Chapter 1

As she hung up the phone, Amber felt like her whole world was crashing down around her, she was really looking forward to seeing Justin for the first time in a year and for him to see her perform the next night.

She wanted him to see how much she had grown and share her love of music with him. She knew he had obligations and it wasn't his fault that things came up especially with the life choices he had made, but she couldn't help but feel disappointed.

Sighing, she pushed herself up from the bed and padded across the room to look at the picture hanging on her vanity of her and Justin. She couldn't help but sniffle back a few tears even though she knew it wasn't worth crying about and he couldn't do anything, but it still hurt. She'd been looking forward to when she could see him.

She wiped at her eyes while turning away from the picture spotting her notebook lying on the end table. She quickly walked over to it and plopped down on her bed, pulling the book onto her lap and grabbing the pen out of the springs that held the notebook together.

Opening it up to a fresh page she began to write in a feverish pace, jotting down all of her thoughts, dreams, and fears of the upcoming day. She hoped with everything in her someone would love her voice and possibly help her grasp her dreams with both hands.

As she wrote down everything a soft knock came to her door causing her to look up. "Come in"

Her door slowly opened to reveal her best friend who had a bright smile stretched across her features but soon faded when she noticed the far away look on her best friends face.

"What's wrong babe?"

"Nothing" Amber shrugged while closing her notebook and pushing it off to the side.

"Mhmm, right I've known you for ever and that gives me the right to know when you are upset about something." Lisa said walking over to her friend and sitting down next to her.

"I talked to Justin about twenty minutes ago." Amber replied while sighing heavily.

"Okay usually when you talk to him you're hyper as hell." She said while raising one eyebrow at her.

"Well you know how I told you he was coming out this week?" Amber questioned

"Yeah, that's all you've been able to talk about since it was decided."

"Well the call was to tell me something came up and he couldn't make it out to see me till next week."

"Oh honey, I'm sorry I know how much you wanted him to be there tomorrow night."

"It's okay, I'm just bummed you know? I really wanted him to see me perform. But hey duty calls it's his job."

"Yeah, but hey at least he called to tell you he couldn't make it, I know it must have hurt him deeply to cancel."

"I've got to give him that much credit. So what are you doing here so early, I thought we weren't meeting up till later?"

"Uhm honey it is later." Lisa replied while watching the shocked look come over her friends features.

"Oh shit." Amber replied jumping up from her spot with an apologetic look across her features. "I'm so sorry Lyz, I totally forgot with the call and everything it kind of ruined my mood."

"It's okay, but if you don't want to go out anymore I understand."

"No I do. I need something to take my mind off tomorrow night."

"Well get ready real quick and we'll head out."

"Okay." Amber replied while springing into action.

Orlando

Letting out a heavy sigh, Justin placed the phone back down on the table and glanced over at a photo of him and Amber. He knew he didn't have a choice but to make the call, but he didn't enjoy doing it. His work had been his priority and he knew deep down she understood that.

He just wished he could switch priorities every once in a while and this was definitely one of them. Standing up, Justin grabbed the gold frame and smiled, he missed her more than anything and was really looking forward to seeing her bright smiling face. Closing his eyes, he could see her in his mind's eyes.

He could see that smile that he loved so much, the one that felt like she reserved only for him. He could see the way her face lit up when he walked into a room. Opening his eyes, he glanced at the photo in his hands once more before setting it back on the table.

As his eyes scanned the room around him they fell upon his suitcase sitting by the stairs, he padded softly over to it. After picking it up, he walked over to the stairs and began his trek upstairs to his room to unpack his clothes.

Just as he was about to unzip his bag, the phone by his bed started to ring. Sighing to himself, he pushed off the floor and walked over to the nightstand. He glanced quickly at the caller ID then put the phone to his ear.

"Hey Jayce"

"What's up bro?"

"Not to much just unpacking." Justin replied while unzipping his suitcase. "What's up with you?"

" I was just calling to see what you were doing tonight."

"Probably just unpack then hit the sack so I can get up in time for the radio show tomorrow morning."

