Author's Note: This story is loosely based on the song that you'll find at the bottom of the page. All rights to the song are reserved to the publishers affiliated with the songwriters, as well as the record label the artist records with.
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Lance sat alone on the rooftop, a light jacket draped over his shoulders. The silence of the night was welcome compared to the party going on downstairs - yet another night in another city on a seemingly endless tour.
Lance had skipped out on the festivities, claiming that he had a headache and the loud music and chatter was making it worse. But instead of going to his room like he said he was going to, Lance went to the roof, his arms wrapped around his knees as he sat on the tar-covered concrete.
As he stared up at the stars twinkling above him, a childhood rhyme came into his head and he closed his eyes. "Starlight, star bright, the first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight."
Lance sighed, burrowing a little deeper into his jacket as a cool breeze rustled his dark blond strands. His thoughts wandered to his close friends, who nearly all seemed to have found true love for themselves. Joey's the last person we expected to settle down, but look at him. He's got a good thing going. And here I am, completely alone. He found somebody, so why can't I?
Then he laughed, a bitter chuckle that sounded out of place in the serene silence of the night. "Could be because I'm in love with someone I can't have," he mused aloud. "Head over heels in love, and he's oblivious. He doesn't have a clue that I adore him, that he fills my dreams. He lives in his perfect little world, hiding the truth from even himself. He has his woman on his arm, smiling for all the cameras, when they both know they're just using each other."
JC slipped through the metal door to the rooftop, closing it gently behind him so he wouldn't be heard. He stared at Lance, his blue eyes taking in the spiked hair and slightly hunched stance of his friend.
I should have known that something was bothering him. Headache, my ass. He should know that I know him better than practically anyone, and that I could see right through him. I wonder what's on his mind, why he's hiding up here on the roof. Maybe if I sit tight for a minute, he'll give me some sort of clue.
Lance had no idea he was being watched, and he suddenly let out a yell before burying his face in his hands. "I can't stand this. I'm sitting up here wishing on stars like some child when every time I do, I see her getting everything I want. I don't understand why. What did I do to deserve this kind of torture?"
JC started to approach Lance, but stopped abruptly when Lance stood, walking toward the railing that lined the rooftop. As he watched, Lance stared again at the sky, before staring down to the tiny people lining the sidewalks below. He heard Lance groan as he continued to look down, his hands gripping the metal bars to steady himself as he leaned further.
"It doesn't help that no matter where I go or what I do, all I see are people making out, holding hands, whispering to one another. Just keeps reminding me of the fact that I want to share my life with one person, and he doesn't want the same thing.”
JC's eyes widened as he caught the end of Lance's last statement. Who is he talking about? Who is the person that has captured Lance's heart and is too damn blind to notice the treasure that's right in front of them. Woah, what am I thinking? I'm acting like I'm jealous...I AM jealous, actually. Why am I jealous? I have my girlfriend, it's not like I want...oh God. Suddenly I'm understanding exactly what he's saying.
Lance moved away from the rail, turning around and nearly jumping out of his skin as he saw JC standing a few feet away.
"JC, what are you doing up here?!" Lance exclaimed. "You about gave me a heartattack!"
"Sorry," JC said flatly. "How's the headache?"
"Oh, it's...it's better, thanks," Lance replied. "The fresh air did me good, I think."
JC shook his head, moving closer to Lance. “You know, you’re a terrible liar, Lance. There was no headache, was there?”
Lance closed his eyes. Oh, great. Now he’s going to press for details of why I really left the party and I’m going to have to come up with some other excuse. Wonder what he’d do if I told him the truth. Just say, ‘Sorry, but I couldn’t stand watching Bobbie hang all over you like those insanely obnoxious furs you insist on buying all the time.’ Yeah, that will work.
“Lance?” JC put his hand on Lance’s shoulder, feeling the tenseness in the muscles there. “Something’s bothering you, I wish you’d talk to me, let me know what’s going on.”
Lance stepped back, turning so he was looking over the side of the hotel once more. “Why aren’t you downstairs with your girlfriend?” he asked, praying his voice didn’t give away the bitterness held within those words.
“Why do I always try to get away from her?” JC shot back. “She drives me crazy half the time, and the other half we’re either on separate ends of the country or we’re asleep.”
“Then why do you even bother?” Lance questioned. “Why do you bring her around, let her use you the way she does, if she annoys you so much?”
JC opened his mouth to speak, but didn’t get the chance before Lance continued, never turning back around. “I came up here because I needed some time to think. I was tired of seeing everyone all cozy with their significant others, while I sit there all alone. So I did what I always do when it gets to me – I came up here and stared at the stars, wondering when it would be my turn. When would I finally be the lucky one that finds real love?”
“Maybe you have and you just don’t know it yet?” JC suggested. Lance spun around suddenly, and JC bit his lip. “I mean, maybe the person that you’re meant to be with is right in front of you, and you just haven’t realized it.”
“Or maybe I know who I love, but that person is so completely clueless that he could be right in front of me and have no idea how I feel,” Lance replied.
JC’s eyes locked on Lance’s, and in that moment, JC finally understood. He crossed the short distance between them, his lips descending until they found their target. Lance’s eyebrows nearly hit his hairline in surprise before responding, increasing the pressure and groaning softly as JC pulled him closer.
A minute later they broke apart, breathless. “Come on,” JC said, pulling on Lance’s hand as he started toward the door. “Let’s go back to my room, talk awhile.”
Lance nodded, looking up at the stars one more time as they walked together. “About damn time,” he whispered.
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Someone Else’s Star
Performed by: Bryan White
Alone again tonight
Without someone to love
Stars are shining bright
So one more wish goes up
Oh, I wish I may
And I wish with all my might
For the love I’m dreaming of
And missing in my life
You’d think that I could find
A true love of my own
Happens all the time
To people that I know
Their wishes all come true
So I’ve got to believe
There’s still someone out there who
Is meant for only me
I guess I must be wishing on
Someone else’s star
Seems like someone else keeps getting
What I’m wishing for
Why can’t I be as lucky
As those other people are
I guess I must be wishing
On someone else’s star
I sit here in the dark
And stare up at the sky
I can’t give my heart
One good reason why
Everywhere I look
It’s lovers that I see
Seems like everyone’s in love
With everyone but me
I guess I must be wishing on
Someone else’s star
Seems like someone else keeps getting
What I’m wishing for
Why can’t I be as lucky
As those other people are
I guess I must be wishing
On someone else’s star
Why can’t I be as lucky
As those other people are
Oh, I guess I must be wishing
On someone else’s star