“You’re kidding right?” Joshua Chasez asked, looking up from the article his mother had handed him.

“I think this would be a great opportunity for you Josh.” Karen Chasez told him, setting a plate down in front of him.

“Yeah a great opportunity to make an ass of yourself.” Josh’s best friend Katy Morrison said, snatching the paper from his fingers.

“Oh please do that again, I just loved the paper cuts.”

“Quit bitching.”

“Katherine, your language!” Karen sighed.

Katy winced at the sound of her full name. Only Karen and Katy’s mother Pam ever used her full name, and that was usually when they were angry or upset with her.

“Sorry Aunty Karen.” Katy said.

“Why don’t you try out too?” Karen asked.

Josh burst out laughing, “Are you kidding, The Mickey Mouse Club requires acting and singing abilities. Katy can act, her singing however…ow!”

Katy glared at him as she tightened the grip she had on the skin of his thigh, “What was that princess?”

“Ow, quit pinching me.” Josh said, scratching at her hand, “Mom!”

“Don’t look at me; you deserve all the pain you’re getting.” Karen said, handing Katy a plate.

Katy smiled at Karen and released JC’s leg so that she could begin eating her dinner. “So he has to go to Orlando to try out?”

“Apparently so.” Karen sighed as she sat across from them, “I phoned today just to get some information. We can get into the tryouts in two weeks, but we have to be available for more auditions during that week.”

Katy studied Josh out of the corner of her eye. He was staring down at his plate, pushing his food from side to side. Karen climbed to her feet as the phone rang, moving into the hallway to take it.

“What’s up?” Katy asked softly, nudging Josh.

“Nothing.”

“Right, how about we try it again, and this time you tell me what’s going on.”

“Just drop it Katy, it’s nothing.”

Katy rolled her eyes but remained silent as Karen reappeared in the room. “Look Josh, I really want you to consider this. You love singing, and your drama teacher raves about you. This could take you so many places.”

“And if it doesn’t work, you’ll always end up on one of those Where are they now shows.” Katy pointed out.

“Katherine, try and be supportive.”

“I am being supportive.” Katy said, “I’m making sure that his ego doesn’t get to big before he gets anywhere.”

Karen rolled her eyes, “Think about it Josh, but don’t take too long on it alright?”

~ * ~

Josh looked up as his door banged open and Katy strolled in, dragging a large suitcase behind her.

“What are you doing?”

“Aunty Karen told me to drop my stuff in your room before Tyler tripped over it again.” Katy told him.

“Stuff?”

“Yeah, this monstrosity my mom calls a suitcase.” Katy said pointing to it, “Oh and your mom said I get your room and you’re bunking with Tyler, but she also said she is well aware that arrangement will last all of five seconds. So for her peace of mind you’re supposed to go to Tyler’s room when she tells us to go to bed and stay there for at least ten minutes before sneaking back in here.”

Josh sat staring at her, a look of confusion written on his face, “Stuff?”

“You’re really not going to impress Disney with your lack of vocabulary.” Katy told him, “And yes, stuff, I’m going with you.”

“I thought we agreed you weren’t going to try out.”

Katy shot Josh a look that clearly stated that she was unimpressed. “I’m not trying out; I’m going to support your sorry butt.”

Josh’s eyebrow arched, “How in the hell did you manage to swing that?”

“I didn’t,” Katy shrugged, “Your mom phoned my mom and they agreed that you would probably do and feel better if I was with you.”

“I don’t need a baby sitter.”

Katy rolled her eyes and decided to ignore the comment. Instead she climbed onto the bed to watch him pack.

“Are you nervous?” She asked.

“Terrified.” Josh admitted, running his hands over a shirt that he had just put into his suitcase.

“Why?”

“If I get this, everything is going to change.” Josh muttered, “I have to move, my family is going to have to make all of these sacrifices for me that they shouldn’t have to.”

“They’re your family Josh; they wouldn’t be encouraging you to go if they didn’t know what they’d have to do to make it work.” Katy interrupted.

“What about you?”

“Me?” Katy asked in shock, “What about me?”

“I don’t want to leave you.” Josh sighed, sitting on the bed and putting his head in his hands.

Katy leaned forward and grabbed his shoulder, “Come on Josh, it’s not like we’re going to be together forever.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Josh snapped at her.

"Think about it, we're going to be done school, we'll probably end up going to different colleges and eventually our careers will take us in different directions." Katy explained to him, "It's not exactly like we're going to be married or anything one day."

"We might be."
 

"Please, I've already put up with you this long, a lifetime I could not handle." Katy teased. "Don't make me be the one to hold you back from achieving something that most people would give their left arm to have."

"But what if I don't want all that?"

