Three Days Later...Sunday

Shelby Forest - Memphis, Tennessee

Confusion & Chaos

"So you haven't heard anything yet?" I inquire with the cell phone clutched tightly against my ear.

There's a light sigh over the line before I'm met with a response. "We've given them all the information we possibly could Zara. There's not much the cops can do on this matter. What we didn't take into account were the license plates and without that, we have nothing." Yolanda explains downheartedly and I slump my shoulder, my body slightly hunched forward from where I'm sitting on the bench.

"I know, Yol. God, I'm so sorry that this is happening now. I mean, are you sure it wasn't an accident?" Lifting my head up, I take in the sight of Justin helping Jonathan to hook his bait unto his fishing line as Randall, Lisa and Steven look on.

We're actually at the Lake just hanging out, having a little picnic and fishing with Justin's family. I swear those Timberlake men are so competitive in everything! It's kind of cute though seeing how Justin and his dad interact. He's really lucky. He has two moms and two dads whereas me...well, it's not something I want to dwell on. There are more important things to worry about like who is trying to hurt Yolanda and why.

"I'm scared Zara. I want to believe that it was an accident but I was there, and so was Trace." Yolanda states.

"Well, at least you're staying with him for now and when Justin and I get back we'll be sure to look into this. I wouldn't worry too much about it right now. There isn't much we can do. But, make sure that you are careful and look out for each other ok?" I feel terrible. I don't know what to do or say about any of this. I'm so lost. I wish I could help her. I really wish I could. Yolanda has grown on me these past months and I feel like she's my younger sister that I need to protect.

"Yeah, when Trace and I told Malcolm he nearly flipped. He kept asking if we were sure."

"Malcolm really cares you know. I can understand him being worried. I mean when I spoke to him yesterday he was freaking out." I reason.

"Ha! He was ready to kick ass girl. I don't know how you put up with him. He's so assertive and headstrong. But, at least he's taken it upon himself to look into the matter. He's been at Tennman asking questions, trying to find out if anyone saw that silver Honda and who it might belong to." Yolanda explains.

Oh no, that's not a good thing. I know for a fact Justin won't like that. I know my bro is just doing his job, but he's not even supposed to be doing this. He's still off from work and I don't want him doing any undercover work. I'm not looking for him to be back in the hospital or worse.

"I won't tell Justin just yet because he'd maybe be pissed that Malcolm is interrogating his employees but when we get back we'll look into it. We'll mostly be in the studio anyway so we'll be together most of the time."

"Yeah, thank god. I miss you girl. You're like the closest female friend I have now and it's been so dull around here without you." Yolanda points out.

"I know." I sigh, smiling when Justin looks over at me with a bright grin on his face. Shaking my head, I giggle a little before I hear a beep on the line. "Oh Yol, I'm getting another call. I'll talk to you all soon. We'll be back Tuesday night." I state.

"Oh ok, that's cool. Well take care and tell Justin hi for me. Bye Zara!"

"You too. Bye Yol." Rooting the phone from my ear, I press the call waiting and quickly say ‘hi' into the line.

"Hey angel eyes..." comes a tired voice over the line.

Straightening my posture instantly, I tense and grip the phone tightly, my vision fixated on Justin's back who's helping Jonathan reel his line in.

"Christian." I whisper before I stand, brushing my free hand over my light colored jeans.

"Yeah." He responds and why does he sound so drained and tired? Not like I care. Because I really don't. He just seems so worn out.

Fidgeting, I cast my vision down to my nails playing with them and eyeing them intently, feeling a slight urge to bite on them all of a sudden. "Please don't make this a habit." I force out weakly. "You're not supposed to be calling me like this." I explain. "It's weird and wrong because I haven't had any contact with you in years and all of a sudden..."

"So when were you going to tell me that you were dating Justin Timberlake?" He cuts me off. He cuts me off just like that.

"Excuse me what?" I inquire nervously. How could he possibly know that? And what's it to him?

