Date: Thu, 01 Jun 2000 15:57:03 CDT
From: CH
Subject: Into The Groove pt. 15

     "SORRY!" Kid Capri yelled, holding his hands up, and the music began
playing again as Britney stormed over to Jasmine and Sarah, Jasmine shoving
Sarah away.
     "I said, what the hell are you doing, Bitch?" Brit repeated, getting
right in Sarah's face, uncaring that everywhere, guests had risen and were
looking on with interest and shock.
      "Why do you care, Spears?" Sarah challenged, smirking, waiting.
      " I care because she's my girlfriend! Don't you have enough women,
you slut?"
      "Jealousy doesn't become you. Well, excuse the hell out of me. Your
"girlfriend" told me she was "just your dancer".....private dancer is more
like it. She needs to stop hiding, as do you." Sarah said, getting louder
with each word.She walked out calmly, smiling, the crowd watching her every
move. Then they all looked back at Britney and Jasmine.
     Britney's father had found his wife by then, and watched in disbelief
as his daughter argued with another woman over a woman. He threw his gift
on the table and threw his hands up. Putting his hands to his temples, he
stormed away, Linda running after him.
       Jasmine's face flamed, aware they were the center of attention.
Britney turned to Jasmine, her face reflecting fury and hurt. "Is that what
you said?  That you were just my dancer?"
     "No, I didn't. When she - can we go somewhere to talk?" Jasmine asked.
     "No! Right here, right now. I don't care who's around," Britney said,
looking down at the lower level of the club, and at the door...her father
was there, arguing with her mother. Her heart sank. "Why did you let her
kiss you?" she continued.
      "Britney, I didn't LET her. She just did it. It was so quick...oh,
damn baby! Didn't you see me pushing her away?"
      "No," Britney said as her manager, Johnny Wright, approached her. His
face was full of concern.
       "B, are you okay?" He pulled her to the side. "B, this was not the
best time to --ahem---come out of the closet."
       "Johnny, there never is a "best time." I didn't mean for it to come
out like this way either, but here it is. Now you know why I never took to
your hooking me up with Justin."
       Johnny looked at her closely, as if for the first time. "Are you
aware of what this may do to your career? Baby, the whole town'll be on
this before the party is over."
        Britney gazed around the party, but no one seemed to be watching
her now. She noticed Jas, alone and aloof, off to the side. She ached for
her, feeling the same way. Swinging her gaze back to Johnny, she realised
he was waiting for her answer, cell phone in hand."I'm aware of it,
Johnny. I think my declaration of my sexuality, a key part of me, will only
make my music stronger. We both know it hasn't been up to par." He nodded.
        "Well, .....I'm behind you, B; I'm behind you." He hugged her,
noticing the slight fear of the future in her big brown eyes.
       "Thank you for caring, Johnny. Oh god, I'm getting tears in my
eyes," Britney whispered, blinking them away quickly, looking for
Jasmine. Johnny smiled and got on his cell phone to call her pr people, his
arm still around her.
       "It's almost time for the birthday girl to blow out the candles!"
the emcee announced. Justin from Nsync came over to Jasmine.
       "Hi, how are you?"
        "Fine, and you?" Jasmine replied, looking into his surprisingly
calm face.
        "Um... a little surprised and shocked, like everyone else," he
said, laughing.
        "Oh, why?" Jasmine asked smiling, already knowing the answer.
        "I didn't know that Britney was --" he looked over at her, saying
goodbye to Mr. Wright --"bisexual-- lesbian?" He licked his lips. "And all
this time, I never..well, I won't go so far as to say that . There were
signs. She'd agree with me about how hot Tyra and Janet was all the time."
       Britney walked back over to them, and hugged Justin deeply, Justin
resting his head in her shoulder, comforting her. Then she want to Jasmine,
smiling shakily. She took her hand and led her over to a table. She sat her
down and pulled a chair over next to hers. She took Jasmine's hands into
her own.
       "Well, it's out now."
        "Yeah, it's out."
        They looked at each other, and smiled, sighing.
        "Look, Britney. I didn't out and out say who I was to her because
we hadn't discussed how open we were going to be about it. I know you are
in the public eye, much more than I am!!!! That's why. Do you understand?"
Jasmine said firmly.
         "Yes, baby, I do. To you, I will admit it...I am scared. But
hopefully, people will look at my work as an artist rather than my bedroom
acts. If not......it's been a nice ride."  There was a pause.
         Britney continued, "Of course, I didn't quite want it to come out
this way. But I had been hiding for a while. Sarah was one of the few stars
that suspected, more or less, even though I hadn't said anything about it.
And of course, Justin," she said,shrugging her shoulders.
         "So are you not....caring about what this could do to your
career?"
         " I care about you more," Britney said seriously.
         " I care about you too, but I don't know if I want you sacrificing
your career in any way because of something beautiful that's viewed by
others as scandalous,"Jasmine said loudly.
          "If not now, Jas...when? I'm not going to live my life
half-cocked, uncomfortable. That has never been my style."
          "OKAY, BIRTHDAY GIRL, COME ON OUT......" the emcee said.
           "..... Of the closet," Britney added, laughing. She stood up,
and held out her hand for Jasmine. "Come on baby, I'm cool with
this. Really.  Are you?"
           "Yes, I am. I'm cool with it, ice cold."
           They hopped down the stairs and went over to the cake, which had
a Britney's face on it. Britney's mom came up behind them. "Your dad is
waiting for you at the hotel, baby. He couldn't come," she lied.
           "It's okay, mom...I saw him come and leave. He was pretty mad,
wasn't he?"
           "Yes, he was, but I let him know it was your life to lead. All
this - " she gestured around at all the celebrities and hoopla---" or not,
you are still our Britney Jean." They hugged. Linda looked at Jasmine
again. "Who are you again, young lady?"
           "I'm Jasmine Hall....Britney's girlfriend."
           "I'm Britney Jean, Jasmine's girlfriend."
    Everyone started singing the "Happy Birthday" song. Britney looked
around shyly at the revelers. None seemed to be looking down at her, but
instead, with human respect. Sometimes she didn't feel famous, and this was
one of those times. She leaned over the cake, closed her eyes, and made her
wish.  She wished for a long ,happy, unrestricted life with herself,
Britney Jean Spears....and whomever was free enough to come along. She
looked over at Jas when she came back up, the cameras blinding her. The
cake was cut, the party continued, as if no confrontation had happened.

TBC...