“Why is it so cold in August?”  whined Regina as they walked up to the Clark County Event Center. “And why did I let you talk me into wearing a skirt?” as she desperately pulled the material down frivolously.

Breana just shook her head at her friend’s grumbling about Ridgefield’s cool evenings. “I talked you into nothing. That was all you! “We gotta show these pretty boys what a real ass looks like.” Remember now? And that’s just the wind, it's not even that cold out!”  she snickered.

Breana was just teasing her; she chose her outfit for the same reason. She wore a pair of dark wash jean shorts that just barely covered her ass with an orange halter top that accentuated her bust and covered her little pooch of stomach. That paired with her white Air Force ones and gold hoop earrings and gold necklaces looked amazing against her caramel-colored skin. Her hair was braided intricately in the front with box braids in the back. Her head still ached from Regina braiding her hair a tad bit too tight the night before, but she sucked it up and took some ibuprofen. She’d rather deal with the pain and not have to brush her hair for the next two weeks. She wished it could last longer but thanks to her porcelain-skinned mother, her hair would only cooperate and stay in place for so long in protective styles.

Thinking of her mother made her miss them terribly; her parents had been everything to her. Her dad had been one of the first black pharmaceutical scientists at Merck and Company inventing new drugs when he met her mother, the first woman stockholder in the company, all the rest was history once they laid eyes on each other. Neither cared whether the other was black, white, or purple, they were just happy they had each other. Her grandparents on both sides were none too happy and tried to break them apart for years but eventually gave up and disowned them in hopes that they would eventually see reason one day. Instead, they got married to each other and created a beautiful life to raise her.

It's been almost two years since their deaths had wrecked her entire world and left her alone. Three years ago, her mother was diagnosed with stage three cervical cancer and underwent multiple chemotherapy treatments. Her only ambition was to see Breana walk across the stage and graduate high school. When her suffering ended, it didn’t take long before her father joined her. At her mother’s funeral, her father had asked for a moment of peace with her by himself so that he could say his final goodbye to the love of his life. When Breana went to make sure he was okay after he didn’t answer her calling his name, she walked in to see him sitting in a chair in front of the casket with his head resting on it while holding her hands and not moving a muscle. When the paramedics arrived, they tried to restart his heart, but it was too late. The autopsy report revealed what Breana had already known, her father loved her mother so much that he couldn’t be in this world without her. He died from a literal broken heart.

Since then, Breana continued to stay in their previous home alone. She sold most of her parents’ things, only keeping items that she treasured most like her mother's and father’s wedding rings that hung from her father’s gold link chain that she never took off. She didn’t need the money as her parents had left her plenty to live off between them both, but she couldn’t stand the thought of seeing everything the same as when they were there because now, they weren't.

The closest thing she had to family now was Regina, her best friend of the past 20 years and the biggest whining pain in the butt she knew. She still loved her regardless, cranky pants and all.

“Yeah, yeah! That’s because you’re used to this still, Bre. After being in Orlando for the past two years, my blood has thinned out compared to before. You’re just lucky I love you enough to come to see these teeny boppers.” Regina rolled her eyes saying.

“You came because it was either this or staying at my house by yourself. I was coming regardless, especially this meet and greet!” Breana nudged her saying.

“Oh, so I should just go back? Get a tub of ice cream and sit in your bed for the rest of the night?”

This led to a playful nudging match between the two as they got in line to meet the band, realizing they had taken too long and were now at the very end of it.

_____________________________________________________________________________

JC was starting to figure out that he sometimes hated being a “teen idol.” He loved being on stage doing what he loved most with some of his best friends but as their popularity started to kick up, he found definite displeasure with the lack of privacy they were given. It started with girls waiting outside their bus when they arrived, they started showing up at the hotels, and eventually, he couldn’t go to the local McDonald’s without someone recognizing him. He knew this was the price to pay for fame, but he just wished he could be normal for a bit.

“Will you please sign my shirt handsome?” Said the skinny blond smiling with her obvious boob job in his face as she laid her shirt on her chest to have him sign it.