"Cool, cool. Joey and I were thinking about hittin' a club tonight." JC said, hoping to coax his younger friend into going.

"I'm really not in the mood tonight Jayce." Justin replied pulling out a few of his shirts then walking towards his closet to hang them up.

"Alright, hold on a second my other line is beeping."

"Aight man" Justin said, he knew he was being a party pooper but his good mood went out of the window when he found out he had to cancel his plans to go to Utah. He also knew it wasn't JC's fault but damn he was really looking forward to going.

"Hey J, I got some news."

"Huh." Justin asked shaking his head trying rid himself of his thoughts.

"I said I got some news man." He said while shaking his head at his younger friend.

"What news?" Justin asked

"That radio show we were supposed to go to tomorrow. Well they just called Johnny to tell him they have to cancel."

"What was that?" Justin asked, he couldn't believe his ears it was as if God had answered his prayers. "Jayce you just made my day, better yet, my whole year. I have to go."

"Wait, what are you talking about Justin?" he asked completely confused.

"I'm talking about how I can go out to Utah to see Amber now. I had to cancel on her. " Justin replied with a smile gracing his features.

"Oh okay, well when will you be back?"

"Probably sometime next week who knows. We have time off don't we?"

"Yeah, but that's only a week J. Then we go back to rehearsals for the tour."

"Alright well I'll be back next week. Look Jayce I got to go. I have to call Amber, then call the airline and get a flight out of here."

"Alright. Be careful man."

"I will, see ya in a week.' Justin replied then quickly hung up the phone not waiting for JC to reply. His fingers worked quickly at dialing Amber's number but stopped. "Maybe I should surprise her." Nodding to himself, he hung up the phone then began dialing the numbers to the airport to book a flight the first thing in the morning.

Once he got off the phone, he began to repack his clothes. After he finished he collapsed down on his bed and smiled to himself. He couldn't wait to see Ambers face when he showed up on her doorstep.

The Next Day

Amber stared at her reflection in the mirror while styling her hair. Her hair was half-curled and the remainder just wouldn't cooperate. Seconds later, in a mist of frustration, she slammed the curling iron down and sighed to herself, she just wasn't in the mood to do anything and that included styling her hair. Justin had taken up all of her thoughts causing her to loose her concentration.

Glancing down at her watch she noted she had about an hour an half till she needed to be there, with the way her thoughts kept drifting towards Justin she didn't know if she could actually pull this off.

After letting out a heavy sigh, Amber picked her curling iron back up and made a last ditch effort to pull together some resemblance of a hairstyle. Grabbing her brush, she ran it through the small strand that she had singled out and once it was perfectly smooth, wrapped it around the barrel.

Letting out a slight chuckle, Amber realized that even a simple a task as getting ready had become such a daunting task. She just couldn't focus on anything but Justin.

"Ok, get it together or you're going to be late." she said, releasing the freshly curled piece of hair so that it fell against her cheek.

Setting the curling iron back down, Amber began to run her fingers through her hair to loosen the curls. After tilting her head to the side, she studied the look and although she wasn't exactly thrilled with the result, she knew that time wasn't on her side.

Grabbing the small black case on the dresser next to her, Amber opened it up and began to search through the various cosmetics. After finding what she needed, she laid it all out in an orderly row and proceeded to apply her make-up. When she was done, she tossed the articles back in her case and began searching through her purse for her favorite lip gloss.

"I know I put it in here! Where is it!" she yelled, frustration now evident in her voice as she looked up at the clock. "Ah. I knew it was in here!"

Pulling the small clear tube from her purse, Amber twisted off the cap and began to glide the liquid across her lips. After pressing them together, she did a few small touch ups and then tossed it back in her purse.

"Well, I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be." she sighed, running her fingers through her hair one last time.

She pushed herself up from her seated position then walked over to her closet to grab her shoes. Looking over the her choices quickly, she chose a pair of her many sandals an closed the door. Turning on her heel she sat down on the edge of her bed and began the task of putting on her shoes.

