Chapter 21
"You're being quiet," AJ said on the way to Kristen's place.
"I know. I'm sorry I'm just thinking."
"About what happened tonight with Nick?"
"Yeah. I just don't understand why he would act that way. I know he was drinking and all but still. AJ you should have seen him. It wasn't the Nick I like."
"That's what alcohol can do to you. But what I don't understand is why Nick drank that much. He doesn't usually drink more than one or two beers."
"Well he drank an awful lot. I shoved him off of me and got off the bed and I turned around and he was passed out cold," Kristen said.
"You had to shove him off of you?" AJ said started to get really pissed at Nick. Kristen nodded her head. "I'm going to kick his ass. He doesn't treat you or any other young lady like that."
"AJ let him be. You yourself said that alcohol can do that to someone."
"I don't care what I said before Kristen. He shouldn't drink that much if he's going to act that way towards you," AJ said then there was silence in the car until AJ spoke again. "Can I ask you something? It's sort of personal so if you don't want to answer then you don't have to."
"Sure, what is it?"
"Your ex boyfriend, what was his name? I don't think you ever told me."
"Oh, it was Jesse."
"Jesse, right. Did you ever give yourself away to him? Sorry if I'm being rude or anything like that but..."
"It's okay AJ. We can tell each other anything. We're like that with each other so it's okay. Yes actually I did. I won't go all the way with someone unless I love them and I loved him with all of my heart."
"Do you regret it?"
"Funny thing being no I don't. It was my decision then and I'm happy with my decision. I'm not happy with his about cheating on me though."
"Guys are jerks," AJ said. Kristen couldn't help but laugh at him. A few minutes later they arrived at Kristen's. They said good-bye and Kristen opened the door to the apartment and walked into darkness. She walked around and found the light switch and turned it on. She saw Cassie and some guy jump up off of the couch. Kristen stood there in shock as the guy started zipping his pants up.
"Do you mind?" Cassie asked.
"Um, actually yes I do mind. Other people live here too you know. If you're going to do something don't do it in the living room."
"What the hell is your problem?"
"Nothing. Have you even packed yet?"
"No I was going to do it later."
"Well excuse me but whoever you are I think you are going to need to leave now," Kristen said to the guy Cassie was with. He didn't say a word but just grabbed his stuff and walked out the door not even saying good-bye to Cassie. "Boy wasn't he just a gentleman."
"That was just plain rude Kristen!"
"You are going to be leaving for a month so I suggest you go start packing. Try not to be to loud either because I need some sleep," Kristen said walking to her room and crawling under the covers in her bed.
"So, what happened with you and Nick tonight?" Cassie asked with a smile. Kristen rolled her eyes and her and turned away from her so she couldn't see her. "You don't mean to tell me that you didn't give him a little something something. That is so cold the boy is going to be gone for a month and you can't give him something to remember you by."
"Shut the hell up Cassie. There are other things in this world to do with a guy other than having sex. So shut up and start getting packed because I'm not helping you the last minute tomorrow morning."
"Well someone is definately PMSing." Kristen pulled the blanket over her head and ignored Cassie. She had a hard time sleeping because she couldn't stop thinking about Nick and the way he acted. The next morning she woke up and heard a bunch of voices out in the living room. Kristen saw that Cassie was already up since her bed was empty. She had a headache and decided just to lay in bed for awhile. If the guys were leaving Nick or AJ would come and get her up. She couldn't fall back asleep so she just laid there with her eyes closed. About fifteen minutes later she felt someone lay down next to her and arms go around her body. She turned around and opened her eyes to see Nick's smiling face looking at her.
"Don't you have a hang over?" Kristen asked rudely.
"Yeah actually I do. I threw up a couple of times and I have a headache but I'm starting to feel better," Nick said.
"You poor baby," Kristen said sarcastically.
"Hey, that's no way to act when I'll be leaving in a few hours."
"That's where you're wrong Carter. The way you acted last night was no way to act," Kristen said sitting up. "I guess you don't remember anything though do you?"
"Actually no I don't. AJ told me what happened though and I'm sorry. I would never mean to hurt you Kristen. I don't know what I was doing or thinking. I do know I shouldn't have drank that much beer though. I'm sorry," Nick said and hugged Kristen. He then kissed her passionately. He pulled away and looked at her. "Come with me please. It's not to late you know. We can all help you get packed and everything."
"Nick you know I can't do that. I can't quit school and work to come with you. I can't put my entire life on hold to go with you."
"You won't be putting your life on hold. I'm in your life and you would be with me. Besides you can pick up school when you got back and it wouldn't be hard at all for you to find another job. You said yourself that you don't like waitressing."
"I might not like waitressing but I like the people I work with. I won't be able to pick up on school because I would have missed too much. I'd be too far behind. I'd have to drop out for the rest of the semester and start up again next year. I can't put my life on hold for you."
"Damn it Kristen why not?" Nick yelled getting up.
"Don't talk like that to me Carter! I have my own life just like you have your own life!"
"Well if you loved me you would come with me!" Kristen looked at Nick shocked. He was acting like he had lost his mind and she didn't like it all. "Shit Kristen I'm sorry," Nick said going up and hugging Kristen.
"Nick it's not my fault I can't go. If I didn't have school and work you know I would be with you in second," Kristen said crying.
"I know. But if I send you a plane ticket in a week or two will you come stay a few days with me? If you came over the weekend you could miss only one or two days of school during the week."
"I'd like that," Kristen said and kissed Nick. She got up and got ready to go with the guys to the airport. They whole way to the airport Kristen and Nick didn't say a word to each other. Nick just held Kristen in his arms. He knew he had been a jerk to her and was more sorry than anything. He just hated the fact that Kristen might be the first girl he ever loved and then he wouldn't be able to be with her for at least a month. He was so confused he didn't know what his feelings were for her. They got to the airport and checked in their luggage. The guys and Cassie were the last ones of the crew members and dancers to board the plane. It was the time to say good-bye to each other. Angela and Brian were kissing over by the gate door and it seemed as if they wouldn't separate. Cassie, Kevin and Howie already boarded the plane. Kristen walked up to AJ and gave him a big hug.
"I'm going to miss being able to talk to you," Kristen said holding in her tears.
"Hey, you can still talk to me. You've got my cell phone number and if something happens and you can't talk to Nick about it you know I'm always here for you no matter what," AJ said.
"I know." AJ gave Kristen a kiss on the cheek and then boarded the plane. He separated Angela and Brian and got Brian on the plane too. Kristen took one look of Nick in front of her and she couldn't control her tears any more. They started streaming down her cheeks. Nick wiped her tears away with the back of his hand. He pulled Kristen into a kiss and then just held her.
"I'll call you as soon as I get there okay?" Kristen nodded her head. Nick hated to see her cry and he began to cry himself. "I have to go. I'll see you as soon as one of us has some time." With that said Nick went and boarded the plane. Angela walked up to Kristen.
"You okay?" she asked.
"No. How do you do this all the time with Brian?"
"It's our relationship. You don't get used to it but it gets easier every time. Let's go out to eat and shop or something." Kristen nodded her and head left the airport with tears still coming out of her eyes.
Chapter 22
