(E.M.) @E-I-E-I-Miranda: Open mic at Rolling Rock. Come on out. Share the musical wealth.

The soft beat of Jingle Bell Rock played through the speakers of the restaurant, spreading Christmas cheer through the restaurant, mixing with the sound of soft talking, laughter, and the sound of silverware clinking against plates.

Stepping out of the heat of the kitchen and into the dining area, I was surprised to be able to keep the tray laden with hot food on secure on my sweaty palm. With my free hand, I brushed my damp—ugh—hair back behind my ear and made my way through the dimly lit eating area of The Rolling Rock to the order’s table.

The Rolling Rock was slowly becoming the place to be at on weekends. It was the best place for newcomers to the city to show off their talents while waiting for to become the next big thing. With the laid back ambience, there was no pressure to be the best and everyone in the audience just looked forward to hearing some good music. It was a little out of the way, but that’s what I liked the most about it. Compared to what was outside those walls, it was great to have a place free of judgment. Plus, the Christmas lights were a nice touch.

3. 2. 1. Touchdown.

“Here you go.” I carefully set the tray down onto the table, doing a little internal dance at my success. Elle-1, Tray-0. “I’ll be back with your drinks, shortly.”

Making sure I didn’t stick my thumb in smoldering hot cheese of the plate of nachos (again) I set the table of four’s appetizer orders onto the table. With the two kids bouncing against the cushion of the booth, I made a mental note to check back often. Spills were bound to happen and with my trusty Shamwow—seriously, what restaurants made waiters and waitresses use the—I was all set for the inevitable.

I tucked the tray underneath my arm, spun on my heels, and made my way back to the service counter. I set the tray down onto the counter and folded my arms over top the damp, warm, tray.

“Hey, I need those sodas for table 12, Lucas.” I said, raking my fingers through my tangled, stringy hair. With nimble fingers, and a huff of air, I pulled the elastic out of my hair, allowing the dark tresses to fall free. “Not like those two kids need any more sugar in their bodies.”

Lucas briefly glanced up from the order slip in his hands before, letting out a sigh through his nose, his head dropping to the side. “Why don’t you smile for once, E?” he asked. “You’re a waitress, you’re, like, the face of this place.”

I opened my mouth to answer, but he waved his hand in the air. “I know, I know,” he said in a monotone as if he had heard it a million times; which he had. “’They’re only here to eat, not to socialize.’” He had talked in a falsetto, popping a leg in the air. He let out a deep chuckle as I rolled my eyes. “Jesus, E, it’s not going to kill you.”

I sniffed before lifting my hands, sliding them back over my hair over and over again until I was sure I had every hair in place. Then, I gathered my hair onto the back of my head with my hands before securing it with the elastic band. With three quick twists of my wrist, my hair was safely secured to the back of my head, with Lucas watching every movement.

“How do you girls do that?” he asked, an amused look on his face.

“Magic,” I replied, reaching back behind my waist to secure the knot of the apron in the small of my back.

“Mmmhmm.” Lucas rolled his eyes before crossing his arms over his chest. “You have a bomb ass smile if it’s any consolation, El-Mir-Fudd.” Lucas gave an over the top and I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. My lips betrayed me as they curled upwards in the corners.  “There you go. Didn’t drop dead now did ya?”

“Ugh, I might. Drop, I mean, after I finally get the chance to get out of these shoes,” I replied, shifting my weight from foot to foot, giving my soles a brief sense of relief. Whoever it was higher up on the food chain that decided on having us girls wear these shoes…I’ll write a strongly worded letter to when I’m on my way out the door after my last shift.

Whenever that would be.

“Drinks after work? Only got a couple more tables left before the night shift comes in,” Lucas suggested, turning to retrieve the plastic cups from the wall behind him. The criss-crossing wooden wine rack was changed into hold all of the plastic cups. It was a nice touch to bring a bit of a rustic feel to the place. “Who keeps a restaurant open on Christmas Eve, anyway?”

