~~

The sirens’ loud voice was penetrating through the neighborhood. Destiny looked out the window and expressed a sigh of relief as she saw the blue and red lights flashing outside. Bamboozled by the scene, AJ lifted his head up and studied the happening. Loud footsteps were heard approaching the house. The policemen were cutting across the grass, making themselves noticeable. AJ could tell there were at least five people outside and in the background he could hear the paramedics organizing their tools. He looked over to the side. Lin was nowhere to be found. Destiny looked distressed. She was standing beside the door. Her emerald eyes were red from her crying that inundated the floor. She kept sniffing, her shoulders still trembling with fear and anxiety. AJ winced his eyes at the sight. For a second, he completely forgot about Nick and their fight. He was lost in a different world. AJ could only see Destiny but approaching her was impossible. The words would not come out of his mouth. He was mute. AJ wanted to comfort her. He wanted to take her out of here and somehow reverse time. But all he could do was just sit still and reflect. Suddenly, a sharp pain hit him on the side of his head. Nick took advantage of AJ’s slow retreat. He stretched his arm and held on to a glass ornament he dragged from some far away continent. Without thinking twice, he smashed it on his friend’s head. Self defense.

~~

The last thing AJ could remember was hearing a horrified scream coming from Destiny’s mouth. Fresh tears replaced the ones that had dried on her face, and red blood dripping over his eyes. He noticed a few blurry images and within seconds, it was black. Destiny tried to stand on her tiptoes, looking over the paramedics who were working on getting both Nick and AJ to the hospital. Two policemen were questioning Lin, who was sitting comfortably beside the dining room table. She looked calm, just as if she was in a modeling photo shoot instead of being in the middle of an intense fistfight. Destiny knew that in minutes, the policemen would come and question her. She herself didn’t know what happened, how was she supposed to tell anyone else? They were already fighting when she walked in. A man helped Nick over to the couch and started applying disinfectants to his face. Destiny could see Nick wince in pain and try desperately to keep from crying although tears were starting to form at the corner of his eyes. From what she could see, Nick was bruised. She walked to the other side of the room and saw two men raising AJ’s unconscious body onto a stretcher.

~~

Destiny turned around as someone tapped her shoulder. Policemen. She sighed.
“Hello.” She greeted nervously.
“Would you please give us five minutes to discuss a few things with you?”
“Sure, would you give me just a second to make a quick phone call?” Destiny requested, eyeing the phone in the kitchen.
“Of course, we’ll be right over there.” The man pointed toward the dining room table and left her to make her calls.
Destiny called AJ’s mother and the Backstreet Boys’ PR’s to inform them of what happened before paparazzi could beat her to it. The PR’s assured her that she had nothing to worry about that and that they would take care of the announcement to the fans. AJ’s mother on the other hand, was extremely upset. Destiny tried to calm her down but with little success. The policeman was sending her an impatient look and unwillingly, she told Denise she had to go. Destiny quickly gave her the name of the hospital they were taking AJ to and hung up. She knew she couldn’t avoid it any longer, it was time to face the questioning faces.

~~

“In a way ma’am, you’re lucky your friends are hurt or we would have to take them down to the station.” The policeman informed her.
“I see.” Destiny nodded.
“Would you like to tell us what exactly happened? Why it got so bad that we had to come here and break it up?” The man looked her in the eyes.
“They had a fight over something and I guess they couldn’t control their tempers.” Destiny nervously twirled a loose strand of hair in her hand while attentively listening to the policeman.
“Do you know what they were fighting over?” Destiny doubted if this question was necessity or just the man’s curiosity. She knew that if she saw two celebrities fighting, she would want to know why simply for the gossip.
“Um, I don’t think it was really serious...” before she could finish an older man approached the two. He nodded at Destiny, turned his back to him and looked at his fellow cop.
“It doesn’t really matter, John. He’s not pressing charges and I doubt the other one will either but if he does, we’ll continue it later. Leave it alone for now. We’ll be going now ma’am. Thanks for your time.” He whistled and soon the policemen left, leaving the paramedics to take care of the injured parties.