"Bullshit." Katy snapped, "You have a gift, you can act, you can sing and lord knows you can dance. Besides, it's only Orlando; it's not that far away. Since dad works for an airline I could fly down there every weekend for cheap if I wanted to."

"Think your parents would let you move with me?"

"Yeah right, it took three hours of sweet talking to get dad to agree to let me go with you for a week." Katy laughed, "You know how bad my dad gets when he's separated from me."

"You know how bad I get too." Josh pouted.

"I know." Katy laughed, "I remember when dad took us to Paris for a month, I thought you were going to suffocate me when I got back."

"I lost three months of allowance for the phone bill." Josh grinned. 

“At least now you'll be making the big bucks so you'll be able to afford racking up the bill."

"If I get it."

"You will." Katy told him firmly, "And if they don't take you, they'll have to deal with me."

"Glad one of us has faith in me." Josh muttered

Katy poked him, "I have faith in you, you have faith in me, it's how this deal we've got works."

JC sighed and stretched out on the bed, resting his head on her legs. "I'm actually kinda glad you're coming with me."

Katy shrugged and let her fingers stroke his hair, "The way I see it, I get off school for a week and I get to go to the beach."

"Thanks." Josh muttered, his lip sliding out into a pout.

"It's what I'm here for." Katy grinned, "So do you need any help with anything?"

"No, I'm just waiting for a couple of shirts and a pair of jeans to come out of the dryer before I zip up my suitcase."

"There's nothing else?"

"Not unless you want to give me a kiss for luck." Josh grinned at her.

"Keep dreaming mouse boy."

“I’m serious!” JC insisted, “Come on Katy.”

“Ewww, no!”

“What if I have to do a kissing scene?”

"I’m sure you’ll be fine.” Katy snapped, “It’s not like you don’t know how to kiss.”

“Actually, not really.”

“Bullshit, your first kiss was when you were seven!”

“Your point?”

“You mean to tell me that ‘Pimp Daddy Chasez’ is a make out virgin?”

“You’re one to talk.” Josh muttered, his cheeks pinking.

“We’re not talking about me here.”

“See, now you have to give me one.” Josh insisted, sitting up. “It’s your duty as my best friend.”

“If I do it, will you shut the hell up?” Katy snapped.

“Absolutely.”

“Fine.”

Katy leaned forward and pressed her lips to his cheek.

“That’s it?”

“What did you expect, full on tongue action?”

“I thought I’d at least get one on the mouth.”

Katy rolled her eyes and leaned in again, this time aiming for his mouth.

She was caught off guard when he grabbed her chin and angled her head to avoid bumping noses with her. Katy stiffened as his lips connected to hers and she melted against him as he increased the pressure. She gasped in shock as JC’s tongue tapped her bottom lip and he took the opportunity to take what he wanted.

This wasn’t exactly what she had pictured kissing her best friend would be like and when her tongue instinctively massaged his, he moaned and shifted slightly. Her head turned to follow his movement, not wanting to separate their lips.

Katy’s eyes snapped open as she felt herself being laid back. They fluttered shut again as his fingers ran lightly down her cheeks and he settled his weight on top of her, resting most of it on his elbows. She twisted her fingers into his hair as he separated their lips. She opened her eyes and looked up at him, biting her bottom lip as he stared down at her. Josh tilted his head to the other side and tried kissing her from a new angle.

"Josh, I have that laundry you were waiting for." Karen said as she opened the door to her son’s room.

Katy's hands immediately flew to Josh's shoulders and shoved as hard as she could, making him roll off not only her, but his bed as well. She could feel her face burning as she covered it with her hands.

"Thanks mom." Josh said as he picked himself up off the floor.

"I'll just set this stuff down on your desk and get out of your hair."

"Did you have to shove me so hard?" Josh asked sitting on the bed as his mother exited the room.

"I just know she's on the phone with my mom." Katy groaned, not moving her hands.

"Do you think your mom won't let you come now?"

"Are you kidding?" Katy snapped as she sat up, "They're probably going to start discussing China patterns for our wedding."

"What?" Josh exclaimed, putting his hands up as if to defend himself. "Isn't that a little extreme?"

"Our mothers have been planning our wedding since we could walk." Katy told him, "This is so going to add fuel to the fire."

"It'll be okay." Josh said with a laugh.

"Okay?" Katy shrieked, "Okay? Dude we just made out."

"I'm well aware of that."

"You better wipe that smirk off your face right now before I do it for you." Katy snapped, "First serious kiss my ass."

"It was!" Josh insisted.

"Well let me tell you this, you're a damn natural at it." Katy sighed.

Josh smirked at her, “So tell me, what color would you like the bridesmaids dresses to be.”

Katy rolled her eyes and grabbed the pillow from behind her head and smacked him with it. “Go ask your mother, I’m sure she’s already got the design in mind.”

