StaR StRuck

Another Joint By

Craigger

Hey guys... I know you missed me. For some reason the squeal to "Bodyguard" (The first part is here if you want it) isn't coming along as easy as I thought it would. So here's something else. And since it summer and skool is out I don't have much to do. I just moved into my new apartment and since I am living alone it's just me and Microsoft Word. Interesting life huh? Any way this is my story and I have a new email addy.... so send emails to Craigger02@Comcast.net.

Oh and though I wish I did, I do not know any of the celebrities mentioned in the story or anything of about their sexual preference. So get off my back ... and read the story. Unless you're too young... Oh and you don't like the idea of two guys together... Or it's illegal in you state or country, or where ever your backwoods home is... and I can't think of anything else. So READ!!

ChapteR OnE

"Damn! This is just now flowing the way I want it to," I said as I looked over at Chloe, my choreographer.

"You're just thinking too much--listen to the music and just do the moves. You know them, it's just nerves," she said as she smiled at me.

I looked around the studio that my record label provided for me for practice. My first tour was to start in two weeks. I'm so nervous that I couldn't do simple dance moves that I've practiced for months.

"Earth to Dakota!" she yelled as she playfully knocked on my head. "We have to get this song worked out by tomorrow."

"Ok Chloe, let's go," I said as I walked back to my mark. I took a deep breath as the music started.

After three times of going through it I managed to get it down flawlessly. Then Chloe decided to tell me that now that they wanted me to do a breakdown between songs. She explained that they thought it'd be cool to put something together for darude's "sandstorm." I thought it was a cool idea to. But I was a little pissed that they kept adding to my show and I still had no idea who I was opening for.

Chloe noticed my frustration, "Hey D, I know it's hard, but you'll love this. You're living your dream. How many people can say that?" she pointed out.

"Yea I know. I think I'll just head home. I'll see you at the rundown tomorrow," I said as I picked up my towel and wiped my face.

"K kid." I grabbed my bag and headed out the door.

The night chill hit me hard when I walked out of the studio; I guess I didn't realize how hard I was working. But it was worth it as I walked over to my black Mercedes roadster I had bought with my signing bonus. I was so excited when I got my deal with Jive, although I wasn't to keen on making pop music. I just had to get through this tour so I could do what I want. I will be an established artist--I hope at least.

I unlocked the door to my house and walked into the foyer where I put my keys on a nearby table. I turned off the alarm and walked into the living room. Looks like my assistant brought my mail in. I thought none of it looked interesting so I put it back on the table. I walked over to the phone and checked my messages.

The first one was from my manager, Karen, "DAKOTA!! Your album just hit the double platinum! I hope you're excited because I am too and so is the label. I tried to call you on your cell but it was off which means you're practicing again. Congrats about the album and I will see you tomorrow."

The second was from another management company, "Hello Dakota, this is Braxton from Musiclife Management, your career is starting to take off and it's time you got serious about it." He continued on and on like that for another minute or so and he finally left his number, saying "I'd be pleased to bring you aboard and give you the control you've been wanting over your music." I thought about it but I was too tired to do anything.

After that message I climbed the steps to the master bedroom. I looked around--it was bigger than the studio apartment I was living in when I got my deal. Actually the house was bigger than the house I grew up in. I undressed and crawled into bed. My last thought before I fell asleep was, if I was living my dream, why was I so unhappy.

I walked into the studio the next morning to find my manager and a few suits. I knew today that we would be running down all the dance routines for the faster numbers. I looked over at Chloe and my dancers. She smiled and winked at me.

I went over to the mirror and started to stretch. I look at myself, my black-bone straight hair with the green streaks they put in it to match my eyes. At first I hated it, but I finally grew to like it. Years of dancing gave me a fit trim shape. I stood with a sigh and came to my full height of 5'6.

I turned to the suits. "Are we going to do this or what?" I smiled.

A sweaty hour and half later we came to the end and I noticed that someone had joined the suits in the watching. There was something about him which was vaguely familiar but I couldn't quite place him. I looked at Chloe.

She ran over to me, "You killed it babe!" she said as she hugged me while the suits clapped their approval.

