Almost Doesn't Count - Chapter 3 (Formerly known as my Untitled Baby...lol) -- Fictional Getdown

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Date Posted: 12:55:43 11/20/02 Wed
Author: Sonali
Subject: Almost Doesn't Count - Chapter 3 (Formerly known as my Untitled Baby...lol)

CHAPTER 3

�Sonali?� I jumped when I heard JC�s voice.
�Geez, give me a heart attack, why don�t you?�

�I�m so sorry. I didn�t mean to scare you. What are you doing up so early,� JC asked.

�Steaming our dresses. I slept for a while but around 6, I gave up and decided to do something productive. What about you? Surely you�re not that worried about my show,� I joked. He laughed softly.

�Well I�m excited but you�re right � not THAT excited. I just couldn�t sleep and I didn�t want to bother Zahra.�

�Oh, were you uncomfortable? I mean is the bed too soft or is it too cold or warm?�

�No, no, no. Everything is perfect. I just couldn�t sleep.�

�I see. Well I�m almost done here, how about afterwards we go down the street and pay the bakery a little visit?�

�Sounds good. So who�s wearing which dress?�

�The black one is mine and the blue and purple is for your honey,� I said with a smile.

�She�s gonna look fabulous from the looks of it so far,� he said.

�I hope she likes it. Once she told me she was coming, I went straight to work.�

�You really love what you do, huh?�

�Of course. Why would I do something I don�t enjoy?�

�No, I know that. What I meant was that there are some people who are just content with what they do but wouldn�t mind trying something different. But you, you�re perfectly happy, like how I�m set with music, whether I�m behind the boards or behind the mic.�

�Ahh, I see. And yes, I�m perfectly happy with being a designer. I think we should consider ourselves lucky since it takes most people years to get to the place we�re at now. And sometimes they never get there.�

�Yeah, no doubt. Although, I�ve toyed with the idea of going to college someday. I�d like to do that.�

�Not me, though I say this now, but in a few years I could have change of heart. I just realized after high school graduation that college wasn�t what I wanted to do. I mean, I had gotten into some good schools, ones that I was interested in, but I knew that it was going to be a major investment and I didn�t want to waste my parents� money. When I told them, it was hard at first but in the end, they knew I�d be happier if I were able to do something else, so they let me. We made a deal � that I basically wouldn�t mooch off of them and I�d DO something meaningful with my time. So they helped me get a start with the boutique, but it was just a tiny push. I worked really hard and after a year, it was opened. And I just paid them back for that tiny push after I bought my baby of course.�

�It�s essential you reward yourself from time to time.�

�Exactly. Alright buddy, ready?�

�I�m in my pajamas.�

�So am I! Unless you�d like to wear one of the dresses?�

�Pajamas it is.� I started laughing as I grabbed my keys and we headed down to the bakery.

�So tell me something � why were you really up so early?�

�I�ll tell you if you tell me why a pretty, funny, and talented girl like you isn�t dating,� JC propositioned. I rolled my eyes.

�Fine, you first though,� I said as I linked my arm with his in an effort to keep warm.

�There�s this thought, realization, whatever it is, that keeps rushing to the front of my mind. The more I push it away, the faster it comes back.�

�And this thought is��

�Very personal.�

�It has to do with Zahra?�

�Yes.�

�You hurt her, I hurt you.�

�Sonali! That�s the last thing I�d ever do! It�s the complete opposite of hurting her but I don�t think I�m ready to let her know about this, I don�t think she�s ready to hear it.�
�You do know that this thought of yours isn�t too personal anymore, right?�

�Yes, but I also know that you won�t utter a single word of this conversation to anyone.�

�Of course I won�t. You have my word. But Jace, once you know you�re ready, don�t worry about anything.�

�I won�t. When I�m ready, I�ll know it�s right so what do I have to worry about? So now that I�ve told you something no one else on this planet knows, I do believe I deserve an answer from you.� I smiled.

