A/N: songs to set the scene:

- I Didn't Know by Sofia Carson
- A Billion Sorrys by Matt Cornett

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AJ's POV

The remainder of the week consisted of me and Sofia trying to avoid each other. After our kiss in the closet Wednesday, my mind became more confused than it has been since the trip to Florida. I know I love Sarah and I want to explore my future with her. I didn't tell her about Sofia and I's kiss and I know I'm being a terrible girlfriend because of it, but it would ruin her.

I finish making sure the speakers are ready for later and head back inside to find my beautiful girlfriend and our friends preparing some snacks. "Who's working the grill?" China asks and I immediately point to myself. "I don't trust anyone else," I state and wrap my arms around Sarah.

I kiss her cheek and she turns her head slightly to peck my lips a few times. "You two make me feel very single," China says and continues helping Brenna put some chips in bowls. "Oh well McClain, get used to it," Sarah sassily says and I chuckle a bit. "Why's that?" Brenna asks and I look down at the goddess I'm holding. "When we get back to LA, we're gonna look at getting a place together," Sarah smiles up at me and there's a collective 'aw' coming from the kitchen entrance.

I look up and meet Sofia's eyes. Sadness and disappointment, that's what stares back at me. "Sarah Jeffery choosing to settle down?" Dove puts some paper bags on the counter. "I think the better question is AJ finally choosing to settle down?" Cameron looks at me and I shrug. "I've been ready to settle down, and if Sarah wants to settle down with me then I'm more ready than ever," I kiss the top of her head and grab the platter of food I'm putting on the grill.

~~

I close the sliding glass door and walk towards the grill. "You really happy with her?" Dove's voice startles me as I open the lid to check the heat. "Of course I'm happy with her, and what does it matter to you? Your relationship is not good enough so you have to ruin mine again," I snap a bit harsher than I meant.

I close the lid and then look at the blonde. "I'm sorry, I just," I pause. "Dove, I don't want to play games. Why are you so interested?" She sits in the chair close by and pats the one next to her. "Listen AJ, I know I hurt you and Sofia, but at the time I was looking out for her. I know we barely knew each other, but she became my best friend on-set. Didn't hurt that I also liked you a bit," she takes a breath and I scoff.

"I'm sorry for what I did. I want to make sure you're not just choosing Sarah because you thought Sofia hated you all these years. If you truly love Sarah and want to spend the rest of your life with her, you need to tell her you and Sofia kissed the other day," and there's the bomb drop.

"What did you just say?" I stand up and tower over her. "You didn't really think you two were alone? I forgot my bag and saw the two of you leave the utility closet," she smirks up at me and I see the slight hint of her devil horns shining through. "Fuck you, Dove," I spit at her and go to walk towards the wooded area. I don't know where my feet are taking me, but they want to be as far away from here as possible.

~~

I get about half a mile from the cabin and find a tree trunk to sit on. My mind is reeling and I can't get a control on it. Cameron saw us the other day when Sofia and I kissed. If she tells Sarah, or even hints at anything, not only will my relationship be ruined but Sarah will hate Sofia after mending their friendship.

I run my hands through my growing hair and let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. The warm, Canadian breeze hits my body and I rest my head in my hands. Faint sounds of squirrels running up trees and a few birds chirping fill the silence that would otherwise surround me. "Why do I hurt people I love only for it to hurt me the most?" I whisper to myself. "That's a good question, but I don't think you do it intentionally," a soft voice behind me startles me a bit.

I turn around and see Sarah walking towards me. "Hey," I move a bit to make room for her on the tree trunk. "AJ, what's going on?" She asks, taking a seat next to me. "I just needed some air and quiet for a bit," I look out into the wooded area surrounding us. "I heard you and Dove. Is everything okay?" She takes my hand into her own and draws shapes on my palm. "Sarah, I need to be honest with you, especially since I see a future with you," I turn my head to look at her.

I take a deep breath before I let the words leave my mouth. "The other day, Sofia and I kissed. I know that makes me a terrible person and an even worse girlfriend because I kissed someone that isn't you. I wasn't planning on telling you and I look back at that decision and realize how selfish it is. I need you to know that I'm extremely sorry for what I did. I understand whatever decision you make is for the best for you," I watch her eyes as I lay my heart out to her and how sorry I am. They remain soft and she doesn't move a muscle to indicate any feelings at all.

She sighs and stands from the tree trunk, turning her body to full face me. "AJ, you said you didn't want anything to do with Sofia. Now you're telling me you kissed her?" I hear the hint of hurt in her voice that she's feeling. "How can I trust this won't happen again with her?" She poses the question and I realize I haven't said a single thing.

"I'm dedicated to you Sarah. To our future. This was a lapse in judgment and a heat of the moment type of thing," I stand and take her hands into mine. She doesn't look at me and I see a few faint tears on her cheeks. "Do you still love her?" She whispers and I collect my nerve to answer truthfully. "I'll always love her. She was my first and I planned on marrying her. My relationship with her doesn't compare to ours. With you, I feel a sense of stability. You know what you want and we're on the same page about it," I take her chin in my fingers, forcing her to look at me.