"Thanks," I said. I slipped from out of her grasp and walked over to my bag and pulled out a towel while Karen came running up to me.

"That was amazing. The exec's were impressed. In fact they were so impressed; they switched your tour mate. They were going to have you open for a bunch of nobodies but now they have you opening for a superstar," she said as she held my shoulders. She was shaking.

"Ok," I said. Who am I opening for?"

"Me," the new guy said. He was wearing sunglasses and a baseball hat.

I smile at him politely. "Who are you exactly?" I heard everyone in the room gasp.

I couldn't see his eyes behind the sunglasses, but I knew he was sizing me up. A smile crossed his face. "I like this one," he said as he took off his hat and sunglasses.

"Oh fuck!" I gasped. I was looking into Justin Timberlake's brown eyes. I started to apologize but he cut me off.

"Is there somewhere we can talk?" he asked?

"Yea, there's an office back through that door," Chloe said as she pointed to a door at the far end of the studio.

"Come on," he said taking me over to the door.

I looked over at Chloe and frowned. I was way nervous as I followed him back into the office. He held the door opened the door for me and closed it when I came through.

"First off," he said in a tone that terrified me. "...that was awesome! The whole time you were working out there, you made it look so easy. You didn't even look like you were out of breath," he complemented.

I couldn't help but blush. "Thanks," I smiled.

"How long have you been dancing?" he asked me.

"For about 8 years now. I started when I was a freshman in high school," I explained.

"That's crazy," he said and gave me a smile that lit up the office. "So hey what are you doing after this? I am shopping for wardrobe. Maybe we can talk my manager into handling your paper work so you can come with me."

"What paper work?" I asked.

"Oh shit. They didn't tell you? You're supposed to be in meetings all day dealing with how much they are paying you for the tour and such."

"Damn!" I yelled as I kicked the desk.

"Don't worry about," he said as he took out his cell and dialed. He then had a quick conversation with someone. "All taken care of. My manager will take care of it all," he smiled.

"I really need to replace Karen. She's always springing things on me." I said as I thought about the message on my machine.

"Don't worry about it. Once we're on tour, things will be different," he smiled. "Now come on, we gotta spend money."

Over the next two weeks Justin and I became pretty close. We were instant best buds. He took me and showed me the ropes. He explained everything to do with touring. I was surprised that he took such an interest in me, but I guess since I was opening for him I had to set the mood for the show.

When it came time to do a complete dress rehearsal for the show I was so nervous. The first show was tomorrow night. I walked out on the stage, the stage that I would be performing on. All I could see was the seats, thousands of them. I had preformed live before but nothing like this.

"Nervous DJ?" Justin asked.

"More than you know JT." I turned to look at him. "I am scared shitless. I keep picturing me fucking up major," I said.

He closed the gap between us and put his hands on my shoulder. "I know you can do this. I have nothing but faith in you; I know you're going to be a star," he said as he looked down into my eyes.

I looked up and mumbled "Thanks." I started to say something but was totally surprised by his lips--well the fact that he's lips were covering mine.

He pulled back and looked at me. "Oh fuck." I shouldn't of down that." He started to walk away, but I grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled him back to me. "Is there something you wanna tell me JT?"

"Damn DJ! Every time I see you I just get lost. I don't know how to handle myself around you," he said as he looked down at his hands.

"Are you telling me that you like me?" I asked giving him a shy smile.

"Why? Are you telling me you're interested?"

I placed my hands on his. "Yes."

His head jerked up and made eye contact with me. "Seriously?"

I nodded. "I am not saying that we should commit to each other, but I am excited about spending time with you," I said as I smiled at him.

"So would it be wrong if I kissed you again?" he asked.

"What do you think?" I asked as I poked him in the stomach.

He leaned in to kiss me and we met half way. This time it was a real kiss. There was no shock here. I felt his tongue enter my mouth and my knees buckled but he was there to hold me up. He wrapped his arms around my waist and I put my arms around his neck.

"So I guess you liked that?" he teased after he broke off the kiss.