Josh laughed and stretched out beside her, wrapping his arms around her waist as he rested his head on her shoulder. “Are you at all worried about what might happen with us if I do get this gig?”

Katy sighed and rolled her eyes, “Are we back on this again?”

“Come on Katy, take it seriously.”

Katy stroked his hair, “Don’t worry Josh, you just need to make sure that you remember who your real friends are.”

“Nothing’s going to change Katy, I promise.”

Katy rubbed her arms to ward off the morning chill as she watched the movers pack the Chasez's belongings into the moving van. "You're going to catch a cold."

Katy turned and looked at her mother, "You catch colds from germs, not from being cold."

"How are you holding up?"
 

"I'm fine; I knew this was going to happen." Katy said, turning back to watch the men haul the couch into the back of the van.

“Just because you knew it was happening doesn't make it any easier."

Katy shrugged and wrapped her arms around herself again. Karen and Pam had spent the better part of the previous night crying. The two women had been friends since high school, been roommates in college, were married within a month of each other and their eldest children shared the same birthday. Their connection was much like the one Katy and Josh shared.

"Why don't I get you a sweater?"

"I don't think a sweater is going to help much mom." Katy said sadly. 

"Is Josh coming by before they leave?"

Katy shook her head, "I told him not to bother."

"Why not?"

"We said our goodbyes last night, having to say them again would be too hard." Katy said, wiping a hand at the tear that slipped down her cheek, "Besides, I'm going out there in two weeks."

Pam sighed and hugged her daughter, "It's okay to be upset Katy. You two have been together everyday since you were babies."

"I'm fine."

Pam kissed the back of her head and stepped away, "You know where I'll be if you need to let it out."

Katy swallowed thickly and nodded, turning her attention to the Chasez family who were loading their suitcases into Katy's families van, having taken their cars down to Florida the week earlier. She watched sadly as her mother crossed the lawn and hugged Karen, the two women crying once more. Even their fathers looked at each other sadly, grasping hands before hugging each other tightly.

"Hey."

Katy's eyes snapped away from the scene as Josh's voice interrupted her thoughts. "What are you doing over here?"

"What do you think I'm doing over here?" Josh snapped back, "I came to say good-bye."

"We said it last night." Katy said, backing away as Josh approached her front porch.

"I want to say it again, and I'm sure so does the rest of my family."

"Josh, we've been through this." Katy sighed, "Look, I'll be seeing you in two weeks."

Josh shook his head and sighed, "Fine, I'll see you then."

Katy watched as Josh started to cross the lawn, returning to where his family and her parents stood. The sudden pang of loneliness hit her so hard that it took her breath away and almost brought her to her knees.

"Josh!" She cried out as she jumped off the porch to run to him.

She watched him turn and she threw herself against him, feeling his muscles tighten as he braced himself. Her arms wrapped tightly around his neck as her legs wrapped around his waist. She sobbed into his neck as he allowed her to wrap herself around him and she could feel the wetness of his tears in her shoulder.

"I don't want to go." Josh whispered, "I don't want to leave you here."

"Two weeks." She whispered back, "Thirteen days, twenty-two hours and fifty-six minutes."

"Been counting?"

Katy nodded and sniffled, turning her head to rest on his shoulder, "Ever since I woke up."

"Me too." Josh admitted, letting Katy's legs drop to the ground, "Come on, let's go say goodbye to everyone."

"And this is where mom likes to believe that you're going to be sleeping." Josh said, showing her into the guest room.

“What's the deal this time?"

"Make a big show of going into the room to go to sleep and make sure the bed is rumpled in the morning." Josh laughed, "Are you excited to come with me to the studio?"

"Am I allowed to bring a sign with me?"

Josh giggled and pulled her into his room, "Not a chance in hell. Mom's already hidden all writing tools and paper on you."

"What a party pooper."

"So did you watch my first couple of shows?"

"Yeah, and can I say that you will be forever in my heart if you introduce me to Tony Lucca."

Josh's eyes narrowed on her, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"The boy is so..."

"If you say dreamy, I'm not taking you with me."

"Talented." Katy replied with a smirk.

Josh rolled his eyes, "Yes I'll introduce you to Tony."

"Excellent."

"As long as you behave."

"How dare you insinuate that I'd be anything but lady like!" Katy gasped, pressing a hand to her heart.

"I can't believe you did that with a straight face."

"Me either." She giggled.

"So have you managed to convince your parents to just let you move out here?"

"Dad no, mom kinda." Katy laughed, "She said we'd save money on the phone bill and with how many flights we've already booked for me to come out."

"It's not like you couldn't just live here."
 

“Are you nuts, we'd kill each other." Katy said.
 

"Are you two ready to go?" Karen asked, entering the room and interrupting their conversation.