“Hey.” I turned towards Lucy as she walked up to the counter, fluffing her hair with her hand. Her eyes were wide with excitement, sparkling more than the lights that hung off of the ceiling. “Guy just came in at table 14. Check him out.”

“No thank you,” Lucas instantly replied. Lucy glanced over at her brother and made a face, snorting at him. Lucas snorted back, even more loud and obnoxiously. You’d never think the two of them were related. With how often they put each other down, you’d think they had gone through a terrible break up…with each other.

Lucy nudged me in the side with her elbow. “Just check him out,” she said, throwing a wink in my direction. “I didn’t get a good look at him, but he’s cute.”

“Get real!” Lucas said with another snort. “How can you tell without looking at him?”

“Men,” Lucy replied with a huff, waving her hand in the air.

“Ok, sis, I think you need a tequila shot or two.” He lifted his eyebrows, opening his arms, wiggling his fingers. “Drinks after? Huh? Huh?”

“Or four,” Lucy said, letting out a breath of air, her eyebrows shooting up. “At least you didn’t have to serve a party of ten tonight.” Lucas waved a hand in her face and she pushed it away before reaching for the container of napkins, looking at her reflection. “Yep. I definitely need those shots.”

“Um, yeah. Hi. It’s your brother talking. In case you forgot, I man the drinks section,” Lucas said, waving his arms in the air. “Of course, I was serving the party of ten.”

As usual, I started to tune the two of them out. Once they got started, it was pretty hard for them to stop arguing. I swear for grown adults (36 and 35 respectively), they sure did act twenty, and sometimes the full thirty, years younger. It was easiest just to let them run their course. Besides, I knew them well enough to know that as soon as they were done, they’d be talking and laughing as if nothing had ever happened.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to explain that to people. Seeing their faces is actually pretty entertaining, but it’s not like they’d ever actually follow through with their threats and rip each other’s heads off. It was always a pretty good source of entertainment. It has to be for three high school friends, working in a restaurant, in their 30s.

“So, yes to the drinks?” I loudly asked, cutting through their argument. “Lucas, get the table of four for me while I go check out this guy your sister seems to think is worth my attention.”

“Ooooh.” Lucas rolled his eyes, wigging his fingers in the air, turning his attention away from Lucy. “I hope this one’s actually worth it. No one is as bad as Bald Guy.”

“Nose Guy,” I replied, shaking my head back and forth. Lucy let out a loud laugh at the memory. “I could tell the manager it wasn’t my hair in the food, but even taking a look at those guys nostrils…” I trailed off, shuddering. “He still wouldn’t believe me. He was bad.”

 “Alright, alright, so I haven’t put you with the best guys,” Lucy said, putting her hands up defensively. She then planted them on her round hips, “At least I’m trying.” I opened and closed my mouth repeatedly, but nothing came out. Lucy’s bright red lips parted to reveal a perfect set of straight white teeth as she smiled.

“Shut up,” I said, pointing a finger at her.

“I didn’t even say anything,” Lucy replied, blinking her innocence.

I grasped the tray and pulled it off the counter, smacking it into my hip before tucking it up underneath my arm. “I can hear what you’re thinking all the way from over here,” I growled. “Get table 12 their damn drinks.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Lucas replied with a salute.

I rolled my eyes before making my way over to table 14. The man at the table lifted his head from the menu as I got closer. I don’ know how my legs knew to keep me going forward, but inside, I was screaming at myself to stop.  His lips parted just slightly into a welcoming smile—one I’m sure was how I was supposed to greet customers…if I remembered how to work my face muscles.

For upon spotting this man, an ache had formed in the middle of my stomach. My jaw swung downwards and any breath that I had stored in my body tumbled out. I’m surprised my spit didn’t follow after it. How could you not drool when looking into those precious blue eyes? The same blue eyes that had mesmerized me all those years ago when they first appeared on my TV screen. That same shy smile that had appeared on many posters that lined my bedroom—that were now carefully folded and left in a box in my attic. And they both belonged to the skinny boy I’d watch day in and day out on The New Mickey Mouse Club.

