Jo and the four guys of Big Time Rush were sitting around the couch in the guys' apartment, with Jo's cell phone sitting silently on the table in front of them. All five were filled to the brim with nervous anticipation for the phone to ring. Jo was waiting on the edge of her seat for news of whether or not she landed the role of Emily in the upcoming Chauncy Jackson movies. Kendall and the rest of the guys were with her to help celebrate the good news or console her through the bad. Jo really wanted this role, but right now more than anything she just wanted the phone to ring and tell her something, anything. The anticipation was literally killing her inside.
Until finally her phone started ringing and she quickly pressed it to her ear. "Hello?"
"Hi Jo, I've got some great news for you. The director has chosen to cast you as Emily! Congratulations!" Her agent, Jemma's voice said cheerily into her ear.
"I got the part?" Jo shouted with a smile on her face.
"YEAH!" The guys all cheered and set off mini confetti cannons in celebration.
"Yep, they absolutely loved you. They're ready to offer you a three-movie contract."
"It's a three-movie deal!" Jo cheered.
"Yeah!" The guys all cheered again and set off another round of confetti.
"Yep, I can call your dad to give him the details too, since you'll be shooting in New Zealand for three years."
"It's shooting in New Zealand for three years?" Jo asked for clarification, all her lighthearted spirits crashing down into the pit of her stomach.
"Yeah!" the guys cheered again, but Kendall, James, and Logan stopped when they registered just what Jo had said.
"Oh yeah, so start packing your bags, you need to be down there in a week."
"They want me to leave this week…?" Jo said softly.
"Oh YES!" Carlos was still cheering but Kendall looked at her, completely lost, while Logan and James were glancing back and forth between them, and also holding Carlos down to give him the memo to quit the confetti.
"Well to be honest they'd like you down there yesterday, but first I have to call Amy at New Town High and make sure we can break your contract with Colossal Studios. But I don't see that being an issue so you can start packing."
"Oh, Really? Thank you, Jemma. I'll call you back later." Jo hung up the phone.
"Really? Really? What does really mean?" Kendall asked in a panic.
"My agent said I can't do the movie if I can't get out of my New Town High contract," Jo reported. "I'll find out more when I talk to my agent. Goodbye kiss?" Jo asked.
Kendall leaned close and they shared a short, tender kiss for a moment before breaking away.
Jo then walked out of the apartment with a nervous smile.
"I'll meet you in the lobby later, OK?" Kendall asked her.
"I'll see you then Kendall. Bye." Jo waved as she exited the apartment.
"He's gonna need us this week," Logan told the others.
"He's also going to need my list of girls who aren't hot enough for me, but are perfect for him." James held up a green-covered notepad.
"And hugs," Carlos said with a smile, and they all extended their arms wide.
"She might not be leaving." Kendall reminded them.
"Yeah, but if she does…" Logan started.
Kendall interrupted Logan before he could finish, "No ifs until we know for sure what's happening. Let's just head to Rocque Records to see what Gustavo wants from us this week." Kendall said, and he marched out the door, he had been so ready to celebrate Jo landing her first movie role today, but now… no. Kendall refused to even think about Jo leaving until he had all the facts. Although reading the lyrics to their new Worldwide song wasn't helping his focus. But at least Gustavo banned them from the studio for the rest of the week, so he could spend all his time focusing on Jo, whatever she needed from him, he would do it, for her.
Jo met her dad and they drove across town to meet with her agent, and just like she said on the phone, it would be easy as pie for Jo to break her contract for the movie, which honestly wasn't the news she wanted to hear. The whole time she could only think about one thing. She did her best to act excited still, and she seemed to fool her agent, but it wasn't enough to fool her dad.
When they got back to the car, they both got in their seats, but her dad didn't start the engine.
"Jo, what's wrong? To me, this movie sounds like something you've always dreamed about, but you're acting like you're reading an obituary."
"Dad…I don't know what to do." Jo admitted.
"What, is it New Zealand? Don't worry I can expedite your passport, and the studio will provide everything you need, and I'll of course still be with you every step of the way. It'll be easy for me to get a transfer to a local office in Auckland."
