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Oct. 15th, 2003 10:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
amfiguree[Het] [N'sync] [PG-13]
Steal My Heart
Naomi gave Justin a strange look as she slid into the toilet, “You know Justin,” she said, her voice sounding muffled through the closed doors, “There are such things as questions. Would it kill you to ask what you have on your mind?”
Justin shrugged, closing his eyes and flopping onto his back, then opening them and staring at the ceiling. “You don’t have to go all prissy and straight laced on me, you know?” he shot back.
“You don’t have to go all macho on me, you know?” Naomi smiled as she emerged from the toilet, wearing her pajamas.
Justin looked up at her as she rummaged through the drawers looking for a brush. She found one and snatched it up triumphantly. “Aha!”
Naomi began combing her hair, smiling as she ran her fingers through her smooth wavy hazel hair. She gazed into the mirror at the dressing table for a few seconds before she noticed Justin staring at her. “What?”
“Oh all right! Jesus! What happened with Lance?” Justin finally burst out, shaking his head in disbelief when Naomi began to laugh. “Yes, I know, I know. You guys love torturing me, don’t you? Well, you’re doing a good job.”
Naomi shrugged and hid a smile, “Oh we try.”
Justin rolled his eyes, grabbed Naomi around the waist, ignoring her screams. Then he lifted her and dunked her onto the bed. Naomi looked up at him when she finally began breathing again. “You are dead, buster.”
“I’m not Busta,” Justin protested. “That’s Chris’ dog!”
“You’re dead DOG MEAT! Come here!”
Justin giggled and poked his tongue out at her, letting out a girlish scream as she growled and pounced - missing him by a couple of inches. She chased him around the room, laughing as the pillows were thrown around and the bed was messed up. Naturally, their shrieks and screams attracted more attention.
“Jeez! You’d think someone was murdered by the sound of those-” Joey stopped short when he entered Naomi’s room, with Chris at his heels. “What the HELL have you two been doing here?”
Chris grinned evilly and lobbed a fallen pillow at Joey’s face. “Shut up you party pooper! Woohoo! Let’s get this game on the roll, baby!”
Joey laughed and nodded, dancing around the room. “Shake shake shake around, come on shake your body down!” Joey chanted and laughed as Chris threw another pillow at him. Big mistake. Before long, the four were engaged in a fierce pillow fight. Feathers were flying and their laughter echoed in the room.
“Justin, get the... the huge bear-looking one! I’ll handle this tarantula! Ooh... weird, the legs are sticking out of it’s head!” Naomi giggled.
Justin grinned, “Yes ma’am!” he saluted her before leaping onto Joey’s back. “Come on big guy! You’re going for a ride!”
Joey snorted and grunted and generally acted like a bear.
Chris watched all this with excitement and fun twinkling in his eyes. He didn’t notice Naomi raise one of her eyebrows wickedly, nor did he notice the growing evil smirk on her pretty face, and he definitely didn’t notice her hands as they raised the bolster... and threw it... in his face.
“Argh!” Chris yelled then lowered his eyes at the young woman giggling at him, the battle of ‘the boy and the bear’ temporarily forgotten. “You’re mine baby!”
“Ahh!” Naomi screamed, hopping onto her bed and laughing as Chris jumped on after her. She slid off the bed and made a break for the door.
“Oh no you don’t!” Chris warned, jumping after her. With an amazing lunge Naomi never imagined Chris’ legs could manage, he caught hold of her and pulled her back to the bed. He wrapped his arms around her neck and gazed pathetically into her eyes. His lips puckered and Naomi was acutely aware of Joey and Justin’s stares. “Come on honey,” Chris made kissing sounds and winked at her, “You know you want me, babe.”
Naomi laughed and pushed Chris away. “Oh yeah I want ya,” she grinned, “If I was five years older, I’d want ya more.”
Chris pouted, his bottom lip jutting out as Justin and Joey began laughing. “She thinks I’m old,” Chris grumbled loudly, pulling Joey by the ear out of the room. Justin laughed at the pair then eyed Naomi curiously as she sighed and flopped onto the floor.
He shrugged and clambered onto the bed, stomach-down, leaning over the edge of the bed and fiddled with Naomi’s incredibly soft wavy hazel hair. “So...? What happened, Choc?” he asked softly, twirling her hair around his long fingers.
“What happened?” Naomi shot back irritably, pulling out of her reverie and standing up. She jerked her hair out of Justin’s grasp and pushed Justin off of the bed, settling down in his place.
Justin fell off of the bed with a crash, but he completely ignored the pain. His curiosity was eating at him and he desperately wanted, no, needed to know the answer to his question. Of course, part of him was concerned about Naomi. She hadn’t acted any more intimately with Lance than she normally did but Justin wouldn’t put it past Lance to have a made a move during their date. There had to be more going on than Naomi was letting on.
“With Lance, you know? Date? How... did... the... date... with... Lance... go?” Justin asked slowly, sounding as though he was trying to teach a stubborn five-year-old the correct spelling of ‘cat’.
Naomi rolled her eyes and shrugged. Although inside she was bursting for someone to talk to, she couldn’t tell anyone, not even Justin... not yet.
Justin wasn’t deterred by Naomi’s reaction. “Oh come on, Choc,” Justin whined, putting on his best pity-me voice. “Tell me!”
“No Justin!” Naomi snapped, annoyed. Partly because Justin wouldn’t quit bugging her like she wanted him to, and partly because she was dying to tell him when she would usually be able to keep everything to herself. “Leave me alone okay?”
A hurt look spread across Justin’s face and Naomi cursed herself for being so softhearted. But she couldn’t help it. Her heart melted at Justin’s pout and she reached out impulsively to hug him. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her hand unconsciously stroking Justin’s mop of curly blond hair. “I’m just in a foul mood right now.”
Justin sighed and nodded against Naomi’s shoulder. He quickly hugged her back, “It’s okay, Choc. Listen, you can look for me or Brit if you ever need someone to talk to or just need to vent, right?”
Naomi nodded, smiling wanly as Justin gently released her. He walked to the door and placed his hand on the doorknob. “Speaking of Brit,” Justin turned back to Naomi with a mischievous grin on his face. “I think I’m gonna find a little something to amuse her with. You know, like... me.”
Naomi looked pointedly at Justin’s jeans, her eyebrows raised and her mouth twisted into a smirk, “Tarzan again?”
Justin’s face turned bright pink as he cleared his throat and opened the door. He cleared his throat and slammed the door shut. Naomi vaguely caught his last words as he strode down the hall to Britney’s room, “Shut up Choc.”
Naomi chuckled, sitting back down on the bed. She sighed when she thought of JC and Alyssa together, then brightened. She was going to get everything off of her chest the next day and she couldn’t believe how relieved she already felt. She had promised herself not to get her hopes up but it was difficult not to when Lance sounded so optimistic. Naomi only hoped JC and Alyssa would feel the same way.
But what if... what if they don’t? What if they’re just so happy together that... that they don’t... Naomi stopped that trail of thoughts but it just came rushing back to her again and again. She looked up when someone knocked on the door, glad for some distraction from her disturbing thoughts. “Come in.”
Lance’s head appeared around the corner. He smiled when he saw Naomi sitting Indian-style on the bed, her head creased into a frown as though she was contemplating a serious issue. His expression fell when he realized she was thinking of Alyssa and JC but he went in nonetheless. “Hey,” he grinned as he took in the state of the room. “Did an alarm go off in here somewhere or was there a pillow fight?”
“Hey,” Naomi responded, making room for Lance next to her. She patted the spot next to her and smiled when Lance sat down very comfortably. “It was a pillow fight and... this is a wild guess but... couldn’t sleep?”
“Uh huh,” Lance sighed and cupped her face in his hands, turning her face so that she would be looking at him. “Don’t frown, sweetie. It’ll be over tomorrow. Try not to do this to yourself, all right? And stop thinking so much. It’s a dangerous habit.”
