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| Subject: Re: *Eclipse* Chapter Two~Hidden | |
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Author: Gina Z. |
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Date Posted: 23:01:01 04/26/02 Fri In reply to: Kira 's message, "*Eclipse* Chapter Two~Hidden" on 16:30:39 04/21/02 Sun That's awesome- I love the tour drama! I just got the Pop Odyssey DVD and I'm like "tour stories..." HEHEHE!!! >Chapter Two~Hidden > > >Alexandria watched as the clouds whizzed past the >private plane, a permanent smile etched on her face. >She slid off her shoes and sat Indian style in the >large leather seats. She arrived at the airport >early, before the sun had yet to rise. She sat in the >airport seats and just watched the planes ascend into >the sky, still sprinkled with stars, she was hunched >over her journal when she heard laughter…wholehearted, >sincere, tear-inducing laughter. Alexandria looked >up, the beaded ends of her conrowed hair bouncing >against her shoulders as she spotted her new employer >and his friends sitting on the floor of the airport, >laughing quietly, but fully as they ate breakfast. > >Their eyes sparkled with a rich mirth as they joked >and laughed and had a heated conversation about >absolutely nothing. It was definitely a shot of >encouragement for Alexandria because lately, she had >seen the blackest, most austere aspects of human >existence. She watched, enthralled for what seemed >like hours, heedless of the tears that gathered in her >eyes. > >Alexandria grinned brightly, throughout the chatter, >as she recorded what happened early that morning. She >blindly reached for her lidded coffee cup that was >actually filled with soda and gulp down the last of >the sugary liquid. > >The buttery, amber rays of the rising sun washed over >her face and arms. Glancing out at the heavens, >Alexandria closed her eyes, drinking in the warmth. >She shimmied out of her delicate green sweater and >allowed the light to pour over her smooth, brown skin. > > >“Excuse me?” > >Alexandria startled at the sound of the gruff voice >and she turned her head. She gazed at a very weary >Justin Timberlake, who was blinking tiredly. > >“Mind if I have a seat?” > >“I think I’d mind if you didn’t,” she smiled nervously >and moved her leather knapsack and put in on the floor >in front of her. “Chris told me that you had to go to >the emergency room…” > >Justin sat down, stretching out his long legs and >plopped into the seat, resting his head on the >leather. “Unfortunately…they made me go.” > >“Are you feeling better?” > >“I have the flu…so not really. I just wanted to talk >with you. Introduce myself.” His voice was painfully >hoarse and she winced with every word. > >“You’re Justin,” Alexandria supplied. “I’m >Alexandria. There, now you don’t have to talk.” > >Justin smiled sleepily. “Thank you,” he mouthed as >his cornflower blue eyes slowly closed. > >There was a long span of silence and the only thing >that could be heard was the whirring of the jet moving >through the air and Justin’s soft, congested breaths, >hissing slightly through parted lips. Alexandria >smiled as she watched him sleep, his long, lanky body >slumped comfortably in the chair, legs parted, knees >nearly bumping the seat in front of him. > >He seemed a bit pale, besides the high color in his >cheeks, but his face was serene and Alexandria >returned to her journal. > >“Why do you go by Alexandria?” Justin whispered, >startling her. > >She clutched at her white tee shirt. “I thought you >were sleep.” > >Justin smiled through closed eyes. “I know…why >though?” > >“Just wanted a change I guess…” > >“A change from what?” > >“Life,” Alexandria whispered, not bothering to >explain, and looked out the window, at the rolling >world beneath her and sighed. “I’m going to get you >some water. You want ice?” > >Justin blinked his eyes open and glanced at her with a >frown. “No, thanks.” > >She returned with a bottle of water and a can of pepsi >for herself. She sipped the soda nervously, twirling >the can around in her fingers. “Why did you have to >go to the emergency room?” she questioned. > >“You’re avoiding my question,” Justin resigned. > >“Purposely.” > >Justin grimaced at the brightness of the sun coursing >through her window and Alexandria reluctantly closed >the shade. “I was a bit dehydrated and when you’re on >the road, you don’t have a normal family physician, >but I trust that Chris made the right decision.” > >“I hope so. I left my poor old car in Los Angeles,” >Alexandria chuckled, suddenly remembering about her >dented car still parked in the parking garage. > >“What? You forgot about your CAR?!” > >She grinned happily. “I was so excited about getting >this job that I left my car at the hotel in LA! I >loved that car,” she giggled. > >Justin shoulders shook with slow mirth and he laughed >deliriously beside her. > >** > >After the four hour flight, Alexandria was shuffled