"I…I know you will Dad, and I…I can't thank you enough for letting me follow this dream, but I don't know if I want it anymore." Jo squeezed her eyes shut, trying to hold back her tears, but when she opened her eyes again, tears started running down her cheeks.
"What changed Jo? You have to tell me the problem. And I'll do everything I can to fix it, I promise." Dad placed his hand comfortingly on Jo's shoulder.
"You can't though…because it's Kendall." Jo finally admitted quietly. "I…I don't want to leave him…but you're right, this is my dream, but it's not my only dream anymore."
"Ah, I understand…" her dad was quiet for a moment, as Jo attempted to pull herself together. "Jo… I'm about to tell you something I never told you before. You know I joined the Marines right out of high school right? I did that for a lot of reasons, my dad and grandfather both served our country and were proud of their service, my dream was to make them proud. My entire life I knew I would go into the military, I thought my only decision would be which branch I joined."
"But that changed when I met your mother in high school. Sure I had dated around through my teenage years, but when I met her, something changed, we of course grew more serious and committed to each other, and I found out I did have more choices than I once thought. Most importantly, could I hold both her and my life's dream together? What would my life, and hers be if or when we had to be apart for months or even years at a time? Would I be able to handle that, and would she?"
"I know you joined then, but what did you do Dad?"
"When the time came closer and closer for me to officially commit, it was during our senior year of high school. She was of course already ready to head to UNC, and she knew of my goals, but she never ever questioned me or tried to convince me otherwise. But I could tell she was holding out on me what she was really thinking."
"So I finally told her I wanted to talk, and I mean really talk one night, and she told me all her fears, many of which matched my own, and just as many I hadn't even thought of. We both did our best to come up with solutions to as many issues as we could find, but in the end, she refused to let me give up all my dreams just for her. I even offered to not go if that was what she really wanted. I told her I would call up my recruiter and resign the next morning. That'd I'd even find some way to join her at UNC because she was the most important thing in my life. But do you want to know what she told me?"
"What Dad?"
"She said no. She wouldn't let me give up my dreams just for her. She told me she wouldn't be able to live with that pressure on herself, knowing that she was the reason I didn't achieve my dream. She told me to go if even a sliver of my heart was still in it. She told me that she would be proud of anything I did with my life, but that I needed to live it how I wanted to."
"And we promised each other that even though it would be difficult at times, we would make it work. And as you know, I finished my last tour of duty about a year before you were born, and I was recruited by the CIA. Which allowed me to be home more, only taking occasional long trips instead, and I got to watch you grow up." Dad smiled happily at her.
"We made it work, and there is no reason you and Kendall can't too if you really want to. But Jo, beyond anything, you need to talk to Kendall about this and let him talk to you. Both of you listen. I hope you don't let him stop you from your dream, whether he wants to or not. Make the choice that is best for your dreams and ambitions, and I mean all of them. It doesn't have to be one or the other."
Jo wiped her eyes. "Thank you, Dad. For now, don't tell Kendall anything if he asks though?"
"Of course, my lips are sealed, and no matter what choice you make, I will be proud of you. Always."
Jo and her dad shared a hug, and then her dad finally pulled out of the parking lot to head back to the Palm Woods. But Jo was still silently thinking. She told herself she knew who was most important to her right now, but she also knew Kendall would probably be too stubborn to accept it if he knew what her choice was. This would be a big secret to keep from him, but it would let them both be happy.
When Kendall returned to the Palm Woods a few hours later, he saw Jo standing by Mr. Bitters' desk in the lobby and he ran up to her. "Hey."
Jo looked up into his eyes, she paused for a moment but then smiled like she was relieved. "I…can't do the movie."
"Augh and you wanted that role so bad!" Kendall groaned and did his best to act upset for her. He reached out to give her a comforting hug. And as he did, he released the biggest smile that had been fighting to break out of his face and silently mouthed yes! to himself.
But he missed Jo's face, grimacing in sadness in regret for a moment as they hugged.
"Are you bummed?" Kendall asked, fixing his face and tone to be bummed for her.
"No." Jo insisted, "I love being on New Town High, and I love…living here at the Palm Woods, and you live here too." Jo said, a bit awkwardly.
