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Chapter 6
'I can't believe she's making it through that abuse scene so well! Then again, maybe that isn't really acting,' Justin thinks as he sits on the side, observing Kristi cry just after the actor slaps her around and pushes her onto the floor.
"Cut!" yells the director. "That was great Kristi! Go into wardrobe and change for the next day's clothes. Let's move everything to the lake scene!"
Kristi heads off toward the trailer and Justin falls into step with her.
"How are you doing?" Justin asks.
"I've been better. What's up?"
"Nothing. I'm just worried about you. Maybe it's none of my business but I know that you didn't get those shiners from walking into a wall or anything."
"Justin, now isn't the time."
"It's okay, I understand. If you ever want to talk though, like we did that very first night we truly met, you know where to find me. I do care about you Kristi."
Kristi feels a tear roll down her cheek and thinks, 'God he's so sweet. If only I could tell him and know for sure he wouldn't be hurt... If only there was a way.'
Justin has a look of concern on his face as he wipes away the single tear. "Kristi..."
"I'm fine, really. I'll talk to you later though, okay?"
"Okay," he says, letting her go into the dressing room and never taking his eyes off of her until the door closes.
In twenty minutes, Kristi finds herself outside with Justin, sitting at the edge of a fake lake on the backlot. The sun is rather bright and is hurting her eyes, especially her swollen one.
"Justin and Kristi! Can you two just sit there and talk for a few while we finish setting up?" asks the director.
"Sure thing!" Justin calls out, glad for the chance to talk to Kristi. "So, do you want to talk now?"
"I guess I can't hide it anymore. Justin, I have a boyfriend. I'm sorry," Kristi says, turning her face away from his direction, looking at the fake backdrop of hills on the other side of the lake.
"Kristi, you don't have anything to be sorry about. I mean it. You didn't lead me on and I never asked if you did. I'm not concerned about that. I'm concerned about what your boyfriend is doing to you."
Kristi closes her eyes and says, "How do you know?"
"Kristi, I don't need to be a doctor or a psychologist to tell that you are depressed and not exactly that physically healthy. You have bruises all over your face and your body. It's obvious that you just suffered major bodily harm. Look at me," Justin says, gently grabbing Kristi's chin and turning her face towards his. "I care about you. I'm not going to lie and try to hide the fact that I think you are a wonderful girl. However, I have to be honest and say that I am deeply concerned about your safety right now. I don't know this guy and I know that I don't have a real right to say this but I want to be your protector here. I want you to know that you can talk to me, no matter when you need it, okay? I wrote you a letter and included my cell phone number, pager, and hotel phone number so you can contact me when you need to. Please, don't forget that you have someone to turn to." He smiles and places the note from his pocket into Kristi's hand and closes it.
"Oh Justin! I don't know what to say but thank you. You really are the sweetest," Kristi says, smiling. "God, I must look awful to you right now."
"Of course not. Your beauty comes from the inside as well as the outside so no matter what, I will always see you as a beautiful woman."
"Justin, I don't mean to assume anything but I just wanted to request that we just be friends."
"Sweetie, I totally understand and would never push you into more if you weren't ready. I do have those romantic feelings for you but your safety and well-being is much more important right now. Promise me that you will consider me to be one of your friends though, okay?"
"I promise that you will be one of my best friends."
Justin smiles and pulls Kristi to him to give her a big hug, which is when the director began placing them for the lake scene. Shortly after it is complete, it is lunch so Kristi goes back to the wardrobe trailer to change while Justin stayed outside, enjoying the sun and contemplating on what went on an hour or so before.
"So, did we score a date with Miss Kristi?" Lance asks, sitting down next to Justin.
"No," Justin says, not caring to expand on what really happened.
"Justin got rejected! Call the tabloids! This is a first in history for Justin Timberlake!" Chris mock yells, earning a glare from Justin as Chris approaches with Joey and JC.
"Knock it off! Can't you see that he doesn't want to talk about it?" JC asks, looking sternly at Chris and Lance.
"I didn't get rejected. I didn't ask," Justin says, meeting the gaze of his four friends.
"Why?" Joey asks.
"Because it wasn't appropriate. We're going to be best friends for now. I don't want to push her too fast nor get her upset. There is such a thing as just being close friends. Everything in this society isn't about sex and relationships."
"We know Justin. Calm down. This approach will probably be good. I guess I even have to admit that I admire you for having the guts to do it this way. It's going to be hard but well worth it I bet."
"We'll see. I just want to make sure she's all right."
"Justin, what do you mean?" JC asks with a look of concern.
"Nothing. I can't say anything. Here she comes. I'll talk to you guys later, okay?"
"Sure Curly. Have a good rest of the shot!" Chris calls out, walking away with the others.
"What was that all about?" Kristi asks, sitting down next to Justin.
"Nothing. So, what are you doing tonight?"
"Come to think of it, nothing. Why?"
"Do you have a ride home?"
"Justin, I thought we already discussed this."
"Kristi, friends do give friends rides home. I just want to make sure you'll be safe."
"Oh. Sure, I'd love one."
"Great!" Justin smiles. "Ready to go?"
Kristi nods her head and takes Justin's offered hand to get up, trying to ignore that terrible feeling of being watched.
'I knew it! I knew she was seeing some other guy behind my back! You would think that beating was enough for her. I guess she'll just have to pay a bigger price tonight!' William thinks to himself as he watches closely as Kristi walks off with the curly haired guy.