Alyssa fumbled with the hotel key before throwing it down in frustration. Her nerves were beyond being shot, she was a mess.
"Miss Taylor, do you want me to get that?" Drew came up behind her pointing down to the key and slowly picking it up to lock the door. "and your bags?" Alyssa shook her head strongly holding onto one of the straps.
"No, no I got it," He watched as tears of frustration lined her eyes.
"Alyssa, don't get upset, it's just a key..." he rubbed her shoulder leading her down the hallway, and downstairs. As soon as she walked into the lobby, all of the guys walked up to her immediately.
"Hey kiddo, how you holding up?" Chris asked placing an arm around her shoulder. She gave a weak smile just shaking her head.
"Guys, not to be rude. but do you think we could head to the airport? I don't want to say good-bye here, and there..." they all nodded their head in understandment, as Drew and Mike led them outside to black van. The ground was completely covered in blankets of white. It was all you could see, for as far as you looked. As the guys were getting into the van Justin stopped, standing by Drew.
"How's she doing?" Justin asked in a low voice, to make sure she wouldn't hear them. >p>"Not so great. The past few days have been rough for her. She gets upset over the littlest thing. She cried this morning because she couldn't lock the hotel door..." Justin gave him a worried glance before hopping in the van next to Alyssa. She never once looked at his face, instead just stared out the window all the way to the airport.
"Alyssa, sweetie you want me to get your bags?" Justin asked, walking up beside her.
They were close to falling from her shoulders, and he could see the determination on her face. He didn't wait for an answer just backed away when he saw her pull them further up her arm. He gave a small smile. The past few days had been rough on her, he knew it. She'd done amazing on her performances, and she had a really booked schedule. Between getting everything together and finalized, her stress level had skyrocketed. Plus, the emotional turmoil she was putting herself through, was way more than she could handle. With everything, she was also nervous. The guys had been her friends, she knew them before all of this had started. They didn't criticize her performance, because they saw it through the eyes of friends. What would she have to live up to with Britney?
The entire trip to the airport had been almost silent, and now that they were approaching her terminal, he didn't know how he was even going to say good-bye.
"Terminal A36, this is us Miss Taylor," Drew pointed to the large doors, and chairs that were assembled around them. She smiled, walking over to them.
"How much time until we leave?" Alyssa asked softly, looking down at Drew's watch.
"About 10 minutes..."She nodded her head.
"We better start saying good-bye..." Joey and Chris walked up to her first.
"You keep your head up high hun. I know you can do it," Chris reached out engulfing her in his arms.
"You know, I always liked you better than Justin," Alyssa laughed for the first time that day.
"Of course," She smiled as Joey reached out spinning her around in a small circle. JC smiled some walking up beside her. She pulled away from Joey staring JC straight in the face.
"You've got something over Justin Alyssa, and keep it because he's never been so happy since he's met you. Don't be afraid to ask anyone for help either, you cant take on everything..."
"Yeah I know. Thank you for everything you have done for me..."
"Don't sweat it hun..." he winked at her hugging her softly, and patting her knee. Alyssa's head was reeling. It was only a month until she'd see them again. Still, she was so scared. She would be repeating all of her old fears again, only this time she wouldn't have the guys to back her up.
"I'm going to fly out there to see you next week for your video shoot. I need to be their as your manager," Lance placed a steady hand on her shoulder.
"That's wonderful Lance..."Lance looked at the tears swimming in her eyes. He pulled her into a hug kissing the top of her head.
"You have so much potential Alyssa. You go and show the world what you've got. and I'll be their 100% of the way. NOT ONLY as a manager, but as a friend," Lance looked over as Justin waited impatiently, pacing the length of the terminal floors.
"I think someone wants to talk to you..." Alyssa smiled as Justin sat down beside her. She turned looking him straight in the eyes.
The moment she saw the compassion the depths of blue held the tears that had threatened to spill over finally broke free, rolling down her cheek and onto her arms. Justin tenderly wiped them away with the tip of his finger tucking a loose strand of hair out of her face.
"Please baby, don't cry," Her bottom lip quivered as she fought to control the overflow of tears slamming against her eye lids.
"I don't want to leave Justin, I really don't..." Justin sighed running a shaky hand through his curls. Placing two fingers under her chin he raised her head so she woud look at him again.
"I don't want you to go either. You can get in touch with me whenever you want, day or night still. And I'll see you for Christmas..." She just nodded her head, closing her eyes tightly to block out the things she wished werent happening.
"Listen to me baby..." Another tear slipped down her cheek as she looked up at him.
"Now boarding all children under the age of 13 flying unattended, and all first class passengers to flight 203 to Baton Rouge" Alyssa stiffened when she heard that, sucking in a deep breathe.
"I've got to go," She whispered standing up shakily. Justin grabbed her hand kissing her sweetly on the lips. He could feel her tears drip onto his face, her body shaking softly. She slowly pulled away touching her lips lightly.
"Goodbye Justin," She squeezed his hand again the tears falling freely down the structure of her face. Justin watched as she handed her ticket to the attendant, Drew close by her side. He rushed forward turning her around to face him one more time.
He stroked the side of her face leaning in softly whispering to her. "I love you Alyssa..." A small sob left her mouth as she turned to Justin with tear filled eyes. Her throat choked as she squeezed her eyes together tightly.
"I know Justin, I know..." Her voice was so soft he almost couldnt hear it.
She slowly walked through the gates disappearing. Justin let out a filtered sigh, swallowing hard as the bitter taste of truth lingered in his mouth and heart. He had just known, that if she loved him she would tell him today.
When they would be seperated, a final statement of devotion. But yet still...she refused to give his heart the justice it bled for. He shivered as a cold feeling of pain, and regreat washed over him.