�I�m just not looking. I have to focus on where my career could be heading and I can�t let anything distract me from this crucial point I�m at. And besides, I like being a play-ette,� I said before we both cracked up.

�Why hello, nice of you two to return,� Zahra said as we walked in from the bakery. I held up the bag full of muffins and bagels.

�We went to get breakfast,� I explained further.

�Well let�s eat then,� Zahra said laughing. I cracked up as we headed into the kitchen.

�Dude, Justin better wake his ass up before I eat all of these muffins. They�re so damn good,� JC said.

�You know, you are SO lucky, being able to eat like that and have a body like you do,� I said.

�You think I�m sexy? I�m sexy, dead sexy,� JC said doing a very scary close impersonation of Fat Bastard from Austin Powers. I was laughing so hard I thought I was about to fall off my stool.

�Oh god Jace, shut up with that. It�s too damn early for that,� Justin said, walking into the kitchen to join the rest of us.

�Hey, Sonali thought it was funny,� JC said defensively.

�That�s because it�s the first time she�s heard you say that. We all thought it was funny the first time around, but now it�s like, let it go baby,� Zahra said. JC pretended to pout and Zahra rolled her eyes and tossed a tiny piece of her bagel at him.

�Okay, I have a feeling this could go on for a while so Zahra, how about you try on your dress,� I said. She smiled.

�You�re good. I need to take lessons,� JC said, causing us all to crack up.

�Alright, let�s go,� I said. We made our way up the stairs and to my designated work room.

�Um, where are you boys going,� Zahra asked once she realized JC and Justin were close behind us.

�We wanna see,� JC said.

�I don�t think so. You wait until tonight,� Zahra said.

�Well I already know what it looks like,� JC whined.

�But not on me. Shoo,� Zahra said, laughing lightly.

�Wait, what about me,� Justin said, sticking his lip out in a pout.

�Sorry, no boys allowed,� I said.

�Fine forget y�all. Besides, I have to get ready for a few radio interviews,� Justin said.

�Oh, is Jace going with you,� Zahra asked.

�Yeah, we�ll be back by four. You all wanna be there by 5, right,� Justin asked.

�Yeah. Which reminds me, we�ll have to make sure to leave the salon on time,� Zahra said with a grin.

�The what,� I asked, looking at her as if she had three heads.

�And that�s my exit cue. See y�all later and don�t freak out too much today, Sonali,� Justin said.

�I�ll try not to. Good luck with the interviews,� I said as I closed the door.

�Okay, my dress, let�s see it,� Zahra said.

�Salon? I don�t have time,� I said.

�Sonali, honestly, it�ll give you time to relax. Our appointments aren�t till one anyways, and we can leave for the warehouse now if you want, giving you a whole five hours. We can get manicures and pedicures and get our hair done. It�ll be therapeutic.�

�Yeah, you�re right. Sorry. I�m just�well you know.�

�I know.�

�Alright, what do you think,� I asked as I showed her the dress. It was different shades of blue and purple chiffon that blended perfectly together. It fell to just below the knee with a thick silver border on the bottom. The dress was strapless with an empire waistline and had the same silver border around it. It was ultra-feminine, simple yet elegant.

�I LOVE IT! I�m not just saying that either. I don�t know what to say except that it�s perfect and I love it.�

�That�s all I wanted to hear. I have silver strappy sandals and I thought you could wear this arm bracelet. It coils around like this,� I said as I put it on her.

�Wow. I�m gonna look hot,� Zahra said, laughing as she hugged me.

�Try it on in case I need to make any alterations,� I said.

�Let me see what you�re wearing.�

�It�s a little risqu� but you know me.� I showed it to her and she whistled. It gave a whole new meaning to the little black dress. It was fitted and came to the middle of my thigh with long sleeves but it was backless. I had picked out black strappy sandals that laced up my legs, to the middle of my calves.

�Whoa baby, very Posh Spice,� Zahra said.