"If you're dating him, why did you try to contact me Zara? You haven't exactly told me anything. I'm just confused here help me out. Obviously, it wasn't to..." But he stops himself, his words laced with bitterness. What the hell? Ok, this is getting too weird for me.

"Look Christian, I don't know how you found that out..."

"I know you all are trying to keep this private for as long as possible but I'm telling you people know." He informs and I frown in perplexity. "It's only a matter of time before the public finds out. Do you know he's one of our top clients? He orders some of our finest wines for his restaurants. Plus, I've been compared to him on countless occasions in the past so you can understand why this is very disturbing for me." He snaps.

Ok hold on. He has no right to speak to me like that. Who does he think he is? Pinching the bridge of my nose in irritation, I take in a deep breath inhaling the fresh forest breeze. Lifting my head, I notice that Justin is glaring at me now with a scowl on his face. I'm a good distance away from them since I was terrible at fishing and decided to sit their activity out after we had lunch. It's late afternoon now. It's going to get dark soon and I know we're going to be leaving soon. There's not much light left but even with the lack of illumination Justin is able to spot my displeased expressions.

"Christian..." But he cuts me off again, clearly frustrated.

"I received an envelope at my hotel suite Jahzara. Do you know what was in the envelope? Pictures of you and Justin. Why would someone send me pictures of the two of you? There is one that looks like you all are in some park or garden which is dated back to over a month ago. There is also one with you all in some supermarket and the person took the liberty of stating your location on the photo as Memphis, Tennessee or something. There are some more of you two in Los Angeles. I have no idea when you were there, but there are...hundreds of photos of you two out. There are some of you two and a large dark man and another shorter man at what seems to be some basketball game. Zara, I'm not sure what any of these mean. But I'm letting you know that someone has been keeping an eye on you two and I don't know why. I've been racking my brain, trying to figure out for the life of me, why someone would do this and involve me in it. I can mail you the pictures if you don't believe me. How does the person know that we know each other and even so, how can they know to find me and do this now when I've only contacted you after years? Even so, why would they leave a note stating and I quote, ‘if you want your precious Jahzara unscarred then you should take her out of harm's way.' What the fuck is this Jahzara? Are you trying to fuck with me from what happened all those years ago because..." And just like that I tune him out.

The information he just divulged is too much to retain. What.the.hell? It makes no sense. None of it makes any sense, and he's still rambling on in his thick English accent but I'm ignoring him because Justin is coming over here and I can't even begin to understand what the fuck Christian is telling me.

"I'm not messing with you Christian, I promise you that." I say softly.

"Then what the hell is going on? Because I don't need this." He's confused, I can hear it in his tone and frankly so am I, but I can't dwell on that now because if Justin knows that I'm speaking to him again, all the progress we've made these last few days would be down the drain.

"I can't talk to you now about this. I...I have company." I stutter, feeling my heartbeat increase with each step Justin takes that brings him closer to me. But then his dad calls out to him halting his actions and I have to say I'm grateful for the extra time.

"I take it you are with Mr. Timberlake as we speak. Well angel, when you do have time I would appreciate it if you give me a call to clear this up because it's very unusual and I never imagined I would get in contact with you after all this time under such circumstances." That's the last thing he says before I end the call and snap the phone shut before stuffing it in my jeans pocket as Justin slowly closes the gap between us.

"Hey Ju." I smile brightly, noting the curiosity twinkling in his blues.

Tugging on his red t-shirt, he pulls on his red NY fitted hat before he folds his arms across his chest just glaring at me. Oh no, what now? "Are you ok?" He says this slowly, enunciating each syllable.

"I'm fine why?" I inquire, fixing my green top and jeans jacket idly.

"I spotted your annoying nail habit from a mile away while you were on the phone. That only means one thing and you know it." Then his lips twitch into a light smile even though I'm sure he's still curious.

"Oh well..."

