(Four PM)

After arriving at the Gulfport-Biloxi International airport and sharing a short, yet sweet, good-bye with Lance--who would be staying at his parent's house in Clinton for the duration of their stay in Mississippi--Melissa and Ryan made their way to the Broadwater Beach Resort; where they and the rest of the guys from Nsync would be staying for the weekend.

I just hope I can still recognize them all when I see them.

With that thought in mind, Melissa quickly inserted her key card into the hotel door in front of her and after closing the door to her room, she couldn't help but practically jump at the sight in front of her. There lying on her queen sized hotel bed was none other than: Joey, Chris, Justin, and JC--all looking like they each practically owned the place.

And all of them probably thinking that they do, as well.

As if reading her thoughts, JC jokingly called out: "Well, look who finally took the time to show up!"

"Yeah, we thought you might've gotten off at the wrong airport...we were just about to send out the search guards to go looking for you." Justin playfully continued; causing Melissa to slightly laugh while putting her bags down on the ground in front of her.

"Well, now that I'm finally here, I guess you guys can get back to whatever it was that you were doing beforehand, while I happily sleep off my jet-lag." Melissa tiredly commented; causing Chris to quickly respond back with: "Ah-ah-ah, nice try...but sorry, no car. Besides, JC already tried that one on us earlier and I'm going to tell you the same thing that we told him.....get your skinny ass up, cause we're grubbing at Lance's tonight!"

Even though the thought of food did cause her stomach to slightly growl a little, the idea of having to leave her hotel room--with the freshly made bed in it--caused Melissa to quickly protest the guy's offer. "Guys, I'm really not in the mood to go out tonight. I've been up since six o'clock this morning and in the air since eight. I really need to get some sleep."

Without even bothering to listen to her argument, Joey quickly stood up from his seat on the bed next to Chris and casually draped an arm around Melissa's shoulder while replying: "That might be true, Princess, but you're still going to have to go with us....since Lance's twenty-first birthday falls on the same day that we finish rehearsing for our tour, his parent's set up this whole early surprise birthday barbecue for him and it just wouldn't look right without you being there in attendance."

"Yeah..and if I have to miss out on a few Z's, then you defiently do as well." JC jokingly continued; causing Melissa to slightly smirk while rolling her eyes at the notion that she was actually going to have to do what the four guys in front of her said.

I wonder if this is how the rest of the tour with them is going to be....I defiently hope not.

With that thought in mind, Melissa waited until a long sigh had slipped out of her mouth before telling the four men that if they left her room for a few minutes so she could atleast freshen up a little, she'd be happy to meet them downstairs in fifteen minutes.

"I knew you'd see things our way." Joey jokingly remarked, before playfully giving the younger female a kiss on the cheek and then quickly making his way out of the room; immediately followed behind by Chris and JC.

Uh-Oh.

After waiting until JC had closed the door behind him, Melissa turned her attention back towards the last person left in the room; the one who she--interestingly enough--hadn't heard from since appearing on TRL the day before, with the famous Miss. Britney Spears.

I just hope he's not still mad at me for sticking my nose in where it didn't belong....I was just trying to help.

As if reading her thoughts, Justin let out a small chuckle before saying: "You can quit biting your lip now, I'm not going to yell at you."

After forcing out a fake laugh and replying that she never thought he was going to, Melissa nonchalantly replied: "So...what's going on? I haven't heard from you in a couple of days."

Without bothering to hold back the grin on his face, Justin cheerfully replied: "That's because for the last twenty-four hours I've been constantly on the phone with Britney trying to work out a date for us, when we can finally go public with our relationship...all thanks to you."

Thanks to me?

Seeing the look of confusion on her face, Justin continued with: "I don't know exactly what it was that you said to her, but Britney told me that you made her see that her love for me wasn't something that needed to be hidden from the world and that she just needed to come clean once and for all...if not for the sake of our relationship than for her sanity, alone."

Even though Melissa didn't feel like she should be given credit for something that probably was right in front of Britney all along, she couldn't help but respond back with: "You don't have to thank me for anything. I'm just glad you two finally realize that you don't have to hide your true feelings from the world anymore...it's not as bad of a place as most people think it is."