"Yup," I said and then changed the subject, "What now?"

"Well we have a tour kick off party tonight." He smiled at my subject change.

"We do? I thought that was for you!" I said after I broke free from his arms.

"What? It's our tour man. Plus, you need to get out and get loose," he said.

I felt myself beginning to cry. "I need to figure out what I am going to wear." I said while I was jumping in the air.

"So I will see you there tonight?" he asked.

"Of course," I said and then smiled.

Two hours later I pulled up to valet parking. I stepped out and gave the kid my keys. I turned to go in and ran into a wall of screams. I'm never going to get used of that. There was a walk way blocked off to I could get to the door, but before I walked in, I made sure to sign to some CD's and pictures.

I stepped into the club and the music was blaring. I walked through the crowd of well-wishers and congratulators.

"Justin said you were going to come and I'm happy you did." a female voice said.

I turned to see Britney Spears. I jumped back. "Oh shit! Britney Spears!" I almost yelled.

"And you're Dakota Jamerson," she said as she put her hand on my arm. "You excited about the tour?"

"Yea, it's a dream come true. But I am still way nervous." I said as I smiled at her.

"I noticed. But that goes away after the first show. Trust me," she smiled at me. "Plus you couldn't have a better tour mate," she said as she turned to look through the crowd at Justin.

I turned to look at him. My mind drifted back to the kiss we shared. "I guess that's true," I said.

She smiled at me. "Let me introduce you to some people." She took me by my hand and led me deeper into the crowd.

The group of people at the party surprised me. Justin knew a wide variety of people. I, of course, met the rest of the *Nsnyc clan. I met some producers he worked with like Timbaland and Phrarell of the Neptunes. I almost pissed my pants when I met Janet Jackson.

The only person I didn't get to actually talk to was Justin himself. He seemed to be avoiding me the whole night. When I tried to talk to him, he seemed to have something more pressing to do. So finally after 1 o'clock I decided to give up chasing him and go home. I had to be up and ready pretty early because we were doing the final rehearsal tomorrow and I wanted everything to be perfect.                    

I walked into the Staples Center in LA--it was a mad-house. I was told earlier that it was a sold out concert so I knew I was in for an experience. I hadn't seen Justin as I walked in or after I was fitted for wardrobe. I finally saw him right before he was to go on stage for his final.

"Hey Justin," I said as I went to give him a hug.

He stopped me. "Um... we should talk later," he said and walked past me and out onto the stage.

Whoa, I think that was the brush off. I started to get a little irritated. He comes on to me and then blows me off. Asshole!

I was sitting my dressing room when I heard a knock on the door. I was reading a book to calm my nerves before the show. I stood and walked over to answer the door. Justin was standing there.

"What?" I asked coldly.

"I probably deserve that," he said. "Can I come in?" There was a tone of sadness in his voice.

"Yea, whatever." I said and then walked away from the door.

He walked in he took a look around. "You know I could talk to some people and get you a bigger dressing room," he said.

I turned around and gave him a withering look. "Is there something you wanted?" I asked.

"Well I came to say good luck on your show..." He then paused for a few seconds; it must have been to choose his words correctly. "...and to apologize for leading you on with that kiss yesterday." He shoved his hands in his pockets; I later learned that he did this when he was nervous.

I must have looked like a guppy because my mouth just opened and closed. "Excuse me?"

"You know. The kiss last night, when I said..."

I cut him off. "Oh so you're not interested?" I asked.

"Yes," he said.

"Good," I said.

"Excuse me?" he said as he was a little surprised.

"Then we can keep a strictly business relationship here." I said my voice turning cold and business like. "So if you're done, I have to get ready for my show." I turned toward my wardrobe rack.

I felt his eyes on me but he didn't say anything. After a few minutes of him standing there, he just left.

And just a quickly as our friendship started it ended.

"Hey Dakota, its show-time in 15," the tour manager said.

TBC

Well there it is guys... I hope you like it. I think it'll be something. I am not sure where exactly I am going to go with it. But I plan on making it interesting. SO yea.. until we meet again.. it's Craigger... Later.. Craigger02@comcast.net