�Haha.�

�I�m joking. WE are gonna look hot tonight. Okay, what do you think?� I pulled the hem down and smoothed the length of it. I had her turn for me, inspecting for any wrinkles, tugs, things of that sort.

�I think I should pat myself on the back. It�s perfect!�

�Well I already told you that!�

�Okay, let�s head to the warehouse before our appointments. I need an ample amount of time for me to wig out before the show,� I said, causing us to laugh. We showered, threw on a pair of jeans and a shirt and made our way to the warehouse.

�Sonali, you�re only allowed in here for three hours max,� Craig said as we walked in.

�Very funny. Zahra made us appointments at Kiva at one so don�t worry.�

�Good. Everything is set. The models will be here at 5:30 and MAC just called and they�re sending over five girls to do makeup at 6. The hair stylists will be here at 6 as well. I�ve talked to the caterers and they�ll be all set up by 7 and doors will open at 7:30. Mingle, show your face, look pretty for the cameras and press until the show starts at 9. Now go talk to April about press,� Craig said, literally pushing me in the direction of April, the PR Goddess.

�Okay, so far E! is gonna be here, we�ve got the local TV stations and Access Hollywood are confirmed.�

�Access Hollywood?! ACK!�

�Relax, wait until I show you the VIP guest list. Now this isn�t confirmed so I don�t want you getting your hopes up but my friend at Vogue wants to drop by, it�s just a matter of her getting here from LA on time.�

�WHAT? VOGUE! THE fashion Bible! Possibly HERE TONIGHT?!�

�And she�s officially wigging out,� Zahra said.

�Sonali, breathe. It�s not confirmed.�

�But just the idea of Vogue being here�I�wow,� I said.

�Okay, that�s it for press. I figured you could do the interview with E! and the local stations before the show, and I think Access will ask you a few questions beforehand, but the bulk of it will happen afterwards. And Vogue, IF Karen can make it will be after as well,� April said.

�Okay, got it,� I said, mentally taking note of everything being shoved into my head at once.

�Now, as far as the VIP�s, they�ll be seated here, up front along the runway. As for WHO is to be included in the list, we have obviously your sisters, Zahra, and cutie pie NSYNC-ers,� April said, smiling.

�JC is a cutie pie,� I said deviously.

�Sonali, back off,� Zahra said, catching onto my joke.

�I�m joking and you know it.�

�Yeah, besides, Justin is cuter,� April said. We all cracked up.

�Ugh, thank god they�re not here to listen in on this ridiculous conversation,� Zahra said.

�Okay, back to the list. Now these people are confirmed. Tomorrow night is the B96 Halloween Bash radio concert so a few performers are here in town early and found out about your show thanks to yours truly. No flipping out, okay?�

�April, JC Chasez and Justin Timberlake are staying at my house. I don�t flip out,� I said.

�Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever. You�ll flip out a little. Alright so we have one Ms. Aguilera, one Ms. Kelly Rowland and one Shaggy. These people are confirmed and there are a few rumors of others coming along with them. Famous friends of the famous, I guess. Also, they�re filming some movie here as well so some of the cast may be here as well,� April said. Yup, she was right, I was definitely feeling the flipping out coming on.

�Sonali? Earth to Sonali,� Zahra said as I stood there, dumbfounded and completely in a haze.

�Huh? Oh sorry. Yeah, a little flipping out�this is too surreal. I, I just don�t know how to explain it but that it�s surreal.�

�Well you have nothing to worry about. Just try to think of them as normal people who get their pictures taken a lot and have zero privacy. And are really good looking, too,� April said jokingly.

�Who may the other people be, who are shooting the movie,� I asked.

�Julia Stiles, Kate Hudson, and George Clooney. But they�re not confirmed, just in town and informed about the show,� April said.

�Dr. Ross? I may get to meet Dr. Ross? One of THE sexiest men to walk the planet? Yes, major flipping out occurring right now,� I squealed.