"Who were you talking to?" He asks curiously and I freeze, my hazels locking unto his blues. Oh god, he's testing me to see what I'll say I just know it.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I can still feel the confusion from what Christian just told me looming over my thoughts. None of it makes sense and if I want to enjoy these last few days we have here, Justin doesn't need to know any of it. At least not yet. Though, I'm not sure if or when I'll tell him because knowing that there were people taking out pics of us even before we ever got together would not sit well with him. He's going to make a big deal out of it and that's the last thing I want especially since Christian would be involved as well. Having my ex and my current boyfriend interact, even on good terms though I doubt it would be so, is not what I'm looking for.

"I was on the phone with Yol. Oh and she said hi. She was just informing me on what was going on with her. You know with what's been happening. It's really bothering me." Well none of that is a lie. So, I guess it's ok if I omit Christian.

"Don't worry about it berry. We're heading home on Tuesday. We'll sort this out." Justin explains and I nod my head just as the rest of his family make their way over. "We're done so we're going to head out. We're going to stop by the ice cream parlor on our way home. Jonathan and Steven won't stop bugging me." Justin laughs out and I giggle though my mind is miles away now as I replay everything Christian told me in my head. This is getting very weird. First Yolanda and now this? What the hell is going on?

Not to mention thanksgiving night when Justin disappeared. He came home clearly irritated for some reason with a bag full of alcohol in his grasp. There were beer packs, hard liquor and wine in those bags. Had I known that's what he left for, I would have never made him leave. He drank the entire six pack on his own too. Can you believe it? He kissed me and told his folks goodnight and the moment the house cleared out and everyone turned in for the night, he sat his butt down on the living room sofa and drank the entire pack of beer on his own, only taking breaks in between to open the cans and switch the television channels.

I never entertained him. I simply rolled my eyes and went up to bed since he was acting so weird. He came up soon after, kissing on me and telling me how he was sorry for ignoring me but he just needed to clear his head and let out a little steam. I swear that man is bi-polar. I'm seriously going to get Dr. Lake to diagnose him. It's not even funny anymore. I was too tired to deal with his psychotic behind so I simply gave in and we turned in for the night. That was as far as it went, because the next day, everything was back to normal. I always appreciated that we could always find temporary solutions to our problems and not dwell on them and simply move on, but how long is that going to last? How long are we going to be able to do this before everything comes crashing down on us? I'm not looking to lose him. I love that man too much to ever let him go without a fight. I've loved him a lot longer than I'm willing to admit, and that makes me realize just how important he is to me and in my life. He may not know it, but he saved me in so many ways. Who knows, I'd maybe be dead today from overdosing or something if it wasn't for Justin. I can't let anything come between us.

I know I always asked for my life to be a little less dull since I was stuck in that boring desk job at Tennman but I never wanted things to get crazy like this. I guess life with Justin is just plain out crazy on a whole with his superstar self. Sometimes I wish he was just a regular guy, but then I remember that's virtually impossible because even if he wasn't in this profession, whatever he would be doing, he'd shine since he's just not the regular person that you deal with on a daily basis.

Snapping out of my thoughts when Lisa, Randall, Jonathan and Steven approach us, I notice that Justin is giving me a bemused glare since I clearly spaced out like I usually do.

"Girl, I swear, they should make a movie after you called ‘Zara in dreamland' or something so...kind of like ‘Alice in wonderland' because you'll never change." Justin chortles, grabbing my hand gently for me to walk with them to the parked jeep.

"Funny Ju." I fake a laugh, not amused by his antics as Steven rushes up to walk with us, leaving his family behind to carry all the load.

"Hey Zara, what's your favorite ice cream? We're going to get some. I want chocolate though." He mentions and I smile.

However, before I can answer, Justin beats me to it and I roll my eyes though I can't help but smile since he knows all these little things about me. "It's rocky road Steven." Justin replies nonchalantly just as we get to his jeep and he unlocks the doors so everyone can get in.

