Jade is a dancer on the No Strings Attached tour. Jade was his best friend from the past, but their dreames separated them....so both their dreams bring them back together.
I smiled, recognising the familar voice.
"Lynn, hi! How are you?"
"I'm good, what about you and Justin?"
"He knows everything." I spilled.
"Well, I'm proud of you honey. I'm sure it wasn't hard."
"It's all okay between us."
"Jade, so is Justin really behaving?"
"He's keeping low key."
"Good."
"Are you talking to my Mama?" Justin asked.
I froze. How do I tell Justin I sometimes call his mama, my Mom?
"Jade, sweetie, let me explain to him."
"If you're sure."
"I'm sure. You behave also, and keep up the good work. Sometimes I watch you more than watching the both of you."
"Aww, Lynn! It's good to know you love me."
"I love you always, Jade."
"Love you too! Bye."
I handed the phone to Justin, avoiding his eyes.
"Mama..." he started.
A few minutes later...
"Here you go." He gave me his phone, with a slight smile to his face.
"So...?"
"She told me how you talk, like every week, and the auntie I call 'Mom' is your mama."
"Uh-huh. How do you feel?"
"Okay, I guess."
"I didn't know when to tell you about me and your mom."
"I understand. Your mom, she raised me. I call her all the time."
"If it makes you feel uncomfortable me knowing your family, I will back off."
"Jade, you're like my little sister. How could you?"
He had a point.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm great. Honestly."
"If you're sure. We gotta do this routine again."
"What are you doing afterwards?"
"Shopping with Kiara. You can come if you want." I offered.
"I wouldn't want to intrude."
"You wouldn't. I'll ask her, and she will say yes, then you can come."
"Jade, it's okay. I'll just be going back to the bus."
"But that ain't healthy. Look..." I trailed off, as Kiara came towards me.
"Jade, I'm going to cancel." Kiara announced.
"What? Why?" I asked.
"My ankle needs all the resting it can get, and knowing you, we're going to walk miles. Better buy me a banging skirt."
"I will." I replied, down.
"Go with Justin."
"Yeah, but, Kiki..."
"You're so whiney. I can't go." she sighed, laughing.
"I heard, rudey!"
"Ja rule!"
"One time, I wore a tracksuit! It was cold!"
"Yeah, okay. I need to find butt-head."
"Joey. His name is Joey."
"Jade, I am free to call the little chicken red head what I like. Bye guys!"
I turned to Justin, giggling at Kiara.
"Still up for shopping?" Justin asked me.
"Crap, I gotta go change."
"Jade, can't you go like that?"
"No. It's cold."
"At least you don't stink."
"This dance workout has been minor, that's why." I grabbed my bag, walking out with Justin, and Lonnie behind.
"I promise I won't look."
"Justin, you better not look. I will pull out your curls!"
"Little of them can't do me harm."
"Baby, then you won't be making any children in the future." I told him, getting in the back. "Jade, has anyone told you, that you have a dark side?"
"Uh-huh, you did. And you have one too."
"Yeah, whatever, Lil J. What do you want for Christmas?"
"I dunno. I always sent a card. What do you want, B.J?"
"I wouldn't mind one of those."
"What's that?"
"What you said."
"Eww, Justin, that's wrong!"
"You said it."
"Justin, that's nasty!"
"I've stopped thinking about it."
"You did space out when we were smaller."
"Calling me an airhead with blonde hair?"
"Precisely!"
The car stopped, and we got out.
"This is a good place to shop." Justin pointed out.
"Yeah."
"So, where to first?"
"Kiara's skirt, then my stuff."
He began turning his head towards me.
"Don't you dare!" I warned.
"Fine, I won't." he laughed.
Later...
"Justin. you have ice-cream on your nose."
"I do?" he tried wiping his nose, but completely missed it.
"Here." I got a tissue, and wiped it off for him.
"Waffles and ice cream are so nice, especially your mom's."
"Our moms are joint at the hip."
"They adore each other."
Justin and me began to laugh, gently.
"Can't wait to go back to Orlando for Christmas." Justin shared with me.
"You going this year?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Well, I was there last year. In fact, all the years you weren't. And all the years you were there, I spent with other family."
"Well I'm going alone, without Britney. Do you like Britney?"