JC Chasez.

Ok, just calm down. Put on a smile. No! Don’t smile, you’re not working to socialize. He’s probably just here for a place out of the way to eat. Ugh, and my hair looks terrible. I reached a hand up to smooth down my hair and forced the muscles in my face to not betray my thoughts. As I dropped my arm down to my side, I slid the pads of my fingers over the rough edges of my apron before reaching my hand back to make sure the knot was secure.  And I have to wear this outfit, too. This is totally not how I dreamt this would happen. Ok, calm down. At least smile a little. No, not like that, that’s too small. No, no! That’s too big; he might think it’s creepy. Ugh, where’s my lip gloss when I need it.

As I stepped up to the table, the only thing that was shooting through my mind was, Lucas is all wrong, it could kill me. “How are-Are you-Ordrer?” I briefly closed my eyes, making a face. “How are you? Are you ready to order? May I take your order?” That’s all you have to say. You’ve said it, a thousand times. How could you mess that up?

“I’d just like a water, please,” JC replied.

I slowly lifted an eyebrow. A water? He comes all the way over here for a water? Of course I didn’t say any of this out loud despite the lack of control over my eyebrows. JC merely pulled his lips back into a hint of a smile—or maybe it was a smirk, his eyes twinkling.

“Right away,” I replied. I bent forward slightly at the waist before spinning on my heels, making a beeline back to the drinks section.

“Well?” Lucy asked, eyebrows lifting into an expectant look.

“I bowed,” I said, deadpan.

“Nooooo,” Lucy groaned, raking her fingers through her hair. “Why?”

I pressed my lips together before releasing them, making a popping sound. “I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but that’s JC Chasez,” I said, pointing my finger in the direction of the table he was sitting at. Lucy gave a sly smile and I put a finger I the air before pointing it at her. “You knew?”

“What girl in our generation doesn’t know who JC Chasez is? Especially after that ten second *NSYNC reunion last year?” Lucy asked with a snort.

“Don’t even get me started on that,” I warned her, batting the air with the palm of my hand. Me and millions of other women and girls were excited when rumors went around about *NSYNC possibly getting back together when Justin Timberlake was up for winning the prestigious Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at MTV’s Video Music Awards.

Despite what he claimed, we all knew Justin deserved that award, and we all knew it was the perfect moment for *NSYNC to get back together. What with the sudden appearance of the *NSYNC twitter account (which I am still a firm believe that they would not all of a sudden make one if something is not in the wood works), it only fueled the fire of the rumors to, what Joey and Lance called, “the worst kept secret.”

Don’t get me wrong, I was beyond thrilled to see my five boys on stage all together again, looking downright handsome, but it was only seconds long. Not that I really could expect more than that, it was Justin’s night of course. And I was happy he acknowledged that he wouldn’t be where he was without Chris Kirkpatrick, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, or JC Chasez, but we’ve been waiting for years for them to do something together again. Those ten seconds, ok, so maybe it was actually half a minute, were awesome, but they just weren’t enough.

It was enough for me to put those CDs back on blast in my car, but still.

Lucy ignored me using her long, thin fingers to brush an invisible spot of dirt off her apron before plucking at a loose thread between her long, white fingernails. “So what’d he want?” she asked, lifting her head, shaking her hair out of her face.

“A water,” I replied.

Lucy made a humming sound in her throat. “That’s what his type wants, I guess,” she said with a shrug of his shoulders before giving a teasing smile. “He didn’t even as for a twist of lemon?” I couldn’t help but laugh along with her. She then moved behind the bar and reached for a cup. “So what is he up to now? Is he still doing that girl…band?”

“Girl Radical?” I asked and Lucy gave a nod of her head. “As far as I know, yeah. He just got off the Jesus Christ Superstar thing, too. Or rather, that kind of went nowhere.” It’s not like I twitter stalk him or anything.