"Oh, well I want what you like Zara! Is it good?" Steven inquires and I laugh out. He's adorable.

"Yeah it's the best." I smile.

"No way, cookies and cream!" Jonathan pipes in and Justin scrunches up his face in disgust.

"You're disgusting John." Justin chuckles and Jonathan simply shrugs with a grin on his face.

"I could use me some Rum and Raisin." Randall adds in.

"Oh Randy, you just want the alcohol in it." Lisa jokes, causing us all to erupt in laugher.

I love this. I love spending time with them. They're amazing, warmhearted people. It makes me miss having a big family like this, but at least I'm blessed to be a part of Justin's own. To think, I was freaking out over nothing. I won't give Justin the pleasure of knowing he was right though because he'd maybe tease me about it. Still it feels good.

"Well I don't know about you people. I'm in the mood for Daiquiri ice, but since we're not going to any Baskin-Robbins, I'll just have a strawberry." Justin voices and I note how everyone is watching him oddly.

"Strawberry is pink Justin." Steven says this in a matter-of-fact manner and I'm stifling my laughs when Justin gives me a knowing glare. Everyone else is clueless.

"I know that Steven. And it's sweet." He's saying this like all ice cream isn't sweet as he locks eyes with me. Oh boy...

"And pink and for girls." Jonathan adds in and I can't help it, I burst out laughing.

"Since when does the color of ice cream determine if a girl or guy could buy it?" Justin is glaring at his two brothers incredulously, clearly amused by their comments.

"Whatever." Jonathan gives up and he hops into the backseat with his younger brother and parents in tow after they place their fishing equipment and picnic stuff away.

I quickly hop into the passenger side, still laughing my head off as Justin gets into the driver's side and pulls out of the parking spot near the lake where a few extra cars are still parked since we weren't the only ones there today.

"What's so funny Zara? You should probably be taking Vanilla instead since I know you like that one too." Justin spits out playfully and my laughing instantly dies in my throat. Oh my god, he did not just make a sexual comment with his family in the damn ride. It was very subtle but still obvious. He really is a crazy ass white boy...dang.

Then I hear Lisa laughing to herself and I can feel my cheeks reddening by the second. Slumping down in my seat, I shoot a death glare at Justin as he chuckles at my expense. The little jerk. I'll get him back, he can count on that.

Smiling to myself, I brush him off then I cast my vision out the window taking in the simple scenery as Justin drives us to the ice cream parlor in silence.

*****

We've made it to the ice cream joint in record time and right now, everyone has gotten their chosen flavors and we're all digging into our cones as I pay the cashier so we can leave.

Steven and Jonathan were right though. Me holding a cone with a bright pink scoop of ice cream on it is a little...odd. Still, it tastes damn good so I'm not complaining. Plus I'm only doing this to tease berry since she gets embarrassed so easily. It's kind of funny but still cute.

Whipping out some cash and handing it to the cashier who's gawking at me, I roll my eyes and wait for her to give me my change so we can bounce. It's been a good day with us just chilling and having a laid back outing. I don't get that often so I'm happy it was spent with my family. Plus, Zara fit in well with everyone like I knew she would. I told her she had nothing to worry about.

Mama has be gushing over how sweet she is and really, it's a little disturbing to hear my mom talk about Zara like she's known her her entire life. I mean, I knew they wouldn't be paying as much attention to me, but when Zara's around it's like I'm practically invisible and you know, it's still my mama. I love that she and Zara are getting along so well, but I'm not looking to feel left out in the process. Still, they're my two favorite girls in the world right now so I should be grateful and not grudging their relationship. I mean, it only took a few words for my mom and she was in, whereas I had to bend backwards for Zara to give in to me, but who's checking? We're here now and that's all that matters.

