Camila sank to her knees. "How? How could this happen?" She muttered, holding her head in her hands. Rowan crouched next to her and enveloped her in his arms. She sobbed, her heart broken, composure lost.

"I can't promise you that everything will be okay," Rowan started "but you need to know that people want to help you. They care about you," Rowan cupped Camila's cheek in his hand. "I care about you,".

He kissed Camila's forehead, and started to get up, but a grip on his arm made him stop. "Don't leave," she pleaded. "I won't" Rowan promised, and then wrapped Camila in another warm, comforting embrace.

"Aaaand, cut!" Director Shakhuni said. Aiden and Aru immediately jumped apart. "That's a roll for today! See you all tomorrow!" Director Shakhuni said.

Aru went over to Mini. "Mini, help me, do you have hand sanitizer? I really need it, I am disgusted," she complained. "Don't worry, I know completely of your hate for Aiden. Here, take a squirt," Mini sighed. "Thanks," Aru said, and she rubbed it all over her hands. She wiped her forehead using her sleeve.

"You have any food?" Aru asked "I'm starving,". "That is Brynne's job, not mine, and we're all going to her penthouse later." Mini explained "But I have a protein bar if you want one".

"Yes, pleeeease!" Aru said, glad she was with her best friend. "Double Choco, you're favorite," Mini said. Aru took the protein bar and ripped it open. "'Av I e'ah tol' ooh 'ow muh I wuv ooh?" Aru said, her mouth stuffed, which translated to "Have I ever told you how much I love you?". Mini smiled at her. "Multiple times, Aru, Multiple times. But you should talk with your mouth full! Your spit could get out, and then it could land on someone and they could-". "Die?" Aru finished. Mini nodded.

Aru devoured the rest of the protein bar and said "I gotta run. You wanna come to my house? My mom just came back from a dig site" Aru asked. "Sure, but you never leave this early unless you're... my gods Aru," Mini groaned "Again?".

Aru grinned as she held up 3 fingers, then put one down, and then another. When she folded down the last finger, a second later, a loud "SHAH!" rang through the studio. Aru's grin only grew wider.

"Come on, before he gets me back!" Aru rushed. "That also means we're taking my car," Mini said, striding ahead of Aru. "I was just about ask you that. I call shotgun.".

"There's no one else to be in shotgun!"

"Sorry. Habit."

The best-friends got in Mini's Honda. "So, I'm not even sure if I want to ask you this but, uh, what prank did you pull exactly?" Mini asked once they were out of the parking lot. "A bucket of whipped cream and shaving cream, waiting to be dumped on the unsuspecting person as soon as they open the door," Aru answered. "I'm sorry I asked." Mini said.

"You realize the all the people put age in the team are going to Brynne's penthouse, right?" Mini asked. "You mean Aiden's coming?" Aru groaned "Dang it!".

"Well, you can't not go!" Mini said. "I'll just be careful," Aru decided. "Yup, that's a good idea," Mini agreed. Mini pulled into the driveway behind the museum. Aru opened the garage door. "Mom! You home?" Aru shouted into the museum. No answer. "Hey Greg," Aru said, running her hand over the trunk of the elephant statue. "Sherrilyn! Glad to see you're here!" Aru said, spotting the security guard.

"Hey 'Ru, Mini," Sherrilyn greeted them. "Did Mom come back? She said she was," Aru asked. "Sorry kid. Something came up at her work. She apologizes though," Sherrilyn explained. "Oh. I-It's fine," Aru said, her breath hitching on itself. "Come on, Mini. Let's go to my room," Aru said. Mini nodded.

"Let's get ready for the party. I may not have Nikita's sense of style, but I can try to make you look pretty," Mini said, trying to distract Aru. "Sure," Aru said, glad her best friend was here with her.

Mini went into Aru's closet. "Okay, Aru, I know that you're a big time actress and everything, but I'm pretty sure most of the stuff in her, isn't supposed to be sweatshirts and hoodies?" Mini said. "All the fancy stuff is in the back!" Aru shouted. "I never said I needed the fancy stuff!" Mini shouted back.

