Prologue He sat in the second row on the stage, close enough to see, far enough back to hide.  He sighed in relief.  He scanned the audience searching for familiar faces, spotting them in the middle, and he studied them from a safe position behind the big- haired kid in front of him. His mother was on the end— pretty with curly hair, someone he could show off, except for that glaze in her eyes, the one that said she had been drinking before getting here.  He hoped she wouldn't meet up with any of the teachers and embarrass him like the last time.  He bit his lip, preparing himself to run interference when this whole thing ended. His stepfather Paul sat next to her, the familiar scowl firmly in place, announcing to the world that the last place he wanted to be was here with his tipsy wife, his own kid and the stepson he couldn't stand.  Another sigh, this one because he never knew what he did to piss Paul off. Paul just hated him for existing, being a burden.  It wasn't like he could go to his real father.  He had died five years ago. His gaze moved on before he started crying.  Last, there on the end, was his stepbrother, JC, two years older in age and light years smarter in teen savvy.  He was slumped in his seat, a disgusted look on his face that asked why the hell *he* had to be here.  Justin tried to catch his eye, to connect, but JC was looking away. Lance.  He felt the familiar longing.  Where was he?  He promised to come after choir practice.  Justin was getting anxious, shifting nervously in his seat, when he saw him laughing and chatting with Britney, the girl his mother wanted him to date, to marry for God's sake, as if at 15 he was thinking of marriage.  Not that that mattered anyhow. He and Lance had been dating for a year and if he was thinking about marrying anyone, it would be Lance.  He stared at him— beautiful green eyes, soft blond hair that he had gelled into spikes, a great body with a terrific ass.  He warmed at the thought of Lance kissing him, sliding down further.... He must have moaned because the kid next to him had stuck an elbow in his ribs and was now staring at him.  Shit— best to think about Lance's personality, outgoing and confident, a take charge kind of guy.  So unlike himself. His attention was drawn back to the stage when Mrs. Evans, the Junior National Honor Society moderator got up and started the induction ceremony.  "Welcome, parents, teachers....." He tuned out again, wishing he didn't have to be here either.  He honestly hated being in public.  It seemed funny to everyone since he was always there it seemed, but he still hated it.  Luckily it was a school night and they weren't dragging this out too long.  When she started calling out the names, he listened, afraid of missing a cue and feeling even dumber. The kid next to him, Freddy Craiger, was brilliant, always getting As.  Not that he didn't get As too, but Freddy was the gold standard as far as Justin's mom was concerned.  Nothing Justin did ever measured up to Freddy and Freddy's mom and his compared notes constantly and informed Justin on a daily basis of how he could improve himself. He followed Freddy out of the row and walked to the podium when he heard his name called, "Justin Timberlake." He shook Mrs. Evans hand and took the pin that meant he could put something else on his college application in another year and a half.  Whoopee.  He had been hurt when his parents hadn't even congratulated him, just grunted when he told them the date.  But everyone else was smiling broadly, so he joined them, not wanting to stand out. JC was watching his stepbrother from under half-closed lids.  Anyone looking would think he was ready to fall asleep.  Nothing was further from the truth.  His insides were roiling with a white hot hatred that he kept hidden.  Fucking Justin Timberlake– the all-American boy.  The golden boy excelled at everything—JC ticked off his achievements, stoking the rage— honor society, equivalent of 1500 on his PSATs, basketball star, as hot as kids got looks wise, and to top it all off, Lance Bass.  They thought nobody knew.  JC laughed. There was nothing about Justin that he didn't know and there was nothing of Justin's that he didn't want or wouldn't get. continue menu