Grabbing my change from the cashier, I give her a tight-lipped smile and I'm suddenly realizing that maybe I should have brought Mike along with me on this trip. It's sad, but I'm slowly realizing that each time I step foot in Tennessee, the recognition I get due to my fame increases just a little bit more. I don't want to feel like some big shot celebrity in my own hometown when that's who I am for the rest of the world. I want to feel normal here, but I can slowly see that luxury slipping away each time my career flourishes just a little bit more.

I guess that's the price of fame. It can be a bitch but I got into this knowing what was at stake so I can't really point any fingers here.

Stuffing my wallet into my jeans pocket, I glance over to see that everyone is seated at one of the booths talking and laughing. Walking over to them, I smile brightly, still licking on my ice cream, my smile widening when Zara fixates her vision on what I'm doing.

"Ready to go guys?" I voice and everyone responds in their own way agreeing with me. "Let's bounce then." I point out, stretching my hand for berry to take.

Helping her up, I snake my free hand around her waist, pulling her at my side and kissing her temple lightly before we make our way to the exit with everyone else in tow. You know since Christmas is drawing near, the nights have been chilly. But, it's the best holiday in the entire year and I'm really looking forward to spending it with Zara.

"I see you took Vanilla." I whisper in berry's ear, just as we swing the doors open to the parlor to head out towards the parked jeep.

"What can I say? I love me some smooth, white, melt in your mouth sweetness..." But she drifts off, her body tensing against mine and I can't help but groan because this is not a conversation we should be having now. Still, my thoughts are instantly swayed when Zara stops abruptly, causing my movements to freeze as well since my arm is wrapped around her frame. Looking down at her I frown when she gasps slightly.

"Berry what..." But my words are cut short when I see what seems to be bright flashes going off around us. Snapping my head up, my eyes widen in shock when I notice a mob of paparazzi quickly heading in our direction, screaming out at us as their cameras keep going off. "What the fuck?" I growl angrily, still just standing there in awe.

"Justin look!" Jonathan points out and I can hear my father and Lisa's heavy sighs.

"Let's get to the jeep everyone before they catch up to us." Lisa points out, gripping her sons' arms and dragging them towards the ride that's just a few feet away from us.

"Oh my god." Zara gasps and it's only then I realize that she's still in my embrace as the camera flashes keep going off.

"Justin! Justin over here!"

"Justin having a family outing?!"

"Justin what flavor ice cream are you eating, is that strawberry!?"

"Jahzara you look amazing! You've lost a lot of weight!"

"Justin what's the deal with you and your ‘assistant?'"

And the questions just keep rolling as they approach us with their overly expensive spyware. I wish I could just grab those fucking cameras and smash them into the pavement. What the fuck are they even doing here?

"Zara we have to move." Detaching myself from her, I grip her hand tightly, yanking her to walk with me as they finally catch up to us. Shit, this is insane. Where the hell is Mike when you need him? I've never been attacked in my own town before. This is beyond wrong.

"Justin what's your relationship with Miss Gilmore. Are you two dating?"

The ridiculous questions and flashes just won't stop and I'm trying to get Zara to walk but she's making it difficult because she's in so much shock, she's paralyzed.

"Walk Zara! Now!" I growl angrily and that wakes her up because she begins moving as they circulate us, still asking their fucking questions and invading our personal space. Shit, this is bad. This is very bad. I'm almost certain Johnny is going to have my ass for this. I really want to hit them. I do. I swear I will if they don't back up.

"Oh my god, that's the same guy!" Zara suddenly belts and I glare at her oddly, ignoring the vultures for the most part as I whip out my keys and press the alarm and unlock the doors of the ride so my dad, Lisa and the boys can get in.

"What guy?" I ask noting how her vision is fixated on one of the photographers who's holding her gaze with a menacing smile on his face. The fuck?

"That's the guy! The one who was spying on Yolanda and me inside of Victoria Secret some weeks ago. He's a pap! I knew something was up!" She's completely gone, taken with whoever this guy is, trying to figure him out. I don't even think I want to fucking know what she means by that statement. I'd maybe punch his face in and be slapped with a lawsuit afterwards.