"Well, I made a reservation for two at Vaquero's for a big fancy celebration dinner tonight, but we could still go and un-celebrate?"
Jo smiled softly, "It's a date."
Kendall smiled back at her. "Goodbye kiss?"
Without a word, Jo smiled and leaned in close to him again, to share another tender moment, and then she walked out of the lobby.
Once she was out the doors. Kendall did a little happy dance to himself that he was right about not worrying, even if it sucked for Jo, it was out of her control, and importantly for both of them, nothing was going to get in between them. But he was soon interrupted by Katie.
"What's the happy dance for?"
"For Jo not being able to get out of her contract to star in a movie, and not going to New Zealand for three years!" Kendall smiled, finally letting all his happiness show.
"Yeah, she's lying to you. She can totally get out of her contract."
"Come again?" Kendall asked.
Katie led Kendall back up to their apartment and slapped a copy of Jo's contract in front of him. "Subsection C states that Artist, that's Jo, may be released from the project, New Town High, if offered a role in a major motion picture."
"You read her contract?" Kendall asked.
"I read everyone's contract. Did you know that if your next album goes platinum you all get alpacas?"
"Huh? Then why didn't Jo take the job?"
"Hmm, let me think." Katie scratched her chin sarcastically, "YOU!"
Kendall felt hurt. "Why would she lie to me?"
"Because passing up the role of a lifetime and international superstardom for a boy, puts a lot of pressure on that boy." Katie told him.
"I'm the boy right?" Kendall asked, and he knew Katie was right as he suddenly felt a huge weight on his shoulders.
"Yep," Katie said softly. "What are you going to do Big Brother?"
"Baby sister… I don't know." Kendall said with complete honesty. Jo was willing to give up her dream role of a lifetime for him. He had no idea how he was supposed to feel about that. Sure part of him was beyond happy that he meant so much to her, but he also felt guilty that Jo would choose him over something she had spent years dreaming about. Through all the drama that came with dating in Hollywood, they always promised each other that they wouldn't ever get in the way of each other's jobs, even if working with certain male costars or female musicians spawned sparks of jealousy in each other, they always promised that they would make it work.
But there was no way Kendall could possibly make this up to her. It would always be a what if in both of their minds, and Kendall for one would always feel like he owed her for staying, or what if Jo someday regrated her decision? Could he turn from her reason to stay to her biggest mistake?
Despite how much he didn't want to do it, he knew he couldn't stand in Jo's way, even if she felt like she wanted him to right now. She was way too talented to pass this up. But like always he needed a plan, even though he knew already he'd absolutely hate it, he loved Jo too much not to.
"Katie, I need to tell Jo to do the movie." Kendall decided, even though saying the words out loud felt like a knife in his heart.
Katie shook her head. "That won't work. That would be asking her to pick acting over you, and she wouldn't do that. That's why she lied to you about her contract as an excuse."
"So what? I break up with her so she has no excuse to stay?"
"No." Katie said again, "She can't perform in the role of a lifetime if you break her heart."
"Katie, just tell me what to do!" Kendall groaned and laid his head on the kitchen counter.
"You have to get her to want to break up with you, so then she has no more reason to stay."
"And how do I do that?" Kendall asked, glancing up at her again.
"Simple, be disgusting. Be the worst boyfriend possible. You planned a fancy dinner tonight, right? Just do everything you'd normally do on a date with Jo, but do the exact opposite."
"You really think that will work?" Kendall asked.
Yep, it definitely worked, too well. Kendall and Katie's plan to get Jo to break up with him was a complete success. Jo had stormed out of the restaurant, one hundred percent committed to doing the movie. And now, Kendall just felt empty inside.
When Jo got back home she paced around her room in anger. What was wrong with Kendall? She had never seen him act that obnoxious with anyone ever, not even Gustavo, Jett, or Mr. Bitters. To think she had been about to throw her silver screen success away for him. Why was he acting like this now? She could tell the moment New Zealand came out of her mouth on the phone, he was panicking just as much as she was that she might leave. But suddenly he wanted her to leave him and go do the movie. Or did he really think she was a horrible actor? But… but wait a second.
