Title: Allergy Season
Author: Black_Wingedbird
Rating: G
Author's Note: Ever started sneezing in the morning or at night and can't stop? You get the runny nose that won't stop, your eyes look like you've been smokin' something, and the constant sniffing…If you know what I'm going through, raise your hand. Allergy sufferers of the world, unite!
*Sniff*
"Chris, stop," Justin whispered.
Chris looked at Justin with red, watery eyes. *Sniff.
"Okay guys, we're on in three…two…one…" The camera man backed away from Nsync and pointed at them.
"And here we are with Nsync on today's episode of Twenty Twenty-"
*Sniff*
"-And the guys talk to us about the influence of music on America's young people."
*Sniff*
"So guys, how do you feel you influence teens and pre-teens?"
*Sniff*
J.C. rolled his eyes and moved away from Chris a little. "Well I think that we have a positive influence on kids. Our songs are about love and girls, but it's never anything graphic or violent, like killing our girlfriends."
"If we had any," Lance spoke up with a smile.
*Sniff*
Justin leaned towards Chris. "Knock it off," he whispered through a lopsided grin.
Chris wiped his nose with his hand and sniffed again, trying to hide his face as he swallowed.
Joey watched as Chris wiped his hand on his pants. He looked at J.C., who was also watching and equally as disgusted.
"Who do you think is the worst influence out there?" Barbara asked, smiling.
*Sniff*
"Oh definitely Eminem," J.C. replied. "That guy has some real problems. He's getting popular off discriminating everyone that's not like him and it's not right."
Chris's mouth opened slightly and he froze, squinting his eyes and waiting. *Achoo!* He sneezed, immediately sniffing and wiping his nose.
"Bless you," Barbara said, then turned back to J.C. "Why do you think that people like Eminem and Marilyn Manson are able to get away with their lyrics?"
*Achoo!
"Bless you," J.C. snapped, then answered, "Because they make so much money. They can buy their way out of trouble. Plus, most people are afraid of them."
*Achoo!*
Justin grabbed the box of tissues that a crew member was handing to him and shoved it in Chris's lap.
Chris looked up at Justin with teary, red eyes. His mouth was still open and his nose tickled with another sneeze. He caught Joey's apologetic look before ducking his head for another sneeze.
*Achoo!*
Barbara cast a worried look Chris's way and continued on. "How do you feel about being the victims of this 'R-rated' music?"
*Achoo!*
Chris's throat was beginning to feel raw. He tried sniffing but found his nose had clogged up. Before he knew it, he felt something running down his upper lip. He quickly grabbed a tissue and held it to his nose, just in time for another sneeze.
J.C. and Lance moved away from Chris's chair again. "Uh…oh yeah, it doesn't really bother me," Lance began. "I know it will all come back to him in the end."
Chris blew his nose, feeling the warmness of his snot fill the tissue and slide its way down his upper lip. He balled up the slimy tissue and wiped his nose, sniffing once again.
Some of the crew members were laughing, but Barbara pressed on, "Eminem has just been accused of gun possession, right?"
*Sniff*
"I don't know," J.C. shrugged. "I don't really pay attention to what he does."
*Achoo!*
"Well thanks for stopping by guys, this was a really good interview," Barbara said, her eyes glued to the snot that was beginning to run from Chris's nose. "I…uh…I hope to have you guys on the show again, real soon."
*Sniff, sniff*
"Thanks for having us," J.C. smiled. "It was a pleasure."
*Achoo!*
"And maybe next time you can catch us when it's not allergy season," Lance spoke up with a smile, avoiding Chris's red-eyed glare.
"I hope so," Barbara smiled. "I didn't hear much of Mr. Kirkpatrick today, besides the sniffles and sneezes."
Chris's mouth was partly open and he squinted at her, attempting a smile. "Sorry," he muttered, adding a sniff for effectiveness.
"And that's all for Twenty Twenty this week," Barbara smiled at the camera. "I'll see you next week!"
"…And you're off!" the camera man announced, walking towards the set.
Barbara stood up with J.C. and Lance and shook their hands with a smile. She moved on to Justin and Joey, but turned away from Chris. "Thanks guys, great job," she smiled.
Chris watched as J.C. and Lance said goodbye, then took off for the exit with a sneeze. Justin ran to catch up. "Hey Chris, you okay?" Justin smiled.
"Don'd dalk to me," Chris said. "I god allergies."
Justin laughed as Joey caught up to both of them. "Is he okay?" Joey asked.
"Chris is tick," Justin mocked.
"Aww, poor baby," Joey teased. "Is he tuffy?"
Chris froze, holding a finger under his nose. He squinted in anticipation, pulling his finger away slowly.
"Gross!" Justin and Joey yelled together, seeing a string of snot attached to Chris's index finger. Then he sneezed.
Chris immediately cupped his hand under his nose and waved with his free hand. "Tissue!"
"You get them," Joey said, pushing Justin.
"I ain't getting them," Justin argued, pushing Joey back.
Chris sneezed again, stumbling forward a little. "Would one of you go get me tissues!" Chris ordered, pulling his hand away and showing them the river of snot that was running down his upper lip.
"That is so gross," Justin sneered, then he stalked off to find the box Chris was holding earlier.
Chris hid his face from Joey and covered his mouth and nose again. "Don'd look ad me."
J.C. and Lance approached, searching Joey for a hint as to what was going on.
J.C. walked up to Chris. "Could you have made us sound any more terrible?" he asked.
Chris glared at him with his red, watering eyes.
"You look like you're high," J.C. laughed, unable to remain mad at his best friend.
"Dhad would be bedder dan dhis," Chris mumbled.
Lance patted Chris's back in sympathy as Justin returned with the tissues.
"Here snot bucket," Justin said, holding out the box.
"Dank you," Chris muttered, taking the box and grabbing a handful of tissues.
"That is disgusting," Lance mumbled, heading for the door.
"I'm gonna be sick," J.C. said, following Lance as Chris blew his nose.
Chris felt the warmness of his snot fill the tissue and winced. Joey and Justin watched him with disgusted looks before turning and heading for the exit. Chris looked around for a trash can and sighed, not finding one. He did spot J.C.'s jacket, still hanging on the back of the previously occupied chair. Chris walked back to the empty set and grabbed J.C.'s expensive jacket. After making sure no one was looking, he stuffed the slimy tissue in the pocket of J.C.'s new jacket. Then he sniffed once, then smiled as he started for the door the others had just left through.
End