Date: Mon, 14 Aug 2000 17:12:49 EDT
From: Spifty214@aol.com
Subject: Just Around The River Bend...Chapter 3 (boybands)

Like OH MY GOD! This is my first story!!! Actually, no, it isn't.
Besides from writing, I am an avid reader of the stories in the Boy Band
section. In the header of most of the stories I read, I see the familiar
saying "This is my first story." I am guilty of this, I must say. I
just get a little annoyed with it sometime. Ok, so there is my first
comment. My second comment is concerning e-mails that I have received
from a few of you. Now seriously, is there that much hatred and anger
towards me for not finishing Lonely Lance? I mean in all honesty, the
story sucked. Please, get over it. I apologize, from the bottom of my
broken heart, for not finishing the story.

I am sorry, I am being a bitch today. It happens to all of us... admit
it. :) Moving on... I would like to thank several people. These are in no
order so just hush. Jill, for always being by my side and for not getting
offended from any of the stuff I have written in the story. Mike, for
encouraging me to continue writing and for all the details about your
car. PJ, for giving me hope and all that other fun stuff. Last, but
certainly not least, Gabriella (MSR), for extremely brightening up my day
with your e-mail and for writing such an awesome story. Gabriella, on a
personal note, you remind me a lot of myself. Odd, very odd.

Ok, I am almost done. A few stories that I recommend...My Surprise
Romance, that story just rocks! Everything I Said, good story, however
almost every N Syncer is gay/bi. Not Meant to Be, interesting story with
a different writing style.

E-Mail me, PLEASE. Come on, e-mails always brighten my day. My pathetic
groveling for e-mails. Spifty214@aol.com. Everyone can just give me a lil
e-mail, I e-mail back too! Ok I sound pathetic now.

DISCLAIMER: If you are allowed to read this, enjoy yourself. If you are
not allowed to read this, don't. There is no way I can stop you though.

Ok, before I write, I have to pee like extremely bad. Ok, muchos better.
I get to take my horse pills and then I will be good to go.

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Just Around the River Bend

Chapter 3

"Alright, I'll go, but you are going to have to point them out because I
don't know which one is which." Jeff said, which was followed by a quiet
laugh. "Sorry, it sounds like I am talking about puppies or something."

"Dogs man, they are dogs." Josh said and they both laughed loudly. The
elevator doors opened and they went up to their floor.

"Hey, do you think it would be alright if I took a shower really quick,
I am all sweaty and stuff." Jeff asked as the elevator doors opened on
the thirty fifth floor.

"Yeah, that's cool. I'll just wait out here." Josh said as he plopped
himself down on the floor next to Jeff's door.

"Ya know, I don't bite." Jeff said as he opened the door to his room.
"You can wait in here if you want, I believe it's a lot more
comfortable then the floor."

"You sure?" Josh asked.

"Of course." Jeff said as he extended his arm and helped Josh up off
the floor. They walked into the room, Jeff leading the way.

----From here on out I am going to write in first person.

"I'll be quick." I said as I walked into the bathroom and closed the
door. I looked at the clock next to the bed before I got in and it read
12:25. I took a quick shower. After, I put the stiff as a board white
robe on that all hotels give you and exited the bathroom. There, in front
of me, was one of the gorgeous boys on planet earth, sleeping in my bed.
Wait till Jill hears about this. After I got dressed in my flannel pajama
pants and a white t-shirt I had the task of waking Josh up. He was just
so cute sleeping there curled up in a ball. Oh well, all good things must
come to an end.

"Josh, wake up." I said softly. He didn't move. "Josh, come on get
up." I said a little louder. No response this time either. "Josh, wake
up, I don't sleep with boys on the first date." I said this loudly and
shook his shoulder. Slowly he extended his arms and sat up. He yawned and
went through the usual waking up routine.

"What time is it Jeff?" That was impressive. Kyle had trouble with my
name the first time I had to wake him up.

"It's quarter to one. Do I still get to meet your friends, or do you
want to just head to bed?" I asked him seeing that he was really tired.

"Come on, let's go, I am not tired at all." He said as he got out of
bed.

"Alright, is this ok, or should I change into something a little more
presentable?" I asked him because I was in my PJ's and not all that
nice looking.

"No No, you look cute in that." he said as he looked me over. It took a
second to register then it hit to me as to what he just said.

"What?" I asked. There was a look of panic on his face.