In a flash, Jo realized what was going on. He must have found out about her contract before she told him last night, and like her mom had, he wasn't going to let Jo throw away her opportunity for him.
Jo felt like an idiot. As much as Kendall claimed to have no interest in acting, he was really good at it when he wanted to be. And Jo fell for it hook line and sinker. Probably because he also knew exactly how to push her buttons until she exploded at him and broke up with him.
Jo refused to believe he really wanted her to break up with him. There was no way, they had been through so much together already. Kendall felt like he had to do this, didn't he? And he did it for her. Which made her love him even more, and increased her desire to stay. But she also figured Kendall wouldn't allow that. She could guess all she wanted, but she now knew what she needed to do.
There was a knock on her door. "Jo? Is everything alright? Can I come in?"
"Come in Dad." Jo sat down on her bed and saw her dad's worried gaze catch on her flushed, slightly tear-stained expression.
"What's wrong sweetie?" Her dad asked as he sat beside her on the edge of her bed and gave her a comforting side hug.
"You're right Dad. I need to talk things out with Kendall. I lied and told him I couldn't get out of my contract as an excuse for staying here. But I think he figured out I was lying and so he tricked me into making me angry enough to break up with him and do the movie at dinner. But then when I got home I realized what he was really doing, and I feel even more confused now. Because I want to stay here with him, but he wants me to go. I need to talk to him."
"It'll be ok Jo. Whatever choice you make in the end, I will support you one hundred percent, and I know Kendall will too, even if you have to convince him that you want different things. I know we both want what's best for you, but only you can truly know that for yourself. Will the movie be good for your career and dreams? Definitely, if it's as successful as the director and studio are hyping it up to be. But New Town High is already very successful. And there will be plenty of other auditions and roles no matter what choice you make. I know no matter what this isn't going to be the last role you'll have to think long and hard about. But just remember to do what's best for you."
"Thanks, Dad. I'm going to talk to Kendall tomorrow. Right now, all I want to do is sleep and let things go away for a while."
"Of course, good night Jo, and if you want to talk to me some more. I'll be here, whatever you need."
Her dad walked out of her room and Jo quickly changed into PJs and shut off the lights, but despite her wishes, sleep was a long time coming tonight, even though she wanted to, her heart and mind weren't ready to forget about tomorrow's decision.
The next morning, Kendall was still depressed over what he had done last night. He hated himself for making Jo so mad. And now she didn't want to see him at all, they didn't even share a last goodbye kiss. There was nothing his friends or Katie could do to cheer him up. Forget three years, Jo wasn't going to ever want to see him again, period.
There was a knock on the door to his apartment, and Jo slowly walked in. Kendall jumped up quickly and met her in the middle of the room so that there were only about two feet between them.
"There's something I forgot to do last night at the restaurant," Jo said softly.
"What?" Kendall asked.
Jo smiled and then stepped forward to capture Kendall's lips beneath hers. Kendall could feel her smiling into the kiss, and it felt as amazing as always, but he didn't understand what was going on.
"Give you a goodbye kiss," Jo said after they parted.
"I'm confused," Kendall said.
Jo sighed, "So was I until I realized what you were doing last night. Getting me to break up with you so I would take the role."
Kendall nodded. "But this kind of opportunity could only come once in a lifetime."
"Maybe you only come once in a lifetime," Jo said back, her voice shaking with emotion.
"I uh-" Kendall started, there it was again, that happy feeling that Jo cared so much about him, about them, but he also knew what he had to do for her. Both of them paused for a moment, equally at a loss for words. Kendall did his best to tamp down his worries, fears, and pain that was coming on. He knew what he had to do.
He reached out to Jo's purse, pulled out her cell phone, and pulled up her agent's contact. "You…are going to be…amazing," Kendall said and held her phone out to her.
Jo took a deep breath, staring into Kendall's eyes, and then locked on her phone screen. She took her phone and held it to her ear. "Hey, it's me. I'm going to do the movie." She told her agent with all the confidence she could muster. "OK, yeah. Bye." She hung up the phone and then look at Kendall who had a sad smile plastered to his face, even through how much he was trying to hide how he really felt.
"I leave for New Zealand tomorrow."