�Whoa, yeah that is definitely flipping out on your part. Zahra, now would be an ideal time to take her to your guys� appointments now,� April said as if I weren�t even there.

�Good idea. She has her cell with her if you need to get a hold of her. Until then, we�ll see you in a few hours,� Zahra said as she gathered my things and basically guided me out to the car. I didn�t say anything. I was too shocked. I let her take care of me and she didn�t care at all. It took me a good five minutes before I could say anything comprehendible.

�Zahra, I am so scared. What if they don�t like my clothes? What if a model falls? What if I say something really stupid to someone or in an interview? What if something happens to the stage? What if my sisters bail on me too?�

�Whoa, whoa, whoa. Breathe baby. Yes, I know you�re scared but I�m here to help you stay somewhat calm. I�ll be by your side the entire time so I�ll be your safety guide. I can�t guarantee everyone will like your clothes but the ones who do have good fashion sense. The others are fashion victims who will be arrested by the fashion police soon enough if they haven�t already. Believe me, your models may not be super famous like Cindy Crawford but they are professionals and they have done this before. They�ve been practicing on your stage which is intact and sturdy. You�re too smart to say anything stupid in an interview and if you want, I�ll have the guys give you some tips before we leave because we know they�ve done an interview or two before. And your sisters called you an hour ago telling you they were about to board their flight and call you again once they land. Anything else?�

�No, I think that�s all the flipping out I can do for now. Thank you Zahra,� I said with a smile.

�Shut up and don�t thank me. Just make sure I will still get free shit from you once you become the next big thing,� Zahra joked. I slapped her on the shoulder and started laughing.

�Don�t jinx me by making predictions like that or I WILL charge your ass because I�ll be broke.�

�Very funny. Fine, no more talking about the show until after our appointments. Now let�s go,� she said as we pulled into a parking space.

�Hey, how did you get my keys and why didn�t I notice you were driving?�

�Flipped out, remember?�

�Oh yeah. Goodness, this is gonna be a long day,� I said as we got out of the car and started laughing.

�Well it�s time to relax and be pampered,� Zahra said as we walked into the salon.

�Hello ladies, why don�t you follow me to the back where you�ll start off with your pedicures. After that we�ll do the facials and then manicures and finish off with the hair. Is that okay?�

�Sounds perfect,� I said as we were lead to the back of the salon. Two ladies started working on our feet as we settled in and started talking.

�So Sonali, what happened with Adam?�

�Oh gosh! Adam�we had fun for a bit but then, well�I came to my senses and realized he was not ready for a serious relationship so we parted ways. But wow oh wow, was it fun,� I said with a smile.

�You are such a bad girl.�

�Oh and like you�re an angel? Almost eight months with the pop star, something has got to have happened by now�� Zahra grinned.

�Ohhhhhh yeah, something has happened. A very nice something. That�s all I�m going to tell you so don�t even try to pry for details.�

�Fine, keep me in the dark. I don�t need to know anyways.�

�Oh puhlease, I know you�re dying to know.�

�Rub it in my face, why don�t you?�

�I won�t get specific, but I�ll have you know that I am VERY satisfied.� We both cracked up.

�That�s all that really matters.�

�No kidding. Oh Sonali, things with him are so different.�

�Well duh, he�s a pop star!�

�No! That has nothing to do with what I�m feeling. For the first time in my life, I am so content in this relationship. That feeling of something going wrong in the future isn�t there like it always is with other guys. It�s so weird because, yeah, to some, eight months is a significant amount of time, but to be feeling what I am for him, I just didn�t think it would happen so fast. He totally gets me. I know that sounds dumb, but he always knows what to say or what to do and just being in the same room with him, I feel like I�m on top of the world. When he walks in, or anytime I see him, I get butterflies�I mean, we read about shit like this and see it on TV but we never think it can happen to us but it has. I sound so unbelievably cheesy but I don�t care. I haven�t been able to tell anyone this and I�ve been feeling it for a while now.�

�Zahra, you don�t sound cheesy or dumb at all. You sound like you�re in love.� She didn�t say anything for a good minute or so.