After chuckling slightly at the comment, Justin playfully replied If you say so before giving Melissa a quick peck on the cheek and then making his way outside of her room; calling over his shoulder as an afterthought: "I'll see you downstairs in ten minutes."

"Not if I see you first!"

(The Bass's-7pm)

After spending a couple minutes freshening up and then another couple minutes watching the guys fight over who got to drive and who got to ride shotgun--with JC winning the drivers seat and Chris winning the passenger seat--Melissa fortunately was allowed to spend the three hour drive to Lance's parents house asleep on Justin's shoulder.

Now I see why so many girls pick him as their favorite....he's the most comfortable, next to Lance.

"Princess, we're here, it's time to wake you."

Without even bothering to acknowledge Joey's pet name for her, Melissa slowly lifted her head up off of Justin's shoulder and then opened her eyes. Almost immediately afterwards, she couldn't help but widen them as she noticed the groups of people sitting outside of the guy's rented Ford explorer.

Are they sure we're not at another album release party?

As if reading her thoughts, JC let out a small chuckle before saying: "Welcome to just a regular day in the Bass neighborhood."

"You'd swear all these people lived here." Justin sarcastically commented, before letting out a slow sigh and opening the door to his right; letting Melissa out after him. "It's always like this when we come...their like the Mississippi welcome committee-"

"Except they don't bring gift baskets...they bring food; which I'm going to eat plenty of!" Joey cheerfully interrupted, while getting out of his side of the truck.

With that being the last comment made, the group of five began to casually make their way up the Bass's driveway--smiling slightly whenever they were acknowledged, but never stopping until they finally reached their main goal, which was Lance.

"Whew, I'm glad you guys could make it...I thought I'd have to be stuck here by myself, answering questions about that little singing group I'm in for the rest of the night."

Without even bothering to take his eyes away from the direction in which the kitchen was located in, Joey absentmindedly replied: "You know we'd never leave you hanging, Lanston. We're just glad to be here celebrating your birthday with you."

Knowing what his friend was up to caused Lance to shake his head in amusement, before sarcastically replying: "Thanks Joseph, that means a lot to me....now, if you don't mind, how about go grabbing yourself some food. It's out back."

"You don't have to tell us twice!" Chris quickly commented before dragging the other salivating man towards the back of the house where the grill was set up at; immediately being followed behind by JC and Justin who both outwardly agreed that their assignment for the night was to make sure that the other two--not only--stayed out of trouble but also out of Lance's homemade birthday cake.

"All right, I'll catch up with you guys later on to see how that ones going." Lance jokingly threw out, before turning his attention towards Melissa for the first time since the guys had arrived. "You want me to go with you to get a plate?"

I thought you'd never ask. Melissa opened her mouth to say, but unfortunately before she could do so, the two were interestingly enough interrupted by a third party.

"There you are, Lance, I've been looking all over for you...whose this?"

After quickly adverting her eyes away from Lance's direction, Melissa was surprised to be met by a woman with the same unique eye color as the man in front of her.

This has got to be his older sister.

"Mom, this is Melissa Alano--the girl I was telling you about....Melissa, this is my mom, Diane Bass."

This is his mom?

While trying to hide her surprise at the fact that the young-looking woman standing in front of her was Lance's mother, Melissa nervously replied: "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Bass."

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Melissa. But please, call me Diane....all the boys do. It makes me feel younger."

After playfully rolling his eyes at his mom's joke, Lance cleared his throat slightly before replying: "You were looking for me....?"

"I was...? Oh yeah!" After quickly remembering what she had came to see her son about, Diane's smile immediately dropped off her face. "I just got off the phone with Meredith and she said that her flight's been canceled and the next one doesn't get here until tomorrow evening at six; which means that she wont make it in time for tomorrow morning's festivities."

Festivities..?

Noticing the look of confusion on Melissa's face, Lance quickly replied: "It's sort of a tradition that every time the guys and I are in town, Meredith flies back home to join us for church Sunday morning.."

"But unfortunately, due to circumstances that are out of our control, two of the main pilots that have the general route down here from Texas--where Meredith currently lives--caught the flu bug and can't fly a plane for atleast another twenty-four hours, doctors orders." Diane continued for her son, causing Melissa to inwardly respond back with: Wow, I'm glad I'm not them.

