A/N: song to set the scene:

As It Was by Harry Styles

________________________________________________________________________________

AJ's POV

Was I proud that I lied to Sarah this morning about my lunch plans? Absolutely not, but I didn't want to make her worry before the day started. I'll deal with damage control later. I'll make sure to have a few of the crew cover for me, just in case they see Sarah at lunch and I'm not around. I put my things down next to my chair, and squat down to start getting my camera set-up for the day. I take a few pictures of random things around the set. Our Auradon Prep set. Few of the crew members rigging up some cameras for higher shots. I even caught Kenny stealing a donut from the Craft Services table. I showed it to him, and he almost had me delete but laughed that I caught the moment. "AJ, do you mind heading to the hair and make-up trailers and catch a few behind the scenes moments in there?" Kenny and I walk back towards the set towards his chair. "Sure! I would love to annoy your actors this morning," I shoot him a devilish grin as I walk out of the building.

~~

I get to the trailer and knock twice just to make sure it was okay for me to come in. I hear a loud 'come in,' so I open up the trailer door. I have no idea who is in this trailer so I could be greeted by my girlfriend and China, or I could be walking into the shark pit called the Core 4. I peek my head in and see the now bluenette closest to the door. I catch her eye in the mirror and give her a devilish smirk. I bring the camera up to my eye and start taking multiple shots. "AJ! Don't take my picture right now!" Sofia exclaims trying to cover her reflection with her hands. "Kenny sent me, so I apologize in advance to all four of you," I walk in and plop down in a chair between Cameron and Sofia. I turn the swivel chair towards Cameron, and he shoots me a few poses as I take pictures.

"I think you should make the hairstyle permanent, Cam," I point to the black and white hair he sports for his character Carlos. "Nah. As much as I love Carlos' look, I prefer my natural hair," I turn away from him as he starts getting a few touch ups from his make-up artist. "Sof, may I take a few pictures now?" I shoot her a pouty face. "Really the pout? Not working on me this morning," she keeps her focus forward in the mirror as the artist continues working on her wig. "Aww come on. You can't resist this face," I point to my face making my bottom lip jet out more. She laughs rolling her eyes, "Fine, go ahead." "Knew you couldn't resist me, Carson," I bring the camera up to my eye and snap various angles as she's getting transformed into Evie.

"Blue is really your color," I pause, "princess." I see a bit of a blush come up on Sofia's cheeks. "You are a princess, aren't you? Evil Queen technically married into royalty," I shrug looking down at my camera knowing exactly what I originally meant by the nickname. "You're correct, but Evie doesn't need to be royalty anymore. She's doing just fine on her own," Sofia sits up straighter in her chair, and I admire her for a second. "Yes, she is," I say under my breath, hoping she didn't hear me. I love Sarah, I truly do. I can't help but feel little butterflies in my stomach when I'm around Sofia again.

I make my way around the rest of the trailer taking some group pictures of the Core 4, and individuals of Booboo and Dove getting ready. Since my conversation with Dove yesterday, we've been successfully staying away from each other if it were possible. I'm hoping she understands that I'm done with this back-and-forth game with her, and that there's nothing she can say or do to bother me anymore. The best way to get under her skin is to show her that she doesn't bother me. "Well, it's been a pleasure this morning. I will now get out of your hair and go bother the pirates next door," I wave at them all earning a collective 'bye' from everyone.

I walk towards the neighboring trailer knocking the same way I did earlier. I hear a loud 'come in' and peek inside to see who I might be encountering now. I see China closest to me then Thomas next to her. Then I see Dylan, Cheyenne, and lastly my beautiful girlfriend. I wave at them all as I walk in but couldn't fight the urge commenting on who's in the trailer, "I didn't know I'd be surrounded by so much evil this morning." I sniff the air, "I smell a hint of tears and children's hearts." I look at the five faces in front of me shaking their heads at my ridiculousness. "AJ, what are you doing here?" China asks getting her wig situated on her head. "I can't see my friends?" I start walking over towards Sarah. "Or stop by and see my girlfriend before everyone gets swept away into working?" I get an unexpected elbow in the gut from Sarah. "Why are you really here?" Sarah points to the camera around my neck. "Kenny wants some behind the scenes photos, so don't mind me," I smile holding up the camera snapping a quick picture of Sarah. "Really?! We don't look put together yet!" Sarah covers the lens while I laugh. "Hence the word behind the scenes. Not everything is all glitz and glam," I snap another picture not looking through the lens.