“Poor guy,” Lucy said with a hint of a frown as she moved to fill the cup with water and ice. She then reached for a napkin and wiped down the rim and the sides before handing it to me. I set the tray back onto the counter before carefully placing it on top. “Here’s your water, Miss E.”

“Thaaaank you,” I replied with a bright smile in her direction. It faded as I turned around and made my way back over to JC’s table. “Your water, sir.”

“Thanks, sweetie,” JC replied with a smile as I grasped the glass with my fingers around the rim, carefully setting it down onto the table. Before I even tensed my muscles to move, JC grasped his glass, brought it to his lips, tilted his head back and quickly gulped down his water. He let out an “Ahhhh” and licked his lips (effectively mesmerizing me) before setting the cup down on the table.

“Uhh….huh,” I managed to respond, feeling my bottom lip quiver just slightly. Jesus. Just one look and he’s turned me back into a teenager.

He reached into his pocket for his wallet and flipped it open, setting a twenty dollar bill onto the table. He pressed his hand down on top of the money for a moment before skirting past me, placing his hands on my shoulders just slightly before whispering into my ear, “Just what I needed.”

A shiver rolled down my spine as his fingernails grazed my heated skin. The tips of my ears and the crown of my head burned from the touch. I blinked rapidly before realizing that the guy…had just freakin’ ordered a water and no food. Feeling my nostrils flare, I turned around, looking for him, and stopped short, spotting him up on the stage at the front of the house, settling behind a microphone as he lowered himself onto one of the stools.

My manager, Ethan, jumped up on stage, his hands wrapped around a second microphone. “Ladies and gentleman, we have a special treat for you, tonight,” he said into the microphone, cutting through the Christmas music. Chairs scuffed against the floor as the patrons turned to put their attention on the stage. “Please welcome singer, song writer, and creator of Girl Radical, and former *NSYNC member, JC Chasez.”

Cheers and applause hit the air as JC lifted his hand in a sign of greeting as Jeffery, guitarist for The Rolling Rock, set up on stage with his guitar, ready to play. I watched him closely. He seemed to be at ease up on stage. Whether or not his still being known primarily for *NSYNC bothered him, he didn’t show. He could sympathize with him on the one hand; all musicians wanted to be known for their whole portfolio of work, not just for one thing. But on the other hand, even he knew he owed it to *NSYNC and the fans that stuck by him.

“Hello, everybody, I hope you’re having a wonderful Christmas Eve,” JC said into the microphone in front of his lips, lifting his hands to adjust it just slightly. “This is a time filled with love, family, and friends, and I’m glad to be able to share part of this special holiday with you all. I’m going to do something a little different tonight. It’s not a Christmas song, but I hope you like this just the same. But…” He trailed off, lifting his gaze to look over at me.

At me.

Directly at me.

Oh.

My.

God.

“I’m going to need a little help from someone I’ve been pretty impressed with,” JC continued, clearing his throat just slightly. “You see, I was first notified of her youtube videos from a couple of friends of hers. Then I couldn’t stop watching. She’s got some real talent, and I think she has a real gift. She really knows how to put her emotions into her songs and connect with her viewers, her listeners, and that’s something beautiful. So, I’d like to ask Elle, or as she likes to be known as, Elle Miranda, up on stage with me.”

“What?” I asked, deadpan.

Feeling a prod in my side, I looked over at Lucas who was angling his head in the direction of the stage. “Go,” he said, prodding her again.

“I…can’t,” I replied, grabbing onto his arm. “That’s JC Chasez. I can’t sing with him.”

“Luce and I wouldn’t have practically bombarded him with youtube links if we didn’t think you could do it,” Lucas said, placing a hand on my shoulder before shoving me forward. I stumbled a few steps before standing in my place.

“Girl, if you don’t get your butt up there.” Lucy hurried to my side, her heels clacking on the floor as she did so. She gave a single tug at the knot of my apron and I felt it loosen around my waist.

“I never agreed to this,” I said as Lucas grasped the neck strap of my apron pulling it up over my head.

“Huh. How ‘bout that,” Lucas said. He gave a bright smile. “Good thing we agreed for you. Right, sis?”

