The next few weeks seemed to fly by for JC and Karis. Everyday they would do something together, whether it be going to the beach, or into town, or just laying around the house and doing nothing. The nights were always spent together making love on the beach, in the kitchen, the living room in front of fires, everywhere.
"Karis, we've got to talk," JC said one night while lying in bed gently, stroking her bare back.
"About what?" Karis asked, rolling over to face him.
"Us. I love you Karis," JC said.
"I love you, too," she smiled, kissing him.
"So, then what exactly is going to happen when we leave next week?" JC asked.
"I don't know. I mean, I can't really leave my life in Boston," she said.
"And I can't leave mine, either," JC said, thinking about how he still hadn't told her about 'N Sync yet.
"Maybe we weren't meant to be long term. Maybe were a summer love that fades away in the fall," Karis said quietly.
"No!! Absolutely not. That is the last thing we are. Don't say that," JC said. Karis sigh and nodded. "Kar, what's wrong?"
She took a deep breath and sat up slipping a shirt on. "JC, there's something I need to tell you, and I think your going to hate me when I do," she said.
JC laughed, "I doubt it; that would be impossible."
Karis laughed nervously, wringing her hands together. JC's smile faded, seeing this when he realized something was wrong.
"I don't really know how to tell you this," Karis started, getting up and pacing in front of the bed. "In fact, there is no easy way to say it. I'm not proud to say it."
"Just say it," JC urged.
Karis stopped pacing and looked directly at him, "JC, I'm . . . engaged." She watched his expression before continuing. "The man, Jack . . . I don't love him, but I have to marry him. You see, my father, well, he's a business man and this is kind of a business deal. I signed a contract because I thought . . . well, I thought I would never find love and Jack would be there to support me. And then I met you, which was not in my plans, let me tell you, and I fell in love with you. I wish I could take everything back now and we could be together, but I can't. I'm so sorry, JC. I never ever wanted to hurt you," Karis finished, crying. She walked over and placed a hand on JC's arm but he jerked it away.
"Don't touch me," he said with no emotion. "I want you to get out of here. I never want to see you again."
"JC, please, don't do this," Karis pleaded with tears streaming down her face.
"Get out!" JC's voice boomed through out the house. Karis nodded and grabbed her clothes.
"I'm so sorry, JC. I love you more than anything, and I always will," she whispered, looking at him one last time before she walked out of the bedroom. JC watched with cold eyes. When he heard the front door close he fell over and sobbed into his pillow. His heart felt as though it had been ripped from his chest, the pain was so great he gasped for breaths as the tears flowed from his eyes.
"I can't stay here," he said to himself. He looked around and she was there, everywhere. The house was haunted by her. He got up and quickly packed everything in his suitcase that would fit, not caring what he left. He ran outside and to his car, not looking back. He couldn't bare to see her again, so he had to leave and get as far away from Milford as possible. It was five in the morning when he got to the airport. He got on the earliest flight possible and left: left Milford, left Connecticut . . . left Karis.