Naomi laughed and the frown that had creased her forehead only seconds ago disappeared in an instant. “Now where have I heard that before?”
“Probably coming from yourself,” Lance teased. “It’s a common line for those in grade school.”
Naomi laughed again. “Thank you Lance,” she said softly as he released her. “For being so understanding through all this.”
“Naomi...” Lance sighed. “Actually, I wanted to ask you something.”
“Shoot,” Naomi offered a bit too quickly, half-worried, half-anticipating what Lance had to say to her.
“If tomorrow... I know this sounds bad and I know I’m supposed to be the optimistic one but... if tomorrow we can feel that they’re closer... or if everything just doesn’t seem right... what do we do?”
“Well... we don’t tell them, for one thing.” Naomi was quickly getting used to speaking her mind and what she really felt. These five guys are miracles, Naomi thought to herself. I just want to tell them everything!
“Yeah,” Lance agreed slowly, then he looked Naomi directly in the eyes. “Shall we have a practice round?”
“Huh?”
“You know, you pretend I’m JC and just run through what you’re going to say tomorrow.”
Naomi toyed with the idea. The more she thought about it, the more she liked it. “Why not?”
Lance grinned. He looked at her, tilting his head to the side. “All right, you start, okay?” he offered sweetly.
Naomi suspected Lance was more nervous than she was, but she shrugged and agreed. She wrapped her arms around Lance, who laughed. “Shh!” she warned him. “Chase never laughs when we hug. It’s just a hug after all.”
Lance slowly nodded and let Naomi squeeze him a little tighter for a few seconds. He could tell she really needed the reassuring touch. She looked about ready to jump off of a moving train and that was a scary thought.
Naomi pulled back and gazed into Lance’s eyes, trying to imagine JC’s gorgeous, enchanting sky blue eyes in place of Lance’s sea-green ones. Lance reached out impulsively and rested his hands on Naomi’s cheeks. She looked stunning, Lance had to admit. But Alyssa was always the most beautiful girl in his eyes.
“Chase, there’s something I have to tell you.”
Naomi was just beginning to get the hang of it. She could practically see JC’s features instead of Lance. His oval-shaped face, his cute hair she always messed up, his perfect lips... Naomi almost swooned at the thought. And his eyes... she could picture his eyes as though they were really piercing through her - as though he were the one looking at her. Her heartbeat quickened and she gulped, visibly nervous. “I...”
Justin barged into the room at that moment. “I swear, Brit, if you-” he was yelling but he let his voice trail off when he saw Naomi and Lance staring into each other’s eyes, looking ready to kiss. “Did I interrupt something?”
Naomi and Lance jerked back immediately. They each threw Justin a dirty look then shrugged and sighed. The magic of the moment was gone and Naomi was back in real life again. “Dammit Justin, didn’t your momma ever teach you to knock?”
“Nah...” Justin shrugged, “Not in my OWN house, she didn’t. What can I say? We’re a very open family.”
Lance rolled his eyes, “Fine. Whatever. I’m outta here. Sorry Naomi,” he threw an apologetic glance at her and kissed her lightly on the cheek, saying, “I’ll talk to you tomorrow, all right?”
Naomi sighed and nodded. Lance pulled Justin out of the room and Naomi could still hear them arguing as they walked down the hall.
“Look man,” Justin said, slapping Lance on the shoulder. “I like what I saw. You two are getting along just fine huh?”
Lance rolled his eyes again.
“You know, if you keep doing that, they might just roll out,” Justin pointed out. Lance shrugged and Justin grinned. “You guys would have kissed if I hadn’t walked in, wouldn’t you? Damn, I have bad timing. Aww... there’s no need to be shy, Poofu.” Justin giggled at Lance’s annoyed look. “We all love ya, you little rascally dog you.” Lance raised his eyebrow and Justin laughed, “Oh yeah? I know that look, buddy. But don’t you even try to get all innocent with me, little boy.”
“Little boy?” Lance asked skeptically. “The only teenaged boy around is you.”
“Yeah, but you’re the one with the ‘tude.”
“Yeah, fine, whatever, Just. You know what? I’m gonna go into my room now and get some sleep. Some people can’t manage without the bare necessities of life, you know?” Lance said with biting sarcasm.
Justin shrugged and pushed Lance into his room. “Whatever man. You’ve got yourself a smart chick, dude. What other stuff is, ahem, necessary, hmm?”
“Damn Justin, your mind is more corrupted than mine.”
“It is?”
With a huff, Lance slammed the door in Justin’s cheeky face. “Ooh,” Justin said to no one in particular. “Touchy touchy.”
Chris looked out of his room and saw Justin murmuring to himself. “What’s that boy up to now?” Chris wondered. “Hey Justin!”
Justin jogged up to Chris and without giving the older man another chance to speak, said loudly, “Lance and Naomi sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G!” Chris heard Lance groan in the room opposite and giggled.
“Whoa... are things heating up around here or is it just me?”
(Meanwhile, in Naomi’s room.)
Naomi leaned back onto the bed, relaxing when her aching shoulders and neck hit the soft pillows. She had spent the last five minutes picking the pillows up off the ground. Just as she was about to close her eyes, Chris bounded into the room. Naomi groaned when he asked, “So what happened?”
“What happened WHEN, Chris?” Naomi asked with a sigh, forcing herself to sit up in bed so she wouldn’t fall asleep.
“At the date, you know, with Lance,” Chris giggled. “Hey, hey! Did he try that ‘oh baby’ thing on you? I can’t do it ‘cos I’ve got the squeaky high voice and everything but Lance has the bass voice so when he goes ‘oh baby’ it’s like-”
Naomi rolled her eyes and interrupted him, “You know something, Chris? You need to grow up.”
“But I’m already...” Chris scrunched up his face, trying to remember his age. Then he shrugged and gave up, “Old.”
“You’re almost thirty and you... you act like Justin,” Naomi chided him.
“Hey!” Justin’s voice said from outside. “Stop insulting me, would ya?”
Naomi stomped over to the door, and hearing someone whisper ‘Shh!’ only made her blood boil. Chris watched in amazement as Naomi flung the door open, without the slightest look of amusement on her face.
Naomi stepped aside as Justin, Britney and Joey fell at her feet. “Aren’t you gonna thank us for dropping in?” Joey asked sarcastically. Naomi just rolled her eyes and tapped her foot on the floor, the sound echoing in the silent room.
“Uh-oh,” Britney said softly to Justin, “I get the feeling we’re in trouble.” Britney looked up at Naomi and gulped. “A lot of it,” she added.
Justin stood up and rocked back and forth guiltily on his heels. Then he lifted his head meekly and his eyes met Naomi’s furious ones. “What?”
Naomi’s eyes narrowed dangerously, “Dammit Justin! You don’t quit, do you? I said I wasn’t going to say a word and dammit, I’m not! So stop all this crap and just... just leave me alone!”
Justin was shocked by Naomi’s angry expression. He hung his head and kicked at the carpet. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled, before looking back up at her with his famous ‘puppy-dog’ eyes that the girls were absolute suckers for.
Well, maybe with the exception of this one. “Don’t even think of using that technique of yours on me, Justin Timberlake!” Naomi stormed.
Justin flinched at her angry tone, “All right, all right!” He raised his hands in mock surrender. “I’m leaving! Good night.”
Justin pulled Britney out of the room and Joey left soon after, shooting Naomi a few concerned glances.
Chris plopped down next to Naomi when she slowly sat back on the bed. “What’s wrong, kid?”
Naomi shook her head. She felt terrible for yelling at them but if Justin had given her another look, she would have broken down and told them everything. And she couldn’t let that happen. “I’m fine.”
