Date: Sun, 2 Jul 2000 07:34:57 -0700 (PDT) From: J.C. Subject: Jason and JC - 3 "Jason and JC - Part 3" Its nice to see you all again and I'm glad that your back. I tried my best to make the story interesting. And if your here that means it worked. Anyway enough smoke. This story is a bit longer than the first two, so take some time, read it, and enjoy. As always I welcome comments. Email me at a41a14a@yahoo.com or IM me at ICQ 76118280. And Im not even going to bother with the legal stuff because if your here, then you've already been through that routine so read on my friend. **************************************************************************** Jason awoke early the next morning. He still hadn't gotten out of that routine yet, even thought he had not had any classes for several months. He had graduated from college a couple of months ago and was now still working at the place he had worked all through his college years. He was looking around for a job that fit with his degree, but he hadn't found one that suited him just yet. He wasn't going to rush out and get trapped into something he was going to regret. Besides, its not like he was hurting for money. He made enough where he worked now to pay for housing, transportation, and food, with a good deal left over. And if ever an emergency arrose, he had plenty of money in the bank, he had been working ever since he was 15, stocking money away, and now, he had enough money in there to live comfortably for quite a while. He rolled out of bed and looked at the clock. 7:00 AM. 'Come on, it's Saturday, for crying out loud' He thought to himself. 'Oh well, might as well get up.' He headed into the shower and washed up before heading to the kitchen to get some breakfast. He remembered all the events that had occured the day before but shrugged them of as he remembered the advice of his new found friend. 'The CD' he remembered. He quickly got dressed and was out the door. He cruised down to the nearest music store and picked up a copy of "No Strings Attached". He raced home and popped it into his stereo. The now familiar song came flooding out. He started to groove with the music as it played. As the tracks began to advance, he realized how much he liked this group. They just had a great sound to them. When the CD had finished he started it over again and went to check his mail. He booted up his computer and before long he was online. 'More messages from Sarah!' he thought. 'Take a clue!' He began a letter telling her of his feelings and that there was no way in hell of thier reconciliation. He ended the letter with "Bye, Bye, Bye!" As he sent the letter a message window popped up onto his screen. "Message from JoC2000" He opened the message and began talking with his friend again. He told him about the CD and how he loved the music. And they continued to chat and chat. These conversations continued for days and days, until the days turned to weeks, and the weeks eventually turned into months. Jason began to look forward to chatting with his friend. He would look for him whenever he was online. And was kinda dissapointed whenever he didn't find him. It turns out that he participated in a travelling radio show with four other people. They never ran out of things to talk about. Thier chats were never shorter than an hour and most of the time they lasted 3 or 4. It was wonderful. If Jason ever had a problem, he could go to JoC about it, and if JoC ever had a problem he could come to Jason with it. They were the best of friends and they had never even seen each other. About three months later, Jason and JoC were having one of thier marathon chats, when an odd message came across Jason's screen. "Jason, I've been lying to you." This seemed a little strange, and Jason didn't know quite how to respond. All he could think of was "huh?" so that's what he typed. "I mean, I'm not who I've been saying I am." was JoC's response. "Well..."Jason responded, not sure what to expect. "Who are you then?" "I doubt you will believe me." his friend responded. "Try me." Jason told him, sure that his friend wouldn't lie to him unless absolutely necessary. "Well..." there was a short pause in the chat. "My name is JC , not Jo C., I travel with the group 'N Sync." he confessed. "The JC? The singer JC?" Jason asked, a little confused. "One and the same." his friend confirmed. "OK, well I have a confession to make too. I'm actually Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys." Jason retorted, thinking his friend was pulling his leg. "Man, I'm serious. I didn't tell you to begin with, because I wasn't sure how you'd respond. I figured you probably think I was some sort of wierdo or something and not talk to me. But now that I know you, and you know me, I figured you should know." Jason just sat there taking in what this guy was telling him. 'The JC?' he thought 'Nah, I doubt it. But if he were going to try and fool him, why waste four months, thats alot of time to put into a prank.' Still not sure what to think, more text flashed onto his screen. "Are you still there, dude?" "Yeah, I'm here." Jason typed. "I'm not sure what to say though." "You don't believe me." JC typed, stating more than asking. "You know what, I'm going to prove it to you." "How?" Jason cautiously asked. "You'll see." JC returned, and with that he ended the chat. He imediately began serching online for Jason's address telephone number, anything that would lead him to him. The band was scheduled to play the Amphitheater in Atlanta in a few days and when he arrived, he was going to surprise his friend. Several days later... Jason slowly awoke back into reality. He looked over at his clock to check the time, he expected to see 7:00 AM, just like he did every morning. "10:30" he said as he sprang to an upright position. He had never slept this late before. Thank god it was Saturday. Or he would have to rush in order to get into work on time. At lest that was something he wouldn't have to worry about for a while. It was finally time for his much needed and desired vacation. He had two weeks to