�I am in love for the first time in my life.� I smiled and so did she.

�Congrats woman. But dammit, you beat me to it,� I joked.

�Well, you know how we are, once one of us does something, the other is soon to follow so it�ll happen for you in due time.�

�Yeah well I�m not gonna try to speed things up. Right now, all I�m doing is focusing on my career. Things are at a very critical point for me right now any slight distraction will deter things and set me off course. As boy-crazy and big of a hopeless romantic as I am, right now, all of that is being put on hold indefinitely until I find some stability with my career,� I said.

�Oh god, we�re actually all grown up now. Granted, we may be young to some, but we�re definitely maturing. I didn�t think I�d ever hear you sound more dedicated to your work, not to make you think I thought you were a slacker,� Zahra said.

�Oh I know. I don�t think I�d ever feel this way about work either, after all, I did skip college. I have to say, though, I hear a hint of disappointment in your voice.�

�What? Not at all.� Zahra was lying. She was disappointed because she really did feel that something could begin to spark between me and Justin but hearing me say those words made that spark flicker out in a heartbeat. She knew I was serious and she also knew she wasn�t going to say a word to me about her wishes because that would deter me. In due time, Zahra thought as my own words echoed through her mind.

�Okay, I guess not then. You must have been daydreaming about your lover boy and I confused disappointed with distracted,� I joked, causing her to laugh.

�Possibly.� Just then, my phone rang and I dug through my purse to answer it.

�Hello?�

�Hey baby, we landed and are on our way to the hotel,� I heard my sister say.

�I still can�t believe you�re staying in a hotel, but you�re here and that�s all I care about,� I said.

�It�s too cramped in your place. We need space.�

�No, you�re just spoiled by your husbands,� I joked.

�That too. Alright, we�ll be there around 6, okay?�

�Okay. Call me if you need anything. You got your clothes, right?�

�Yes and they fit perfectly and we love them. We�ll see you later,� Cynthia said.

�Alright, bye,� I said.

�They landed?�

�Yup.�

�Alright, now onto the facials,� Zahra said as we noticed our feet and toes were prettied up and painted! The rest of the time spent at the salon was enjoyed greatly as Zahra and I loved being pampered and getting dolled up for tonight. We had managed to finish up by 3:30 and were ready to head home to eat and finish getting ready.

�Zahra, I cannot believe you wouldn�t let me pay!�

�Um, Sonali, this was a present from ME to YOU and secondly, you�re having a big ass party tonight for about 200 people so I�m figuring you�re a bit strapped for cash right now.�

�It�s more than a big ass party,� I said defensively. We both cracked up and made our way to the car.

�Okay, I could so go for Panera,� Zahra said.

�Oh hell yeah. There�s one on Monroe and 3rd,� I said.

�That�s just down the street from your place. Perfect. We�ll pick the boys up something as well,� Zahra said.

�Good idea,� I said.

�It�s a good thing we were thinking and put these zipped hoodies on so our hair won�t get ruined. I love how she did your hair. How many bobby pins did she use?�

�Like a billion. She seriously used an entire package and I think there are at least 75 in a pack. It�s gonna take forever to get down but yeah, I like it too,� I said with a smile. I went for a simple bun with a bit of a part and a section of my hair in front combed to the side and tucked behind my ear to give it a �60ish feel. The bun was on the crown of my head and was really big, partly because I had so much gooddamn hair. It was simple and sleek, a perfect match with my dress.

�I�m glad I decided on the curls,� Zahra said.

�Yeah, me too. I could tell you were freaking out when she said the word curl but it doesn�t look prom-ish at all. It looks very J-Lo,� I said. She smiled and pretended to model for me. Zahra had gotten her hair done in big curls that made her long hair come up to her shoulders. Just like me, her hair was a perfect complement to her dress, ultra feminine.

