Today is the day. The day that I officially give up my dream. I am leaving for the airport with my mother in less than an hour. I haven�t seen Justin yet, and I am not if it is a good thing or a bad thing. My mother has been trying to get me to stay for the past few days, she says it is because she doesn�t want me to make the mistake that I will regret for the rest of my life, but I know there is something more to it than that.

"Britney, we have to go now if we want to catch our flight. Honey, are you sure this is what you want, because it is not too late to turn back right now." My mother said as the look in her eyes that tells me she is hoping that I would stay.

"Yes, mom this is what I want, this is my dream, but now I have to go back to reality." I said as a tear escaped my eyes.

She didn�t say anything, she just nodded her head and walked away.

Why is it that my mother, who supported me my whole life, whether she thinks I am making a mistake or not, choose now to do this. I hope that I am not making a mistake, because there is no second chance.


At the airport�


This is it. We are leaving now. I am saying good-bye to the guys. I feel like even I only knew some of them for a little while, but they are like my family. Justin is not here, and I didn�t expect him to be. A part of me wishes that he is, but I know that if he came, it would be very hard to say good-bye.

As I feel the plane started to move, I put my seatbelt on, tears that I have been holding back for the past few hours started to escape my eyes. I didn�t expect everything that happened on my stay in Orlando to happen, I didn�t expect to fell in love with Justin, I didn�t expect to let everyone there to become such a big part of my life, but most of all, I didn�t expect myself to give up my dream as easy as I did. I closed my eyes, and the next time I opened them, I am already in New Orleans.

As soon as I walked out of the airport, I was greeted by my family, a smile instantly appeared on my face. I hugged my dad, and my brother, Jamie-Lynn has grown up so much.

For the next few days, I tried to keep myself busy with school, friends and family, but it was no use, I missed the life that I could have, and should have never given up. Johnny called yesterday, he was trying to talk me into going back to the original plan, and I told him I would think about it. I talked to my parents, they said that whatever decision I make, they will support me, but they don�t want to make a decision again, and only to change it again. My cousin Laura Lynne thinks I should go back, but she won�t push me to do something I don�t want to do. Reg, however is a different story, he totally freaked out when I told him that I want to go back. He said I am just looking for attention, and that I am never gonna make it. I have heard some rumors that he is cheating on me, and it didn�t anger me, I didn�t even care, not because I know he wouldn�t, but because I just simply don�t care.


In Orlando, FL�


Justin�s POV�


"Justin, can you believe it? Britney just gave up what she had that easily." Tonya continued to rambling on and on about how Britney is ungrateful for what she had in life, " I mean she had a recording contract, and she recorded with famous producers for her album, but she just let it all go."

"Yeah, listen Tonya, I am a little tired, why don�t you go find my mom and you guys can go shopping or whatever, ok?" I said as I know she continues to talk, I will go crazy.

"Okay," she gave me a kiss and then left the room.

Britney has been gone only for a few days, but it feels like forever since I last saw her. I watched her leave the gate in the airport even though she thinks I wasn�t there. Ever since then, I have been thinking about her. Only my mother knows how I feel about Britney, even if she didn�t think I should be with Tonya because I don�t love her, she is still supportive of the decisions I make.

*Knock

"Come in," I said as I snapped out of my thoughts.

"Hey Justin," Chris said, he didn�t bother to hide that he is upset about Britney leaving, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I just wish she didn�t give up that easy." I said, "Who knows, maybe this is what she is suppose to be doing."


In Louisiana�


Britney�s POV


I just talked to Johnny, I told him that I will not be joining the guys on the tour, he understood to my surprise. I don�t want to give up my singing career, but I just can�t work with Justin right now, and have Tonya there all the time. I wish my life would just be simple again.

"Hey, what are you thinking about?" my mom asked as she comes out of the house and sit next to me on the porch.

"I just wish that I could go on tour, but without all the confusion." I looked at her, she just nodded her head, she didn�t say anything, I just know she knows what I am talking about. "You know, don�t you?" I asked knowingly.

"Well, it is not that hard to figure out what is going on with you and Justin." She said calmly. "Anyway, I have good news, it might cheer you up."

"There is nothing that can cheer me up right now." I said with sadness in my voice.

"Well, I wouldn�t be so sure if I were you." My mom said with a smile, "You know that Backstreet Boys are going on tour right?" I just nodded, "Larry, just called and said that JIVE would like you to go on tour with them."

"Oh my God!" I screamed with excitement.

"So that means you are going right?"

"Of course, I am so excited."


Chapter 9