"Huh?" He said, definitely trying to change the subject. This was
interesting, could he be gay? Maybe he was just still sleepy.

"Never mind, let's get going so you can get to bed." I said and opened
the door. He lead the way to room 3501.

"This is Lance's room. Usually we all meet in his room." Josh said as
he knocked on the door. There was an uncomfortable silence. Something was
up, however, not wanting to intrude I kept my mouth shut. After a few
moments of waiting I heard the door unlock and then a guy with glasses
and a blonde fro opened the door.

"What the hell do you wan...H..Hi." The froboy said.

"Justin, this is Jeff, the new PA." Josh said giving Justin a look. So
this was the infamous Justin.

"Nice to meet you." I said and extended my hand. We shook hands and
then Justin stepped out of the doorway and let Josh and I in. I think
Josh was a bad choice to lead the way.

"Great, look what the cat dragged in, what do you want?" Joey asked, I
knew who Joey was cause Jilly had a thing for him.

"Joey, this is Jeff, the new PA." Josh said as I walked past him. I
could feel the hostility in the room. Everyone was giving Josh a dirty
look and this was not something I wanted any part in.

"Hi, I'm Jeff." I said, not knowing what else to say. They all said
hey or hi somewhat at the same time.

"That is Joey and Chris playing 64. Lance is the one sitting the couch
watching, and Justin, who you already met, is laying on the bed with his
laptop." Josh said as he pointed to each one.

"Well, it's nice to meet you all. I will see ya tomorrow." I said as I
turned around and walked out of the room and down the hall. There was
just way too much tension in there for my tastes. I don't know what
would have been worse, being in that room or being in front of Rosanne at
an all you can eat buffet.

"Hey Jeff, where are you going?" Josh called after me. I was already at
my room when he exited Lance's room. I pulled the key out of my pocket
and opened my door. He pissed me off, introducing me to them when they
were like that. I had never felt so uncomfortable in my entire life. He
ran down the hall and made it to my room as I walked in. He followed in
without even asking and shut the door.

"What the hell are you doing?" I asked him. I know I sounded like a
bitch.

"I want to talk to you, why did you just leave like that?" He asked me,
there was definitely concern in his voice.

"Dude, you don't do that to people. I have never felt so uncomfortable
in my entire life. I mean seriously, what the hell were you thinking?" I
said, starting to yell at the end of my complaint.

"I...I dunno." He said quietly. "I guess I was just trying to
introduce a friend to my other friends."

"What?" I yelled, oops. "Why are you referring to me as a friend?
I've known you, what, an hour? My job here is not to be your friend ok
Mr. Chasez. Now If you'll excuse me, I need to get my sleep. You know
where the door is." I said and walked into the bathroom and slammed the
door. I locked the door and decided a bath would calm me down. I am a
nice guy, really, but what he did wasn't cool. I must have fallen asleep
in the bath or something cause I was awoken by someone knocking on my
door. I got out and put the robe on and ran tot he door to get it. I
opened the door and to my surprise Justin was standing there, laptop in
one hand.

"Hey, are you busy?" He asked.

"No, No, what's up? What time is it?" I asked letting him and closing
the door.

"Uhm, it's almost three." he said looking at his watch.

"Thank you, uhm could I get dressed really quick?" I said as I walked
into the bathroom.

"Yeah, sure." He said. I closed the door and put on my pajamas from
earlier. I hurried up and opened the door and found Justin standing in
the same spot he was in when I left him.

"So what's up?" I asked as I sat down on one of the chairs in the
living room part of the room.

"Can I talk to you?" He asked me.

"Yeah, sit down." I said pointing to the chair across from me. There
was a coffee table in between us.

"Ok, there is a lot going on that you don't know about. We are all very
sorry about the way we acted earlier. We all had an argument with Josh
and we were all still pissed at him when the both of you came in. You
heard about Mary, right?" Justin asked me.

"Not really, something about violating a contract but that's about it.
Why?" I asked curiously.

"Alright, well what I am about to tell you is the reason she got fired.
You cannot say anything to anyone about this." Justin said.

"I promise Justin. I have dealt with a lot things kept under secrecy
before." I said.

"I know you have, that's one of the reasons you were given this job."
Justin said.

"Wait a second, what do you know?" I asked him, wondering if he knew
that I was gay.

"Well, that you are a great person, and that you are fully qualified for
the job, and that you are gay." Justin said. I was shocked, I didn't
even know Johnny knew.

