~~~If You Knew What I Knew~~~
~~~~~~CHAPTER 25~~~~~~
Gina woke up to the sound of her alarm. She rolled over and pushed the button to turn it off. 6am. Gina sighed. Throughout the tour she hated getting up so early. Now she really dreaded it. Gina knew that the second she was packed and down on the bus, that it would take them to the airport. That she only had a few more hours with everyone. With the friends she made and the family in which they belong. They all shared a special bond that no one could touch. The moment they took their very last bow on stage the night before, was one of the saddest yet happiest moments of her life and she will never forget it. She hoped that everyone will keep in touch. Gina's thoughts were interupted by a knock on her door. She groned and pushed herself out of bed to answer it. She opened the door and smiled at the face she loves so dearly. "Can I come in?" AJ asked softly. Gina nodded and stepped aside to let him in. As he walked past her she closed the door and turned to face him. She suddenly became terrified from the look in his eyes. "What's wrong?" She asked with much concern. AJ sighed heavily. He couldn't believe he was doing this to her. She was so pure and innocent. He just wanted to protect her and make sure she was safe. AJ almost changed his mind but for some reason he couldn't. He lowered his eyes to the floor. "I can't..I..I um...I don't think we are right for each other. I belong with Amanda. We've...we've been through a lot together and I deserve her and she deserves me." The room became silent. AJ looked up into her eyes. They were burning deep into his. Tears formed and dripped down her face. "You...but...I" Gina paused. AJ noticed that her face became white. Gina rose her hand to her mouth. "Oh, God. I think I'm going to throw up." And with that she ran to the bathroom and began to vomit. AJ stepped into the bathroom just as she finished. "Gina, I'm sorry." Gina sat on the bathroom floor. "How could you do this to me? You dragged me along for a month just to tell me that you don't want me?" AJ sighed. "I didn't mean to hurt you." "Just leave me alone!" Gina screamed. AJ couldn't bare to see her so upset. He turned and walked out of the room.
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Everyone waited around the airport to board the plane. They were all mostly sitting in the chairs. The 98 degrees guys were down towards the other gate saying good-bye to Jeff who was going to Ohio. They made it back just as the Orlando plane was being called to board. Jeff sat in the chair waiting for his plane to be called. He sighed. This tour was supposed to be a blast and it started out that way. Everything just crashed and burned in the last two months. His life is crazy. 98 degrees just blew up so fast that he still couldn't believe that they were famous. His cousin's death woke him up and made him realize that even though this is all great, he still was a human being and that his family and loved ones always came first. So many things reeled through his head as he sat there by himself. Then his mind focused on one thing. Karen. It seemed as though she was the only thing that made sense in the past year and he let her go. They planned on moving in together and hopefully one day getting married and he let her go because of one kiss. He forgave Drew, why couldn't he forgive her? He suddenly sat up. 'Why can't I forgive her?' He said to himself. He then shook his thoughts away. 'It just wouldn't work. I have to go home to be with my family.' He sat back in the chair and sighed. He ran his hand through his hair. "Screw it." He said as he stood up and started to run towards Gate A7. He had to get to her before the plane left. Luckly, when he got there they were just starting to board. He saw her. She stood talking to Laura in the line of people who were boarding the plane. Jeff ran up to her and pulled her to the side. Karen was startled. "Jeff, what are you doing?" Jeff was breathing heavily from running but he was able to find enough breath to tell her how he fells. "Karen, I'm an idiot. I love you so much. It was just one stupid kiss. I totally flipped over one kiss. I guess it was because I was still upset over my cousin." Karen shook her head. "No, I'm the idiot. I should of never did that." Jeff interupted her. "All I know is I love you and I want you to come to Ohio with me." Karen's eyes grew wide. "What?" "Just come with me. You can meet my parents. Well stay for a week and then go back to Orlando to find a place to move into together." Karen smiled. "Are you sure?" Jeff nodded. "I've never been so sure of anything in my life." "Okay." Karen said. Jeff pulled her arm. "Well we have to hurry up. I have to get you a ticket. I can cash in my first class for two couch tickets." Jeff said as he pulled her through the airport. Karen stopped. "Wait." Jeff turned to see what was the matter. Karen placed her hands softly on his face and pulled him in for a passionate kiss. When they pulled away Jeff smiled. "That was nice." Karen nodded. "I love you." Jeff kissed her hand. "Love you too. Now lets go." They both giggled and smiled at each other as they ran through the airport.