“Right, bro,” Lucy replied with the same amount of pep in her voice. She yanked the elastic band out of my hair and started tossing my hair around my shoulders. “Perfecto.” She kissed her fingertips. “Now, get on stage. Merry Christmas.”

She and Lucas grabbed my arms and practically frog marched me up onto the stage. Not like I have a choice. “W-w-what?” I cleared my throat, taking the microphone that Ethan shoved in between my hands. “What song are we doing?” I glanced over at JC out of the corner of my eyes. He was perched on his stool, looking calm, cool, and collected, a peaceful smile on his face.

“You’ll know,” he replied. “Trust me, sweetheart.”

“I do,” I said, nodding my head repeatedly. Which scares the crap out of me. “Yeah. I do.”

“Good,” JC replied. He glanced back at Jeff and nodded his head. He closed his eyes as Jeff started playing the opening chords to the song. He tapped his hand against his side four times in a steady beat before lifting his head to start to sing. “Guess it’s true that I’m not good at a one night stand. But I still need love 'cause I'm just a man.”

I bowed my head, smiling. He was right, I did know the song. It was one of my most popular youtube videos. “These nights never seem to go to plan. I don't want you to leave, will you hold my hand?” JC looked over at me and I locked eyes with him before lifting my microphone to my lips.

“Oh won’t you,” I sang, starting the verse. My lips pulling back into a smile as his soft timbre mixed with my own. “Stay with me? 'Cause you're all I need. This ain't love, it's clear to see. But darling, stay with me.”

We continued to sing through the next verse. I felt myself relax as we continued through the song. I watched as JC closed his eyes, letting himself out through the song. He truly was a performer. I was so mesmerized by him I was surprised I could even make my way through the song. But, it was so easy. He made it feel like it was easy.  His blue eyes twinkled with enjoyment and from the reflections of the hanging lights.

“This ain't love, it's clear to see. But darling, stay with me.”

JC winked as we held out the last note. I ended early, bowing my head in a blush and JC’s chuckle echoed through the microphone, joining the applause and whistles that hit the air. “Miss Ella Miranda, everybody,” he said, waving his hand towards me.

I lifted my head and shook my hair out of my face, lifting my hand in a brief wave before using it to brush my hair back from my face. I managed to squeak out a “Thank you” into my microphone before getting to my feet, and making my way off stage, shoving it into Ethan’s hands. “Thank you.”

“Great job, E,” Ethan said with a smile, patting me on the back. “It’s a slow night, you, Luke, and Luce can take off early. I can hold down the fort before the night shift comes in.”

“You sure?” I asked, barely listening to what he had said.

“Think of it as my Christmas gift to you all.” He put his hand on my shoulder and I stopped, turning to face him. He was grinning from ear to ear. “You don’t know how hard it was to keep that a secret from you.” I felt my jaw drop slightly as I looked at him, then over at JC who was talking to Jeff, and then over at Lucas and Lucy who stood near the back of the crowd, waiting for me. “Happy holidays.”

“You, too,” I replied. I made a beeline for Lucas and Lucy who instantly enveloped me in a hug. “Oooh, my god, you guys.”

“You were great,” Lucy said as she took a step back, shaking my shoulders. “I mean, except for ditching JC on stage, but you were great.” She then pulled me towards her in another hug with Lucas wrapping his arms around the two of us. “I’m so proud of you, girl.”

“Wait a minute.” I pulled back from her narrowing my eyes into a suspicious look. “That’s why he was seated in my section. You put him there?”

“Uh, duh!” Lucy replied, an eyebrow shooting up, her lips pulling back into a smile.

“And you were harping on him for only ordering a water,” Lucas added with a grin.

“Yeah, well, I wish I had one, too,” I said, lifting my hand to massage my throat.

“Don’t worry about that, you sounded great, Elle,” JC said as he sauntered up behind me, placing his hand on the small of my back, effectively sending every nerve in my body ricocheting off every part of my body.