"Okay, can you wear clothes while closing your eyes?" Mini asked, peeking out the closet. "It's practically a second body language, Mini" Aru said. "Then close your eyes," Mini said. Aru did. Mini pressed a pair of clothes into Aru's hands. Then she left the room.

Aru had the urge to open her eyes, but didn't as she wore the clothes. "Okay, Mini! I'm done!" She shouted. Mini came back inside, and pulled Aru, somewhere. She was pushed down to sit on something. "Okay, keep your eyes closed," Mini said. Aru nodded. She felt the familiar feeling of makeup brushes against her skin. Mini started on the eyes, then the blush, and then the lips. Then her hair. "Stand up, and then open your eyes," Mini said. Aru stood onto her feet. She opened her eyes.

Aru was speechless. Mini had picked out a yellow knitted sweatshirt that was cropped just below her belly button, that went perfectly with her skin, with dark blue jeans. Her hair was in a Katniss braid, draped over her shoulder. Her makeup seemed... natural, but beautiful. Her lips were a light pink, and her cheek had a sparkly blush on them. Her eyelids were a light golden brown that blended in with her skin, with winged eyeliner.

"I-Mini.." Aru stuttered. "Do you like it?" Mini asked. "Like it? I love it!" Aru said. She threw her arms around her best friend. "Thanks... sis," Aru smiled. Mini relaxed under the embrace.

Aru pulled away and said "My turn!". She scoured her closet for clothes. She did the same thing Mini did for her.

Mini ended up in a purple crop top shirt and black leggings. She had a soft red lipstick on and light pink blush. She had a siren eyes eyeliner design on. "Rudy is going to freak!" Aru said. Mini blushed severely. "I could say the same thing about you and Aiden!" Mini retorted. "That is never going to happen. You know I hate that guy," Aru said.

"Yeah, keep telling yourself that," Mini said "Anyways, we need to get accessories! I found this ad on eBay for these earrings, and they would fit you perfectly, so I bought them for you," Mini reached into her backpack. "Hold up what!" Aru said. She took out her phone. "How much was it?" Aru asked. "It's fine, Aru, it was cheap anyway," Mini protested. "At least half the price," Aru bargained. "Fine. It was 10 dollars. 5 dollars," Mini finalized. Aru sent it through PayPal.

"Here! Take this!" Mini said, giving a box to Aru. Aru opened the box up. The earrings were in shapes of lightning bolts. They were shiny, and looked beautiful. Aru took off her earrings, and replaced them with the lightning bolts. "What do you think?" Aru asked Mini. "Perfect,".

"My mom has these earrings. They're the beauty and the beast rose, just a really cool gold and black combo. I'll grab those," Aru said. Once she had them, Mini put them on. "Perfect," Aru said.

"Let's go," Mini said.

The best friends drove to their other best friend's penthouse. Hira answered the door. " Hey. You guys are just in time. We were just about to start truth or dare," she said. Mini was about to step inside, but Aru pulled her back, and a bucket of slime fell down. "I didn't even know that was there," Hira said.

"It's fine," Aru said, glaring at Aiden as she came inside. She stood next to Kara and Navdeep. "Okay, so, you don't want to do a dare or a truth, you take a shot." Oliver explained. Mini raised her hand "but Aru and I aren't 21 yet. Same with the twins.".

"Well, sucks to suck. Aiden, Truth or Dare?" Oliver asked. "Dare," Aiden chose. "I dare you to... kiss the most attractive girl in this room. On the lips. For a whole minute. And mean it."

Aiden scoffed at Oliver. "You're annoying . Can everyone close their eyes?" He asked. "Nope," Oliver said. All the girls, including Aru, stood up. Aiden sighed and started walking towards Aru's direction, for sure for Kara, who was standing next to her. But Aru's breath stopped when she felt a pair of lips on her own, and hand on the back of her neck that wasn't hers.