JC smiled politely and held in the urge to cringe; she was not at all his type. So far, all he’d seen were want-to-be pin-up girls looking for groupie sex or teenagers that could wind up with him in jail should he be stupid enough, which of course he wasn’t. Thankfully the guys' bodyguard Mike stepped in as he saw how fake JC’s smile was becoming and intervened before the young lady could become offended.

“Ma’am, you must put that on the table so the shirt can be passed around and signed. We don’t want to hold up the line. The boys still have preparations to do before the show.”

The girl pouted and handed the shirt to JC to pass down to each guy. At least it looked like they were almost done with everyone in line. As JC looked, he saw two more girls get in line and couldn’t help but stare as his mouth went dry as he observed the woman wearing his favorite color. She was like a caramel golden goddess that had been sent from above to torture him. Her body was voluptuous and had curves in all the right places, the exact opposite of the girl currently pouting in front of them. All he needed for her to do was turn around and…

She turned to say something to her friend and JC nearly fell out of his chair from leaning so hard to get a look. If walls could sing, they’d make a song about her body and just how perfect this woman was. It took every ounce of his being for him to pull himself together, having to adjust his pants as they got a lot tighter, while he waited patiently for her and her friend to come forward as the last group.

“Hi, nice to meet you, my name is Bre. I saw on Teen Beat that today is your birthday, so I wanted to say Happy Birthday JC. Please correct me if I’m wrong!” she giggled.

“You’re not wrong, it is. Thank you. So just Bre?” he said with a wide toothy smile from her remembering his birthday. There was something about this girl that drew him into her bright chocolate brown eyes and made his heart flutter in his chest as he heard his name roll off her lips. Who was she and what was she doing to him?

“It’s Breana but most people call me Bre, so I just prefer it.” Her smile was as bright as ever to him.

“I like it, it’s cute and fits you. So then Bre, tell me, what’s your favorite song from our album?” asked JC.

“That’s a tough one and completely depends on what type of music I’m in the mood for. If you’re asking about a song to dance to, Here We Go is always going to win. Now if you’re asking about ballads, God Must Have Spent makes me cry every time.”

“Is that so? Why?” JC asked curiously.

“Honestly? Your voice,” she said shyly. “I don’t know what it is but every time I hear your voice start singing on the second verse from it, my chest feels heavy, and I get goosebumps because it’s so beautiful.”

At this point, Joey, Lance, Chris, and Justin had noticed the goofy look on JC’s face as he smiled at the compliment given and held in their urge to bust out laughing. JC was always so serious and so reserved after his last relationship with Bobbie ended so horribly. Over the last week, the guys noticed the spark in his eyes start to dim and turn him cold. And now? This had to be the longest JC talked to any fan during their meet-and-greets, let alone smiling and outright flirting. Seeing him like this with her and knowing how hesitant he can be sometimes; Justin decided to intervene and help him out.

“You know, we could get you the both of you backstage for the concert. Would you gorgeous ladies be interested?” Said Justin as he wiggled his eyebrows while looking at Regina. Maybe he could get something out of this himself. “You could be our guests.” glancing at Breana.

JC silently thanked Justin as he looked at Bre in anticipation, hoping that she’d yes so, he could spend more time with her. Maybe his birthday wouldn’t be so bad after all.

“Shit really? Oh my God, thank you! That would be amazing! I thought I was going to have to settle for as close as I could get in the crowd after this. Is it too weird for me to ask if it's okay to hug you?” Bre said while slightly bouncing up and down in excitement, her eyes never leaving JC’s to acknowledge Justin. JC couldn’t help but be glued to the movement of her chest from the action. He might need to get a cold shower before going on stage.

“Yeah, sure, come here,” JC said as he snapped out of it and stood up to come over with the other guys coming not too far behind, wanting in on the action.