Chris shook his head and chuckled. “Uh huh. That’s why you just blew your top at those guys for being the biggest gossips in the world.” Chris let out another giggle before shaking his head and saying, “I didn’t take all those psychology classes for nothing, you know. And Rollins is a good school, darling.”
Naomi looked at Chris in annoyance. “Get out Chris,” she warned. “Before I bite you.”
“Ooh...” Chris grinned at Naomi’s front. “Bitchy much?”
He knew he had touched a nerve when Naomi sighed. But a smile tugged at the edge of her lips anyway. “I’m sorry Chris,” she apologized. “It’s just that there’s so much going on and I’m so confused. I just... I don’t want... no, I cannot talk about it right now. I’m just not ready. Not yet.”
Chris could see the tears brimming in Naomi’s eyes. He stood up and hugged her tightly. “Don’t worry,” he reassured her. “It’ll be okay.”
Naomi wrapped her arms around Chris’ frame, finally allowing her tears to run freely down her cheeks. They hugged tightly for a few moments before Chris released her. He rubbed her tears away gently with his thumb and sighed in relief when her sobs died down a little. He hated to admit it, but it freaked him when a girl cried. Hell, it freaked him out when anyone cried, period.
“Thank you Chris,” Naomi sniffled.
“You can talk to me anytime. You know that right?” Chris said soothingly, hoping she wouldn’t think he was being too assertive.
“Yeah,” Naomi finally cracked a smile, wiping her tears away. Chris let out a breath he didn’t even realize he was holding. “But you’re too old.”
Chris just shrugged and grinned, “That’s the way the ladies like it.”
Naomi chuckled and kissed Chris on the cheek as he exited the room. “But thank you anyway,” she called out to him as he hovered by the door for a quick good night. “For everything.”
Chris tipped an imaginary hat and bowed. “I’m at your service, ma’am... good night Naomi.”
“Night Chris,” Naomi whispered as she slid under the covers. Chris smiled at her and switched off the lights before going back to the kitchen and partying the night away with Justin and Joey.
Lance stared out the window, almost oblivious to his surroundings. He had blocked out everything besides the thoughts that were running through his head. Finally, he snapped out of his reverie and blinked in surprise when the shrill beeping of the alarm clock pierced his ears. He slammed his fist over the clock and sighed, hopping out of his bed and quickly washing his face, thankful that the night was finally over, and yet apprehensive of what the day might bring. He wiped his face dry with a towel with a sigh before walking out of the bathroom, his footsteps slower than usual.
He went to get dressed, flinging the cupboard open and surveying his clothes critically. He pulled out a pair of faded jeans and a t-shirt, tugging them on quickly. Something doesn’t feel right, Lance thought to himself, the sick, hollow feeling in his stomach telling him that it was the thought of Alyssa and JC sharing the same room.
“Damn!” Lance cursed softly as he ran his fingers quickly through his hair, spiking it up. He gave himself a quick glance in the mirror and forced a half-hearted smile, trying to look normal.
“Lance?”
Lance spun around at the soft, weak voice, almost knocking his mirror to the floor. He sighed when he recognized the all-too-familiar mop of curly unruly blond hair. The all too familiar mop of curly MESSY hair. “What, Justin?”
“We’re in America,” Justin giggled light-headedly, almost slumping onto the floor. Lance lunged forward and caught him just in the nick of time. He reeked of alcohol and Lance had to turn away to get a whiff of fresh air.
“I know that,” Lance rolled his eyes, turning back to Justin and humoring him. The kid obviously isn’t thinking straight, he told himself, swearing under his breath. He hoped that Justin wouldn’t have a hangover because he seriously did not think he could handle that. Or anything else being drunk would have Justin doing.
“Come on, Justin, it’s time for your cereal and a LARGE cup of hot tea,” Lance murmured, literally dragging the still-giggling Justin out of his room and into the kitchen. It was the last straw when he realized that they were all out of cereal. And on top of that, Lynn had gone shopping.
“Shit,” Lance muttered as he dropped Justin heavily onto a chair, starting to open the cabinets, hoping to find the remnants of anything that was even partially edible. “You owe me, buddy. You owe me good.”
“Damn Naomi, I’m so sorry,” Lance was still apologizing ten minutes into the drive. Naomi could only sigh and shake her head when Lance continued, “It’s going to be really awkward but he was still drunk from last night!” Lance shot Justin a dirty look, sighing when Justin just closed his eyes, ignoring everything else happening around him. “And Lynn was out so I couldn’t just leave him there. But boy, was I tempted!”
Naomi clucked her tongue sympathetically, rubbing Justin’s temples soothingly. He sighed, a slow smile spreading across his face. “My temples are aching, my head in throbbing and I feel like I’m about to puke.”
Naomi grinned triumphantly, her fingers working slowly on Justin’s temples. “If he’s grumbling, he’s gotta feel at least a LITTLE better.”
Lance looked through the viewer and grinned as he watched Naomi massage Justin for a split second before his attention snapped back to the road in front of him. “Man, I am so glad you’re not mad anymore.”
Naomi sighed and then chuckled, “Lance, I WASN’T angry to begin with. You were just ranting on and on and I couldn’t stop you.”
Lance cocked his eyebrow in mild amusement. “So... you mean I’ve been apologizing for nothing? All this time?”
Naomi smiled as Justin shifted, his long frame trying to find a more comfortable position. She continued to massage his temples before sliding her hands down to rub his tense neck muscles, glad when she felt him relax against her touch. “Well... yeah,” she replied to Lance, trying not to giggle.
Lance sighed but a grin tugged at the edge of his lips. “So you mean I’ve been apologizing and acting like a gentleman all for nothing?”
“Well, yeah,” Naomi admitted, working her fingers on Justin’s almost completely relaxed back, chuckling when she heard him groan.
Lance grinned when Justin uttered something unintelligible and shifted again. Then he looked at Naomi through the viewer and their eyes met, creating a kind of tension in the air. But Lance threw her a careless, lopsided smile and asked, “Can you say anything besides those two infuriating words?”
“Well yeah,” Naomi giggled.
Lance shook his head, but Naomi caught the smile on his face as he turned his attention back to the road ahead. “We’re almost there, Naomi,” he announced, wanting to see her reaction. With any luck, she would be less tense than he was. Yeah right.
Naomi nodded slowly, tensing up immediately.
“Ouch! Dammit!” Justin complained, wriggling quickly and nimbly out of Naomi’s grasp. He rubbed his aching neck and frowned, a pained expression on his face. “Sheesh Choc, watch what you’re doing with those miracle fingers, would ya?”
Naomi raised her eyebrow at Justin critically, “I though you were drunk...?” she said, accusingly, before turning to look at Lance.
Lance shrugged and shook his head, muttering, “Surprise, surprise.”
Justin just sighed.
“He certainly SMELT drunk. And puking all down the front of my t-shirt didn’t help change my mind,” Lance contemplated stopping the car, but changed his mind. As riled up as he was about Justin pretending to be drunk, there was a layer of relief beneath the anger. He was more than happy to let someone else come along with them. The tension was already seeming to lessen and Lance almost smiled. Almost.
Justin shrugged and threw his hands in the air at Naomi’s stern glare. “What? I spent hours taking lessons from Chris to perfect that puking thing.”
“Oh, and you’re PROUD of that?” Naomi said sarcastically.
Lance sighed when he realized that Justin was getting himself into hot water. Naomi was tense enough as it is, and Justin adding on to her pressure didn’t help anything. Any moment soon they would be getting into a verbal war, only to make up three to four minutes down the road. He was pretty clear on their routine by now.
“What? It’s not MY fault you wouldn’t tell me anything, okay? We tried the pleading tactic, the playful tactic, the annoying tactic, and it ALL didn’t work. You’re a tough nut to crack, you know that?”
“Oh, so last night was just ploys and MORE lies to make me give in to you and tell you what happened on the stupid date?”