Once she laced up her shoes she padded over to her full length mirror and took in her appearance, nodding to herself she grabbed her purse then exited her bedroom. As she was walking down the hall she could hear voices and smiled slightly when she recognized them.

As she made it to the top of the stairs she saw her family sitting around the living room waiting for her to make an appearance. Plastering a smile to her face she quickly walked down the steps and stood in front of them so they could approve or disapprove in her choice of attire.

Her mother was the first to notice and she honestly had to do a double take she couldn't remember the last time her daughter looked that breathtaking. She was honestly shocked at how much she had grown up. "Aw, honey you look absolutely stunning." She cooed getting up to give her a daughter a quick hug.

"Thanks mom." Amber replied wrapping her arms a little tighter around her mom. "I just wish Justin could be here to see me."

"I know honey. But you know he would be here if he could."

"Yeah I know." Amber agreed, while stepping out of her mothers embrace.

"Are we all ready to go?." Her father asked after hugging Amber.

"Yeah, lets head out" Amber replied with a slight smile to her features.

Across Town

As the limo made its trek across town Justin leaned his head against the window watching the scenery pass by him. As they passed one of the many telephone poles something caught his eyes. He yelled out for the driver to stop. Once the limo came to a halt on the busy street he jumped out and jogged over to pole.

His eyes scanned the advertisement for the add. When Ambers name was mentioned his eyebrows furrowed in thought, quickly glancing down at his watch he noted the time and knew she would be on her way there. Pulling the ad down he jogged back over to the limo. "Change of plans, can you take me there?"

"Sure Mr. Timberlake." The driver replied, pulling back on the street to head down to the new destination.

Mike who was in the backseat looked at his young charge with confusion written all over his features. "What's going on J?"

"Were going to the fair." Justin replied

"Why are we going to the fair? I thought we were going to see Amber."

"We are."

"Huh?"

"She's performing at the fair mike. Now it all makes sense she sounded so down on the phone yesterday when I told her that I couldn't come. Damn it must have broke her heart, to know I wouldn't be here for this."

"Well she's about to get one hell of a surprise then." Mike smiled clapping the young man on the back.

"Yeah, she is."

After twenty minutes of driving they finally arrived in front of the fair. As Justin stepped out he could here the last few notes of the previous performer he smiled slightly. Hopefully he had made it in time for her performance. "C'mon mike I don't want to miss it."

"Hold your horses J." he replied while grumbling to himself. "Let's go."

You didn't have to tell Justin twice he was on his way through the park before Mike could get the go out. Right as he made it to the stage the announcer took the stage and put the microphone up to his lips.

"First and foremost I want to thank everyone for coming out, this turned out be a huge hit, and very successful. This next act is going places, she has the voice of an angel, and she moves like nothing you ever seen before. Please put your hands together for Ms. Amber Andersen singing Too Little Too Late.

As the first few notes of the song began Amber stepped out onto the stage and brought the microphone to her lips. "Ooh no, Come with me,
stay the night, You say the words but boy it don't feel right, What do you expect me to say (You know it's just too little too late) You
take my hand, and you say you've changed, But boy you know your beggin don't fool me, Because to you it's just a game" she sang moving across
the stage to look out around the audience.

So let me on down
Cause time has made me strong
I'm starting to move on
I'm gonna say this now
Your chance has come and gone
And you know

As she swaying softly to the music she closed her eyes while belting out the next verse.

It's just too little too late
A little too wrong
And I can't wait
Boy you know all the right things to say (You know it's just too little too late)
You say you dream of my face
But you don't like me
You just like the chase
To be real, it doesn't matter anyway (You know it's just too little too late)

As she was walking to the other side of the stage she caught a glimpse of her family and smiled brightly. They singing along
with her while waving at her.