"Already?" Katy asked, "I thought you didn't start filming until after five."

"Yeah, but I want to show you around the studio." Josh said.

"Give me two seconds to change." Katy said, walking from the room.
 

She stopped out in the hallway as a sudden pain hit her in the side, making her double over and gasp in pain. "Are you okay sweetie?"

Katy looked up at Karen, staring into her concerned eyes, "Yeah I'm fine, just a sudden cramp."

Karen's hand smoothed back her hair so that she could feel her forehead, "You don't feel warm, must just be nerves, your mom was the same way."

"I'm sure that's all it is." Katy nodded.

"Well go get changed, Josh is excited to introduce you to everyone."

~ * ~

"JC!"

Katy's eyebrow arched as they stopped for whoever was screaming behind them, "JC?"

"There was already a Josh so I needed a stage name." Josh shrugged.

They turned and a young girl with long curly hair rushed towards them, throwing her arms around Josh's neck making Katy's eyes narrow. "Hey Keri!"

"You're here pretty early."

Josh nodded and stepped back to where Katy stood, "Showing my best friend around. Katy this is Keri."

Katy stuck out her hand and forced a smile on her face, "Nice to meet you Keri."

"Oh my gosh, I've heard so much about you!" Keri said as the girls shook hands, "JC talks about you all the time."

"Good stuff, I swear." Josh laughed.

"Good to hear." Katy muttered.

"Well I'll let you get back to your tour; Tony was looking for you about a song idea." Keri told them, hugging Josh once more.

"Thanks Keri!"

"She seems nice." Katy forced out.

"Keri?" Josh asked, "Yeah she's awesome, she started like a week before I did."

"Yeah, I've seen her on the show."

Katy could feel his eyes on her as she moved down the hallway, "Okay, what's up?"

"Nothing." Katy snapped.

"Don't give me that." Josh said, struggling to keep up her pace.

"It's nothing, drop it."

"Are you jealous?"

Katy scoffed, "You so wish JC."

She could see Josh getting ready for an argument when someone else called his name. Katy rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I heard a rumour that you brought the hell cat with you!" The male voice called.

Katy turned to tell whoever the voice belonged to off, freezing as Tony Lucca approached her.

"Hey Tony, yeah, I brought Katy along today." Josh muttered, shooting her a glare of his own.

"How's it going?" Tony said, sticking his hand out, "JC's told me a ton of stuff about you. I almost feel like I'm meeting a celebrity!"

Katy's cheeks turned pink as she took his hand. "I take it he's told you the bad along with the good."

"He's raved about you, but from some of the stories he's told me I figured you probably have a spit fire attitude as my gran would say."

Katy giggled as Josh rolled his eyes and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, "Small demonic tendencies man."

Katy rolled her eyes and elbowed him in the side, "You have to be nice to me."

"Says who?"

”Says me, and your mom." Katy told him, "I'm supposed to tell her if you start acting like an ass."

"I hardly doubt my mother said that."

"Okay fine, she said 'jerk', but I think 'ass' works so much better."

Tony laughed and grabbed Katy's hand, "Oh man, you're going to fit in great here, come on I'll show you where we film and you can watch rehearsals!"

"I was getting there." Josh snapped as he followed behind them, "And why does she need to fit in, she's not a cast member."

"Is he always this pouty when someone takes you away from him?"

"Always, you should have seen him in third grade gym class and I got paired with another boy during the dance unit."

"Alright, you and I are eating dinner together and you're telling me all his embarrassing stories." Tony laughed.

"You got yourself a deal."

~ * ~

"So why has my son been pouting for two days?" Karen asked as Katy returned with the butter she had sent her to get.

"He's still pouting?"

"Better believe it kiddo." Karen sighed as she added some cereal to the grocery cart. "What happened?"

"He's mad because I hung out with Tony." Katy muttered.

"For how long?"

"Most of the day." Katy shrugged, "I don't get what the big deal is, he was running around with Keri all damn day."

Karen laughed as they continued shopping, "You two are so funny."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Katy pouted.

"I don't think the two of you realize just how possessive you are of one another." Karen told her, "Neither one of you can stand to see the other with someone else nor it doesn't matter on what level. You seem to be fine if the other person is the same gender, but the minute a girl comes around Josh or a boy around you, the two of you become the moodiest, unhappiest teenagers."

"We do not."

"Deny it all you want Katy." Karen said as they headed for the check outs, "There's a reason why your mother and I joke that you two are going to be married one day."

"Because you're both crazy." Katy muttered.

”No, because you two love each other too much to be happy with anyone else." Karen told her.

"Sorry to burst your bubble Aunty, but I'm holding out for Brad Pitt."

Karen laughed, "You and me both kiddo, you and me both."