�Alright, I�m done being a dork for now,� Zahra said.

�For now?�

�Yup.�

�Goodness.�

�Oh don�t make me get up in your face,� Zahra said all thug wannabe-ish. I burst out laughing and so did she.

�You have been spending waaaaaaay too much time with those boys,� I said.

�Tell me about it.�

We were greeted by whistles from the boys as we walked in causing us to laugh and roll our eyes at the same time. Talk about being multi-talented, huh?

�Beautiful and they have food. It doesn�t get any better,� JC said.

�Um, it COULD if we ate in the bedroom,� Justin said deviously.

�Oh my god, down boy. Calm your raging hormones down,� Zahra scolded Justin.

�What? What did I say?�

�I�m not even gonna touch that one. I�m too hungry,� I said as I took my sandwich out and headed to the kitchen, the others following me. Before I sat down, I grabbed plates and drinks for us all and then proceeded to chow down.

�How did the interviews go,� Zahra asked. Justin groaned and fell off his chair and to the ground causing us all to burst out laughing.

�So I guess I know who the drama queen is in the group,� I joked.

�That bad, huh,� Zahra asked. I held my hand out so he could get up off the floor.

�I don�t understand why they�re so interested in my love life,� Justin whined.

�Because you�re a total babe. THE heartthrob,� I joked, which he didn�t find too funny since he chucked a piece of his bread at me.

�Yeah well, so is Jace then,� Justin said.

�I know. He IS a babe,� Zahra said, giving him a little peck on the cheek as he beamed with pride.

�They seem so shocked that we�re still dating,� JC said.

�Well screw them,� Zahra said.

�Music to my ears,� Justin said.

As I scrambled around trying to get ready, I realized my earrings were in the bathroom. I quickly put my robe on, remembering I had guests.

�Well I like it,� Justin said as he stood in front of the bathroom mirror, fixing his hair.

�Haha.�

�It�s domesticated meets dominatrix,� Justin said, imitating a fashion commentator.

�Dominatrix?�

�The shoes.�

�What�s so dominatrix about them?�

�Black patent leather, lacing up the legs, mega heel.�

�Justin, if you think these shoes are dominatrix, you�ve got issues.�

�Sonali, I�m famous. It�s known that I have issues. Besides, I was joking. I know you�re not the dominatrix type.�

�Justin, I wouldn�t put money on that,� I said seductively before I walked away. Justin stood there in complete shock, mouth wide open. I was trying so hard no to start laughing as I made my way back to my room.

�Change your mind,� Zahra asked as I walked into my room.

�NO! Just because I�m a designer does not entail I have a weird sense of fashion and wear a bathrobe in public!� Zahra cracked up and so did I, not just about my little outburst but also because of what I had said to Justin.

�Zahra, do me a favor and make sure Justin isn�t still standing in the bathroom in complete shock.�

�Huh?� I told her what happened and she burst out laughing.

�Alright, I need to finish getting ready,� I said.

�Hey superstar, read-� Justin stopped abruptly as he realized I was deep in thought. I was sitting on the edge of my bed, silently staring ahead. I looked up at him and he smiled, causing my lips to curve up into a smile of my own.

�You�re the superstar, not me,� I said with a grin. He rolled his eyes and sat down next to me.

�Believe me, I actually know what you�re feeling. Once the show ends, all that fear and anxiety you�re feeling right now is gonna turn into this huge rush of excitement and sense of accomplishment. Whether you turn into the next Versace won�t mean shit to you. You�re just gonna be happy you pulled it off. That�s how we all felt after our first performance.� Though his words were simple, the way he said them gave me so much assurance.

�Thank you Justin.� I turned and hugged him.

�Whoa!�

�What?�

�Where�s the rest of your dress? There�s a big hole in the back!� I burst out laughing as I stood up so he could get a good look at my dress.