"Sarah Jeffery, I plan on marrying you someday. I don't want a future with anyone else," I capture her lips with mine and hold her body close. "Alex, this can't happen again," she pulls back and looks up at me. She means business, calling me 'Alex.' I nod my head and take her hand in mine, intertwining our fingers.

~~

We made our way back to the cabin and I see Sarah's dad at the grill. I kiss the side of Sarah's head and start to head towards him. Sarah keeps her grip on my hand and pulls me inside where people are already snacking and enjoying the music filling the house.

I see that a few others have joined the party since my disappearance into the woods. Kenny is here along with Cheyenne and his kids. A few others are in the living room, but I can't tell who's in there.

"AJ! You're back!" China says a bit too excited and joins my side. "You want anything?" She asks and I shake my head. I don't fully know how much anyone heard Dove say earlier and just want to sink into the floor.

"AJ, we heard that you've already got two future projects lined up?" Cam says from a stool further down the kitchen island. "Well, right now it's just one but hopefully Kenny's project with Netflix works out," I smile at Cam and as if on cue, Kenny walks into the kitchen with a few others trailing him.

"I heard my name. You all aren't talking bad about me," he looks at us suspiciously and we all chuckle. "Nope, we were just talking about AJ's new projects. Can you give us any ideas about what you're planning with Netflix?" China nudges him and he shakes his head. "I have a few ideas, but the only person getting to hear those will be AJ so she can write some song ideas," he looks at me and I give him the best smile I can.

"Speaking of, do you have any more drafts for the High School Musical show you're leaving us for?" Kenny asks and a few sets of shocked eyes land on me. I haven't really talked to anyone about me leaving Descendants early to head back to California for the recording of some songs and to meet with the main cast of the show. I clear my throat and adjust my stance to lean against the counter. "I actually do. It's kind of silly, but let me grab my laptop," I push off the counter and head to the living room where a few of the cast is talking.

I grab my laptop and head back to the kitchen to find that a few others have joined us. Now Dove, Thomas, Sofia, Paulina, and Booboo, are standing around the kitchen island talking. I set my laptop up near Kenny and I pull up the track I recorded on set earlier this week. "Okay, this is supposed to be an 'okay' song. Imagine a teen boy messing up and needing to apologize," I click the button to start the track and clear my throat.

Before you go and make that face you make when you're mad at me

So mad at me

Let me say it's not my place going through your voicemail

And your history

And if this were a TV show you know I'd have to go and plead insanity

'Cause the lyin' and spyin' and pryin' isn't really my personality

I'm an idiot for taking your phone

This is my fault, my bad

If I said a million sorrys

How about a billion sorrys?

Ooh

You shine just like the stars

And I'm not even a night light

'Cause what I did wasn't so bright

I'm really sorry

I look around the room and see a few people bobbing their heads to the beat. When I look at Kenny next to me, he's beaming like a proud father.

Girl

Girl

You know I was scared that this would end

That's why I checked your DMs

This has been so hard for me, keeping this secret from you and our friends

Ugh, but given the chance, I would definitely do it again

No, wait that's not right

I mean that I wouldn't do it again

No

This is my fault, my bad

If I said a million sorrys

How about a billion sorrys?

Ooh

Can't we just start again?

Once upon a time I'm sorry

Nothing else to rhyme with sorry

(I'm really sorry)

Ooh

Not so great at sayin' sorry

Hope you know I'm really sorry

Ooh

I let the track finish and everyone claps for my mini performance. "Very good. Did you send this to Tim yet?" Kenny asks and I shake my head. "Not yet, but he knows I have it for him. We talked yesterday about one of the love songs I started writing for the two leads," I close my laptop and I hear him hum.

"Well, I'm sure he'll love it. Do you know who else is on the project yet?" Kenny asks and I shrug. "Um, Dan Book and Steve Vincent are the only other two I've had calls with recently," I state and Kenny's eyes widen. "I loved working with Steve on the original movies. He'll help you go far in this industry," he pats my back and heads out towards the patio.

I release a deep breath and lean my back against the counter, listening to the various conversations around me. "Hey," Paulina comes up next to me and nudges my arm. "Hey," I wrap my arm around her shoulders. "So I heard you've got yourself in a bit of predicament," I raise my eyebrow at her and she just shrugs.

"What do you mean by a predicament?" I turn my body and cross my arms over my chest. "Sof told me about what happened the other day. Now you're moving in with Sarah when y'all get back to LA. AJ, do you even know what you want?" Paulina pokes my chest and I hang my head. "Pau, listen. Sof deserves so much better than me. Hell, Sarah does too, but right now my focus is on not screwing up this relationship more than I already have," I keep my voice low enough for Paulina to hear.

She nods her head and looks at me with a sad smile. "Just so you know, no guy Sofia has brought around has been good enough. As much as you think you've messed up, just remember that she's the one who didn't believe you," she points at me and walks away towards Cameron and the others.

She's got a good point, but Sarah and I have already faced too many ups and downs to throw it all away. We'll see what happens when her schedule picks up for Charmed and mine gets busier with High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Once we're not spending days on-set together things could change. When that day comes, I'll either be prepared for a break-up or to get down on one knee.