She was almost the same height as him and as he wrapped his arms around her waist, he had to bite back a groan and resisted the urge to grab her tighter against his body as he cupped her perfect ass. This woman was pure temptation in a bottle. Her body was soft and warm once he made contact and buried his face in her neck to inhale her scent. She smelled like fresh rosemary mixed with a musky jasmine fragrance that drove him nuts with desire. He finally backed away after a few moments too long once he realized just how tight his pants had gotten. He tried to hide it as the rest of the members came up to get their hug as well.

As each one released her, they sent a subtle wink or thumbs up to JC letting him know they approved. He glanced over to see her friend still standing to the side with a little smile on her face.

“And your name?” he asked politely.

“Oh, now you remember that there’s two of us here?” Regina laughed having caught him red-handed. “I’m just messing with you. I know my homegirl is drop-dead gorgeous.” She said laughing. “I’m Regina, nice to meet you. Now quick question because I’m not exactly a fan per se. Who is Mr. Curly blond down at the end?” she asked quietly as she leaned in to thank him with a hug as well.

“Ah, that’s Justin. I think he’ll accept a “big” hug from you if you ask nicely.” He teased as he whispered low.

Regina hugged each guy to thank them as she made a beeline down to get her hug from Justin as Breana came back over to JC once again.

“Do I want to know what you said to her?” Bre asked laughing at her friend’s antics.

“Just that I plan to corrupt you and steal you for myself.” He said winking with a cocky smirk on his face.

_____________________________________________________________________________

“What?” Bre asked as her mouth ran dry. This gorgeous man in front of her wants her all to himself to corrupt her? Just the thought had her ready to change her underwear as there was now distinct wetness starting to pool in them. His piercing blue eyes gazed at her with mischief from the moment she walked in, following her every move and she noticed. She noticed the lustful gaze as he observed and spoke to her trying his best to look at her face and not just her body. Seeing him have such a reaction to her caused her to switch from a nervous fan meeting her crush to a bold temptress ready to see what he had in store for her. She leaned into him as if to go for another hug as she whispered in his ear,

“And what if I let you?” She arched her eyebrow as she pulled back.

JC had to stop himself from shivering at the feel of her breath on his ear as she surprised him with her boldness. He chuckled internally as he wondered just what he was signing himself up for. Whatever it was, he had a feeling that he would regret it if he let it slip through his fingers. There was something about her just besides her looks that he couldn’t put his finger on yet.

“You’re dangerous Breana,” he replied in a husky voice as he licked his lips with a glint in his eye. “Hey Mike, please make sure Breana and Regina are escorted backstage,” he asked the rather large bodyguard behind them. “Would you ladies like to come to the hotel after we finish the concert?” he asked her, switching back to a low whisper.

He could see her visibly shiver and had a shit-eating grin on his face as she shook her head up and down while biting her bottom lip.

As quiet as they thought they were, Regina, Mike and the guys could see their body language and could easily guess what their “private” conversation was about. Seizing the opportunity, Justin leaned down into Regina’s ear to ask if he could keep her company while her best friend was occupied later. Blushing furiously, she exchanged information with Justin, so she knew where to go considering Breana was still lost in JC’s gaze.

“As much as I hate to cut this short with you lovely ladies, we do have a couple more things to do to get ready,” Chris said with a shit-eating grin as he observed his bandmate coming back to the reality that they were not alone. “We’ll see you backstage though before we go on.”

JC gave her one last smile and winked as their other bodyguard Lonnie followed them out.

“Alright ladies, let me show you where you’ll be this evening. Do you all need a ride to the hotel after?” Mike said while grinning from ear to ear. He was happy to see JC finally getting out of his funk and having a real smile on his face.

“It’s okay, we can drive over. Justin gave me the details while someone was rather occupied.” Regina said as she nudged her still deliriously dazed friend next to her who started blushing.

“Okay, well you’re going to want to leave straight after the guys finish up. That way you can beat us and maybe avoid the raging fan girls. Just go in and sit by the elevator till we get there and escort you up.” Mike informed them as he led them to the side of the stage where they’d be located.