Aiden, Aiden, out of all people, was kissing her right now! The exact person who was her worst enemy, had just kissed her! This was the guy that couldn't even stand touching her affectionately during scenes!

And Aru... liked it?

He smelled clean, like fresh laundry, his lips were soft and gentle on hers. His hand gently pushed the two of them closer, deepening the kiss. Aru was too shocked to even process it.

"Aaaand time!" Oliver yelled. Aiden pulled away from Aru and went back to his seat without another word. Navdeep, who was pretty close to Aru, whispered "That wasn't one minute. That was five,". "I didn't- I didn't even notice," she muttered.

"So, Aru, tell us, did Aiden mean it?" Oliver said. Aru heard him say it, but shock recovery is a confusing thing. She touched her lips, the tingle of the kiss still there. "I'm going to take that as a yes," Oliver laughed. "Uh huh," was Aru's reply. "Are you still okay to play, Aru?" Oliver asked. "Wha-what, yeah," Aru said, regaining her sense.

"Okay, after that surprising-" Rudy started, but then Aru threw a pen at him that was on the floor. Had he just called her ugly?!? "What was that for!" Rudy asked. "For indirectly calling me ugly. But then again, that makes sense, because Mini is the only one being you think is pretty, and now I'm doubting everything," Aru said. Mini and Rudy started blushing severely. "A-As I was saying, after that dare, Aiden, it's your turn," Rudy said.

"Hira, truth or dare?" Aiden asked. "Oh no, uh...truth?" Hira stammered. "Do you like, like like, Brynne?" Aiden asked, smirking. "Uh, I mean, like, you know, yeah," Hira stuttered. Brynne's eyes widened. Aru bit her lip to stop a grin from growing.

"Molly, truth or dare?" Hira asked. "Dare," Molly said. "I dare you to... walk in the slime at the front that Aiden set up,". Aru choked. "Aiden!" Molly complained. "Was that a prank for Aru or something?" Rudy asked. Aru nodded while Aiden ducked his head. "Mini almost became a victim of it, but I pulled her back," Aru explained, and Mini nodded in confirmation.

Molly got up, along with the rest of the team. "Ew! Aiden, that is disgusting!" She complained. "You know what, I'm taking a shot. I'm not going this!" She retreated back to the theater room.

"You see how your actions can affect others, Aiden?" Aru said smugly. "Shut up, Shah. You know that shaving cream disaster? Some of that got on Brynne," Aiden retorted. Aru grin faded as she rushed back to the theater room. "Brynne! I'm so very, very, very, very, very, sorry about the whipped cream/shaving cream thing! That's was for Aiden, not you! I still want your food!" Aru apologized. She shook Brynne by the shoulders while "Please forgive me, please forgive me, please forgive me,".

Brynne stopped Aru. "First, I know that was for Aiden, so I don't really care. Also, nice to know you love my food, but it's not like it I'm going to starve you,".

Aru looked skeptical. "I mean, you did try it onc-". "That was 4 years ago!" Brynne said. "I guess. But we're on good terms, right?" Aru asked. Brynne sighed. "Yes, Shah,".

Aru smiled, and sat down. Molly grabbed a glass from the tray and drank it in one gulp. She put it back on the tray. "This stuff is strong," She said. "Yeah, I'm never drinking that in my life," Aru muttered. "Okay, Brynne, truth or dare?" Molly asked. "Dare." Brynne said "I'm not a coward. No offense though, Hira".

"None taken," Hira said, smiling. Molly smirked. "I dare you to sing the chorus to any Disney song in front of everyone," Molly said. "YES! My childhood had finally paid off!" Brynne jumped up. "Hold up, I am so doing this with you," Aru stood up, along with Mini.

The trio stood up on the stage " BE A MAN!" Brynne hollered.

"WE MUST BE SWIFT AS THE COURSING RIVER!"