"I just feel really bad for Pastor Greenfield." Diane continued, interrupting Melissa's thoughts, "He had wanted to do something special for you and the rest of the guys--since you have contributed so much in the last couple of years--so he asked Meredith to come up with a gospel hymn and sing it tomorrow morning at the seven forty-five service. But I guess we'll have to wait until next time to hear it."

"I guess so." Lance responded back in a somewhat downcast voice; one which caused Melissa to--without even thinking about it--speak up with: "I can do it."

Not knowing exactly what the brunette beside him was talking about caused Lance to furrow his eyebrows in confusion while responding back with: "Do what?" A question which Melissa couldn't help but roll her eyes at.

"I can sing the song that she came up with...I mean, I can't promise that it'll sound just as good as it would if she sang it. But if it's all right with her and the rest of you, I'd be more than willing to step in for her since she wont be there....that is, if it's okay with everyone, including your pastor."

After taking a minute to see if Melissa was serious or not, Lance turned his attention back towards his mother; who was wearing the same surprised expression on her face, as her son was. "Do you happen to have a copy of the words and music?"

Without bothering to outwardly respond to the question, Diane slightly nodded her head, as if to say yes, and then afterwards responded back with: "Just let me borrow her for a couple of hours and I promise that she'll know every word of it by tomorrow morning."

After turning his attention back towards the woman beside him, Lance couldn't help but stare at her in slight awe for a second before asking: "Are you sure you want do this?"

A question which Melissa quickly responded back with:

"As sure as the day I was born!"

First Baptist Church (The next morning)

After spending practically the entire night before trying to perfect the words to "Alright", Melissa found herself feeling somewhat groggy the next morning.

Atleast I have another hour and a half to go before I have to get up there and sing.

Unfortunately for her, the guys had something slightly different for her in mind.

"Hey! There you are, Princess....we've been looking around for you everywhere."

While looking up from the lyric sheet that she had been going over for the last twelve hours, Melissa couldn't help but slightly smile at JC and Joey; who were heading towards her, wearing the most unusual churchgoing outfits that she'd ever seen.

Someone really needs to remind them to turn a light on when they get dressed in the morning.

After snapping herself out of her thoughts, Melissa nonchalantly replied: "I've just been back here trying to memorize these lines...why, what's up?"

"Nothing really." JC quickly replied, "Pastor Greenfield just sent us to tell you that he bumped your solo up from the end of the service to the beginning, so you'll need to make your way out there in a couple of minutes."

As if someone had just told her that her clothes were on fire, Melissa quickly stood up from the table that she was sitting near; sending all the papers on top of it towards the ground. "Are you serious? I'm not ready yet...I haven't even had time to come up with an introduction to the song yet."

Without even bothering to think about it, Joey quickly picked up the papers that Melissa had dropped. Then, after getting up, he interestingly enough tried to calm her down by replying: "Don't worry about all of that. I'm sure the pastor has you covered...you just need to calm down, relax, and try not to look as nervous as a hooker in..nevermind."

After slightly chuckling at his friend's words, JC turned his attention back towards Melissa; who, by the looks of things, was just as nervous as a hooker in church..maybe even more so. "Hey, don't worry..you'll be fine. You've performed in front of crowds bigger and scarier than this one numerous times."

Even though she knew both JC and Joey were right, Melissa couldn't help but find herself growing slightly more nervous. "I know that I've done this loads of time. I just really want to go out there and make Lance proud of me...he's done so much for me in a short amount of time that I just want to somehow thank him in anyway that I possibly can. Know what I mean?"

After nodding his head, as if to say that he knew exactly what Melissa meant, JC outwardly replied: "You don't need to worry about that, Melissa. Lance is already proud of you and so are the rest of us...you just need to go out there and sing till your little heart is content and that will be all the thanks that either one of us guys needs...okay?"

Without even bothering to hold back the smile that was quickly appearing across her face, Melissa sarcastically responded back with: "Okay...if you say so, JC."

A comment which caused the older man to slightly chuckle before jokingly responding back with:

"And I do!"