Breana looked around and could not believe her eyes as she took in the production and the crew members scrambling around as time ticked away for the concert to begin. Her rather bold personality from before started to subside as anxiety took over and settled in the pit of her stomach. Just as she was starting to feel overwhelmed by all the sights and sounds surrounding her and wishing she had brought her medication; the guys came out from their dressing room and to the side where the girls were. You could feel the buzzing energy wafting off them as they came forward with Joey and Chris trailing behind as they goofed around.

“So what do you think? Cool right?” asked Lance making friendly conversation as they came forward.

“Is it? It’s amazing, thank you guys so much. It’s really like a dream come true. I can’t believe we’re backstage. I mean I can because we are but it’s just…” Breana rambled off as she fiddled with her parents’ rings around her neck, trying to find the right words to describe how she felt.

“Overwhelming, exciting?” JC supplied for her as he smiled at her. Her little rant made her even cuter in his eyes.

“Yeah, I don’t know how you guys do this at all. I was a nervous wreck just having to sing in the school musical back in high school, let alone in front of thousands of screaming fans.” She said laughing.

“You get used to it. I mean there’s always a nervous energy in the air when you’re performing in front of so many before but once you’re on stage, it’s like the most intense drug ever.” JC said while gazing at her with excitement in his eyes.

“Wait, wait, you sang in a musical at school?” Chris backtracked.

Breana started looking down at the floor nervously, wishing it would swallow her whole.

“Don’t let her fool you, she can really blow! She got the lead every year for the musical and even helped write a couple of them. She just was always a bundle of nerves before going on so she stopped after junior year. Anxiety you know.” Regina supplied for her friend.

Breana looked at Regina mortified and smacked her arm hard while giving her the evil eye for having such loose lips. Her anxiety about performing and in general, was not something she often talked about with anyone unless she fully trusted them. And definitely not something she had planned to share with people she just met.

“I get it.” chimed Lance nodding his head. “I was the same way when we first started performing in Germany. It took time and a lot of breathing exercises, but I eventually got it to settle down. It's still there but I try not to let it control me. We all do.”

Really? Even with as huge of a success as they were, he still got nervous? Breanna glanced around at Joey, JC, Justin, and Chris and saw the same thing; excitement and anticipation, but behind that, she could see the apprehension and even unease in their faces as they were preparing to go on any minute. Growing up she always thought that performers just exuded confidence in all aspects but seeing their faces now, she realized that just wasn’t true.  

“I don’t know. I mean I do love to sing but when I try to now in front of crowds, my stomach feels like it has weight in it and I just get nauseous. And I’m definitely not good enough to do what you guys do.” Bre half lied to them.

As much as her anxiety had to do with her lack of stage confidence, since her parent's death, she just couldn’t find it in her to pursue singing. Without her parents, who would be there to cheer her on? Who would protect her from being taken advantage of in the entertainment industry? Who would she turn to if a scandal arose? Who would she turn to when she was at her lowest point from stress? Regina was all she had in this world, and she had her own life to live and dreams she was pursuing. Breana refused to stand in her way and make her hold her hand as she pursued her frivolous dreams. She did have talent, but she still didn’t think it was good enough to make it fully in the entertainment industry.

“Why don’t you let us be the judges of that?” said Justin with a smile spreading on his face as he thought of an idea.

“Wait what?” Breana said, confused as to what he meant,

“Just come on. We have 15 minutes till the show starts.” Justin said as he grabbed the girls' arms, leaving no room for argument. The guys looked at each other and shrugged before following where they saw Justin taking them to their dressing room. As they stepped inside, he asked if their crew could leave the room for a moment, sending them his best apologetic smile.

“Okay, we're alone so show us what you got,” Justin said bouncing on the balls of his feet in anticipation.

“What? I - no! You guys are professional singers! You’ve toured overseas and been on tv crying out loud! High school theatre is as far as I’ve ever got to an audience.” Breana said as she started panicking and looking down at the pattern on the floor to regain her composure with her hands on her knees, so she didn’t faint.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay!” JC shushed as he stepped in front of her and started rubbing her arms as he helped her stand up. He took his finger to lift her chin and sought out her eyes till they met his. “We won’t make you do anything you don’t want to, okay? I promise though, if you do decide to sing for us, you’re safe. We’ve all been where you are and scared out of our minds. We just want to hear your voice. You’re safe baby.” He said to her, fanning his breath over her face.