"How did you find that out?" I asked him.

"I overheard a conversation Karen had with Johnny yesterday." Justin
said.

"I didn't even know that he knew that. Who else knows?"

"Nobody, just me, I talked to Karen yesterday about it. Johnny didn't
want us to find out until you were ready to tell us." Justin said,
trying to ease my mind a little.

"Ok, Ok, so anyway, so my being gay, how does this have to do with
anything?" I asked.

"Well, as I was about to say, Mary found out some things about Josh that
she gave to a media outlet and it could have really damaged our
reputation if it would have gone public. However, WMG and Jive were able
to pay off E! and keep everything under wraps." Justin told me.

"Is Josh gay?" I just had to ask, fuck being polite.

"Yes, he is. He came out to us two years ago and it went over really
well with everyone. Mary didn't even know until he and his ex boyfriend
had a fight and Josh got a black eye. This was two weeks before we kicked
off the tour. They had been over for a month and he came back and it was
just a mess. Anyway, we were able to keep it hush hush. Mary was hired a
week before the fight happened. Our old PA is Karen, the tour manager. So
anyway, she took some Polaroid's and wrote a letter and sent them to E!.
They called Johnny and told him about it and paying them off was the only
thing they could do." Justin said. After he finished his speech he
sighed.

"Wow, that's a lot of shit to go through." I said. I really didn't
know exactly what to say.

"Yeah it is." Justin said.

"So, why did you have an argument with Josh?" More nosiness. oops.

"Oh yeah, well it's kinda stupid really. We told him that he should
stay single until we aren't together anymore as N Sync. Which was really
stupid but he was saying that maybe he should get back with Alex. Which
is a stupid idea in itself, he gave Josh a black eye for Christ's
sake." Justin said, I could tell Josh wanting to get back with Alex
pissed him off a little.

"So is everything ok with you guys and Josh now?" I asked, trying to
conclude this conversation so I could get to bed.

"Yeah, we talked and stuff after he came back from talking to you. He
seemed a little upset though and I talked to him before I came in here.
He said that you were mad at him for bringing you in to meet us when we
were pissed. He was crying and he hardly ever cries." Justin said
sounding somber.

"I feel really bad now." I said. That made me feel like crap, I made
him cry.

"Yeah, well wait, there's more. He likes you. He said that when he
first saw you there was something about you he couldn't put his finger
on. Anyway, he said it was like love at first sight. He felt really bad
about that too cause you're straight and gay guys aren't suppose to
have crushes on straight guys." Justin said.

"Oh God. Does he know I am gay?" I asked, I needed to know.

"No, he doesn't. Just me. It's your place to tell him, not mine."
Justin said.

"Look Justin, I did not take this job to find a boyfriend or love or any
of that. I thought you were all going to be assholes and I would go on
living my miserable life. I don't even know if this is something I
want." There I go, putting up the barrier that Jill always tells me I
put up.

"Look man, it's cool. Two people have to connect. Me and Brit connect.
Just get to know him and stuff, see where it takes you. I want to see one
of my best friends happy. He's a good guy, and it looks like you are
two." Justin said. The mystery is solved, Justin and Britney are an
object, oh the thrill.

"Thanks Justin, you seem to be cool yourself. Are all the guys cool with
me?" I asked, I didn't want to deal with three pricks tomorrow.

"Yeah, everything is good. I am gonna get to bed now. It's been a long
day." Justin said, getting up out of his chair.

"Well thanks for filling me in. I will see ya tomorrow. For that matter,
I will see you today." I said, getting up out of my chair and walking
with him to the door.

"Yup, perceptive. I think we are gonna get to be good friends Jeff."
Justin said as he opened the door.

"I think so too. Good night." I said as Justin walked out the door.

"Night." He called out as he walked down the hall. I closed the door
and went back in my room. Millions of thoughts were running through my
mind. I had a crush on Josh, I'll admit that. I didn't want to fall for
anyone again, especially not a celebrity. I had been byrned once, I
couldn't handle it twice. I walked over to my briefcase which was
sitting on the desk and opened it. I took out the room list and found
Josh's room number. I picked up my room key and put it in my pocket and
walked to room 3504, the room Josh was staying in.

"Josh, it's Jeff, let me in please." I called out as I knocked on the
door. What was I doing?

TBC....

Ok, that's chapter 3. Hope you enjoyed. E-mail is always
welcomed...Spifty214@aol.com...Have a great day :)