spend all on himself. He hadn't decided what he wanted to do with it yet, but he figured that in two weeks, an idea had to come to him. He lay back down thinking about the past few days. There had been no contact with his friend for a while. Had he been telling the truth and now he was hurt because I didn't believe him? he thought. Or was he lying and too stuborn to admit it? Jason didn't know. All he knew was that for the past several nights he had stayed up as late as he could looking for him. That was most likely the reason he slept so late today, cumulative sleep loss. He rolled out of bed and decided that he wasn't going to worry about it. He would contact him if and when he pleased. But the thought of him possibly hurting his friend still bothered him. He figured a hot shower would wash away all his thoughts and relieve some of his tension. So he walked into the bathroom and turned the shower on as hot as he could stand it, slipped off his clothes and climbed in. As the water beat down on his body, he could feel the tension sliding away. After about twenty minutes he felt completely refreshed so he finished washing up and stepped out of the shower. He grabbed a towel and dried himself off. He watched himself in the large, full length mirror as he wiped the water off his body. When he was finished, he wraped the towel around his waist and just stood there, admiring himself in the mirror. His body showed the evidence of his swimming regiment. Every weekday, before work, he would swim as many laps as he could get in. It was great exercise, and he loved just floating about in the water. He walked over to the mirror on the wall and cleared the steam off of it with his hand. His blond hair was all over the place. It usually was after showering. 'To hell with it' he thought. He didn't even feel like messing with it. He reached down and picked up his razor. With the flick of a button, it buzzed to life. As he stood there, in front of the mirror, running the razor over his still slightly damp face, he remembered how Sarah had used to love to watch him shave. It was like a major turn on for her. He hadn't even thought about Sarah in the past few months. She had eventually stopped calling him when she realized that she had screwed it but beyond repair and that there was no going back. 'It was her loss.' he thought to himself. He had just finished shaving and put the razor down, when the door bell rang. "Now who could that be?" he wondered. His family was a thousand miles away and his friends never came by unannounced. He walked down the stairs which ended right at the front door and unbolted the door. He swung open the door revealing a strange man standing outside his door. He doned baseball cap pulled down over his eyes. He kept checking over his shoulder very nervously. "Can I help you?" Jason asked the man, very irritated at being called out of the bathroom. "Jason?" the man asked with a sort of puzzled look on his face. "Yes?" Jason asked in an equally puzzled tone. The man took pulled off the ball cap, revealing his sparkling blue eyes. "It's me, JC. Don't tell me you've forgotten your friend that quickly." "JC! It's you." Jason said with slight surprise. He had known who it was as soon as he removed his hat. His eyes gave him away. "Dude, come in." Jason stepped out of the way to let his guest in. JC quickly stepped into the apartment. He was eyeing Jason carefully as he walked in, trying to decide what to say. "Would you like me to let you go get some clothes on, man?" he finally asked chuckling. Jason had been so preoccupied with his thoughts, that he had forgotten that he was covered only in a damp towel. "Yeah." Jason said as he grinned. His face, along with most of the rest of his body, turned a bright shade of pink. "It is a little chilly in here." he returned trying to hide his embarassment. Jason showed JC into the living room and said that he would be right back. JC sat down and watched Jason as he trotted up the stairs to his bedroom. As he waited, JC looked around the room. The room was occupied by a couch, a couple of chairs, an large entertainment center, a digital piano, and and a rather expensive looking computer system. There was also a stone fireplace in the corner of the living room. JC walked over to the fireplace and noticed several pictures on the fireplace. There was a picture of a middle-aged couple, his parents JC assumed, a few other people about the same age as Jason, and a picture of a dog. There was a single frame set off by itself that was turned face down. JC reached up and lifted up the frame. The picture inside was of a beautiful woman. She had a gorgeous smile and amazing eyes. "I see you found my photo collection." Jason said as he walked into the room, this time fully dressed. JC jumped. He hadn't heard Jason come down the stairs. He quickly replaced the frame and turned around to face Jason. "Yeah, I'm sorry for being so nosy. Curiosity is just in my nature." JC apologized. He walked back over to the couch where Jason was now standing. "Don't worry about it man. It's not like I'm hiding anything. I see you found Sarah." Jason said referring to the turned down picture. "I guess I did, she's beautiful." JC said expressing his own feelings about her. "But anyone who can do what she did to you is rotten to the core in my book." he said quickly, remembering what she had done. "Your right. I should've gotten rid of that thing already. I have just never gotten around to it." Jason confessed, he did not love Sarah anymore, but he hadn't really felt like tossing out the photo. "Well, may I?" JC asked, realising that the picture was a reminder of the pain and embarassment his friend had gone through. He picked up the frame, motioning to the waste basket. Jason smiled at this gesture. JC had helped him through a dificult time, and without his help, he would probably had gone back to Sarah to possibly be hurt again. "By all means, throw it out!" he told him emphisizing the last three words. JC walked over to the basket and looking at Jason, and then the photo, he said "Bye Bye Bye!" and he slammed the frame into the can. It hit the bottom with such force that the glass shatered with a loud CRASH. "You have always been helpful in clearing my mind of distractions like that." Jason told JC as he returned to the couch and sat down. Jason sat in the chair directly across from him. JC smiled and was glad that what he had just done had not upset Jason. "So," Jason said after a brief pause. "What are you doing here, and more important, how did you find me?" "I'm here to see you silly, and prove that I'm not a liar. As for finding you, that was simple. The Internet is a powerful tool if you know how to use it." JC said with pride. "Now I know that you didn't come all this way just to see me." Jason replied. "And why's that?" JC asked, trying to get that hurt look on his face, but the harder he tried, the more it seemed to turn into a grin. It was strange, JC thought. He couldn't do anything but smile when he talked to Jason. No matter what he felt like five minutes earlier. Whatever Jason would say, would make him smile. "Oh I guess that you just decided to do a concert while you were here, huh? Might as well since you're already here to see me, right." Jason projected such sarcasm in his voice that JC almost rolled over laughing. JC tried to regain his composure. "You caught me!" he said still laughing a little. "By the way, are you going?" "The words 'SOLD OUT' don't even phase you do they?"Jason stated plainly. That concert had been sold out for weeks. By the time Jason had gotten around to checking into it, they had already sold out. "I guess I'll just have to watch you on TV." The concert was being broadcast live by one of Atlanta's local stations. "Oh no you won't!" JC said with such authority that it threw Jason off for a second. "Pardon?" Jason asked confused. "Well, I think I just might be able to get you a ticket. I do have a few connections in the business." JC said grinning, trying to keep from laughing. "You might have to settle for a backstage pass, cause I'm afraid that that is gonna be the best I can do." "What? You would give me a backstage pass? That's so cool of you. But I couldn't do that." Jason stated with surprise. "Why not?" JC said almost whining. Jason chuckled aloud at this. Even though he was completely serious, the tone of JC's voice just made sent him into giggles. He quickly composed himself. Now with a solemn face, he replied "I couldn't impose on you like that. I just couldn't take them." "What?!?" JC forced out. "Oh, you're going." he said staring straight at Jason. "You're going, if I have to pick you up and carry you." With that, they both started laughing. "Well..." Jason finally managed to get out. "I guess if you insist." "I do." JC quickly interjected. This set them both laughing again. They began to chat, like they had so many times before. Something in thier personalities just clicked. After about an hour or so, JC looked down at his watch, and noticing it was after 12:00 stated "Hey, would you like to go and get something to eat?" "Sure, I'd love to." Jason said excitedly. He was never one to turn down a meal offer, espescially since he had not gotten breakfast that morning. "Great I was hoping you would say that." JC said with a smile. "We can go get a bite to eat, and if you want to, we can go to the amphitheater from there and you could hang out for a little while. Or if watching us rehearse for the concert seems too boring, you could just come later. But I'm hoping you'll come for the whole deal." "How can I resist a plea like that?" Jason said with a laugh. "I'll come watch you guys warm up, and see if how you guys start off. It would be interesting I'm sure." "Alright, well then lets go. Where you want to eat?" JC asked not really being to familiar with the area. Jason walked over to the coat rack by the door and picked up his white ball cap and placed it onto his head. "Well, there's this great pizza place in town. They make the best homemade pizza you have ever tasted." he said as he picked up his keys and put them in his pocket. "Sounds good to me." JC replied. Jason opened the front door and motioned for JC to go ahead. JC stepped out into the bright, and warm, sun. Jason soon followed closing and locking the door. As he turned around, he slid his Ray Bans on. They headed down the walk to the driveway. "Now, next prob, my car or yours?" Jason asked him. JC looked up, shading his eyes from the sun with his hand. "Could we take yours, I want to experience the whole wind blowing through my hair thing." "You got it." Jason replied to him. They walked over to Jason's car and got in. Jason cranked it up and pressed the button for the top. It slowly made its way back, alowing the sunlight to flood into the cars interior. JC once again tried to chade his eyes with his hand. "Here use these." Jason told his as he reached over to the glove compartment and pulled out a spare set of shades. They were the black wrap-around type with the semi-mirrored surfaces. "Cool." JC welcomed the sunglasses and quickly slid them over his eyes. "Much better. Thanks man." "Your welcome, any time." Jason said as he looked over at his friend. He couldn't see those shining blue eyes anymore, all he could see was the reflection of himself looking back. 'This is great.' he thought to himself. And with that, they were out of the drive and off to lunch. To Be Continued... **************************************************************************** Well, I hope that you enjoyed this issue. Like i said in the beginning, this story is about two straight (or so it seems) guys exploring their friendship first, and then they will realize how much more they mean to each other, and struggle with that fact. Next time, Jason will get meet the rest of the band, and you find out thier reactions toward him. Thier love is soon to come though, and it is coming I promise. I would welcome and comments or suggestions, and even SOME (constructive) criticism. You can contact me at a41a41a@yahoo.com or if you are on ICQ my # is 76118280. Anyway, until next time, JC