"Yeah, of course I do. I was ecstatic to hear I'm one of her dancers for the joint tour. It's a dream come true!"
"Total opposite, right?"
"Yeah, but...she has great...fingernails!"
"Fingernails?"
"Yup. Gotta love 'em."
"Who're you staying with in Orlando?" Justin asked.
"Mom. I would buy a place, but there ain't no point with touring and everything." I answered.
"Come stay with me."
"No thanks...with Britney?"
"She's passing by Christmas Eve."
"Still, stay with you? Why do you even want me there?"
"'Cause you're my best friend, and you can never say 'no' to my eyes."
I looked up to him, as he gave me the puppy dog look. Note to myself: Practise in the mirror how to say 'no'. I nodded.
"It will be cool! Movies..."
"MOVIES! What's the time?" I just remembered, this was meant to be quick!
"Almost 5."
"Justin, we have to go!"
"The movie is at 7." he answered, obviously not knowing how long I take.
"And, I still need to buy jeans!"
"Wear what you have."
"No, 'cause they're ass-shaking jeans, and they're tight."
"Who said we might not go clubbing?"
"Fine, but go!" I left money, since Justin didn't carry loose change.
"Hey, Jade, if they're gone already, you could always change in my car." he whispered closely, in my ear.
"You're such a damn flirt!" I told him, folding my arms.
I rolled my eyes, as his eyes wandered, and followed the group of ladies walking past.
"Justin!" I hit his stomach, playfully.
"Can you have our bags ready in mine and Jade's room please?" Justin asked the bodyguard.
I sighed.
"Tonight, your feud is finishing. Ended! Okay?" but they didn't answer.
"Joey, I ain't kicking you out, but I gotta change."
"Okay, I'll see ya'll in a bit."
"Just go!" Kiara cried.
"Kiara, honestly, I've never seen people like you argue like you and Joey do! On TV, it ends up the two having rough, passionate, anger sex."
"Me and Joey? You're bloody mad!" she laughed.
Later
"I knew it wouldn't be cold." Kiara repeated, as we sat down in the theatre.
"Well, I didn't buy it too short in case. Still, it looks good." I told her, looking at it briefly.
"My hair is so wavy, now it's cut."
"Mine's still long with my crop fringe." I stroked my fingers through it.
"Jade, your jeans are hot, and shoes. You know we're going movies and dinner?"
"I know, but I can still look great."
"Ahem, Paul!" Kiara coughed.
"Kiara, it's just an evening out."
"Poor guy, can't get to you." Kiara looked over to my right.
The movie theatre was packed. The whole of the tour crew was here, along with quite a lot of guards. Justin was obviously trapped with the other gold-digging females. The film had started, but me and Kiara were cracking jokes to each other. We did want to watch the film. It was new, but now we just wanted to get away from here, and do something else.
"Come on, Jade. We gotta check out the arcade."
"Finished popcorn!" I said, reading her mind about an excuse.
"'Kay, munch, Jade, munch!" she said laughing.
Once we had finished, we stood up, obviously not having to explain to anyone.
"Dance machine! You got 50 cents?" I asked Kiara.
"Does it look like it?"
"No, stupid question. I have 10 dollars. Ask a kid for change."
We got our change, and put our coins in, taking our shoes off.
"We are so bad at it!" I laughed, trying to get the steps.
We stopped laughing as we heard someone cough behind us.
"Lonnie, Mike, James, Jermaine, it's okay. We found them... No, they're not hurt." Chris said, talking to his phone.
"We were worried. We didn't see you down at the popcorn queue." Lance said, making me feel guilty.
"We're sorry, if we got you worried." Kiara said, her face falling.
"Everyone is looking for you."
I turned to Justin, who was looking straight at me, in the eye.
"Bunch of liars!"
"Who gave it away?" Joey whined.
"Obviously, Justin. Jade can easily read through him." Chris groaned.
"So, you came to the arcade?" Chris said like an investigator. We nodded our heads.
"Hey, what about you?"
"Same, but you guys suck at the game." Joey laughed, looking at our scores.
"Sorry, Mr expert!"
"No, I'm the expert." J.C pushed his way forward, inserting money.
"And me!" Chris jumped on.
I walked toward Justin.
"Jade, hey."
"Hi Justin."
"I've been trying to talk to you."
"I know. I'm just going outside for air."