"BE A MAN"

"WITH ALL OF THE FORCE OF A GREAT TYPHOON"

"BE A MAN"

"WITH ALL THE STRENGTH OF A RAGING FIRE"

"MYSTERIOUS AS THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOOOOOOOOOOON,"

The trio collapsed in laughter. Everyone in the room was laughing, so much that most of them were crying. Aru wiped a tear from her eye.

"Okay, that was good," she said, smiling so much it almost hurt her muscles. Once the group recovered, Brynne asked "Sheela, truth or dare?". "Truth," Sheela answered. "What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you?" Brynne asked. "I once tried to swap places with Nikita for a day, and I fell face flat on the floor because of her heels. We were found out almost immediately," Sheela explained.

"Nikki, truth or dare?" Sheela asked. "Dare," Nikita said. "I dare you to go into Brynne's closet and wear a sweatshirt and sweatpants," Sheela said. "Sheela!" The twin looked at her twin, horrified at what she just said. Aru choked again. "Who knew Sheela could be so... menacing?" She said under her breath. Louder, she said "You're not allowed to drink, so you have to do it,". Nikita groaned and got up. A moment later, she came back wearing way too big clothes. "I feel hideous," She grumbled. Aru snickered. Nikita turned her glare on Aru. 

"Aru, truth or dare?" She asked. "Dare...?" Aru said uncertainly. "I dare you to do an Improv, with Aiden, as Camila and Rowan," Nikita said.

"What's the scenario?" Both Aru and Aiden asked in unison. They glared at each other for a second before they returned their gaze to Nikita. "Camila disobeyed an order from Rowan, and then they get into a heated argument, when one of them accidentally confessed their love," Nikita says.

The actor and actress groaned."You're not allowed to drink, so you have to do it," Nikita said, mocking Aru from earlier. Aru glared at her, before walking into the stage, followed by Aiden. "If you can do this convincingly, I'll give you brownies!" Brynne shouted.

Aru took a breath, getting into the Camila mindset. She stood in the middle of the stage, Aiden stood backstage. "Lights, camera, action!" Oliver said. Aru saw a flashing red light. Great. Someone was recording this.

Rowan stepped into the stage, and Camila groaned. "Why are you here, Rowan?" She asked, annoyance laced into her tone. "You know perfectly well why I'm here, Camila. I told you specifically not to go out there!" Rowan shouted. Camila barked a laugh, stepping closer to Rowan. "Yet you send out rest of the squad! What's so special about me?" She retorted. "What's special about you? Everything about you! I can't have you dead on my watch," Rowan gritted his teeth.

"It's just like you. All you care about is damned reputation!" Camila shouted. "That isn't what this is about Camila! Why would I care about my reputation? I care about survival!" Rowan shot back.

"Which is the exact reason I need to be out there! I'm tired of getting cooped up in this ship! I can and will fight along side the squad! I have the most survival skills out there than anyone on this squad!" Camila protested.

"Which is why you're so important! You're one of the only two people in this squad that has been trained in survival tactics! We need you for emergencies, not for fighting against the phantoms!"

"So I'm just supposed to sit there while you all risk your lives!"

"Yes! I wouldn't be able to handle it if something happened to you!"

"Why not Marianna! She's been trained, same as me! She's out there, fighting! Why me!". Camila and Rowan were less than 3 inches apart. Camila could feel Rowan's breath on her face.

"Because I love you!" Rowan shouted. Camilas froze. "W-What?" She stuttered. Rowan's eyes looked heartbroken. He cupped Camila's face with one hand. "I love the way you laugh, the way you smile, the way you look at everyone with care, the way you want to help everyone. And I couldn't live if anything happened to you," Rowan confessed.

Under his breath, Aiden whispered "Kiss me,". No one else could have heard it. But Aru did. The distance between them closed. The scent of clean laundry filled Aru's nose. Aiden's soft lips against hers, pulling her closer for the second time. There was just something about this though.

This wasn't acting.