“E,” I corrected him, lifting my shaky hands and sliding my fingers through my hair. “Everyone calls me E.”

JC made a noise in the back of his throat before muttering something under his breath that sounded a lot like, “That’s fitting.” I shifted my gaze downwards before crossing my arms over my chest. I mean, they weren’t that big…

JC bowed his head, scratching the back of his neck as he cleared his throat. I briefly closed my eyes when it suddenly hit me that he might’ve…most likely…had been referring to the use of initials for our name. Everyone knew that JC’s first name was Joshua, and he only went by “JC” because there was already another Josh on The Mickey Mouse Club.

“Just ignore me,” I managed to get out.

“With your talents, that’d be hard to,” JC commented with a half grin before offering his hand towards Lucas. “Especially with these friends for yours. It’s nice to meet you.” He then offered his hand to Lucy who beamed at him. “And you as well, sweetheart.”

“You, too,” Lucy replied. “I’ve been a fan of yours for a long time.”

“Well, thank you, I appreciate it,” JC said as he slid his hand out from her grasp before placing it over his heart. “I really do.”

This wasn’t happening. JC Chasez was actually talking to not only myself (not that I’m currently saying much) but my friends as if we’ve known each other for the longest time. I’d ask for someone to pinch me but I’d be crushed if this was actually a dream and I was going to wake up at any minute.

“So, if I’m not being too forward, I’d like to get the chance and sit down and talk with you for a little bit,” JC said as he rubbed his hands together, shifting his attention towards me.

“Oh.” I blinked in surprise. “Uh, well we were talking about getting drinks after work.” I then turned towards Lucas and Lucy. “By the way, Ethan’s letting us off early tonight. We can go.”

“Oh, thank god,” Lucas said with a happy sigh, putting a hand over his heart. Lucy was already in the process of ripping her apron off of her body. “There’s a bar not too from here, just a ten minute walk. If you want to come of course.”

“I’d be happy to,” JC said as he lifted a hand to push his glasses up his nose. Man, he looked so cute in those glasses. “Thank you.”

And that was how I found myself sitting across from JC Chasez at a local bar on Christmas Eve.

“Well that went a lot better than I thought it would,” I said, with a short laugh, allowing the breath I was holding out in a rush. I reached for short glass of cognac and swirled the iced beverage around a couple of times before setting it down. “You have a great voice. Really.”

I glanced around the dark room, a little surprised that JC hadn’t basically been bum rushed the minute he got into the building. Whether they had recognized him or not, or if it was just a normal part of life for Californians (which it was in this area) to see celebrities at any store or building I wasn’t complaining. The selfish side of me was happy to have him all to myself.

“Thanks,” JC replied with a brief nod of his head. “So do you.”

I felt my lips pull back into a smile. It had to be the millionth smile I’ve smiled tonight. “I’m sorry,” I said quietly, putting a hand to my burning face. I was blushing a lot, too. “I’ve been staring all night. You’re just nice to look at.” JC’s eyes widened just slightly. “I didn’t mean—well, I did mean—but I didn’t mean—“

“It’s ok,” JC said, lifting his hand into the air. “I accept your compliment.” He paused for a moment, his eyes shifting downwards just slightly before flickering back up to looking her in the eye. He lifted his glass of Sprite to his lips before taking a long sip of it. “You look great.”

“Thank you,” I replied.

“So, I’ve been watching your youtube videos for a little while and I’ve always been curious,” JC said after he swallowed, letting out an “ahhh.” His nose wrinkled slightly as he sniffed. “What got you so interested in music?”

“Ahhh, I’ve just always been interested in it, I guess,” I replied with a shrug of my shoulders. “I was in groups and bands throughout high school and college, but then I had to kind of put it on the back burner for a while. When I started getting some free time, I put videos up on youtube.” I took a sip of my drink, coughing slightly as it burned my throat. “I never really thought that people would watch them. Not that that’s what it’s for, I do it just to, you know, not lose it.”