"Well, that only leaves us with one day left in LA to do whatever you want."
"There's so much here I still haven't done."
"Well then, what do you want to do? Anything you want, we'll make it happen." Kendall promised her.
Jo stepped closer and hugged Kendall tight for a moment. "I…just want to be with you. Let's go down to the park, that's always been my favorite place to go with you."
"OK," Kendall was holding onto her just as tightly. "I'll go grab our blanket from my room and we'll go out to the park."
And so that's what they did. Kendall spread their blanket out on the grass and they both laid down together with Jo's head resting against Kendall's shoulder, both of them not saying anything, just staring up at the trees and the sky above them.
There were so many things they wanted to say, but as much as they both wanted to, they didn't want to say anything that would make Jo change her mind again. Jo knew no matter what this was going to be a sad day for them, but she didn't want her last day with Kendall to be only tears.
"Remember when we first met? And you tricked me into telling you I didn't really have a boyfriend?"
"Oh yeah, I'd say that was one of my best schemes ever," Kendall said proudly.
"I have to admit you were right, and I know we've been through our share of ups and downs, but this is why I was so resistant to dating anyone in Hollywood. I thought that in order to reach my goals I could only focus on myself, and anyone else would be a distraction. I was wrong about the distraction part. Being on New Town High is great, but from my first day here Kendall, you made this a time I will always cherish more than anything." Despite herself, Jo could feel her tears welling up again. "I also didn't want to have to make a choice like this. I'm sorry."
"Jo, there's no need to apologize to me, for anything. I feel the exact same way. Being in Big Time Rush is awesome, but the number one best part of living at the Palm Woods has been you since the day you walked in. My heart belonged to you and only you from that day forward. And that isn't going to change."
"I know it's not." Jo agreed and wiped her tears away. "Remember when we trapped Mr. Bitters in the party box?"
"Oh yeah, the best party ever, eventually." Kendall smiled, "Or when we almost took each other out with spoiled milk in the day of pranks."
Jo laughed, "Honestly, looking back I'm thankful Mr. Bitters got me with the jam. That would have been disgusting."
"Honestly I'm glad we didn't take each other out then either, plus I did avenge you."
"Yes, you did, my Sir High Lord King of Pranks." Jo smiled.
"Walking the red carpet as Hollywood's Hottest Young Couple was pretty fun, but not as fun as watching Jett have to stop the llama from eating his jacket all night." Kendall laughed.
"Oh yeah, that was hilarious." Jo laughed. "And of course dancing together at last year's dance, at prom, or even on our one-minute dates."
"Thank God your dad let up on your grounding two weeks early. That would have made this…" Kendall trailed off. He did not mean to go there.
"I, I know." Jo nodded quietly, and they both trailed off in companionable silence for a while longer, until eventually both their stomachs started growling.
Kendall glanced at his phone to check the time. "Do you want to get something to eat? Or what else do you want to do now? Or we can stay right here as long as you want."
Jo thought for a moment, "How about we get a Minnesota-style pizza and a smoothie with two straws?"
"Minnesota style? What does that mean?" Kendall asked.
Jo shot him a humor-filled look for a moment. "Don't tell me you forgot about that."
"Oh, OOH, of course, Minnesota style." Kendall laughed and slapped his head as the puzzle pieces clicked into place. "Sure thing. Where do you want to go?"
"Want to come up to my room and help me pack? I've been putting off doing it, and then we can watch a movie or something when we're done."
"That sounds like a wonderful plan to me." Kendall smiled brightly. He stood up and then extended his hand to pull Jo up beside him. "Want me to pick it up and meet you there?"
"No," Jo said and snaked her hand around Kendall's waist. "For the next twenty-four hours you aren't going anywhere without me."
So after grabbing the pizza and smoothie, they made their way up to Jo's apartment. When they opened the door and walked in, Jo's dad also walked into the room.
"There you are Jo, I was wondering where you were…" Jo's dad said a bit awkwardly, he didn't want to be the one to bring up the elephant in the room.
"Oh, Dad, sorry I forgot to tell you. I've been with Kendall all day, and I- we've decided that I'm going to do the movie, and we have to leave tomorrow."
