"I really wanna help her… when she told me that she was raped, I… I just didn’t know what to do… I mean, how to help her. Besides, I only told you… how did everyone else know? Did you tell anyone?” Nick asked suspiciously.
“No I didn’t Nick. AJ had the adjoining door opened a gap and he was listening in.” Brian told him, “He told me afterwards, Nick.”
“That ass. Didn’t he realize that this was serious and not to go spreading it around like everyday gossip?”
“Actually Nick, he was trying to help… he thought that maybe if everyone knew it would be better for Chelsea.”
“Help my ass! Now Chels hates me because she thinks that I told everyone that she was fucking raped.”
“She’ll forgive you in time… she will.”
* o~c * o~c * o~c * o~c * o~c * o~c * o~c * o~c *
“Chels, you know you have to forgive him.” Silvia said softly. Although Chelsea calmed down a bit, she was still crying. Silvia had been with her for the past half hour.
“Do I?” Chelsea asked, her head was out of the pillow she was hugging onto finally. Her face was red and blotchy. Her eyes were swollen.
“You can’t stay mad at anyone for long anyway.”
“Yes I can. This is the worst trip I’ve ever been on. I wish I’d never won the contest. I wish I never even heard of Nick Carter or the Backstreet Boys.” Chelsea stated stubbornly. She wiped her eyes with her hand and stood up. Walking over to the window, she noticed a small group of people were forming at the entrance of the hotel. Most people had gifts and signs but Chelsea couldn’t make out what they said. “I’m fine now. I just need to get a good wash and then we could go somewhere.” she sniffed.
“Are you sure?” Silvia asked uncertainly.
“Yeah I am, I need to talk to Nick. I need to apologize. And if you don’t mind, I’d like to be left alone for awhile, okay? I’ll see you guys at dinner.”
“Okay, if that’s what you want. We’re having dinner downstairs.” Silvia started getting up to the door but then she paused, “Remember, I’m always here if you need me.”
Chelsea gave her a reassuring smile, “Thanks Silvia, you’ve always been such a great support.” She walked over to her and gave her a tight hug, knowing that Silvia and her would always be best friends forever.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
An hour later, Chelsea was done cleaning herself up. Putting a few occasional small braids in her mahogany hair, she smiled to herself in the mirror. She adjusted a clip on her hair and finally she was satisfied with how she looked. She grabbed her bag off the messy bed and walked confidently across the hall, to Nick and Brian’s room. Taking in a deep breath, she knocked on the door slowly.
Nick opened the door looking dazed. When he finally noticed Chelsea, he looked down at her without any signs of friendliness in his eyes. “What do you want?”
“Um, Nick. I just wanted to say that I am sorry. I was acting like a bitch as if it–”
“What, you are sorry? Look at what you did to me,” he showed her his left cheek, “See that mark sweetie? All I want to do was help you and there you go, slapping me like I was that guy. What’s the matter with you? Aren’t you scared of me anymore?”
“Nick, I was never scared of you! You were such a good friend!” Chelsea was close to tears.
“Oh, I’m your good friend? Excuse me, but I thought that I was that jerk you slapped a few hours ago! I don’t know why I am even bothering to talk to you. Good bye sweetie. I hope you find some more good friends to slap.” Nick slammed the door in her face.
Chelsea stood, shocked that Nick was even mad at her. She touched her cheek and realized that tears were streaming down her face, and mascara as well probably, she thought grimly. She walked back across the hall and opened the door. Why is he doing this to me? she thought sadly as more tears trickled down her face. I thought he understood how I felt! I thought he understood… but I guess he didn’t…