~~

“We’ll be taking them to the hospital now.” The woman in charge informed.
“Can I go with?” Destiny asked.
“In the ambulance?” The woman questioned as two people helped Nick over to their vehicle.
“If you don’t mind.” Destiny was hoping that she would be allowed to come along. She wanted to be there for AJ, even if he didn’t want her there. She was also hoping to get a few words in with Nick.
“Fine, but only one of you can go.” The woman pointed at Destiny and then at Lin.
Destiny turned back to face Lin who waved as an encouragement for her to go. Destiny muttered a thanks, gave her a courtesy wave and followed the woman to the ambulance.
Nick turned his head the other way as he saw Destiny enter the space. AJ was lying still, his chest rising as he breathed. Destiny sat on the chair beside Nick. Across of her, sat the paramedic in charge. They were crunched up as sardines in a can, afraid to move an arm in order to avoid smacking someone.
“I must apologize for not having another ambulance around but we didn’t know there would actually be injured people. It usually doesn’t happen. The most that we see are people in that young man’s state.” The woman pointed at Nick.
“Unconsciousness is rare in fistfights between friends.” She shrugged as she checked for AJ’s pulse.
“And since Mr. Carter is not as bad as his friend, I didn’t think it would hurt to jam all of us in this one here instead of waiting for a new one.” The woman babbled, not really caring she was the only one speaking.

~~

Destiny just nodded, not really paying attention to the conversation the woman was trying to start. Destiny gently entwined Nick’s hand in hers as a friendly gesture. This caused their twinkling eyes to meet. Nicks squeezed her hand and they sat in an understanding silence. Destiny cleared her throat, indicating she was about to break the comfortableness they were experiencing and bring back uneasiness.
“Nick, did you tell him what happened?” Destiny asked in a shaky voice.
Nick just nodded, unable to say a word for the longest time.
“And that’s how he reacted?” Destiny looked over at AJ. Her heart throbbed with pain as she saw his helpless state.
“I’m sorry, Des.” Nick blurted out.
“Why?” Destiny closed her eyes, trying to hold in the tears.
“I didn’t mean to...I just couldn’t seem to fight him off.” Nick lowered his head.
“He was punching you and you defended yourself.” Destiny defended him even though he wasn’t defending himself.
“I deserved it, he didn’t.” Nick’s voice was hoarse.
“In all honesty, it’s probably my fault. I should have told him about what happened today but I didn’t and that’s why he took it worse than he probably would have.” Destiny rubbed her eyes, only causing them to get itchier and redder.

~~

“Mr. Carter, no talking. Your jaw has suffered some trauma.” The paramedic warned in a stern voice as she shoved ice wrapped in a towel into his hands.
“I didn’t break anything, though.” Nick reminded her of the words she told him earlier.
“No, luckily you didn’t, but you were pretty close to.” She pointed at all the bruises he had covering his face, which were slowly starting to swell.
“That doesn’t hurt as much as my stomach does.” Nick whined.
“You’ll be fine. This is just precautionary.” The paramedic replied.
“I thought you didn’t want me to talk. Now you’re having a discussion with me.” Nick pointed out.
“I’m bored, what can I say? He’s not much company?” She pointed at AJ.
“Is he going to be okay?” Destiny asked. She was not amused.
“I’m sure he’s going to be just fine. Some head trauma.” The woman shrugged.
“Been there, done that, bought the T-Shirt.” Nick patronized.
“Would you two stop making fun of the state he’s in? I don’t think it’s funny at all. He’s unconscious, okay? It’s not like he fell and scraped his knee. Give him some respect.” Destiny said loudly.
“Destiny, calm down. He’s fine.” Nick still held on to her hand.
“And you, don’t touch me.” She pushed Nick off and crossed her arms.
“What? Are you going to blame me too?” Nick looked offended.
“I don’t know...” Destiny muttered.
“You know I do some stupid shit. You shouldn’t have expected anything from me to begin with.” He began defending himself.
“I didn’t expect you to kiss me and I didn’t expect that to lead to this.” Destiny pointed at AJ, dramatically.
“Don’t you think I feel guilty?”
“You don’t feel guilty for anything else. Why should you feel guilty for this? You cheated on your girlfriend. You broke up with her, making her feel like she did something wrong when you were really the asshole. You caused her to beg to have you back. You slept with some woman you didn’t know, probably leaving her alone in the morning when you were through getting off, am I right? Did you feel guilty about the way she was feeling? I’m sure as hell you don’t feel guilty kissing me so why should you feel guilty for this?” Destiny scooted over as far away as she could from Nick.