"I should go with security, but okay."
"So, what was your excuse?"
"Johnny wanted a quick conference call in an office." Justin informed me, standing against the wall.
"Justin, 20 to 30 girls, running this way!" I whispered, a bit panicky.
"Shit!"
"J, you got one second to do something!"
He gazed at me, and simultaneously, we put our hoods up, closing them in. Justin leaned more in, pushing me back on the wall more. Man, it's dark, and there is no air, and getting hotter. I can feel every breath of Justin's on my face. he smelt so vanillary.
"Justin." I whispered, reaching my hand up to his face.
"Oww, poke me!" he laughed.
"I was seeing where your face was. They're standing right behind you."
"Get a room!" someone shouted, making me and Justin burst out laughing.
"Can you hear Mike?"
"Uh-huh. How are you going to get in?"
Looking up though, I couldn't see Justin. our lips brushed lightly, and there was a long silence.
"Can you get your cell?"
"Yeah it's here." I brought it out, brightening our little space. I gazed at Justin, as he gazed back at me.
"If you can, call Mike."
I nodded.
"Hello."
"Jade, I'm really busy."
"I know, the fans. Me and Justin are outside, unable to get in."
"Justin, as in white-boy Justin, with blonde hair?"
"Yeah."
"Why the...Why the heck would he go outside with no security?"
"I dunno. We could reveal ourselves, and rush in, causing commotion, or stay where we are, or go down the street, but he is very likely to be seen."
"I hear ya, Jade. I'm going to you. Wait, I'll push them back."
"'Kay Mikey." I closed my phone.
"So, we wait?" Justin asked me.
My head shot down to my phone ringing.
"Is it Mike?" I shook my head.
"No. Paul."
"Hey baby!" I answered, it sounded quite fake, and forced.
"Hi. I haven't spoken to you in ages!"
"The past day, Paul."
"I miss you. It gets lonely, sitting by myself."
"I wish I could be there with you."
"What you doing now?"
"Standing, stuck outside the movies."
"You went out with Kiara?"
"And the whole crew."
"Treating you well?"
"I guess, 'cause of Christmas."
"You sure it isn't your new-founded relationship with the blonde white-boy from the past?"
"I'm sure, Paul. Is there something wrong with me being friends with Justin?"
"No, there isn't anything wrong with you being friends. There's something odd about the friendship."
"Paul, it's my friendship."
"I know. Soon, I'll be there watching you..."
"Watching me? I don't need watching. Hello, I'm 19! What's up with that?"
"Jade, calm down. I was going to...uh, Kiara. She still arguing with Joey?"
"Yes, she is."
"Jade, you still mad?"
"We'll talk tomorrow."
"I love you, Jade."
"I know. Bye."
I stared at my phone, sighing. I should apologise about Paul, but Justin is being pulled by Mike, and I'm linking arms with Lonnie. I found Justin by the cars.
"Kiara, you got 50 cents?" I asked.
"Yeah, did you two fight or something?"
"I can't explain."
"Here."
"Thanks."
I sat down next to Justin, inserting my money into the game machine.
"Justin, I'm sorry about Paul."
"I know, but it's not you who should be apologising."
"Being stuck in his place gets to his head."
"I hope." Justin replied, making me laugh.
"So, doesn't he like us being friends?"
"Basically, no. What about Britney?"
"She don't like it either."
"Hate it..." Justin started.
"Or love it." we both finished, concentrating on the game.
"Jade, we gotta go." Kiara said.
"Go where?" I asked, very confused.
"The movies, duh! We're still gone."
"Oh yeah. Justin?"
"Go. We're gonna chill in here." Justin replied.
"'Kay. Bye guys!" I waved.
"Kiara, say bye to Joey." I instructed her.
"Bye Joey." she said, in a forced voice.
"Later, Kiara."
After the movie...
"We sat in the back. It's more fun." I explained to Dianna, and the rest of the girls.
"You riding in our car?"
"Actually, we're going to take a cab."
"Suit yourself." Kristen answered, going ahead to the rented car.
"What did you do that for? The cab is gonna take ages!"
"Justin told me to wait." I told her, pointing to the guys not far ahead.
"Oh." she said, following me.
"So, you came then?" Chris smiled.
"Yeah. Though, I'm sure you want a lady on your arm."
"Hint, hint."