Her first thought was that he smelled like spearmint, and it was intoxicating. Taking a few seconds to process what he said, she thought over it. He really did seem sincere that she was okay with them. And baby? Did JC Chasez just call her that? As much as she wanted to divulge in that thought, she would shelf that for a later. She looked over at Regina and saw her give her a look that she knew well enough. It was her signature “Stop being so damn stubborn and go ahead already” look that she gave her whenever she was being unreasonable.

“I don’t even know what song I’d sing,” she feebly whined, knowing it was a losing battle.

“What about the one you showed me yesterday? The one you wrote.” Regina supplied on her behalf again. If things do end up going bad, she is going to need a new best friend because this one is spilling all her secrets on these guys.

Shouts of “You wrote a song?” “I want to hear it!” “So, it wasn’t all theatre!” chorused from the guys at once.

JC waited for them to quiet down before he spoke.

“Would you please sing us your song?” he asked in a whispered hush as he let go of her chin and stepped back to allow her room.

She closed her eyes, steeling herself for what she thought would be nothing but an embarrassment on her part that she’d hopefully be able to laugh about much later, she started humming the music she could envision in her head.

Hmm, yeah, hmm

My idols lied to me on my own tv screen

I packed my bags, followed their path

I lost it all and I got nothing back

And turns out Hollywood’s bloody

The famous are ugly, no photoshop on their soul

I wanted the truth, but now I burned and bruised

I’m facing all this suits

Saying I’m, I'm sorry

But no, you’re not

You’re not sorry

Saying you’re, no, you’re sorry

But if sorry is all that you got then fuck you a lot

She refused to open her eyes yet, for fear that she’d lose her nerve and start to falter. Everyone was so enraptured by her voice that no one heard the door open as their manager, Johnny walke in. He was originally ready to ring them for not being beside the stage ready to go, but hearing the raw pain and talent coming from inside the dressing room made him stop and open the door gently to not spook anyone. He couldn’t see who it was singing with the guys and another woman surrounding her, but he still looked in amazement from the door from the voice he heard.

Overthinking is a bullet in the head 

I often wonder if this industry is dead

Cause you trade fame for clout, for me there’s no way out

Confined in my own art, confined within your doubt

But I got no question in my own mind

I’ll find my way out to the finish line

Chosen one and I’ve seen every sign

I know that I have a purpose

And I know damn well I deserve it

I’ve been through hell and god knows it

I’ve got some scars, least I own it

Oh just stop saying you’re

Oh you’re sorry

Oh, stop saying you’re

Oh, you’re sorry

Saying you’re, you’re sorry

But if sorry is all that you got

Fuck you

She opened her eyes as she finished singing and was met with looks of wonderment and a couple of cocky smiles courtesy of Justin and Regina. What she was not expecting was the booming voice of someone behind the guys.

“Wow! Where have you guys been hiding this girl all this time?” said Johnny as everyone turned to look at him, still partially in shock from her voice. Johnny walked up to her going to shake her hand as he forgot what he had come in the room for initially, “Hi, Johnny Walker, nice to meet you. Do you have a manager or record label? And what song was that? I’ve never heard it before.”

“What? No, I’m – I’ve never sung professionally. I’m not much of a singer. I mean I write, that was something I wrote just messing around” She tried to laugh off as she felt her stomach turn from her anxiety. Why did she leave her medication at home? “My name is Bre.”

“Just messing around and that’s what you come up with? Oh man, I’d love to see when you put your heart into something Bre. You, my dear, are extremely talented! Look, here’s my card, okay? If you think about it, I’d love to manage you and get you on this tour we’re doing. You could open up for the guys here.” Johnny said handing her his card before his eyes got big turning toward the guys, “Shit, guys we need to get you on the stage now!”