"Just get in the ride berry." I state, wincing when I realize that I used her nickname by accident instead of her real name. Shit. Bowing my head, I scratch under my stubble before swinging Zara's door open so she can enter. Removing my hat, I drop my ice cream unto the pavement not really in the mood for it anymore. Passing my hands through my curls in aggravation, I slam Zara's door shut when she hops in the passenger seat, still glaring at the same fucking pap.

Whipping around to face them, I narrow my eyes into tiny slits from the blinding light flashes. "Do you all mind moving so I can get to my side of the ride for me to leave please?" I try to keep a neutral tone because if I so much as curse them out, they're going to make me out to be some type of monster in the public's eye.

And just like that they shift so I can pass, still flashing pictures of us. Thank god for tinted windows.

Rushing over to the driver's side, I swing my door open, ignoring the questions for the most part until one catches my attention and I look up to see it's the same guy Zara was staring at.

"So, is berry like a pet name you have for Miss Gilmore? And if so, how did she get it?"

Tilting my head to the side, I take in his cold blues wondering why the fuck this guy's stare is so unnerving.

Smirking, I just roll my eyes and hop into the driver's seat, slamming the door shut and bringing the car to life. Pulling out of our parking spot, I can still see those assholes calling out to us and even telling us to enjoy the rest of our vacation as I speed off down the street in silence, too wound up to even say anything to anyone.

They're all silent, keeping to themselves as I head straight home. Jonathan and Steven seem fine for the most part, still eating their ice creams as well as Dad and Lisa. Zara is the only one who's completely lost in her thoughts as her ice cream begins dripping down her cone and onto her fingers.

I should tell her something, but I brush it off, once she doesn't get any of that sticky shit on the seats then we're cool.

So it was a great day until now...

Now I'm ready for it to end.

Shit, by tomorrow, we're going to be everywhere and our relationship won't be so much of a secret anymore. Not unless I can do some serious damage control but even then, it's still going to be difficult. This is exactly what I didn't want to happen and I never thought that in my own fucking hometown of all places we'd get ambushed like that. It just doesn't make any sense at all. Something about this is off. I'm pretty sure those paps were tipped off about my whereabouts but why and by who?

"Malcolm is going to kill me..." Zara finally lets out a shaky breath and really, she's not the one who's going to die of multiple gunshot wounds so she should be grateful that he's her brother.

Growling lowly, I just remain silent for the rest of our drive home, not having any intentions of dealing with any of this tonight. I'll maybe get Johnny and Ken on the phone tomorrow if they don't call me first but tonight, I just need to clear my mind before I seriously lose it.

**

Being the last person to walk through the front door, I make it my point of duty to slam it as hard as I can before a loud ‘fuck' leaves my lips involuntarily.

"Justin watch your language in front of your brothers." My dad scolds and I slump my shoulders feeling slightly irate with everything that's transpired.

"Sorry." I mumble before my mom comes barging into the living room where we're all situated.

Jonathan and Steven easily brush off the incident, grabbing the remote to put on cartoons so they can watch as I plop down on the sofa next to Zara. Lisa and dad head upstairs to freshen up before they leave for the night and I'm just there...sitting next to a silent panicking Zara who I just can't deal with right now. I'm too pissed off. I'd maybe take it out on her if she starts freaking out on me.

"Justin did you just slam the door when you got in?" There's a displeased glare on my mom's face as I lock eyes with her. She's dressed in some shorts and a loose fitted t-shirt but even like that she's still intimidating.

"Uh..."

"Don't ‘uh' me. Have you lost your mind? You know better than that baby." She scolds me lightly and I groan loudly.

"I'm sorry ma geez." I snap.

"What is wrong with you? Why are you so angry?" She inquires before taking a seat next to berry and me. She gives Zara a once over before worry overpowers her features. "What's going on Justin?"