Justin shrugged nonchalantly, staring out of the window stonily. His plans sounded worse and worse by the second but he had pride and that just wouldn’t allow him to bow down to Naomi and apologize. He knew he was at fault, but no one could blame him for being nosy. He was just trying to find out about his best friend’s love life - what was so wrong about that? He pressed his lips into a thin straight line and refused to say another word more, hoping Naomi would drop it and yet knowing that was virtually impossible.
“Why can’t you just drop it, Justin?” Naomi’s voice was rising and she could feel anger boiling inside of her. How dare he just sit there as though this isn’t his fault? Sure, I should have told him and under normal circumstances, I would, but sometimes I just CAN’T! Why doesn’t he understand that?
“Because the two of you are my best friends, dammit!” Justin suddenly lost it and he knew he was going to regret everything he said to Naomi two minutes down the road but at that moment it didn’t matter. They were going to quarrel and he knew it. She knew it. But they were still going for it anyway.
“Because I want to know what’s going on and why the two of you are being so secretive when this should be something you guys are happy about! Speaking of happy, you didn’t even act that way last night. It was all a front, and I saw through it. I know you, Naomi. You can’t hide anything from me anymore. So why don’t you just come clean?”
Lance sighed softly, without attracting anyone’s attention. He was going to keep out of the fight, after all, it didn’t concern him. But he wished it wasn’t so hard on everyone. He just wanted everything to work out. Why did it have to go haywire just as everything was falling into place?
“I told you, Justin,” Naomi’s voice was now deathly calm and that meant trouble in capital letters. “I don’t want to talk about it and I’m just not ready. I don’t need this scene right now, okay? So let’s just shut up and forget it.”
“Hell no!” Justin wasn’t about to drop it. Naomi knew but it had been worth a shot after all. “It’s started and we might as well finish it.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
Justin snorted, “I don’t care. You have to.”
Naomi just remained silent, hoping Lance would help her out. Sure enough, he turned around and glared at Justin, “She said she didn’t want to and neither do I. We’ll tell you when the time is right but for now, you’re just gonna have to take our word for it when we say everything’s okay between us.”
Justin pouted for a few minutes, pondering his options. He knew Naomi when she was in that mood, nothing could be done to make her talk about what she didn’t want to. Her face said it all. He sighed miserably and ducked his head before muttering, “All right, but I want to hear about EVERYTHING ‘when the time is right’.”
Naomi still didn’t speak. Lance nodded curtly before turning around to concentrate on his driving. There was an unnerving silence in the car and Justin began fidgeting, wishing the woman beside him would at least give him some sign of acknowledgement. A nod, even a glance would be enough. But she remained stubbornly unmoved.
Justin licked his lips nervously, before sliding lower in his seat and sprawling out so his head was resting on her lap. Naomi just continued to look out of the window, completely ignoring him. Justin gazed up at her and finally she turned to look down at him. “What?” she snapped, visibly irritated.
“I’m sorry,” Justin whined pathetically. “I was just being stupid and dense and well... being Justin.”
Naomi finally consented to smile. She rubbed her nose against his - something they had gotten into the habit of doing after an argument - and rubbed his cheek playfully. “I’m sorry too. I’ll tell you everything. But not now.”
“Hopefully soon then?”
Naomi nodded, “Hopefully soon.”
Lance smiled at the picture they made. They would never realize it, he was sure, but they were so much alike that it was scary sometimes.
Naomi sighed as she stroked Justin hair out of his eyes. “Justin, why did you do this in the first place?”
Justin tensed up, wondering if they were going to get into another argument. He didn’t want to be at her mercy, if so.
“Don’t worry,” Naomi assured him, noticing his questioning gaze. “I’m not going to lose it, I just want to know.”
Justin thought for a moment, weighing his choices. He decided against telling her everything he really felt. He would tell her part of it and hopefully, lighten the mood, but it wasn’t going to do anyone good if he launched into a long, boring speech that would probably bring teachers to their knees.
“Why, Choc, honey, sweetheart, do you even need to ask?” he began, half taunting her. A small smile crept onto her face and Justin grinned even wider. “I’m CONCERNED about you, sweetie. I want to know what’s happening!”
“So, in other words, you’re curious.”
“Deadly so,” Justin replied with a solemn expression that was hardly seen out of him etched on his face.
Lance shook his head, but couldn’t resist a small smile. It was small, but it was a smile nonetheless. And that was a start. He was worried that he might have forgotten how to do that already. He killed the engine and got out of the car slowly, his fears returning in a waterfall of emotions.
Naomi and Justin got out of the car as well and Naomi sighed audibly. Justin looked at her strangely before sauntering off towards the house.
Lance shrugged, trying his best to act unaffected, and trotted after Justin, who was uncharacteristically quiet, as if he too had finally sensed the unease that had been loitering in the air.
Naomi licked her lips and shuffled her feet nervously, unwilling to take another step closer to her house. It was as though she was glued to the spot. Lance noticed and jogged back to her, tugging on her arm insistently.
I never thought I’d be afraid of my own house, Naomi thought ruefully as she reluctantly let Lance lead her toward it. Or that I’d be afraid of Chase.
Justin’s footsteps slowed as he reached Naomi’s front door. He looked over his shoulder and saw Lance practically dragging Naomi across the road. Naomi had a blank look on her face which made Justin sigh knowingly - she was afraid.
But of what? That was the question that had been bugging Justin through the whole drive. Since Naomi started rubbing his forehead, he had already been able to sense her discomfort but he still hadn’t been able to find out the reason why.
And it was driving him insane.
Why is she afraid of JC? Or is it Alyssa? Or maybe it’s both of them? Or... is it me? Dammit Justin! You shouldn’t have come here! Stupid STUPID Chris, this is all HIS fault! What kinda moron would do this? Justin pouted when he realized he HAD been idiotic enough to follow through with Chris’ plans.
Justin continued berating himself, half of him hoping it wasn’t him Naomi was afraid of - the idea was ludicrous! - but the other half screaming that it was. He was at the brink of hysteria when Naomi finally took the last few steps to cover the small distance between herself and Justin. She flung her arms around him quickly, taking him by surprise.
Naomi pulled back abruptly, and then turned to Lance and nodded slowly. She knew Justin was probably freaked out by her actions, but she was freaked as it was. She took a deep breath and prayed that JC was awake. With any luck, Alyssa had woken him when she awoke. Thanks to the food tactic, Alyssa never failed to awake before seven thirty every morning. And it was really starting to bother Naomi.
They stood at the gate for what seemed like eternity, still and motionless. Justin eyed them carefully and decided against saying anything. Both Lance and Naomi had an identical look of fear and nervousness Justin had never known they were capable of. They were always steady and calm, and seeing them so worried shook him badly.
What’s wrong? Why won’t they just go in? It’s Naomi’s house and Christ, she’s acting like she’s never seen it before. JC and Alyssa... they’re connected to this somehow. But... I just can’t figure it out.
Justin sighed as Lance grabbed Naomi’s hands, and she tightened her fingers around his. It was as though they were trying to extract courage out of each other or something, the way their fingers were so tightly entwined together.
They stood there silently for what seemed like eternity. No one made any move, and everything was peaceful. Well, as peaceful as it could get at eight thirty on a Thursday morning. They were supposed to be at a photo shoot by eleven thirty but other than that, they had the whole day free.
Naomi had taken to remembering her schedule so she could at least say she was of SOME use to them. Lance never forgot their schedule either, but it was always easier to have someone as organized as Naomi was helping out.
“What? Why are you guys so tense?” Justin finally burst out, cutting through Naomi’s thoughts. “Let’s go in.”
Sheesh Justin, way to blow it, Justin screamed at himself when he finally realized he had spoken out loud. And you were supposed to keep quiet.
Lance and Naomi shared dark looks and Justin would have laughed if the situation hadn’t been so tense. They looked so alike.
Lance took a deep breath, and heard Naomi do the same. He reached out slowly...
