all work and no play

"What the hell was that?"

Justin looked up from inside the tiny recording booth. JC was pissed, again. He pulled his headphones off and stared at his groupmate, suddenly wondering if it was a bad idea to let him produce the newest album. All day long, JC had been screaming at him, loosing patience and being a regular pain in the ass. "What was wrong with that one?" he called out, counting to ten in his head silently, attempting to control his own anger which threatened to bubble over at any moment.

"Christ, Justin, you sound like a ten year old girl. Give it some fucking feeling, will ya?" JC lowered his head and prepared to record once again, starting the music, missing the middle finger of his friend which shot up in his direction. "Now, let's go from the 'baby I need you' verse."

Justin replaced his headphones and sighed, listening for the music. He tried again, attempting to hit a mark he hoped would release him for the rest of the afternoon. He had so much he wanted to get done, and when JC had called, insisting they record this song immediately, he'd gone along, relcutantly, but trustingly. JC always seemed to know what was best, from the very first day they'd met way back when, Justin had followed the older man, believing he knew better. Now, it was just getting old, the demands, the power trip. Being the only other lead vocalist, he couldn't expect Lance, Joey, or Chris to understand. They came in, did their vocals, some harmonizing, and input, then they were gone, or sat quietly by while JC fussed with things. That was the way they worked now, little to no outside help.

"Justin, arghh!" JC yelled, throwing his notebook to the floor of the studio. "Holy shit! Do you want me to do it?" Justin watched helplessly as JC stormed into the small booth, shoving him aside. "Now listen." JC launched into the words, hitting notes that Justin couldn't. "Now then. Shall we go again?" The cross look in the blue eyes staring at him made Justin wince.

"FIne. Let's take it again." JC left the booth, and Justin sipped some water, wishing this nightmare was done for the day. He saw JC return to the control room, and smiled when Lance walked in. Now, maybe, he would get some repreive. Lance was his savior, his own little buffer zone. JC was always nicer to Lance, hell, he was nicer to Joey and Chris too. For whatever reason, he hated Justin, couldn't help but scream and yell at him, especially in the studio.

Lance looked through the window and waved to Justin, causing a grin to break out. He clicked on the intercom connecting the rooms. "Hey, man. I wanna hear what you got. JC says it kicks ass."

Justin's eyebrow cocked up. JC hadn't told him it kicked ass, only sat there picking on every note he sang. "Sure. I'm set."

The music flowed, and Justin began to sing. This time, JC nodded happily, even though Justin could swear he sounded exactly the same, to the note. JC seemed pleased, though, and called him in to listen to playback. Lance sat back in a chair, watching JC move the controls up and down. "Shit, man. That was great. Really great. You hit that note dead on."

Justin gulped at his water. "Thanks." He didn't mention the fact JC had been beratting him all morning, nor did he mention the fact JC did that almost all the time when they were alone. Instead, he just sat back and litstened to playback quietly.

"So, we're ready to come in for backing vocals soon?" Lance asked, tossing a small football in the air and catching it. "Cuz I'm fucking bored out of my mind doing nothing. My father has FreeLance running like clockwork, and I feel like I'm just in the way over there. I want to sing, man. I never realize how much I miss it until I don't do it."

Justin nodded in agreement, even though he sang way more than Lance. "Look, I gotta book out of here. JC, you done with me for today? I have a ton of shit to do." He stood up and grabbed his hat, positive he was going to be let go.

The glare on JC's face spoke volumes. "No, we're not done. Fuck, Justin, why did you even bother coming if you had plans. We're going to be here for another two hours, at least. We have the rest of these vocals to lay down, then some backing."

Lance tilted his head, catching the tension between the two. "Hey, it's lunch time," he chuckled, trying to break the heaviness in the air. "Why don't you guys break for a bit and I'll treat you to lunch?"

Justin scowled, angry that JC barked at him like that, especially in front of Lance. JC nooded, however, ignorant of the continued damage he caused with his youngest friend. "Sounds good. J? You up for it?"

"Fine, whatever," he growled, heading out the door.

JC scooped up a bunch of papers, stuffing them into his knapsack, glancing briefly at Justin. "What's with him?" he asked.

Lance rubbed the back of his neck. "I think he wanted to do some stuff today. His mom's birthday is coming up soon, and he had some plans he wanted to make." Walking out next to JC, he sighed. "You could go a little easier on him, JC. You know how sensitive he is."

JC pursed his lips. "He's a fucking crybaby is what he is, spoiled by everyone. He needs to toughen up. I'm the only one who doesn't treat him like a prima donna. The whole world does, the fans, his mom, the fucking record company, everyone." Pausing to adjust the knapsack higher on his shoulder he continued. "Why is that Lance? Why are there five of us and the whole world wants Justin? Is he that much better than us?"

Lance stopped in his tracks, unprepared for such an outburst. "What are you talking about?" he hissed in hushed tone, not wanting Jusitn to overhear the harsh words. "We're a team, and you know N Sync couldn't be without all of us, every single one. You're not being fair to him. He didn't choose to be the favorite. Damn! !You're acting like a jealous lover. Calm down."

JC waved his hand, dismissing Lance's statement. He was the one who was writing and producing songs for the group, it was him who was constantly pushing for them to do appearances, even when the tour was done, hoping to keep in the public's eye. He was the one working his fingers to the bone while the rest of them scattered around the country persuing other things like acting and clothing lines. Could no one see it? "You know what?" he said suddenly, "You and Justin go to lunch, hell, go to fucking Timbucktoo for all I care. I call it, man." He turned on his heels and stormed off to his car, peeling out of the studio's parking lot, leaving Lance in a cloud of dust.

Justin hurried over. "What was that about?"

Lance shook his head in disgust. "Bad day," he replied. "Well, you have the rest of the day off, my man. Enjoy."

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