Justin walked up the stairs looking for the apartment number she had told him. He dressed casually with a white t-shirt, track jacket, and jeans. He was relieved when he saw Jacqueline was just as casual in just dark denim jeans with black boots and a black and white graphic tee, and her long brown hair was picked up in a pony tail with her long bangs to a side.

“well hello there beautiful” he greeted her

She smiled “hi…you look very handsome yourself”

“awh thank you” he followed her in and closed the door behind him

“anytime” she giggled “um…we’re just waiting on Mario because he’s a little slow so, would you like a tour meanwhile?”

“sure” he shrugged

“ok well in the area we have the kitchen/ dining room/ living room” she said as they walked through the front of the apartment “we have a bathroom in this room over there, and one in the back in the master bedroom, which we leave for guests because we started fighting over it. This is my room” she pointed “and Mario’s…and I think that’s about it”

“I think it’s very cute. You guys have a nice view” he walked over to the balcony

“I know right. Nice to know someone else appreciates it” Mario came out of his room

Justin turned around and Mario’s jaw dropped “hey man…you must be Mario” he stuck his hand out

Mario squealed as he shook it and could not believe the Justin that Jacqui was talking about “Oh my God…you’re her Justin?”

“yes…that’s my friend Justin” she giggled “wow…I knew you were big but um…you have quite an affect on some people” she said a little wide eyed

“I just love your new CD…amazing. I do not stop playing it”

“well thank you”

“I’m such a huge fan. You know what, I don’t even wanna go out tonight. Did you want something to eat, I’m sure we could just whip you up something to eat and –“

“nah not right now…maybe a little later” he chuckled “but yea I don’t mind staying in and chilling with you guys…if you don’t mind of course” he looked at Jacqui

“no not at all” she shrugged “but I will get a little comfortable so excuse me” she took her boots off and left them in her room. She returned to find Mario a little more calmed and talking to Justin normally and she didn’t want to interrupt so she continued to the kitchen and began to prepare some beverages for them. Just as she was turning to get some ice from the freezer she saw Justin and jumped.

“did I scare you?” he laughed

“just a little”

“well…your roommate is pretty cool”

“yeaa? I’m glad you think so”

“yea he was telling me about his little situation”

“oh really?”

“mm hmm…I asked him if he was feeling better”

“I bet you made his day” she looked up

“that’s the upside to my job. I’m glad I’m able to do that” he found her smiling at him

“you like your job?” she continued to stir the iced tea

“most of the times” he chuckled “I mean I love making music and I’m just happy that there are people who like it. One song could brighten your whole day up, it could understand what your going through…it makes people feel good”

“so then what’s bad about what you do?”

“the lack of privacy, there are cameras everywhere I go and it’s hard to meet people that are genuine. I mean I’m cool with everyone, but I watch who I allow myself to get close to.”

“should I feel special than?”

He chuckled “you definitely should. I’m glad to have met someone like you”

“and I’m glad to have met someone like you” she said “I’m sure you’ve probably heard that a million times”

“actually no…not really. So thanks for that”

“ok…I need a movie and some chocolate” Mario walked in

“why?? I thought your spirits were a little higher” Jacqui looked at her friend

“they were…and then Toni called”

“oh boy” she said

“40 Yr Old Virgin is hilarious” Justin spoke up “and it’s in my car”

“I don’t know…I have been dying to see the notebook” Mario said

“are you for that man?” Justin said “I mean…it made me a little teary, that movie is serious”

“oh wow…lets watch it. I bought it yesterday and haven’t even taken it out of the bag” he went off to his room

“so you cry?” Jacqui looked at Justin with an arched eyebrow

“tears are not a sign of weakness.” He defended himself “but no…I am not really the type to cry a lot, it’s just the movie got to me. You’ll see”

She laughed and put her knees up to get more comfortable. “...tears are most definitely not a sign of weakness” she said and had the urge to kiss his cheek…so she did

Just when he was gonna ask her what that was for Mario returned in with the movie.

“I’m cold” she said “you want a blanket Justin?”

“no thank you…I’m fine”

“Mario?”

“no sweetie I’m good” he said still playing around with the DVD player

She went to go get the blankets and recognized that warm feeling she felt inside, but she mentally wanted to curse herself for not being able to stop herself from showing him that type of affection. She hoped he wouldn’t think more of the simple kiss than what it was. She just couldn’t help but let him know that she thought it was a good thing he was a bit sensitive. She thought it was adorable how he attempted to defend his manliness, but was not afraid to admit a movie made him cry. She reached for her blanket and returned.

**

JC had begun his tour for his first solo CD. He felt a little bad he couldn’t spend much time with Jacqueline but she was always on his mind, and he had no problem letting her know that. He didn’t want her to move on and forget about him. Call him selfish but he wanted to make sure she was only his. He didn’t know where their friendship was going, and wanted to wait until he was a little less busy to be able to see if they were able to make it to the next level. To see if he was ready for that much.

He called he when he finally got his hotel, before he would get some sleep. This time she did not pick up her phone. He figured she was sleeping and left a message.

