Marissa found herself sitting at the table with the others as dinner was served. Joey and Chris both seemed distracted, so she ignored them and talked with everyone else.
Chris was highly distracted. It was all he could do to keep from staring at the woman sitting directly across from him, and he was not at all oblivious to the knowing looks he was getting from his friends. He simply ignored them, resigning himself to a large dose of teasing from them all, and concentrated on not staring at Marissa. He noticed JC was watching Anika without any hesitance at all, but then, Chris reminded himself, she'd come with him. He sighed, surprising himself, and focused on dinner.
Joey's attention, on the other hand, was completely off the table and across the room, where he could see Clara. She was sitting at a table with the couples he'd left her with, and they had stopped talking to her. He wondered, with a faint smile, if she'd told them off. He glanced at the table around him, and realized there was no one in the seat next to him about the same time he remembered Justin dancing with someone who wasn't Trish. "Hey, Justin, where did Trish go?"
Justin sighed. "I just explained that. She decided this was too much for her and went to get a cab." His eyes narrowed. "However, she didn't go alone." He shrugged, seemingly unconcerned. "So, I'm out a date."
"Great. Can I have her place?"
Conversations around them stopped, and everyone stared at Joey, who ignored them.
"What? You're not that big, Joe," Justin said.
"Not for me. Can I?"
Justin shrugged. "Fine with me," he said. "Just make sure she's nice."
"Let's find out." He got up and started across the floor. He got to her table before she noticed him, and she smiled curiously up at him. "Hi," he said, smiling back. "You look like you need a friend. Would you care to join us at our table? We have an extra space."
"Sure. Let me grab my purse."
He grabbed her plate and walked her over to the table, set the plate down, and seated her. "Now," he said, "don't let these guys scare you off. They seem to try to do that a lot."
Chris smiled, a little relieved. Someone else to focus on. "We don't try, it just happens."
"Well, I'm sure it would happen if you talked to random people who don't know who you are..." Clara hinted. Chris laughed.
"This is Justin," Joey said, starting at her right, "Chris, JC, Anika, Lance, Marissa,..." He paused, looking somewhat confused.
"And that's Joey," Chris said cheerily.
"This is Clara," Joey said, flustered, and glared at Chris before sitting down.
"Thank you, Chris, ‘cause you know, I really didn't know who Joey was," Clara told him, sarcasm heavy in her voice. "I just decided to eat dinner with a random guy that has hair that's on fire. Nice to meet the rest of you guys though."
"Ooh... I like her," Marissa said with a grin. "Although I have to tell you, the best way to deal with these guys is to get to know them one at a time or in small doses. Otherwise they overwhelm you and you run screaming."
"Hey!" Lance protested.
"You're just lucky we didn't," Anika added with a grin.
"I don't like to run, but the screaming I can manage," Clara responded.
"So can we," Chris assured her.
"And you even luckier that I haven't...yet" She gave him a narrow look. "Yeah, but you were never a 15 year old girl... now were you."
"You know, I can take you right back over there," Joey said indignantly.
"Yes, you can, Joey dear, but then you'd miss out on the pleasure of my company."
"No," Chris said with a huge grin, "but I've grown up with three of them - no, Emily's not fifteen yet - and we get plenty of them."
"Pleasure," Joey muttered, but he smiled.
"Are you from Orlando?" Marissa asked, laughing.
"So you know how loud 15-year-olds can yell," Clara shrugged, and turned to Marissa. "Nope. I call Portland home."
"Scream," Justin corrected her. "Scream. There's a difference." He paused a minute. "Portland? Oregon or Maine?"
Clara grinned. "Okay, scream then. And Portland, Oregon."
Justin shook his head. "How do you do it, Joe? Three beautiful women, all from the other side of the country!"
"He couldn't help Marissa," Anika told him. "You were in Portland at the time, remember?"
"Irrelevant!" JC declared. "We're in Orlando now, and he still finds a woman from Portland."
Marissa grinned at Clara. "See what I mean?" She turned back to JC. "So he has good taste. I don't see you complaining."
"Me?" He attempted an innocent look. Marissa just shook her head in amusement.
"So I'm assuming you two are from Portland, also?" Clara asked, pointing to Anika and Marissa. "Oh, yeah, I do remember Joey mentioning that. And thanks Marissa. I'm sure whoever found you had good taste too."