to >NSYNC’s private compound out the outskirts of Orlando >and she sat through hours of orientation and signing >confidentiality clauses with Johnny Wright. It was >the definition of boring, but very necessary if she >was going to get the chance to work with such a famous >musical group. She smiled and nodded her way through >it, doing her best not to fall asleep while Johnny and >Melinda droned on about the rules and regulations and >every possible situation that could terminate her >position. Alexandria gleefully signed each contract, >praying that her large scrawling signature and >bubbling laughter would convey that she didn’t plan on >getting fired any time soon. > >Melinda left to file the papers and Alexandria was >left with Johnny, sitting behind his desk, the same >arrogant smirk on his face. “I’m glad Chris decided >to hire you. You seem like a very hardworking, >dedicated young woman. But I want to tell you >something. I love these men. I’ve been apart of >their lives for almost seven years now,” Johnny began >with a deep, firm tone. “I’ve spent more time with >those men than their own fathers. I’ve been there for >broken thumbs and fainting spells and arguments and >those silly moment when you wished you had a camera. >I love them like my own sons and I’m not threatening >you, I’m promising you, that if you do anything to >hurt my boys, I will not spare any feeling when it >comes to punishment or consequences, Ms Kinsington. >You are becoming a part of something very near and >dear to me, our own dysfunctional family and you have >to earn your trust here. Everyone is a hardworker, >everyone looks out for everyone else. You >understand?” > >Alexandria nodded. “Yes, Mr. Wright.” > >“Good. Now, I’ll show you where the kitchen is and >then we’ll get started for the day.” > >** > >It was four days later and Alexandria was having a >difficult time adjusting to road life. NSYNC was >currently rehearsing for their summer stadium tour >that would cross the country and everyone was >incredibly busy. Melinda had abandoned her work to >train Alexandrian because Maria, the woman she was >replacing was taking two days of sick leave. She was >so excited about her job and she found herself smiling >more, actually becoming eager to get up everyday. >Although she still did not fit into the carefree >atmosphere, having Chris for an employer was >definitely rubbing off on her. > >She was sitting in a cramped, makeshift office in New >Orleans. The heat was sweltering in the tiny concrete >enclosed dwelling and she was sweating, despite the >strapped, blue tank top and Capri pants she wore. Her >hair was piled sloppily on top of her head, securing >only by pencils. She sipped her bottle of water as >she sat on the floor, surrounded by four months of >clutter. Emails, tidbits of fundraising ideas, memos, >official documents, receipts from donations and bank >stubs and Alexandria was left to sort out the >organizational disaster in an unair-conditioned room. > >She grumbled mopping the sweat off her brow as she >started another file, picking up piles of receipts and >began putting them in order. > >Justin and Chris whizzed into the doorway on roller >blades. Justin braced himself against the wall, his >silver track pants rolled up to his knees. He grinned >at her as he took a sip of water. > >Alexandria gestured to the mess and glared hotly. >“I’m going to murder you,” she glowered. > >“Why?” Justin simpered, an amused look on his face. > >“Because I’m stuck in this INFERNO while you are >whizzing around the venue like a bat outta hell! Do >you know how unorganized this charity is, nothing is >even remotely in order. Didn’t you have people to >run this while you were out…being famous or whatever,” >she asked. > >“Yeah, but I found out they were skimming money off >the top of my accounts, so I had to take everything, >transfer the funds into a secured account and I >haven’t had a chance to organize any of it. It was >kinda done in a hurry…” > >“I can’t believe someone would steal money for these >kids,” Alexandria sighed disgustedly. > >“Me either. I don’t trust as much as I used to.” > >“Justin, come on, we only have, like 13 minutes before >we’re tortured yet again,” Chris whined. “Hey, Dre, >don’t you want to come skate with us? The first one >that breaks a bone gets money…” > >Alexandria shook her head. “No thanks, Chris. You >see this mess I’m wading through.” > >“C’mon girl, lighten up.” > >“I don’t have any blades.” > >Chris pouted and whimpered, skating into the office. >He rested his head on her shoulder, batting his >eyelashes tenderly, trying to get his eyes to water. >Alexandria arched an eyebrow, but as she stared into >his deep brown eyes brimming with jubilation, she >smiled and even giggled. She brought her arm around >his shoulders of his sweat-soaked shirt, and hugged >him awkwardly. “You’re the best boss a girl could >ever ask for, Chris.” > >“You’re just saying that because I pay