The next two weeks went by too fast for Nick and Isabel's tastes. They spent as much time as possible together but the inevitable time when she would have to leave was approaching fast. He sat on her bed, watching her pack the last of her things, holding her plane ticket in one hand, the other hand holding onto the bedspread. They were now in England for three shows and he was trying to put up a front, trying to be happy..but it was hard..almost too hard.
She sighed and turned to him, "Don't look so sad Nicky.."
"I can't help it.."
"I know..you'll call..right?"
"Of course. You'll call too, right?"
She nodded, "Yep...I never thought in a million and one years I would be going to college..its weird.."
"Yeah..its gonna be weird without you around.."
She smiled, "Bet ten bucks someone throws a party.."
He laughed, "You're not that bad Isabel!"
"I was though. I was turning into a regular thug wanna-be.."
"But you didn't.."
She nodded, "Yeah..you all saved me.."
"I guess..you ready?"
"Yeah..we better get going so I don't miss my flight and you guys don't get mobbed.."
He nodded and helped her with her bags. They went out, gathering the other guys and various bodyguards along the way. The ride to the airport was silent..no one knew quite what to say.
At the airport, they went to Isabel's gate to say goodbye to her. She went around giving the bodyguards she had come to know so well hugs. Last was Q. She smiled at him and then hugged him tightly, "You take care of them..okay?"
"Will do Isabel."
Then, her flight was called. She sighed nervously and hugged Howie first. "I'm not gonna have you to run to anymore!," She said.
"You can call anytime..take care of yourself."
"You too D."
Next was AJ, she grinned at him before hugging him. "Next time I see you, we're gonna go get a tattoo.."
"For real?"
"Sure..I always wanted one!"
He laughed, "You stay out of trouble."
"I'll try."
She moved on to Brian. "You take care of yourself Mr. Littrell.."
He hugged her, "You too..Don't reek too much havoc on Lexington till we get there."
She laughed, "I'll try not too..I'll try and wait."
Next was Kevin, she sighed and hugged him tightly, "You saved me Kev..you know that, right?"
"I guess so..least I know I have the patience."
She smiled, "You're almost like a brother.."
"I guess. Call me if you need anything.."
"I will..and I know you'll be calling within the week."
He grinned, "Got that right."
Nick was last, and probably the hardest to say goodbye too. The other guys walked away so they could have some privacy. She looked up at him, "Nick..I want you to know I do..like..maybe even love you..but I want you to find someone else..I'm not too good at long distance relationship stuff.."
He nodded, "It'll be hard."
She smiled slightly, "I know..promise me you will?"
"I can't promise something like that Isabel."
She reached up and hugged him tightly. "Nick..I wish I could stay..or take you with me..you were always the one to try stuff with me, pick me up when I needed to be, you were part of the reason I cahnged."
He wrapped his arms tighter around her and sighed, "I wish you didn't have to leave me Isabel.."
"Me too...but..I have to do this..on my own.."
He nodded and kissed her gently, "You take care of yourself and be careful.."
"Yes..dad.," She said sarcastically.
He smiled, "I don't want anything to happen to you.."
"I'll be okay..I better go before I start crying.."
"I'll call.."
She put her backpack on her shoulders and handed him an envelope, "Read this after the plane takes off, not before. Bye Nicky."
She kissed him gently one last time and went to board the plane. Nick watched until the plane took off before walking away with the other guys and bodyguards to the van.
On the way to the venue he opened the envelope and read:
Nick finished reading the letter and stuck it in his backpack. "What where you reading Nick?," AJ asked.
"Nothing..Just something a good friend gave me before they left.," He answered.
AJ nodded. Nick sighed and looked out the window. One day, him and Isabel would be together..he could feel it..he knew they would. If he believed and she believed..they would.
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