Digital Strings Attached

Epilogue - Georgia

7 years after...

Georgia smiled as she pored over the invitation card Lance Bass sent her. She couldn't believe Lance would finally tie the knot with the love of his life, and the thought that he remembered and wanted her to be a part of their exceptional day made her feel grateful for their friendship. 

She, Jovie, Frank, and Lance have stayed and made their friendship grow even after she and Justin called it off. 

Her mobile phone started ringing while she was still skimming through the invitation, looking at the list of names, checking if a familiar, popular name was inscribed as a groomsman or whatnot. 

"Have you gotten yours?" Jovie's excited voice greeted her at the other end. Jovie had been bugging her about the invitation since last week. Living outside the US caused delays in her receiving it while Jovie and Frank received theirs a week ago. 

"Yes. It's here" she replied casually.

"So, when are you coming home?" Jovie asked.

Rolling her eyes at her friend's question, she half-joked. "Home? The wedding's not in Seattle, it will be in Los Angeles."

"It's the same. Whatever. Los Angeles, Seattle, USA. So when do you plan to come home for the wedding?" Jovie went on pumping her with questions. "You can't miss this."

She exhaled, "Hmmm. I don't know. The wedding is in December so maybe a day or two before the wedding?" 

"Oh come on, we must shop for dresses and go to the spa together! I missed doing those with my best friend. This is Lance's wedding, and I want to prepare with you. Puh-lease!"  Jovie blabbered. 

Georgia felt bad for her best friend. She has done mostly all the stuff with her since they were kids and misses her as well. When she moved to Paris, she was on her own. She has a few acquaintances but nothing comes close to what she and her best friend have. 

"I don't know, Jovie. I'll try. You know, work and stuff." she fibbed.

"You're bluffing," Jovie answered back immediately. "We both know it's not that hard to go on vacation leave, especially for you who has not been on one since you moved there. I am always the one who visits. Come on, it's your turn."

There was a moment of silence, then Jovie teased, "It's not work. It's him." 

Georgia was surprised by her best friend's words. "What? Who??" she asked, despite knowing the answer. 

"JUSTIN"

Faking a laugh, she denied, "That's funny. Why would you think that?"

----

Jovie's remarks caused Georgia to recollect her thoughts about the break-up years ago as she lay on her bed that night. Is she still affected by Justin? Is there a truth to that? She sighed. 

Georgia looked at her alarm clock which said 2:15 AM. It was already past her bedtime and she still had work tomorrow. She got up from her bed, tiptoed towards her spacious walk-in cabinet, and reached for the big box that was hidden inside one of the cabinets, and opened it. 

There lies posters, NSYNC CDs and DVDs, and also that of Justin's. Yes, she became a silent fan even when Justin went solo. At the bottom of the box were photographs of them with the band. She and Justin. Slews of it. 

A pink, small box was peeping into the cluster of pictures. She made a grab for it, and a sweet smile curved her lips as she studied and traced the box with her fingertips while gently opening it. She picked up the white gold thing from its box and eyed it with admiration. It was Justin's Thanksgiving gift to her, a Tiffany bracelet with a heart charm and Justin's initial engraved on it. She wrapped and hooked it around her wrist, brushing her fingers on the smooth, cold metal chains and the heart charm.