Marissa preened a little. "It was Joey. The boy's famous for...." To her surprise, he stomped on her right foot, and she flinched. "Ouch! That was a little hard, Joe. Your feet are huge!"
"I don't even want to know, I really don't," Clara grinned. "But Joey does have good taste. After all, he managed to find me, right?"
Justin grinned. "Lately, he's had real luck. You, he's the one that picked up on Marissa, and she brought us Anika."
"Unlike Justin, who usually has all the luck. His date left with someone else - you're in her seat," Chris said blandly, but there was humor in his eyes.
"I'm sorry Justin." Clara said, softly. "I've been there."
Justin grinned, but there was a hint of pain to it. "Oh, it was a mistake to invite her, but it worked out for the best."
"It got us invited," Marissa said, looking narrowly at Justin. He waved her off.
Lance shuddered a little. "And I, for one, am glad she's gone. She's weird."
Marissa touched his shoulder. "Sometimes, Lance, I think you find anyone not as shy as you weird."
"Then I must be the weirdest of them all, huh Lance?" Clara asked.
"You are not weird." He seemed to consider, then grinned at her. "Yet. She was weird from the beginning."
Clara grinned. "Hey, Joey, remember what I told you before, about not wanting to come? Nix it, I met you guys..."
Joey smiled. "That is the best thing I've heard all evening..." He stopped, remembering her comment about wanting to be kept to himself - or whatever she'd said. "Second best thing."
"Ohhh. What was the first? and darn, now I have to be on my best behavior..."
"No being on best behavior," Chris said. "We aren't."
"You'd better be," JC said, with a mock scowl directed at Chris.
"Then you'll think I'm weird. Wait, you guys have Chris... never mind! No one could ever be as weird as him..."
"The speaker thing was fun, JC, come on!" Justin protested.
Chris preened a little. "And I'm proud of it..."
Clara looked confused. "What speaker thing?"
Marissa laughed. "I tell you, they're all insane... JC hides it best, but they are."
Justin grinned. "Oh, Joey didn't tell you about pinpointing the speakers in the back of the room?"
Clara nodded. "Yes. But he blamed Chris."
"And rightfully so," Chris grinned. "It was my fault."
"He embarrassed us all," JC muttered, ducking his head to hide a smile.
"No, only you," Lance grinned.
"He can embarrass anyone with that hair. But I like it..."
Chris grinned cheesily and ran his hand through his hair. "Why, thanks. It doesn't get much notice, now." Marissa laughed, covering her mouth with one hand. Chris didn't look at her.
"Not you, dork face, Joey here,"Clara told him. Before Chris could respond, the ceremonies started. Joey leaned over to her.
"Here you are, at my table," he whispered.
She gave him a withering glance. "Yep. I'm at your table. Observant, Joey." Her look softened into a smile. "But I am glad to be at this table. With you."
"I'm glad you're here." Careful Fatone! his thoughts screamed. Don't get too caught up in her!
"Me, too," Clara said softly.
The speaker dragged on interminably; when he was done, Joey got up with the rest of the group. He leaned down to Clara and whispered "I'll be right back," and made sure he was far enough away that she couldn't ask him about it. They weren't the only ones who left, either; three other tables were emptied as well. Anika moved into Justin's place, and Marissa slid over into Joey's seat so they bracketed Clara.
"So, Marissa, you have any idea why the guys left?" Clara asked, turning to look at the woman beside her as the second speaker started.
"Yes. But Joey swore me to secrecy. Sorry." Marissa did look apologetic, but there was a hint of excitement and anticipation in her eyes as well.
"Please?" Clara asked, pouting a little.
Marissa grinned. "You'll see. Believe me."
"If you're sure..."
"Oh, I'm sure," Marissa said with a rueful look. "I don't cross Joey if I can help it." She grimaced. "He stomped on my foot earlier."
"Oh, I was supposed to stomp on Joey's, but he's too good at dancing..." Clara drifted off.
Anika laughed quietly. "You have no idea...."
"No idea... what's that supposed to mean?" Clara asked, confused.
"Where in Portland are you from?" Anika asked to change the subject.
"Vancouver, actually," Clara said.
Marissa grinned. "Really. So are we. Where in Vancouver?"
"On Mill Plain, just across from the Clark College."
"I used to live down there," Marissa said. "I live in Cascade Park, Anika lives just off Fourth Plain by the Plaza theater."