You'd think Lisa and dad would have told her, but no. They simply excused themselves and headed straight upstairs. Thanks a lot guys.

"The paps ma. They..." Sighing, I squeeze my eyes shut for a few seconds before taking in some deep needed breaths. "They just came out of nowhere and..."

"Oh no." Mom interrupts and by the look on her face, I'd say she knows that this is bad. "That's not like them though. You can usually get away from them at home. I don't understand."

"Neither do I!" I shout, before my hands rise in the air as I twist to face her completely. "God, Johnny is going to kill me ma." I say dejectedly. "And my fans...they're..."

"They're going to hate me." Zara interrupts me and we turn to glare at her.

"Oh god, Jahzara sweetie no. No don't think that. Honey come with me. Let me talk to you." My mom instantly gets up and grabs Zara's hands, forcing her to stand as well. "We'll let Justin cool off and you can help me prepare dinner for everyone. Come on." Not giving berry a chance to protest, my mom shoots me a sympathetic smile before she hauls Zara away with her and I have to say, I'm not mad.

I really just need a break to clear my head before I can really talk to my mom and then to berry. I already know having any type of conversation with berry now is going to be difficult and I really don't want to go off on her from lack of patience. Yeah, so if I can just sit back for a few minutes and just digest everything and think of what steps we need to take so this doesn't escalate into some type of huge media scandal, then I should be calm enough to discuss this with Zara because I know her. I know she's maybe screaming on the inside, ready to jump off a damn cliff or something because she's always so fretful. This needs to be handled delicately.

I know for a fact there is no talking to her about Malcolm or Mallory now because it will just make things worse. Plus, I haven't exactly told her about that call I received the night I was dropping Mallory home. It didn't make sense to me then and it doesn't make sense to me now. I'd say it's just some sick joke someone was playing on me, because obviously they didn't get their wish since berry and I are going to be on every fucking tabloid magazine by tomorrow.

Then my fucking cell rings and I'm wondering who and what the fuck does this fool who's calling me wants.

Pulling my cell out of my pocket, I glare at the caller ID not recognizing the number. I probably shouldn't answer it, but my curiosity gets the best of me and I flip it open as I focus my vision on the television screen, noting that Steven and Jonathan are watching cartoon network.

"Yeah hello?" I say into the line before tossing my hat unto the sofa. Slicking my fingers through my curls, I frown when I realize how thick they're getting. Shit, when we get back to Florida I'm going to chop them off, no questions asked.

"Is this Justin?"

Seating up in my seat when a male voice filters through the line I scowl wondering who it could be.

"Yeah who wants to know?" I inquire. I should probably hang up. Somehow I don't think I'm going to like this. But then the line beeps and when I pull it away from my ear for a split second, I realize it's Trace calling. Shit. Ah what the hell, I'll just call him back.

"This is very out of character for me to do, but I wasn't sure if she was going to tell you and I really feel that this is important and you need to know. You all might hate me for this afterwards, but I am concerned even if you don't know me personally..."

"Wow, hold on. What?" This nut job is psycho. What the fuck is he even talking about? "Wrong Justin man." I laugh at the ridiculousness of it all but before I can hang up he decides to speak again. Is there no end to this fucking day?

"No, no, you're Justin Timberlake am I right?"

When I don't respond, he sighs tiredly and decides to continue speaking much to my distaste. "I know how this must all seem." Oh you have no idea dude. "But maybe I should start with telling you who I am..."

There's a long pause and then the unthinkable happens. He says the last thing I never expected to ever hear in this lifetime and for many reasons that I'm sure are very obvious. "My name is Christian Hemingway..." And that's as far as he gets before I slam my phone shut and drop it unto the sofa uncaringly. Grabbing my car keys, I jump up on my feet and storm out of the front door before anyone is aware that I'm missing, ignoring my brothers who are calling out to me, asking me where I'm going and if they can come...

*****

Quote by George Santayana