The weeks went by and Kevin and Christel's relationship only got better, while his and AJ's friendship only got worse. Whenever Christel saw one the guys she'd be told of Kevin and AJ's fight of the day. Christel felt torn, what if this was the beginning of the end of the Backstreet Boys. She definitely didn't want to be the next Yoko Ono. She had a big decision to make, her relationship with Kevin or keeping the group together. She wanted them to be not only singing mates but close friends too. She hated it when her friends fought and knew that Kevin and the rest of the guys felt the same way. She also knew that this was getting worse before it got any better.
The day they were scheduled to leave, Chinita, Niecey, and Christel went to the airport with the guys to say goodbye. They would be gone for five whole months with occasional breaks to come back home. If she were to make the move the time was now.
"Well, I guess this is goodbye," Christel said with a sad sigh.
"No. More like see ya later," he replied pulling her close.
"Ok, then see ya later, Kevin. Take this and don't read it until you get on the plane, when you're comfortable," she said handing him a folded piece of paper.
"Ok sweetie. What is it a love letter?" he asked taking the paper and sticking it in his pocket. Kevin pulled her close for one last kiss to keep with him until he could see her again. When their lips met it felt like a goodbye for Christel she fought with herself not to cry. He held her close for a while not wanting to let her go. Kevin pulled away from her and looked down into her face. A single tear escaped and he wiped it away with his thumb.
"I won't be gone long. It'll only be a month at the most before our next break," he said soothingly into her ear. Christel nodded. He hugged her again and kissed her on the cheek and turned to board the plane but turned back to her one last time to smile at her. Christel waved at him as another tear escaped her eye. She wasn't crying because he was gone she was crying for what she had to do.
Christel pulled herself together and marched over to where AJ was talking to Chinita.
"Uuhh, AJ can I speak to you?" she said her voice shaking. Chinita looked from Christel to AJ.
"Ok I'll let you two talk. Well bye AJ have a nice trip," Chinita said as she hugged him close. Christel never noticed the blissful look Chinita had on her face as she hugged AJ. Chinita walked away to say goodbye to the others.
"What do you want to talk about?" he asked looking at her over his glasses.
"Listen take this and don't read it until you get on the plane," she said holding out the folded sheet of paper.
"Is that all you wanted?" he asked looking at her suspiciously.
"Yes, this is all I wanted. Now would you take this, please. Don't read it until you get on the plane," she said. He took the paper from Christel and shoved it in his pocket.
"Alright, whatever," he said turning from her to board the plane.
Christel sat and watched the others leave. After watching Nick and Niecey in a passionate embrace she thought she was going to be sick. Brian and Howie came over to her and hugged her goodbye then boarded the plan. Nick and Niecey were still basically making out. She thought they were going to have to turn the hose on them.
"Oh get a room!" Chinita shouted. Nick and Niecey turned and gave her a murderous look. Nick gave Niecey one last kiss and boarded the plane. The three girls sat in the terminal until the plane took off. Christel sat between Chinita and Niecey holding her face in her hands on the verge of tears. She felt Kevin's absence instantly and he wasn't even gone five minutes. She tried to figure out how the hell she was going to get through the next five months. Chinita and Niecey talked a little until they noticed the look on Christel's face. She was caught up in her own thoughts until she heard her name being called.
"Christel . . . Christel come on back to earth. Hello?" Niecey said.
"Oh what do you guys want," she asked looking from one to the other.
"Are you ok?" Chinita asked.
"Oh, I'm fine," she said breaking out with her fake smile.
"No you're not. I know that smile when I see it, Christel. What's wrong?" Niecey asked.
"I said nothing and I mean nothing," Christel said getting annoyed. She realized they wanted to help but, the only one who could help was Kevin and he was gone.
"Tell us what's wrong we're your friends," Chinita said. Christel looked from one to the other again and let out a deep sigh.
"I think I just made the biggest mistake of my life," she replied as tears welled up in her eyes threatening to fall.
******
On the plane, Kevin sat comfortably beside Brian who was dozing off, when he remembered the letter in his pocket. Smiling to himself at the idea of Christel writing him a love letter, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the letter. Before opening it he glanced at Brian to assure he wasn't looking. He began to read,
To my dearest Kevin,
I know our relationship is getting better and better. I also know that AJ's and your friendship is getting worse and I don't want to be responsible for that. The thing is I feel like I am responsible. I keep thinking that the fighting between you and AJ will ultimately result in the break up of the Backstreet Boys and I don't want that to happen. What I'm trying to say is, for the five months you're gone we should take a break from each other. It may even last longer than those five months. I just think we should let things cool down a bit before we continue with our relationship. We started our relationship too soon after I broke up with AJ and the wounds were still fresh. Please don't call me or try to contact me. I am so sorry. This hurts so much to do this but I have to. I can't think of any other way, but this one. Please talk to AJ, Kevin; he's your friend. I'll continue to house sit for you and take care of Quincy while you're gone. Just remember I'll always love you and you're in my heart.
Love Always,
Christel
Kevin dropped the letter and closed his eyes. He couldn't believe what he just read. He knew the whole time that something was wrong, that something was bothering Christel. She acted happy but somewhat detached. Physically she was there with him but mentally she was not. He thought his life was paradise up until that point. Obviously, Christel felt otherwise. He had planned so many things for the upcoming breaks they would have and he planned them all to be spent with Christel. Most of his plans involved them never leaving the bedroom for anything except, food and maybe not even that. He saw all his plans for the next five months crumble right before his eyes.
******
Back in the airport . . .
"You wrote that to him?" Niecey asked slapping Christel's shoulder.
"Yeah," she replied in tears.
"Why did you do that?" Niecey asked slapping her across the shoulder.
"I had to? Why do you keep hitting me?" she said.
"I just think it was stupid of you to write that letter," Niecey replied.
"Well that's your opinion. I'm going home. I'll see you guys later," she said getting up to leave.
"Wait, you can't just leave without an explanation," Chinita replied.
"Why can't I," she asked.
"Before, I'll admit, I thought this bad idea but I see how happy you and Kevin are together," Chinita said.
"Well I can give up a little of my happiness for their career," she said sadly.
"You won't break up the Backstreet Boys," Chinita exclaimed," but you will break Kevin's heart."
"Look I have to go. I really want to be alone right now," Christel said turning to flee the scene.
"Christel wait!" Niecey yelled after her.
"No let her go," Chinita said.