Alesha went back inside and walked up to the table. She looked at Lori and said, "Can I talk to you for a minute."
"Sure," she said getting up and following Alesha. "What's wrong Lesh?" she asked.
Alesha sighed. "I'm going home. I can't handle this. Or rather, I'm expecting more of Nick than he can give. I don't know."
Lori looked at her confused. "You're breaking up with him? He didn't want to kiss her. He pushed her away. He doesn't want to be with her."
Looking at Lori, pain and confusion raging in her eyes, Alesha said, "It's not even that Lori. I have so much other stuff going on in my life. I just can't deal with all of this. Being friends with them is one thing. But the pressures of dating a Backstreet Boy, THAT is something I'm not sure I can handle. Besides," she looked down at her hands, "He'll thank me in the end. Our worlds are too different."
"I cannot believe what I'm hearing. You're giving up something as wonderful and perfect as you and Nick, not because you are from "two different worlds" but because you're afraid," Lori said vehemently. "You're afraid of opening up and letting him in. He's not going to hurt you. He loves you too much. Why are you the only person who can't see that?"
"Whatever," Alesha said. "I have to go."
"Running away isn't going to make it better, Lesh. It's only going to make you lonely," Lori called after her.
Walking out of the club, she hailed a club and gave the driver the address to the hotel. She went inside, grabbed her things and scribbled a quick note. She stopped off at the desk long enough to give the attendant the note and instructions on who to give it to, and the she left for the airport.
She couldn't even fall asleep on the plane. Her mind was a jumbled mess. "What have I done?" she thought staring at the picture of her and Nick at Universal Studios. She traced the outline of his face as the tears started falling.
"She WHAT?" Howie shrieked looking at Lori.
"She left. I'm assuming she's going to try and fly out tonite," Lori shrugged.
"You don't sound too upset," AJ said.
"I think she's being childish."
Brian looked at her. "Why? Because she's afraid of losing someone she loves?"
"No. Because she didn't give him a chance to prove he wasn't going to hurt her," Lori snapped at him.
"I have to stop her," Howie said jumping up and running out of the club.
"Mr. Dorough, this was left for you," the desk attendant said as Howie came bursting into the lobby.
"If it's a fan letter, throw it away, I'm in a hurry," Howie said and started walking again.
"I don't believe that it's a fan letter, sir. I believe she was a member of your group. She left here in quite a rush, looking terribly upset."
"ALESHA!" Howie exclaimed running over to the desk and snatching the envelope. Ripping it open, he unfolded the letter.
Dearest Howie,
Sighing, Howie folded the letter and put it in his pocket. He sat down on the lounge sofa, clicked open his phone and pushed a button. ">pause< Hey Bone. She's gone. >pausepause< Yeah. >pause< Home I guess. >pausepausepause< Okay. I'm gonna stay here. >pausepausepause< Yeah. Bye." Howie shut the phone off and dropped his head in his hands.
I know it may seem weird for me to be writing my goodbye letter to you, but there are many reasons why I do. I won't go into them right now…perhaps someday. What I do want to say is…I'm not leaving forever…just for now. I hope we can remain friends. Not just you and me, but Nick as well. Everything happened so quickly. I'm not sure what to think. Seeing Nick with Sarah made me realize how fragile our relationship really is. We didn't have much of a foundation, and that bothers me. I know I love him. With every fiber of my being. But whether I love him enough to make it last is something I need time to consider. I know I'm risking everything by leaving this way. But it's something that has to be done. I know that you understand, and I thank you for it.
Always and forever…
Alesha