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The plane landed and everyone was saying their good-byes. Laura saw Drew getting his luggage. She walked over towards him. "Need some help?" She asked with a smile. Drew turned his head and staired at her. "No, I'm fine. I'm just gonna get my stuff and head on out of here." Laura's smile faded. "So, you're not going to ask for my number so you can call me some time to hang out?" Drew sighed. "I thought you said you didn't want to be friends because it would hurt to much." Laura lowered her eyes. "I'm not with Pat anymore." "Oh, so thats why you are here talking to me. You hope to get another chance." It felt like a knife went through Laura's heart. His attitude was so cold. "Drew, I'm sorry, okay? I screwed up. I picked the wrong guy. But the whole time I was with Pat I kept asking myself if he was the right one. I would say to myself that he was, but I was never completly satisfied." Laura's eyes filled up with tears. Drew suddenly felt bad for being so rude. "So what are you saying? That you think I'm the one?" Laura shook her head. "No, I know you're the one." Drew smiled. "You have no idea how long I waited for you to say that." He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her softly. Drew pulled away and looked in her eyes. "I'm sorry for being so rude. I didn't think I could ever be happy again if you weren't mine. But I'll take that number of your's now." Laura smiled and wrote it down for him. "So what are you doing today?" Laura asked. Drew smiled. "You wanna go get something to eat?" Laura nodded. "I'd love to." Drew picked up his bag with his left hand and wrapped his right one around Laura. Laura smiled. She has never been so happy.
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AJ saw Howie about to walk out of the airport. He ran over to him and grabbed his arm. Howie turned and looked at him. "You scared me AJ." AJ smiled. "Sorry. No good-bye?" Howie laughed. "I"m gonna be seeing you in a few days at Kev's barbeque." AJ shrugged his shoulders. "I know." Howie studied AJ's face. "What's the real reason you stopped me?" AJ couldn't lie to his best friend. "I noticed that you were sitting next to Gina on the plane and I just wanted to know how she is doing." "Well," Howie started, "I had to hug her a few times to stop her from crying. Why did you do this to her?" AJ rolled his eyes. "D, spare me the lecture. It's killing me inside to see her in so much pain." Howie sighed. "You didn'thave to drag her along for the past month though. I felt so bad on the plane. She kept saying how she couldn't wait to get home to go sit on the beach and have some peace." "The beach by her house?" AJ asked. Howie nodded. "Yeah, why?" AJ shook his head. "Nothing. But I gotta go. Talk to you later D." AJ turned and started to walk away.
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When Gina arrived at home she threw her bags on the bed and decided to take off her skirt and put on her comfortable gray pants she bought at Old Navy. She left on her blue tube top. She then headed for the beach. It is only a block from her house so she walked there. It is a nice private beach. No one was there and she liked that because she needed some peace and quiet. If it was summer she new it would be swarming with the kids in the neighborhood. She sat down, extending her legs out infront of her and placed her hands behind her. She closed her eyes and breathed in heavly. She thought of the past eight months and how great of an experience it was. Making new friends. She was so glad Kevin and Danielle made up. And she couldn't wait to get a call from Karen. She knew that Brian and Elena would be together forever. Gina smiled. She couldn't wait for Nick and Christina's wedding. And she hoped Drew and Laura would stay together because they are so cute. Everyone found love in such great places. 'Everyone but me.' She thought. "What am I gonna do?" She said to herself. Gina suddenly heard footsteps walking in the sand behind her. When she saw the figure walk up and look down at her she almost fainted. His beautiful brown eyes staired deep into hers. "Hello." AJ said as he sat down next to her. Gina gave him a look as if to say 'What are you doing here?' but couldn't seem to get the words out. AJ continued to look into her eyes. Suddenly, he found himself rambling. "I realized I made a huge mistake. Whenever I was with Amanda it always felt like something was missing. It was like five minutes after you left the airport that I realized she wasn't you. I need you so much, you have no idea. I've just been so stupid." He paused and then continued. "This world..it's just so big and I.." Gina interupted him. She softly said, "Shut up." AJ didn't think he heard her right. "Wh..what?" "Just shut up, AJ." She paused and smiled with tears in her eyes. "You had me at 'hello'." AJ smiled and started to laugh. He grabbed her and pulled her on his lap. She swun her legs around and placed them on his right side so she could look at him. They kissed softly. "So, what took you so long to get here?" Gina asked with a smile. AJ smiled. "I had to make a stop somewhere." Gina giggled. "I'm just kidding. I don't mind." A huge smile grew and AJ's face. "No, really I had to stop and get this." He reached in his pocket and pulled out a diamond ring. Gina threw her hands over her mouth. "Oh my God AJ!" AJ continued to smile. "Gina Rebecca Affatato, will you marry me?" Gina giggled and sobbed joyfully. "Yes I will, Alexander James McLean." AJ kissed her on the forehead and placed the ring on her finger. He whispered in her ear. "We're so corny." Gina laughed. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. "I can't believe you." Gina said. They both looked out towards the water. "So, I'm thinking, maybe you come over tonight. I can cook us some dinner...and breakfast." She turned and smiled at him. AJ smiled back at her. He stood up, picking her up with him and ran out to the water. He then dropped her right in it. Gina stood up and started to splash him. They giggled and laughed. AJ then wrapped his arms around her. Water was dripping off both their bodys. "I love you forever." Gina smiled. "I love you forever, too."