you,” he >scoffed. > >“And very well I might add…I’ve never seen so many >zeros, Chris.” > >He winked at her and stood up, swaying a bit on his >skates. “There’s more where that came from. Come >chill with us during lunch, we’re having some food >brought in from one of the restaurants, it should be >really good.” > >“Okay…” > >** > >Alexandria threw up her arms in disgust and turned >around in circles, not knowing where she was. The >practice venue was simply a concrete labyrinth of gray >tunnels and beige corridors without any signs. She >chuckled sardonically, this was the third time she had >gotten herself lost. “Dria…” a smooth voice warbled >behind her. > >She turned around smiling nervously. “Hello, Lance.” > >He raised his eyebrows and shoved his hands the >pockets of his sweats. “Are you lost?” > >“Yes. I don’t suppose you could show me to the stage. > Chris said there was lunch,” she replied nervously. > >“Sure…follow me.” He placed his hand on the small of >her back and they walked down the hall. > >Alexandria was uncomfortable as they walked silently >though the halls and felt the need to talk. “Um…I’ve >been so busy getting used to this job, that I…haven’t >had the time to really talk to you or Joey or JC,” she >began. > >“Yes, it’s been quite hectic,” Lance’s looked down, >his pale green eyes blinking down at her. “Believe it >or not once the tour starts, things will be calmer. >It’s incredibly busy with us still learning the new >CD. Are you fitting in okay?” Lance wondering, >dropping the hand from her back. > >“Not really. No one here really pays attention to me. > But Chris and Justin have been great.” > >“The crew is pretty wary of new people. You just have >to work hard and you’ll be fine. Chris talks about >you all the time. Although he never said where you’re >from, “ Lance prompted. > >“I’m from California, Lance. I’m sure he told you >that.” > >“No, he told me you stayed at a hotel in California. >Justin told me that you left your car in California. >They said nothing about your family or where you’re >from or anything,” Lance corrected, sensing her sudden >defensiveness. > >“Does it really matter, Lance? I mean one day I’m in >LA, the next Orlando, the next New Orleans…then >tomorrow, I’m back in LA for the Pop Video, I don’t >live anywhere,” she stated firmly. > >Lance arched an eyebrow and halted in mid-stride. He >gaped down at the young woman before him, staring >intensely into her bright hazel eyes and frowned. His >mind was working, putting together to the pieces of >the puzzle to see that something just wasn’t there. >Something wasn’t right. The holes were the answers. > >Alexandria felt cornered, she gulped greedily for air >and started down the hall where she could hear the >band chattering and she could smell the thick, spiced >aromas of pasta. Lance caught her arm and gently >pulled her back to him. He placed a hand firmly on >her shoulder and pushed her back against the wall. He >was taking care that he didn’t harm her, but the >angered confusion in his face displayed how he was >feeling. “I don’t know what to make of, Alexandria. >But I’m sure it’ll come out. I don’t like what I’m >sensing right now. You’re hiding something and >Johnny’s background checks will find it,” he breathed. > >“Background checks, uh, Lance? You don’t scare me, >green eyes. Just because I’m not ready to bare my >heart and soul to you doesn’t mean I’m hiding a damn >thing. It just means that I’m starting a new job, >gaining my bearings. Next time, you put your hands on >me again, I’ll show you something you don’t know about >me and I guarantee certain parts of your anatomy won’t >like what they find,” she seethed. “I can find my own >way, thank you.” > >Lance felt his face grow hot with crimson and he >slammed himself against the wall, not knowing whether >to be angry and go screaming at Johnny and to simply >let it go. He had a problem trusting, he had >hostility towards newcomers into his family and >sometimes it got the better of him. But as he turned >his head to watch her gather up a plate of ravoli and >sit away from the other groups, picking over her food, >he just couldn’t ignore this. > >“She’s adjusting, Lance,” JC explained, stepping off >his scooter. “She’s different, but she’s adjusting.” > >“I know.” Lance continued to watch her. “She’s hiding >something too, C, she doesn’t sit right with me, I can >feel it. > >“No one sits right with you, Lance. Johnny has >checked every reference and they’ve all checked out. >So did everything else. We have to trust her, she’s >done nothing wrong.” > >“Not yet…” > >** > >Alexnadria sat on the wings of the stage, taking a >break from her work to watch the guys rehearse. She >fell in love with the enormous stage and the bright >lights when Justin gave her the grand tour, simply >glowing with pride. It was the most amazing creation >she had ever seen. It was tangible imagination. A >fantasy that she could touch and taste and even