The movie ended and there was not a dry eye in the room. Even Justin who had already seen the movie and knew its outcome could not help but feel the tears built up in his eyes.

“that movie was beautiful” Mario commented

“a love like that hardly exists anymore” Jacqui said

“you really believe that?” Justin looked at her and asked

“oooo…I think I hear my phone” Mario made the excuse to leave to his room

“I don’t know” she shrugged “it’s just…its hard to find that special love”

“yea that’s true…but it’s not impossible”

“nothing is impossible” she said as she got up

“well what’s your idea of “the one”?” he followed her

“hmm…wouldn’t you like know?”

“well I am asking…so”

She laughed “I’m not really sure of who “the one” for me is…I’m a little crazy like that”

And that was what he loved about her.

Justin was about to leave and Mario needed to get an autograph before he left. He grabbed all the ‘NSYNC albums he owned and Justin laughed as he gladly signed them all. Jacqui smiled knowing that Mario was extremely excited about having met Justin Timberlake, and it was through her behalf.

“alright miss…I need to go home, but I’ll talk to you tomorrow?”

“sure” she replied with a small smile

“it was nice meeting you man” he shook Mario’s hand “and uh…by the way. I have this friend, he just got out of this relationship but you two would go great together. Just let me know when you’re interested.”

“Justin Timberlake wants to hook me up on a date…that’s something a lot of people won’t be able to say”

“the kid is one of my best friends…I’m tired of seeing him mope around” he chuckled

“well thank you for everything…tonight will definitely be in my memory” Mario said

“it was my pleasure…goodnight” he hugged Jacqui and kissed her cheek.

He left and she made her way to the kitchen where Mario had left the CDs Justin had autographed for him. She began looking through them to see how she remembered him when ‘NSYNC first came out. she made her way to the Celebrity album she looked through the small booklet in her hands. it fell out of her grasp with the sound of a small gasp.

“what happened” Mario walked in the room and picked up the booklet “pretty cool right” he smiled

“oh my God” she began pacing in the kitchen

“what is going on with you??” Mario got a little worried

“Joshua knows Justin…and Justin knows Joshua”

“how’d you find that out? Did Justin tell you? I mean the man must know like the world. Does that mean that Joshua is important people too…I mean he knows Justin Timberlake, and anyone who knows Justin Tim-“ Mario began his babbling

“stop it…look” she pointed at Joshua

“that JC” he looked up at her “whose real name is Joshua …oh my God” he laughed “that is so crazy. Who the hell does that happen to?”

“me apparently”

“so your Joshua is JC from NSYNC”

“and I didn’t recognize him because he now has long hair…and I only remember them from this CD” she pointed to No Strings Attached

“love…his face hasn’t changed much”

“but his hair has… I mean I knew he looked familiar but he never told me anything, and Justin with his infamous curly hair which he shaved off you know that was a big deal so of course I figured him out with little clues- oh dear” she grabbed her head

“ok…that’s understandable. That and the fact that you don’t really care much for American pop culture, but yes Justin’s hair thing…the world found out about that one”

“plus the big deal you made about it. But Joshua…I had no idea”

“and their both falling for you” Mario pointed out

“what?” she looked at him

“it’s obvious…they both are interested in you. And as more than just a friend”

“no…no no no” she shook her head

“yes yes yes” he chuckled “aren’t you the envy of every 16 year old girl in the world right now”

“ok well…I should definitely tell them that I know”

“I agree”

“I’ll look horrible if they find out on their own and…we need to keep this strictly friendship”

“Well …if you can help your feelings from getting in the middle” She looked at Mario “and don’t try to tell me you have no feelings like that for them…cause you are not a liar” she didn’t know what to say to him. He knew he had hit the spot, and she knew he was right.

She couldn’t help what she felt for them, but she forced herself not to give into all the sweet words and gestures. The two combined were the combination of what was the perfect guy for her…but she forced herself not to look at them in that way. She was not trying to get caught in a love web again, and instead found herself in an even worse web…a triangle. She was going to end this though…and she now knew that could be nothing friends. She was not going to get in between two men who had a relationship…she was not capable of handling this sort of situation.

Her phone beeped for the millionth time from her room letting her know she had a voicemail. She went to check the message and guilt kicked in when she heard his voice

“hey sweetie…it’s me Josh.” He sighed “You’re probably sleeping right now and I feel horrible for attempting to interrupt you while in a peaceful slumber, but I just had to say goodnight and at least hear your voice through this voice mail thing before I went to sleep. Well…I’ll definitely try and find the time to call you tomorrow. I’m actually really missing you” he chuckled “and don’t take that the wrong way. I know you probably won’t…but yeaa, I can’t wait to see you. Goodnight hon”

The emotions were already running through her from the movie and she couldn’t help but feel horrible. For what? She had no idea, maybe it was true she was starting to have feelings for two guys. She felt as tears welled up in her eyes, but only one escaped. She didn’t want to feel like she was leading them both to believe something that just could not happen. She had to let them know.