"Don't worry sweetie, Jemma called me and filled me in. I'm so proud of you." He stepped forward to wrap her up in a comforting hug.
"Thanks, Dad. Kendall and I are going to eat here, pack, and watch a movie or something. You can take some slices too."
"Of course, I may take you up on your offer. Kendall."
"Mr. Taylor," Kendall replied back, a bit nervously, it hadn't been that long since the prom incident.
"I'm going to use the bathroom quick. Don't eat without me." Jo said and walked down the hallway.
Mr. Taylor walked closer to Kendall, making him a bit nervous. "So, I take it you told her she should do the movie?"
"Yes, I did. I couldn't stand in her way, whether she wants me to or not. I don't know if you know how much of an idiot I was last night, but I thought that was the only way."
"I did hear about last night. Kendall, son." Mr. Taylor placed his hand on Kendall's shoulder. "Trust me when I say something like this is going to be difficult for you, no matter which way you two choose to move forward from here. Let's just say I've been in Jo's shoes before, so I know how both of you are feeling. But Kendall, I couldn't be prouder of you."
"Proud of me?" Kendall asked.
"Of course I am. To be totally honest if you had just accepted her lie about her contract, she'd be staying. If you hadn't done what you did last night, and whatever you did today, she'd still be staying. In fact, if I was a betting man, if you asked her to stay right now, she'd still do it. I can see with my own eyes how important you are to each other. But Kendall you've discovered the most important thing in any relationship. You always put your partner first. The most important thing to me is that Jo is happy, and I'm sure with either choice she'd be both happy and regretful, but you refuse to stand in the way of her dream. You've earned my respect in spades."
"Really?" Kendall asked again, "After you know… the whole breaking curfew, prom night sneaking out stuff I thought you probably hated me."
"I don't hate you, Kendall." Mr. Taylor chuckled. "I don't hate anyone, least of all you when you make my daughter so happy. The breaking curfew that one time in over a year of you two dating is water under the bridge. To be honest younger me could have learned a thing or two from you. You both served your time and learned your lesson. So you're ok in my book."
"Thank you, Mr. Taylor."
"Kendall, I sincerely hope whatever happens, that both of you are happy, while you may not be happy now. I hope you remember to do what's best for you as well as Jo while you're apart."
"I know. I'll do my best." Kendall nodded his head.
"That's all we can ever do." Mr. Taylor nodded in return.
Jo came back out of the bathroom and smiled at her dad and Kendall talking. "Dad, you better not be trying to scare him away." She said, only half joking.
"Don't worry Jo. Kendall, stay as long as you like. I'll just grab my pizza and then I think I'll go out for a walk in the park." Mr. Taylor said. He then grabbed a few slices from the heart-shaped pepperoni pizza and then left the apartment.
"He really wasn't trying to scare you off or anything was he?" Jo asked him, sounding concerned still.
"No, he uh, actually said he was proud of me for how I've been handling this." Kendall chuckled, and muttered under his breath, "If only he knew the truth."
"What was that?" Jo asked as they both sat down at the kitchen table to eat their pizza.
"Um, nothing. Don't worry about it." Kendall insisted and tried to act focused on the pizza.
"Kendall, I know I made a mistake before lying to you, please tell me what you're really thinking." Jo looked straight at him, opening her beautiful brown eyes wide, and Kendall felt his resolve melting.
"OK, obviously I hate that you're going to be gone, and I don't want to do anything that could potentially stop you, but I also don't want you to leave me." Kendall finally revealed he could feel tears gathering in his eyes as he let his guard down. "I'm scared, ok? Because I want you to be part of my life Jo, and I know we'll both do our best to make this work, but I don't know how we can."
"OK." Jo set down her pizza and scooted her chair closer to Kendall. "Do you want to make a plan? Because I know you aren't going to let me back out. So let's make a plan to make us both feel better about this."
"OK, so just putting this out there. Do you want to break up?" Kendall asked, hating beyond anything he had to say those words.
Jo shook her head vehemently. "Absolutely not. I want to be with you, even if I'm literally on the other side of the planet. I want to at least try. You are too important for me to give up completely Kendall."