And pushed the gate open.
TBC
Steal My Heart
Naomi gave Justin a strange look as she slid into the toilet, “You know Justin,” she said, her voice sounding muffled through the closed doors, “There are such things as questions. Would it kill you to ask what you have on your mind?”
Justin shrugged, closing his eyes and flopping onto his back, then opening them and staring at the ceiling. “You don’t have to go all prissy and straight laced on me, you know?” he shot back.
“You don’t have to go all macho on me, you know?” Naomi smiled as she emerged from the toilet, wearing her pajamas.
Justin looked up at her as she rummaged through the drawers looking for a brush. She found one and snatched it up triumphantly. “Aha!”
Naomi began combing her hair, smiling as she ran her fingers through her smooth wavy hazel hair. She gazed into the mirror at the dressing table for a few seconds before she noticed Justin staring at her. “What?”
“Oh all right! Jesus! What happened with Lance?” Justin finally burst out, shaking his head in disbelief when Naomi began to laugh. “Yes, I know, I know. You guys love torturing me, don’t you? Well, you’re doing a good job.”
Naomi shrugged and hid a smile, “Oh we try.”
Justin rolled his eyes, grabbed Naomi around the waist, ignoring her screams. Then he lifted her and dunked her onto the bed. Naomi looked up at him when she finally began breathing again. “You are dead, buster.”
“I’m not Busta,” Justin protested. “That’s Chris’ dog!”
“You’re dead DOG MEAT! Come here!”
Justin giggled and poked his tongue out at her, letting out a girlish scream as she growled and pounced - missing him by a couple of inches. She chased him around the room, laughing as the pillows were thrown around and the bed was messed up. Naturally, their shrieks and screams attracted more attention.
“Jeez! You’d think someone was murdered by the sound of those-” Joey stopped short when he entered Naomi’s room, with Chris at his heels. “What the HELL have you two been doing here?”
Chris grinned evilly and lobbed a fallen pillow at Joey’s face. “Shut up you party pooper! Woohoo! Let’s get this game on the roll, baby!”
Joey laughed and nodded, dancing around the room. “Shake shake shake around, come on shake your body down!” Joey chanted and laughed as Chris threw another pillow at him. Big mistake. Before long, the four were engaged in a fierce pillow fight. Feathers were flying and their laughter echoed in the room.
“Justin, get the... the huge bear-looking one! I’ll handle this tarantula! Ooh... weird, the legs are sticking out of it’s head!” Naomi giggled.
Justin grinned, “Yes ma’am!” he saluted her before leaping onto Joey’s back. “Come on big guy! You’re going for a ride!”
Joey snorted and grunted and generally acted like a bear.
Chris watched all this with excitement and fun twinkling in his eyes. He didn’t notice Naomi raise one of her eyebrows wickedly, nor did he notice the growing evil smirk on her pretty face, and he definitely didn’t notice her hands as they raised the bolster... and threw it... in his face.
“Argh!” Chris yelled then lowered his eyes at the young woman giggling at him, the battle of ‘the boy and the bear’ temporarily forgotten. “You’re mine baby!”
“Ahh!” Naomi screamed, hopping onto her bed and laughing as Chris jumped on after her. She slid off the bed and made a break for the door.
“Oh no you don’t!” Chris warned, jumping after her. With an amazing lunge Naomi never imagined Chris’ legs could manage, he caught hold of her and pulled her back to the bed. He wrapped his arms around her neck and gazed pathetically into her eyes. His lips puckered and Naomi was acutely aware of Joey and Justin’s stares. “Come on honey,” Chris made kissing sounds and winked at her, “You know you want me, babe.”
Naomi laughed and pushed Chris away. “Oh yeah I want ya,” she grinned, “If I was five years older, I’d want ya more.”
Chris pouted, his bottom lip jutting out as Justin and Joey began laughing. “She thinks I’m old,” Chris grumbled loudly, pulling Joey by the ear out of the room. Justin laughed at the pair then eyed Naomi curiously as she sighed and flopped onto the floor.
He shrugged and clambered onto the bed, stomach-down, leaning over the edge of the bed and fiddled with Naomi’s incredibly soft wavy hazel hair. “So...? What happened, Choc?” he asked softly, twirling her hair around his long fingers.
“What happened?” Naomi shot back irritably, pulling out of her reverie and standing up. She jerked her hair out of Justin’s grasp and pushed Justin off of the bed, settling down in his place.
Justin fell off of the bed with a crash, but he completely ignored the pain. His curiosity was eating at him and he desperately wanted, no, needed to know the answer to his question. Of course, part of him was concerned about Naomi. She hadn’t acted any more intimately with Lance than she normally did but Justin wouldn’t put it past Lance to have a made a move during their date. There had to be more going on than Naomi was letting on.
“With Lance, you know? Date? How... did... the... date... with... Lance... go?” Justin asked slowly, sounding as though he was trying to teach a stubborn five-year-old the correct spelling of ‘cat’.
Naomi rolled her eyes and shrugged. Although inside she was bursting for someone to talk to, she couldn’t tell anyone, not even Justin... not yet.
Justin wasn’t deterred by Naomi’s reaction. “Oh come on, Choc,” Justin whined, putting on his best pity-me voice. “Tell me!”
“No Justin!” Naomi snapped, annoyed. Partly because Justin wouldn’t quit bugging her like she wanted him to, and partly because she was dying to tell him when she would usually be able to keep everything to herself. “Leave me alone okay?”
A hurt look spread across Justin’s face and Naomi cursed herself for being so softhearted. But she couldn’t help it. Her heart melted at Justin’s pout and she reached out impulsively to hug him. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her hand unconsciously stroking Justin’s mop of curly blond hair. “I’m just in a foul mood right now.”
Justin sighed and nodded against Naomi’s shoulder. He quickly hugged her back, “It’s okay, Choc. Listen, you can look for me or Brit if you ever need someone to talk to or just need to vent, right?”
Naomi nodded, smiling wanly as Justin gently released her. He walked to the door and placed his hand on the doorknob. “Speaking of Brit,” Justin turned back to Naomi with a mischievous grin on his face. “I think I’m gonna find a little something to amuse her with. You know, like... me.”
Naomi looked pointedly at Justin’s jeans, her eyebrows raised and her mouth twisted into a smirk, “Tarzan again?”
Justin’s face turned bright pink as he cleared his throat and opened the door. He cleared his throat and slammed the door shut. Naomi vaguely caught his last words as he strode down the hall to Britney’s room, “Shut up Choc.”
Naomi chuckled, sitting back down on the bed. She sighed when she thought of JC and Alyssa together, then brightened. She was going to get everything off of her chest the next day and she couldn’t believe how relieved she already felt. She had promised herself not to get her hopes up but it was difficult not to when Lance sounded so optimistic. Naomi only hoped JC and Alyssa would feel the same way.
But what if... what if they don’t? What if they’re just so happy together that... that they don’t... Naomi stopped that trail of thoughts but it just came rushing back to her again and again. She looked up when someone knocked on the door, glad for some distraction from her disturbing thoughts. “Come in.”
Lance’s head appeared around the corner. He smiled when he saw Naomi sitting Indian-style on the bed, her head creased into a frown as though she was contemplating a serious issue. His expression fell when he realized she was thinking of Alyssa and JC but he went in nonetheless. “Hey,” he grinned as he took in the state of the room. “Did an alarm go off in here somewhere or was there a pillow fight?”
“Hey,” Naomi responded, making room for Lance next to her. She patted the spot next to her and smiled when Lance sat down very comfortably. “It was a pillow fight and... this is a wild guess but... couldn’t sleep?”
“Uh huh,” Lance sighed and cupped her face in his hands, turning her face so that she would be looking at him. “Don’t frown, sweetie. It’ll be over tomorrow. Try not to do this to yourself, all right? And stop thinking so much. It’s a dangerous habit.”
