Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2002 18:34:17 EST
From: THRAWN5678@aol.com
Subject: You'll Never Guess Who Ran Into Me Today- Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I don't know anybody from N Sync, though I'd sure like to, and
thus this story is fiction and is not intended to imply anything about the
true sexual ity of the celebrities mentioned or any personal knowledge
about their private lives. This story should not be read by anybody who is
not legally allowed to read it.. So if you're underage, leave right now!!

Author's Note: Well, the story continues!! This chapter is a repeat of the
second chapter, with one major difference: This chapter is from Ryan's
point of view. I might do this once in a while, so that I can express the
feelings of Ryan, Lance, and whoever else plays a major role in this. What
do you think? If you have ideas, suggestions, comments, feel free to e-mail
me at THRAWN5678@aol.com. By the way, if anybody wants to be informed about
when the new chapter is coming out, tell me via e-mail, and I'll add you to
my mailing list. And don't worry, chapter notifications will be the only
thing you'll get, no ads or anything..hehe. And in case anybody was
wondering, if its in quotees, its being said out loud. If it only has the
single quotes like 'this,' the character is thinking this.

Thanx to Charlie for his continuing support, and also thanks to NG and
David B.

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You'll Never Guess Who Ran Into Me Today
by Squall Thrawn

Chapter 3

Ryan simply stood there in the street, as the SUV headed right for him. The
driver was hitting his brakes, but Ryan didn't think that that would make a
difference in time. 'Just a few seconds more, and I won't have to deal with
this anymore.  It's probably for the best anyway. Nobody cares about me or
anything.'

But the SUV came to a stop just inches from Ryan. Ryan started to see spots
in his eyes, and remembered to breathe. He immediately regreted his rash
action.  Death was not the answer. But it had seemed like it at the time.

Just then, the SUV's driver's side door swung open and somebody jumped
out. Ryan was too occupied with his own thoughts, and this reminder of his
own mortality to notice the person. So when the driver put his hand on
Ryan's shoulder, the adrenaline rush and everything was too much for Ryan
to handle, and he slipped into the dark world of unconsciousness.

Ryan had no idea how long he was unconscious. But he could gradually feel
himself being gently shaken. He opened his eyes to see the most beautiful
man he had ever seen in his life. He seemed a bit older than Ryan. His
pale, creamy skin. His beautiful blonde, spiky hair. And his eyes. His eyes
were a vibrant green that seemed to peer deeply into Ryan's soul. Man, Ryan
loved those eyes. He even forgot his problems. For a second.

"Wha? Where am I?" said Ryan, sitting up. 'Is this a dream? If it is, I
don't ever want to wake up.'

"Are you ok? I almost hit you with my car," said the driver of the SUV
sharply.  "Why didn't you move? Why didn't you try to get out of the way?"

Ryan started sobbing uncontrollably. 'I must be a bad person if even a
complete stranger, a handsome stranger at that, hates me,' thought Ryan to
himself. 'Maybe Mom was right..'

"Wait, it's ok," said the cute driver of the SUV. His expression went from
anger to concern. "I'm sorry. It's just that you scared me so much.

'Maybe he does care,' thought Ryan to himself. He wiped his eyes dry,
trying to look a little more presentable. 'Too bad I don't have any
Kleenex,' Ryan thought, sniffing.

"Do you have a place that I could take you to?" asked the SUV driver. "You
look a little too shaken up to be driving anywhere.."

That innocent offer for help brought back memories of earlier that day.. of
his mother kicking him out of the house and disowning him.. of Greg, his
only friend declaring his disgust of Ryan and revoking their
friendship.. of his co-workers, making nasty comments about him and
demonstrating their hatred of him. "N, No...  I don't have anywhere to
go...not any more..." Ryan got choked up and started crying again.

"It's ok...it's alright," said the driver, putting his arm around
Ryan. Ryan flinched at first. He had been hurt by so many people today. But
there was something about this person that made Ryan instinctively trust
him. Ryan put his arms around the person, sobbing into his firm chest. He
held on tightly, as if this person was the only one who could help him. The
young man didn't flinch or push Ryan away in disgust. He merely held him
tight, showing Ryan his concern for him

"It'll be ok..," said the stranger, patting Ryan on the back. "By the way,
what's your name?"

Ryan cleared his throat, his voice hoarse from all the crying he had done.
"R, Ryan... Ryan Holden.."

"My name is La.. James Bass..," said the beautiful stranger. "I'm pleased
to meet you, Ryan. Say, I'm starving. I'm staying at the Adam's Mark hotel
right now..  Why don't I treat you to room service there? You look like you
need somebody to talk to, and my friends have always said that I was a good
listener. Actually, I don't think I'll take no for an answer."

