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Nobody But You August of '91 Jennifer stood in the opening of Kevin's bedroom. He hunched over his set of keyboards, his fingers expertly moved across the keys. She walked over to him, pulled up the chair from his desk, and sat down. He let the music flow over his body. Finally he stopped. He looked at his fingers still resting on the keys. Jennifer could tell there were tears in his eyes. She sighed and brought his head to her chest. When she did this he began to cry more. He wrapped his arms around her waist and silently cried. Jennifer couldn't stand to see him like this. She pulled his face up so he could be eye level with her. She wiped the tears with her thumb. "Why couldn't he just stick around a little longer?" he asked his voice cracking. Jennifer could feel her own tears surfacing. "I don't know sweetie, it was just his time..." He sighed and they both hugged. "Are you going to be ok?" she asked as she ran her fingers through his hair. "Yeah, I really appreciate you coming out here Jennifer...It really means a lot to me." She smiled. "Anything for you Kevin." May of '99 After coming back to Orlando, her home, Jennifer hadn't heard much from Kevin. She saw and watched his career grow and turn out to be a big success. She really missed him. They were such great friends she would've never imagined their friendship ending like it did. "Hello, welcome to Bennigans. My name is Jennifer and I'll be your waitress for the day," she said looking at her new customers. She held her pad up so she could write their orders, but almost dropped it when she realized who she was waiting on. "Ha - Have Y - You..." she cleared her throat and tried to calm down her nerves. "Have you decided on what you wanted to drink?" A pair of green eyes looked up at her and smiled. "Yes I'd like an iced tea." The blond next to him nodded. "Same here." Jennifer looked at the other two that sat across from them. The brown headed man looked up at her and smiled, his blue eyes twinkling, almost. "I think I'll have a Dr. Pepper." "I'll just have a tea," said the blond next to him. Jennifer nodded and tried to smile. "I'll be back with your drinks." Jennifer went into the back to make the drinks. She couldn't get those green eyes out of her head, she remembered the last time she looked at those green eyes. They were full of tears, grieving over his father's death. When he looked at her, at the table, she could tell he was happy. His eyes looked the same as they always had. But she was deeply hurt that the two men didn't know who she was. Then again they looked pretty occupied with their girlfriends. Jennifer sighed and took the drinks out to the four. "Are you ready to order?" She asked while smiling.Jennifer walked into her apartment, kicking off her shoes. She staggered into her bedroom and fell onto the bed. She opened her nightstand drawer and started looking for a picture. Once she found it she pulled it out and looked at it. It was a picture of her and Kevin on their horses. Before she moved to Orlando, she lived in Kentucky. Until May of '91, when she was 18, then she decided to go and move to Orlando, so she would be able to attend University of Central Florida. She kept in touch with Kevin all the time. She remembered their late night talks over the phone, Kevin would tell her the life back in Kentucky, while Jennifer told him about the life in Orlando. Soon after Jennifer left, Kevin left also. She would always meet up with him at Disney on his breaks. But once he got an audition for the Backstreet Boys, he forgot all about her. He now had himself a girlfriend and a chance to become big. She sighed as she heard a knock at the door. She got up off the bed and walked towards the door. Her breath was caught in her throat when she saw who stood on the other side of the door. She opened the door and was greeted by Kevin's sparkling green eyes. "Hey Jen," he said as she opened the door. Jennifer leaned on the door and looked at him. "Hi, wanna come in?" "Yeah," he walked in and she closed the door. "Jennifer...I'm really sorry...about today...about the past six years..." he said reaching out and gently taking her hand into his. She looked down at their hands. Tears started to form, but she blinked them back. 