FANatic passes to wear around our necks. The fan's name was Gina, and she turned out to be a very sweet girl- Joey was the one who started the flirting. "Okay, I've got a question for you, Rainbow and Ocean," Gina said. The cameras turned to a startled Rainbow and me. "What's it like going out with JC and Lance?" Gina asked. "Oh�well, um, JC is really sweet and being with him is the greatest feeling in the world�being apart is only a small obstacle to overcome," Rainbow said with a smile. "What about you, Ocean?" "Lance is one of the sweetest, most caring guys I have ever met and I am so lucky to have him in my life and like Rain said, being apart is only a small obstacle to overcome," I replied. "Being apart isn't even an obstacle really- absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?" Gina smiled. "Right." "So, where do you wanna go to select your evening wear?" Chris asked in the car after fanatic was done. "A mall," Rainbow said. "Which mall? There are lots of malls," Justin replied. "Just pick a mall- you know where everything is," I said. Joey, who was driving, shrugged. "Alrighty then�do you guys have the disguises?" Lance tossed hats at the other guys and plopped a baseball cap on his head. "Yup." "Hats? That's your disguise?" Rainbow asked as JC put a baseball cap on and slipped on a pair of Ray-bans. "Works really well most of the time," Justin said, stuffing his curly hair under a dark blue beanie. "And no one recognizes you?" I asked. "Only the smart ones," Chris replied, pulling into a parking lot. Once inside the mall, we split up and agreed to meet back at the food court at three. Chris and Joey went to check out some video game shops. Justin, Lance, JC, Rainbow and I went to several stores looking for dresses and suits. Justin decided on a black and white tux and Lance and JC finally opted for the same thing. Rainbow and I still hadn't found our dresses. "Come on, you two�it's just a dress," JC groaned. "Shush up if you want me to go to this thing," Rainbow said as she entered the dressing room with a stack of dresses. I followed with a stack of dresses as well. After a few dresses, I stepped out of my stall wearing a light blue spaghetti strap ankle length dress. "Rain- how about this one?" Rainbow emerged from her stall wearing a simple black spaghetti strap dress that barely touched the ground. "Osh, that dress is perfect on you�what about this dress?" I nodded. "I think that's the one�JC's gonna be drooling all night." Rain laughed. "Osh, Rain, hurry up�it's almost three," Lance called. "Okay!" we both said and dashed back inside the stalls to change into our regular clothes. We came out five minutes later holding the dresses we were going to buy. "Do we get to see the dresses?" JC asked hopefully. "No," I said. "You'll have to wait until tonight." I lay down on my bed in the hotel room. "Rain, Lance has forgotten our one month anniversary." "I doubt it, Osh- he doesn't forget stuff like that," Rainbow said. "He's probably gonna do something awesome tonight." "I hope so�I have to go find him a present�R, I'll be back in half an hour," I said. "What do I tell him if he asks where you are?" Rainbow asked. "Um�tell him I went sightseeing," I said and went out the door. I returned to the hotel room twenty minutes later, gift bag in hand. "Hey, Rain�so what are you getting JC?" Rainbow's eyes widened. "Oh my gosh! I totally forgot today's out one month anniversary too! I'll be back in a little while." And with that, she raced out the door, almost knocking over Lance who was coming in. "Whoa- where's she off to?" Lance asked. "She's um, gotta run an errand," I said. "So what's up?" "Wondering if I could get a sneak peak at your dress for tonight?" Lance said hopefully. "Absolutely not," I replied. "So who's going to this party?" "Hmm, a lot of music people�98 Degrees, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears-" "Yuck." Lance laughed. "Um, Reese Witherspoon, Jared Leto�I really have no idea who else is coming." "Is it going to be fun?" I asked with a smile. "I hope do- it should be. If it's not, we can always leave," Lance said with a shrug. I reached for the gift bag and handed it to Lance. "Here- I got this for you. I hope you like it." Lance reached into the gift bag and pulled out a white teddy bear that had "I Love You" written across its tummy. "How cute, Osh!" "It's kinda corny, but I thought you'd like it," I said. "There's more." I had written out the lyrics to "I Turn To You" by Christina Aguilera with a card that told Lance how much he meant to me. I also gave him a sno-globe that contained a rock in an ocean-looking substance. "Thank you, Osh," Lance said softly. "I haven't forgotten if that's what you think." "Forgotten what?