~~

Coral sat in the passenger seat of the car, resting her tired head on the window. She fiddled with the seatbelt. Brian was driving, sipping coffee from the plastic cup they picked up in the last gas station they stopped at. Since Coral’s father demanded her to leave, they packed quickly and left as soon as possible. Cheyenne stopped them before they got into the car and mouthed ‘sorry’. She was pulled back by Richard who shot them one last evil look. That was the last straw, Coral broke out in tears. Brian just held her for a while. He kept apologizing in her ear as he tried desperately to soothe her. He wanted her to feel better, make all the pain go away. When she calmed down, he took the opportunity to drive off. The sooner they got home, the sooner she could put all of this life behind and continue with the life they had started. He was thankful she allowed him to be a part of her life to the extent where she defended him even with such big risks.
“Bri, I wish I could take this all back.” Coral finally said.
Brian’s heart quickened as he heard those words. Could she be regretting their love?
“W..w..what?” He stuttered.
“Oh no, honey, that’s not what I meant.” Coral eased, sensing his agitation.
“Then?” He sighed in relief.
“I wish I could take your apologies back. You didn’t need to apologize. You never should have. You’re my blessing, Bri. If you weren’t in my life, I would still be controlled by my father. I’m an adult and he should treat me like one. If he really did trust me like he claimed to all those years, he would know that you’re a wonderful person.” Coral smiled slightly.
“I love you.” Brian glowed.
“I love you too.” Coral squeezed his knee and rested her head on his shoulder.
“Not while I’m driving but if you want, I can just pull over to the closest hotel.” Brian winked.
Coral grabbed a hold of the wheel and turned into the right lane for him.
“Exit.” She ordered.

~~

Destiny awoke in the waiting room she fell asleep in the night before. She stood up and stretched.
“Not the best bed but it’ll do.” She cringed as she felt her neck and back hurt.
Destiny sat back down and looked up at the TV above the receptionist’s desk. Today’s entertainment news was on and they were reviewing movies. She neared the desk in order to ear the soft voices.
“I was talking with Derek Love the other day, famous director, newcomer but extremely talented and he told me about a treat we are all about to experience soon. During the next two months, he and producers are planning on editing a movie the filmed in Italy and release it. It stars Destiny Thompson, obviously a Jane Doe as of now but apparently extremely talented. It’s going to be a private movie but it’s causing a lot of commotion and it’s not even released yet so my guesses say that it’s going to be big. A mania for movie lovers. Mark my words for it.” The critic announced to the two reporters sitting across of him.
Destiny fell to the couch in shock. The words ‘a mania’ kept repeating in her head. This had to be a joke. It was nothing, just something to do as a time filler. It was not her intention to make a career out of it. She doubted it would even get to the screens and now they’re talking about it on the news?

~~

“Ms. Thompson? Alexander’s asking for you.” Dr. Johnson called out for her.
Destiny nodded and followed him to the room. As she entered, she noticed Denise sitting beside her son. He was awake. Destiny’s heart jumped in excitement. He had a bandage on his head but other than that, he looked pretty normal.
“Des...” AJ greeted as her saw her.
“Hey.” She said, perkily.
“Mom, would you excuse us?” AJ turned to his mother.
“Of course. I’ll be back later.” Denise bent over and gave her son a kiss on the forehead.
“Are you mad?” Destiny bit down on her bottom lip.
“I was. When I first woke up earlier today and thought about what happened I wanted to call you in here and break it all off. Trust me, I wanted to so badly. I wanted to see you in as much pain as I was...am.” He corrected himself toward the end.
“And something changed your mind?” Destiny sat on the chair, previously occupied by Denise.
“Yeah...someone did.” AJ nodded.
“Your mom?” Destiny always loved his mother, even when she and AJ didn’t get along, Destiny could always count on his mother to assure her he’ll come around one time or the other. Also, she would never let him insult her in front of her and since she was on tour pretty often, that was always good.
“Yeah, my mom.” AJ smiled.
“And now what do you think?” Destiny ran a hand through her hair, causing some strands to cover her eyes.
AJ reached out for her and tucked the strands behind her ears.
“I want to see your eyes. Destiny, I don’t blame you for what happened yesterday. I know you didn’t kiss him or approve of it in anyway. I am upset over the fact that you lied to me.” AJ leaned against the wall.
“I know. I don’t know why I did that.” Destiny frowned at her own actions.
“Let me talk without interrupting?” He requested and Destiny responded by nodding.
“But I can see why you would do that. I would probably get mad and not let you explain your point of view. I had to hear it from Nick. I lost control and the only thing that brought me back to sanity was you. I looked into your eyes and I was in heaven. All I knew was that I could never let go of you. I had to have you by my side constantly. I don’t want to be alone while I know the bliss of being with you. You’re my world. There is no living without you. This wasn’t planned and it’s probably not romantic or the way you envisioned it when you were a kid but God, it must be done. Destiny Nicole Thompson, I want to be with you always, to see your smile, your glowing eyes, to have this warm feeling I always have around you. I want to be happy and you’re the only one who makes me practically giddy. If you feel as strongly as I do about us, make me the happiest man on earth, hell the happiest man in this entire frickin universe and...” He held her hand tightly. His eyes never leaving hers.
“And marry me.” AJ finally said.

~~

AN: uh, um, eh, review?