Naomi laughed and the frown that had creased her forehead only seconds ago disappeared in an instant. “Now where have I heard that before?”
“Probably coming from yourself,” Lance teased. “It’s a common line for those in grade school.”
Naomi laughed again. “Thank you Lance,” she said softly as he released her. “For being so understanding through all this.”
“Naomi...” Lance sighed. “Actually, I wanted to ask you something.”
“Shoot,” Naomi offered a bit too quickly, half-worried, half-anticipating what Lance had to say to her.
“If tomorrow... I know this sounds bad and I know I’m supposed to be the optimistic one but... if tomorrow we can feel that they’re closer... or if everything just doesn’t seem right... what do we do?”
“Well... we don’t tell them, for one thing.” Naomi was quickly getting used to speaking her mind and what she really felt. These five guys are miracles, Naomi thought to herself. I just want to tell them everything!
“Yeah,” Lance agreed slowly, then he looked Naomi directly in the eyes. “Shall we have a practice round?”
“Huh?”
“You know, you pretend I’m JC and just run through what you’re going to say tomorrow.”
Naomi toyed with the idea. The more she thought about it, the more she liked it. “Why not?”
Lance grinned. He looked at her, tilting his head to the side. “All right, you start, okay?” he offered sweetly.
Naomi suspected Lance was more nervous than she was, but she shrugged and agreed. She wrapped her arms around Lance, who laughed. “Shh!” she warned him. “Chase never laughs when we hug. It’s just a hug after all.”
Lance slowly nodded and let Naomi squeeze him a little tighter for a few seconds. He could tell she really needed the reassuring touch. She looked about ready to jump off of a moving train and that was a scary thought.
Naomi pulled back and gazed into Lance’s eyes, trying to imagine JC’s gorgeous, enchanting sky blue eyes in place of Lance’s sea-green ones. Lance reached out impulsively and rested his hands on Naomi’s cheeks. She looked stunning, Lance had to admit. But Alyssa was always the most beautiful girl in his eyes.
“Chase, there’s something I have to tell you.”
Naomi was just beginning to get the hang of it. She could practically see JC’s features instead of Lance. His oval-shaped face, his cute hair she always messed up, his perfect lips... Naomi almost swooned at the thought. And his eyes... she could picture his eyes as though they were really piercing through her - as though he were the one looking at her. Her heartbeat quickened and she gulped, visibly nervous. “I...”
Justin barged into the room at that moment. “I swear, Brit, if you-” he was yelling but he let his voice trail off when he saw Naomi and Lance staring into each other’s eyes, looking ready to kiss. “Did I interrupt something?”
Naomi and Lance jerked back immediately. They each threw Justin a dirty look then shrugged and sighed. The magic of the moment was gone and Naomi was back in real life again. “Dammit Justin, didn’t your momma ever teach you to knock?”
“Nah...” Justin shrugged, “Not in my OWN house, she didn’t. What can I say? We’re a very open family.”
Lance rolled his eyes, “Fine. Whatever. I’m outta here. Sorry Naomi,” he threw an apologetic glance at her and kissed her lightly on the cheek, saying, “I’ll talk to you tomorrow, all right?”
Naomi sighed and nodded. Lance pulled Justin out of the room and Naomi could still hear them arguing as they walked down the hall.
“Look man,” Justin said, slapping Lance on the shoulder. “I like what I saw. You two are getting along just fine huh?”
Lance rolled his eyes again.
“You know, if you keep doing that, they might just roll out,” Justin pointed out. Lance shrugged and Justin grinned. “You guys would have kissed if I hadn’t walked in, wouldn’t you? Damn, I have bad timing. Aww... there’s no need to be shy, Poofu.” Justin giggled at Lance’s annoyed look. “We all love ya, you little rascally dog you.” Lance raised his eyebrow and Justin laughed, “Oh yeah? I know that look, buddy. But don’t you even try to get all innocent with me, little boy.”
“Little boy?” Lance asked skeptically. “The only teenaged boy around is you.”
“Yeah, but you’re the one with the ‘tude.”
“Yeah, fine, whatever, Just. You know what? I’m gonna go into my room now and get some sleep. Some people can’t manage without the bare necessities of life, you know?” Lance said with biting sarcasm.
Justin shrugged and pushed Lance into his room. “Whatever man. You’ve got yourself a smart chick, dude. What other stuff is, ahem, necessary, hmm?”
“Damn Justin, your mind is more corrupted than mine.”
“It is?”
With a huff, Lance slammed the door in Justin’s cheeky face. “Ooh,” Justin said to no one in particular. “Touchy touchy.”
Chris looked out of his room and saw Justin murmuring to himself. “What’s that boy up to now?” Chris wondered. “Hey Justin!”
Justin jogged up to Chris and without giving the older man another chance to speak, said loudly, “Lance and Naomi sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G!” Chris heard Lance groan in the room opposite and giggled.
“Whoa... are things heating up around here or is it just me?”
(Meanwhile, in Naomi’s room.)
Naomi leaned back onto the bed, relaxing when her aching shoulders and neck hit the soft pillows. She had spent the last five minutes picking the pillows up off the ground. Just as she was about to close her eyes, Chris bounded into the room. Naomi groaned when he asked, “So what happened?”
“What happened WHEN, Chris?” Naomi asked with a sigh, forcing herself to sit up in bed so she wouldn’t fall asleep.
“At the date, you know, with Lance,” Chris giggled. “Hey, hey! Did he try that ‘oh baby’ thing on you? I can’t do it ‘cos I’ve got the squeaky high voice and everything but Lance has the bass voice so when he goes ‘oh baby’ it’s like-”
Naomi rolled her eyes and interrupted him, “You know something, Chris? You need to grow up.”
“But I’m already...” Chris scrunched up his face, trying to remember his age. Then he shrugged and gave up, “Old.”
“You’re almost thirty and you... you act like Justin,” Naomi chided him.
“Hey!” Justin’s voice said from outside. “Stop insulting me, would ya?”
Naomi stomped over to the door, and hearing someone whisper ‘Shh!’ only made her blood boil. Chris watched in amazement as Naomi flung the door open, without the slightest look of amusement on her face.
Naomi stepped aside as Justin, Britney and Joey fell at her feet. “Aren’t you gonna thank us for dropping in?” Joey asked sarcastically. Naomi just rolled her eyes and tapped her foot on the floor, the sound echoing in the silent room.
“Uh-oh,” Britney said softly to Justin, “I get the feeling we’re in trouble.” Britney looked up at Naomi and gulped. “A lot of it,” she added.
Justin stood up and rocked back and forth guiltily on his heels. Then he lifted his head meekly and his eyes met Naomi’s furious ones. “What?”
Naomi’s eyes narrowed dangerously, “Dammit Justin! You don’t quit, do you? I said I wasn’t going to say a word and dammit, I’m not! So stop all this crap and just... just leave me alone!”
Justin was shocked by Naomi’s angry expression. He hung his head and kicked at the carpet. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled, before looking back up at her with his famous ‘puppy-dog’ eyes that the girls were absolute suckers for.
Well, maybe with the exception of this one. “Don’t even think of using that technique of yours on me, Justin Timberlake!” Naomi stormed.
Justin flinched at her angry tone, “All right, all right!” He raised his hands in mock surrender. “I’m leaving! Good night.”
Justin pulled Britney out of the room and Joey left soon after, shooting Naomi a few concerned glances.
Chris plopped down next to Naomi when she slowly sat back on the bed. “What’s wrong, kid?”
Naomi shook her head. She felt terrible for yelling at them but if Justin had given her another look, she would have broken down and told them everything. And she couldn’t let that happen. “I’m fine.”
Chris shook his head and chuckled. “Uh huh. That’s why you just blew your top at those guys for being the biggest gossips in the world.” Chris let out another giggle before shaking his head and saying, “I didn’t take all those psychology classes for nothing, you know. And Rollins is a good school, darling.”