I make my way around the room similar to what I did in the previous chapter. I sit in the chair next to Sarah's while she's getting the finishing touches. I scroll through the pictures and smile at the happy faces I've captured this morning. As much as we can bicker or get under each other's skin, they all love and care about each other. I think that's why I let my grudge with Dove go. Maybe she was right to break Sofia and I up. Maybe she saw something neither of us because we were living in the moment, and you can't put a fire out from inside the house.

"You okay?" Sarah puts her hand on my shoulder now standing next to me. "Yeah, yeah. I was just stuck in my head," I put my hand on top of hers. I scan down her body looking at the now evil Audrey standing in front of me. "Wow, I still love the real you more than any character you'll ever play," I take her hand kissing it. "I'd kiss you, but I'd like to live today," I shoot a glance at Sarah's make-up artist and catch the faint smile as she's cleaning up her things. "You all headed to set?" I ask towards the other four who are getting finished up in their chairs. "We have to head over to costuming then we'll be over there," Dylan says grabbing his phone from the small vanity in front of him. "Alright, I'll head to set then. No one should intrude on you guys getting dressed," I spin the chair as I get up. "No evil allowed until you get to set," I squint my eyes at them pointing at each other them. "No promises," they all say in unison. "Whoa, creepy," I say closing the door behind me.

~~

The rest of the morning went the same. I took a lot of pictures of the cast in between takes and caught a lot of cute moments between the whole cast. They all did act like one big family, and I think a lot of that was because Kenny wants them to feel like one. We're away from family for months, and it can get lonely not having people around you who actually care about your well-being along with you doing well at your job. That's my biggest draw-in to move to Walt Disney Studios. I hear from people all the time about how great it is to work with the company, and how they treat you like family rather than a worker bee. The CW is great, but if they're willing to replace me without me evening hinting at wanting to leave than maybe that is my indicator to leave.

I start detaching my lens to put away in my bag since we'll be breaking for lunch soon. "Hey AJ, you have plans for lunch?" I hear behind me and turn giving them my attention. It's Jason. "Actually Jason, can you do me a favor?" I ask him. "Sure, what is it?" He looks at me curiously. "I told Sarah I have plans with you and a few of the other crew for lunch, but I'm actually meeting someone else for lunch. Mind covering for me?" I fidget with my ring hoping Jason is willing to play along with my lie. "Who are you having lunch with that Sarah would have a hard time accepting?" Jason pushes for more information. "If you must know, Sofia. I didn't want to worry Sarah, and I panicked!" I start sounding desperate. "I've got you, AJ. No worries," he pats my shoulder and starts walking away. I hear Kenny break everyone for lunch, so I hurry to pack my camera up. I sling the bag over my shoulder grabbing my phone and water bottle. I ran to grab the soup containers earlier between takes so Sarah didn't ask me any questions on why I had two soups. I pick the bag I stashed the soups in off the ground and make my way towards the back door to slip out of the building.

I take my phone out to shoot Sofia a quick text letting her know I'll meet her at her trailer, and I make the short trek over. I sit on the side of her trailer out of sight just in case Cameron or Dove come to their trailers, which were neighboring Sofia's. I hear heels making their way closer and peek my head around the corner to see if I can make out who's coming. I see three pairs of shoes making their way towards Cameron's trailer and quickly pull back. "You sure you want to each lunch here? We can just eat with the rest of the cast," I hear Sarah's voice faintly. "You wanted to talk, and I know you don't want prying ears," I faintly hear China reply. "Yeah Sarah, you made it seem pretty important, so privacy is needed," Cameron closes the door and I no longer hear them.

I wonder what Sarah needs to talk to them about. I'm broken from my thoughts at the sound of a single pair of footsteps getting closer. I peek my head around again and see the blue boots making their way towards me. I come out from behind the trailer smiling and holding up the soup. "God, I'm so hungry. I've been thinking about this all morning," Sofia returns my smile opening the trailer door for the both of us. I close the door behind us and place the soup on the small counter. I walk over to the couch putting my camera bag down. "I can promise you; you'll be thinking about that soup more after you've eaten it," I walk back over taking the containers out of the bag handing one to Sofia to put in the microwave.