feel. >Justin had seen the light in her eyes, the cinnamon >sparkle that emanated from her and he let her sit in >the rounded platforms while they ran through another >half concert. > >Alexandria found it hard to concentrate on her >thoughts as she lifted her head from her old tattered >journal and watched the five guys dance and perform >for a stadium of empty seats. She laughed at them as >they fought through the new choreography and Justin >stumbled into Chris, setting the formation off a few >noticeable inches. > >She tore her eyes away and began her entry. “Lance >knows something isn’t right. I’m not it’s anything >that of his business, but if he knows, I wonder if >Chris does. What if Sasha shows up here? I’m >starting to like this life. I didn’t think I could >leave Lacey behind, but seems like it’s happening. >Maybe I can start over, wipe the slate clean and begin >again. I just need some relief or I’m going to break. > Just fall away into pieces. And even if I was >helped, the cracks would still be there, I’d still be >week. I need to get away from Lacey for awhile. I >need this time. I can face everything later. On a >happy note, I’m going back to California tomorrow. >Maybe I can get my car or sell it or something. I >really don’t need it ri-” > >Her shoulders jerked, her pen slashing ink across the >page as a thunderous bang echoed throughout the small >arena. Deep, bellowing screams erupted and >Alexandria’s head snapped upwards as she tried to find >the source of the noise. She noticed Joey’s burly >form, back against the stage, hands banging wildly >against the floor, clawing and scraping, his mouth >open in a silent scream. All four of the guys were >huddled at his waist, begging for something to be >released. Without thinking, Alexandria darted to her >feet and positioned herself at Joey’s head. > >“DAMNIT, RELEASE THE FUCKIN’ TRAP DOOR!” Justin >hollered into his mike and quickly began kicking and >stomping on the mechanical trapdoors. > >Alexandria hunched over Joey and looked through the >mass of legs and her heart stopped. She closed her >eyes against the jarring sight of Joey’s leg >prominently wedged between the stage and the trap door >that was quickly becoming coating in crimson. She >placed her hands on his bearded chin. “Joey…sweetie, >look at me,” she whispered firmly in his ears. > >He opened his eyes, pausing from his blood-curdling >scream to draw in breath. His eyes slammed into hers >and she saw the pain in his floating underneath a sea >of tears. “Keep looking at me, okay? Stay right >here.” > >Alexandria heard a strangled buzz and a collective >sigh as the trapdoor released. Joey’s body seemed to >sink into the stage and Alexander gripped the back of >his shirt, by the collar and dug her knees into the >stage as he slid down, unable to hold himself up. Her >arms, neck and back burned as she managed to get him >still. > >Her hair fell into her eyes, sticking to her neck >covered in sweat from the strain and she panted, >keeping her hold strong and the large man from >slipping through the hole into the underbelly of the >stage. Justin’s eyes widened as he noticed her >shaking with the effort and he hurried to her as she >began to tug Joey away from the trap door. Justin >helped her with Joey’s body. With another graceful >movement, he pulled the airy pink blouse off of >Alexandria and tossed it to Lance, who wrapped it >tightly around Joey’s already swollen limb. > >Justin grabbed Joey’s hands, keeping him from slapping >the stage and he held them in his own as Lance applied >pressure and Joey began to wail and writhe in agony. >Alexandria kept his gaze and smiled crookedly. >“You’re doing so good, Joey. Help is coming. You’ll >be fine. You have to give me some deep breaths, okay.” > >“Jus…” he groaned. > >“What man, I’m right here,” Justin whispered, leaning >over him. > >Joey tried to sit up to inspect the burning, throbbing >limb, but Justin pushed him down and all he managed to >see were Lance’s hands coating in slick, burgundy >blood. “Bro…broken?” > >“Broken? I don’t know, Joey,” he squeezed his hands >and looked worriedly at Lance, who shook his head. >“Lance says it’s not. See, that’s good.” > >“I’m gonna puke, Jus…oh god…I’m be…sick,” his upper >lip was wet and he grew very pale as his teeth >chattered with pain. > >Fighting back tears at seeing his friend in so much >pain, Justin used his free hand to rubbed his arms and >he shook his head. “It’s okay, you do what you have >to. I got you, man, I’m right here, I’m not going >anywhere.” > >The paramedics arrived and wasted no time in splinting >the leg and securing Joey to a backboard, where he was >whisked to the nearest hospital. Justin rode with >him. JC took Lance to clean up and they hurriedly got >ready to go to the hospital, abandoning the practice >for the tour that started in just two weeks [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |
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