Naomi looked at Chris in annoyance. “Get out Chris,” she warned. “Before I bite you.”
“Ooh...” Chris grinned at Naomi’s front. “Bitchy much?”
He knew he had touched a nerve when Naomi sighed. But a smile tugged at the edge of her lips anyway. “I’m sorry Chris,” she apologized. “It’s just that there’s so much going on and I’m so confused. I just... I don’t want... no, I cannot talk about it right now. I’m just not ready. Not yet.”
Chris could see the tears brimming in Naomi’s eyes. He stood up and hugged her tightly. “Don’t worry,” he reassured her. “It’ll be okay.”
Naomi wrapped her arms around Chris’ frame, finally allowing her tears to run freely down her cheeks. They hugged tightly for a few moments before Chris released her. He rubbed her tears away gently with his thumb and sighed in relief when her sobs died down a little. He hated to admit it, but it freaked him when a girl cried. Hell, it freaked him out when anyone cried, period.
“Thank you Chris,” Naomi sniffled.
“You can talk to me anytime. You know that right?” Chris said soothingly, hoping she wouldn’t think he was being too assertive.
“Yeah,” Naomi finally cracked a smile, wiping her tears away. Chris let out a breath he didn’t even realize he was holding. “But you’re too old.”
Chris just shrugged and grinned, “That’s the way the ladies like it.”
Naomi chuckled and kissed Chris on the cheek as he exited the room. “But thank you anyway,” she called out to him as he hovered by the door for a quick good night. “For everything.”
Chris tipped an imaginary hat and bowed. “I’m at your service, ma’am... good night Naomi.”
“Night Chris,” Naomi whispered as she slid under the covers. Chris smiled at her and switched off the lights before going back to the kitchen and partying the night away with Justin and Joey.
Lance stared out the window, almost oblivious to his surroundings. He had blocked out everything besides the thoughts that were running through his head. Finally, he snapped out of his reverie and blinked in surprise when the shrill beeping of the alarm clock pierced his ears. He slammed his fist over the clock and sighed, hopping out of his bed and quickly washing his face, thankful that the night was finally over, and yet apprehensive of what the day might bring. He wiped his face dry with a towel with a sigh before walking out of the bathroom, his footsteps slower than usual.
He went to get dressed, flinging the cupboard open and surveying his clothes critically. He pulled out a pair of faded jeans and a t-shirt, tugging them on quickly. Something doesn’t feel right, Lance thought to himself, the sick, hollow feeling in his stomach telling him that it was the thought of Alyssa and JC sharing the same room.
“Damn!” Lance cursed softly as he ran his fingers quickly through his hair, spiking it up. He gave himself a quick glance in the mirror and forced a half-hearted smile, trying to look normal.
“Lance?”
Lance spun around at the soft, weak voice, almost knocking his mirror to the floor. He sighed when he recognized the all-too-familiar mop of curly unruly blond hair. The all too familiar mop of curly MESSY hair. “What, Justin?”
“We’re in America,” Justin giggled light-headedly, almost slumping onto the floor. Lance lunged forward and caught him just in the nick of time. He reeked of alcohol and Lance had to turn away to get a whiff of fresh air.
“I know that,” Lance rolled his eyes, turning back to Justin and humoring him. The kid obviously isn’t thinking straight, he told himself, swearing under his breath. He hoped that Justin wouldn’t have a hangover because he seriously did not think he could handle that. Or anything else being drunk would have Justin doing.
“Come on, Justin, it’s time for your cereal and a LARGE cup of hot tea,” Lance murmured, literally dragging the still-giggling Justin out of his room and into the kitchen. It was the last straw when he realized that they were all out of cereal. And on top of that, Lynn had gone shopping.
“Shit,” Lance muttered as he dropped Justin heavily onto a chair, starting to open the cabinets, hoping to find the remnants of anything that was even partially edible. “You owe me, buddy. You owe me good.”
“Damn Naomi, I’m so sorry,” Lance was still apologizing ten minutes into the drive. Naomi could only sigh and shake her head when Lance continued, “It’s going to be really awkward but he was still drunk from last night!” Lance shot Justin a dirty look, sighing when Justin just closed his eyes, ignoring everything else happening around him. “And Lynn was out so I couldn’t just leave him there. But boy, was I tempted!”
Naomi clucked her tongue sympathetically, rubbing Justin’s temples soothingly. He sighed, a slow smile spreading across his face. “My temples are aching, my head in throbbing and I feel like I’m about to puke.”
Naomi grinned triumphantly, her fingers working slowly on Justin’s temples. “If he’s grumbling, he’s gotta feel at least a LITTLE better.”
Lance looked through the viewer and grinned as he watched Naomi massage Justin for a split second before his attention snapped back to the road in front of him. “Man, I am so glad you’re not mad anymore.”
Naomi sighed and then chuckled, “Lance, I WASN’T angry to begin with. You were just ranting on and on and I couldn’t stop you.”
Lance cocked his eyebrow in mild amusement. “So... you mean I’ve been apologizing for nothing? All this time?”
Naomi smiled as Justin shifted, his long frame trying to find a more comfortable position. She continued to massage his temples before sliding her hands down to rub his tense neck muscles, glad when she felt him relax against her touch. “Well... yeah,” she replied to Lance, trying not to giggle.
Lance sighed but a grin tugged at the edge of his lips. “So you mean I’ve been apologizing and acting like a gentleman all for nothing?”
“Well, yeah,” Naomi admitted, working her fingers on Justin’s almost completely relaxed back, chuckling when she heard him groan.
Lance grinned when Justin uttered something unintelligible and shifted again. Then he looked at Naomi through the viewer and their eyes met, creating a kind of tension in the air. But Lance threw her a careless, lopsided smile and asked, “Can you say anything besides those two infuriating words?”
“Well yeah,” Naomi giggled.
Lance shook his head, but Naomi caught the smile on his face as he turned his attention back to the road ahead. “We’re almost there, Naomi,” he announced, wanting to see her reaction. With any luck, she would be less tense than he was. Yeah right.
Naomi nodded slowly, tensing up immediately.
“Ouch! Dammit!” Justin complained, wriggling quickly and nimbly out of Naomi’s grasp. He rubbed his aching neck and frowned, a pained expression on his face. “Sheesh Choc, watch what you’re doing with those miracle fingers, would ya?”
Naomi raised her eyebrow at Justin critically, “I though you were drunk...?” she said, accusingly, before turning to look at Lance.
Lance shrugged and shook his head, muttering, “Surprise, surprise.”
Justin just sighed.
“He certainly SMELT drunk. And puking all down the front of my t-shirt didn’t help change my mind,” Lance contemplated stopping the car, but changed his mind. As riled up as he was about Justin pretending to be drunk, there was a layer of relief beneath the anger. He was more than happy to let someone else come along with them. The tension was already seeming to lessen and Lance almost smiled. Almost.
Justin shrugged and threw his hands in the air at Naomi’s stern glare. “What? I spent hours taking lessons from Chris to perfect that puking thing.”
“Oh, and you’re PROUD of that?” Naomi said sarcastically.
Lance sighed when he realized that Justin was getting himself into hot water. Naomi was tense enough as it is, and Justin adding on to her pressure didn’t help anything. Any moment soon they would be getting into a verbal war, only to make up three to four minutes down the road. He was pretty clear on their routine by now.
“What? It’s not MY fault you wouldn’t tell me anything, okay? We tried the pleading tactic, the playful tactic, the annoying tactic, and it ALL didn’t work. You’re a tough nut to crack, you know that?”
“Oh, so last night was just ploys and MORE lies to make me give in to you and tell you what happened on the stupid date?”