I was young and in love
I gave you everything but it wasn't enough
And now you wanna communicate
Go find someone else
In lettin you go, I'm lovin myself
You gotta problem
But don't come askin me for help
Cause ya know

It's just too little too late
A little too wrong
And I can't wait
Boy you know all the right things to say (You know it's just too little too late)
You say you dream of my face
But you don't like me
You just like the chase
To be real, it doesn't matter anyway (You know it's just too little too late)

She couldn't believe how free she felt up on that stage doing her thing, and singing words that were so close to her heart. She now knew why
Justin loved performing so much. Speaking of Justin, she scanned the crowd in hopes of seeing him but knewdeep down she wouldn't. Boy did
she get a shock when she noticed him jumping up and down by the wings of the stage rooting for her.

I can love with all of my heart baby
I know I have so much to give (I have so much to give)
With a player like you, I don't have a prayer
That's the way to live, yeah oh

It's just too little, too late
Yeah

Justin watched as she sang with all of her being and he was honestly shocked at how amazing she sounded. He knew she could sing but he didn't
know she could sound so angelic and beautiful. Deciding to duck out before she finished he took one last glance in her direction then walked away
to hide out behind stage.

It's just too little too late
A little too wrong
And I can't wait
Boy you know all the right things to say (You know it's just too little too late)
You say you dream of my face
But you don't like me
You just like the chase
To be real, it doesn't matter anyway (You know it's just too little too late
)

Bowing her head as the last few notes of the song faded out across the crowd. When she heard the thunderous sounds of applause her shot up and
a bright smile plastered across her face. Bring the microphone up to her lips she muttered a quick thank you before exiting the stage.

As she made it down the steps her family was waiting for her on the side. She quickly closed the space between her and them by jumping into her dads
arms. "Oh my god it was amazing dad." She squealed

"No you were amazing sweetheart." He replied hugging on tightly to her.

"Yeah she really was." A voice said behind her.

Amber froze and quickly chastised herself for hearing voices knowing good an well the one person she really wanted to be there wasn't. "I'm hearing
things."

Justin chuckled softly then took a couple steps closer and tapped her on the shoulder. "Naw you aren't hearing things baby doll."

Quickly turning around, Amber gazed up at Justin and the shock that was present on her face, made Justin chuckle even more. "You're here."

"Yeah, I'm here. You didn't think I'd miss this do you?" Justin asked raising a single eyebrow in her direction.

"Well you didn't know so. Oh what am I saying. I'm glad you're here Justin." Amber said while launching herself into his arms.

"Me to Ambs. Me to." Justin replied wrapping his arms around and hanging on for dear life. "Why didn't you tell me about this Amber?"

"I wanted to surprise you." Amber replied while stepping out of his embrace. "You've inspired me with your love of music to do this Justin. An I finally understand why you love it so much."

"Well does it count that I'm surprised?" He smiled while wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "But if you would of told me then I would have made a better attempt at trying to be here."

"Speaking of you being here, I thought you had that radio show today?"

"It got cancelled at the last minute."

"Why didn't you tell me you were going to be here?" Amber questioned while watching his smile grow even more, she could only guess what his answer would be. "Let me guess you wanted to surprise me?"

"Yep, but hell I got a bigger surprise seeing you up on that stage. Damn girl you had that crowd, I'm very proud of you."

"thank you J."

"You're welcome. Now about that song was it just me or were you trying to tell me something?"

Turning her head away so he couldn't see her blush she answered shyly. "No."

"Okay. Well how about I take ya'll out for lunch?" Justin asked casting his gaze towards her family.

After nodding there heads in approval Justin looked at amber silently asking her if it was okay.

"Yeah lets go." Amber replied grabbing her purse from the table and resumed her previous position by Justin's side. Turning her head so she could see the big burly bodyguard behind them. "Are you coming Mike?"

"Do I have a choice?" he asked giving her a big toothy grin.

"No ya don't." Justin replied

"Then ya I'm coming Ambs." He replied while falling into step behind them. He really didn't mind going because the sparks between Amber and Justin were enough to spark his interest, they were so smitten for each that anyone would know by just looking at them. "It's going to be an interesting couple of days."

Chapter End Notes:

Song Credits:
Too Little Too Late By JoJo



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Story Tags: friendsturnedlovers loverdreams boyfriendj