I lean my back against the counter watching her move around the small space. I cross my arms over my chest, "So where's this muffin you promised me?" Sofia stops moving and smiles over her shoulder. "I don't remember promising you a muffin. I remember saying we'd share a muffin," she turns facing me. I take a step towards her, "I guess I misinterpreted the message then." I scan her from head to toe, still in her Evie leathers. "This is by far your best look. Step up from the outfit in the first movie," I sidestep towards the beeping microwave. "If I remember correctly, you loved my outfit from the first movie," I get taken back by how close Sofia suddenly is. She reaches around me grabbing a spoon and the hot container, her mouth passing my ear, "You definitely love a good, bad girl, don't you?" I shiver at her words placing my container in the microwave. "I wouldn't say that. I like someone who can play both sides, but at the end of the day has a good heart. Isn't afraid to show how big that heart is either," I turn around leaning back against the counter again.

I grab the container from the microwave and sit next to Sofia at the small table. "What do you think?" I ask and see slight panic on Sofia's face. "What do you think of the soup?" I raise my eyebrows. "Oh, it's good. When did you become vegan? You definitely ate meat when we were in Florida," Sofia takes another spoonful of soup. "Sarah doesn't eat or drink anything animal-related, so I eat vegan to keep it easy. I eat some meat if we aren't together, but for the most part I stick with non-dairy options," I lift the bowl to drink some of the warm broth. "I'm impressed. I understand why you were so confused when we brought you back lunch that first week," Sofia puts her spoon down and looks straight at me. I straighten up and wipe my mouth with the paper towel next to me. "AJ, I need to tell you something. Before you get annoyed or upset or mad at me, I want you to hear me out, okay? We're working on communicating and listening, and this is me communicating," Sofia suddenly becomes very serious, so I push the soup away and give her my full attention. "I'm here, and I'm listening," I give her a soft smile letting her know I'm ready.

"When you left Friday morning, I stopped by your parents' old house. I don't know why, but I felt like after the week we had it was only right for your parents to get the same closure we got. Actually hear everything out," Sofia pauses and fidgets with her nails taking in a long breath. "I got lucky, and they were both there. Still living in that small, beach home we spent countless summers in high school at," she smiles down at her fingers then looks up to meet my eyes. "AJ, I told them we never got married that we actually called the engagement off due to some hardships we couldn't get past at the time. I didn't tell them how it was because I thought you cheated, just that we couldn't see eye to eye and ended things. I told them how we finally talked after five years and forgave each other. I didn't tell them everything, but enough for them to be willing to sit down with my parents," Sofia pauses again wiping a tear from her eye.

I move around the small bench to sit directly next to her. I take her hands, and she immediately gravitates to my ring to twist. "I know your relationship really sucks with them, and that I'm the cause of all of that. If I hadn't pulled you away from school or that internship in Miami, you'd still have them in your life," I wipe a tear escaping her eye. "Did they talk to your parents?" I softly ask not wanting to interrupt her. "They did and listened. They told your parents about you working in music for the CW and that you're working on Descendants, hence how we're talking again. Paulina said your parents are ready to listen whenever you're ready to talk to them again. I know they cut you off, but I believe deep down that they regret it," Sofia's deep brown eyes don't leave mine and I feel myself being pulled in.

I rest my forehead on hers letting what she just told me run through my head. My parents actually listened? Wow. I don't know what any of this means, and I have no words to say at the moment, "Thank you." The words are barely above a whisper. "Thank you, Sof. I know it must've been hard, especially since they did blame you for me dropping out of school. I truly appreciate it," I open my eyes and she's got her eyes closed still. I lean my body forward feeling my heart beating faster. "Sof, I need to know if you want me to stop," I pause my motions waiting for her to push me away. "I haven't wanted you to stop since the day you came back," her words make my breath catch in my throat. I pull back and her eyes flutter open. "I want to do this right, and me cheating kind of got me in this predicament in the first place," I squeeze Sofia's hands, not once our eyes leaving the other.

"Don't break up with Sarah," Sofia states and I feel my heart crack a little. "Okay," I break my eyes to look at our hands. Sofia hooks her finger under my chin to look at her, "She makes you happy, and until she doesn't, I don't want to get in the way of that." I nod my head giving her a soft smile. "You'll be there if it ends?" I ask and see a small smile form on her lips. "Let's take a quick nap," she taps her phone to see the time. "You can get at least a thirty-minute nap, if you lay down now. And I can tell you're tired," she stands up pulling me with her towards the couch. She moves my camera bag to the floor and points for me to lay down. "What are you going to do?" I ask as I lay down grabbing the throw pillow to adjust. "I'll clean these two containers for you, and go over lines," she's already standing next to the small sink washing the containers out. "Sof," I say softly making her turn her head, "join me please." I put my arms out for her to lay. "You don't have to sleep. I just really need the love right now," her smile falters a bit and comes over. "I won't mess up your wig, I promise," I smile wrapping my arms around her gently to not mess anything up. "I'll always be there, AJ." Those faint words Sofia says are the last things I hear as I drift off to sleep. I know she didn't want me to hear them, but the space was so quiet that I could hear her soft breaths lulling me to sleep.

