"Come on Crys," Nick said grabbing his bags. "We have an hour before our plane leaves and it takes about that long to get through to the airport."
"Whatever Nick," she grumbled dragging her suitcase into the front room. "We have," she looked down at her watch, "an hour and a half."
"An hour, an hour and a half," he shrugged. "What difference does it make? We're gonna be late either way if you don't hurry up." He walked outside, tossing his luggage into the back of the van that was waiting for them.
"I don't understand why ya'll agreed to do this," Crystal complained as she struggled with hers.
Nick sighed heavily, walking back over and taking her bags from her, carrying them over to the van. "Don't start," he warned as they got in the van."
"Well, it's not fair," she pouted. "It's ya'll's vacation. They promised you that ya'll wouldn't have to do anything until you started recording for the new album."
"Look. If you don't want to come, stay. I don't care," Nick said quietly. "This is my job. There are certain things that I have to do, even if I don't want to. And that includes giving up my vacation to make sure that some unfortunate people are being taken care of. Sure, I'd rather just go down there and chill out on the beach, go surfing, diving, whatever. And I will. But I also know that there is a whole world out there waiting for me and the fellas to help them out, and we're going to do it as long as we can."
"Are you finished?" Crystal asked, her eyes flashing with anger. Receiving no answer from him, she continued. "Good. You can step off from your high and mighty soapbox that you have all of a sudden decided needed your attention. I don't really care that there are millions and millions of people out there fighting for a second of your attention. I'm your girlfriend dammit. Don't I deserve a bit?"
"What?!" he exclaimed looking at her. Glancing up front at the driver, who quickly averted his eyes from the rearview mirror that he was watching them in, Nick sighed and lowered his voice to a whisper. "I give you more time that I give myself. Just because you aren't around to appreciate it."
"Not around?" Crystal asked. "What the hell do you call waiting around at night until all hours waiting for you to call and tell me that you're okay, or to listen to you bitch about something else that isn't going your way. What do you call spending my nights alone, waiting for god knows when that you'll be home again?"
"Yeah, well, when I do get home, you aren't there," Nick responded irritably. "I don't understand you."
"What's there to understand?" she asked him. "I would like to lead a normal life, with a normal boyfriend."
"So, what are you saying?" he asked looking at her. "That you want to break up?"
Crystal sighed. "Look, ever since those girls walked into your life, into the group's lives, there has been nothing but chaos."
"Oh, now don't go trying to blame Cat and Kyn for our problems," he warned.
"Why not? It seems like ever since you guys met them everyone's life has been in upheaval. Take AJ for instance. His life was fine with Miranda before Kyndall interrupted it. Now, Miranda is upset and heartbroken. And AJ is lost and alone. While Kyndall is probably sitting in heaven with two of the world's most beautiful men fawning over her," Crystal explained.
"Don't even talk about Kyndall that way. And I seriously doubt Miranda is as heartbroken as you're making her out to be," Nick argued.
"And then there's Catlyn," Crystal said making a face. "The oh so wonderful friend of you and Brian," she said sarcastically.
"What about Catlyn?" Nick asked, prepared to defend her from his girlfriend.
"Well, gee," she said holding a finger up to her chin, pretending to ponder the question. "Come on Nick. She's all you and Bri seem to talk about. I'm surprised Leighanne hasn't gotten suspicious."
"Well, I do believe that she trusts Brian. Sign of a good relationship," he said bitterly.
Crystal looked at him. "What is that suppose to mean?" she asked.
He shrugged. "Nothing. Look, just…let's not talk about it anymore," he said looking out the window miserably. Seeing the airport just over the pass, he started gathering his things.
"Fine. I can do that. Just push it to the side like we have everything else that needs to be talked about," she mumbled, crossing her arms and staring out the window for the remainder of the trip.
"So," AJ said looking over at Howie.
"So what?" Howie asked glancing up from his magazine.
"What did she say?" AJ asked looking at him expectantly. Looking back down at the magazine, Howie asked, "What did who say?"
"Kyndall, dammit," AJ snapped grabbing the magazine from him.
"What do you mean what did she say? She said she was coming. Hopes that she'd meet some really hot beach bum, get married, settle down, have some kids, perhaps a career or something," he shrugged. "Can I have my magazine please?"
"Hell no you can't. Not 'til you tell me what she really said."
Howie sighed. "Look, she said she didn't want to be stuck on an island with you for an indefinite amount of time. I had to beg her to agree to come along. And well, it's not easy for me, ya know."
AJ looked at him. He handed Howie's magazine back to him, hitting him in the chest with it. Sighing, he leaned his head back against the neck rest of his seat. "When do we get off this blasted contraption. I suddenly need air," he mumbled closing his eyes.
"AJ, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. It's not like I planned to fall for her," Howie said softly.
"I know that. And don't you know that I'm torn by my feelings for her, and my loyalty to our friendship?" AJ asked rolling his head to the side to look at Howie.
"Yeah. I know you are, but there's nothing to worry about," Howie shrugged. "As long as she's happy, I'm happy. Kind of," he chuckled sadly. "Look. If I didn't want things to work out for ya'll, would I be helping you?"
"I know," AJ said looking away. He was suddenly very glad he was wearing shades. They hid the tears that were filling his eyes. "What the fuck is wrong with me. I'm turning into a girl," he thought closing his eyes tightly, trying to keep them from falling.
