~*Chapter Seven*~
"… I dunno, I just feel like you’re slipping away from me. And I hate it so much. We finally get to spend some time together, and now you’re always off with Howie. I know that I sound jealous and stuff, but I just really wanted to get our friendship back on track, and now that you’re seeing Howie, it feels like I can’t. Like I come second place. I don’t want to sound petty, but I just wish that you and I could spend some more time together. I’ve probably said too much, or read too much into your relationship with Howie, but I just wanted to let you know how I feel. What about you?"
Leesa sat there, dumbfounded. She had had no idea that AJ had felt that way. Yeah, she’d been seeing a lot of Howie lately. But she thought that AJ knew he came first. She told him so.
"Really? Cos sometimes it doesn’t seem like it," he answered, looking deep into her green eyes for some kind of sign that he was saying the right thing.
"Xander, you know that you’re my best friend. Nothing you ever say, or do, can ever take that away. But you’re coming really close with this me and Howie thing. Do you really want me to push the only guy who has actually looked at me over the past year away? Is that fair on me?" she asked, on the verge of tears. It made her want to cry, the way that she was feeling. She liked Howie, but then she didn’t want to make AJ feel bad. It never occurred to her that she should consider her feelings in this matter. She was one of those people who tried to please others before herself, and this was one example when she didn’t consider her feelings. Sometimes that can be good, sometimes bad. She was so confused that she didn’t know what to do. Her emotions overwhelmed her and she simply burst into tears.
AJ had seen her lip tremble. He knew that she was exceptionally good at crying. He had already starting scooting closer to her by the time she was crying. He simply wrapped an arm around her, and said, "I just don’t want to lose you, especially not now."
"You’ll never lose me. I’ll never go away… not even if you kill me," she quoted from Buffy, smiling through her tears. He smiled back, and they sat on the couch, AJ’s arms around his best friend in the world, and the only girl he’d ever loved.
***********************
The magazine Howie was holding screamed "Backstreet Boy Opens Up To Love!", and showed a picture of Howie and Leesa on their first date at the club. Her hands shook as she opened the cover to see pictures of them dancing, holding hands, kissing, plastered all over the pages. Leesa looked up at Howie, her eyes searching for some clue as to how to react to this.
He simply smiled. However, Leesa’s manager was not too impressed. She knew about Howie and Leesa, but she didn’t know that they’d gone out in public before. She was furious.
"How could you Leesa? This could ruin your career, you realise? Before it’s even started!" Jen screamed.
Leesa couldn’t say anything. She just stood there, her old, shy self coming back. Howie walked into the room, and Jen turned her anger to him.
"And you, Howie. You should know how these things turn out!"
He looked Jen in the eyes, and said, "It was gonna come out sooner or later. Anyways, there is nothing we can do about it now."
"Yes, there is. You two will hold a conference. You will deny these rumors, these pictures are simply not of you." Jen stated, her mind made up.
"I won’t do it," Leesa spoke for the first time.
They turned to stare at her.
"Are you mad?" Jen screeched.
"Nope, quite sane, contrary to popular belief. I won’t do it. You can’t make me," Leesa said quietly, in a voice that almost scared Howie.
Howie hid his smile.
"Well then Leesa, I’m afraid that this relationship is not going to work. I quit," and with that Jen stomped out of the room.
Leesa’s eyes widened and she collapsed onto the chair behind her. Her feelings overwhelmed her and she could no longer stand. Howie rushed to her side, as she began to mumble incoherently.
"What am I gonna do… I don’t have a manager… my career… I don’t know…"
Howie simply wrapped his strong arms around her as he moved her to the sofa on the other side of the room. He lay her on the sofa, and stayed with her until she felt better.
AJ heard the fuss in conference room, and then saw Jen storm out of the room. He walked to the door, concerned about Leesa. As he peered around the door, he saw Howie moving Leesa to the sofa. The old feelings of jealousy resurfaced, but AJ was getting really good at ignoring them lately. After all, after 3 weeks Howie and Leesa were still going strong, and all he wanted was for Leesa to be happy. He knew that she deserved it, more than anyone. He walked quietly away, leaving the couple alone, together.
Leesa looked up and saw AJ standing in the door. She watched sadly as he walked away, leaving her with Howie. Not that she minded Howie being there, but she’d rather talk about this with AJ. Howie looked down at her and smiled.
"You’re gonna get through this, ok?"
"Will you help me?" she pleaded, looking deep into his brown eyes.
"Of course I will."
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