"Good, again like last night, I would do it for you, but I really don't want to."
"So we can plan for long distance. Which probably means we'd only have calls, texts, and video chat. We'll have to figure out how the time zones and our schedules line up." Jo listed off.
"Yeah, but as much as we can, do you want to plan to talk every day?"
"Yeah, I think that would help, a lot." Jo nodded. "But beyond talking what else can we do?"
"Well, we can still take turns planning date nights," Kendall suggested. "We could… each grab some food, eat together over video chat, and I don't know to figure something out that works…" Kendall suggested. "The important thing though is that we're both committed to making this work, right?"
"Definitely." Jo nodded but sighed. "I know we made it through your tour last summer, but honestly that was already hard, not being able to see you in person for six weeks, I can't even imagine three years."
"Me neither. But our video chats and phone calls were always the highlight of my day, even more than all the concerts. And they'll be even more now."
"Same for me." Jo nodded. "So do we have any other plans we can make?"
"Right now, no. We need more information and we'll have to wait until you're there for us to figure out the lay of the land so to speak."
"OK then, want to help me pack?"
"Just tell me what to do and I'll help you with whatever you need," Kendall promised.
About an hour later, Jo had everything packed up in her suitcases. The most difficult part was trying to fit as many memories of Kendall as she could in her suitcase along with all her clothes and other necessities, including a BTR poster and CD, the picture frame he got her for Christmas, and every other photo of the two of them she had in her room.
Now though they were back out on the living room couch, watching Jo's favorite movie in an attempt to cheer her up, not even Twilight could distract her from everything she was thinking about.
Jo and Kendall were cuddled up close together beneath a blanket, just holding each other close, wanting to hold onto this memory because they both knew it would be one of their last. But Jo still did have things she wanted to talk about. She turned her attention away from the movie and was surprised to see Kendall watching her instead of the movie for a moment, but then she realized that of course, he would be. Especially since Twilight was her favorite, and definitely not his.
"Um, Kendall…" Jo started slowly. "I know we've both had issues with jealousy and protectiveness but I just want to let you know, I do trust you. And while I'm gone I'll do my best not to panic over anytime I hear about you working with other girls, or if I see pictures of you with your fans or anything. I won't try to control you or get mad at you for dumb reasons like that."
"Hey, those reasons aren't dumb." Kendall told her, "I agree that jealousy can be a problem, I know we've both struggled with the green-eyed monster, but I hope you know I see it as a sign of how much we care about each other. Not how we don't trust each other. And I trust you too. So even when you have to do interviews with whoever plays Chauncy, or even if there's a make-out scene. I promise I won't freak out either. It's just your character, not you. I've learned my lesson from that."
Jo smiled, "Well you won't have to worry about that for a few years. Emily and Chauncy don't kiss until the third book. They have like a best friends to lovers kind of thing going, Remember?"
"Oh yeah? Well, either way, everything you said to me, I promise too, I won't freak out about random pictures or anything. Please don't think you aren't allowed to have fun while you're in New Zealand. Please don't make yourself completely miserable twenty-four-seven because of me."
"I won't, and you better not either. I know you can still have plenty of fun and hijinks with Camille, the guys, and everyone else at the Palm Woods even though I'll be gone."
"Yeah, I'll do my best," Kendall promised her, "and provide you with plenty of updates so you don't miss a thing."
"I'll look forward to those more than anything." Jo stretched up to place a kiss on Kendall's cheek, "Thank you Kendall, for everything you've done for me. From the day we met until now. You did an amazing job at making this decision difficult for me, and thank you for not letting me give up on myself, even for you."
"It hurts me to say this now, but I will always do anything for you Jo. Even when it hurts the most, if it's for you, I would do anything." Kendall noticed the time as the movie's credits started rolling. "It's getting pretty late…don't want to make your dad mad at me your last day here."
In response, Jo just hugged him tighter under the blanket. "Can you stay a little longer?"
"Of course I will, I just said I will do anything for you, even if I end up hogtied by a SWAT team again. I'm not going anywhere." Kendall promised. He kissed her forehead and then they both continued cuddling together in comfortable silence, savoring every remaining moment.