After spending almost ten minutes listening to one of his mother's friends go on and on about her daughter--who was right around his age and who just happened to be single at the moment--Lance couldn't help but inwardly jump with joy when he noticed JC and Joey joining the rest of the guys, from the corner of his eye.

"I'm sorry..." Lance quickly interrupted the older woman, before she could continue singing her daughter's praises: "But I see some people over there that I recognize and I just want to say a quick hi to them before the service starts."

While immediately buying the excuse, the elderly lady quickly apologized for keeping Lance so long. And then afterwards, she promised that she'd be by Lance's mother house later that night so he could meet her daughter...Bertha.

"I can't wait!" Lance cheerfully lied, before turning around; making his way back towards his group of friends--who were now joined by his mother, as well. "Mom, if you love me as much as you say you do...promise me that you will not answer the door or the phone when Mrs. Stewart calls later, asking about me and her daughter, Bertha. Got it?"

After slightly laughing at the comment and scooting over so that her son could sit between her and Joey, Diane replied: "I'll see what I can do...but only if you tell me how Melissa is? I haven't gotten a chance to talk to her this morning, have you?"

Without bothering to outwardly reply to the question, Lance shook his head, as if to say no, and then turned his attention towards Joey--who he knew had seen the younger woman, in question. "How's Melissa? She's not nervous, is she?"

"I'd say: more nervous than a hooker in church." Joey opened his mouth to reply, but before he could get his words out, the elbow in his stomach--thrown by JC--caused him to stop.

"She had a little bit of stage fright earlier, but I think she's okay now. We got her to calm down."

"That's good." Lance outwardly replied, even though he knew their was probably more to the story than JC was letting on. Unfortunately though, before he could even ask, the sight of Pastor Greenfield standing at the front of the church, with a microphone in hand, caused him to stop.

"Good morning everyone...to start things off, I would like to say that today's sermon will be dealing with the topic of "Faith". And that we will be centering our words around the book of Proverbs, chapter eight, verses thirty-two through thirty-six."

"But before I begin to deliver you the word, I have a special treat for you....we have someone here all the way from Philadelphia, who some of you--young members--might know and who some of you--around my age--probably don't know. She will be singing a hymn written by one of our very own members, who unfortunately couldn't be here with us today, Meredith Edwards."

"Now, with that being said, please give a warm welcome for Miss. Melissa Alano."

While holding back his grin, Lance couldn't help but playfully roll his eyes at the four men beside him who couldn't help but clap loudly.

They're acting like they've never been inside a church before and I'm acting like I've never even heard Melissa sing before...we're a great audience.

After snapping himself out of his thoughts, Lance turned his attention back to the front of the church where Melissa was now standing--in front of the choir--taking in the few people in front of her.

You can do it...just relax.

As if reading his thoughts, Melissa turned her head a little to the left--meeting Lance's gaze. And then after a second, she smiled slightly--to show him that she was okay--before turning her attention towards the piano player behind her; inwardly telling him she was ready.

Here goes nothing....

Open up and let him in
He will be your one true friend
He will make...he will make everything alright

"If I didn't tell you before, I think Melissa is really a wonderful girl...you two are both very lucky to have one another in each other's lives."

Waiting until Melissa had begun the chorus to the song that she was singing, Lance turned his attention towards his mother who looked to be getting a little weepy-eyed next to him: "Mom, I think you've had one too many cups of coffee this morning, because you're starting to act like we're getting married."

Without bothering to answer her son, Diane turned her attention back towards Melissa. And, the confused, Lance was just about to do the same. That is, until Joey nudged him in his stomach.

"Man, I wish I could get a gorgeous female like Princess to serenade me in front of a crowd, like this...you are one lucky man, Bass."

She's not singing to me, she's singing for us, Lance opened his mouth to say, but another elbow in the stomach--this one coming from his mother's side--caused him to turn his attention back towards Melissa; whose eyes were interestingly enough locked on him.

He just wants to be your friend, his touch will ease your pain
Once you let him in, you will never be the same

Open up and let him
He will be your one true friend
He will make everything alright

As Melissa playfully winked at him, before turning her attention back towards the other side of the church, Lance couldn't help but analyze Joey's words in his head: She can't be doing this for me...she just wanted to help since Meredith's not here.

Right...?