'James Bass...Where have I heard that before?' thought Ryan. 'And come to
think of it, he looks somewhat familiar.' And then he recalled what James
had said after that. 'He wants to hear my story? He'll probably hate me
when he finds out that I'm gay. Just like everybody else. But I don't want
to alienate him. I'll just try to get out of this gracefully.'

"Tha..Thanks, James..." stammered Ryan. " But I don't want to burden you
with my problems or anything."

"Nonsense. I insist," answered James, sounding pleased.

'He actually seems glad that I'm coming. Maybe he won't be like the
others.'

James cleared his throat. "Ummm, Ryan, Could you ease up a little for a
second so that we can stand up and get in my SUV?"

Suddenly realizing that he was still holding James tightly, Ryan blushed
and reluctantly released him. "Oh sorry," said Ryan sheepishly. 'I wish I
could hold him forever. Wasn't there a tone of reluctance when he asked me
to let go of him?  But he's probably just being friendly. I'm sure he's
straight.'

The two of them stood up, and James gently led Ryan to the passsenger
seat. Ryan got in the SUV, and James went around and hopped in the driver's
seat. He put the car into gear and started driving. Ryan found himself
looking at James. He quickly turned his head and pretended to watch the
scenery. 'I can't let him know that I'm gay, or he'll hate me.' thought
Ryan.

"So, Ryan, are you a student, or do you work somewhere?"

"Umm...I'm going to a community college right now, and until today, I
worked at Wal-mart..." Ryan looked down. Ryan had enjoyed working at
Wal-mart. He loved interacting with the customers, and helping people. And
he had gotten along with his fellow employees. Until today. Ryan quickly
wiped his eyes, trying to keep himself from crying. He had never guessed
that the nicest employee could become a vicious bigot.

"I'm a member of a singing group," said James.

Ryan smiled to himself. Always the gentleman, James was, trying to keep the
conversation light and staying away from Ryan's problems. Ryan could listen
to that sexy voice with just a trace of an accent forever. Then Ryan
started wondering. 'What singing group is he from? I know he looks
familiar..Who is he really?' It didn't even occur to Ryan that this could
be Lance from N Sync, since Ryan had thought that the members of N Sync
were stuck on themselves and didn't care much for people like him, and also
the fact that Ryan was too busy thinking of James's cuteness..

"Ya know, you look kinda familiar. What group are you part of?" asked Ryan,
finally giving up.

"Have you ever heard of N Sync? I'm member of N Sync," answered James.

Ryan gasped and put his hand over his mouth. It was him!! "I can't believe
it!!  It's you!! Lance Bass!! I should have recognized you immediately!!"
Ryan didn't mention the fact that he had had the biggest crush on him for a
few years. 'Oh my God,' Ryan thought, 'I had Lance Bass in my arms!!'

James, no, Lance chuckled. "I take it you're a fan?"

Ryan nodded sheepishly. "Yeah..sort of a closet fan. I liked your music,
but my friend Greg..." Ryan's eyes watered up, and he put his hands over
his face. No matter what, he just couldn't keep his mind off of the day's
events. Ryan had liked N Sync for years. He had defended his music tastes
for years..except with one person. Greg. Greg hated N Sync. And Ryan would
have been willing to toss out all of his cds if it meant being with Greg.

"It's ok, Ryan. It'll be ok," said Lance. "Ah. Here we are, at the Adam's
Mark.  We're going through the back entrance, since the front is currently
being assaulted by a small army of teenaged girls."

Ryan nodded. He remembered passing the Adam's Mark earlier, and seeing the
screaming girls. In his daze, he hadn't even remembered that N Sync was in
town for a concert the next night.

"Yeah, I saw them," said Ryan. "I had forgotten that you.. and your group
were in town. If I did.."

Lance pulled the SUV around the hotel, and to the back entrance. With a
wave to the security guys on duty, he drove through and parked the SUV.

"Well, we're here," said Lance, turning the car off. "Why don't you join me
in my room? We can talk about anything you want."

"That sounds like a good idea," replied Ryan, drying his eyes. 'This is
definitely a dream. I'm being invited up to Lance Bass of N Sync's room!
He's so hot!! And he's still willing to listen to me!!'

Lance and Ryan got out of the SUV and headed to the service elevator.

"Hey, James, I really appreciate this. You didn't have to, ya know."

"Nonsense. After all, that's what friends are for!!" With that, Lance put
his arm around Ryan's shoulders in a comradely manner.

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That's all for now!! Tell me what you think about it!!

Squall Thrawn
THRAWN5678@aol.com