�You are such a nerd.�

�But a cute one.�

�Thanks to me. That shirt looks good on you.�

�You know what they say � the man makes the clothes.�

�Yeah now you�re just a nerd. C�mon, we�re gonna be late,� I said as I led him downstairs, putting my long coat on.

�Sonali, my friend Karen from Vogue is here. I set up the interview for afterwards,� April said. I squealed and hugged her.

�Sonali! You look amazing,� my sister Cynthia said as she made me spin for her and Angie, my other sister.

�Thanks. I�m so happy you�re here! I see your dresses fit well,� I said, doing a quick inspection.

�I didn�t eat anything all week for fear of ballooning up,� Angie said, causing us to crack up.

�How are Jay and Mark,� I asked. They were my sisters� husbands.

�Well, busy as usual but good. They wanted to come but were bombarded with meetings with clients in LA,� Cynthia said. They were good friends who worked together. To this day I really didn�t understand what exactly they did but whatever it was brought in a lot of money. I didn�t care as long as my sisters were happy.

�So Sonali, Cynthia was wondering if you�ll be doing a maternity line soon,� Angie said smiling. I screamed and hugged her.

�You�re PREGNANT?�

�Yes, and now EVERYONE knows,� Cynthia said, looking around.

�When did you find out?�

�Actually yesterday. Three weeks along. Looks like July will be the month,� Cynthia said smiling.

�FINALLY! I get to be the cool aunt who spoils her niece or nephew! I lightly patted her tummy before hugging her again.

�Alright, is there anything we can do,� Cynthia asked.

�No, the models will be here soon. I have a few interviews to do in a bit. Come sit down,� I said, leading them to their seats. JC, Justin, and Zahra were sitting there as well.

�Zahra! It�s so good to see you,� Cynthia said, hugging her.

�Oh gosh! Cynthia, Angie!�

�Soon to be a mommy � Cynthia that is,� I said beaming with excitement.

�ACK! Mommy? Congrats,� Zahra said.

�Thanks. I can�t believe it,� Cynthia said.

�Thank goodness it�s you and not Angie. She�ll lose her kids and won�t realize it for like three days,� I joked. She hit me and we all cracked up.

�Shut up. I took care of you and I never lost you, though I tried but you always found your way back home.� Now I hit her.

�Oh gosh, where are my manners? Angie, Cynthia, this is Josh Chasez, aka JC from NSYNC, aka Zahra�s boyfriend. And this is THE Justin Timberlake. Boys, these are my wonderful sisters Angie and Cynthia � soon to be mommy! I�m gonna be an aunt!� Everyone started laughing.

�It�s nice to meet you. Congrats on the baby, too,� JC said.

�Thanks, good and weird to meet you boys as well,� Cynthia said jokingly.

�I�ll just say it�s nice to meet you,� Angie said, giving Cynthia a disapproving look.

�Likewise. I see that Sonali here is the nerd of the trio,� Justin said.

�Hey, hey, hey, do I need to have you escorted out?�

�No, you need to start an interview. Excuse us,� April said, sweeping me away.

�I�ll try to connect with you before the show and if you need anything, you have the all-access passes. Take Justin�s away if he decides to check on the models,� I said over my shoulder. They all cracked up and I smiled as I made my way to the back where I saw a camera with E! on it.

�Alright, interviewer�s name is John, good luck and it should take about 15 minutes,� April said as she introduced us and then left us, me feeling like a big bowl of Jello on the inside�solid but wobbly. I wanted to give off an air of confidence but at the same time, I was so apprehensive � a million what if�s were running through my head but as I glanced towards the area where my sisters and friends were, I felt more at ease. It was funny, for some inexplicable reason, an eerie calm washed over me as I caught Justin�s eye and he smiled at me. After that, it was smooth sailing.

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Replies:

Aww! I liked that chapter!! I can't wait to see where this story goes!! -- Z, 15:36:53 11/20/02 Wed
Ack! I need more more more more! (NT) -- Tiffany, 16:43:02 11/20/02 Wed