"Of course, Chris! All you gotta do is ask."
"Well, you have a man, but I'm only escorting."
"Totally understandable." I laughed, resting back on the fence.
"Joey and Kiara then." J.C slipped.
"If I have to." she groaned, making everyone laugh.
"We best get going." JC mentioned.
J.C got into the car.
"Kiki, no arguing!"
"Got it."
We quickly hugged and got in the separate cars.
At dinner...
"Would you like a separate table?"
"No." Justin answered.
"Yes." I replied at exactly the same time as Justin.
"Jade, do you want to sit with us?"
"Yes, but I can't, Justin."
"Shall we put you next to each other?"
"Thank you." I smiled.
I followed the waiter, sitting at my table, with Kiara.
"Jade, why didn't you come sit with us?" Justin asked, next to me.
"Justin, I'm having to explain all the time that me and you are friends, with comments you probably know. We hardly used to talk. You never even acknowledged my presence sometimes, and now it's like we can't get away from each other. Keeping a small distance ain't that bad." I explained to Justin.
Sadly, I never thought me being Justin's friend would be so much trouble.
"I was looking forward to eating with you, so you could get to know the guys."
"I will, Justin. In time. I'm spending Christmas with you."
"Paul." he muttered.
"Sugar, honey, ice-tea!"
"What?"
"If he knew I'm spending it with you, he'd go mad!"
"Are you spending it together?" Justin asked.
"He wants to, but I told him I'm going to Orlando."
"It's okay."
"No, I'm spending Christmas with you, so we got all that time to spend!"
I smiled, but in the back of my head I knew I had to somehow break it to Paul.
"What you ordering?" Justin asked, smiling.
"Not sure." I answered nonchalantly, picking up the menu.
"Well, go all out. It's my treat."
He waited for me to pick something, but still, I was searching.
"Come back to you in a minute." I told him.
Our tables were right next to each other with a gap so someone could pass, that's it. So, I was basically sitting next to Justin. So much for space!
"You having fun?" Justin asked later in the dinner.
"Yes, Justin. Now go ask your guests, you know, everyone in the tour you invited besides me." I tried shooing him away, but he didn't nudge, just stared at me.
"I already have, so you can't complain."
'Cheek! He's one step ahead.' I thought.
"I'm not complaining." I pouted.
"Kiara, you want to come back to our bus?" Chris asked Kiara, just before we hopped into the cab.
"Yeah, sure. What's going on?" she asked.
"Nothing much yet." he shut the door, then went.
Everyone was standing outside the buses, saying their thank yous and byes, before jumping back onto their own buses.
"Joey and Kiara seem to be getting on fine." Lance commented, in the lounge area.
"10 bucks it lasts 'till the end of the evening." Chris bet.
"20, a few hours." J.C laughed.
"50, next 5 minutes." Lance said, smiling as J.C and Chris looked at him oddly.
"DEAL!" They shook hands.
"Joey, you're so damn annoying! Get out my face!"
You could hear the shouting coming from the kitchen.
"It was a joke!" Joey tried to defend himself, from what I could hear.
"I'm not laughing!"
"You're not human. You have no sense of humour!"
"You can't tell a joke, that's it!"
"I don't know why I thought you were a'ite!"
"I am, just not to you!"
"Pay up, guys!" Lance laughed, holding his hands out for his well deserved cash.
"I lost 50 in less that 5 minutes!" J.C groaned.
"They're such a funny pair."
"It's kind of quiet." Chris said, obviously not realising what he meant.
We all jumped up, rushing to the kitchen all wide-eyed, as we watched Joey and Kiara kissing against the fridge. We walked away, knowing we'd seen enough.
"Lance, I want my money back!" Chris put a hand on his hip.
"Why? I won it fair and square."
"They're getting on fine!"
Chris laughed, as we all joined in, suddenly stopping as Joey and Kiara walked back in, sitting away from each other.
"Still arguing?" Justin asked, smiling.
"No, 'cause if I do, I end up a butt-head like him!"
"Keep talking, motor mouth!"
I woke up slowly to Justin walking me to my bed on my bus.
"Night Kiara." he said to Kiara, as J.C put her in her bed.
"Goodnight." she mumbled, turning over.
"Goodnight Jade." he whispered, kissing my forehead.
"Night Justin."