~~

I woke up to an empty trailer and very confused. How long have I been napping? I sit up looking for my phone. I see it sitting on the small kitchen table, so I get up to go check the time. I've been sleeping for two hours. Why didn't Sofia wake me up? I see a few texts from Sarah, a missed call from Kenny, and a text from Sofia. I open the messages to see what kind of trouble I'm in once I get back to set.

Future Wife 💍

Just checking where you are.

Everyone got back from lunch,

and no one knows where you are.

Sofia told Kenny you were exhausted

and offered her couch for you to

nap.

Why didn't you go to my/our

trailer?

I love you, I'm sorry. Text me

when you're up 😘

Knight in Shining Armor ⚔️

I ran into Sofia on my way back

from lunch, and her trailer was

closer to set so she offered

me her couch. I didn't mean

to sleep for 2 hours.

I'm on my way to set now

I love you 😘

I reply to Sarah and listen to the voicemail Kenny left me. He must've called after Sofia told him I was napping in his trailer cause he told me to grab a coffee from the café before returning to set. I might actually just get an energy drink from the vending machine outside the soundstage. I gather everything up, and open my last text message.

Sof

Please forgive me. You looked

so peaceful, and I only

imagine that you're barely

sleeping so I didn't want to wake

you.

I told everyone that we ran into

each other, and I offered my couch

for you to nap on. I almost told

Sarah you had lunch with me, but

she was talking to that guy, Jason,

from the film crew asking where

you were. I don't want you

keeping secrets from Sarah. We're

working on communication, remember?

I frown at Sofia's text and hate the fact that I'm not only lying to my girlfriend, but also not being truthful to Sofia either. I told her I'd tell Sarah we were getting lunch but chickened out. I run my hands over my face and fix my growing bun. I quicken my pace to the vending machine purchasing two Red Bulls, not knowing how long I'll be here today. I pop the can open and quickly drink the liquid. I'm going to leave Sofia's text to reply to later needing to get to set quickly.

~~

I gently crack the door open, so I don't interrupt the current scene. They're shooting a few of the interior scenes of the castle after the new VKs arrive to Auradon. The size of the sound stages we're using for this movie is incredible, and the sets are incredible too. I don't move from the door waiting for Kenny to yell 'cut.' I admire the sight of all the components making up this movie. Not believing that I'm here.

"CUT!" Kenny's yell pulls me from my admiring state. I quickly stride over to my chair, which is occupied but I can't make out who's sitting in it from my distance. As I get closer, I see the faint blonde wig with streaks of purple and blue. I take a few deep breaths and slow my pace. I put my camera bag down next to the chair, catching the attention of my girlfriend. She looks worried, confused, and upset, and it's all my fault. "I'm sorry," I say hanging my head. "It's alright, we were all just worried about you," Sarah gets up from my chair ushering me to sit. "I knew you getting up early to run was going to tire you out," I let a light huff out at her words. "Sadly, I think you're right. I need to focus on sleeping," I fiddle with the half empty Red Bull can. "You're here now, and that's all that matters. Tonight, we'll go to bed earlier," Sarah takes my chin forcing me to look at her. "Yes ma'am," I salute.

"AJ, there you are," Kenny walks up to us. "You okay? It's only been one day, and you're already exhausted," he smiles shaking his head. "I underestimated my willpower. I'll get on a better sleeping schedule tonight, boss," I take the final swig of the energy drink. "You good to take more pictures?" He asks making sure I'm good. "Yeah, I'll be good. I had a two-hour nap! I'm ready for a marathon," I spring up from my chair like a kid having a sugar rush. "Alright Collins, I'm expecting amazing pictures then," he pats my shoulder and walks away with Sarah.

I glance over at Sofia, who's talking to Booboo and Cameron. I grab the camera out of my bag and take a few photos of the three friends from a distance. I don't want to disturb them, and after what happened between me and Sofia in her trailer, I need to distance myself a bit. Breaking up with Sarah right now makes no sense, especially because we're in such a good place besides me hiding a few minor details from her. I wish I could talk to someone who could actually help me figure out what to do.