Aru had felt a fake kiss before. This was way too real to be acting. The passion Aiden had while kissing her. That wasn't acting.

Could he actually...

Aiden pulled away, and the two faced the crowd. They bowed and walked off the stage. "Hey, great acting!" Mini said. "He wasn't." Aru muttered. "What?" Mini asked. "Nothing," Aru said. Aru walked over to Aiden. "We need to talk," she said. "Sure...?" Aiden said, following her out the door.

"Were you acting?" Aru asked him once they were in the living room. "What?" Aiden asked. "Were you acting?" Aru repeated. "I don't know what you're trying to say," Aiden said. "What I don't know is why you kissed me like you loved me," Aru told him "I know the difference between a real kiss and a fake kiss, so don't lie to me,". "I could say the same thing to you," Aiden said. "You first," Aru said.

"Fine. What if I told you everything Rowan said to Camila during his confession is what I want to tell you." Aiden said. "What if I told you that I like the feeling of your lips on mine?" Aru said. "What if I told you I meant it when I kissed you? You look beautiful," Aiden said. "What if I told you I think I love you?" Aru said. "What if I told you the same thing?" Aiden said.

"Guys, come on!" Oliver shouted. "Brynne's gotten the brownies, and people are going to finished them without y'all!". "One sec, Oliver!" Aru shouted. She quickly kissed Aiden again, pulled away, and ran back to the theater room. "Gimme the brownies!" Aru said, taking 3 squares. "Hey! That's way too much!" Molly complained. "These are for me, Molly!" Aru said, taking a bite of a brownie.

She walked over to Mini, who was talking to Brynne. "Hiya," She said. "Woah, Shah, you're gonna get a sugar rush if you eat all of those," Brynne said. "Which is why I'm taking one," A voice said from behind Aru. Aiden grabbed a brownie. "See ya, Shah!" He smirked before running. "Get back here Acharya! Gimme that brownie back!" Aru said, stuffing the brownie in her mouth and chasing after him. 

~~~~~7 months later - 1 month after movie is released - Exclusive interview with the cast~~~~~

Interviewer: So, what would you all say the biggest drama on the set of Trapped In The Phantom Zone was?

Brynne: Aru and Aiden's relationship, for sure. 

Interviewer: Well, I'm sure the viewers want to know more.

Mini: As you know, Aru and Aiden played the two protagonists in the movie, Rowan and Camila, so they must've had a good relationship, right? Wrong. We filmed the first half of the movie with those two hating each other's guts! I'm pretty sure Boo had a stroke because of them!

Aru: Uh! Excuse me!

Aiden: That was forever ago!

Brynne: You know it's true.

Boo: So anyways, every time we finished for the day, even just finishing a single scene, they'd either start bickering, or pull a prank on each other. 

Aiden: Shah once played an air horn constantly for a whole day from the speaker in my dressing room.

Aru: Hey! You're supposed to be on my side!

Aiden: Sorry

Aru: If you're going to be like that, I guess I should tell you all about the time he b-

Aiden: Okay, okay, we're done here.

Sheela: We were having a party with all the people on the set our age at Brynne's penthouse.

Molly: To put it simply, there was drama.

Boo: I remember this like it was yesterday, but one day, Aiden is walking out, covered in whipped cream and shaving cream, and the next day, Aru and Aiden walked together, holding hands like they were a cute couple.

Aru: We were and are a cute couple.

Oliver: Boo asked me what happened, so I showed him a video of the last night. Nikita had dared Aru to do an improv with Aiden, what is now, the confession scene in the movie. 

Nikita: And yet, I get no credit.

Aru: You get credit now.

A/N: Hiya! I sort of started this yesterday, and it ended up with over 3500 words right now. I was really into this. Tell me is you want more of this AU (like bloopers and interviews), or if it's good just like a one shot? Anyways, I really like writing this. But Aiden's and Aru's confessions were a bit weird, but still. I liked this one shot.

~V