“No, I know exactly what you mean,” JC replied with a nod of his head. “You can find me singing to myself all the time, or in the shower, in the car. I’ll keep writing, and keep singing just to keep those skills up while I’m working with my girls in Girl Radical or if I’m writing for someone else’s album. “

“Exactly,” I agreed, nodding my head. I lifted my hands, brushing my hair back behind my ears.

There was a reason I liked having my hair in a ponytail all the time. Partially because it was a work requirement it was also because I wouldn’t keep messing with it. I messed with my hair when I was nervous, when I was bored, and when I was frustrated. If I didn’t stop myself, sometimes I’d even catch myself chewing on the ends of my hair if it was in reach.

“I’ve always admired that about your work, you always took a chance with different genres of music,” I said as I planted my hands in my lap, tightly threading my fingers together. “You didn’t just stay in the pop music genre. I think that really helped when you were still in *NSYNC. I think that’s what really allowed fans to respect what it was that you were doing.”

“Ah, so you’re a fan,” JC said with a hint of a smile.

“Actually…I’ve been a fan of yours since Mickey Mouse Club,” I admitted. I put my hands up defensively. “I know it wasn’t for people my age, but…I knew talent when I saw it.”

“I could say the same,” JC replied. “Your friends had been pushing me to see your videos for a while and I like to check out what the fans can do from time to time.” He gave a shrug of his shoulders. “It’s the least I could do. I wouldn’t be here without them. You.”

“You’re welcome.”

“So,” JC said after making a popping sound with his lips. He tilted his head just slightly, his eyes narrowing just slightly. “You’re different on stage. More…comfortable.”

“That’s what singing is for me,” I replied with a shrug. I angled my head towards the empty stage near the front of the bar. “Comfort.” Flashing lights swirled around on the stage, angling my head towards the stage in the corner. “You can put out whatever persona you want and people will take it at face value.” I peered over at him, pressing my lips together just slightly. “Doesn’t let them get too close. You have a life on stage, and your real life off it. But, you know all about that, don’t you?”

JC slowly shook his head back and forth. “You’ve got it wrong, Elle Miranda,” he said, pronouncing each syllable in my name, his eyebrow twitching slightly. “What you put out onstage is what the fans take home. It’s nice to have some separation, but if you’re not your true self, the fans won’t believe your music. Or believe in you.”

“You believed me enough to sing with me, didn’t you?” I asked, giving him a pointed look.

JC’s lips parted into a cute grin before he started to laugh. “Good point,” JC replied, leaning back in his seat just slightly. “Very good point.” He reached for his glass before tapping the bottom edge onto the table. “It’s one thing to trust yourself and your talents, but it’s a whole other thing to trust that your fans will be there to support you no matter which route you take with your music.”

Once again, I found myself falling silent. I had to have looked like a typical fan to him. But, he seemed to get me, to probe my words and seek out the hidden meaning behind them.  I didn’t do this. I tried staying away from situations where I actually had to talk to people. It was easier sitting behind a computer screen.

I’ve barely had any relationships in my life for crying out loud! Ok, I’ve had a couple good ones, but hey didn’t work out. They didn’t believe that music was something I could really go far with.

But, this was different.

“You’re going to have to get out from behind that computer screen at some point,” he spoke up, snapping me out of my thoughts. “You know as well as I do that people get attention and record deals from their youtube videos, now.”

“Like that’ll ever happen,” I muttered.

“Why not?” JC asked with a shrug of his shoulders. “It’s how things work, now.” He pressed his lips together for a moment. “Look, I know things are different than how I had started out but hard work is hard work. And, baby, you clearly work hard with your talent.” I just stared back at him, blinking repeatedly. I felt my face burn, hotter than it had before.

“This coming from the boy who shook his skinny ass day in and day out in front of a live studio audience,” I replied, giving him a sweet, dangerous smile. “I could say the same.”

“Hey, now,” JC said, lifting his hands in the air. His shirt stretched taught over his chest as he did so. “You told me you were a fan.”