'Don't let him see you cry' she looked into his eyes and smiled sweetly. "It's ok." "Really? You forgive me?" "Of course! How could I stay mad at you?" He pulled Jennifer into a tight hug. She rested her chin on his shoulder, and blinked back more tears when he told her he missed her. She pulled away and hesitated to smile. "Uh...do you want anything to drink?" she asked stepping out of his arms. "A water would be fine," She nodded and left Kevin standing in the foyer. "So, I see you're still seeing Kristin," "Yeah, it's been seven years," Jennifer stuck her head out of the kitchen. "Really?!" "Well, we've been off and on," "Oh," she stepped out and handed him his water. Jennifer sat down in front of Kevin in the living room. There was an awkward silence between them. "So...Was that Brian's girlfriend at the table with you guys?" "Yeah, Leighanne," She smiled. And continued to catch up. February of '00 "Hello?" asked Jennifer when she picked up the phone. "Jen, hey, it's Kevin..." "Oh hey Kev, I thought you already left," she felt butterflies in her stomach. Praying he called to tell her that he broke things off with Kristin and wanted her instead. "No not yet, our plans are a little behind schedule. We're leaving tomorrow bright and early," "Oh. So what'd you want?" she asked, trying not to sound disappointed. "Well I kinda wanted your input on something," She sat down and awaited Kevin's question. "When we get to the bed and breakfast...should I ask her when we get there or wait til like the night before we leave?" 'Why is he asking me this?' she asked as she looked at her hands which were now shaking. "Uh... I'd wait towards the end," she said quietly. "Sorry Jen, I didn't hear you," She cleared her throat and closed her eyes. "I'd wait towards the end," she said louder. "Great, that's what I was thinking of. You're great Jennifer...I was a fool to break such a bond, as friends, the way I did before and I'm sorry." The tears that have been collecting in her eyes finally began to fall. "You don't have to keep apologizing Kevin. I understand." He gave a little laugh. "I just wanted to make sure you know how bad I feel." "Kevin, really, I understand." "Ok, look, I gotta go and finish packing. Hopefully I'll come back engaged." She could tell he had a smile on his face by the tone of his voice. "You will Kevin. Kristin's a very lucky girl, if she says 'no' then there must be something wrong with her." He laughed. "Well thank you, Jen. I'll see you when I get back." "Good luck, Kev." "Bye!" October of '00 Jennifer stood in her living room staring at the wedding invitation in her hand:Kevin Richardson & Kristin Willits Marry in holy matrimony on November 1st year 2000 First Baptist Church of Orlando at 2:45 pm... "I can't go," she said to herself. "I can't, in one week, watch him get married..." November of '00 "Dearly beloved, we are gathered her together in holy matrimony..." Jennifer silently crept in and stood in the back. She looked around and saw both families. Some crying, some smiling as they watched the two. Jennifer looked around and smiled. The wedding was beautiful. "If anyone feels that this couple should not wed, speak now or forever hold your peace." Jennifer felt her heart pound like crazy. It was like it was saying 'Do it! Do it! DO IT!' She raised her hand and shouted "I DO!" Everyone gasped and turned to see who said. Kevin and Kristin turned and looked her way. She felt like crawling under a pew so no one would know she said it. "Did you say something young lady?" asked the preacher. Jennifer walked down aisle. "Kevin, I have loved you deeply, as a friend for the longest time. But when you came back into my life after six years, I felt so differently but you already had Kristin. I stopped this wedding because I can't sit back and watch you guys get married. I love you Kevin... I just thought I'd tell you how I felt before you go and say 'I do'," Jennifer was now infront of Kevin and everyone sat and watched in anticipation. Kevin looked at Kristin, and his family. He looked at Jennifer and back at Kristin. He grabbed Jennifer's hand and they both ran out the church doors. Everyone gasping and talking amongst themselves. They jumped into Jennifer's car and began driving. They drove in silence the whole hour they were in the car. Kevin pulled into a deserted place on a beach. He parked the car and sat in silence for a couple of more minutes. Finally he turned and looked at Jennifer. "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked moving her hair away from her eyes. "I was just scared," "Scared of what?" "Rejection..." she said looking down at her lap. He shook his head and put his hand on the back of her head bringing her face near his. When their lips were barely touching he whispered. "I never would reject you Jennifer...I love you." She felt chills go down her spine when she felt his breath on her lips. Jennifer went to tell him she loved him too, but was cut off by his lips, pressing against hers. |