Clara smiled. "Really. What do you guys do?"
"I am a clerk for one of the most obnoxious men on the planet, and I'm so hoping someone will take me away from him!" Marissa said, rolling her eyes.
"She just won't quit even though she's miserable," Anika said in a stage whisper
Marissa mock glared at Anika. "Ignore her. She's just a student." Anika gave a frustrated huff and pouted a little.
The second speaker ended, and the three women fell silent as 98 Degrees were announced, and sang a beautiful song.
"Wow. They're good. I like their voices," Clara said softly as the music faded, and the next person started his speech. "The song was so pretty."
Marissa shrugged. "I'm not really into that kind of stuff."
Anika grinned. "I like it too."
Clara smiled back. "At least I'm not alone. What are you into Marissa?"
"Fast dance stuff." She shrugged again, a smile playing around her lips.
They were quiet through the next couple of speakers, interspersed with singers, then LFO was introduced, and they performed "Summer Girls." When they finished, a few of the earlier performers slipped back into their seats.
"Ugh. I hate that song," Clara moaned.
"I saw one of them on the dance floor," Marissa said. "They're just scary looking." She decided not to include the argument she'd had with a friend, especially with Clara around, considering the attachment she had to Joey at this point. Marissa had maintained that Joey was better looking than all the guys in LFO; her friend had held the opposite view.
"I like it," Anika said.
Clara laughed a little. "Anika, do you like everything?"
"No, she doesn't like country. Hates it," Marissa grinned.
"Shame. The Dixie Chicks are actually pretty good. So is Garth Brooks."
Marissa grinned. "Oh, yes, Garth is the man."
"I know. Trust me, I know." She smiled, almost as if she had a secret.
Anika just shook her head.
"What, disagree?" Clara asked.
"You're both crazy. It's just horrid," she said, then they were quiet as a couple other people performed. Finally, to Marissa and Anika's relief, 'N Sync was announced. Both women tensed up a little.
Clara looked at both of them. "What's the deal guys? Is ‘N Sync that awful or something?"
Marissa grinned evilly. "Oh, no. They're very good. and they'd better do something good, too, because I don't want "Summer Girls" in my head all night. Between them and Backstreet Boys, I should be okay."
Clara tilted her head. "Backstreet Boys... I've heard of them. Ben's working with them right now..." She suddenly straightened. "But if they're here... that means Ben might be here too!"
Marissa raised her eyebrows. "Wow, high up friends you have... There." She pointed, wishing she could see Clara's face.
Clara's surprise was complete. Standing up there was Joey, and all the guys she'd just had dinner with, and teased.... They began singing "(God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time on You." She stared. "That's them... I love that song..." Then she realized what she was saying - and hearing. "They sing that?" she asked, unable to take her eyes from them. "Wow..."
Marissa grinned. "Yep, they do, and I may just be saved...." she said when the song was over.
"Who's Ben?" Anika asked.
"One of my closest friends." Clara turned to Marissa. "And Marissa, they are a lot better then LFO. Of course you're saved."
Marissa laughed. "Aren't they, though?"
Anika smiled hesitantly. "How close a friend is he?" she asked softly.
Clara turned to look at her and smiled slightly. "One of my best friends. Relax, Anika. We never dated and are never going to date... He's like a brother to me."
Anika did relax. "Okay. Good." She liked Joey and didn't want him to be hurt again. She smiled as someone else began speaking.
"They'll be back soon," Marissa grinned, and winked at Anika. "I bet JC runs." Anika blushed, then Marissa looked at Clara. "Joey, too," she added.
"You think?" Clara asked shyly.
Marissa nodded, almost smirking, and moved back to her seat. "Oh, yes, and I'd better get out of his chair." Anika went back to her seat as well, then Marissa shook her head. "I'm an idiot. Do you have email?"
Clara stared at her. "Yeah, why?"
Marissa dug into her purse, pulled out a card, and wrote something on the back. "When are you getting back to Portland?"
Clara thought a minute. "In a week or two. It all depends if Ben gets away or not, and if my parents come down."
Marissa handed her a card. "Ignore the front, the back is my home address. Drop me a message, and we'll get together."
"We'd better. I like you two," Clara said, indicating Marissa and Anika.
"We like you, and if you and Joey end up being anything, we'd better stick together. There's safety in numbers, especially with these guys," Marissa grinned.