“Who said I was complaining?” I asked, hiking a brow before fishing the cherry out of my drink, popping it into my mouth. I slowly chewed, the step gently smacking my lips before I reached up and plucked it out, setting it down onto the table. Whoa. Where is this coming from?

“Oh, I see,” JC answered, his eyebrows twitching just slightly. He cleared his throat just slightly, shifting his gaze around the room. He then grasped his glass, lifting it up in the air. “To you: for getting the courage to step out behind your computer and sing live.”

 “Cheers.” I lifted my glass, tapping the rim of mine against his before tilting my head back, quickly downing the rest of it, the ice sliding to hit my upper lip.

As soon as I set my glass down onto the table, JC leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine. I blinked in surprise, feeling my breath catch in my throat before my eyes slowly fluttered until they shut fully. My fingers found their way into his short hair, tugging at the soft, smooth strands as I slid my lips over his. JC’s fingers left a hot trail along my jaw before they curled underneath my chin. I slowly pulled back breaking the kiss with a small sucking sound before gasping for air.

JC’s hair stuck up at odd angles, face flushed, otherwise looking pleased.

“What was that for?” I asked, blinking my eyes open.

JC rubbed his hands together for a moment, shifting his gaze to the table before looking back up at me. “Let me tell you something,” he said quietly, as if he were choosing his words carefully. “Choosing to be unattached and unavailable in any part of your life isn’t living your life.” He slowly shook his head back and forth. “It’s being scared. And that’s no way to live.”

I gaped at him. “You’ve…you’ve been watching my videos for a while,” I said as more of a statement than a question, tilting my head just slightly.

“Like I said,” JC said, his easy going smile reappearing, closing his eye with a quick wink. “I know talent when I see it. Put that kind of emotion into your songs, and no one would have a reason to doubt what you can do.”

“Yeah, you’d think,” I muttered.

“Forget them,” JC instantly replied.

“You make that pretty easy to do, JC,” I replied, spinning the ice around in my empty glass. I let out a sigh, watching the ice spin before looking over at him. “You barely know me…but you know me.”

“You show yourself through your music, it’s how people get to know you,” JC replied with a shrug of his shoulders. A shy, boyish smile crossed his face as he bowed his head before he looked up at me through his eyelashes. “But, I would like to get to take the time to get to know you better.”

I slowly sucked a deep breath of air through my nose, a denial poised on the tip of my tongue. But, I couldn’t let it out. You didn’t say ‘no’ to a face like that. You didn’t say ‘no’ to eyes like that. Hell, you didn’t say ‘no’ to JC Chasez in general.

God knows I was tired of hearing it.

“No, you shouldn’t pursue your music.”

“No, it’s not going to be something that’ll take you far.”

“No, you’re wasting your time.”

I let out a small laugh. If I was wasting my time, then I sure enjoyed doing so on stage with someone like JC. That was all the support I needed. “Sure,” I replied and JC broke into a wide smile. “I’d like that.”

“Great,” JC said as he got to his feet. “I hate to run, but I’ve got my family waiting.”

A family man. Check. I gave a brief shake of my head. “It’s ok, I understand,” I replied. I reached into my purse for my iPhone and held it up in front of me.

JC gave a charming smile as the camera shuttered. I handed him my phone and he quickly punched in his number before firing himself a text. His phone rang and he pulled it out of his pocket, holding his phone up towards me. I gave a close lipped smile before quickly deciding against it, parting my lips to give a toothy grin.

“That’s beautiful, sweetheart.” JC slipped my phone into my hand before bending to give me a quick kiss. With a whisper of “Merry Christmas” and a final gaze from his piercing blue eyes, he turned and made his way out of the bar.

I lifted my hands to fan my cheeks. I swear, I was going to need a fan or a hose lying around somewhere when I’m around that guy. I made my way over to the table that Lucas and Lucy were sitting at (who smirked at me before tossing their heads back to drink a shot (in celebration of me?)), not remembering anything except for JC and what this new year could bring.

Musically…and romantically.

Cheers to that.