He turned back to her and said earnestly, “Well be in town till six pm tomorrow, please think about it! I know a couple of labels that are looking for an up-and-coming RnB female artist. And in the meantime, you could tour with us to get exposure.”

Breana stood there in complete shock. Did NSYNC’s manager really just offer her a gig on their tour, and offered to try to hook her up with a record label? Not to mention manage her? A nobody? She wasn’t sure how she felt.

“Okay we’re going,” Lance said as he clapped his hands on Joey and Justin’s shoulder signaling that they should go while walking towards her.

“Enjoy the show and really think about Johnny’s offer. We’d love for you and that lovely voice you have to join the tour.” He said as he hugged her and whispered in her ear, “Don’t let fear hold you back.”

All the other guys came up to hug her and Regina as they headed out, saying similar things to her. And then there was JC…

He lingered back a second. Holding her hands in his, he gazed into her eyes, still enraptured just by the sheer power he heard from her that night. He had a feeling she was being modest but had no idea to what extent. Not only did he hear the pure talent flowing out of her, but he also heard the pain and the hurt as she belted out those lyrics. Who would hurt such an angel? Something about her drew him in and made him want to make sure nobody ever got the chance to do it again.

“You're still meeting us back at the hotel, right?” he asked nervously, afraid that she’d disappear, and he’d never get to know more about this goddess in front of him.

“Yeah,” Breana replied as she found her voice again. “I’ll be there. I’m sure you have a bunch of questions now.”

“A few,” he said with a bright smile on his face. “Come on, let’s take you both back so you can have a good view of the show.”

JC grasped her hand and led her and Regina back to the side of the stage. As he went to leave, he turned back around and grabbed Breana by the neck gently as he brought his lips to hers. It only lasted less than a minute, as he had to get on stage, but the passion behind it was enough to ignite a need in him like never before. Her lips were soft, supple, and full of promises that he couldn’t wait to unfold. He pulled back looking at her with a cheesy grin that probably exposed his thoughts, but he couldn't find it in him to care. He went onto the stage feeling like he could fly and gave his best, most energetic performance to date on the tour.

Breana stood there looking after him like a lovesick fool. How could someone she just met pull this feeling out of her? Not to mention she had just been offered to make all her dreams come true and be on tour with NSYNC! Who would say no to that? So why was she still letting her anxiety get the best of her and thinking about saying no? She could barely focus on the start of the guy's set with all these thoughts swirling around. She started to feel faint until Regina noticed her spiral and grabbed her elbow while shaking her gently. This caused Breana to look up and into her eyes, as she held back unshed tears.

“You can do this! Okay? I know things have been tough these last couple of years, but it is time you put your focus into something. You are much too talented to let this opportunity slip away. Do you hear me? Sing, sing for them, sing so that they can look down and be proud of your strength and courage. I’ll always be a phone call away, even in the middle of the night. And you’ll have the guys with you! They seem like they’re nice and like you. Not to mention JC has been practically drooling over you since the meet and greet. You’ll have all the support you need girlie. You deserve to go. Mom and Dad would be telling you the same thing I am if they were here. Make them proud.” She preached to her with tears in her eyes.

Regina hated that Breana’s parents were gone, almost as much as she did. She grew up in a foster care home and was booted out the minute she turned eighteen. Her whole life, the only people that made her feel like she had a family were Breana and her parents. She had been referring to them as Mom and Dad for as long as she could remember. When she told them about her paid-in-full scholarship to the University of Central Florida, they were thrilled. Even when they passed away, she chose to still go, knowing it would leave Breana behind. She felt guilty every day for leaving her and going across the country, but she knew it would be a dishonor to their memory if she didn’t. And that’s what she had to make Breana see. She had spent enough time wallowing in self-pity, and needed to get back to who she really was.

Breana looked at her best friend with tears streaming down her face. She was right and she couldn’t keep ignoring it. She had tried to. She had ignored everything that she once loved dear just because they weren’t there, because they couldn’t be there to enjoy her triumphs. It was time she tried again. She looked around backstage until her eyes fell on their target. She walked up to him briskly before she could change her mind.