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant. "Our one-month anniversary. I haven't forgotten- it's just not time for your present yet," Lance said. "Tonight-" Rainbow burst into the room. "I got it!" "Did you get it?" "I got it!" Rainbow exclaimed. "I gotta take a shower- shouldn't you be getting ready Lance? It's like, four-thirty." "Whoa- I guess I better get going." Lance stood up and kissed me quickly. "I'll see you later." An hour and a half later, Rain stepped out of the bathroom wearing the black dress with her hair up in an elegant bun, cute little trendils of hair hanging around her face. "How do I look?" "Rain! You look awesome! JC is gonna have a heart attack and keel over from shock," I said. "Oh yeah right," Rainbow muttered. "Seriously, R- trust me," I replied. "Do I look okay?" I twirled around, the fabric of the dress silently swishing around my ankles. "You look incredible, Osh- Lance's mouth is gonna drop open and he'll be nonfunctional for the rest of the night," Rain said. "And your hair looks awesome- what'd you do to it?" "I just blow dryed it, then curled it and stuck a few clips in," I said, slipping on some white platform sandals. "Osh, I don't know about these sandals�" Rain was looking doubtfully at her feet in black platform sandals. "Oh come on, Rain, they look beautiful," I said as Justin knocked on the door. "Come on ladies, are you ready to go?" Justin called. "Almost!' Rain and I looked at each other and took a deep breath, grinning at each other. "Here we go." I opened the door where Lance and JC were standing with bouquets of flowers and Justin, Joey and Chris were behind them. All five guys' eyes were wide and their mouths were slightly opened in a look of complete shock. We pretended not to notice and Rainbow laughed. "What?" "You guys better close your mouths or you might begin to drool and ruin your outfits," I added with a smile. Lance blinked. "Um�wow. Osh, these are for you." He handed me the flowers. "Thank you, Lance. Let me put these in the room," I said as JC handed his flowers to Rainbow. "Um, JC? Can I borrow Rain for tonight?" Joey asked with a grin. "No way!" JC exclaimed. Joey turned to Lance. "How about you, Lance?" Lance shook his head. "Uh-uh. Osh is with me." We climbed into the limo, with Chris, Joey and Justin pleading with JC and Lance to let them be with Rain and me. "Okay, cameras and press galore are gonna make us pose, so smile and look like you're happy to be with us," Lance said with a laugh. "Yeah, media hounds�gonna do the whole arm around the girl, kiss kinda thing�" Joey said. "Which is exactly why we need you two to be with," Justin added enthusiastically. "No way, dude! Keep dreaming!" JC said. Rainbow and I just looked at each other and smiled as we pulled up to the building. JC smiled at Rainbow and they stepped out into the sea of blinding flashbulbs and screaming girls. Next went Justin, then Joey and Chris and finally Lance and me. "Lance, I can't see," I muttered and he took my hand. "I know, Osh- I'll try to get us inside asap," Lance said smiling for the cameras and I did the same. After about a bazillion pictures- solo, ones with Lance and ones with all the guys, we made it inside where it was calmer and more relaxed. "Hey you guys!" someone exclaimed, rushing over to us. "Hey Christina!" Joey chortled, hugging the blond girl. "I haven't seen you guys in so long! I'm guessing you're Rainbow and Ocean- am I right? How cool to meet you- I'm Christina." The girl said, eagerly shaking our hands. "We love your CD- your voice is incredible," I replied with a smile. "Thank you so much," Christina said. And so the night began. |
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| Chapter Seven I Just Wanna Be With You index Back to the gravy, oh baby, oh baby |
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