Justin shrugged nonchalantly, staring out of the window stonily. His plans sounded worse and worse by the second but he had pride and that just wouldn’t allow him to bow down to Naomi and apologize. He knew he was at fault, but no one could blame him for being nosy. He was just trying to find out about his best friend’s love life - what was so wrong about that? He pressed his lips into a thin straight line and refused to say another word more, hoping Naomi would drop it and yet knowing that was virtually impossible.
“Why can’t you just drop it, Justin?” Naomi’s voice was rising and she could feel anger boiling inside of her. How dare he just sit there as though this isn’t his fault? Sure, I should have told him and under normal circumstances, I would, but sometimes I just CAN’T! Why doesn’t he understand that?
“Because the two of you are my best friends, dammit!” Justin suddenly lost it and he knew he was going to regret everything he said to Naomi two minutes down the road but at that moment it didn’t matter. They were going to quarrel and he knew it. She knew it. But they were still going for it anyway.
“Because I want to know what’s going on and why the two of you are being so secretive when this should be something you guys are happy about! Speaking of happy, you didn’t even act that way last night. It was all a front, and I saw through it. I know you, Naomi. You can’t hide anything from me anymore. So why don’t you just come clean?”
Lance sighed softly, without attracting anyone’s attention. He was going to keep out of the fight, after all, it didn’t concern him. But he wished it wasn’t so hard on everyone. He just wanted everything to work out. Why did it have to go haywire just as everything was falling into place?
“I told you, Justin,” Naomi’s voice was now deathly calm and that meant trouble in capital letters. “I don’t want to talk about it and I’m just not ready. I don’t need this scene right now, okay? So let’s just shut up and forget it.”
“Hell no!” Justin wasn’t about to drop it. Naomi knew but it had been worth a shot after all. “It’s started and we might as well finish it.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
Justin snorted, “I don’t care. You have to.”
Naomi just remained silent, hoping Lance would help her out. Sure enough, he turned around and glared at Justin, “She said she didn’t want to and neither do I. We’ll tell you when the time is right but for now, you’re just gonna have to take our word for it when we say everything’s okay between us.”
Justin pouted for a few minutes, pondering his options. He knew Naomi when she was in that mood, nothing could be done to make her talk about what she didn’t want to. Her face said it all. He sighed miserably and ducked his head before muttering, “All right, but I want to hear about EVERYTHING ‘when the time is right’.”
Naomi still didn’t speak. Lance nodded curtly before turning around to concentrate on his driving. There was an unnerving silence in the car and Justin began fidgeting, wishing the woman beside him would at least give him some sign of acknowledgement. A nod, even a glance would be enough. But she remained stubbornly unmoved.
Justin licked his lips nervously, before sliding lower in his seat and sprawling out so his head was resting on her lap. Naomi just continued to look out of the window, completely ignoring him. Justin gazed up at her and finally she turned to look down at him. “What?” she snapped, visibly irritated.
“I’m sorry,” Justin whined pathetically. “I was just being stupid and dense and well... being Justin.”
Naomi finally consented to smile. She rubbed her nose against his - something they had gotten into the habit of doing after an argument - and rubbed his cheek playfully. “I’m sorry too. I’ll tell you everything. But not now.”
“Hopefully soon then?”
Naomi nodded, “Hopefully soon.”
Lance smiled at the picture they made. They would never realize it, he was sure, but they were so much alike that it was scary sometimes.
Naomi sighed as she stroked Justin hair out of his eyes. “Justin, why did you do this in the first place?”
Justin tensed up, wondering if they were going to get into another argument. He didn’t want to be at her mercy, if so.
“Don’t worry,” Naomi assured him, noticing his questioning gaze. “I’m not going to lose it, I just want to know.”
Justin thought for a moment, weighing his choices. He decided against telling her everything he really felt. He would tell her part of it and hopefully, lighten the mood, but it wasn’t going to do anyone good if he launched into a long, boring speech that would probably bring teachers to their knees.
“Why, Choc, honey, sweetheart, do you even need to ask?” he began, half taunting her. A small smile crept onto her face and Justin grinned even wider. “I’m CONCERNED about you, sweetie. I want to know what’s happening!”
“So, in other words, you’re curious.”
“Deadly so,” Justin replied with a solemn expression that was hardly seen out of him etched on his face.
Lance shook his head, but couldn’t resist a small smile. It was small, but it was a smile nonetheless. And that was a start. He was worried that he might have forgotten how to do that already. He killed the engine and got out of the car slowly, his fears returning in a waterfall of emotions.
Naomi and Justin got out of the car as well and Naomi sighed audibly. Justin looked at her strangely before sauntering off towards the house.
Lance shrugged, trying his best to act unaffected, and trotted after Justin, who was uncharacteristically quiet, as if he too had finally sensed the unease that had been loitering in the air.
Naomi licked her lips and shuffled her feet nervously, unwilling to take another step closer to her house. It was as though she was glued to the spot. Lance noticed and jogged back to her, tugging on her arm insistently.
I never thought I’d be afraid of my own house, Naomi thought ruefully as she reluctantly let Lance lead her toward it. Or that I’d be afraid of Chase.
Justin’s footsteps slowed as he reached Naomi’s front door. He looked over his shoulder and saw Lance practically dragging Naomi across the road. Naomi had a blank look on her face which made Justin sigh knowingly - she was afraid.
But of what? That was the question that had been bugging Justin through the whole drive. Since Naomi started rubbing his forehead, he had already been able to sense her discomfort but he still hadn’t been able to find out the reason why.
And it was driving him insane.
Why is she afraid of JC? Or is it Alyssa? Or maybe it’s both of them? Or... is it me? Dammit Justin! You shouldn’t have come here! Stupid STUPID Chris, this is all HIS fault! What kinda moron would do this? Justin pouted when he realized he HAD been idiotic enough to follow through with Chris’ plans.
Justin continued berating himself, half of him hoping it wasn’t him Naomi was afraid of - the idea was ludicrous! - but the other half screaming that it was. He was at the brink of hysteria when Naomi finally took the last few steps to cover the small distance between herself and Justin. She flung her arms around him quickly, taking him by surprise.
Naomi pulled back abruptly, and then turned to Lance and nodded slowly. She knew Justin was probably freaked out by her actions, but she was freaked as it was. She took a deep breath and prayed that JC was awake. With any luck, Alyssa had woken him when she awoke. Thanks to the food tactic, Alyssa never failed to awake before seven thirty every morning. And it was really starting to bother Naomi.
They stood at the gate for what seemed like eternity, still and motionless. Justin eyed them carefully and decided against saying anything. Both Lance and Naomi had an identical look of fear and nervousness Justin had never known they were capable of. They were always steady and calm, and seeing them so worried shook him badly.
What’s wrong? Why won’t they just go in? It’s Naomi’s house and Christ, she’s acting like she’s never seen it before. JC and Alyssa... they’re connected to this somehow. But... I just can’t figure it out.
Justin sighed as Lance grabbed Naomi’s hands, and she tightened her fingers around his. It was as though they were trying to extract courage out of each other or something, the way their fingers were so tightly entwined together.
They stood there silently for what seemed like eternity. No one made any move, and everything was peaceful. Well, as peaceful as it could get at eight thirty on a Thursday morning. They were supposed to be at a photo shoot by eleven thirty but other than that, they had the whole day free.
Naomi had taken to remembering her schedule so she could at least say she was of SOME use to them. Lance never forgot their schedule either, but it was always easier to have someone as organized as Naomi was helping out.
“What? Why are you guys so tense?” Justin finally burst out, cutting through Naomi’s thoughts. “Let’s go in.”
Sheesh Justin, way to blow it, Justin screamed at himself when he finally realized he had spoken out loud. And you were supposed to keep quiet.
Lance and Naomi shared dark looks and Justin would have laughed if the situation hadn’t been so tense. They looked so alike.
Lance took a deep breath, and heard Naomi do the same. He reached out slowly...
And pushed the gate open.
TBC