When Mr. Taylor finally came back about an hour later, he was surprised to find both Jo and Kendall fast asleep on the couch. Jo's head rested against Kendall's shoulder as they both held each other close. Mr. Taylor considered waking them and sending Kendall home for the night, but he couldn't fault them for this, given what tomorrow was going to bring them. So he quietly went to his own room to get ready for bed, and quickly called Jen so she wouldn't be worried either.
The next morning, after they both woke up together to some surprise, and mild embarrassment, they did part ways after eating breakfast together so they could both get cleaned up, but then all too soon, the hour they had been dreading arrived.
Jo's normal driver was waiting outside the Palm Woods to take her and her dad to the airport.
"Don't forget to take this." Kendall handed her their rainbow picnic blanket that they always used on their dates in the park. "Use it anytime you want to look up at the stars. Because I'll be doing the same here, even though you'll be gone."
"Thank you Kendall, and I have my BTR CD so I can hear you sing all the time." Jo took the blanket and held up the CD in her hand.
"Oh, and I figured out that you're going to be going to bed when I'm getting up, so that's when we can video chat."
Jo smiled. "You can tuck me in every night on the phone."
"Yeah." Kendall smiled back. "And you'll give me a reason to get up in the morning with a smile on my face."
"We're running late Ms. Taylor." Her driver reminded her before he got in the driver's seat. Her dad was already waiting in the backseat but he knew to give them all the privacy they needed.
"Are, are we forgetting anything else?" Kendall asked. Please say yes so you can stay a little longer. He silently prayed.
"I know I'm not going to forget you," Jo said, her voice shaking with sadness. She then stepped forward to wrap Kendall tight in a hug, pressing her cheek against his shoulder while fighting back tears. Kendall happily reciprocated the gesture. Gently holding the back of her head, smelling the slightly fruity scent of her shampoo that he would always associate with Jo.
The driver beeped the horn the remind them of their tight schedule, and they reluctantly let go of each other. Kendall opened the door for Jo and with one last long look at each other, she drove away.
After she left, Kendall couldn't help but feel like they forgot something important, but he knew Jo had packed everything she would need last night. It wasn't until he got back to the apartment that Carlos reminded him that in their final rush, they had forgotten their goodbye kiss. The very idea of missing their last goodbye kiss filled Kendall with dread and made him feel even more hopeless. But his friends were instantly ready to run him to the airport before Jo left for good.
Jo was standing in line before the security checkpoint, her dad in front of her, but she was lost in her own thoughts, the moment they left the parking lot, Jo realized that they had forgotten their goodbye kiss. Ever since their first kiss that felt like a goodbye it had been their thing. And she felt horrible that she had missed her last chance, possibly forever to kiss Kendall one more time.
She was about to hand her boarding pass to the security officer when Kendall suddenly appeared in front of her.
"Hey, we forgot to goodbye kiss," Kendall said, breathing slightly heavily like he had just been running placing his hands on her waist.
"I know," Jo said, suddenly feeling a million times happier that he was here, in front of her, with her, but also knowing this really would have to be for the last time, destroyed her on the inside even more. If he told her right this second to not do the movie, she would do it, for him. She couldn't help but silently beg him to make the decision for her.
No more words were spoken though, Kendall pulled Jo close, and she pulled herself closer as well. When their lips connected, it was bittersweet, both could tell how much they wanted this last moment of comfort and love to pass between them, and how much they didn't want to let go. So much so that they held onto each other for as long as possible before finally parting.
"I, I've got to go," Jo said quietly looking up into Kendall's beautiful green eyes.
"I know." Kendall nodded and moved aside to Jo could walk on through security.
She could feel his eyes following her until she was out of sight. For both of them, the words of BTR's Worldwide song had a whole new bittersweet meaning. Both of them sang the lyrics in their heads as Jo boarded the plane, and Kendall returned to the Palm Woods with his friends.
Tuck you in every night on the phone
Girl, I'll be thinking about you
Worldwide, Worldwide, Worldwide
Girl, I'll be thinking about you
Worldwide, Worldwide, Worldwide
Yes, I may, meet a million pretty girls that know my name
But don't you worry
Cause you have my heart
